seaweasel

Local dealer first as stevopc says - sometimes they can be surprisingly reasonable, they were the cheapest option when I needed a new aerial. Also the VAG trade parts company TPS if there's one in your area.

MOT time, will shortly be getting a service - going to skip the fuel filter and plugs as they were done last year and hasn't done a massive amount of miles since last year (hit 100k a while back, think I'm on 103 now). Planning on changing brake fluid - handbrake isn't great and no idea when it was last done (pads last year just). If I've time and the help, wouldn't mind painting the calipers (probably green, or red maybe?). Couple of noises to investigate - possibly the front right downlink and maybe a bit of an exhaust hole to weld (not by me!). In other news, I am an idiot and the same speaker is still broken, I'd just forgotten it was the passenger side. On the list at some point.

Thanks sepulchrave

I've used that 3M headlight polishing kit on a couple of cars and it worked well.

Good to see another 2.0, there aren't many left! Short of taking it to see an auto spark, if you can get hold of a ODB II cable/Bluetooth dongle, you'll get some useful information from the error codes, which will presumably be there given the various lights appearing. There's a ton of eBay for less than a tenner that are fine for basic code reading etc that normally come with free software, or the likes of Torque for Android is handy. You can also get a free/shareware version of VCDS that will often work with these for basic functions. The stability (ASR) light normally comes on if you've disabled it using the button on the dash, so maybe rule out the most simple thing and make sure that hasn't been pressed first. Along with the EM and brake related lights though it certainly sounds like something's up, getting hold of the error codes will help with diagnosis.

Thanks guys. I checked the dipstick again yesterday after it had sat for the day and could only see a speck of residue - didn't seem to be metal, was kind of orange and disolved when rubbed. I'm planning on changing the oil in about a week so will have a look in the old filter for any metal bits.

Ooft, hope not! Checked and didn't see any more but that was after a run. Will try again from cold and see if it dissolves or if it's something metal.

Haven't done much with the Furby recently but it's due a service/MOT in the next few weeks. Checked the oil there (been a while to be honest) and noticed some residue on the dipstick, any ideas what it might be? Cheers

Just noticed my dealer has sold/lost their Peugeot franchise - has been re-branded to another local dealership. Take it they're still keeping their Skoda/Kia site as haven't heard otherwise.

Thanks for the flurry of replies.

Was thinking about putting a towbar on the Fabia and I'd like an OEM one for ease of wiring - does anyone know which VAG bars/wiring kits are compatible with Mk1 Fabia Hatches? Was wondering if it was the same one for the Polo/Ibiza so I've a better chance of getting hold of one. Cheers.

Thought I'd keep an eye out for some vRS alloys before I replaced the tyres on my 15s, then fate forced my hand somewhat. Caught a kerb today and happened to get a flat right outside the local tyre place (turned out I took a chunk out the sidewall), so ended up getting four new corners (all needing done anyway, especially the front). Ended up going for a random brand but weren't dear (£48 each) and they seem decent enough (C wet grip).

The least valued franchises by respondents are Skoda, Seat, Peugeot and Alfa Romeo. Hmm, my local dealer has franchises for both Skoda and Peugeot (also Kia though).

As my edit didn't move my post position, hope a bump reply isn't out of order.

Photos of my wacky glass hungry bonnet: Picked up some Autoglym bumper gel to replace the Mer stuff I used to have (now discontinued, and the various sprays I've bought aren't much good). Tested it out on the rear bumper strip and works really well, also now have black doorhandles instead of the horrible shiny grey they used to be. Will give all the plastic a going over next time it gets a wash.

Have been busy with non-car related things the last few months so not been doing much with the Fabia or been on here much until recently. Finally got my TB alignment done, and hasn't fixed my throttle problem! When I say problem, it's not a big deal so not urgent, but obviously must be something else. In the last while there's been some ying/yang-like things going on - just as I was looking at replacing the front door woofers, the driver's side one has spontaneously started working again. Also, my passenger side heated seat has stopped working to SWMBO's disappointment. Won't need it as much now with temperatures picking up, but would like it sorted. Might also be an excuse to fix the stitching in the seat cover, or even replace the horrible pattern with something nicer. On a whim I fitted some LED number plate lights - super bright! Maybe a bit much but I like the whiteness. Just ordered some LED bulbs for the sidelights too. Finally got Autoglass round to replace the windscreen (crack in corner) and the chap found that it was actually caused by the bonnet being out of alignment - hinges seem a bit wobbly and there's a bit of a kink at each corner. Surprised I didn't notice before. He advised getting it sorted as it was likely it could just damage the glass again otherwise, so will get the family mechanic to have a look (have a couple of photos which I'll stick up). I was considering doing a respray of the bonnet anyway as there are a ton of paint chips (ordered a Paints4U kit to tidy up some scratches on the body and get a bit of practice before I attempt the same on the Octy). Not sure if it's panel, hinges or both needed at this stage.

Yup, I don't have any noise-cancelling headphones myself but tried a few out in my old job. The original Beats did sound good but very bass-heavy as you mentioned, so maybe not suitable if you listen to lots of different types of music (like myself), and they're pretty bulky too. While some criticise Bose for being over-expensive and overrated, their stuff is good quality and I remember their active noise cancelling on-ear models sounding great and being quite lightweight, so a lot of customers did by them for long haul flights. Haven't tried their noise cancelling range, but you generally can't go wrong with Sennheiser, even their budget models are decent and they have something at every price point up to silly money. Again, haven't tried their noise-cancelling range specifically but I have some Audio Technica stuidio over-ears and, like Sennheiser, they have some great headphones at reasonable prices up to more specialised expensive stuff.