Jump to content

Replacing Fabia


Recommended Posts

Hi all I'm gonna sell my fabia vrs as I have never been completely happy with the steering feel and the vagueness ...

Only problem is I've been spoilt with reasonable power and great economy . What have people replaced there's with ?? Looking to spend 5k at most really !!

Honda Civic ??

Renault megane 175 ??

Any advise ??

Cheers Tony

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Saw recently a bloke wanting to swap in his Type R as he was sick of putting petrol in it, he was impressed with the handling, but was only getting 200 mile to a tankful :I

Are you still commuting/driving as far daily?

I'd struggle to find a comparison if I'm honest. Fabia vRS mk2 ? ;) haha

JRJG

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Plenty 5-6 year old (even newer) Mk2 Fabia vRS Twinchargers around at about £5-6,000. 'Much Cheapness' For a reason.

22-52 mpg depending on how you drive, 32-42 mpg easily achieved.

 

Low mileage, new engine or 2, new DSG fitted etc.

Only buy if an enthusiast and you know all about them, get the history on any car you consider, 

new Engine or Gearboxes fitted under warranty can be a bonus, but best never own one without a Skoda / VW Valid Warranty.

Buyer Beware.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I don't use it everyday as I have motorbikes ... I pref still want a diesel .. I'd keep the Fabia , just can't put up with the vagueness of steering and I'm sick of putting new parts on it ...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

17 inches wheels ? Damn those are big. What are the specs of that wheels ? Go 15 or 16 ! If you get a bad J / ET the handling can be rubbish. Mine isn't a vRS, it's an MPI, with power flex bushes frond and rear wishbone only, standard anti roll bar links and bushes and who knows that status of the rear beam ones. I'm using RS3s as the summer tires, 195/50/15. Mine was going a bit crazy when taking a high speed corner with a few road imperfections, feeling like a huge banana, but after replacing the wishbone bushes everything went smooth. I have standard suspension, nothing lowered or out of the ordinary (KYB Excel G shocks), I do not know if the springs are OEM or have been replaced in 16 years of glory, but I can tell you it corners like it would be on rails. I haven't got it on a track day, but on normal roads it's one hell of a fun car, it went here, here and still looking for more. ^ ^

Edited by Alexandru
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Strange as i find mine drives very well, something cant be right with it, does it have original wheels on it as when i got mine it had 17"s and it was horrendous to drive, back on standards now was the best thing i done to the car, i love mine but the fact i cant put a towbar on it is forcing me to think about selling :(

Link to comment
Share on other sites

They are Audi s3 wheels .. 7.5 et35 I think .. Car corners ok . Just tramlines badly ..

 

Borrow a set of 15'' (195/50 or 185/55) or 16'' (195/45) wheels with decent tires and meeting the specs (ET35 & 6.5J). Take it for a ride. It *should* feel better. I'd go with the 15'', I don't mind the looks and I preffer it to be a little more comfy on bumpy roads. 14'' tires are good for snow IMHO.

 

Later edit: Get a set of good shock absorbers & springs. Lowering it on budget might buy you a couple of seconds on the track, where the tarmac is in good condition, but not on the open roads IMHO. If you have already spent a lot of money on it, an Eibach ProKit shouldn't be missed. I'm also planing to get one, along with additional rear and front anti-roll bars. Also, get the tracking done by a specialist.

Edited by Alexandru
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've got the standard wheels on at the minute . They are 6.5 et 35 .. Tyres are good year f1 on front and prob 4 MM. tread .. I do have some Audi 15inch wheels at home . Don't know if these will clear calipers thou

Link to comment
Share on other sites

For testing purpose those tires should be ok-ish. Don't judge them by the tread! New tires are new tires. I have good feedback about the Goodyear Efficientgrip Performance, Vredstein Sportrac5 which I've been buying lately for our family cars. I'd personally go with the RS3s again and again. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If you have motorbikes, are you bothered about performance in a car or not? As you say you have had a nice balance of both with the Fabia, but would you consider a 'lesser performing car', with more of an emphasis on economy? Then use your bike for those days when you want to get places quickly. And make some noise

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

17 inches wheels ? Damn those are big. What are the specs of that wheels ? Go 15 or 16 ! If you get a bad J / ET the handling can be rubbish. Mine isn't a vRS, it's an MPI, with power flex bushes frond and rear wishbone only, standard anti roll bar links and bushes and who knows that status of the rear beam ones. I'm using RS3s as the summer tires, 195/50/15. Mine was going a bit crazy when taking a high speed corner with a few road imperfections, feeling like a huge banana, but after replacing the wishbone bushes everything went smooth. I have standard suspension, nothing lowered or out of the ordinary (KYB Excel G shocks), I do not know if the springs are OEM or have been replaced in 16 years of glory, but I can tell you it corners like it would be on rails. I haven't got it on a track day, but on normal roads it's one hell of a fun car, it went here, here and still looking for more. ^ ^

Have you ever driven a VRS with both 17 inch and standard 16 inch wheels fitted?

As there is hardly any difference in ride quality.

Why would he spoil the looks of a VRS going down to tiny 15 inch wheels when the standard 16's fitted with the correct 205/45 tyres(not 195/45) ride lovely? :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

FYP.

Should be good now!

Have you ever driven a VRS with both 17 inch and standard 16 inch wheels fitted?

As there is hardly any difference in ride quality.

Why would he spoil the looks of a VRS going down to tiny 15 inch wheels when the standard 16's fitted with the correct 205/45 tyres(not 195/45) ride lovely? :)

I'm not talking about the looks. He was talking about tramlining. It's a phenomenon caused by running on wheels bigger than the car has been designed to. It's physics. And you are right, I was distractes. It is 205/45/16.

Edited by Alexandru
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have thought about a lesser powered car . It's a toughie as 50mpg and a bit of poke is nice ... It's defiantly not torque steer . Just driving normally it finds any road imperfection..

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Should be good now!

I'm not talking about the looks. He was talking about tramlining. It's a phenomenon caused by running on wheels bigger than the car has been designed to. It's physics. And you are right, I was distractes. It is 205/45/16.

 

Wider wheels or wheels with the wrong offset can cause tramlining yeah,but it's not caused by the size of the wheel.

 

I have thought about a lesser powered car . It's a toughie as 50mpg and a bit of poke is nice ... It's defiantly not torque steer . Just driving normally it finds any road imperfection..

What size tyres are on the 17's,and what brand of tyre?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Community Partner

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Welcome to BRISKODA. Please note the following important links Terms of Use. We have a comprehensive Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.