Afternoon All, thanks in advance for your help.

I'm looking to buy a Fabia VRS with 50k - 70k ish and looking to spend around the £5k mark but I have a few questions, some Fabia specific, others not so much. So here we go.

I'm tempted with one that has already been remapped but concerned about the detrimental effects on other components. I know clutches can suffer and that is expected, but what about the turbo and the dual mass flywheel. I always used to think that a remap only affected fueling but it must have an effect on the turbo as well?

If I get one that isn't remapped, who's good for it, I have heard a lot of good things about Jabba, any other recommendations?

What is the cambelt interval, I've seen ones with them done all the way from 30k up to 70k.I will be doing mostly motorway miles, is it fair to assume that this is less stressful for the engine that urban driving or blasting around country lanes?

I read somewhere something about there being a different gearbox between pre2004 and post 2004. Longer legs on 6th etc, is this true?

Does the PD160 intake really make a difference?

Finally if anyone is looking to sell theirs and is within my price range, let me know. I live in Herts.

Cheers for the help.

Flip.

Hello I bought my first Skoda a vrs last week I considered an already mapped car but if it's been mapped the chances are it's been driven hard and fast everywhere.

I'll be mapping mines in a few weeks

I bought Mine a few months ago and got it mapped By Andy at angel tuning. He came to my house and did it as well. Car pulls a lot stronger and further up the rev range. Great mod, I'd say buy a good standard car and do it yourself.

How much did angel tuning charge?

I read somewhere something about there being a different gearbox between pre2004 and post 2004. Longer legs on 6th etc, is this true?

Here's the difference:

More info when originally discussed HERE

Edited 18 October, 201015 yr by DRJ

What is the cambelt interval, I've seen ones with them done all the way from 30k up to 70k.I will be doing mostly motorway miles, is it fair to assume that this is less stressful for the engine that urban driving or blasting around country lanes?

4 years or 60k miles whichever comes first.

Just for your interest, I've had my car mapped by Angel Tuning for a couple of years. Overall I am still happy, considering its just a generic map, the figures achieved were reasonable but not the highest.

Here is the graph - a nice and smooth (clutch friendly) 170hp/270lbft

but the map from angel will give dfferent results for different cars no? I'd be happy to go from 130 to 170 bhp for £250ish

Thanks for all the info guys.

DRJ....that's great thanks, it's quite a big difference.

You have to expect a tuned engine beyond what the manufacturer designed it it for, will wear quicker. When tuned up the turbo and clutch are the favourites to suffer failure first along with higher temperatures int the intercooler department which cause split and blown of hoses. The rest of the car is well built and will last thousands of miles without trouble and the main engine components are durable and we have not heard of any failures of head gasket which you would normally expect with much higher power outputs.

This is all subject to a good service record using the correct PD oil and regular cam belt change (4yrs. or 60k miles).

A VRS with 100k. miles is no more likely to fail than any car with 50k. miles under it's belt.

I would be looking at Skoda main dealers first and see if one fits the bill for you, the warranty is a good safeguard.

The PD 160 intake is a popular mod with remapped engines, a must I would say.

Jabba? yes they are one off the most knowledgable in VAG tuning, not a bad word said against them.

Yes the 6th gear ratio is longer on later cars. Not really any need to buy a VRS with this, It was to save a couple of mpg but you wont notice it.

Happy searching for your Fabia, choose wisely.

ps. The Black ones are best..