32KOFDATA ///// Fabia Sport (MKII)

[Dark_Hero]

Makes sense. Could you have just changed the top part of the switch?

[32KOFDATA]

Makes sense. Could you have just changed the top part of the switch?

 

Unfortunately the problem is the height of the hinges which is different, otherwise it would have been a very easy mod.

 

Wrong! Dark Hero is right, well spotted... I over thought the whole procedure, just by changing the top chrome cover is enough to get the job done. LOL! 

I know now why I didn't do it that way - I had an original VW single switch and those for some reason got the hinges on a different height.

When I got the CN double switch never thought to check if the height of the original was the same with the knock-off. I'm officially a buffoon! 

I amended the diy post to avoid confusion.

[Dark_Hero]

At least it will help other members thinking of doing it

[32KOFDATA]

At least it will help other members thinking of doing it

 

Thanks man  

[32KOFDATA]

OK guys so here is the fixed DIY below - This might be for the double switch but the same procedure should apply for the four switch and single switch.

 

To keep this DIY cheap I purchased Chinese knock offs which are plenty on eBay. Look for "VW CHROME SWITCH OEM". In some cases you will find them as a bundle with other switches that might not be applicable to yours but still the price is very low. Before purchasing request from the seller to clarify for your if the switches are OEM and NOT by FAW-VOLKSWAGEN. In my search I came upon FAW-VW which are a joint venture between the FAW Group and Volkswagen Group in Asia - They make a number of things for VW and also switches of great quality but which unfortunately wont work properly with this mod and our Skoda original switches. The reason is the height of the side hole that is much lower in the case of the FAW switch. Below is a pic for comparison.

 

 

So here we got a Skoda original switch, found on almost every new car of the fleet.

 

 

and here is the Chinese, VW knock-off you will get through ebay.

 

 

Side by side comparison...

 

 

and on their side. Notice that the switches on the outside are exactly the same, same size height etc except the chrome finish and some minor other differences.

 

 

The plan is to keep the base of our original switch and transfer only the top cover chrome switches of the OEM to ours. Start by opening both original and OEM as shown in the pic below.

 

 

And this is the inside of the original.

 

 

Now in order to properly remove the top covers from their base turn the base around and locate the center square hole. Through there and with a small screwdriver just simply push each cover to one side so they come off their hinges.

 

 

and the result...

 

Remove in the same way the chrome covers of the OEM switch. NOTE! before you go ahead with the installation inspect the inside of the chrome switches for imperfections. Because they are cheaply made the inside (at least in my case) had some black over spray probably from the process of painting the outside of the cover. No need to worry just get again your small flat screwdriver and remove it by scratching it off. If you don't then the light of the led will not come through evenly and the window icon will look funny.

 

 

Now transfer the "clean" OEM switches to your original base by simply snapping them into place.

 

 

and then snap the whole top part with the base of the original.

 

 

And you are done! You should have by now a Skoda chrome switch  

 

 

Here is also a pic of the final result installed in the door card. If you want more details on how to remove the door card have a look at this link:

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/223753-32kofdata-fabia-sport-mkii/?p=3124214

 

 

It's the details that make the difference

Edited 3 November, 2017 by 32KOFDATA

[adam1985]

These look good. But what about the mirror adjustor is there an equivalent with the chrome knob?

[mrburdon123]

Love subtle mods like this! Looking very good.

[32KOFDATA]

Cheers guys - adam not sure if they are similar to the VW ones. I got a manual adjuster so I don't know but if electric mirror switches are like the one on this listing then you might be on to something.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/OEM-Chrome-Mirror-Adjust-Knob-Switch-w-Folding-For-VW-Jetta-5-Golf-GTI-MK5-MK6-/221236189703?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Make%3AVolkswagen&hash=item3382b45a07&vxp=mtr

[MWRobbo]

Cheers guys - adam not sure if they are similar to the VW ones. I got a manual adjuster so I don't know but if electric mirror switches are like the one on this listing then you might be on to something.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/OEM-Chrome-Mirror-Adjust-Knob-Switch-w-Folding-For-VW-Jetta-5-Golf-GTI-MK5-MK6-/221236189703?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Make%3AVolkswagen&hash=item3382b45a07&vxp=mtr

Something like that would be nice. This is what the fabia electric one looks like.

 

[32KOFDATA]

I see what you mean guys... The knob looks to me that it could be the same size as the VW ones so if someone is willing to do some surgery it could work.

[32KOFDATA]

I'm quite liking these wheels... XXR 522 in chrome black - what's your opinion?

 

Edited 3 November, 2017 by 32KOFDATA

[adam1985]

Cheers guys - adam not sure if they are similar to the VW ones. I got a manual adjuster so I don't know but if electric mirror switches are like the one on this listing then you might be on to something.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/OEM-Chrome-Mirror-Adjust-Knob-Switch-w-Folding-For-VW-Jetta-5-Golf-GTI-MK5-MK6-/221236189703?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Make%3AVolkswagen&hash=item3382b45a07&vxp=mtr

 

Yea something like that would be perfect if it was to fit.......hmmm

[Seth89]

Good looking rims.

[Dark_Hero]

They'll look brilliant on your Fabia

[32KOFDATA]

Problem is... I can't find them. Apparently you got to import them which will be very expensive and all the dealers even the ones on eBay don't stock the size I need. 

[adam1985]

Yea see what you mean just had a look at my local place they have a few XXR rims but not the 522's.  What about Rota Grids? http://www.revolution247.com/catalogue/shop-by-category-alloy-wheels-rota/rota---grid-drift-alloy-wheel-hyper-black

[32KOFDATA]

The XXR 522 is a design copied by many - who designed it first? I haven't got a clue but below are two more houses that produce almost the same design.

I just feel that the XXR does the best shape, seems more concave than the others... or it could be the pics and the chosen ET... am I wrong?

 

Rays Wheels (Volk Racing - TE37) (http://www.rayswheels.co.jp/products/brand_detail.php?lang=ja&brand=VOLK)

JAPAN RACING JR3 (http://wheeltrade.pl/towar.1803.japan.racing.jr3.17x9.et20.5x100114.matt.black.html)

[32KOFDATA]

Today was a good day.  :sun:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited 3 November, 2017 by 32KOFDATA

[MWRobbo]

Brilliant photos and great locations.

[32KOFDATA]

Edited 3 November, 2017 by 32KOFDATA

[Slotty]

Stunning photo...! Your car looks Amazing...!

[Ally_bassman]

One of my, if not my absolute favourite Fabia on this forum :-)

[32KOFDATA]

Months ago I saw the work of these guys "Cars Dream" - http://leatherinteriors.carsdream.com/

What really impressed me was their custom steering wheels work. They can give to any wheel a new shape, reduce its diameter if you like and finally dress it in any kind of leather or material you can imagine. Check out the gallery for more examples: http://leatherinteriors.carsdream.com/index.php/en/realizacje

 

First you need to contact them here: [email protected]

Provide them with a picture of your steering wheel and a list of what you want to be done to it.

 

My list was like so:

1. Flat bottom.

2. Black piano lack for top and bottom

3. Ergonomic form

4. Napa perforated leather for the sides

5. Red stitching

 

other options include

- Center line

- Carbon

- Reduced Diameter

 

they will send you a quote for the job and require you to wire the money before shipping anything to them. I propose you provide them the steering wheel yourself, it will be much cheaper.

I wired the money, found a used steering wheel at the scrappy and shipped it over to the address I was given in which I included again the list with the requirements (just in case).

 

I was initially quoted 4 weeks to dispatch but it took far longer than that. To be honest at some point I got bored waiting but the steering wheel showed up today and that feeling simply vanished.

I can't tell you how stoked I am with the end result, it really was worth waiting for.

 

The pictures talk for themselves. I will post more pics soon as I install it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited 3 November, 2017 by 32KOFDATA

[Ally_bassman]

Incredible. Love it!!!

[Slotty]

This is looking amazing and this company is based ion my homeland...!!!!!

 

Was this expensive...? Loving that Steering Wheel. Soooo unique...!!!