I know that there plenty of threads about tuning / modding, but I'm coming from a background more Captain Sensible than the Stig, i,e, for many years would simply change cars if I wanted something faster; modifying a car was something that kids in baseball caps do, right?

Anyway, this morning, at 6 am to be roughly precise (I was still half asleep!) I left Cardiff for Mansfield, having been fitted in by Rob at 24 hours notice, as he knew I was impatient to get the car done! Nothing notable about the journey, car pulling strongly, bearing in mind I have only just realised the full factory power with a newly fitted diverter valve. So, 180 miles, 28.3mpg later in near as dammit 3 hours including a couple of stops for fuel (me) and I'm there at 9. Meet Ryan, owner of a tidy Fabia crs tdi in for some new bushes, and meet Ben who is back from a long lay off. Spent the next 4 hours or so chatting between us, mostly about nothing and everything as blokes do, but what a great bunch of guys they are, Ben is a top bloke and to be honest I'd rather buy something from someone I like, and it's not just about getting the best price tag or even the best part, the whole package is more important.

If you are a complete newbie to modifying your car, you won't be treated like an idiot, quite the opposite; and I'm sure i am not the first to turn up and be amazed by the basic upgrade, the enthusiasm is obvious, that alone is worth half the cost again. So, the customer service is a rare treat, the business model sound for the future I can only recommend that anyone like me looking for the first step in tuning to at least give them a call, preferably in person. I'm sure other tuners offer equally, and perhaps better products, I don't know I have never tried them, but frankly I'm not concerned if that is the case, and that speaks volumes perhaps.

So to the car...well it's blown my mind away. I expected it to be good, and it is, more than that, its, well f***** awesome! Crude description maybe, but it seems the most appropriate way of explaining it; it really doesn't stand any logical or objective assessment, at least not yet. The blast around the lanes after the work was done had Ryan wishing he had a petrol engine and me looking for a parachute. I drove it back to Cardiff slightly quicker than on the way up, and hoofed it at every chance out of RABs, slip roads etc, and it was 30.6mpg at my door. Ultimately, if you don't want the oomph, then just don't press the pedal, so you don't need to upgrade brakes, you don't *need to upgrade the suspension, you don't have to do anything other than exercise sensible restraint. Oh, and laugh stupidly when 330d / 325i coupes et al disappear in your rear view mirror.

*Ben told me I'd be back, I said no chance, not into that kind of modding. I already decided on the way home an exhaust, uprated springs/shocks, bushes and maybe AR bars is an inevitable next step.

Thanks guys, well worth the sleep deprivation, the wait, the starvation, one of those days that you didn't think was that important but will stick with you forever. And nice to meet you Ryan, get those discs and pads sorted mate!

Edited 28 April, 201214 yr by stever750

Very good u seem very happy , any details on ur car year, miles fuel etc

Good to hear and glad you are having fun now

Very good u seem very happy , any details on ur car year, miles fuel etc

2006 2.0TFSI 69k

uses lots of oil

Had a broken diverter valve for all of the time I have owned the car (sinec April 11) only realised this might be the reason for *disappointing* performance after chatting to Rob at Shark last weekend. Fast forward one week, and add 80+bhp, so no wonder I'm smiling.

Rest of the car is as far as I know is the same as it was the day it was rolled out of Mlada Boleslav!

Edited 29 April, 201214 yr by stever750

Good news. Glad you are pleased

i definitely recommend uprating the brakes now , im really pleased with the ebc redstuff pads as good as oem cold but when thet warm up the are very good also 80% less brake dust.