When to look at New Fabia and felt mightily underwhelmed by it. I felt that it wasn't a massive improvement over my current Fabia. No denying that the quality is better but it felt so ordinary. It was surprising how claustrophobic the SEL felt with sports seats. The boot was full of balloons so was difficult to judge the boot size. And then there is the price.....

So went around to the Volkswagen dealer and much preferred the Polo for not much more more. Got a good deal on a cancelled order of a SE 75TDi 5 door in metallic black with cruise/parking & light sight packs. Classier car all round.

The new polo is based on the MQB platform whereas the Fabia MK3 is just a redesign based on the Fabia MK1 and MK2 platform. The polo should feel better but you are paying a lot more for the total package.

The new polo is based on the MQB platform whereas the Fabia MK3 is just a redesign based on the Fabia MK1 and MK2 platform. The polo should feel better but you are paying a lot more for the total package.

The new fabia MK3 is a mix between platforms you could say. 50% PQ26, 10% PQ25 and 40% MQB. The MQB Polo is expected in 2017 I believe, the one currently on sale (Polo 6c) is a facelift, though they have taken a few items from the MQB-Golf and placed in the Polo (such as infotainment system, auto breaking system).

''Elements of the MQB"   '"Components from the MQB"  as Skoda say in the Press Pack about the All New 3rd Generation Skoda Fabia.

 

Polo MK5 FL 2014 , Seat Ibiza MK4 FL 2013, Skoda Fabia Mk2 FL 2010, Audi A1 FL 2015, 

just much the same as a Skoda Fabia from 2007.

 

Audi S1 2014 same difference but with some modification for the Haldex AWD & rear suspension change.

 

Volkswagen /Skoda never reinvented the Wheel to Face Lift the New Fabia, just some Suspension Mounts and Engine Mounts.

'Elements of'  'Components from'

Do you honestly think that your ordinary punter can understand or tell the driving dynamic difference between one platform and the other?

 

Reason for the MQB platform is to save the manufacturer money - shared platform across a number of models.

Do you honestly think that your ordinary punter can understand or tell the driving dynamic difference between one platform and the other?

 

Reason for the MQB platform is to save the manufacturer money - shared platform across a number of models.

.....and to save weight which helps economy and emissions. There's nothing wrong with a shared modular platform as you're right, it saves money too.

I doubt unless you've done some research then you wouldn't know what platform it was based on but driving wise, the MQB platform is meant to be better.

So what are the actual weights saved.?

Because as the Journalists take from the Press Pack what is written then do their articles.

 

'Can be as much as 60kg lighter'.  

So which ones are 60kg lighter or more,

 to get an Average you need Highs and Lows.

 

So when weighing a Like for Like MK2 to a Mk3, same spec. same Spare Wheel as Standard etc.

How much lighter is a All New Fabia?

 

PS

It does not have a MQB Platform not even a Shortened MQB Platform, 

it has Elements of,  Components as used on.

 

If it had a MQB Platform then Skoda / VW would tell you that was what you were getting,

they play on words and translations.

 

215 Tyres, nicer ride, better Springs, Dampers, Bushes might make more difference than 

what the 'Platform' they are on is Called.

So lets hope the Quality & Performance of the Parts & Components is higher than the Previous Models.

Edited 1 February, 201511 yr by goneoffSKi

So what are the actual weights saved.?

Because as the Journalists take from the Press Pack what is written then do their articles.

 

'Can be as much as 60kg lighter'.  

So which ones are 60kg lighter or more,

 to get an Average you need Highs and Lows.

 

So when weighing a Like for Like MK2 to a Mk3, same spec. same Spare Wheel as Standard etc.

How much lighter is a All New Fabia?

 

PS

It does not have a MQB Platform not even a Shortened MQB Platform, 

it has Elements of,  Components as used on.

 

If it had a MQB Platform then Skoda / VW would tell you that was what you were getting,

they play on words and translations.

 

215 Tyres, nicer ride, better Springs, Dampers, Bushes might make more difference than 

what the 'Platform' they are on is Called.

So lets hope the Quality & Performance of the Parts & Components is higher than the Previous Models.

I wasn't implying the Fabia is sitting on an MQB platform, I was just generalising the fact VAG are moving towards a standard platform which can be modified to suit.

They were, they are, and then the sharn hit the fan, because it turned out the savings of economy were not there,

production delays meant losses, their are MQB issues.

 

So maybe just as well to stick with the tried and tested, get the Engines you have already in the cars meet the Euro 6 Emissions

and get the Longest Running Skoda Model updated and the best it has ever been.

Lots of experience of Water Leaks, Oil Burners, Paint Issues, Pulling to the left,

 

Now all a distant memory, and this car should be perfect.

All New Owners Manual and the Production Line running now for 6 months,  the cars will be fabulous.

Boot is clearly bigger on the mk3 , which is no bad thing as the small boot is an issue for myself and my mum with our Mk2's the problem is it looks the extra space has been given by sloping the rear seats more and thus reducing leg room for rear seat passengers

 

Nicer looking car though imo

I went to look at one today, dealers site said open at 10am, I turned up 10:15am to see 3 sales people chatting, automatic door to their "new" showroom did not open and sales people seem to be uninterested in me

 

so I looked round the mk3 sat right outside the door which did not open in full view of the sales people for 5-10 minutes, looked over at them several times and still chatting

 

so gave up and walked away

 

initial impressions not much of a change over what I have, unable to sit in it or test drive it, so may have a wander over to the other skoda dealer near me

 

threadbear was that VW dealer just across the carpark but part of the same group? and the skoda dealer unveiling the new showroom? if so likely same one I was at this morning

I went to look at one today, dealers site said open at 10am, I turned up 10:15am to see 3 sales people chatting, automatic door to their "new" showroom did not open and sales people seem to be uninterested in me

 

so I looked round the mk3 sat right outside the door which did not open in full view of the sales people for 5-10 minutes, looked over at them several times and still chatting

 

so gave up and walked away

 

initial impressions not much of a change over what I have, unable to sit in it or test drive it, so may have a wander over to the other skoda dealer near me

 

threadbear was that VW dealer just across the carpark but part of the same group? and the skoda dealer unveiling the new showroom? if so likely same one I was at this morning

No it was dealers in Canterbury. I dont like the closer Skoda dealers to where I live. The salesmen at the Skoda dealer I went to were fine, I just didnt like the car as much as I thought I would.

 

And the price between a diesel Polo and a diesel Fabia with options I wanted was only about £200.

this is the issue I have,

 

without discounts etc the cost of SE or SE L with a few options is so similar to a polo why not buy the polo as it has better residual value which when factored gives lower monthly payments

 

I also looked at the Hyundai i20, prefer the styling to the fabia, has better equipment as std but on paper the engines are not as good as VAG

 

will try and get over to skoda this weekend and see if sale people are interested in selling anything rather than chatting and ignoring people, if not they have had 2 chances and will not be a skoda customer after 15 years

 

so it will come down to test drives and cash

You do not drive cars on paper, so as well to Road Test the Cars to see how the Engines & Gearboxes compare,

 

I have driven a Petrol & Diesel with DSG and was just underwhelmed, they do what they are supposed to,

but as on Paper, then i am not so sure.

 

Hyundai & Kia have already been caught out on mis-information on Economy figures,

Skoda & VW might just be a bit on the generous side with their on paper compared to achievable on the road.

looking on fuelly with it set to UK Gallons they don't seem to far off VAG engines but there are none of the new i20's on there yet

 

but I know the vw figures are achieveable (seen 90+mpg on my GLII a couple of times kent to brum) on odd journeys but usually you get the urban figure for day to day driving with the combined on a good tank in summer

 

looks like the Hyundai engines are about 10% less efficient than VAG equivs, but that could be down to the additional 100kg of weight in them as the 0-60 is about 1.5 seconds slower as well

 

close enough to warrant a test drive, sitting in it I am impressed, have yet to sit in a fabia 3, but looking at the outside of one I did not feel the need to bang on the showroom door to get the sales persons attention sunday and demand one

We will see once people start driving the 'What Car' car of the year and the other Models and their engines.

 

http://whatcar.com/car-news/real-world-mpg-efficient-small-petrol-cars/1215224

We will see once people start driving the 'What Car' car of the year and the other Models and their engines.

 

http://whatcar.com/car-news/real-world-mpg-efficient-small-petrol-cars/1215224

 

I think What Car? "technicians" must have lead feet.. real world? what? tonking it down the motorway at 3:00am?  Not convinced by any of those figures..

interesting

 

i20 se £178 for insurance

fabia 3 se £192 for insurance

 

keeping everything  the same the skoda is more expensive to insure

 

interesting in that keyless entry is required to be declared with admiral as is any "option" not standard equipment, but it did not appear to affect the premium (for me anyway)

interesting

i20 se £178 for insurance

fabia 3 se £192 for insurance

keeping everything the same the skoda is more expensive to insure

interesting in that keyless entry is required to be declared with admiral as is any "option" not standard equipment, but it did not appear to affect the premium (for me anyway)

Most options won't increase the premium but they need to be declared just in case the car needs to be repaired or replaced on a like for like basis, as for the actual premium, both are under £200 and there's only £14 difference so not a deal breaker.

My Monte Tech costs me £188 with no vol or compulsory excess, it's the cheapest car I've had to insure, having said that, it was £5 more to insure than a standard Monte but it has the built in sat nav which probably adds to the theft risk.

Edited 3 February, 201511 yr by Gazbull17

agree, not a deal breaker, just interesting that the i20 with more tech and equipment is more expensive than the fabia

 

there is no one thing between the two which is a deal breaker, hence not a straight forward decision

 

got to do the test drives, which if possible I will arrange for the same day so both are fresh in my mind for a better comparison

It'll be a hard decision, I've been all set to replace my Monte with an estate in the not so distant future but there's a few nice cars in the supermini sector now that if it wasn't for the want of more space and estate practicality, I probably wouldn't go with the Fabia unless they reduce the prices.

I look at the i20 nd it has spare wheel (not can of goo), multi function steering wheel, Bluetooth reversing, sensors, cruise with speed limiter etc as std on the SE for about £13k, currently also has upgrade to LED DRL's and a few other bits as an upgrade thrown in

 

couple of things I do like is 2 x 12v sockets, a usb and 3.5mm jack in front of the gear lever, so tidier cabling, also has a proper universal cradle for smart phone on top of the dash (like citigo PID) which will charge your phone so you can use it as a satnav etc

 

then I look at the fabia and got to add all those as extras, to me the outside does not look as modern but does look better than mk2 but doesn't grab me, but you have the better engine

 

I think skoda have priced it high so they can run a "VAT free" or "£2000 off selected models" etc, very much like currys or dixons sell TV's and cookers where very few pay RRP

They were, they are, and then the sharn hit the fan, because it turned out the savings of economy were not there,

production delays meant losses, their are MQB issues.

 

So maybe just as well to stick with the tried and tested, get the Engines you have already in the cars meet the Euro 6 Emissions

and get the Longest Running Skoda Model updated and the best it has ever been.

Lots of experience of Water Leaks, Oil Burners, Paint Issues, Pulling to the left,

 

Now all a distant memory, and this car should be perfect.

All New Owners Manual and the Production Line running now for 6 months,  the cars will be fabulous.

It's across the board, it was only through the upgrades on the Yeti that discovered it had a Mk7 Golf front end but a Mk6 rear!! Why can't they just end one model then start another without all the 'bits of this and that'!

.....and to save weight which helps economy and emissions. There's nothing wrong with a shared modular platform as you're right, it saves money too.

I doubt unless you've done some research then you wouldn't know what platform it was based on but driving wise, the MQB platform is meant to be better.

iT doesent feel better on the mk3vrs octy, compared to the mk2, it makes the car feel lighter and twitchy and feel more cabin noise when on bumpy road

iT doesent feel better on the mk3vrs octy, compared to the mk2, it makes the car feel lighter and twitchy and feel more cabin noise when on bumpy road

Im really starting to think there's credit to the idea of buying pre mqb at the moment. I've driven quite a number of mqb cars and the statement above is right - they do feel like they've lost a lot of weight but its not always to the benefit of the drive and perception of build quality. Ive also seen a number of build faults and paint issues on demo/showroom  cars... maybe there is something to be said for buying into a tried and tested platform at this stage of the MQB's life? I liked the new Fabia when I looked it over on Saturday - quite stylish and finally wide enough not to look like a cartoon car imo - good build throughout, roomy and ok materials - just no soft touch elements to the dash but overall I though it was pretty good. Then I saw the price.....!