What I really liked about my Mk1 Fabia (2004) is it had full length plastic protection shields under the car floor pan. These disappeared when the Mk2 was launched - It may be one of the reasons why the mk2 is so much (road) noisier than the mk1.

Yesterday during a visit to the dealer I looked at the new FL model. Must say the visual changes are indeed extremely minor.

But I did notice 2 things. An acoustic pad fitted under the bonnet (it was a diesel) - and ...... the full length underbody trays are now fitted! They go all the way from the engine bulhead to just in front of the rear axle and cover everthing except the centre exhaust tunnel.

I asked parts to look them up for my car (2009 Mk2) - apparently they are available! I ordered the under bonnet pad c/w clips (£15) as this looks an easy fix. The trays are about £22 each (one required each side). But I noticed all the mounting bolts are not fitted in the floopan on my car (just grommeted holes where they fit) so I will have a look over the next couple of weeks to investigate further if a retrofit is an easy task or not - (the carpet will need to be lifted to put the bolts in).

Incidently the parts manager did say that according to the Skoda parts system, the car in the showroom did not have them fitted - so maybe not all FL fabias do have them.

IMO these trays give several benefits -

Protection to the floopan and anything clipped to it from objects hitting the underside.

Salt/dirt/spray protection - particular benefit to protecting brake lines.

Noise reduction

Improved aerodynamics

Hi,

not sure if it's of relevance to the fitting of trays on a Fabia or not but I did notice in the owners manual in the dimensions section there's apparently a rough road pack option; although I don't think you can spec it over here. This option also increases ride hight.

My Yeti has a rough road pack and this includes strengthened sections to the standard fit trays to protect brake and fuel lines.

TP

I am not too sure but this sounds the same, or similar, to what is fitted to the undeside of the Greenline, to offer a greater aero-dynamic to the underside, along with lowered springs and low resistance tyres.

I am not too sure but this sounds the same, or similar, to what is fitted to the undeside of the Greenline, to offer a greater aero-dynamic to the underside, along with lowered springs and low resistance tyres.

that's what i was thinking. someone would need to see and compare if they actually are the same thing or not. maybe some pics off someone with fl, and someone with greenline, they they are the same then maybe you can retro fit.

As far as I know the underbonnet felt is fitted to all diesels. It wont realy make the car quieter inside though. The underbody trays are for poor road conditions and to reduce driveby noise when put under the engine.

As far as I know the underbonnet felt is fitted to all diesels. It wont realy make the car quieter inside though. The underbody trays are for poor road conditions and to reduce driveby noise when put under the engine.

£14.58 underbonnet felt now fitted in 30 seconds and it makes a surprising difference! IMO Its taken the edge off the engine noise, its more subdued , muted and pleasant in the cabin.

Road noise remains the dominant nuisance - the underbody trays may help here but as you need to lift the carpets to pop some bolts into the floopan, I'll give that a miss for the time being.

Edited 24 June, 201016 yr by xman

£14.58 underbonnet felt now fitted in 30 seconds and it makes a surprising difference! IMO Its taken the edge off the engine noise, its more subdued , muted and pleasant in the cabin.

Road noise remains the dominant nuisance - the underbody trays may help here but as you need to lift the carpets to pop some bolts into the floopan, I'll give that a miss for the time being.

You don't know the part number for the under bonnet felt? It sounds like a worthwhile bit of kit. Many thanks John F

You don't know the part number for the under bonnet felt? It sounds like a worthwhile bit of kit. Many thanks John F

Some of the Passat diesels have their sumps fitted with sound insulation pads bonded /glued directly to the sump. . My son-in- law's 2003 Passat has this sump sound insulation and it does make a big difference.

Edited 29 June, 201016 yr by vwcabriolet1971

Some of the Passat diesels have their sumps fitted with sound insulation pads bonded /glued directly to the sump. . My son-in- law's 2003 Passat has this sump sound insulation and it does make a big difference.

I would be a bit careful here, though as the sump may be a direct way of helping to cool the oil so insulating it may make the oil stay hotter and make the engine fan/cooling system work harder! Good idea in theory, though.

I would be a bit careful here, though as the sump may be a direct way of helping to cool the oil so insulating it may make the oil stay hotter and make the engine fan/cooling system work harder! Good idea in theory, though.

The sump acoustic pad in question is a factory fitted part . I don't think VAG would fit a part that would cause engine overheating . Most VAG engines are now fitted with engine coolant oil coolers to limit the upper level of oil temperatures. Thus the coolant initially heats the oil after start up . A quick oil temperature rise to working oil temperaure is most benificial to the engine. With the undertrays on most VAG cars there is little in the way of excessive cooling air flow. It is an engineering fact that it is difficult to extract heat out of oil by way of contact with the sump casing ( even with cooling fins on the outside ) . This is why high performance cars use radiator type oil coolers placed in the airstream . The VAG cooling systems are carefully engineered to operate in most planet earth environments without problems.

The under bonnet felt part no. is 5J0863831. It cost me £14.58 and comes complete with clips.

They are fitted as standard to diesel engined Fabias if you want to see one.

The sump acoustic pad in question is a factory fitted part . I don't think VAG would fit a part that would cause engine overheating . Most VAG engines are now fitted with engine coolant oil coolers to limit the upper level of oil temperatures. Thus the coolant initially heats the oil after start up . A quick oil temperature rise to working oil temperaure is most benificial to the engine. With the undertrays on most VAG cars there is little in the way of excessive cooling air flow. It is an engineering fact that it is difficult to extract heat out of oil by way of contact with the sump casing ( even with cooling fins on the outside ) . This is why high performance cars use radiator type oil coolers placed in the airstream . The VAG cooling systems are carefully engineered to operate in most planet earth environments without problems.

I am not saying "AVIOD LIKE THE PLAGUE"!

Mearly that, if they deemed it worth fitting, they would have done it or offered the part for retro-fitting!

It may be a good idea, if it quietens some noise to the cabin. If it worked and had no detrimental effect, I would perhaps fit one too! It was said they fitted one to a certain model.... Do they still fit them? If not, is that due to cost or other factors? Also, does it leave room for easy sump plug removal, or other componants?

Often, one answer to something throws up many other questions. That said, I would do it if it works efficiently.

Edited 3 July, 201015 yr by mrgf

I am not saying "AVIOD LIKE THE PLAGUE"!

Mearly that, if they deemed it worth fitting, they would have done it or offered the part for retro-fitting!

It may be a good idea, if it quietens some noise to the cabin. If it worked and had no detrimental effect, I would perhaps fit one too! It was said they fitted one to a certain model.... Do they still fit them? If not, is that due to cost or other factors? Also, does it leave room for easy sump plug removal, or other componants?

Often, one answer to something throws up many other questions. That said, I would do it if it works efficiently.

I don't think that they would add this part if it did not give any reduction in noise . Sump plug access is not compromised . Can't say whether they continue to fit something similar to later models or have found more effective less costly methods of noise reduction .