Ian Yorkshire

Thank you fellas ! As you can see I am complete technical numpty ( although a decent driver - but then aren't we all ! ) Yes ,of course - FRONT discs ! New 18" alloys and tyres already ordered so hey-ho ! I understood VRS 17" was standard in some parts of Europe but maybe I thought they put different size brake discs on those. How tight are your 17" wheels to those front brake discs then ?

Just been working out with the Skoda garage what size winter alloys would fit over the 340mm rear discs for my new Octy VRS which arrives tomorrow and consensus was it HAD to be 18" !

I'd still buy yourself some winter tyres no matter that some folk seem to have managed with summers ( and living in Sheffield too !! )

I've a 53 VRS with 209000 miles on it . Still runs like a dream (engine , gearbox, steering ) but the list of what isn't working or dodgy would take a few pages !! Still makes me smile every time i take it out though !

Have run my 209k Fabia VRS on winter tyres the last four winters - an absolute revelation. Currently running Michelin Alpin 4 205/45 16" tyres bought in a package with Enzo alloy wheels from MY Tyres in Germany . They arrive within a week . Tyres on their own would be about £500 , with the alloys about £800. The ride quality has also improved. You can get anywhere in snow with these ( unless you are blocked by others on their summer tyres !)

I once bought a 1989 Audi Quattro turbo which had been chipped to 250bhp but was a much nicer car to drive when i had to reverse it (insurance reasons at the time) back to its original 210 bhp . My 2003 Fabia VRS has always pulled like a train but they reckon that the 1.9 turbo engine has always delivered more than its 130bhp. Never driven a chipped Fabia VRS - hope your modifications are successful.

Thanks for the welcome and replies. Daft I know but I really am attached to the car (black also) and it really has become something of a game to see how long i can keep it going ( still gives me an enormous amount of pleasure every day i drive it ) and its increasing list of foibles does amuse me . Yes . I have thought of keeping it even if i get a new one because you're right , I will miss it , but the costs of taxing , insuring and maintaining a second car are hard to justify. I invariably keep my cars at least ten years (it was 12k new so a grand a year depreciation is pretty acceptable . The only way I could justify "finding (borrowing!) " 20/25k for a new one is that again I would plan to keep it a similar time. I know, far more sensible to buy a two year old Octavia 168bhp VRS and maintain that 1k a year depreciation. Would be very hard to leave my Skoda dealer too (up until recently Royce Roberts in Hull - now DM Keith) whose service has been excellent.

Good evening all , My 2003 Fabia VRS ( with me from new - xenons, cruise , etc) has just passed 205000 miles , still on the original clutch, turbo , exhaust and it is as quick, economical and reliable as it ever has been . The engine , steering and gearbox gel together as harmoniously as ever but alas it is really starting to look its age . The list of what has now ceased to work continues to grow along with the scrapes and rust spots. The random electrics are a consistent source of amusement to me ( ie when the central locking won't work on the driver's door and I use the key both electric windows occasionally decide to lower themselves for no reason at all ) but not my partner who has long ago refused to drive with me since duct tape has been holding my seat fabric together for the last 40k miles. Is it time to quit while i am ahead ? Specced up new Octavia VRS , Golf GTD or Leon ST 184 are going to cost me between 20 and 25k even after discounts . OR should I retrim that drivers seat in finest quality leather for £400 (yeah, should have done that three years ago ) and replace the leaking , blistering alloys with some from MY Tyres in Germany when ordering some new winter tyres , all in for a further £600 ? It has cost me less than £2000 in repairs and servicing over the last 3 years and 50000 miles ( depreciation on a new one in the first week ! ) Hasn't it earned the right to let me down one cold wintry night up in the hills before I pull the plug ? What do you reckon ?