Hi,

I had a test drive in a Fabia vRS about two weeks ago after seeing the VAT-free offer advertised and was pleasantly surprised by how it drove. I've got a day-long test drive booked for this Saturday and as long as I come away from that happy I think we will be placing an order - but I wondered if anybody had any comments on the proposed spec?

Fabia vRS in Rallye Green

Black roof

Gigaro Dark Chrome Alloys

Climate control

Cruise control

Multi-Function Steering Wheel

Bluetooth

Floor mats

Glasses storage compartment

Rear parking sensors

Heated front seats

Headlight washers

Amundsen Sat-Nav

Front seat storage boxes

Basically just about all boxes ticked - is there anything in there that I should not bother with? Currently debating the parking sensors as it's such a small car, but they are quite handy!

It's going to be a 'second car' to a BMW M5 but it'll be used quite a lot for the more mundane driving that we do.

Edited 19 January, 201115 yr by Olly-

I think it comes with the Multifunction wheel as standard if you choose bluetooth

I think the armrest is a worth addition...with it having DSG

Oh really? I thought that you needed to add the multifunction wheel separately!

I missed the armrest off, will definitely want that.

Welcome to the forum.

Nice spec.

I would keep the parking sensors. Its much cheaper to spec them as an option at build rather than an OEM retrofit. As you say they are a nice thing to have eather than a must and they add to the resale value.

I've yet to drive a new fabia vrs but heard nothing but good things about them

I think it comes with the Multifunction wheel as standard if you choose bluetooth

I think the armrest is a worth addition...with it having DSG

The multifunction steering wheel comes as standard but only with controls for the radio, NOT the telephone. If you want to be able to control the telephone from the steering wheel you have to order the 'multifunction steering wheel with controls for radio and telephone'

It is possible to use the telephone functions without the steering wheel option but I've yet to hear of anyone ordering the telephone prep kit without ordering the steering wheel as well. Would be interesting to hear from anyone who has gone down this route though.

I would definitely keep the parking sensors as they add resale value to the car, are well worth having on any car regardless of vehicle size and they integrate with the Swing radio. You get a graphic of the car and two bars for each side of the car showing the distance to the object (the closer you get to it the longer the bars grow towards the rear of the car graphic.)

Also worth noting that if you had them retro-fitted then it wouldn't integrate with the radio, you'd just get an audible beep.

I'd definitely keep the armrest too as your left arm will do nothing once you've engaged gear. I do a fair bit of motorway driving in the week so it's a boon to have for me but not everyone will use the car for these sorts of trips.

Had I known the VAT offer was coming when I ordered the car then I'd have gone for the same spec as you but kept the colour I chose (white.)

Do the parking sensors integrate with the Amundsen satnav? I would assume they do?

Do the parking sensors integrate with the Amundsen satnav? I would assume they do?

Yes they do, in much the same way as they do on the standard Swing radio.

Very nice.

I would get rid of the cruise control as never really liked it. Just my opinion.

Keep us posted.

I would never own a car without cruise control because I use it all the time, especially on the motorway - otherwise I end up cruising a bit quicker than I should.

Edited 19 January, 201115 yr by Olly-

I would never own a car without cruise control because I use it all the time, especially on the motorway - otherwise I end up cruising a bit quicker than I should.

It's also very useful for keeping hold of your licence e.g. going through roadworks with average speed cameras

I wouldn't have a car without it either.

There are a few things that I would like on the Fabia that you can't get, annoyingly - Xenon lights, Auto wipers and auto lights.

I notice all are available on the Polo GTI for about £6k more like for like

The glasses storage compartment isn't very deep and wont take a pair of curved Oakleys :wonder: but the armrest is a very good storage point as the compartment inside it is much bigger than I expected.

Don't waste money on buying the mats, they are crap compared to the last vRS set I had in the MK1

The glasses storage compartment isn't very deep and wont take a pair of curved Oakleys :wonder: but the armrest is a very good storage point as the compartment inside it is much bigger than I expected.

Don't waste money on buying the mats, they are crap compared to the last vRS set I had in the MK1

Oh really, that's hopeless then as I'd want to put sunglasses in it. I'll not bother

I am considering a simalar spec but I am not sure if theAmundsen sat nav accepts post codes

Perhaps someone can clarify this

I'm fairly sure the satnav doesn't take the full 7 digits of the postcode, it's not a major issue though. I think the Columbus with the latest maps can but unfortunately Skoda don't offer it on the Fabia as a factory fit option :(

I'm fairly sure the satnav doesn't take the full 7 digits of the postcode, it's not a major issue though. I think the Columbus with the latest maps can but unfortunately Skoda don't offer it on the Fabia as a factory fit option :(

Retro fit columbus...cheaper!

I thought i read on here recently that the Amundsen is being updated to accept 7 digit postcodes.