Hi and happy new year.

Seriously thinking about getting a VRS and would be grateful for some advice. Have been looking at the standard 130bhp and hadn't really thought about any upgrades. However have seen a vehicle with engine remap, lowered suspension, performance exhaust and upgraded discs and pads.

I'm changing car from a 191K Proton (no really) and I'm not sure that I will notice all the benefits of these works (compared to the 130bhp) just from a test drive. Any laymans terms descriptions of additional performance and feel would be helpful.

Also, is it a straightforward job to change the CD player? I would want to replace the standard fitting to one with DAB and ideally iPod link.

Finally, how easy is it to do something as simple as change the headlight bulbs? It all looks a bit tight in the engine compartment.

Thanks.

i've had my vrs since march and i still get out it everytime with a big grin on my face i bought a standard one which is gr8 then got use to it and then remapped in now its unbelievable diesel is the way 2 go

Hello and a happy new year to you too...

My advice to you would be buy it asap, drive it, fall in love with it! Simple as that...

I've had mine for about 6 months and God it's good, in fact bloody fantastic...

hi, and happy new year to you too,

couldn't tell you too much about the tuning aspects (mines standard)

but the stereo change is simple enough, just please get the stereo removal tools and dont use broken hacksaw blades (like some). if you've done a stereo change before you'll be able to do it in the fabia no worries.

the headlight bulbs are also easy to change, it does look tight around that area but its well designed (imo). i did a quick change on the way back from work the other day (i always carry spare bulbs)

or buy one wit HID's like me then u don't need to change the bulbs and the lights is amazin

run it round standard for a bit,when you get used to it get a re map,and enjoy,this is my second fabia vrs and i honestly cant think of a car i would prefere to be driving:D

I've had mine since July 2008 and the best way to sum it up is that it's quality...

Mine's got Xenons, Cruise and a Sunroof, and with the mirrors folded in I always think it looks like a 'mini-executive express' . In all seriousness, it's effortless on the motorway and does have surprising grunt for overtaking. Even the engine is quieter than I expected.

Have a test drive, I'd be surprised if you came back unimpressed

I sold my MK4 Golf GTi turbo and ended up with a Fabia vRS. A big loss of power and going from fully custom to standard - i thought id hate it!

The Fabia punches above its weight in all honesty!

I bought it thinking; "right, cheap standard car for work - nothing else!" but its impressed me so im actually thinking of keeping it. I was surprised, thought id keep it for a month or two and would be looking for another petrol turbo but its got me thinking about doing afew bits to it, to see if i really enjoy it like i did my golf!

If one pleasantly surprised me, id imagine they can surprise anyone! Give one a go pal!

Thanks for all the quick replies. Convinced a VRS is the one for us, just got to get the right deal now.

As above, great little car, I run mine as standard covering very low mileage (17k and

now nearly 4yrs old) can honestly say I could see me still driving this in five years time,

the Ford focus TDCi tested my patience after 7 months:)

Had mine 3 years mate and had my ups and downs with it but if anything goes wrong with the car its easy to fix and parts are simple to find.

The only thing I will say is that it is important to find a (Good) Skoda dealer around your area because theres some out there that couldnt give a rats a** about you or your car. Find yourself a VAG specialist and stick with them. I drive from Wakefield to Peterborough (2 hour drive) to a place called JabbaSport because they are good, honest, reliable and fairly priced.

If you really are thinking of buying one I would always recommend buying one from us guys from Briskoda through a private sale because we really love our cars and want them to go to a good home.

Last thing I will say is I'm never selling mine I'm keeping it till it dies because its giving me so much joy and I have lots of good memories in it plus I've spent 4k modifying it and will probably spend more on it.

Great car, a real pleasure to drive. Welcome to Briskoda mate

Just to echo what LIttlebull said - there are always several vRS's for sale in the FOR SALE forum on here, standard and modded. Look for someone with a high post count ie. not someone who joined just to sell their car, and there is a very high likelihood you'll get a well cared for one.

And just as Littlebull drives to JabbaSport for his servicing, I use Unit 18 in MIlton Keynes, 75 miles from home. But it's worth it simply because I know the guy there knows what he's on about and I trust him, which is a big thing to say about a garage;)

Whatever you get, modded or not, it will put a huge smile on your face every time you drive it. It's what I always imaged driving a quick car would feel like - the way you get hurled forward at every gearshift:D

Having had a quick browse, this is what I'd buy at the moment. Firstly, it's been owned from new by someone who hasn't stinted on getting it serviced and improved by JabbaSport. Secondly, it's as close to a full OEM extra specification car as you're ever going to get. The only thing it doesn't have is the factory Sat Nav, and the SmartNav is much better. Finally, it's cheap at that price.

Edited 1 January, 200917 yr by wja96

It's what I always imaged driving a quick car would feel like - the way you get hurled forward at every gearshift:D

.

Your driving in the wrong direction then... mine hurls me Back when i plant my foot

:P

Your driving in the wrong direction then... mine hurls me Back when i plant my foot

:P

I only use mine for stunt driving at the weekends:D

I've had mine just over 3 months. Love it - Sold a modified Polo G40 to finance it!

A few annoying niggles - nut nothing major! Can't wait to get stuck into it!

Buy one, you wont regret it, have a look on pistonheads, some on there at credit crunch prices!

Thanks for all your replies. The modded car that I was looking at has now been sold. Bummer. Convinced that a VRS is the car for us though, not least because of the comments and advice to be found on this forum.

Not in a rush so can wait for the right one to come along.