Hi all,

I have read quite a lot around Fabias on this site, looks like non vRS are in the minority! However I cant afford a new car so I am looking at second-hand TDis as they are bit older, looking at ~3year TDi elegance/comfort. Does anyone have any advice on what to look for /what to watch out for and what was extra and what was standard in the early days?

Also thinking about modifying it to keep up with the vRS lot, however struggling to find insurance that doesn't go through the roof, I tried Liverpool Victoria and they have changed their underwriter to no mods allowed! :thumbdwn:

All help muchos appreciated

Cheers

Robbie

Don't think there's anything in particular to look for, so usual car stuff like test all the gears, accelerate hard, brake hard, and lock to lock... Car should pull strongly in each gear - turbo comes in around 1500rpm - and not be too smokey. Also check all electrics and for uneven wear on the tyres as this could indicate a problem with the track rod arm which is about 70 quid and 30 mins labour. Also check the air conditioning runs very cold - if not it could be it needs regassing or the evaporator temp sensor is buggered and that's reasonably expensive to fix (3 hours labour and dash out job). Plugging Skoda diagnostics or VAG-COM in will reveal this....

I bought mine just under 3 years old and the garage I bought it from fixed a couple of things under warranty, like the driver's heated seat not working. 2001 Elegance spec had alarm, 14" alloys, electric windows all round, electric heated mirrors, "climate" control, heated front seats, remote central locking (key fob should have 3 buttons - lock/unlock and boot release), chilled glove box and can chiller. Don't think it came with a CD player, although mine had an Alpine with boot changer so I'm not sure.

In terms of tuning, I'm an old git (27 in November) and am with Tesco. I've modded as per signature and it's cost me about 15 quid extra a month. Any questions, ask on here, or PM me direct

Chris

Hmmm. I've done quite a lot to my PD100 TDI, but am also luckily insured by LV already, so can mod away happily.

In the early days you got AC as standard on comfort spec (like mine) but now I think its an option... Aside from that they're all fairly similar.

If you pop for an elegance you get heated seats and leccy windows all round, but I didn't really need either. But generally I've had two TDIs in 3 years and had no serious problems at all.

Hmmm. I've done quite a lot to my PD100 TDI' date=' but am also luckily insured by LV already, so can mod away happily.

In the early days you got AC as standard on comfort spec (like mine) but now I think its an option... Aside from that they're all fairly similar.

If you pop for an elegance you get heated seats and leccy windows all round, but I didn't really need either. But generally I've had two TDIs in 3 years and had no serious problems at all.

Cars have been great though.

Quick Question to the fabia boys....

VAG 1.9TDI's tend to follow this rule in badging..

black tdi - TD90

red i - TD110

red di - PD130

red tdi - PD150

..so is a 1.9 TDI fabia (with red di) a PD130 engine identical to the RS?

(saw one this morning, didn't know they did a non-RS 130?)

I did mean NO SERIOUS PROBLEMS OF MY OWN CAUSATION! :P

I did mean NO SERIOUS PROBLEMS OF MY OWN CAUSATION! :P

I was waiting for everyone else to post some funny jason remarks there lol

Quick Question to the fabia boys....

VAG 1.9TDI's tend to follow this rule in badging..

black tdi - TD90

red i - TD110

red di - PD130

red tdi - PD150

..so is a 1.9 TDI fabia (with red di) a PD130 engine identical to the RS?

(saw one this morning' date=' didn't know they did a non-RS 130?)[/quote']

Dunno - never really thought about it, but have seen the differences between VW and skud, and wondered what it all means. Also with VW the TDI colouring is further confused by the 90s and 110s.

Mine's now a VW PD150 thanks to a bit of re-badging

Quick Question to the fabia boys....

VAG 1.9TDI's tend to follow this rule in badging..

black tdi - TD90

red i - TD110

red di - PD130

red tdi - PD150

..so is a 1.9 TDI fabia (with red di) a PD130 engine identical to the RS?

(saw one this morning' date=' didn't know they did a non-RS 130?)[/quote']Mine has red TDi badge on rear, engine is a PD100.

Thought the PD100 was a 1.4?

1.9 TDI = PD100, the 1.4 is 75bhp and a 3 cylinder.

ah so was a PD100.... TVM!

(makes the 1.4TDI I drove even more impressive if it only had 75bhp...)

ah so was a PD100.... TVM!

(makes the 1.4TDI I drove even more impressive if it only had 75bhp...)

Interestingly my PD100 has TDI all in red on the engine cover, but only red DI on the boot.

Chris

In the audi A2 it is 75 and 90bhp but same engine, also in polo.

try greenlight insurance. Not sure what they are look for claims but they know what they are on about. Speak to Tony and meantion Michael from Briskoda recommended them and he will sort you something out.

Good luck and enjoy!

:confused: <---- my general thoughts on TDI badging.