Hi Guys,

It may not be a vrs however my 59 plate 1.4 pd tdi mk2 fabia is the best car I've ever owned.

The engine has enough power and suits my 35 mile daily commute. However, around 5 miles of my commute is driving in Milton Keynes. Home of the concrete cows and hundreds of roundabouts.

The only gripe I have about the car is the way the car leans in the corners (which does become uncomfortable driving around mk). Whats the best solution? Is a rear anti roll bar be the best option? Or would I be wasting my money and target fitting a different suspension? Are there any eibach kits that would fit this model?

Your comments and suggestions would be welcome.

I don't know specifics for your car I'm afraid but I imagine your best options would be some sports springs, possibly a rear arb and some bigger wheels with lower profile tyres.

I had a "regular" fabia as a courtesy car recently and I felt your pain. Very sloppy suspension!

I wonder if a set of vrs springs removed from a car here in order to fit lowering springs would fit yours/be suitable? Might get a bargain.

I was looking at bigger wheels also, coupled with the suspension mods. Its a level 2 so its running 15inch antares alloys. Keen to get a set of either monte carlo or gigaro's..

The standard vrs springs is a good shout. Hopefully someone else will be along soon to advise if they'd fit. I assume these will be shorter springs?

Youll be sacrificing ride quality if you change the wheels and springs.

Will an anti roll bar not do, on its own?

It could be too far with normal springs, might end up cocking a wheel if really pushed, or just become tail happy in the wet!

I wouldn't personally consider just the arb without stiffer springs. It may work though.

Edited 3 July, 201411 yr by MattGreen

Whats wrong with cocking a wheel if really pushed?

My mate managed that in a 1.25 fiesta, and a clio cup and pretty much any hatch he gets to put put his skills into.

It may result in spinning off a roundabout in Milton Keynes. Not a good look. I imagine not the desired effect the OP is after. On the plus side you'd always have good tread on one tyre.

Ah if your driving to that extent, you should have a good idea how to control it anyway.

Its only a 75bhp fabia, not like having to control a Ferrari on the limit lol.

I'll have you know its 80Bhp lol. Not that it makes any difference.

Personally I thought adding just a RARB with the current springs etc would cause more harm than good. Its just too high?!

As it happens Unit 18 is only 2 miles away from my house and thus I'll go in to see what they suggest.

1.4 tdi's map well

Rear anti roll bar will help with turn in and balance of the car. No issue running one with standard suspension.

Sport/vrs dampers with eibach springs would be a good combination.

An arb alone on standard springs would result in a quick rate of lateral load transfer at the rear and a slow wallowy rate at the front. In my opinion it wouldn't be a very nice setup. But you could try it and if you don't like it get the springs after. If I had to choose one item I'd personally go for springs. Not one spring though, that would be awful.

Sounds like an expensive job if you're doin the springs, dampers and roll bar.

Just do the anti roll bar. Will make a big difference more so than springs.

Iv been tempted to add a RARB in the past. Are they easy to fit yourself?

Obv itd be another thing to tell the insurance company though.

I have a set of mk2 vRS standard springs and a Whiteline rear arb.(Arb removed from my vRS before sale.The springs were on the car for only about 2k miles before Eibachs went on.)

If the OP (or anyone else)is interested he can PM me.

Edited 3 July, 201411 yr by XK140

Do-able but a couple of pairs of hands are advised I think. I've not fitted one to a fabia...yet.

Sorry SB2 it seems we are divided in opinion. Having driven a greenline and a roomster I really think they are too sloppy for a rear arb without an upgrade up front, the balance would be all wrong. The vrs is miles better and has no rear arb, hence my suggestion.

You could always do what I did in the greenline and ignore the body roll and drive it like you stole it. They are surprisingly capable and can go a lot quicker round a bend than you might think. Haha.

You could always do what I did in the greenline and ignore the body roll and drive it like you stole it. They are surprisingly capable and can go a lot quicker round a bend than you might think. Haha.

Yeah lol. I had a golf with hid's in up my chuff on the way back from a car meet in chesterfield once.

He might of been up my chuff on the straights, but through 13 bends, he dropped right back.

Its safe to say, he'd of been surprised by the standard fabia. Just like my passenger who drivers a chavved up civic on rock hard coilovers was lol.

I've got the solution. You're actually wrong and the power isn't enough for your needs. Sell it. Buy a vrs. (One that doesn't burn oil or go wrong)

I wouldnt buy a vrs.

Id have a cr140 ibiza if i wanted a relatively nippy hatch.

Well after I've finished driving 621 miles I'll probably be back in the greenline. There's a reason not to get a vrs.

Back on topic. Springs and dampers are the key. ARBs are just "tuning" of suspension. Get the springs and dampers right and ARBs aren't really needed, I've seen a few full blown race cars that didn't run ARBs. Different league I know but the point I believe is valid. A set of good sports springs and maybe some spacers to increase your track width will help.

I assume these will be shorter springs?

The car would be lower yes, and stiffer.

I personally find the handling / Ride comfort balance fine on mine.

 

As for buying a VRS..... When i see one achieving mid 70s to the Gallon ( And thats Fuel not oil ) then maybe...............