Hi everyone, I've just got my first car a 2007 1.2 Skoda Fabia 1 and I've decided to invest some money in it since it's such a reliable vechicle. I'm looking for suggestions/recommendations on mods and improvements for this model. Looking for things like exterior/interior mods to make it prettier or more functional but also looking for parts to make it run better, perform better.

 

P.S: the car is currently stoc

Is it a mk1 or a mk2 Fabia? A 2007 car is probably a mk2. Post a picture of it, there's quite a difference.

What's the engine code? 

Hi Wino, thank for commenting. It's an MK1 6Y, I don't have access to it roght now, for about another week, currently traveling. I believe it's the 1.2 petrol MPI version.

54 (BMD engine) or 64bhp  (BME) version?

 

Edited 18 August, 20205 yr by Wino

I would have to check the manual, to be 100% as I don't want to provide incorrect details. I'm guessing most of the parts I can order online are matching between different versions (same fuel system). The reason I opened this thread is because I want to place some orders until I get home in a week or so, and hopefully the parts will get in by then and I will be able to use them. Again, I'm looking for mods that could improve the comfort of the car, like a nice android console, better headlights or better bulbs and so on.

OK, well cosmetic/comfort stuff isn't my scene so I can't help with that at all.  The two engines are quite different, the BMD being fairly well known for non-reliability, which is why I was keen to understand which you have.

Online parts sites such as this one may help you identify (standard) parts that you want/need: https://skoda.7zap.com/en/cz/

 

The only thing you can really do to make these engines run better and perform better is to fix any problems, and make sure - particularly - that they are never running on old, degraded engine oil.

Edited 18 August, 20205 yr by Wino

The car was mainly used for commute,and as far as I know the person that owned it before did everything, maintenance wise, on point. It's my first car so I would be more than happy if it would run healthy for at least two years without major investment. That's the reason I'm trying to do as much as possible now, to keep it going. Hopefully, I'm lucky enough to have the other version :))

1 hour ago, Rotarski said:

Again, I'm looking for mods that could improve the comfort of the car, like a nice android console, better headlights or better bulbs and so on.

 

I have Osram Nightbreaker bulbs in my dip and main beams and they make a good difference.

Edited 18 August, 20205 yr by TMB

-Get the best light bulbs you can.

 

-Stay on top of oil changes and make sure there are no leaks or oil consumption. Oil brand isn't really important as long as it conforms to the industry standard and you change it regularly. Conversely, get original oil and air filters or at least OEM.

 

-Tyres transform the way the car handles. Get the best ones you can.

 

-Cupra console bushes. Speaking of which, make sure all the rubber components of the suspension are fresh. 

 

-Have the car properly detailed, all dents and dings repaired and painted, polish and restore headlamps, treat rust properly. That improves the look of the car much more than any set of wheels.

 

Getting more into the "mods" I would suggest:

 

-Sound insulation. Car audio shops could help you with that. It's a bit expensive but it will improve the sound your speakers make and also will reduce quite a bit of NVH. 

 

-Get the seats reupholstered to your taste or get better SEAT/ VW / Audi sport seats from the breakers. Plenty of guides and threads about the subject in the forum.

 

-Upgrade your head unit I guess, hopefully it'll blend nice with the interior and look almost OEM while giving you better functionality. I haven't had problems with my original speakers but if you want to upgrade them, go ahead.

 

-Proper LED interior lights will at least let you see stuff at night. Go for warm white ones. Same with the license plate.

 

I haven't focused much on exterior mods, you're gonna spend more time in the cabin driving than looking at the car from the outside anyway.

Thank you guys for the suggestions.

 

What makes a bulb better than the others? Also, do you have any suggestions for the headlight bulbs and interior lights? 

I believe I will have to get a new set of headlights because I have a nice little crack on the passenger side one, I will have to remove it from the car to have a better look at it.

The previous owner got it to the mechanic before he gave it to me, he did a new fresh oil change, a new serpentine belt (if I'm not mistaken) and a few other little things. What I know for a fact that needs to be changed pretty soon are the break discs and pads so if you have any suggestions there I would really appreciate it  

I will definitely have to get a nice, smart, head unit to bring more tech to the interior.

As for sound proofing the car and the sound system upgrade...I think those will be the last thing on the list, not a big thing for me.

To answer your questions:

 

-Bulbs vary in output, reach, brightness and hue. There are options based on use or need; all season lights that are a bit more yellowish than standard which apparently cut through fog quite effectively, your bog standard bulbs that have a good balance between cost, lifespan and brightness, and then the high performance options like the OSRAM Nightbreaker bulbs which have more brightness, reach and are not as yellow as standards, while still using the same 55w output. We're always talking about halogen bulbs here. What's best? That's up to your needs and preferences. You can't go wrong with OSRAM or Phillips if that's what you're wondering. There are other reputable brands out there like Hella and Bosch. And yes, please look after your headlight housings, no bulb will compensate for housing deficiencies.

 

-For the interior there are OSRAM LED replacements that work as well. A bit expensive but worth every penny. Your owner's manual lists every type of bulb for each application. 

 

-Have a good look at your brakes and determine their size. If there's an "FS III" script in the caliper you've got 256 mm discs. You can't go wrong with PAGID discs and pads. ATE is a good brand also, and Brembo makes them as well. 

Awesome! Thank you for taking the time to share the info with me.

 

I found some H7 Osram bulbs but noticed there are quite a few models of the same bulb, which one you think is the better one? There are Nightbreaker Silver, Unlimited, Laser Nextgen, Cool blue intense and a few nore but I belive those are LED.

17 hours ago, juanse_2691 said:

no bulb will compensate for housing deficiencies.

 

 

 

Or clouded lenses. The amount of cars I see with yellowed lenses is unreal. All I can say is that the owners must eat a lot of carrots 🥕

31 minutes ago, TMB said:

 

Or clouded lenses. The amount of cars I see with yellowed lenses is unreal. All I can say is that the owners must eat a lot of carrots 🥕

...mine included. I polished them last year but they get cloudy in no time. I wish there were real glass replacement lenses like there are for the Mk4 Golf.

12 hours ago, Rotarski said:

Awesome! Thank you for taking the time to share the info with me.

 

I found some H7 Osram bulbs but noticed there are quite a few models of the same bulb, which one you think is the better one? There are Nightbreaker Silver, Unlimited, Laser Nextgen, Cool blue intense and a few nore but I belive those are LED.

Nightbreaker Lasers are the most recent ones IIRC. Cool blues are mostly for looks.

22 minutes ago, juanse_2691 said:

...mine included. I polished them last year but they get cloudy in no time. I wish there were real glass replacement lenses like there are for the Mk4 Golf.

 

Yes, I would definitely go with real glass too if they were available.

I put a pair of headlights from carparts4less on mine about 6 months ago, there's a little bit of scatter to the nearside, but other than that it's made a world of difference. Probably the best £100 I've spent on the car.

Not really sure of these headlights are the original ones but I will definitely polish them, if I don't have to replace them of course. I will also try to get some protective transparent film to put on them, the worst case scenario in time is that I have to replace the film and not polish the headlights again. Did anyone use that on their headlights?

 

@StevesTruck do you know the manufacturer of those headlights or those are OEM?

I'm pretty sure they were Depo's, although there was no name on the website.

 

Just bear in mind we drive on the wrong side of the road, so our headlights have a different beam pattern to what you'll need if you're in Romania. 

1 hour ago, StevesTruck said:

I'm pretty sure they were Depo's, although there was no name on the website.

 

 

 

Mine were Depo too. Been on the car since 2017 and have been fine so far. Still nice and clear.

So I started buying parts for it:

- the steering wheel was showing it's age so I managed to find a nice leather cover for it and I have to say, it fits really well. Took me around 2 hours to stitch it all together but it's well worth it

- bought front and back badges, OEM (if anyone wants to replace the badges on their car use WD40 and over 95% alchool, it really makes the job easier)

- bought a few bulbs

- cleaned and spray painted stock rims and got a new set of hubcaps, painted the black zip ties with aluminium gray spray paint to match the covers

That steering wheel cover looks really nice

By the way, there is a plastic cover missing from your rear wiper. Part number 6Y6 955 435

 

Edited 6 September, 20205 yr by TMB

Any chance of a link for that steering wheel cover ?

Thank you @TMB already on my parts list, but first I need to figure out why the back wiper nozzle isn't spraying any liquid, the front ones are working fine.

 

I initially wanted to pick that steering wheel cover with red stitching but I believe this looks cleaner. @maccy Unfortunately the cover was ordered from a local online shop and it's made by a Romanian manufacturer, here is the link if that helps:

https://www.emag.ro/husa-volan-premium-din-piele-naturala-neagra-perforata-cu-ac-si-ata-neagra-pentru-cusut-marimea-m-diov-1805/pd/DF86THBBM/