Hi all, I have owned a series 1,2 and now 3 Fabia having picked up my 110 SEL Estate last week. I have also owned an Octavia and several VW's.

For me it is withoutout doubt the best of the bunch. Lower, wider and more drivable than the last Fabia, and for me more like the first Fabia in its concept.

Just a couple of observations, probably mentioned previously! I really think the mirrors should fold on top of the range model. My sons old 2008 Ibiza folded for heavens sake!

Although the boot is bigger, my old rubber boot mat fits the new one and is interestingly a tiny bit too big! The same with the rear mats, they are slightly too big for the new model! So where is the actual space? The car certainly feels bigger and more grown up, and part of that is obviously in the width.

My only problem so far is that the number plate warning light has come on since I switched to error free LED, any thoughts?

Overall I am really pleased, smoother, quieter and much more modern.

My only problem so far is that the number plate warning light has come on since I switched to error free LED, any thoughts?

 

Using VCDS you can change the type of bulb to LED and get rid of the warning. See the forum for someone near to you if you don't have the VCDS equipment yourself.

Thanks, I thought that was the solution, it didn't upset things in the last model. Progress eh?!

To be honest, the "folding mirror" function is probably not top of the pile for many Fabia buyers, so that is why it has been left out. Seat Ibizas are aimed at a different buyer, and that buyer "likes" folded mirrors, sat nav and alloy wheels as standard.  I got my wife a new Polo SEL, it almost came with folding mirrors as they seem to be rationalising option packs a bit, but I'm easy over that car not having that option fitted, same goes for sat nav, we have a portable one that we take with us in either car if travelling away from home, it gets a lot of features updated for life unlike ones fitted into cars!

I don't really get that! In that case let's not have aircon, climate, CarPlay, cruise, dipping mirrors, auto lights or wipers, etc etc! In fact lets go back to starting handles, they are so much more involving! Only joking, but having lost a mirror in hospital car park recently I think they are a blooming good idea, and a top of the range £16000 car should have them in my opinion.

Many cars don't have folding mirrors, if your particular circumstances dictate they are important to you then buy a car with them fitted ;-)

I agree the MK2 was hideous. The MK3 looks lovely way up market from the MK2. I had a MK2 VRs for several weeks before getting rid of it, the interior quality and the looks along with the engine problems put me off. No wonder Skoda didn't sell many and blaming the fact that the VRs didn't sell that's why they won't bring a new VRs out.

I think the new one is a real looker and if a VRS version was announced would sell double of the MK2. The interior as you say is many, many times better than the previous version.

Good luck with it. Pictures please!

Yes they are hideous.

They actually sold more than the Polo GTI (Twice as many) and the Audi A1 & the Seat Ibiza Cupra Twincharger though,

& VW have the new Polo GTI 1.8 TSI and the New Seat Ibiza Cupra 1.8TSI is due out soon.

 

Unlikely that the New Fabia will get that engine sadly in case it again outsells the Sister Brand versions.

They would sell more they were cheaper. That's why I and many more bought the Skoda, it sure wasn't for the looks or interior quality!

They need to release the 1.8T version of a MK3 that would be awesome.

MK3 Fabia is a really nice car. Good luck with the car Coosh.

Edited 24 November, 201510 yr by Tim1631

Mirrors are not a deal breaker BikerBob, just an observation! This is my 5th Skoda and by far the best. I am very pleased I made the change, the Mark 2 always felt a bit narrow and 'grannyish' to me! Having said that I have a TVR Chimaera for when I need to feel all hairy chested!!

Yes they are hideous.

They actually sold more than the Polo GTI (Twice as many) and the Audi A1 & the Seat Ibiza Cupra Twincharger though,

& VW have the new Polo GTI 1.8 TSI and the New Seat Ibiza Cupra 1.8TSI is due out soon.

Unlikely that the New Fabia will get that engine sadly in case it again outsells the Sister Brand versions.

Exactly the point above, same engine/running gear in a cheaper car is a no brainer. I got my shed of a VRS 5.5k cheaper than the GTi. Worst car I have had and I have had plenty.

Edited 24 November, 201510 yr by Tim1631

Well there you go,  another tale to tell for years to come.  How you made a bad buy and then got shot of it.

You were lucky getting shot of it.  

Onwards and upwards.

But... the mirrors fold on my SE L! Am I missing something here?

But... the mirrors fold on my SE L! Am I missing something here?

The Op means power folding mirrors where they fold in automatically when the engine is stopped and the key's removed I think.

The Op means power folding mirrors where they fold in automatically when the engine is stopped and the key's removed I think.

Ah, that makes more sense, thank you.

Yes they are hideous.

They actually sold more than the Polo GTI (Twice as many) and the Audi A1 & the Seat Ibiza Cupra Twincharger though,

& VW have the new Polo GTI 1.8 TSI and the New Seat Ibiza Cupra 1.8TSI is due out soon.

 

Unlikely that the New Fabia will get that engine sadly in case it again outsells the Sister Brand versions.

 

Hmm interesting, the new Cupra 1.8TSI has been available for ordering for around 3-4 weeks already here in Estonia (we usually get all the good things later than in developed countries in Europe) and is the reason why I gave up buying a new Fabia Combi. Personally I think that the Fabia is a good car if you are retired already, also it's a 'grey mass car' that you can meet basically on every second corner while the Cupra is expected to be sold in amount around 5 cars per year according to a local SEAT sales rep.

 

Tõnu

Edited 26 November, 201510 yr by MantaOwner

Yes they are hideous.

They actually sold more than the Polo GTI (Twice as many) and the Audi A1 & the Seat Ibiza Cupra Twincharger though,

& VW have the new Polo GTI 1.8 TSI and the New Seat Ibiza Cupra 1.8TSI is due out soon.

Unlikely that the New Fabia will get that engine sadly in case it again outsells the Sister Brand versions.

I reckon towards the end of the Mk3's life they will launch a vRS with the 1.8 TSI.

The Monte Carlo I reckon is a test to see how well a semi sporty Fabia will....dipping the toe before putting their foot in it :-)

A 110 TSI SE with the Black Colour Concept pack would do me just fine I think....its probably the sweet spot of the range. I like the MC but the interior is a bit garish and its alot of money over the SE and without sports suspension wont drive all that differently.

I agree the MK2 was hideous. The MK3 looks lovely way up market from the MK2. I had a MK2 VRs for several weeks before getting rid of it, the interior quality and the looks along with the engine problems put me off. No wonder Skoda didn't sell many and blaming the fact that the VRs didn't sell that's why they won't bring a new VRs out.

I think the new one is a real looker and if a VRS version was announced would sell double of the MK2. The interior as you say is many, many times better than the previous version.

Good luck with it. Pictures please!

I wasnt mad on my Mk2 vRS estate either. A lot of car for the money, v practical and a wonderful engine and gearbox combo but like yourself I couldnt much get past the looks and it really didnt handle or stop as well as it should have done. Found it quite wearing to drive long distance too (in that it wasnt very refined).

Other than a misfire issue that was fixed by an ECU update didnt give me any mechanical problems and didnt use oil like some (1 litre every 4.5k or so).

Not that the Mk2 was a terrible car...it really wasnt but the Mk3 betters it in almost every respect....apart from there not being a vRS....yet.

Edited 26 November, 201510 yr by pipsypreturns

Have you been driving some All new 2015 Fabias to be able to decide they are better, which models?

Sorry i'll rephrase.....the Mk3 likely betters the Mk2 in most respects.

Hands up...I wouldnt know I havent driven one...other than the elusive mk3 vRS prototype last time I visited Mlada Boleslav ;-)

I have to say in my opinion they drive so much better it's incomparable. Steering is particularly better, and you feel more attached to the whole car. I liked my MK2 estate, it was unbelievably practical for a car if its size, but I always felt perched on it, not in it!

It made the difference adding 215 tyres to the New Fabia as the Ibiza Cupra, FR, Polo GTI & Audi A1 already had as standard.

 

The New Fabia Width is a little bit on the Track and the Wheel Arches / Tornado Line, 

the Platform is not actually any wider than the Mk2's, or the Sister Face Lifts from VW,Seat and Audi.

 

No big Suspension developments or upgrades in parts / components,

just the Suspension Linkage points relocated slightly, and the wider tyres, hence no new Type Approval required.

Cars said to be as much as 60kg lighter.

We know weight matter.

And weight mattered in 2010. But that never stopped Skoda Designing and manufacturing weights 

to add to a Mk2 Fabia vRS Hatch, not to improve handling, economy or braking or keep Co2's down.

 

(So no sandbagging like was done with the Mk2 vRS by adding 25kg Weights to the rear crash bar of the hatch making it appear heavier than the Estate and Sister cars, rather than proper engineering.)

 

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Re All New 3rd Generations and a 2016/17 vRS.

So 'pipsyprereturns' you have driven a prototype vRS,  

what engine was it running, and was it a hatch or estate?

 

No need to be shy, this news can hit the Facebook/Twitter/ World Wide Web and people can ask Skoda CZ and then Auto Express can start showing images again of them.

 

The Skoda CEO Dr Winfried Vahland said there would be no New vRS, 'if you want a vRS buy an Octavia'.

But then he has gone, gone to the VW USA to run it and never took up the job, 

now gone from the VW Group altogether, and we will hear soon no doubt if he really knew nothing on the Defeat Devices' 

& the CO2 / MPG Irregularities in Testing & Certification.

 

A New CEO of Skoda now and maybe some decent engine choices coming, and Suspension, Steering and Braking 

and not just raiding the VW parts bin using the Cheapest available.

Edited 27 November, 201510 yr by GoneOffskiroottoot

Im sorry George I made that comment in jest. Like everyone else I think it would be a massive shame if Skoda dont make a vRS. This one might stand to be a really good hot hatch rather than a Fabia with a lovely engine and gearbox.

Is all the more frustrating when Seat get to pump out the Ibiza with the 1.4 ACT and soon to be Cupra with the 1.8.

But I guess Skoda is their sensible arm and the way things are for VAG I cant see them redeveloping the Fabia to produce a low volume low margin hot hatch to appeal to vRS aficionados.

Least they could do i think is release a bona fide Sport model and offer the 1.4 ACT 150ps motor with it.

Based on SE spec with Monte Carlo-esque body kit, sports suspension, 17's, sports seats, sports wheel, visible twin exhaust and the motor.....it'd sell well too I reckon.

Edited 30 November, 201510 yr by pipsypreturns

Cheers for clearing that up.

 

Just as well that Skoda never went with the 1.4 TSI ACT / 1.4 TFSI COD 150ps engines, 

or that would have been even more Skoda Models with Cars caught up in the Co2 / MPG EU Testing / Certification 

Irregularities and possible wrong VED Bands.

 

Sheep dressed in Wolfs clothing was the last Skoda CEO's way.

Cars that are show with little or no go really.

Hopefully Skoda under a new CEO might build a Small Hatch or Estate with some degree of Performance 

and the Handling / Suspension / Brakes to match,

not just some Faux Tail pipes, Alloy Wheels, and Plastic Trim and Decals that are there to have it look like it is a Hot Hatch.

 

True Motorsport Heritage,  Motorsport Success does not really just deserve 'Rally Inspired Looks' and Marketing guff like 

the Skoda media department put out.

Small capacity performance engines and vehicles are where that Motorsport Heritage and success was, not 

from fat lumps of vehicles & certainly not from big Diesel Engine cars with less than 200ps that Skoda keep producing like they are Sporty models.

Edited 1 December, 201510 yr by GoneOffskiroottoot

Cheers for clearing that up.

Just as well that Skoda never went with the 1.4 TSI ACT / 1.4 TFSI COD 150ps engines,

or that would have been even more Skoda Models with Cars caught up in the Co2 / MPG EU Testing / Certification

Irregularities and possible wrong VED Bands.

Sheep dressed in Wolfs clothing was the last Skoda CEO's way.

Cars that are show with little or no go really.

Hopefully Skoda under a new CEO might build a Small Hatch or Estate with some degree of Performance

and the Handling / Suspension / Brakes to match,

not just some Faux Tail pipes, Alloy Wheels, and Plastic Trim and Decals that are there to have it look like it is a Hot Hatch.

True Motorsport Heritage, Motorsport Success does not really just deserve 'Rally Inspired Looks' and Marketing guff like

the Skoda media department put out.

Small capacity performance engines and vehicles are where that Motorsport Heritage and success was, not

from fat lumps of vehicles & certainly not from big Diesel Engine cars with less than 200ps that Skoda keep producing like they are Sporty models.

CO2 irregularities dont bother me unduly George....its not likely existing customers that'll get stiffed it will be VAG (thankfully).

Skoda do of course have sporting herritage but their bread and butter now is to build relatively good value and (in most cases) no thrills cars for those who appreciate VAG build but dont want to pay typical VAG prices for them. Its not in their interests to make Skoda hot hatches...warm hatches about the limit and thats all theyve ever done.

A Monte Carlo based car with the ACT motor, standard 17's, sport suspension and visible exhausts....a car that'll do 60 in about 7.5 secs and run to nearly 140mph but still be capable of about 60mpg....also being usefully cheaper than the Polo BlueGT is all good in my book....exactly the sort of car they should be making and id wager itd sell better than a 1.2 110ps MC.

Also we know already you arent much of a fan of the 184 TDI warm hatches VAG make...again to most people they are the ideal compromise and sell well hence why they make them.

I dont have a vRS but a Mk7 GTD....I have to be honest its nigh as engaging to drive as a Mk5 GTI (with even better steering), similar performance and rather shows the rate of progress that a 2.0 diesel can offer near on 10 year old hot hatch performance...and the Mk5 GTI to this day whilst not the quickest is still one of the best and most fun cars I have had the priviledge to drive. The GTD is quite a discrete licence loser...not as fast as a GTI but slow is most certainly is not.