Hi there

I'm a new member just joined although I have in the past owned both a Mark 1 Fabia hatch and a 1.9tdi estate.

I'm interested in a 2010 Fabia Elegance 1.2tsi [105bhp] that I have seen advertised at our local franchise. I like the look of the car and the spec is just what I am looking for but before I go to see it I have one question. Considering that this car has 16" wheels can someone please tell me what the ride is like compared to lesser offerings on 15" wheels? I know that the Fabia is regarded as having a 'soft' suspension but I have read that on 16" wheels the ride is firm. How firm is firm? For instance, I currently have a Honda Jazz Sport CVT and they are known for a firm ride and frankly that is my main reason for changing now. At my time of life I'm afraid that comfort in my vehicle is of paramount importance hence my enquiry re the ride of the Elegance.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Peter

Well all that i can say ii regually drove a 1.2TSI fabia SE for a dealer it was on 15in antres i think they are that seem smooth enough andna comfy ride, suspension was soft for my liking but im 25 and enjoy a sport car.

I currently own a money carlo on sports suspension and 17s and for the most part id say thats a very comfy and smooth on most roads, but on lesser roads it can but jolty/crashy as younwould expect.

Overall my exprience of fabia are they seem to have the drive and feel of something a bit bigger.

Its seem to act more like a bigger hatch rather then supermini.

Obviously id recomend a lengthy test drive but i can see the 16in wheels casuing to much issues

My Father in law has one( 78) he gives car lifts to church for the older ones! he seems happy with it

My Dad had 16s on his last one (a 1.9 TDI 3) and thought the ride firm. He now has 15s and can't tell the difference. It does seem to ride well, but can appear firm on certain surfaces - I guess it is a small car with a short wheelbase, so it doesn't ride out some undulations and bumps.

Maybe go for something a bit bigger? Octavia? Wait for the Rapid (rumoured to start at £13k). Price dependent obviously, but my Octavia was a good ride, the Superb too.

Hi PDIBK

Many thanks for your informative and intelligent response to my query.

Interesting what you say about your dad's experience on the ride quality of the Fabia. I had a 1.9tdi Mark 1 estate at one time and the ride was awful [firm] and that was only on 15" wheels. In the end I came to the conclusion that it was the diesel engine that was the problem as it is a very heavy lump and I suspect it had up-rated shocks to cope with the weight. I don't think it is just because it is a small car with a short wheelbase although I can see how this could make for a choppy ride. Before the tdi estate I had a Mark 1 1.4 petrol Fabia hatch and that was a very comfortable car to ride in.

I like your suggestion about the Octavia and I would love one but it really is too big for our needs, plus I couldn't afford a recent low mileage model

What to do now, a late model Mk 5 Polo is lovely but too expensive with the trim/engine I want and a Ford Fiesta sounds highly recommended by all the reviewers but the dash area looks such an abortion. I'm afraid I like cars to look fit for purpose and not pose as a mobile phone clone!

Regards

Peter

Ask the dealer for a test drive

I'd go for a test drive -the dealer being local to you might give you the chance to try it on some roads that would cause you problems. You could soften the ride by fitting smaller wheels with higher profile tyres (so that is an increased air volume in the tyre) not just smaller wheels. Bigger cars tend to ride better because they have more mass to damp with. Honda are known for making their cars very light which aids fuel economy

Edited 3 September, 201213 yr by greenstripe

Goodenough - no problem! I haven't yet him drive the Monte Carlo yet - that has an...interesting ride, on "sports" suspension and 17" alloys.

Bizzarely though, test driving a "Sport" trim model may have benefits - more kit over an SE and the ride should be good. Both of Dad's were estates.

When i had my sport the mother in law (85) has a bad back she said the seats with the wings on stoped her moving about and said it was a comfortable ride

Goodenough it a comfy car no probs you'll love it, but as above really go test it

My bones are also old. Now on my second Fabia with 16" wheels and have found both to be a comfortable ride. No experience of 15" wheels though. As others have said, take a good test drive and try for yourself.

Another old boner here!! Can't comment on 16" but my little 1.2 on 15" is fine. I too had a Mk 1 1.9Tdi estate and can't recognise your 'hard ride' experience, it was great though did feel a little heavy at times. I would always advise anyone to try out the sports seats though, where fitted. These can be superb but if you are big with a wide beam ( to put it politely) they are a real pain. My wife is amply blessed in the rear and just doesn't fit sports seats!!... Shhhhhhh.

Thank you all so much for your input. I shall go and have a test drive of the car and report back.

Peter

Hi Peter, my 2010 1.2 TSI 105 DSG Elegance has the 16" alloys on 205/45 x 16 and these do make for a ride firmer. I run 15" steels in winter with Avon Icetouring tyres and these do ride a lot more smoothly and with no noise. The 16" alloys shod with Continentals do make some noise and the Conti's are supposed to be the best in this respect.

So you will get a firmer ride and more noise but the handling is sharper but I suppose you are not too worried about that if ride quality is paramount. However it might still seem a softer ride than the Honda so you might be OK.

another Peter with old bones!!

Thanks for your post, "another Peter with old bones". I think as others have said that a test drive is the only answer. You are probably right about the ride being softer than the Honda Jazz which to me is unacceptably firm but I need to try one to see if it is comfortable enough for me. I hope the Fabia Elegance is, to me, comfortable because I really like the car and my experience with my previous two Fabias tells me that I won't be disappointed with the car in terms of value for money and reliability.

Peter