On 18th February 2024 I purchased number 010 of the ever dwindling vRS SE's still on the road. I patiently await my annual leave at the end of this week, then just a couple more days and I can then collect it on 28th, to say I'm an excited old boy is an understatement!

 

Brief history, it was bought new by a gentleman from Inverness who in his 14 year ownership only clocked up 16,570 miles! At this point on 5th January 2021 (which is also my birthday) it failed its MOT, all trivial, but was obviously the final straw and he sold it to WeBuyAnyCar 😮 on checking the history there is no 2020 MOT so I'm putting that down to Covid and lockdown.

 

The car was then picked up by a trader in Ross-On-Wye who did the work necessary to pass it's MOT and then it was purchased by HSVRS who set out making it a winner again.

 

I have to say he did not waste any time, nor did he cut any corners when it came to replacing parts, he sourced all genuine items from TPS branches to bring it back to its former glory!

 

New osf/osr door locks

New AC condenser and pressure switch 

Hew headlights

New discs and pads 

New Michelin Pilot tyres, alloy refurb with new badges 

New scuttle trim 

New battery and cover 

New aerial and base 

New wipers 

New rear ns light cluster

New front and rear vRS badges

New rear Fabia badge

New ns rear arch liner 

New door seals using VW repair kits

 

It's obviously wanted for nothing and has lived a very pampered life, and still only has 18,075 miles on it. I can't wait to show you the folder which contains the original purchase receipt, delivery inspection sheet, every single invoice for work done, there is the original SE brochure (which I was only last week searching for one to buy) even a Automotive Print of the vRS SE.

 

I'll take a breath, and then post what I've purchased already for it, and my plans, which shouldn't be great, but old habits die hard and where an improvement can be made sometimes you just have to do the right thing!

 

 

Edited 20 February, 20241 yr by wolfsburger

When I went to view it, the number one concern I had was the mention of corrosion in the previous MOT, it mentioned the wishbones and the rear lower spring seat, but I was very happy to see it was just the surface rust which most cars of this age will no doubt show signs of. The sills are all solid, there are some stone chips here and there and I could see some swirl marks on the roof, but it is still in amazing condition.

 

Oddly it still has the blue plastic delivery protectors stuck on the boot carpet and along the silver vRS sill trim! That leads me on to the interior, it looks as though it has never been sat in, the rear seats for sure have never been graced, everything looks like it would had you just pulled out of the main dealers forecourt from buying it!

 

So, my plans are to completely refresh the suspension, I have already ordered several items today in preparation, the rear axle will need to be attacked and painted and the paintwork will need some touch ups and a professional detail job to bring it right up to 'scratch', 

 

Now I said I would keep it standard and that really is my plan, and when I refresh the suspension it will look standard to all but those of you with a keen eye!

 

I was toying with the idea of a RARB, and as it happened I just thought I'd see what was knocking about, anyway I bought a brand new Whiteline rear kit off Amazon of all places for £126!

 

This set the ball rolling so I have now ordered Bilstein B4 shocks, Eibach 25mm Pro-Kit, new bump stops, new dust sleeves, new top mounts, new rear upper/lower spring seats, new wishbones, ball-joints, consoles bushes and genuine bolts throughout!

 

...and that's about it, I have no further plans other than to enjoy it, maintain it and hopefully keep it for a very, very, very long time! 

 

 

Edited 20 February, 20241 yr by wolfsburger

Absolute stunner mate. Dare I say it, the lowest mileage example left in the wild.

 

Considering its lived its life in one of the wettest parts of the UK, the bodywork looks in fantastic shape.

 

 

 

 

On 26/02/2024 at 17:04, bluntsteakknife said:

Absolute stunner mate. Dare I say it, the lowest mileage example left in the wild.

 

Considering its lived its life in one of the wettest parts of the UK, the bodywork looks in fantastic shape.

 

 

 

 

Yeah I was very surprised too, it does have some surface rust on the wishbones and rear axle. But, I have already purchased a load of new parts, and it’s booked in to ‘AJ Rust Protection’ in July for the works!

 

Picking it up tomorrow 28.02.2024, let’s pray the M6 is kind to me tomorrow 🤣

14 hours ago, wolfsburger said:

Yeah I was very surprised too, it does have some surface rust on the wishbones and rear axle. But, I have already purchased a load of new parts, and it’s booked in to ‘AJ Rust Protection’ in July for the works!

 

Picking it up tomorrow 28.02.2024, let’s pray the M6 is kind to me tomorrow 🤣

 

Surface rust is pretty good going really with all things considered. 

 

Hope the drive back goes well!

Wonderful drive back, I’d forgotten how sporty the ride was, well compared to our Dacia Sandero it is 😆

 

Effortless cruise back from Burnley to Stoke On Trent, the M6 gods were kind to me!
 

Got home to find the OS headlight backing sat at the bottom of the engine bay, just ordered a new one 🙄

 

ABS and ASR lights came on, after a Costa stop they went off again, only to come on again shortly after, so that needs investigating.

 

I obviously had rose tinted glasses on when I viewed it initially, couple of minor (I’m being really anal here) marks here and there, and the drivers mirror needs replacing, oh and the tool kit is missing a couple of bits.

 

But, I’m so happy, again I have to say the previous owner really did not mess about, the amount of receipts for genuine parts from TPS is staggering!

 

First job is to remove the blue sticky protective plastic!

What would normally sit in this space?

Just checking it’s still there 😍

That's well tidy. Bonus points from me for the Scottish registration.

 

Nice to see one in good hands.

Few bits done this morning, after ordering a replacement ambient temp sensor, I removed the fog light grill to find the plug wasn’t connected 🙄reconnected it and that was that!

 

Cowboy bodged the drivers side headlight cover to secure it while I wait for the new one.

 

Removed the foam from the top engine cover as it has disintegrated.

 

Ordered new mirror glass for both sides, full set of wheel bolt covers, and the missing tools from the kit.

 

So basically, just threw money at it and dealt with two minor annoyances 💸💸😅

Edited 29 February, 20241 yr by wolfsburger

Thought this was cool in the folder of receipts!

 

Automotive print, press release and the original double sided brochure.

22 hours ago, wolfsburger said:

 

What would normally sit in this space?

 

Not sure what it's for but that's where my coolant top up bottle lives 🤣

 

Car looks well tidy mate!!

Edited 29 February, 20241 yr by lewis66

Looking at the restraint strap, fire extinguisher?

2 hours ago, Warrior193 said:

Looking at the restraint strap, fire extinguisher?

 

Originally for the fire extinguisher that could be had as an option, yes.

 

I use mine for a spare bottle of 5w/40.

Mine has what I believe to be the original top up bottle of oil there.

6 hours ago, HeavyMetalRich said:

Mine has what I believe to be the original top up bottle of oil there.

 

Show off!

Looking very tidy, hard to believe its such low miles.

17 minutes ago, kentdale said:

Looking very tidy, hard to believe it’s such low miles.

The stone chips, rusty axle and wishbones are the only signs of age!

New genuine rubber mats and replacement OS headlight rear cover arrived from Skoda-Parts… schoolboy error the mats are for a LHD car 🙄 but hey they protect the carpet and I can save the original mats.

 

Off to PSiTuning this morning for them to “inspect” my suspension parts as they said they won’t fit customer supplied parts. I did say I bought genuine/OE parts and wanted a local independent specialist to look after my car moving forward, so let’s hope they’re suitably impressed when they see the Fabia in the flesh 🤣

Only just caught up with this - it's a cracker!

 

Looks like a lovely well kept low miles example.

 

With the rear beam the best way to deal with the rust would be to get it off the car, blasted and powdercoated, but you're in the realms then of having to change axle bushes, then all the brakes and wheel bearings need to come off, it's a slippery slope, ask me how I know!!

Good luck with it all. 

1 hour ago, Lofty said:

Only just caught up with this - it's a cracker!

 

Looks like a lovely well kept low miles example.

 

With the rear beam the best way to deal with the rust would be to get it off the car, blasted and powdercoated, but you're in the realms then of having to change axle bushes, then all the brakes and wheel bearings need to come off, it's a slippery slope, ask me how I know!!

Good luck with it all. 

I have thought about all of the above, so I’ll get it cleaned up and protected for now. Then source a replacement and all new bushes, bearings over time, then swap the lot over in one fell swoop. It’s not long since had discs and pads all round, so may as well get my monies worth, thanks 😅

1 hour ago, wolfsburger said:

New genuine rubber mats and replacement OS headlight rear cover arrived from Skoda-Parts… schoolboy error the mats are for a LHD car 🙄 but hey they protect the carpet and I can save the original mats.

 

Off to PSiTuning this morning for them to “inspect” my suspension parts as they said they won’t fit customer supplied parts. I did say I bought genuine/OE parts and wanted a local independent specialist to look after my car moving forward, so let’s hope they’re suitably impressed when they see the Fabia in the flesh 🤣

How could they refuse to take my hard earned money off me, especially when seeing how lovely the car is!

 

it was a rose between thorns though, as there were Porsches and other exotic cars up on the ramps 😍

Disappointed in them for that. I've never had that issue with garages in the past fitting parts I've purchased. I was stoked to know a VAG tuner was so close to me, then read some of their reviews. Have you used them much previously?

 

I'm pretty new to the Newcastle/Stoke area and were hoping to use them for this exact thing. my Mk4 is crying out for the lowering stick.

6 hours ago, bluntsteakknife said:

Disappointed in them for that. I've never had that issue with garages in the past fitting parts I've purchased. I was stoked to know a VAG tuner was so close to me, then read some of their reviews. Have you used them much previously?

 

I'm pretty new to the Newcastle/Stoke area and were hoping to use them for this exact thing. my Mk4 is crying out for the lowering stick.

 

I used them many years ago when I had a Mk2 Golf GTI G60 Edition One, they were spot on, at the time I lived in Oldham and travelled down to use them specifically... I take no notice of online reviews personally, you'll always get some disgruntled customer for reason or another. A friend of mine has used them for many years, their facilities are really good and of course they're a VAG specialist which is handy, there is one other company TQC in Stoke, but they failed to reply to my request for information and quotes, so that was that.

This very new, but very dusty set arrived from Sweden today, always thought it odd to have front guards but not rear!

Boot loaded up with new suspension and steering parts, with carefully positioned impact protection!

 

I have bought the majority of the parts from VWSpares who have been amazing to deal with, mostly Lemförder, with a couple of Febi Bilstein items, and all new nuts and bolts from VAG bolts on eBay.

 

Tie Rods/Ends/Gaiters

Control Arms & PSB Console bushes

Ball Joints

Drop Links

ARB Bushes

Bilstein B4 Shocks

Eibach Pro-Kit

Bump Stops/Dust Shields

Top Mounts

Upper & Lower Rear Spring Seats

 

Booked in for a service, along with fitting of the suspension and wheel alignment 🤓