Blind spot monitor is not very useful on quiet rural roads, but is very helpful on multi lane roads and one way systems (where cars will often sneak past you, in London).  It comes into its own when wet and side windows and mirrors go bit blurry, as it lights up even when I can’t see a car in the spray

 

LED headlights very good for unlit roads, although LED rear lights are extravagant 

 

Not convinced by low rolling resistance tyres, in my experience any tyre marked Eco tends to be harder compound, so is even more useless than a summer tyre in cold weather.   I wouldn’t recommend them on twisty country roads in winter with cold rain / field run off etc.  Only get them if buying a separate set of winter tyres.

 

Tunnel light and auto lights useful, but auto wipers are easy to live without 

 

1 hour ago, SurreyJohn said:

Blind spot monitor is not very useful on quiet rural roads, but is very helpful on multi lane roads and one way systems (where cars will often sneak past you, in London).  It comes into its own when wet and side windows and mirrors go bit blurry, as it lights up even when I can’t see a car in the spray

 

LED headlights very good for unlit roads, although LED rear lights are extravagant 

 

Not convinced by low rolling resistance tyres, in my experience any tyre marked Eco tends to be harder compound, so is even more useless than a summer tyre in cold weather.   I wouldn’t recommend them on twisty country roads in winter with cold rain / field run off etc.  Only get them if buying a separate set of winter tyres.

 

Tunnel light and auto lights useful, but auto wipers are easy to live without 

 

Thanks John - pretty much reinforces what I was thinking on all points, and yes I was planning to get another set of Matone alloys from a scrap Fabia and put CrossClimate+ tyres on them for the colder months so that I get the economy of Low RR tyres in the warmer months and then the surety I won’t come acropper once the weather has turned - with my mileage I think I would just about wear both sets out before they started to age, assuming each set will be on for 6 months of the year (should last 4 or perhaps 5 years).

 

Have you / anyone here had the chance to compare LED rear lights vs standard in the dark or in poor conditions? 

Edited 3 March, 20206 yr by DJ_EFK

1 hour ago, DJ_EFK said:

Thanks John - pretty much reinforces what I was thinking on all points, and yes I was planning to get another set of Matone alloys from a scrap Fabia and put CrossClimate+ tyres on them for the colder months so that I get the economy of Low RR tyres in the warmer months and then the surety I won’t come acropper once the weather has turned - with my mileage I think I would just about wear both sets out before they started to age, assuming each set will be on for 6 months of the year (should last 4 or perhaps 5 years).

 

Have you / anyone here had the chance to compare LED rear lights vs standard in the dark or in poor conditions? 

 

We have 2 cars, Arona with LED headlights (excellent lighting) and a roomster (weedy headlights), one is like driving daytime (on part cloudy day), but with the roomster struggle to see where you are going (or more precisely struggle to see the road more than a short distance ahead when on dipped headlights).   Go any distance like this and eyes start to hurt as straining and squinting to see.   Would I pay the extra for LED headlights on next car, simple answer, unless you drive around a city with well lit roads, they are worth every penny, 

 

Regarding the tyres, if you are getting a winter set then maybe consider full winters (cheaper than all seasons), remember they are better below +7c (nearer +10c in wet, and +5c in dry).  I have got Goodyear Ultragrip 9+  (came out last summer, replacing older ultragrip 9 ), and I have been mighty impressed with them, and brilliant in winter rain (haven't been able to test them in snow this year).   

 

Edited 3 March, 20206 yr by SurreyJohn

Yes full winters are good when it’s cold and you sound very happy with your choice - however with UK winters being pretty mild you can get some pretty warm days, so unless driving on the continent then the guy who runs this website recommends Michelin CC+ for colder months in southern UK so I’ll probably go with that.

 

www.tyrereviews.co.uk

 

That said, as you have mentioned it and it does get chilly on the ground in the West Country most of the colder months (as opposed to air temp), I’ll take a look at winter tyre tests 

On 28/02/2020 at 12:11, gumdrop said:

I don't have the arm rest

 

On 28/02/2020 at 15:19, RickW said:

Definitely the armrest for me.

 

On 28/02/2020 at 15:33, TerFar said:

We find the armrest a pia and always have it tipped up out of the way. But then it stops you leaning back to grope for something behind the seats.

 

On 02/03/2020 at 11:14, penguin17 said:

The armrest on the Fabia gets in the way for 99% of the time for us.  I only ever put it down for extended periods of motorway driving; around town and such I find it get's in the way of the gear lever/handbrake, or should I say it gets in the way of my arm when I'm reaching for those 😃

 

I removed my arm-rest. If i had it down it got in the way of the handbrake & gear lever. If i had it up, it got in the way of my elbow (bashed my "funny" bone so many times) and made reaching anything in the back an absolute PITA.

My armrest is down all the time,its like sitting in my armchair at home.

Mines a dsg so maybe different.

Marmite 🙂

Edited 4 March, 20206 yr by RickW