.....2001 1.9 SDi last Wednesday night I have so far done:

1/ Took all wheels off, looked at brakes, hoses, fixed lines,disks, pads, suspension, steering etc. All A-OK apart from a little play in the OSF steering knuckle. Not enough to worry about yet. No play in bearings.

2/ Did an oil change to day with my new Pela Pump. What a fantastic bit of kit. Wish I had bought one 15 years ago! Did a whole change without crawling about on the road AND without spilling one drop!!! I was a bit unsure of the state of the previous service history. The Polish couple I bought the car from were very nice but very difficult to understand. They had no service book but the car seemed good. I have used some slightly cheaper oil to run through for a few days until I change it with proper Fuchs fully synth stuff and a new filter.

3/ Read the fault codes and cleared them. They came back. Still need coolant temp sender G62. Will do this tomorrow if the weather is good.

4/ Replaced OSF side light bulb - easy - for once

5/ Cleaned all the years of white spray grease applied at service time to the door hinges and sliders - like this really helps. I hate this muck. Whats wrong with a little light oil now and then? Took ages but looks nice now.

6/ Washed car, polished car, waxed car. Polished black trim. Applied dressing to tyres. Cleaned windscreen with glass cutting compound.

A bit more to do still. Need to do a brake fluid change so I have WD-40'd the bleed nipples in prep. Might give them another blast tomorrow for good measure. Need to change filters too. Getting there and looking good. A few minor niggles but then it is a 7 year old car but it is in good condition so not too worried.

7) slammed it 90mm on coilies

8) stuck it on 14" 9J dished wheels

it goes on.

7) slammed it 90mm on coilies

8) stuck it on 14" 9J dished wheels

it goes on.

..would love to go down the modding route though this was something I did a few years ago now when I had a series of MKII Golf 16V GTi's. I loved these cars. I tweaked all there was to tweak and then some. Engine swaps. Head swaps. Fuelling upgrades. The lot...I must have spent at least 3 months of my life cleaning BBS split rims with a toothbrush and rolling wheel arch lips..never again!!! Even the engine sparkled with powder coated rocker cover and inlet etc.

I like the "sleeper" look now...

The Fabia is my wife's car and will remain so for quite a bit. I have a few things in mind but more to keep it as a pristine example of a standard car in every way possible. My next "moddin" will be to get standard Comfort wheel trims ... the shop bought ones look cr@p!