Fabia vRS Issues

[d_milek]

Hi All,

I have had my Fabia vRS for almost 3 years now from new. So far, it has had a new DMF and Clutch (because the DMF went wrong and took the Clutch with it). It has also had new pads and discs on the rear because Skoda fitted them incorrectly at the factory. The steering wheel makes a noise like crinkling polythene. The CD player does not eject discs fully. There is a strange patina developing around the edges of the rear window (where water appears to be creeping in). The driver's seat creaks. The driver's side door panel makes a rattle (possibly due to over-use of Metallica and Drum & Bass). There is also a noise that sounds like a cricket is stuck in one of my rear light casings that presents itself when a door is closed. Aside from these things, my ownership experience has been okay. I enjoy driving the car. I am going to keep it and am thinking of getting it re-mapped at Jabba in March / April next year. For all of you who have had a Fabia vRS for 1 year+, I am interested to know how you have found the ownership experience. Also, for those of you with re-maps (who do not burn off the lights on a regular basis), how have you found wear on the clutch / DMF problems? Be honest, have they melted like chocolate?

Cheers

[Jonny5ive]

I'm into my 5th year of owning a fabia vRS. A 2003/03 model.

It passed 125,000 miles the other day. It has been remapped (amongst other things) for at least 90k miles running approx 175/180bhp and around 295lb/ft of torque.

It is still running the original clutch and turbo. Aside from the usual wear & tear servicing, tyres, countless bulbs etc. I have had to replace the rear wiper, the rear door seals leak, I have replaced the heater resistor and I have laterley developed an electrical fault that does not sound the usual "you've left you lights on" BEEP".

Oh, and I had to have a driveshaft re-packed after an enthusiatic Trackday Other than that it's been a pleaseure.

Still going strong

HTH

[cjb]

I ran a 2005 one from 12k miles to 42k miles in 2 years, with nothing beyond a stuck CD (which came out after a week at an airport car park), a bit of paint peeling on the bumper, and a broken air vent apart from servicing. 100% reliable, quickish, economical, and fun. The only reason I changed was I needed auto.

[dodger21]

I have 2006/56 had 2 new seals on intercooler, new console bushes and 4 new alloys replaced under warranty at 3 year service in september no other problems:thumbup:

[ric04vrs]

over 5 years 75k miles on my 04 plate, replaced the usual Fabia weak points, other than the normal service items everything else is ok, its been tracked and Ring'd too

[wozza-vrs]

Im on my 3rd year and now covered 60,000 and its standard.

List of things changed and replaced:

New turbo - 40,000 miles

New bushes

New rear pads and disks

New door sills

3rd set of tyres on front (original on back)

CD player keeps playing up.

I have a lot of rattles and clonking noises when driving.

Wheel bearing on its way out.

General servicing with wear and tear.

But overall iv been happy with it!

[Ruxpin]

My 04 vrs is now on 120k - 100k by me. As far as i know it is standard - ie no remap

Still on original clutch and turbo. The only non consumables/faults have been:

Rear wheel bearing

Brake light sensor

Intercooler pipe popped off cracking intercooler (bodged with cable tie so no cost)

(New radiator - hole from stone so not really a fault)

(3no windscreens! - again hardly a fault but never had one on a previous car)

(2no fog lights - grrr)

The front end is noise over bumps now and the bushes feel a bit worn but passed MOT fine. It will probably need something next time round if not before.

Not too bad really considering i have a very bumpy commute. 20k killed my previous 306 so the vrs is holding up pretty well.

[MoggyTech]

07 SE 32K miles Throttle position module, rear door leaks sealed, and that's it.

[Conshine]

2004 (54) 90,500 miles from new.

Problems:

New turbo @ 62,000

Drivers door window switch - warranty

New discs and pads all round @ 65,000

Rear wish bone bush @ first MOT circa 63,000

Door seals - warranty

Heater switch not working on position 1 - 90,000

Still on the standard clutch & DMF and reading these posts it seems it's going to last for a few more miles yet.

Yes a few problems, but wouldn't change it for the world.

[Rick]

2006 (06)

- console bushes replaced twice under warranty

- ARB bushes replaced under warranty

- all alloys replaced under warranty

- front bumper repainted under warranty (paint flaking off)

- new steering rack under warranty

- new suspension drop links under warranty

- filler cap cable re-attached under warranty

- new set of front brake pads

- new wiper blades all round

- 1 x headlamp bulb

- 2 new sets of front tyres

- 1 new set of rear tyres.

As you can see most of the above was covered under warranty - so its not cost me much so far......Hope it continues that way!

I love the car and wouldn't be without it - it's great for my 130 mile round trip commute. There's nothing else out there that combines the same levels of economy, performance and low cost of ownership.

[Conshine]

Oh yea, 4 sets of front tyres on the front 2 on the back.

The paint is flaking off the rear spoiler but that's not a priority for me seeing how many miles the car has done.

[Juka]

I see a few people had their alloys changed under warranty, why was that?

Rick, I see you had quite a few suspension problems, could you list the symptoms you experienced prior to changing those components?

As for my vRS (9/'05. with 61kkm), I can't complain much, other that the annoying unresponsible steering the car has not had any major issues except the usual wear&tear (pads, bulbs, tyres...). Oh yes, just a few months ago a closed door sensor in the drivers door failed but somehow it doesn't bother me :-)

[Rick]

Juka, the symptoms re the suspension issues were knocking noises from the front end on poor road surfaces and particularly when cornering/ turning at road junctions and accelerating away on anything less than perfect road surfaces (which are most of them in the UK!).

The issues with suspension bushes is of course well known on the VRS and I suspect I will be paying out every 18mths or so for replacements now the car is out of warranty.

Hope that helps.

[ric04vrs]

The issues with suspension bushes is of course well known on the VRS and I suspect I will be paying out every 18mths or so for replacements now the car is out of warranty. .

not if Cupra ones are fitted

[dou91e]

05 vrs owned just over 2 years 51k (25k by me)

new turbo at 50k

on 3rd set of new front tyres and rear just replaced

a few rattles but only realy the speakers i put in which i can fix when the weather improves(so in 2020) and the instument panel crecks sometimes (i find if its mostly when i 1st get in the car on a cold day and if i press the clear plastic cover it goes away for a while )

new consol bushs with the 50k service

new brake pads front and back (disks were tickity boo)

thining of putting the origanal stero back in cause in the 2 years ive had the dvd player i have never used it and its a jvc xcel thing so its fiddley to change radio staions and turn the volume up/down and just about everyting else along with the romote control which has lived in the wee pocket at the side of the seat.

passenger side headlight and side beam has new bulbs (never do i want to change the side light bulb again)

apart from that its been great,but i will be looking to sell it next year and get myself something different cause i think im getting my mid life crisis and want to go back to the 70's/80's for my next car and get a 'cough' escort (mk2 or a mk3 rs or a cossie,or i may go the fikkle french route with a pug 205/309 gti or r5 turbo)

[d_milek]

Why are people having their alloys replaced under warranty? Thanks for the Cupra bushes tip ric04.

[Rick]

Alloys were replaced in my case because despite regular removal and cleaning/ waxing inside and out they were pitting under the lacquer and were beginning to corrode from under the paint.

I still habitually remove them every 3 minths and clean them inside and out/wax seal etc in the hope that the later ones will last longer than the originals.I have just discovered 'Poor Boys' alloy wheel sealent which appears to do an excellent job of keeping the brake dust from getting at the lacquer.

I am a bit particular about my alloys and I guess for some they will not be bothered by the odd blemish!

[Renny]

I had similar problems with the alloys and had 4 replaced at 35.5 months, along with console bushes and front ARB links.

Ths suspension still creaks though, not sure if it is dry bushes or the steering rack mounts