why has my fabia estate,2004 not got roof rails but other estates i've seen have ?

what are the correct speeds for each gear on a fabia 1.4 tdi pd? i seem to spend most of my time in 2nd and 3rd gear due to labouring in 4th doing 30mph

Welcome to the site.

Roof rails were an option, the original owner was obviously tight

Correct speeds? Not sure what you mean, are you coming to heavy oil from petrol? Perhaps you just need to dial into a new style of driving?

Roof rails can be had cheap off eBay aswell

It is possible to retro-fit the longitudinal roof rails, I did it to SWMBO's 04 plate Fabia 1.4TDI Estate, but the kit is not cheap if you buy it new. I think it is around £200 and you will need to drop the headlining around the edges to gain access to the fixing points.

They were only standard on the Elegance and I think Bohemia models.

Car should be fine at 30mph in 4th gear, but won't be happy in 5th.

It is possible to retro-fit the longitudinal roof rails, I did it to SWMBO's 04 plate Fabia 1.4TDI Estate, but the kit is not cheap if you buy it new. I think it is around £200 and you will need to drop the headlining around the edges to gain access to the fixing points.

They were only standard on the Elegance and I think Bohemia models.

Car should be fine at 30mph in 4th gear, but won't be happy in 5th.

Actually, I take that back, just been out in SWMBO's Furby and got behind some numpty in a Merc who insisted on driving at around 30mph in a 60 limit and the car pulled from 30 in top without any problems. It doesn't pick up quickly from that speed and it does complain if you press the accelerator hard, but gentle pressure will soon have it back on boost. Doesn't sound laboured unless you try to accelerate quickly. I wonder if your car has had the cam belt changed and someone hasn't got the timing quite right?

thanks to all for your replies.

yes i am new to diesel and i am realising that i have to learn a whole new way of driving!! i'm being a bit careful with the car at the moment because its waiting to go in for a new cam belt,once i've had that done i can learn how to do the car justice.

Make sure that whoever fits the belt is familiar with VAG TDI engines, if not they may not lock the pulleys in position and your timing may be out as a result (as I learnt the hard way).