Hi. I'm looking for a proper workshop manaul for the Fabia - not the Haynes Book of lies. The Polish cuople I bought the car off had a decent manual but it was all in Polish - of absolutly no use to me even though my wife is half Polish herself (can't speak it let alone read it)

Does anything like this exist in English? I have found this:

Skoda Fabia Workshop Manual, Service Manual, Repair Manual

Is this any good and does anyone have it?

Looking at the screenshots, that looks like elsawin to me. There available on eBay as well. Try a search for elsawin.

looks like elsawin to me.......or erwin online thing which you can printout,

Hi. I'm looking for a proper workshop manaul for the Fabia - not the Haynes Book of lies.

The Haynes book of lies? I didn't know that book had problems, is this the case?

Haynes!!

I got one, very poor pictures, the thinnest of paper and more areas missed than areas covered. Think I've found it useful once only.

The Haynes book of lies? I didn't know that book had problems, is this the case?

Well when I tried to take a focus bumper off the car, they never told me about any extra bolts I had to take off so for a hour I looked like a idiot trying to get a bumper off.

Davy

Must admit i bought a Haynes manual for the Fabia.

Havent really looked at it yet in detail though. Did think the quality of the photographs were poor but i put that down to be printed on not too good paper (maybe recycled)

Elsawin is pretty useful, i have used it before. Not the latest version though.

Gents please do not discuss counterfeit software or manuals on Briskoda, we don't want any hassle from outside authorities.

Gents please do not discuss counterfeit software or manuals on Briskoda, we don't want any hassle from outside authorities.

On that subject then, is there an official source, like erwin for VW/Audi?

Gents please do not discuss counterfeit software or manuals on Briskoda, we don't want any hassle from outside authorities.

Fair Play.

I have to say I've not come across any for Skoda.

There is a German Skoda website which hints at being a source but it doesn't ever seem to change.

I can understand you not wanting us to discuss counterfeit items but surely we are allowed to discuss any item that we have purchased the original of?

i.e. Haynes Manuals

Yep, Haynes is fine.

Discussing those manuals on that website is fine until we find they are counterfeit and as long as trade names are not mentioned.

Thanks for the input and advice. I take it that the Elsawins from eGay are not so "kosher" as one would be lead to believe? Haynes? Forget it! The last decent Haynes I had was for my MK1 Golf - it had proper diagrams, proper electrical circuit diagrams and it even told you how to recondition the gearbox. The last manual I had for my MK3 Golf was hopeless. i gave it away with the car when I sold it....

As I mentioned, there was a proper workshop manual but it was in Polish, I just was wondering if there was a similar English language version available. Might contact the sellers again for the book and take Polish lessons too.......

I did not want to spark a counterfeit debate just some info please.

To be honest there are quite a lot of manuals and technical systems in circulation most of which are counterfeit copies of VAG stuff.

Some can be legitimately licensed and bought, for instance the parts catalogue ETKA or ETOS however not for the £2.50 or so that they sell for on eBay.

There's a link on Audi's online erwin page https://erwin.audi.com/erwin/showHome.do;jsessionid=E2A84D20BD424EBF2B6AC5C7654E8BA6.ASTPVWE1 which has a link for Skoda erwin, although it only leads on to an authorisation login screen....so maybe it will be available at some stage.

AFAIK Audi, Seat and VW do offer 1 hour sessions on on-line erwin for 4 euros.

To be honest there are quite a lot of manuals and technical systems in circulation most of which are counterfeit copies of VAG stuff.

Some can be legitimately licensed and bought, for instance the parts catalogue ETKA or ETOS however not for the £2.50 or so that they sell for on eBay.

Agreed. Mercedes had a problem with counterfeit software - they solved this by offering an on-line parts catalogue for 21 Euros a year, or a bit extra for monthly updates on DVD. Charge an arm and a leg for their workshop systems though.

I have to say I've not come across any for Skoda.

There is a German Skoda website which hints at being a source but it doesn't ever seem to change.

Yes, I've seen that one, had a bit of a search about after asking in http://briskoda.net/diagnostics-vag-com/how-do-i-get-clued-up-vcds/120428/

but haven't found anything. I did have an erwin account for the Lupo and A3, but I'm surprised there isn't an official Skoda alternative.

I think you can buy a genuine Skoda workshop manual, don't know how much they cost mind, not cheap I bet.

I did once buy part of the official manual for a Volvo 480 I had- just the elecrtrical bit- and it cost me 40 quid. If you ever have the chance to buy a 480, don't. They are sh!te.

I agree about the Haynes - there is a lot missing.

All is not lost I'm slowly putting together my personal manual by printing out areas that I need from this site/VRStu and others such as TDI and VW vortex. The writers have put a lot of effort into writing, photos and diagrams with the intention that people like us use them. Much appreciated - I for one would have been stuck without their help.