Mateusz Loskot

Forgive if I'm asking something obvious, but it is parts only, without fitting labour, right? (I just aksed clutch question costs, so I'm quite interested ).

I think I'll go for the 3rd option. Unless, I manage to make appointments on a Saturday. Thanks for helpful pointers in Lakeside.

Hi, I need to fit new clutch in my Fabia 1.4 16v. So, I asked Skoda dealer in North London, which I usually go to, as well as looked for alternative quotes and here is what I got. All prices are include clutch kit + labour + VAT: 1. My local Skoda dealer: £499 2. Skoda dealer in NW London: £660 3. Skoda specialist in NW London: £450 4. Independent garage in North London: £496 (£158.75 (parts) + £255 (labour) + VAT) 5. Independent garage 1.5h drive outside London: £270 6. Skoda dealer in West London: £660 (but, explained in details it's upper range estimated, due to possible unexpected problems in aged car) 7. Independent garage 1h drive outside London: £370 Simple rule of average seems to suggest option 3. should be safe, but I'm curious. Could anyone enlighten me, which of the prices above is closest to the representative value of the clutch replacement job? (I have checked the Skoda Running Costs thread, but it seems no current prices are displayed there yet.) Could anyone recommend a decent honest garage in North London or in anywhere London where I could move with servicing my Fabia and forget about Skoda dealers (unless there is a good reason not, even with 12 years old car)? UPDATE: Added more quotes (6 and 7), I thought it may be helpful for other Fabia I owners.

Am I confusing two different brands, ECP Eicher vs Eicher? I'm fairly sure this EICHER manufactures in India, not in China. If it's not quite the right, point me in the right, please.

I don't want to disturb the pleasant discussion, but this one is easy to check: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eicher_Motors

Yes, I've considered that and I may give it at try. In meantime, I submitted parts request to one of those spare-parts-compare-dot-com-super-markets. The problem is that 1) I received offers but located >100 miles away, in spite of the fact that I specified my postcode; 2) even if I don't mind shipment from remote place, I'd prefer to see at least pictures; 3) the only contact with those car breakers is on a bit dodgy overpaid phone numbers.

Wow! Your seats are really nice, but...I'm not in rush, leaving for holidays on Friday, coming back on 22nd of August. So, I imagine am sure they'll be gone until then. I've just noticed Tech1e is interested. But, let me know if Tech1e cancels his offer, please

Hi, Driver's seat in my Fabia has become noisy. It comes from back rest or joint between the seat and rest. The noise occurs when I press the pedals or press the rest leaning backward. I can get rid of the noise by adjusting the rest/seat angle, but then it becomes less comfortable. I checked it at Škoda garage and was told, as far as I understood, it's frame issue. I still can drive safely, no problem, but if I want to get rid of the noise, the seat needs to be replaced. New seat costs around £200-£250. Would anyone have suggestion for cheaper solution? Perhaps I should look for a used seat? Where about (I'm based in London)? Cheers, Mat

I think I'm experiencing similar issue, but in Fabia. Could you share the steps how did you tested it's from the rest angle adjust knobs? I've observed that the noise is stronger when I adjust the rest at some angles. The front seat replacement is more than 250 quid

Simply put: great work and big kudos for sharing it! Unfortunately, servicing history of my car is not complete. Although, I bought my Fabia 2nd hand but from dealer where it had been serviced before I got it. I have been told no servicing is required until next MOT. Hopefully, I deal with honest dealer (no reason to be suspicious so far). Nevertheless, I'm going to check what I can check myself frequently, do basic maintenance and react on any problems as soon as possible.

Thanks for the hints. It's always good to know about weaknesses of car. This is my first car, I hope to learn a lot. I know the learning curve is steep and may cost a lot sometimes (or often), but I'm not expecting miracles for sure. As a newbie, I highly appreciate all details helping to understand. Just found a few completing words on the fuel/pistons issue Fabia/VW 1.4 16v Piston Ring Problem

Good catch. You are right, of course. I made mistake. I meant 1.4 16v. Thanks!

Hi, NOTE: Made mistake in the topic, should read "Petrol recommendation for 1.4 16V" (Thanks to Matt) I have tried to find in the archives any useful info about what fuel is recommended/best for my car but I can't see any such topics. So, I decided to ask. I've just got Fabia 1.4 16v 100bhp from 2000. Given the current UK market, could anyone suggest what petrol I should use? Which one would serve as best quality and which one would be cheaper offering decent quality. Any insights appreciated.

Yes, good point. I will try to find the old content. Cheers!

Very interesting thread, especially for a car maintenance newbie as myself. The URL seems to be broken. Does anyone know new URL or subject of the article?