Hello

After my previous post, I'm looking to order a new VRS in the next week or so. I was considering a 1 series or the new A class, but the Fabia is so much better value I'm struggling to look past it.

I want to get bluetooth in the car, but I can't decide between ordering the Skoda version or purchasing a Kenwood/Pioneer headunit with bluetooth built in, anyone had experience of either of these?

Additionally I am going to order the rear electric windows and climate, am I missing any key options?

Thank you

Rob

The Fabia is good value but the new 1 series and A class are both better cars.

I have to say i've seen the light and would put more options on if I were to ever order another new vRS.

I'd agree rear wins and climate are good options, the climate is better looking than the manual AC but questionable if it really offers much in the way of useful functionality over the standard manual AC.

Its worth also knowing the following: -

If you want a rear courtesy light you have to spec the sunroof otherwise you'll have to do without.

If you spec headlight washers you also get a low fluid warning; something not on the car as standard.

You have to order the phone MFSW if you want to be able to make and receive calks from the wheel, otherwise you have to use the trip computer stalk to use the bluetooth phone prep

Rear parking sensors gives you a visual display along with audio feedback even with the standard head unit, a nice touch.

Amundsen sat nav is cheap for factory nav and provides much nicer integration for parking sensor and phone prep, also provides compass and turn by turn nav instructions in maxidot computer.

Whilst they look great if you can bear to avoid the wheel upgrades like the plague; the dark chromes corrode within weeks if coming out the factory and the black wheels have a diamond cut rim (god knows why) and are a pig to refurb like the dark chromes. Standard wheels do look better in flesh than in pics.

I agree the 1 series and A Class are better cars, but with the current Fabia offers they are working out £150 a month cheaper on a PCP for a faster car. I'm basically after a new quick'ish automatic 5 door car with a reasonable amount of boot space and the Fabia seems to tick all the boxes.

Does the Amundsen accept full postcodes? I'm thinking if I spec the Skoda bluetooth I'll probably buy the Bolero headunit to go with it.

In terms of the wheels I'm a bit gutted about the dark chromes as I think they look excellent with the black paint, might have to rethink and get a silver one with the silver wheels?

Understood though in my opinion there is more to it than attaining a cheap fast car, you do get what you pay for.

The vRS is very quick but its poorly resolved dynamically, too higher ride height and too much suspension travel (probably the only way they could achieve acceptable ride compliance) and the steering is overassisted and lacks feel. The brakes do work well once they have some mileage under the belt but lack bite and feel quite wooden.

Its fair to say whilst it would eat my old MK6 Golf GT 140 diesel in a straight line it drives nothing like as well through the twisties. Fair play if youre willing to go down the route of suspension and brake upgrades much of this can be put right but i think it should drive alot better out of the box.

Amundsen does 7 digit lookups now, i'd say go with it if youre considering a retrofit bolero.

Definitely dont fall into the wheel trap, we're on our 2nd complete set of dark chromes and theyve started going already, stick with the silvers and get them professionally refinished at some point perhaps

Hi

Interesting that you've come from the same car as I currently have. Overall do you find it better or worse? What made you change?

Rob

Hi

Interesting that you've come from the same car as I currently have. Overall do you find it better or worse? What made you change?

Rob

Depending on your driving could make Cruise Control a good addition. Also having it gives the option for an APR remap (if you are that way inclined) which allows map switching via the CC stalk.

I would go for the OEM bluetooth as it ties in with the steering wheel and maxidot. Rear electrics may be nice as I do sometimes find my kids have knocked the winders on mine and just opened the windows which is not immediately obvious.

To sort out the handling there is a set of Eibachs you can get through your Dealer (Skoda supplied) think they lower by about 30mm, or there are various other options on from the usual suppliers. RARB will also help the handling without any obvious visual change.

Hi Bobnaldo, fabia is considerably faster than the Golf, found the 140 cr engine a bit wheezy, had killer turbo lag and a real lacknod low end punch. Wasnt so bad once on the move but go-wise found it v underwhelming. It did how ever stop and steer superbly; was also alot more refined and perceived quality was in another league.

Reason for change.....was a company car and had to go back at 3 years. Fabia was the wifes car; she decided she didnt need a car on a daily basis so I took car allowance and took it on (now a one car family).

Thank you, appreciate your honest feedback.

Only thing is you've got me thinking twice about ordering one now. But not sure what else fits the bill without stretching the budget.

There is very little competition to the Fabia (closest rivals are the siblings Polo GTI / Ibiza Cupra) since the price / performance-ratio is so good!

Sure, dampers and springs are a big throttleneck in the suspension-department.

Luckily, there is mending for that!

Sure it involves spending money on the car... but in return, you save SO much money compared to a 1-serie with the same amount off performance so it's still worth it.

Hi Rob, sorry dont be discouraged from buying one, its a corking little car for the money; in estate form v rare and a decent load lugger too. Just from personal experience despite the massively better engine and gearbox, i'd be surprised if you didnt find it a little disappointing to drive coming from a nice MK6 golf. It can be said that the fabias not quite so polished dynamics in a way add to its charm and make it more challenging to drive quickly; and it always makes me chuckle how it always tries to spin its wheels in 3rd and 4th in a straight line in the wet.

I'd definitely say go drive one and judge for yourself.