Hi all, 

 

Lurked on this wonderful forum for a while.. since way back when I fancied a Mk1 VRS. Ended up buying an assortment of old cars followed by an old A3 and tuning it but that's another story. Currently borrowing an MX5 on/off which is a hoot to drive but not really frugal enough for long distances, sadly. 

 

Got a new job now that allows access to a pretty healthily subsidised leasing scheme. 

 

I've had quotes on a 3 series and another Audi and a Leon ST.. but I've always fancied a Fabia and I could get one with all the toys.  Plus parking is a pain in the arse for a big car in Bristol and all the other city centres I find myself in during the week. 

 

So my questions, if anyone can answer them: 

 

1. I went for a test drive and the salesman (who I should point out was ex-Renault and was new to Skoda) said you couldn't lift the rear bench to fold the rear seats flat in the estate. Is this the case? I've seen pics that indicate otherwise.. 

 

2. I've read quite a few posts on the 110 petrol vs 105 diesel but no one seems to give a direct comparison.. I'd be looking at the dsg as I've read the manual is a bit too notchy and traffic where i am (Bristol, Brum and Manchester city centre) justifies the convenience over fun. How quick is the diesel once it gets going? Would I be better off with the petrol? (and with it a manual since you can't get a 110 dsg? :( ) MPG isn't much of an issue, so long as it does >45/gallon on the motorway at 65ish. 

 

3. Think I'll go with Rallye Green (lease car so no worries about depreciation) and either the black alloys or the 17" clubbers. What's the ride like on the 17s with sport and normal suspension? Any grip issues of running a big wheel on a little car? 

 

4. What does SmartGate actually do? 

 

Thanks 

..

2. I've read quite a few posts on the 110 petrol vs 105 diesel but no one seems to give a direct comparison.. I'd be looking at the dsg as I've read the manual is a bit too notchy and traffic where i am (Bristol, Brum and Manchester city centre) justifies the convenience over fun. How quick is the diesel once it gets going? Would I be better off with the petrol? (and with it a manual since you can't get a 110 dsg? :( ) MPG isn't much of an issue, so long as it does >45/gallon on the motorway at 65ish. 

..

 

Definitely go for a 1.2TSI 110 DSG.

 

Tõnu

Yes, the rear (60/40 split) seats fold flat, but there is a step up to the folded seat back from the boot floor.  If you get the raised boot floor (forget what Skoda actually call it) this gets rid of the step and results in a storage area underneath for no noticeable loss of boot volume.  I have a 110 SEL (petrol) manual that is returning over 50mpg as a long term average.  The gearbox is fine - no issues whatsoever with the change - but if I lived in a city I would be sorely tempted by the DSG just because of the reduction in driving effort.  Can't comment on the diesel vs petrol comparison as my last two Fabias had the previous engine types (1.9TD and 1.6TD) - suffice to say that of the two diesels the 1.9 was the more 'powerful' (although the same power/torque on paper) so I would take a test drive yourself and see what you think as I was disappointed with the characteristic of the 1.6 after the 1.9.

Definitely go for a 1.2TSI 110 DSG.

 

Tõnu

 

Skoda doesn't do the 110 in DSG, unfortunately. If they did and it had paddleshift it'd be perfect. 

Chuck1ez, Skoda UK do offer a 1.2 petrol Estate 110 PS DSG, I have one.

 

Mine is an SEL, but they also make them in the S and SE trim. The only estate you cannot get in the UK with the 1.2 Petrol 110PS DSG is in the Monte Carlo trim.

Skoda doesn't do the 110 in DSG, unfortunately. If they did and it had paddleshift it'd be perfect. 

 

Yep, you have misunderstood something here, the 110 DSG is one of the most popular models actually. But no paddles though.

 

Tõnu

Skoda UK will sell you a 1.2 tsi DSG Monte as a hatchback, but not an estate, no idea why

Cannot get paddles on the Fabia (but can choose a sports steering wheel)

Annoyingly adding a few options can make it more expensive than the bigger Octavia, which comes with things like climate control, rear electric Windows as standard.

You seem to be having the same problem that has driven other Skoda owners to change brands, quite simply if you want something small to make it easy to park, then the luxury features on the bigger cars are denied,

The rear bench flips up in the estate but not the hatch - there is still a step but a false floor is available. DSG is convenient and fun, while 110 tsi is a great blend of fun, performance, refinement and economy. Not sure I would go with sports suspension but it depends what you prefer; 17' wheels should be tolerable if you love the look but sports and 17' might grate every day. Definitely go for green and black wheels. Good luck.