Morning all,

I've been looking at 2003 1.9tdi Fabias and would like a vRS version but they seem to be around £1500 more expensive at £3500+

Is it worth the extra over the standard car or could a chipped 1.9tdi to 128bhp feel just as good?

mileages seem to be around the 100k+ mark - are the turbos reasonably reliable for a while after that and any big bills

likely to happen around this mileage?

many thanks,

When you take the insurance into account, you might find the remapped 1.9 is not that much cheaper than a standard VRS. It depends how long you intend to keep it.

Edit:

Are you going to improve the brakes/suspension to match the increased power?

With the VRS you get a native engine with more power, a 6 speed rather than 5 speed box, plus the nice VRS interior, exterior body kit + spoiler, and bigger brakes. You also get the VRS suspension and alloys.

In every way it is better. But speed wise you probably wouldn't notice much difference. Pure joy wise though, the VRS is better on every way!

I wasn't planning to improve the brakes or suspension, no. It sounds like the VRS is the way to go and I need to save up a bit more.

Does this one sound any good at a private dealer (not main dealer):

£3400

2003 VRS in Silver

100,000 miles

1 owner

cambelt done recently

3 months warranty

condition looks very nice

Any thoughts on the turbo needing replacing? Dealer doesn't sound like he's open to offers.

I've decided to go the 1.9 tdi route and get it chipped by Shark Performance.

Anyone know of a nice Fabia 1.9 tdi elegance for sale up to £2000?

cheers.

Good luck, think £2K is a tad limiting - few under that price on Autotrader.

At the age of car you'll be viewing, buy on condition, view in daylight in dry conditions. Factor in any cambelt/service expenses if required. But don't be put off solely by mileage.

J.

Edited 28 November, 201213 yr by vindaloo

I have a 2006 1.9TDI Elegance and love it, i had it re-mapped and its making about 130bhp, i did it to improve the overall drive and the accelaration in 1st gear, it is totally a different drive and this is how it should have been mapped by Skoda. I did not do it to be '' sporty'', but to give safer pull outs at junctions etc. I would say that £2k is a tad low for what you are looking for, i had a guy stop me at the supermarket car park recently asking if i had thought of selling my car !!! I keep it in very good order and for its year it is like a 1 year old car, its only done 42k and runs perfectly (cam belt done 6 months ago). I sent him on his way..... i doubt i will ever sell it, it is simply the best car i have ever owned. If you can find a good one then buy it .... quick.

Many thanks Vindaloo and Hudson.

I think maybe you're right and I'll have to increase it to 2500. I've found a 2004 Elegance with 115,000 miles, one owner for £2495 from a dealer which I might go for, but I would have preferred to buy privately. Prices seem to be on the high side with quite high mileages too! I guess it's the diesel thing and everyone worried about petrol prices.

I've had a 1.9 tdi Comfort model briefly in the past and thought it was a cracking car. My family and friends are badge snobs and didn't share my views, but for sheer driving FUN I think they are very hard to beat. Currently have an oldish VW Polo GTi which is also fun, but doesn't have the turbo thrust and torque of the Skoda which I think is what makes it fun. Some say there's not a lot of steering feel, but I love it. Rolled about in the corners a bit too much but I guess there are ways round that without making it ride too hard?

Are there many differences between the Comfort and Elegance models?

Edited 28 November, 201213 yr by 993kimbo

Are there many differences between the Comfort and Elegance models?

Not in the engine. More electricky bits and different trim/wheels on the elegance.

If your paying £2500 for a high mileage elegance i'd rather pay that bit extra and get a vrs.

Downside to vrs will be higher insurance and tax id imagine.

It would be another £1000 though plus insurance etc.

I don't really see the point of a VRS especially after speaking to the tuning company.

Are there many differences between the Comfort and Elegance models?

It depends on what options the original comfort owner specified. Even Air conditioning and Remote locking were options on the comfort.

But at the very least Elegance trim gives you Cruise control, Heated seats, Parking sensors and an Alarm plus all the items on the comfort trim optional extra list.

You should also consider Ambiente trim....you get most of what the elegance has (except what I mention above), although it only has steel wheels.

We have a 53 comfort tdi estate, it has central remote locking and air conditioning, and I am sure these were standard at the time. The only extras it seems to have is a switch for the passenger airbag and alloy wheels?

Seems quite a fast car already, certainly has more accelleration than my Yeti 110bhp.

Personally I would not want to tune this car up as even though it has only done 65k from new it is quite wallowy with probably worn shocks and the brakes are probably a bit iffy for harder braking?

I agree with the above comments, go for a vrs as buiilt to take the extra performance, standard for insurance, worth more when you sell it, and don't chip it, fast enough already!

Edited 29 November, 201213 yr by kenfowler3966

+1 for a Fab Ele 1.9TDi. Quick enough, driven right The ECU 'learns' your type of driving and alters to suit AFAIK. Took mine to a rolling road for a power run earlier this year - 125.7BHP and 220ft/lb of torques,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,UNMAPPED! There's a scan of the results in my album. Put decent shoes on it, and look after it and it won't let you down. Mine's a 53 plate bought 3 years ago with 60K and FSSH. Not tellin' you what I paid or you'll cry But it ain't failed me once in the 47K miles I've had it.