What's the pros and cons of every day really world driving in a hybrid vrs fabia?

Pros, it's faster

Cons, it's not cheap, possible clutch replacement depending on condition and map

You pretty much won't notice any difference in drivability, my PD130+hybrid Fabia drives just as well as my PD150+map Leon did, but faster and harder, and does about the same MPG

Have driven over 18,000 miles now since changing the hybrid to a MD376 (was previously a MD374) in Feb this year.

I've previously had a Toledo PD130 (standard and remapped) and the missus has a standard Ibiza PD130 which I've driven, so I can compare the drive-ability.

The standard (or remapped) PD130 is very easy to drive, can tootle along in 4th at 30mph round 1250rpm, with no problems.

However on mine, it's not possible at all to drive at under 1500rpm in 4th, 5th or 6th. So you do loose flexibility and it hurts fuel consumption.

However once on the open road, it's phenomenal. And I can better fuel consumption on dual carriageways and motorways as long as I keep it under 2,000 rpm. If I keep it to a constant 65mph on the motorway (around 1,750rpm), it will easily do 65mpg+. However, use the power and fuel gauge goes down rather rapidly!

The remapped PD130 was I consider best of both worlds. Very flexible and tractable, with amazing fuel economy even round town.

I wouldn't agree with that. My fabia has never liked doing sub 1500rpm engine speeds. Unless its going down hill the correct gear is always 30mph - 3rd 40mph - 4th etc. the hybrid hasn't caused or affected this.

As for the original post, I'm guessing your aware of the costs, so it's just how it'll change the drive of the car?

IMO there are very little cons. If you get a decent map with a nice smooth curve then there is oodles of power right the way through the rev range. If you do it properly then there is no issue with reliability either. Uprated clutch/intercooler/brakes etc mean everything is ready for the extra power. MPG is also unaffected with a hybrid when driving sensibly, or reasonably sensibly.

The only 'downsides' would be firstly the MPG when putting your toe down. If you full gun it then it does drink a little quicker than normal. Even in that situation it's still better than any petrol driven the same way. Second is maintenance, personally I try and change the oil twice a year, just for a little added protection, but that's just me, I don't think it's 100% needed.

These things make it so bloody difficult for me to find a decent replacement for the fabia, it's so capable, especially doing motorway speeds. I went to Thorpe park few weeks ago, lovely to hoon along the motorway, still returned 55mpg & that wasn't hanging about. Think of your gonna keep the fabia for la while, if your considering a change in a year or two don't bother hybrid-ing, it's too much money to flog it on afterwards.

Finally, if your near Buckinghamshire drop me a PM, always happy to take a fellow briskodian out for a spin/chat.

like Matt, I'm struggling to think of a replacement that would do any of what the fabia does better. it really is a fantastic all rounder.

I run a hybrid as a daily too, no worries from me with regards to real world driving, but then, I dont sit bellow 2k RPM much.... (till it's warm obviously)

You can only get away with sub 1500rpm in any gear on the flat or downhill and certainly not if you need to accelerate. It will do it but it's not a nice sound or feeling. A pet hate of mine when the other half is driving. 4th gear at under 20mph then accelerates. Sounds horrible and the whole car vibrates!

Am I right in thinking that with a hybrid there is slightly more turbo lag?

I notice that on my standard 130 the turbo starts giving some boost about 1500rpm and full boost about 1900/2000. Is that still the same with a hybrid? Or dependent on the map?

Phil

Dependent on both map and hardware I believe. My hybrid is the standard PD130 housing with different wheels, and feels less laggy compared to the slightly larger standard PD150 on my old car (even after the 150 was mapped). Obviously it's difficult to get a proper comparison of both types on the same car, but somehow the Leon and the Fabia have roughly the same book weights and they have the same 1.9TDI/02M drivetrain with very similar gear ratios, so as anecdotal evidence goes I think it's reasonable.

I`v not noticed any, maybe i`m not 'tuned in' to noticing it, or I just drive in a way that avoids it. There obviously is lag as with any tdi, but i`v not noticed it being made worse by the (slightly) larger turbo.

I wouldn't agree with that. My fabia has never liked doing sub 1500rpm engine speeds. Unless its going down hill the correct gear is always 30mph - 3rd 40mph - 4th etc. the hybrid hasn't caused or affected this.

As for the original post, I'm guessing your aware of the costs, so it's just how it'll change the drive of the car?

IMO there are very little cons. If you get a decent map with a nice smooth curve then there is oodles of power right the way through the rev range. If you do it properly then there is no issue with reliability either. Uprated clutch/intercooler/brakes etc mean everything is ready for the extra power. MPG is also unaffected with a hybrid when driving sensibly, or reasonably sensibly.

The only 'downsides' would be firstly the MPG when putting your toe down. If you full gun it then it does drink a little quicker than normal. Even in that situation it's still better than any petrol driven the same way. Second is maintenance, personally I try and change the oil twice a year, just for a little added protection, but that's just me, I don't think it's 100% needed.

These things make it so bloody difficult for me to find a decent replacement for the fabia, it's so capable, especially doing motorway speeds. I went to Thorpe park few weeks ago, lovely to hoon along the motorway, still returned 55mpg & that wasn't hanging about. Think of your gonna keep the fabia for la while, if your considering a change in a year or two don't bother hybrid-ing, it's too much money to flog it on afterwards.

Finally, if your near Buckinghamshire drop me a PM, always happy to take a fellow briskodian out for a spin/chat.

I can only go by my experience driving 2 standard pd130 cars (toledo and Ibiza), a remapped pd130 (toledo) and hybrid pd130 (fabia)

Drove the missus car last night and the difference in tractability is very noticeable. I can drive around town in 4th between 30 and 35 quite nicely (didn't mention hills - I would have to change down for them!).

Can't drive in 4th at 30mph in the Fabia, have to use 3rd gear for anything under 38mph! (1,500rpm)...luckily i don't do too much town driving!

What's everyones mpg round town? I struggle to get 37+ change gear between 1500 and 2000 sensible driving. Long run to st ives last month just got 50mpg no more sat at 80most of the way with cruise control. I don't use the car to commute or everyday, would this effect the mpg?

Sounds awful with single mass at about 1200 when your in 4th say at 30 and go to pull away...whole car shakes.

But advantages, the power in gear and the surprise when ya show up larger powered cars or just when ya need the power to overtake. I can't see me changing the car in the near future due to how capable it is and how cheap to run compared to say, a Civic Type r that has same sorta bhp.

Keep looking at say an s4, e46 m3, evo 6 etc etc but for power, pleasure and cost. Just don't see the point.

Sent from my GT-N7000

Round town (short trips) 40mpg

Long run (not hanging about) 55-60mpg.

1500rpm @ 30mph?! Too low, change down. The engine & drivetrain rather be a little higher than that I think.