vRS Buying Advice

[Hungry Horace]

Hi

I am in the process of looking for a Fabia vRS my budget will stretch to model year 2005. I have just got rid of my lease car a 2008 MINI Cooper D and have been looking for something similar in size that is still a lot of fun and with an economical diesel engine.

The vRS seems to fit my requirements perfectly.

So a couple of questions is there anything I should look out for when viewing potential vehicles and is there any re-map system available like the Bluefin where you can put the re-map on and off as you wish, I dont really want to put on a chip mod that cant be removed without going to a specialist.

Many thanks

[softscoop]

To answer your question about similar to the bluefin. The Shark Performance STS unit lets you do exactly this.

Also couldn't recommend them any more as a company to deal with

[hyte1]

Things I learnt to look out for when I got mine a few weeks ago - leaking back doors (almost all seem to leak, don’t let it put you off but might be able to negotiate a discount. It's an easy fix, see the sticky.

Knocking from front seems to be common. Original Console bushes fail, again nothing to put you off but be aware.

I think that’s the two main things specific to a fabia, obviously check timing belt/water pump and everything else you would look at when buying a 2nd hand car. Good look!

[Hungry Horace]

Thanks for the replies.

@hyte1 will look out for these issues thanks.

@softscoop Thanks for the info looked at there website its exactly what I am after. Shame I just missed there summer sale :-(

[vindaloo]

Hi

I am in the process of looking for a Fabia vRS my budget will stretch to model year 2005. I have just got rid of my lease car a 2008 MINI Cooper D and have been looking for something similar in size that is still a lot of fun and with an economical diesel engine.

The vRS seems to fit my requirements perfectly.

So a couple of questions is there anything I should look out for when viewing potential vehicles and is there any re-map system available like the Bluefin where you can put the re-map on and off as you wish, I dont really want to put on a chip mod that cant be removed without going to a specialist.

Many thanks

Have a go in one first IMO. Coming from a MINI!, the Fabia's handling won't feel the best.

It needs at least a rear anti-roll bar to toughen up the handling (Whiteline or Jabbasport).

HTH

J.

[Matt.]

I picked mine up yesterday and it completely blew me away. I came from a Corsa SRi CDTi 1.7 with a DTUK PDI tuning box and was running somewhere between 120-130 bhp with 2** lbft torque. That felt quite nippy until I got in the Fabia. The Fabia ia rapid and is all standard, the ride is completely different and much better.

I think you will really enjoy the Fabia mate I am loving mine just wish I wasnt stuck at work so I could go drive. Suppose I finish in 20 minutes anyway :p

Ps on a side note softscoop. I THINK I say you yesterday on Monks Road FN53 I think? I went past you in my Fabia MIL 3681

[softscoop]

I picked mine up yesterday and it completely blew me away. I came from a Corsa SRi CDTi 1.7 with a DTUK PDI tuning box and was running somewhere between 120-130 bhp with 2** lbft torque. That felt quite nippy until I got in the Fabia. The Fabia ia rapid and is all standard, the ride is completely different and much better.

I think you will really enjoy the Fabia mate I am loving mine just wish I wasnt stuck at work so I could go drive. Suppose I finish in 20 minutes anyway :p

Ps on a side note softscoop. I THINK I say you yesterday on Monks Road FN53 I think? I went past you in my Fabia MIL 3681

Yes that was me! Was that you in the red vRS with the bikes?

I travel down there every day so give us a wave if you see me next time!

[Hungry Horace]

@vindaloo I am testing one this evening. Is the handling not so good then or is it just not comparable to a MINI.

[Sonner]

handling is good enough, but like most VAg cars it has an immovable rear end that doesn't like to aid in cornering too often, whereas the mini offers no more grip but much more balance and finesse. The fabia is still a better all rounder and much more reliable and practical, with bigger boot, more headroom, legroom and cabin space.

I think you will like the vRS alot

[Sonner]

A Rear anti roll is the single best handling mod that can be done to a fabia and it makes the rear a little more lively and is cheap aswell

[Hungry Horace]

@Sonner Thanks for the reply and help.

One other question, it was mentioned to look out for problems with console bushes when viewing potential cars. If I were to fit a polybush kit would these bushes be in the kit or is it other bushes you can only get OEM.

Thanks again.

[Matt.]

Yes that was me! Was that you in the red vRS with the bikes?

I travel down there every day so give us a wave if you see me next time!

No bud I drive a black one seen you a couple of times up there, think I have seen you turn onto Tower estate as well? I play snooker on Allenby alot. If I see you again and flash and wave like a weirdo...that's me haha!

[softscoop]

No bud I drive a black one seen you a couple of times up there, think I have seen you turn onto Tower estate as well? I play snooker on Allenby alot. If I see you again and flash and wave like a weirdo...that's me haha!

Ahh cool. Yeah I live round there so you're bound to see me.

[Hungry Horace]

Well I went and test drove a vRS earlier and I must say I was very impressed.

All in all a well looked after car but could do with a few things to bring it up to perfect condition (front & rear discs & pads, 4 tyres, and possibly a rear silencer)

Deciding on how much to offer. Fingers crossed I will be a vRS owner before monday.

[softscoop]

Well I went and test drove a vRS earlier and I must say I was very impressed.

All in all a well looked after car but could do with a few things to bring it up to perfect condition (front & rear discs & pads, 4 tyres, and possibly a rear silencer)

Deciding on how much to offer. Fingers crossed I will be a vRS owner before monday.

Pretty simple to get sorted, and a nice way to be able to lever some of the asking price off