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I traded my early model (07) Fabia Estate for a Fabia 2 estate (1.9tdi) last August. I should have paid the extra for the Fabia 3 because I absolutely detest the digital dash panel on the Fabia 2, with its digital fuel gauge and lack of temperature gauge. The mpg read-out seems quite haphazard too. Why, oh why, did they fit such an inferior panel? The earlier Fabia panel was just right. The question is, does anybody know categorically if the wiring looms on the different Fabias are the same and therefore would it be possible to change the Fabia 2 dash panel for the one in the Fabia 3? Any other comments on the dash panel? - I'd be interested to hear. Right now, I wish I'd kept my earlier Fabia.

Hi David,

I cannot say for sure if the panels are interchangeable, I haven't yet had the Fabia Mk1 apart to check ...but as an ex tech I would guess they are not. The Fabia is now a much more digital vehicle with 'fly by wire' a bigger feature and with lots of add on's and many features that can be enabled/disabled by computer. If you are disliking the dash so much that it makes you want another vehicle, you may have bought the wrong car in the first instance. However, if these are the only reasons you don't like the car...why not add a engine coolant temperature gauge? You can fit one yourself quite easily or your dealer can do it for you. I believe you can fit an aftermarket analogue readout fuel gauge but you will need to speak to your dealer. I can't see this gives any advantage to you as the driver, but I accept you have a preference for that type of readout. It may also be worth posting in the Fabia Mk1 forum also to see if anyone has a definite answer to your question of interchangeability with the panels.

Don't forget...many modern new vehicles, large and small don't have temperature gauges for the engine coolant (they are not now needed with modern engine management systems to monitor everything), or an analogue readout fuel gauge. The new Fabia has few if any inherent problems and has had the earlier models glitches designed out. My advice would be to stick with it. You won't be sorry. Good luck and Merry Xmas.

Edited 21 December, 200916 yr by Estate Man

Hi David,

I cannot say for sure if the panels are interchangeable, I haven't yet had the Fabia Mk1 apart to check ...but as an ex tech I would guess they are not. The Fabia is now a much more digital vehicle with 'fly by wire' a bigger feature and with lots of add on's and many features that can be enabled/disabled by computer. If you are disliking the dash so much that it makes you want another vehicle, you may have bought the wrong car in the first instance. However, if these are the only reasons you don't like the car...why not add a engine coolant temperature gauge? You can fit one yourself quite easily or your dealer can do it for you. I believe you can fit an aftermarket analogue readout fuel gauge but you will need to speak to your dealer. I can't see this gives any advantage to you as the driver, but I accept you have a preference for that type of readout. It may also be worth posting in the Fabia Mk1 forum also to see if anyone has a definite answer to your question of interchangeability with the panels.

Don't forget...many modern new vehicles, large and small don't have temperature gauges for the engine coolant (they are not now needed with modern engine management systems to monitor everything), or an analogue readout fuel gauge. The new Fabia has few if any inherent problems and has had the earlier models glitches designed out. My advice would be to stick with it. You won't be sorry. Good luck and Merry Xmas.

As the owner of a 2 month old Fabia Scout Estate, that was the one thing that surprised me was that there was no temperature gauge, I realise it is all controlled by computer but it would be nice to be able to keep an eye on the temperature rather than suddenly getting a warning buzzer from the dash. Great car all the same and the space in the boot is great for such a small car. I have the 1.4TDi engine and it is unbelievable how much power there is, this being my fifth diesel I would say the best engine yet.The engine is a bit noisey at tick over but is that not part of the fun in owning a diesel. Seasons Greeting To Everyone.

Bob...it's going to get much quieter as the miles go on and more powerful! And yes, just love that 1.4TDI. It's the best diesel I've ever owned!

As the owner of a 2 month old Fabia Scout Estate, that was the one thing that surprised me was that there was no temperature gauge, I realise it is all controlled by computer but it would be nice to be able to keep an eye on the temperature rather than suddenly getting a warning buzzer from the dash.

The temperature gauges on VAG vehicles have been electronically "weighted" for a long while, so it sticks at 90 degrees unless there is a rather big change in temperature anyway. You're not missing much.

Hi David,

I cannot say for sure if the panels are interchangeable, I haven't yet had the Fabia Mk1 apart to check ...but as an ex tech I would guess they are not. The Fabia is now a much more digital vehicle with 'fly by wire' a bigger feature and with lots of add on's and many features that can be enabled/disabled by computer. If you are disliking the dash so much that it makes you want another vehicle, you may have bought the wrong car in the first instance. However, if these are the only reasons you don't like the car...why not add a engine coolant temperature gauge? You can fit one yourself quite easily or your dealer can do it for you. I believe you can fit an aftermarket analogue readout fuel gauge but you will need to speak to your dealer. I can't see this gives any advantage to you as the driver, but I accept you have a preference for that type of readout. It may also be worth posting in the Fabia Mk1 forum also to see if anyone has a definite answer to your question of interchangeability with the panels.

Don't forget...many modern new vehicles, large and small don't have temperature gauges for the engine coolant (they are not now needed with modern engine management systems to monitor everything), or an analogue readout fuel gauge. The new Fabia has few if any inherent problems and has had the earlier models glitches designed out. My advice would be to stick with it. You won't be sorry. Good luck and Merry Xmas.

Sorry for my delay in responding, but thanks for your input. It's just one of those things - I intensely dislike the Fabia2 instrument panel, particularly having realised too late that the Fabia3 had just what I wanted. Serves me right for penny pinching I suppose, because I'd always bought the Elegance model before. As you say, I'll just have to live with it. Happy New Year, David

As the owner of a 2 month old Fabia Scout Estate, that was the one thing that surprised me was that there was no temperature gauge, I realise it is all controlled by computer but it would be nice to be able to keep an eye on the temperature rather than suddenly getting a warning buzzer from the dash. Great car all the same and the space in the boot is great for such a small car. I have the 1.4TDi engine and it is unbelievable how much power there is, this being my fifth diesel I would say the best engine yet.The engine is a bit noisey at tick over but is that not part of the fun in owning a diesel. Seasons Greeting To Everyone.

Thanks for your response - glad I'm not alone in thinking that a temperature gauge is reassuringly necessary. Happy New Year, David

The temperature gauges on VAG vehicles have been electronically "weighted" for a long while, so it sticks at 90 degrees unless there is a rather big change in temperature anyway. You're not missing much.

That's good to know! Thank you. Happy New Year.

Havent done it myself (unfortunately the Roomy Scout of my wife also has the panel without the separate temp and fuel gauge), but here is a link to get the other instrument panel.

As it is possible to change a non maxidot panel to a maxidot panel in an Octavia 1Z (Octavia II ), it should be possible to change it in a Fabia II / Roomster.

(maybe some tweaking with VCDS, but the board has enough members with a lot of knowledge and experience with VCDS)

Ben (shark_90) might be able to help you out.

http://www.skodateil...koda%7CRoomster

Edited 13 January, 201016 yr by magic62

You're not alone in thoroughly disliking the Fabia2 panel, David -- this is the first time I've had a digital display using LCD rather than LED, and this wasn't something that struck me during the relatively brief test drive. But now, after a year, it still irritates me every mile I drive on anything like a bright day unless the sun is behind me shining on the dashboard, when there's no real problem.. Because otherwise the black digits on a muddy orange background become very hard to see without peering at them, and with a bright sun ahead quite impossible.. The lack of a temp. gauge has worried me as much as the illegibility at a quick glance of especially the fuel gauge and the time (most of the other --admittedly generous -- choice of measures don't matter so much. But fuel level and time are the two things one does want a quick check on while driving.

It wasn't until I had a Faaia courtesy car which had sensible bright white digits on a black background that I realized that even with a digital display it's quite possible to have things immediately legible at a glance.

Derry

Derry...it makes me wonder if you may have a 'backlight' or some other problem with your display. I have exactly the same display as your goodself, but mine is crystal clear in all conditions and nice and bright. I haven't yet seen a Skoda with a poor display in terms of brightness. The fact some people are noticing a problem may mean there is some tuning necessary. I know on some displays the brightness can be adjusted. I don't know if that's the case with this one. May be worth looking into.

Although Im not a fan of these LCD displays, I have to say that mine is perfectly visible in all conditions... and yes the fuel guage is very haphazard but hey its a minor issue.

When I had my test drive in a Fabia 2, the horrible dash was the only thing that I did not like. Fortunately the car was a factory order and for £250 you could get the 'proper' dash and maxidot. This was a lot cheaper than going up to a level 3 version. Haven't regretted it - the dash is really neat and the maxudot display very useful.

I wonder if davidrhodes could swap out the level 2 instrument panel for a level 3 panel? It should fit I think and after all Skoda must have a stock of them to replace any faulty panels in level 3 cars. Might be a bit expensive tho!