vRS newbie

I used to use millers with every tank full, every week but missed a few weeks and got the problems. I'm thinking the millers has masked the problem until now or a bad batch could be right, they were filled up at the same station. How do I go about contacting shell? Should I ask in the station? I'm going to run BP with loads of millers or redex for the next couple of weeks. Incidentally, a mate at work has had the exact same problems and fills up 200 miles away from where I usually do. His wife drove to norfolk and rang him saying the car was running funny, she filled up at tescos on her way back and by the tims she got home the car was running fine. He fills up with fuel save and hey presto, the problems come back. I have heard that VRSs should be driven with a max of 5% bio fuel but soemone mentioned on another forum that fuel save is using 7% bio fuel in it. Either way, I'm staying away from shell from now on. Car is going in a few weeks, I'll be sad to see it go.

Hi all, I recently had a problem with my VRS. Driving to work the car suddenly lost power, went into limp mode and the EML and Coil light came, with the coil light flashing. Took it to a reliable VAG service centre who read the codes as an EGR fault but couldn't find anything else. I took the car out for a drive afterwards and it still felt down on power and there was a hesitancy in power delivery with an almost "pulsing" sensation when travelling along. After my usual 300 mile weekly round trip the car felt terrible. At one point I was down to 50mph and was ready to call the AA. Took it back the garage again and told them to go over it with a fine tooth comb. 4 days later, nothing, they just could not find anything wrong. I must admit I was questioning the garages competancy. Anyway, the VRS is being traded in next month so I didn't want to take any chances so gave my car to the wife to drive whilst I took her Kia Ceed. I've never really driven it but lo and behold her car was driving like a bag of spanners. Showing the same symptoms as my VRS, without the limp mode and flashing lights though but it felt crap. The Kia is only just over 12 months old so I was scratching my head as to what could it be. I thought someone had spiked the tanks whilst the cars were parked up or had shoved something up the exhaust. Then it came to me, the only thing both cars had in common was the feul we were using! Shell Fuel Save! I have used the same garage for nearly 5 years of weekly commuting with over 5 diesel cars without any problems. It's only since Shell switched to this new diesel that I have noticed my car getting gradually worse. I use millers every week since getting the car last feb but ran out and had to use just the Shell on it's own. I'm on my first full tank of non-shell diesel in the Kia and all fells great again. I plan on switching back to the VRS next week and running a few tanks of BP Ultimate with Redex through it to clean things up. Search on the net and you'll find I am not the only person who has had this problem. Has anyone else? (Sorry this was so long)

Got the exact same wih mine mate. Had new drop links and straight away was pulling to the left. Had the tracking done and it was found to be 1 degree out. Not much if you ask me and the car still pulled slightly to the left but not as bad as before the service. Last week I had 4 new Rainsport 2s on and the pulling to the left is as bad as ever. Got the garage to check it and he said it's all straight and can't see anything wrong. I've also had cupra bushes done so it can't be them. Problem started as soon as I had the drop links done when chasing the infamous "rattle". Well, the rattle must be pi55ing itself now because it's still there and the car wants to hump every curb it sees. I'm sure I read on here that it could be the top mounts or ARB bushes that could cause this. I've also seen a thread with the exact same symtoms as mine and it was only solved with a new steering rack! If you fix it be sure to let us know.

Stuff that! Whats the best shampoo and polish? I used to use Mer, I think it was called that anyway, that brought my vtr up a treat!

Can someone take me through a good winter protection regime please? I usually take my car to the local sponge n scratch but I'd like to give it a good going over before winter. I'm guessing its something like... 1. Shampoo 2. Wax/Protection ? Cheers.

I had a the cheapo awesome remap done and if revo are as good as I've heard then you'll love it. It's one of the few "upgrades" I have done that I just wouldn't remove, see my Life em lads post.

Actually CJB, I'm with you on that. Some look great but all I can think about now is "I bet they are suffering in there". After this I won't mess with a car, well, not with the suspension anyway. I do have cupra bushes (recommended), lower engine steady (not recomended, too much vibration), PD160 intake (can't see what all the fuss is about), 9mm EGR gasket (MIL light keeps coming on when on long runs, needs drilling to 12mm), Awesome GTI remap (highly recommeded), uprated air filter (meh), Whiteline RARB (another must have). I have falled in love with the car again now. It has it's original playful temprement back instead of being a caged wolf.

Since I had my VRS dropped using Eibach lowering springs I just havent enjoyed it. Yep, the car handled better, cornered like it was on rails etc etc. But, as I do 400 miles a week on mainly motorways it was getting a bit tiresome and to be honest felt like I was being dragged on a spade. Car had its 40,000 mile service today and I asked the garage (Pioneer of Cheltenham, I can highly recommend them) to put the original springs back on. Well, what a revelation! No crash n bash as I go over Cheltenhams pothole strewn streets. Just smooth driving. Granted, cornering and setting off has suffered greatly but I'm not bothered. It must be that I'm getting older but I'd rather have fuzzy and soft than sharp and ragged. Also, with standard 16" wheels I think it looks better higher. So, anyone want a set of Eibachs? I'm slowly putting the car back to standard as personally, it's better that way. Next to go is the super-pro lower engine steady.

I doubt I'll be splitting fellas. It's just too time consuming and costly to get most of the mods off. To get the springs off would mean a geo check alone. Gonna stick it on for about £7250 and see how it goes. Cheers all,

I'm thinking put it on for about £7000 then? It should go pretty quick at that price I reckon. I can't find any as new as mine and in as good condition for £7000. There's one on autotrader for £7295 but I'd bet it doesnt drive anything like mine. I understand that many upgrades are pretty worthless second hand but all of what I have done only make the Fabia better. I'll put the 17" octavia wheels on separate, they'll be on the for sale in a few days. Cheers fellas.

Oh yeah, MOT'd until April 2011 Taxed until end of August 2011

Been loving my Fabia Vrs since I bought it but an impending second child means I need something a bit bigger. Can the esteemed members of Briskoda tell me how much my much loved fabby is worth please? Spec as below... 56 (07) Silver Fabia VRS 39000 miles FSH Body coloures mirros and door handles Awesome GTI remap PD160 intake Eibachs lowering springs fitted (I have the originals boxed as well) Alpine CDE-113BT head unit fitted. Includes bluetooth handsfree kit and IPod connection in glovebox and also has USB. (I have the original radio boxed as well) Cupra Bushes Super pro engine mount New drop links Recently serviced and all above work done by Awesome GTI Wind defelectors Flip out dashboard cup holder 9mm EGR gasket fitted LED side lights I also have a set of 17" Octavia alloys with virtually brand new 50mm tyres fitted. These require a refurb but are not scratched at all. Car is absolutely immaculate, inside and out. No scratches to bodywork or alloys. I have spent nearly £1400 since buying it in March. I have all the reciepts for everything carried out at Awsome GTI. Superb car which gives me a return of between 53 - 55 mpg and of course goes like the clappers when needed. I'm willing to accept offers but I'd like an "about" figure before I put it on the For Sale section. Thanks very much.

I pushed the old gasket out with the new one. Took a bit of wiggling about but it came out no problems. I'd also be tempted to follow r1chard's advice as my EML has been on constantly since fitting the 9mm gasket.

Just done a 400 mile week and the car is constantly pulling to the left. I didnt have time to take it into awesome so took it to a local garage and they could not find anything wrong. Its ever since the drop links have been changed that the car is pulling to the left. The knocking is still there and worse than ever so I'm leaning towards it being the CV joints or drive shaft (please correct me if they are the same thing). Any ideas how expensive this could be? I'm still hoping that the steering is ok but the constant clicking when turning the steering wheel and when going over bumps is reall really annoying me! Anybody else have any ideas? Cheers.

Felix_10 - Cheers for that, I'll have a do this weekend. I've got some high tech bike lubricant thats good with rubber and other such sort so I'll spray that liberally and see what that does. I'm still inclined to think the CV joints or steering rack may have something to do with this as it's feeling lose on the front and knocking when I'm turning corners. Its really pi55ing me off now. If none of this works it's going up in flames and I'm claiming on the insurance! Surely awesome should have been able to diagnose this though? I'm anal about my cars and I'll chase every knock and rattle but this is quite prominent at low speeds. Cheers guys.