Had a look at my new Fabia SE at the dealers last night - perfect condition built just 3 weeks ago - no rust/corrosion on any bits whatsoever(clips, hubs etc).

Want to keep it that way, already decided to fit a protective mesh for the condensor/radiator asap.

The dealer will lift it up on the ramp for me before I drive it away next week, so are there specific bits I should lacquer or waxoil underneath that tend to go rusty? (clips etc)

Welcome any suggestions as to painting the rear drums to stop them going rusty (they are primer grey at the moment) or am I wasting my time?

Are mud flaps a waste of money?

Hiya, good to see you here. Glad yours has arrived - they've lost mine !!! :confused:

Either that or it fell off the transporter and it's in the bodyshop! :eek:

I look forward to your humour and help on this site.

It's worthwhile Waxoyling the brake pipes in particular and painted steel suspension components, eg track control arm and rear axle beam, which will rust eventually. If the car has alloys, remove them and apply a thin coating of copper grease (or Waxoyl) to the rear mating surface so that they can easily be removed in the future.

Thanks DGW, just the info I was looking for. Very good point about the brake pipes as I had to have my 10 yr old Golfs entire brake pipe setup changed at its last MOT (at the insistance of MOT tester at VW dealer

Hows it going ? At least your lucky - no Cambelt, no MAF!

I'm now picking up mine on Wednesday - it finally landed this morning - I hope.

Some good tips about Waxoiling - did you do yours?- I wonder if my dealer will also let me get under it, or is it too late to ask. Any tips of what I should do with the VRS would also be much appreciated. Also hows best to run it it? - In my book it should be done carefully, but one salesman (not the one I bought from) told me to trash it "apparently you get more power in the long run that way" or his service department gets more money from you.

I've had real fun with Insurance. 1st Quote

Pick up day is Thursday :banana: (1 week from end of month - road tax reasons! :P ), the dealer is willing to let me under the car when I want. Will have 10 minutes on Thursday with spray lacquer and waxoyl. And also a digital camera for reference later! :read:

Just ask your dealer - no - insist! After all it is your car and your money!

I'm being finninky cos my Alhambras always came with a fair bit of rust on the underbits - lots of items (e.g clips, disc splash plates, brake cable brackets etc) were not plated properly, or painted well plus some thingys (aux heater fuel pumps/solenoids?) underneath now look completely as if they are about to fall to bits. :banghead:

So from now on, if in doubt, spray it! :owl:

The Skoda looks better quality so far...but I have seen a stockyard with unregistered Octavias, Passats etc up to their doorsills in filthy polluted water :eek: engine trays very much under! :thumbdwn: (in the middle of the recent dry spell!!) - so just watch out!!!

The VRS crowd here seem a wacky lot. :grnbounc: As far as I'm aware, running in an engine is by and large something that belongs to the last century.

Just drive sensibly for the first 1000 miles while you get to know your car and the car gets to know you! :drive: (love these smilies!)

Running is just a case of taking it easy, be careful or you will end up with an oil drinking beast. One of previous cars used 2 litres of oil per tank of fuel, why because of premature wear during the running in period. Car didnt even have 30k miles on the clock with fsh, got so fed up and sold it.

Picked her up on Thursday, Dealer lifted on ramps for inspection - perfect - never seen such a "new" new car! (built 26/5/04) Underneath there is not much to spray as most of the floor is protected by a large plastic tray and massive aluminium heat shield. Sprayed lacquer on a few clips and bolt heads. Also did rear crossmember and the welded seams on the front crossmember, ARB links. Brake pipes are tucked out of the way underneath all the shielding - the only exposed underbody are the two sill seams at the sides...All in all I was very impressed with the design and finish. So much so, I forgot to take a photo!

Kids (who will be the main users) love it and take back all they said about Skodas..

Probably will post a review after I've run it for a few weeks.

So far comments are:

The interior is plainer than I thought..

Too easy to go too fast - miss that CC

Fuel consumption not that good (but only 40 miles on car)

The oil level was only 1/3 up the stick (warm - stood 10 min)

Engine a lit bit whiney but hopefully it will quieten when run in.

How's yours, Italiastar?