For Sale

 

Skoda Fabia vRS

July 2005

91,000 miles

£3,500

 

This is a modified car, so if you want a standard Fabia vRS stop reading now!

 

Idea

 

My previous car was a Honda Accord Type R and when I sold it my plan was to see if I could carefully upgrade a turbo diesel to make it as fast as the Type R whilst retaining the economy of a diesel.

 

I chose the Skoda Fabia vRS because it was a small hatchback with a VW engine, which is easily tunable, and also VW components (shared by Audi/VW/Seat/Skoda) which are interchangeable and known to be reliable.

 

I researched the upgrade on this forum for 18 months and I discovered that the car had several weaknesses: a dual mass flywheel which is heavy and prone to failure; a weak turbo; a side mounted intercooler; poor front brakes; and a high ride height (common to VW group cars). So as well as the power upgrade I also decided to rectify the inherent weaknesses and improve the handling with my modifications.

 

All of the modifications below (with the exception of the Forge rear strut brace) were done at 44,xxx miles by the most reputable VW tuners: JBS Auto Designs (www.jbsautodesigns.co.uk), Jabbasport (www.jabbasport.com) and Awesome GTI (www.awesomegti.com).

 

The car was remapped by JBS Auto Designs (using their renowned Custom Code software) and I specifically asked for the remap to be as smooth as possible to minimise torque steer (which they did). Prior to the remap I had a limited slip differential fitted as a precautionary measure. The car now pulls extremely well and with the diff and the remap it is quite difficult to unsettle.

 

The car has a full Skoda service history and each oil change has used fully synthetic oil. The current mileage by the end of September would be 91,xxx approx.

 

Here are the technical details:

 

Car specs

 

Make: Skoda

Model: Fabia vRS

Type: 4 cylinder 1.9 turbo diesel (PD engine, not common rail)

 

Optional extras

- Cruise control

 

Modifications

 

- New stronger turbo (rated to approx 220bhp)

- Sachs uprated clutch

- Peloquin limited slip differential

- Single mass flywheel (so has the expected 'chatter' when in neutral)

- Forge front mounted intercooler

- Seat PD160 air intake

- Seat front strut brace

- Pipercross air filter

- VW GTI front brakes (312mm)

- Forge rear strut brace

- Whiteline rear anti-roll bar

- Milltek stainless steel exhaust

- KW 1 coilovers (and lowered the car by approx 30mm)

 

Just to repeat, only the Forge rear strut brace was fitted by myself; the rest were fitted by the reputable Jabbasport, Awesome GTI and JBS Autodesigns/Custom Code.

 

Current output

 

Power: 203bhp @ 4000rpm

Torque: 310lb/ft @ 3000rpm

 

Acceleration:

0-60: 6.8-6.9 seconds approx

0-100 is probably around 16-17 seconds.

 

Yes, it really shifts in-gear and it accelerates a fair bit faster than a Toyota Celica 1.8VVTi (188bhp) and slightly faster than the FN2 Honda Civic Type R (198bhp).

 

I specifically asked the remap to be as smooth as possible to minimise wheel spin, even if this meant the power figures were  pegged back; this they did. As a precautionary measure I had the Peloquin limited slip diff fitted and now it is hard to wheelspin at all: never happens in the dry and it’s quite difficult in the wet.

 

Economy: 45mpg as measured by the pumps. Official combined (on standard power) is 53mpg.

 

Since the modifications in August 2010 I have run the car exclusively on Shell V-Power/Nitro Diesel to provide extra protection to the engine (I keep receipts as I use them to reclaim VAT on fuel for business purposes).

 

The sale of the car includes:

- winter tyres x 4 (Egale Ultra Grip 205/45R16 83H - plenty of tread)

- spare Pipercross air filter (lifetime use, but I bought a spare just in case)

- spare headlight bulbs x 2 (Skoda replaced the wrong ones!)

- Haynes manual

 

The winter tyres offer superior braking in the wet, below 7C and of course on snow. In fact, they are inferior to summer tyres only on perfectly dry tarmac above 20C or so. I recommend Nov-Mar for the winter tyres.

 

Last service: 90k service (@89,668 miles) on 31/7/13 - includes a cambelt change (done by Skoda after every 4 years)

MOT: expires end of September 2014.

Taxed: end of September 2014 (or will be when I can buy a new disc!)

 

Service history: Full Skoda service history (Chester and Crewe dealers).

 

Misc:

- aircon regassed by Skoda in 2012, though I don’t think I have the receipt

- I am NOT interested in a part exchange, sorry!

- The car had a private plate on it until last month, which is why the Custom Code power run has a different licence plate on it. This private plate is now off the car and so is not included with the sale.

 

Phil Latham
0794 777 444 3

 

I live between Northwich and Chester (CW8 postcode)

Jeez thats cheap as chips and an awesome spec!

Why dont i have 3.5k spare

Looks a good buy! Any info on the upgraded turbo?

Glwts!

The turbo is a MD374 turbo (www.turbodynamics.co.uk/shop/md374-stage-1-hybrid-turbo-for-vag-19tdi-150bhp-engines-p-2707.html) and it was fitted by JBS.

 

The turbo is rated approx. 220bhp but I asked JBS to remap for smoothness of torque rather than outright power as I wanted a driveable car and not one that wheelspins everywhere.

 

They did a great job as it pulls from 1500 revs and the peak torque is now at 3000rpm, which makes the car far easier to drive as you don't have to keep it in the narrow stock powerband of 2000-3000rpm.

 

I also asked them to reduce power if increased power meant lag and the result is that there is pretty much zero lag!

Deposit taken!

Why is it at standard ride height on coilovers??????

Why is it at standard ride height on coilovers??????

It's not standard ride height

 

As above,circa 30mm lower.Just cause you fit coilovers does not mean you have to lower it to the max!!

Deposit taken!

Well done that man!

 

Subtle mods, retention of standard looks, full wolf in sheep's clothing, and you didn't ask silly money just because of the mods either.

Other dreamers could learn from you hopefully.

Car now sold to coskev on 7/9/13.

 

Hope he enjoys it!

Well done that man!

 

Subtle mods, retention of standard looks, full wolf in sheep's clothing, and you didn't ask silly money just because of the mods either.

Other dreamers could learn from you hopefully.

Yeah, thanks!

The sleeper looks have made a lot of BMW drivers look somewhat foolish at the lights ha ha!

Car now sold to coskev on 7/9/13.

 

Hope he enjoys it!

Cheers phil.

Great Little car, very impressed so far.