So it all started in April 2010, when I bought my 2003 Black Magic Fabia vRS

Completely standard at this point. No options on the car, but it was clean, tidy and drove quite well.

Fast foward three months of enjoying a standard car, and I find a set of TT 312mm callipers and carriers at a bargain price on eBay.

These were in a right state when I got them, so spent a whole day wire brushing and cleaning them, before painting them with some smooth green hammerite.

Got a set of new discs + pads, and fitted them with the help of a mate with a workshop.

I also then find a PD160 intake on SCN at a bargain price so I snapped that up too.

At this point I was doing a lot of overtime at work and so had a bit of free cash. Promptly booked myself into Shark Performance for remap and cruise control fit.

Now it goes like I want it to.

I managed to get hold of the Elegance under stereo drawer, Team Heko wind deflectors, and the sound deadening engine jacket from a SEAT for a very reasonable price, and so on they went.

A long day with some polish and wax resulted in this. Never been as clean since I think

A member on here (can't remember who) posted up about them wrapping their grille in vinyl rather than getting it resprayed. Brilliant idea so I ordered a roll and wrapped it.

Wasn't the best job in the world, but it's still holding up a year later

A few months go by and nothing really much changes.

Clutch is now on 90k and is slipping slightly under hard loads.

Look into changing it, but decide to leave it at this point as haven't really got the funds.

CD player decides to eat CDs rather than play them, so I replaced it with a £50 Lidl special. CD, MP3, SD, Bluetooth etc.

A group buy comes up on the forum for Whiteline RARB. Again a bargain, so I have to have one don't I...

Well worth it, feels so much better in the corners. Can get lift off oversteer a lot easier now

No pics of this, but I'm sure you all know what they look like

Boost leak discovered on bottom IC pipe. This has left the IC coated in oily grime that road dirt has also stuck to. Front of intercooler is completly covered and it's obvious no air is getting to it.

You can see how filthy it was

Found a used one that was clean, so rather than take mine off and clean it, I could swap them over, clean mine at my leisure then sell mine on.

While everything was apart, also bodged together an arch vent from a £5 B&Q vent and some spray paint

So I like to scour the forums for bargains, and I'd basically had enough of trying to keep the vRS seats clean.

I found a full interior from a Polo GT available at a decent price, and so I had to have it. Basically identical to a Golf GT, except the runners are for a Polo/Fabia.

Also with the added bonus of third rear headrest, full middle belt and a rear armrest/cubby thing.

Some pennies later, and it's in.

Got my console bushes changed by my local independent for a few quid. Was tempted with the Cupra ones, but in the end went with the revised X bushes as I'd heard stories of vibrations being passed into the cabin from the solid ones.

Much better to drive as a result

Winter arrives, and so I find myself with a set of 16" steelies and 205/45/16 winter tyres.

As much as I love the all black look, I like sleepers, and so I got myself some wheel trims from a SEAT.

Now they won't be to everyones taste, but they've really grown on me.

Korban posted about his coming home light kit, and so I got one of those and fitted it the next day.

Took a bit of faffing, but I was taking pics to post up in a guide

Managed to get hold of a Devonutopia bonnet lifter kit for decent price as someone was selling off their bits.

Fitted that, works great

A lot of people on here will have seen the Xenons that I found on eBay for a bargain price. Had to have a set of them, but unfortunately I missed out on the initial lot, and so had to wait for some more to arrive from the suppliers.

Took a while but was more than worth it.

So here we are now.

What's next?

Well.... In my living room I currently have a set of Weitec Hicon GTs, with all new top mounts waiting to go on.

I'm not interested in going low, infact I think these will be wound nearly to the top. I got them mainly to help in the twisties as my standard suspension has now done 100k and is past its best.

Again, they were at a cheap price I couldn't refuse.

This weekend, I'll be getting rid of the GT interior, and fitting my vRS leather that I've bought.

Too cheap to turn down a deal again, and I think probably one of the few mods to possibly make a car worth a bit more come sale time.

I've also got a set of rear interior lights coming in the post that I hope to fit this weekend. Hopefully they'll brighten up the rear a little bit.

Very nice vRS indeed... some cool mods to.. really lovin the arch vent as mine just has a cut out on the inner arch.. what vent did you get i'd like to fit one of these in my arch if you dont mind..

Nice, liking those seats a lot.

Looking good Sam.

Very nice vRS indeed... some cool mods to.. really lovin the arch vent as mine just has a cut out on the inner arch.. what vent did you get i'd like to fit one of these in my arch if you dont mind..

Cheers bud. Thought it was about time I posted up some details of my car

This is the vent that I got.

http://www.diy.com/nav/fix/plumbing/ventilation-ducting/grills/Manrose-229-x-76mm-Louvred-Vent-Silver-Aluminium-11478327

good build thread sam cars lookin good. like the xenon headlights, how is it gunna go at mot time cos headlight washer are needed for xenons.

good build thread sam cars lookin good. like the xenon headlights, how is it gunna go at mot time cos headlight washer are needed for xenons.

Will be fine.

If the washers are there, they have to work. If they're not, can't test them so can't fail.

A bit like spare wheel, has to be road worthy if it's there, but doesn't have to be there to pass.

Managed to get hold of a Devonutopia bonnet lifter kit for decent price as someone was selling off their bits.

Fitted that, works great

Good to know, although I'm personally just acting as agent. I did play a small part to play in the development process so I like to think of it as my little baby. Interesting to see the kits appearing on the 2nd hand market every now and then.

Well the leathers are in and the GT seats have gone off to their new owner

Pics to follow tomorrow

Well the leathers are in and the GT seats have gone off to their new owner

Pics to follow tomorrow

Good stuff - you didn't mess about getting those in

So a few pics from today

Leather is vRS seats, but without the vRS logo - which I quite like. Plain and simple

There is a little bit of wear on the drivers bolster, but nothing to worry about

Also gave it a bit of a wash and got some better shots in the sunshine

Looks lovely! Seats are subtle without the VRS logos.

Wish you sold the GT interior to me thou

Nice job, Sam

Shame the sun was so bright :sun:

Also fixed my rear wash wipe as the connection had come undone in the engine bay.

My rear interior lights arrived. I missed the parcel on Saturday, so I picked them up this morning.

Hopefully I'll give it a bash this Saturday, providing it's not too cold

Coilovers are definitely going on this Friday.

Got them wound up 3/4 of the way up, hopefully not too low to be annoying.

Looks nice, when the Sun decides to shine we will see it in the flesh at the Snipe.

Dude wheel trims :think:

Hope that's just temporary insanity Seriously though, really nice effort with the seats etc. You did well with the polo seats and the leathers even nicer, jealous.

Dude wheel trims :think:

Hope that's just temporary insanity

They're my winters, but as mad as it sounds, they've really grown on me!

I'm very tempted to run them all year

They're my winters, but as mad as it sounds, they've really grown on me!

Nice car Sam, great write up. Been meaning to do one about my car lately but never

seem to have time. I'll sit and do one after my honeymoon

I'd quite like a set of 16" trims for my steelies too. I've noticed I've had fewer people

out on the road trying to goad me into racing since the steels have been on.

I'd have to have Skoda ones though.

Look forward to having a nosey at Castle Combe in April (You are going right?)

Deffo enjoying the sleeper look and some trims will really help with that.

Good stuff! Leather looks nice,

I feel that you owe me a beer for pointing it out

Look forward to having a nosey at Castle Combe in April (You are going right?)

Unfortunately not no.

It's just too far to do in a day for me really, and the Briskoda How Fast at Bedford is only the week after.

I'll be at WSM next month though

Good stuff! Leather looks nice,

I feel that you owe me a beer for pointing it out

If ever I meet you I'll buy you several

I'll be at WSM next month though

I'm kinda busy at the start of March, but should be back to normal by about the 10th.

I'll try and get there.

I'm kinda busy at the start of March, but should be back to normal by about the 10th.

I'll try and get there.

You could always come and join us on the Brisky How Fast day.

I like the steels and wheel trims Sam.

Don't know why, maybe because it's more stealthy...