Hi All,

Just joined to ask a few questions I have with regards to the car, FABIA VRS ESTATE/HATCH. I have test drive one, briefly, due to mileage restrictions and no fuel being in the car 0 Range lol :-(, will be leasing anyway, so wont necessarily be buying from the dealer.

1) I have a border collie dog, will she get in the boot ok, I noticed there is a lip, (not sure the dealer would appreciate me taking the dog there)

2) I hear people talking about this rear interior light, what exactly is the situation here, was it missing from earlier models but have they updated the spec now. Can someone please comment, as the little one often struggles to put his belt in on his booster seat. Upgrades to the light, is this an upgraded bulb? Easy to do?

3) Talking of rear interior lights is there one in the boot so you can see what your getting out of the boot?

4) What is this lag everyone is talking about with the DSG, the Fabia does 0-60 in around 7 secs, how much lag are we talking 0.1 seconds? I personally think people are being a little gentle on the throttle, or it could be the Hill Hold brake staying on unecessarily? I had a Jag 3.0 Auto, there was no lag there as it was always necessary to hold it back with the brakes. I noticed the Fabia doesnt creep like a normal auto, am I correct in assuming this.

5) Model I drove never had cruise control, does it work constantly feathering the throttle, or is it an annoying power on power off type of affair.

6) I am thinking of adding on the rear electric windows, front centre arm rest, climate control, bluetooth, multifunction wheel, dark chrome wheels and mats and getting the estate in candy white. Any comments on these, do I really need anything else?

7) Is the climate control worth having, most of my cars have had it, but just wondering what peoples thoughts are on this.

8) my last car was a civic type R GT, very hard ride, the fabia appears to be a lot smoother, everyone agree with this?, as the civic was potentially a back breaker, and on country B roads, they were often too rough for the car to confortably make swift progress. Is the Fabia comfortable on the B roads?

9) I like the dark roof lining inside the car, I assume this also comes on the estate?

10) Black Pack, I quite like the look of it, and think it would add to the sleeper style of the car, and would compliment the black mirrors and wheels nicely and candy white. Is this now the only way to get a car? Black Pack compulsory going forward?

11) MPG, lots of cold running due to small journeys, this is what is driving me to get a petrol. the 1.4tsi seems to fit the bill for me. Lazy, yet interesting and cheaper to run than say a V6 with similar power. What am i going to expect ... 30mpg?

Sorry for all the questions, however, I have been searching the forum, but dont seem to be able to find the answers im looking for that are up to date with the current spec. Plus my dealer is useless on the basis, they have only just opened and slaes staff have no experience.

Ie, they said the black pack is ONLY available on the Monte Carlo, which now appears to be wrong! Hence me not trusting them.

Cheers guys.

Edited 24 May, 201115 yr by MarkyB77

Hi All,

Just joined to ask a few questions I have with regards to the car, FABIA VRS ESTATE/HATCH. I have test drive one, briefly, due to mileage restrictions and no fuel being in the car 0 Range lol :-(, will be leasing anyway, so wont necessarily be buying from the dealer.

1) I have a border collie dog, will she get in the boot ok, I noticed there is a lip, (not sure the dealer would appreciate me taking the dog there). YES MOST DEFINITELY. WE HAVE A 4 STONE SPRINGER X POINTER AND THERES LOADS OF ROOM FOR HIM. REALLY EASY TO GET IN AND OUT TOO. SOURCING A CUSTOM FIT DOG GUARD WAS A PROBLEM THOUGH, SKODA ONE TOO EXPENSIVE AND DEALER FIT ONLY. ENDED UP GETTING A SAUNDERS W94 GENERIC GUARD, IS VERY GOOD. IF YOUR DOGS WELL BEHAVED MAY NOT NEED ONE THOUGH.

2) I hear people talking about this rear interior light, what exactly is the situation here, was it missing from earlier models but have they updated the spec now. Can someone please comment, as the little one often struggles to put his belt in on his booster seat. Upgrades to the light, is this an upgraded bulb? Easy to do? NO REAR LIGH UNLESS YOU ORDER THE SUNROOF. BIT OF A FARSE BUT I WOULDNT SPEND THE MONEY JUST TO GET A REAR LIGHT.

3) Talking of rear interior lights is there one in the boot so you can see what your getting out of the boot? YES THERE IS A LIGHT IN THE BOOT BUT ITS NOT FANTASTIC.

4) What is this lag everyone is talking about with the DSG, the Fabia does 0-60 in around 7 secs, how much lag are we talking 0.1 seconds? I personally think people are being a little gentle on the throttle, or it could be the Hill Hold brake staying on unecessarily? I had a Jag 3.0 Auto, there was no lag there as it was always necessary to hold it back with the brakes. I noticed the Fabia doesnt creep like a normal auto, am I correct in assuming this. THERE IS SOMETIMES SLIGHT DELAY WHEN COMING OFF THE BRAKES WHEN THE CLUTCHES ENGAGING, USUAL DSG STUFF I GATHER. DOES CREEP LIKE A NORMAL AUTO TOO.

5) Model I drove never had cruise control, does it work constantly feathering the throttle, or is it an annoying power on power off type of affair. WE DONT HAVE CRUISE ON OURS BUT IN DRIVE ITS DEAD EASY TO KEEP IT TO SPEED.

6) I am thinking of adding on the rear electric windows, front centre arm rest, climate control, bluetooth, multifunction wheel, dark chrome wheels and mats and getting the estate in candy white. Any comments on these, do I really need anything else? SPEC IS COMPLETELY UP TO YOU AND IS A PERSONAL THING. GET WHAT YOU WANT SO YOUR HAPPY BUT BARE IN MIND THE CAR IS VERY WELL SPEC'D ANYWAY; I WOULDNT SAY THERE IS AN AWFUL LOT MISSING. FOUND PARKING SENSORS USEFUL AS THE CAR IS ACTUALLY QUITE LONG.

7) Is the climate control worth having, most of my cars have had it, but just wondering what peoples thoughts are on this. I DONT HAVE CLIMATE ON MINE AND DONT MISS IT BUT AGAIN THATS A PERSONAL PREFERENCE. THE STANDARD SYSTEM IS PERFECTLY ADEQUATE. I HAVE A FEELING THAT SKODA HAVE RECENTLY GOTTEN RID OF CLIMATIC AND REPLACED IT WITH STANDARD HEATING + MANUAL AIR CON (OURS DOESNT HAVE CLIMATIC - JUST MANUAL AC) SO IF YOU ACTUALLY WANT SOME FORM OF CLIMATE BEST OFF ORDERING CLIMATRONIC.

8) my last car was a civic type R GT, very hard ride, the fabia appears to be a lot smoother, everyone agree with this?, as the civic was potentially a back breaker, and on country B roads, they were often too rough for the car to confortably make swift progress. Is the Fabia comfortable on the B roads? CAR RIDES VERY WELL ALL THINGS CONSIDERED, THE ESTATE PROBABLY RIDES A BIT BETTER THAN THE HATCH OVERALL BUT EXPECT THE HATCH'S OVERALL HANDLING IS A LITTLE SHARPER.

9) I like the dark roof lining inside the car, I assume this also comes on the estate? YES ESTATE COMES WITH BLACK ROOF LINING.

10) Black Pack, I quite like the look of it, and think it would add to the sleeper style of the car, and would compliment the black mirrors and wheels nicely and candy white. Is this now the only way to get a car? Black Pack compulsory going forward? IF YOU ORDER A CAR NOW IT WILL BE A 2012 MY AND WILL COME WITH THE BLACK PACK AS STANDARD. GATHER OTHER CHANGES ARE THE NEW SKODA BADGE AND SHORT ROOF AERIAL AS PER THE VW POLO.

11) MPG, lots of cold running due to small journeys, this is what is driving me to get a petrol. the 1.4tsi seems to fit the bill for me. Lazy, yet interesting and cheaper to run than say a V6 with similar power. What am i going to expect ... 30mpg? YOU'LL GET MID-LATE 30'S ONCE ITS RUN IN. MAYBE EARLY 40'S ON A SLOW LONG RUN.

Sorry for all the questions, however, I have been searching the forum, but dont seem to be able to find the answers im looking for that are up to date with the current spec. Plus my dealer is useless on the basis, they have only just opened and slaes staff have no experience.

Ie, they said the black pack is ONLY available on the Monte Carlo, which now appears to be wrong! Hence me not trusting them. Cheers guys.

Hi MarkyB77 see comments above. We've just taken delivery of our vRS estate and also have a fairly big dog and a baby on the way this week. Hope the comments are useful.

Edited 25 May, 201115 yr by pipsyp

Pipsyp mate, any pics of the a/c controls on your car to confirm what you said above, i find that most interesting.

Regarding the handling, remember the hatch has that 25kg of ballast in the boot which the estate doesn't need.

Pipsyp mate, any pics of the a/c controls on your car to confirm what you said above, i find that most interesting.

Regarding the handling, remember the hatch has that 25kg of ballast in the boot which the estate doesn't need.

Hi mate, yeah its aparently a revision thats occured towards the end of the MY 2011 builds; suspect is a VAG order to take it out of the Fabia as standard kit. Doesnt bother me as didnt want the Climatronic and it works well enough but I guess someone wanting any form of Climate Control will be best to order the Cimatronic. There is an amendment brochure in the car folder that outlines this.

If you look closely you'll see theres no longer temperature markings on the temp dial, no climatic on the fan control and no sensor near the AC button. Must have just missed out as a 60 plate SE I test drove still had Cimatic.

Yeah I gather the hatch has the ballast as it's centre of gravity is slightly higher than the estates; personally can't really see any benefit in having the hatch. Is strange that the estate isnt more popular. I think in the flesh the estates looks are more resolved, its more spacious and slightly lighter and quicker to boot

Edited 25 May, 201115 yr by pipsyp

wierd. mine has climatic....

I went for the climatic. To me personally it also smartens up the dash a bit.

wierd. mine has climatic....

Yeah mine was a week 18 build, they canned Cimatic towards the end of the MY 11 run. Not 100% sure why but guess its a VAG order to remove it from the Fabia standard spec. No great loss as the standard system is probably even easier to keep to the desired temp and something less to go wrong. Something thats always irritated me with Climatic is when it reaches the desired temp it then pumps out cold air in an attempt to stabilise the temperature; cool breeze becomes unconfortable and end up having to turn up the temp more. Thats how it is in my Golf anyway.

Yeah mine was a week 18 build, they canned Cimatic towards the end of the MY 11 run. Not 100% sure why but guess its a VAG order to remove it from the Fabia standard spec. No great loss as the standard system is probably even easier to keep to the desired temp and something less to go wrong. Something thats always irritated me with Climatic is when it reaches the desired temp it then pumps out cold air in an attempt to stabilise the temperature; cool breeze becomes unconfortable and end up having to turn up the temp more. Thats how it is in my Golf anyway.

Never found that in the Fabia. It's set on 20c and it's been like that since I got the car in January.

System works very well in my experience, better than almost every other car I've had which used to pump out cold air as you say.

Never found that in the Fabia. It's set on 20c and it's been like that since I got the car in January.

System works very well in my experience, better than almost every other car I've had which used to pump out cold air as you say.

Yours is Climatronic not Climatic. The original system in the Fabia used to regulate temperature (Climatic), doesnt anymore.

Hi Guys,

thanks for all your replys, im more and more steering towards a VRS, however, one other question.

In the spec it lists a 12v socket in the luggage but is their one up front? for phone chargers etc?

Cheers...

:-)

Yes there is. I'm not 100% but it should still be by the hand brake

Thanks Martyn :-)

Still undecided on Bluetooth, whether or not you need the MF wheel with telephone buttons, or just get the bluetooth interface. I believe you can control it with Maxidot controls.

Then its just the wheels

And whether or not I go for the sunroof too, I assume its a tilt and slide sunroof? Anyone know about this?

Cheers

I didn't go for Bluetooth since I don't really need it and was a bit expensive for me. I ignore my phone if it goes off in the car and give the excuse I was driving. I'll obviously pull over and answer it if it's really urgent. I'm pretty sure you can have bluetooth without the wheel but it's a nice thing to have. You can see what options I went for in my sig. Only went for parking sensors because I've yet to see one without them plus I liked the screen that comes up when you stick it into reverse.

As for a test drive if I were you I'd take out another one even if it's from a different dealer. I've test driven a vRS three times before I ordered. I drove it when it launched. Deler knows how much I like Skodas and rung me up asking did I want a go. I was raining quite heavily but it wasn't a bad drive. A few months later I took one out on another dealership who were pi$$ poor. Not that interested in letting me having a go even after I'd test driven quite a few things beforehand and already owning a Mk1 vRS. It was literally to the roundabout and back with 0 fuel in it. Then the dealer asked me did I want to buy it. What after a 2 min test drive!?.

Then drove it again last month after reading on here how good the car was and it would be a good car for me. Took it for a much longer test drive in the dry and managed to give it some stick too which the salesgirl didn't mind me doing. That convinced me that it was the car I wanted. They even let me borrow a Fabia estate to let me see if it would fit in my drive. It's an off road bit and you have to parallel park it into what used to be the front lawn. As you can see by this picture it fitted fine so I bought one.

Yes there is. I'm not 100% but it should still be by the hand brake

Yes there is a 12v socket by the handbrake on the estate as well as in the boot

Thanks Martyn :-)

Still undecided on Bluetooth, whether or not you need the MF wheel with telephone buttons, or just get the bluetooth interface. I believe you can control it with Maxidot controls.

Then its just the wheels

And whether or not I go for the sunroof too, I assume its a tilt and slide sunroof? Anyone know about this?

Cheers

Hi MarkyB77, Sunroof is a normal glass electric tilt/slide. I gather one benefit of having the sunroof is that you get a rear courtesy light thrown in. One bummer witht the estate is seeing in the back of the car at night without it. Rubbish really as such things should be standard.

your all very helpful, thank you!

I like a sunroof, especially the tilt as you can get airflow without the noise, and then you dont necessarily need aircon, so it can save a few pence in fuel and is probably a little more healtier, than the dry air of air con.

Plus I like to burn my head when the sun is out! lol

Hi All,

Just joined to ask a few questions I have with regards to the car, FABIA VRS ESTATE/HATCH. I have test drive one, briefly, due to mileage restrictions and no fuel being in the car 0 Range lol :-(, will be leasing anyway, so wont necessarily be buying from the dealer.

2) I hear people talking about this rear interior light, what exactly is the situation here, was it missing from earlier models but have they updated the spec now. Can someone please comment, as the little one often struggles to put his belt in on his booster seat. Upgrades to the light, is this an upgraded bulb? Easy to do?

From my understanding you can only have a rear interior light if you have the sunroof and the front interior light doesnt light up the rear of the car at all really.

3) Talking of rear interior lights is there one in the boot so you can see what your getting out of the boot?

There is one in the boot which illuminates the boot really well, on the Hatch it's on the left hand side so if the left of the boot so if I have stuff stacked pretty high I try to keep it away from the left side as it can block the light (doesn't do very often tho)

4) What is this lag everyone is talking about with the DSG, the Fabia does 0-60 in around 7 secs, how much lag are we talking 0.1 seconds? I personally think people are being a little gentle on the throttle, or it could be the Hill Hold brake staying on unecessarily? I had a Jag 3.0 Auto, there was no lag there as it was always necessary to hold it back with the brakes. I noticed the Fabia doesnt creep like a normal auto, am I correct in assuming this.

Under certain conditions when the car isn't expecting the need to change (ie if you kick down) there's a pause while it changes gear but the power you get more than makes up for that pause. Put it this way if your slapping the power down to avoid a sticky situation the pause isn't long enough to stop you getting out of the way!

Well, mine creep like conventional auto's although because of the Hill Hold there's often a few seconds before it starts to creep although if you apply throttle the breaks instantly release

5) Model I drove never had cruise control, does it work constantly feathering the throttle, or is it an annoying power on power off type of affair.

Haven't got it on mine but been in one with it, it feather's from what I could tell

6) I am thinking of adding on the rear electric windows, front centre arm rest, climate control, bluetooth, multifunction wheel, dark chrome wheels and mats and getting the estate in candy white. Any comments on these, do I really need anything else?

I know alot of people rave about climate control but I dont really see what all the fuss is about, I went without and I find the car perfectly comfortable and Im not forever changing the temp on it.

Dont waste your money on the floor mats. They're just plain mats so get yourself some nice VRS logo ones off ebay

8) my last car was a civic type R GT, very hard ride, the fabia appears to be a lot smoother, everyone agree with this?, as the civic was potentially a back breaker, and on country B roads, they were often too rough for the car to confortably make swift progress. Is the Fabia comfortable on the B roads?

God yes! I remember being a passenger in the current mark of Civic type R and it was terrible, the VRS rides hell of a lot better on all roads.

11) MPG, lots of cold running due to small journeys, this is what is driving me to get a petrol. the 1.4tsi seems to fit the bill for me. Lazy, yet interesting and cheaper to run than say a V6 with similar power. What am i going to expect ... 30mpg?

Well mine has done 2200 miles so far and its average is 37.5mpg (I use Super though, people say it wont make a difference is you use normal unleaded mind you)

your all very helpful, thank you!

I like a sunroof, especially the tilt as you can get airflow without the noise, and then you dont necessarily need aircon, so it can save a few pence in fuel and is probably a little more healtier, than the dry air of air con.

Plus I like to burn my head when the sun is out! lol

I like sunroofs anyway, but when I test drove I found the cabin to be pretty dark so the sun roof was a nice addition for both air and light. Plus I didnt know at the time but you got a free rear light (much to the annoyance of others)

I like sunroofs anyway, but when I test drove I found the cabin to be pretty dark so the sun roof was a nice addition for both air and light. Plus I didnt know at the time but you got a free rear light (much to the annoyance of others)

What i'm struggling to get over is how good a deal the vRS actually is. 3 years ago bought a brand new Polo for £12K, only discount was a dealer contribution to the deposit of about a grand, not to be sniffed at but not fantastic. VW wouldnt throw in any freebee's either. Was a good car but just did what it said on the tin. Not remotely exciting and drove like a boat, rolled like nobodys business and brakes were like dropping an anchor...you'd stop but you were never quite sure when haha

For £15K have a bigger better looking car, with DSG and practically every safety aid you can imagine that happens to drive ALOT better and have 100 more horses. It's incredible really!

I can certainly forgive it its lack of rear courtesy light even though it would be nice to have one!