Greybeard

My OEM Michelin Pilot Primacy's were smooth and quiet enough in my view, lasted around 23k with fronts moved to back around 4k (when I bought the car) then left as is. Had a bit of life left in them too when replaced last week, but were getting a little weary down at 2-3mm. I built up the same list, Rainsport's, F1 Eagles, Toyo's, Kuhmo's etc. and the expensive Pilot Exalto's. Decided to try the Exalto's as quality manufacturer, good all rounder tyre with positive reports. I believe you generally get what you pay for. Hopefully the investment will keep me on the road and in this life, to see the spring again after those dark December nights beating up the motorways at very close to legal limits through the horizontal icy rain:thumbup: If your interested in the price research, see attached thread. http://briskoda.net/fabia-i/uniroyal...raders/121927/ Photo of fitted Exalto also attached fyi. So far after few hundred miles am happy with the expenditure, pretty quiet and smooth riding (they're new after all). I've read the Conti's can be quite noisy but have no direct experience with them.

I've driven a lot of rental cars in the course of my business activities some just a few hundred miles old, and also amongst them some Skoda's. Virtually every one has, if you listen hard, exhibited some kind of low rumble from the transmission at idle in neutral. This disappears when you depress the clutch because the rotating elements in the drive train change when the clutch is depressed and also the clutch thrust bearing comes under tension so any clearances are taken up. Everything has an operating clearance even when new or it would sieze up. If the release bearing is making a lot of noise with the clutch depressed then it probably will need replacing, but I'd err on the side of your dealer if he's had a look at it, unless the bearing's screeching when you dpress the clutch pedal! Depends of course on the kind of use its been subjected to but they usually last quite some time. Ive never had to replace one or had one go in more than 30 years of driving - either been doing something right or must've just been lucky!!

Guess I've just joined the club too after..... Had a good look again at mine, so far they've been no problem since March 05 but with the continuous periods of rain not letting up recently my door cards are now damp and water is sitting on the seal/inner plastic trim. Carpet feels OK at the moment but will have to attempt a sealng job on the carrier by the look of it. Hope it dries out enough in the next few days to give the sealer a chance of adhering properly, you can wipe the suraces clean with degreaser but there's still the water trapped in the foam sponge behind the carrier that can seep out. Don't fancy a re-riveting job unless its absoultely necessary!

This happens with a lot/most 4/5 door cars if one of the rear windows is down, my old Pug 405 was very prone to it and the Fabia vRS is worse (maybe smaller cabin volume = potentially higher air pressure for given speed). Various hire cars I've had also exhibit same to varying degrees. Open another window or request very kindly that the little darlings shut the rear window in question please. (Politically correct version - may in practice be worded slightly differently by harassed/stressed out parent.)

Michelins for low wear, just put some Exalto PE2's on to replace the OEM Primacy's at around 23k, although they'd have gone on to 25k+ if I'd fancied living dangerously.:eek: Will see how this later design compares with the older one, just have to suspend the Sky subscription for a couple of months to fund the difference between them and the Kuhmo's/Nexen's/F1's/Toyo options etc. From what I read of others experiences these are supposed to grip, wet, dry, summer and winter unlike some others that have lasted forever but made for an exciting time in the rain!

Tom, I can get 48" (1220mm) long items to fit front to back and 36" (915mm) without any trouble widthways. Tilting will help but the tailgate aperture is still only around 1100mm 'across corners' so I don't think you'll get it in either way round unfortunately. If you know someone your way with roof bars they're not too much of a job to fit temporarily, but you'd probably be better off finding someone with a bigger car/van!

My OEM Michelin Pilot Primacy's lasted around 23k with fronts moved to back around 4k (when I bought the car) then left as is. Had about 2-3mm left on fronts and 3mm or so on rears after 31/2 years so decided to renew as winter is coming! I was looking for same and my list ended up as Rainsport's, F1 Eagles and Pilot Exalto's. Decided to try the Exalto's as quality manufacture, good all rounder tyre with good reports. If your interested in the price research, see attached thread. http://briskoda.net/fabia-i/uniroyal-michelin-online-traders/121927/ Photo of fitted Exalto also attached fyi.

Needed some new rubber for my 4 std alloys and after checking all the good info on here and other forums, decided on 3 options then did the ring rounds and online searches. Thought I'd share the current research with y'all. Not seeking out and out grip, but a quiet running, good wearing premiium quality manufacturer with decent all round performance in what passes for summer & the other 9 even colder and 'wetter' months. I decided on Pilot Exalto PE2's, Uniroyal Rainsport 2's or Eagle F1 GS-D3's (probably not so good in the cold but was tempted) 205/45/16's. Looked at 10 internet based prices, and 11 local suppliers:- UNIROYALS - 8/10 locals couldn't get them or didn't list, one said they were on back order until April 2009 of the other 2 one was £500, the other a more reasonable £390 but needed to order. Tyre-shopper were best price at £356 and had 10 in stock. Only 2 online prices for W rated, one other was V rated only, the rest didn't list Uniroyals. EAGLE F1's - All 18 had in stock or to order within 24 hrs, cheapest (local specialist) was £330, most expensive ATS at £480. Online prices all dearer than the local fitted £330 if you included fitting cost. EXALTO PE2's - All claimed to have available but none of the locals had stock. Most expensive was National tyres at £500, cheapest locally was HiQ believe it or not at £436 but after asking them to order claimed they were on back order with no delivery date available. Cheapest online was C-Tyres at £431.60, most expensive MyTyres at £487.60. In the end Protyre in Poole (owned by Micheldever I believe) got 4 PE2's next day and fitted them at £437. Look like quality tyres, time will tell if they were worth the money! Not sure why the Uniroyals are apparently shunned by all, plenty of support for them on this forum but a lot of the posts aren't recent. The F1's probably weren't what I wanted, because rare as it is down here, they have plenty of snow and ice in those distant lands to the far north of Watford which is where I spend some of my time these days. So, Uniroyals are apparently not widely available, online trader prices aren't always cheapest and if you like Michelins (made in Germany by the way) you have to pay dearly for them!

Have used BP Ultimate Diesel constantly since 2005, then earlier this year tried some Shell V Power, and more recently due to time constraints and availability a few tankfulls of Sainsburys City Diesel stuff (now with shiny black nozzles instead of the dirty Yellow ones!). Gone back to BP Ultimate diesel over the last 3 weeks though. To be honest I've seen absolutely no difference in either fuel consumption or performance between the three, and each of the fuels still chuck out diesel fog on the twice weekly (or more) Italian tune ups. Trips are usually several hundered miles mostly motorway and in between a few short traffic clogged commutes. The only noticeable difference I've observed is that on the Sainsbury stuff it rattles like a hot secretary's stillettos on a steel floorplate, the Shell V power less so but the BP Ultimate is smoothest and quietest diesel thrum of all. I guess there may be something in the claim that BP Ultimate diesel has a higher Cetane rating, as this is what inhibits knock in diesel fuel, bit like pinking and the low/high octane petrols. Whether the 'hydrocarbon' soundproofing is worth the extra 10p+ per litre or not is a matter of personal choice and pocket depth, but I thought the comparisons was interesting.

Used to see 300 miles a tank if lucky on local short commute, then started doing 500mile round trips over 2-3 days. Mostly motorway, averaging 65mph ish on the computer, showing 53-55 mpg but sometimes 60-62 on slow sections. My trip computer reads pretty good, have checked it a few times against brim to brim. Fuel price hikes encourage 'innovative' driving. This week saw 620 miles, around 500 actual with 120 remaining on trip computer at end of journey so I guess thats 620miles a tank. On long steady motorway drives the 130PD really comes into its own. As many people on here have said. the fuel economy really improves once the engine sees around 20,000 miles and has loosened up nicely. Expansion tank helps a good deal, and now with no sign of a 35 degree spell of weather until July 2009 it seems the expansion tank is redundant for the time being anyway, so lets use the extra capacity!!

Did a 700mile South - North - South 3 day dash recently and as with everyone else the car performed faultlessly, chassis/engine/gearbox set up really in its element, seats felt OK at the time as well. 3 days later was walking around like I needed a double hip replacement. Guess the lumbar support can be an issue, and not only for long people - us five foot sixies can suffer too!! Now I know why my dear old Dad gripes about his sciatica. If I was 21 it might not matter, but having been round that clock more than a couple of times have to be careful about seat/seat back positions or get some technical advice on cushions.... Pre-natal classes are good for that I've heard:)

Me too, its the 3-4 mile short daily commute trip that knocks it down. Over the holiday much better, up around 45mpg due to the longer runs. I can say however that I've never achieved much past 52-53mpg as those straight bits with traffic gaps that pop up on occasions, are just so enticing you can't resist letting the right foot do the "torqueing" and it all runs free for a bit!! Life isn't just about wringing the most out of the taxman and the oil companies, otherwise we'd all be driving Fiat Panda's, Toyota Yarises etc.....

Guys, I know its an estate not a hatch, but worth reading these. http://www.briskoda.net/forums/fabia/tailgate-woe-salutary-warning/42155/ http://www.briskoda.net/forums/fabia/tailgate-rear-screen-shatter-fixed/43092/ Touch wood, 2 years on and all is fine but worth a word of caution before the guy takes one side off!!!! Merry Xmas & Happy New Year to all.

Recently drove a 57 reg Octy 2 (77kw Ambiente version) on 500mile round trip. Nicely kitted out etc. and the power/torque was obviously down compared to the96kw Fabia vRS, but what stood out most was the Octy 1.9 TDi felt a much coarser drive than my Fabia vRS. The deeper profile tyres on the Octy made the ride slightly less crashy but getting back in the vRS, although 2 years older, it's a noticeably smoother flowing engine/gearbox/drive train combination. The Octy TDi engine definitely generated more noise that you could hear inside the cabin at most speeds. I'd heard the VAG 6 speed box was much slicker and more positive than the 5 speed but its very much more noticeable than I'd expected. 5 speed's OK but is less positive than the 6 speed. Took an earlier Octavia on similar run last year and it was equally gruff sounding/feeling. Had a Seat Leon 2.0 TDi 140 for a bit also and that was more like the 1.9 PD engines (probably the 6 speed box helped) but still not as smooth a combination as the vRS. Anyone else found the same? Guess not everyone gets the chance to try them all out back to back long distance, but I cetainly found the 1.9 PD engine in the Fabia vRS to be the smoothest combination so far. Wondered if the Octy 2.0 PD170 vRS had similar feel to the lesser spec'd versions?

It needs to see 4000 RPM at least once a week to clear out the unburnt diesel from any slow running that can build up in the exhaust system. If my good lady has been using it for a week trickling around in our sunny seaside traffic, my Saturday morning wellie session can produce some bursts of very environmentally unfriendly smog. Its a diesel so there's also usually a puff of gunsmoke in the wind when it fires up. I'd be pretty pleased with 380 miles on a tankful, if you were doing 50 mile trips each way it might be better, but I do 4 traffic drenched miles each way when I'm in town and that see's 37mpg winter, 40mpg summer. You are doing pretty well I reckon. :thumbup:

I think you'll find they are a fixed alignment as fitted. The "nozzles" are actually flat plastic blades with precision moulded grooves in that press fit into the rounded housings just under the back edge of the bonnet next to your wiper blades. They sometimes pop out in hot weather, or if they become frozen in the winter the ice or pressure build up can blow them out. Also try pushing the housing down firmly into its location hole, may be tilted slightly. The flat blade insert is what gives the fan shaped spray pattern. You could check the insert isn't half out of the housing. Also if they have popped out and been refitted then its possible to fit them uspide down which will set the pattern too low as you describe. If that doesn't work maybe you have a dud moulding, in which case a trip to the dealer for some new ones might be in order.

Confirmed last Friday, new dash insert due mid week for fitting this Friday (assuming stock at SUK or factory). Curiously after checking out last week it all worked again until I put the hazard flashers on which rendered the whole thing silent again, so I guess there must be a fault somewhere in the circuit loop. Hopefully will be sorted by the new insert, will make a note to take the keys and code.

Checked this morning and none of the warning sound features work any more - parking light, lights on with door open etc. so I guess the unit in the instrument cluster has packed up unless its a fuse gone somewhere. All the functions still work just no sound effects. I'll take it to the dealer on Wednesday for a "warranty inspection", and go from there.

Bit seasonal really but the indicators on my vRS have decided silent night should be a permanent arrangement. Didn't realise until it stopped how much I was sub-consciously relying on the comforting clicky sound telling me they worked! I see a few threads on Octavia's where indicator switches fail or play up on models before 2005, does the Fabia have same "combined with hazard light switch" arrangement as on the Octavia? Looks like on the Fabia vRS you'd have to lever the whole centre vent/hazard switch assembly out to gain access and see if its just a connection needs remaking or cleaning. Could take it to the dealer's and have it looked at under warranty but they're about 20 mile round trip and I guess this afternoon if they are working will be full of cheer and joyous abandon before bailing out to join the holiday throngs. Not sure if they are playing again until the new year or at least middle of next week.

Mine does it but only noticed it after my local dealer smashed the tailgate screen last year. They had to remove the light cluster to get the respray on the wing to blend (tailgate strut dented the rear quarter. My near side bumper and rear light both have a plastiky rubbing creak, but I put it down to the disturbance on the repair. Keep saying I'll get around to adjusting/tightening but never do! Must make the effort, must make the effort, must make the effort, must make the effort, must make the effort..................................

I've many photo's of my Corrida Red vRS and depending on the lighting, time of day, time of year and state of cleanliness, it looks anywhere beween Orange and dark pillar box red. My dear old Mum (75) thinks its fire engine red! Whatever you want to call it or however cameras present it there's only ever been one vRS red as Lummox says, and Corrida it is.

Mines on 10k now but in the 14 months I've only put some in once and that was a teaspoonful. Very impressed how good it is on oil. Some say how they're driven early on makes the difference, plenty of mid range light load revs with a few regular high speed bursts makes the rings seal better. Too slow run in will result in a higher oil consumption thereafter.

Anyone happen to know the part number and price of said items? Thks:)

Mine had a new rear screen last November after dealer accidentally shattered it:mad: :( So on the plus side it should go longer before marking:) Right now its perfect:thumbup: Don't recommend breaking the screen to get a new one though, its a right pain in the azse to clear up the mess and bonding the screen in isn't a 5 minute diy job.