Hello everybody, it's very nice to be here.

My name is Paul and I'm an alcoh ... Damn, wrong group!!!

I am Paul Bingham and I live in Sheffield, Yorkshire, England. I work at the Northern General Hospital as a slave.

I joined this group a little while ago but have taken my time introducing myself. Maybe I would have stayed silent were it not for the screen nagging me to introduce myself

In June I bought a Fabia SDi Classic from Bickerton. Y reg 2001, Dynamic blue, FSH, 36000 miles, one owner,

I didn't get a very good deal on my old car, an Escort estate but I was glad to get rid as it was soooo expensive. High insurance and road tax but worst of all it drank like George Best on a stag-night. I had to get something cheaper to run.

Having had a diesel 306 previously, I had to get back to an oil-burner. As good as the Ford Zetec engine was, I much prefer the economy and flexibility of a diesel. But what to choose?

Having bought the Escort estate as a baby wagon, I found I didn't need all the space so was able to get a physically smaller car. The Fabia seemed a great idea as it has the economy, low insurance, lowish road tax, big for its class and great reviews, even on this forum!!

As Bickerton hadn't got an SDi in stock, I got one from group stock from Lincoln via Bickerton. Overall I think I got a good deal but could have been better. I suppose it is tricky to negotiate hard when you haven't got the car in front of you. A couple of minor blemishes were cured before handover and the required service carried out.

After two months of use, I am happy with the car but it isn't perfect.

Firstly the valetting was poor. Carpets/upholstery were cleaned ok but the compartments appear to have been ignored, I had to clean out the glove box and found a chocolate bar wrapper underneath the hand brake. :(

As I bought the car in June and it has been dry for most of the time, it took some time to discover that I have a problem with water ingress on the hatch. One day after heavy rain, I lifted the hatch to hear water noise and quite a bit of water coming from the grey inner hatch trim. It's done it since so next time it rains heavily I will return it to Bickerton and show them the waterfall :thumbdwn:

It seems that the doors are water tight. Not had much rain to check extensively.

I had a creak from the rear area which appears to have been cured by adjusting the back seat rubber stoppers, great advice discovered on these forums. Thanks guys! I also have an infrequent central dash creak which seems dependant on temperature and once again, thanks to the excellent advice from here I know how to cure that quirk.

The non-metallic paint is a bit of a mess really. Swirls and chips, a fault so common yet so annoying. Progress?? The old paints were tougher and resisted bird-poop better so why have we gone backwards?

Biggest complaint I have is that I didn't get a Comfort. I could have done with the A/C with all the hot weather we've had !!!

The car seems solid, is a lovely drive with a nice, easy, flexible engine which seems quite sprightly and is more than sufficient for my driving. Only tank full I've clocked returned over 50mpg so I am more than happy with that. Biggest shock was when I changed my insurance. Escort gp 7, Fabia gp 2 but worth more, I expected the usual 'there will be no/small charge for this change of details.' Instead I was told I was due a

Welcome to Briskoda.

I'm sure you will continue to uncover little snippets of info whilst browsing around - I do!!

Welcome!

welcome :wavey:

Welcome from me too.

Watcha Paul. Look forward to your contributions

Welcome Paul mate - a fellow sheffield'er here (in fact you're working not too far from where i live )

That's good cos I work not too far from where I live !!

Will keep my eyes open for any other Skoda, as always but especially Black Magic Octavias!!

That's good cos I work not too far from where I live !!

Will keep my eyes open for any other Skoda' date=' as always but especially Black Magic Octavias!![/quote']

Think the first thing you will see are my new 18" alloys My g/f works down at the N.General too(herries rd side), so may see you as i tend to be the one picking her up/ dropping her off at times!