Need some advice.

My local Skoda dealer has two Fabias which I'm interested in. A 1.2 TSi SE and a 1.2 Monte Carlo. Both 105. They're roughly the same price.

My head says get the SE - it's only covered 1500 miles. My heart says get the Monte Carlo (which has covered 22000 miles). With the state of the roads in Oxfordshire, I'm tempted by the more sensible profile of the SE's tyres, but the Monte Carlo looks great. My wife says get the SE (so I need a rational argument for the Monte Carlo from anyone who suggests this).

Does anyone know if it's possible to fit steel wheels with winter tyres to the Monte Carlo, that would go some way to pacifying the missus (not that I'm hen pecked or anything).

Thanks!

You need to drive the Monte and see if the ride is too firm/crashy, it was for us.

 

The same winter wheels will fit Monte or SE, 15" minimum for the 1.2 TSi.

 

Cheers

Lee

Of course it's possible to fit steel wheels and winter tyres to the Monte,but what about the summer?

The Monte is defo the looker but if suspension comfort is more important then it's got to be the SE.

The Monte can be a bit crashy over uneven roads but it's not uncomfortable but the 17" wheels with elastic band thick tyres don't help.

I love my Monte so I would be a bit biased but I test drove the SE first and it is a bit smoother over bumps.

Iv got an SE and driven a monte.

I much prefer my SE because the ride quality is far better.

Iv been in sports spec golfs, audi's etc, which can be firm and comfortable. Compared to these though, the monte is just firm and crashy

Take a test drive though, plenty of people on here seem to love them .

Thanks everyone, looks like the SE is probably the safer bet. Really appreciate the advice.

No offence, wouldn't be seen dead in a bog standard fabia (not until I'm over sixty)......but a black monte tech....oh yes! The question is...are you over sixty?!?!

...very good point, well made. Nope, 60 is a long way off! Not sure that's the logical argument I can use with the missus, but thanks anyway.

I do like the look of the monte's dont get me wrong.

As the owner/driver of the vehicle though, i cant see the point in having something which is uncomfortable to drive.

Oh and im 21 .

I do like the look of the monte's dont get me wrong.

As the owner/driver of the vehicle though, i cant see the point in having something which is uncomfortable to drive.

Oh and im 21 .

You must be old before your time then Otaylor38..........only joking!!

The Monte is certainly not uncomfortable, far from it, I only said if suspension comfort is the more important point then obviously the SE on softer springs and 16" granny wheels and tyres will ride smoother.

I've come from a few years driving Peugeots which have much softer suspension and yes the Monte is firmer but it's still nice to drive and I've still got my fillings in my teeth.

Haha. Your not the first person to have said that when they see the car! Haha. I keep my speed to the bike though, so just potter around comfortably in the car .

15" granny wheels actually mate. Oo the sidewall suspension is great .

I may have exaggerated abit. Its certainly not as bad as my best mates civic on cheap coilovers. But i do find the SE much more comfortable and less crashy than the se .

16's? 15's? Our last SE had 14" winters..

 

Now they were proper granny wheels. Excellent in the snow though. Can't fit them on the TSi though the brakes are too big.

 

It's not so much the firm ride that I have a problem with. My Passat has Sports Suspension and 17" alloys with 45 Series rubber, the ride is firm but it still rides nicely over ridges and potholes. 

If anything the suspension on the Monte is softer than the Passat, there is more float over crest and dips and more roll in corners. But the Monte and vRS bangs, crashes and shudders over ridges and potholes, it makes me cringe and I end up slowing down out of mechanical sympathy.

It's that crashyness that I couldn't put up with and is the reason I couldn't own one.

 

Cheers

Lee

Edited 12 March, 201412 yr by logiclee

Grandad has a 1.2TSi SE 86bhp and it drives great. I have only sat in a Monte Carlo and I really liked it. I can't therefore go by experience of the Monte Carlo but the ride will be harder. I have driven a VRS when it came out so I suspect it will be similar.

A big yes from me to the SE is for the same money you have a car with less miles. 1,500 miles it is bearly run in and that would be a big plus point. Still prefer Monte looks.

Yeah they recommend 14" winters dont they?

Mums got 14" on her polo, with winters. Cant beat it!

But that does roll around a lot. My fabia steers, and corners soo much better.

"Bangs crashes and shudders over ridges and potholes."  

 

Well some might think so, but 205/40 R17 tyres last a short time if you are going to be driving hard at potholes.

Most people drive with mechanical sympathy or to the NSL or road conditions including the road surface.,

 

Never found that i drive slower to the conditions in a vRS than on another car due to the suspension.

I do however drive with more care or thought to the tyres/rims when they are low profile 17"-205's.

 

Monte Carlos in some other Countries including Australia have 16" Rims fitted as Standard.

Why do they come with 16" in those countries? Because it improves the ride over real life road conditions?

Yes there is that.

But then they have the 17" on the vRS in Australia.

 

Sometimes it is style over function because Buyers want that,  Big Wheels, rubber band tyres.

or VAG and other manufacturers think Sporty looks matter.

(but dont go the whole hog, lower them and make them handle.

Call it Sports Suspension charge more sometimes as an option, Yet the car needs springs and dampers anyway regardless of their length.

and just fit Low Profile Tyres.

 

The reccomended Winter Tyre size is sometimes just so that Chains can be fitted,

as some EU countries or Mainland Europe require those to be carried or fitted.

 

Skoda/VAG have many markets worlwide and cars are often a compromise and the UK do not always get the best option to suit the wide range of conditions the UK can have.

 

-3*0C here this morning, still potholes everyplace even on trunk roads.

15*oC by afternoon, lovely for a blast. and now still 6*0C

Again lovely for a blast, but the roads are pretty unsafe many places.

HEART - Because I've got one and now don't drive down farm tracks (so the ride is tolerable - now only very occasionally crashy) - BUY A MONTE.

 

HEAD - Because it is effectively an SE with a few bits of bling, for the same price, with 20000 miles more - BUY THE SE!!

 

It seems nuts that essentially the same car, with a max of £3k worth of "options" added to the Monte (at purchase, so nowhere near that value used), is the same price with such a high mileage.  Defo a 1.2 TSI in both?

Thanks, yes, a 105 1.2 TSi in both. Driving them back to back on Monday, so will make a decision then.

Thanks for the advise everyone, I really appreciate it.

Monte for me as I wouldn't be seen dead in a stock fabia.......not my thing....the monte's a better looking car tbh

Get the SE. It's effectively a year's worth (or more) of mileage and general wear and tear newer. You can tart it up to your own particular tastes at a later date if you choose.

The only thing i think an se needs, is 16" wheels (off the elegance in my opinion). This makes them look much nicer i think .

The only thing i think an se needs, is 16" wheels (off the elegance in my opinion). This makes them look much nicer i think .

No, 17" wheels, must be black along with a matching roof and body kit, now that's an SE............Monte style.

Hahaha. Good thinkin Gaz .

Hi all I have a Monte Carlo a great car and in my opion I would never buy the SE Version.