So sold my mk1 Octy VRS yesterday :( had to go due to moving house and commute increasing, so been looking at replacements.

Been looking across the vag range for a 1.9 tdi, and have always like the fabias so think im settled on one.

Would like a vrs but ideally only want to spend £1500-2500, do getting a good one is probably not gonna happen.

So after looking I've really grown to like the estates! This makes sensible sense as 1. Cheaper than a VRS, 2. Future proof for when family comes along and bigger to make use of whilst doing the new house up 3. A little bit different!

In my budget in looking for something around the 100k miles, which i know is fine on these engines, much higher and a clutch may start being s concern and that's a big bill.

Other things to look for are cambelt has been done at least once, maybe twice dependant on year, usual condition but what else do i need to look out for???

Hopefully i can get a car at the lower end of the budget leaving me a few £££ to make the thing look abit better! Not going crazy as this just needs to be an economical and reliable car that's comfy and dies the job!

So my list of potential mods and a couple of questions are:

1. Fabia VRS alloys- seem to be very few about 2nd hand though, why?

2. Eibach springs as know they are a good ride, but is shocks needed? Can VRS shocks or similar from across VAG range be used?

3. Bumper spoiler from parts depot, anyone know what year this fits? As there is a face lift.

4. Re map, really not sure on this, how safe are these on the 100bhp? Not looking for a rocket ship but just a little more umph and hopefully a little better mpg!

So long pretty boring thread but growing up is boring sometimes :( any help would be great and if anyone knows of a fab estate forsale let me know!!

The vrs wheels are quite common as most people change them. I'd love to change mine but can't make my mind up on what I want and the ones I do like are too expensive lol. I picked a set up with good tyres for £100 but some people want £200+ so just shop around for some. Don't think I've ever seen a estate on vrs wheels but when lowered should look nice.

General opinion is to always replace the shocks when putting new springs on and as you'll be buying a car with around 100k on I'd say to do it. My car had done 100k when I lowered it so I went coilovers as it's new shocks and springs really. Budget coilovers are £180 and aren't too bad, can be abit bumpy when really low but liveable.

Depending on the bumper you might be able to fit a gt bumper trim failing that go for leon cupra r splitter or put a vrs one on if you can get one in your colour.

No probs with remapping (you'll get about 130bhp) but I'm pretty the only difference between a pd100 and the pd130 is the turbo really. These come up for sale quite alot as most people go for a bigger turbo so if you fit one of them it would map upto around 160bhp on the standard injectors. As you'll have the 5 speed you can put in a solid flywheel and clutch quite cheap too.

Hope that helps

Thanks Kyle, that's some good info right there!

I would ideally replace shocks your right. It would be dependant on cost really.

But seeing as they will be shorter springs is it worth trying to get some vrs shocks as guess they are a tad shorter? Or will they not fit?

How does fitting a pd130 and then remapping effect mpg?

I would be happy with the 130bhp tbh. So a remap to that would not put any strain on anything engine wise!

So the 5 speed box works well with SMF then no problems with noise, vibrations etc?

They recommend changing shocks when lowering the vrs so I don't think you'd be any better off to be honest but by the time you've priced up new shocks and then lowering springs you could buy the AP shock and spring set that lowers about 25 mm or some budget coilovers so might be worth looking into.

Some tuners quote 140bhp from a remap but most people say it's too much and stick to 130bhp. You'll be looking at 50mpg+ I'm getting 50mpg and mines 170bhp so even at that power they're good on fuel.

The 5 speed can use the g60 flywheel and clutch which is around £250 I think, it's about double for us with the 6 speed to go single mass flywheel. Once you have one of them on its never going to fail and you can drive it harder from lower down the rev range

Thanks again Kyle!

I've had eibach springs on standard shocks before and they have been great! So was just wondering if i was replacing for standard shocks then would it be worth going for vrs shocks?

What i don't want to do is have a bumpy ride again so budget coilovers are out the question. It needs to be comfy and family friendly for when the time comes!

I would be happy with 130bhp, are there of the shelf maps or are the likes of r tech still a better option with a custom map?

To be honest if it was me I'd just put springs on the shocks that are on if they're not leaking. I've done that on quite a few cars and never had a problem.

Depending where you live (I'm on my phone so can't see) I'd message faboka and speak to him about a remap as his maps are really smooth. Failing that shark have a good reputation but I think there maps are around £300.

Just had a look on dpm and it list bilstein b4 dampers at a resonable cost, so that could be an option.

But if i do end up with eibach springs your right i will just put them on for the time being!

Is the 1.4 tdi completely gutless?