Hello,

 

The missus is thinking about buying, amongst other similar cars, a new Skoda Fabia Monte Carlo 1.2t to add to my MK1 Estate. I've done a fair bit of trawling on the interwebs for reviews and information which hasn't thrown up anything to worry about but has anyone on here got one? Any views gratefully recevied.

 

As far as I can find out there are not any serious issues and the worst I can see is that the official Skoda mpg figures are a bit over estimated.

 

 

Thanks

I've got the 1.2 TSI and love it, it's the first petrol I've had for a few years but the engine is a peach.

I average 40mpg around town, bit more on a run but this can drop if you're booting it.

The only problem I've had is with a pulling to the left which has affected some Montes but not all which has been cured by Skoda fitting a new set of Pirelli tyres.

ROCK HARD SUSPENSION...only a problem if you need to negotiate the "roads" that Hampshire/Wiltshire county councils refuse to maintain in the rural areas around me.  On normal roads, fine.

 

I mention it, as my Mum and Dad (60+ now bless them ;-) ) complained about their previous Fabia estate on 16" wheels, shod the replacement on 15" to no real improvement, I think mine rides MUCH firmer than both.

 

If it's for town/motoway work, less for sleeping pyramids/policemen, you'll be fine.  The firmer ride makes it more fun!

 

Watch for seat wear on the red cloth trim - I snagged mine in the first week by dropping the back seat onto something spiky.  No wear on driver's bolster after 16700 miles, but someone else did have a post about that on here.

Thanks for the information.

 

The car will be mainly used for motorway runs and city driving and as my other half is a pretty spirited driver the firm suspension will be a bonus for her  .

Rock hard? i don't think so...the Eibach springs stiffen it slightly on mine but the damping needs upgrading to Bilstein which will be on the cards at some point.

Am I a young chav street racer?....hardly since my 65th birthday arrives in April together with my first state pension...the first 4 weekly instalment will be enough for the Bilsteins,unless I spend it on wine,women and song that is!!!

Rock hard? i don't think so...the Eibach springs stiffen it slightly on mine but the damping needs upgrading to Bilstein which will be on the cards at some point.

Am I a young chav street racer?....hardly since my 65th birthday arrives in April together with my first state pension...the first 4 weekly instalment will be enough for the Bilsteins,unless I spend it on wine,women and song that is!!!

 

Bilsteins it is then ..................

The ride on the coutry road used to scare me - especially when the occassional pot hole couldn't be avoided. The crash through the chassis was incredible - sounded and felt like it was cracking.  Same road in other cars, no problem.

 

I guess it's relative, as I have seen people write on here of their Monte Carlo "wallowing" around bends.  Jesus, it's a economy sized mock sports car, not a Ferrari.

 

Similarly, I never understood my Dad saying his Fabia felt fidgety and too hard, so he fitted his next one with 15" wheels, but that didn't seem to make much difference.  His first on ewas wrong anyway I think...rear tracking was out, which can't be adjusted apparently.

I'd agree with "hard", though it's probably as much to do with the wheels as it is the suspension.

 

You get what you pay for though. I'm quite happy that it's a good car for the money. Does it match the Passat (Sport, on 17s) I used to drive for comfort? Of course not, but I don't expect it to.

I'm more than happy with mine

I haven't really found any problems or issues with mine other than the windows steaming up a lot which is hardly that big a deal. There's a load of speedbumps where I live so I have to be very slow over them but the ride is fine for me. I have the 105 version and it's very nippy compared to my old Fiesta

Edited 8 January, 201412 yr by stevenStefano

Very happy with mine. Done 5000 miles and now it feels much better. Getting an average of 45mpg here on the island but bimbling around have had up to high 50's.

Motorway avererages 40 ish.

 I have changed the headlamp bulbs to something a lot brighter, had black plastic side protectors fitted and new mats from a supplier on this site.

Also painted rear drums black.

Runs like a dream and handles perfectly. No oil used yet.

I would recommend this 105 motor to anybody

I suppose im a 64 year old boy racer now..

1.2tsi is a great little engine. You'll be pleased I'm sure.

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Thanks for all the posts, test driving the 105 on Sunday so hopefully she'll get on with the car. Should be fun if its anything like the VW test drive, as we exited a roundabout at 6500rpm and the front wheels scrabbled for grip he felt the need to run through the car's safety features in a wobbly voice