Dealer fitted the springs today, seemingly with no problems

First impressions - bit more solid through the corners, can definitely notice that it's lower. Need to drive the usual twisty-ish back roads to work to really get a feel for how its changed.

Next on my wish list is some 15" alloys... sigh. It'll be neons under the car next :evil:

Hi Stimps,

How far did you drop it? Did you get the geometry checked after it was lowered? It is amazing how much more sporty a car can feel after lowering it even a few cm's isn't it

Enjoy!

And the motorsport sunscreen :p

Looks good though, although I could do with a picture of the original height to compare it against...

Q.

Here you go Q, from the midlands meet. slightly different angle but you get the idea.

Oh yes... Now I can see it. Bragging rights granted!

Q.

Stimps, it looks good - subtle!

How are you finding the ride quality and have you noticed any suspension bounciness?

I think mine has improved slightly since the springs were fitted, so perhaps they have bedded in or something. Or maybe I have just got used to them.

I'd have to say it was about a 3 or 4cm drop - feels very similar to the old springs, except for being a bit more 'solid' through corners... as I said though, will need to do the "work run" tomorrow to really get an idea of how it's changed...

Picture I took shows the car on quite an angle (sloping drive) - is in fact a bit lower on the flat if anything... although I'm sure that's just my imagination

I think I'm going to cry...*sniff

What the hell am I going to do to convince my dealer to continue the warranty on the engine, etc if I get springs myself??? I don't care two hoots about the suspension warranty, just the rest of the car!

Jason,

I think you just need a sympathetic dealer (like mine - bit of a drive to essex for you though...!)...

If the Warranty covers the car at any dealer, have you tried talking to another local dealer - if you have one? They might see it as a way of getting your custom for services, etc, and be a bit more flexible...

I didn't look at my documentation yesterday... must do that tonight. There is a Skoda dealer in Barnstaple, which is about 45 mins drive - perhaps I can consult them too?

Skoda warranty is pan European, ie any dealer in Europe can do warranty work so the final decision will always come from Skoda, what do they say ??

Dunno - Anyone got the phone number so I can speak to a rep there myself?? I don't know the tel number

From Skoda.co.uk webby:

"Do you need some help?

For answers to questions you may have about our products, or if you have a concern or difficulty with your current Skoda, then please contact our

bloomin 'eck - Do I detect some copy-pasting from the www?

I'll give them a bell and see what they tell me - I'll report back after lunch. Cheers

bloomin 'eck - Do I detect some copy-pasting from the www?

Well, I did think that the sentence "From Skoda.co.uk webby:" gave it away a bit

Indeed - I omitted to read that bit - Doh. I blame you entirely for putting that "do you need some help?" bit in bold.

Yet to ring Skoda, but I'm eating beefburger and chips now, so it'll have to wait.., yum yum!

The issue over invalidating warranty can surely only be a problem if the modification itself has caused a failure of a component on the vehicle? - otherwise the fact that I no longer have the original Skoda radio cassette fitted might affect affect a claim for a faulty turbo unit?

Incidentally, Marlborough in West London are offering a range of enhancements, body kits, loweing, exhausts etc. - they are a Skoda main dealer so must know the warranty score.

Just had my windows tinted by them @

Thinking back to when i got my 1st Octy , im pretty sure they offered lowering kits on the Octavia thru the accessory brochure , have you asked the dealer whether they do 'official' kits for the Fabia?

I remember looking at the tarting-up accessories offered in the Fabia brochure, and there was no mention of lowering springs, just the normal front spoilers, etc. I rang Skoda BTW, and they said to try other dealers, so I'm going to ring a skoda dealer in Newton Abbot, which is about 10 mins drive from Exeter, to get their opinion on the matter.

If would be cool if someone could confirm the eibach springs from msport are definitely "Fabia TDI specific" - as that may convince the dealer to honour the warranty on the rest of the car. I'm not sure if these springs would come under the classification of custom, if they are made specifically for the Fabia? I wonder where I go from here?

How about fitting genuine Skoda Fabia parts? Will that void your warranty?

If not, how about the springs from a Fabia RS? It sits 15mm lower than a standard one, on stiffer springs and dampers.

Just a thought

Hmm - 15mm doesn't sound that much too me (*just looking at a ruler) - I was really up for around 30mm'ish.

Perhaps a call to Skoda Parts is in order to find what they do with springs?

Dev,

I ordered my Eibach Springs from msport - the website lists different part numbers for the various springs for the different Fabias.

Also, in the "manual" (I think it's a manual, maybe a datasheet, who knows? it's all in German) had a table listing some info about Fabias. If I'm feeling generous tonight I might scan it if it's still in the box (the garage may have chucked or lost it for all i know) so you have something to show...

You might need a translator though

BTW - the guy I spoke to at the dealers did ask if the springs were 'designed' specifically for Fabias, and not just generic lowering springs...

As pointed out by stimps, there are different spring sets available for each model.

I would "assume" that Eibach have rated the springs specifically for each model and taken into account vehicle weights and damper ratings etc. At least I hope so!!

Starting to make me wonder about the H&Rs on mine now!

A translator is no probs if its in German - My Mum was born there.

What did you say to the guy who asked if the springs were designed for the Fabia alone? If I can convince that basically these springs, like you had, or for Fabia's and Fabia's alone, then they may change their mind about voiding the warranty..? Maybe a phone call to msport is also needed? What a hoo-har for just 4 bits of coiled metal...

edit: RIGHT! - Just spoke to a friendly helpful chap at another Skoda dealer nearby'ish. He said it is up to the dealer to void the warranty if they should so wish. He suggested that if I really wanted the springs I should buy them, and get them fitted by someone OTHER than the dealer. Apparently if there was a total recall (not Arnie) of Skoda's for a misc. fault, then the dealer could charge me for that fault due to me having modernised the car... I'm not sure of the chance of a total recall in the next 12 months - probably quite slim I should think. I'm going to have to start a poll, I think - YES, I take the risk. NO, I wait 12 months.