Still missing the Blackline a bit but more than happy with the Fabia.  Exhausts were a lot blacker than I wanted on the Fabia for many reasons but I will keep a close-eye on the oil level!  Can't wait to get on that Brecon road now in the Fabia :-)

Soot on the tail pipes is not a problem, & it is not about using oil,

they run rich at slower speeds and when cold, and then blast out soot collected in the exhaust as you open them up.

More of a worry was ones running lean before up to operating temperature.

Thanks for the reassurance George. I'll still do a cold and hot check on the weekend.