I'm pretty new to cars, only been driving for about a year and I'm at the point where I want to learn more about cars/how to fix things and potentially upgrade a few things to make it look and drive better. I was wondering if anyone could give me some ideas on things I could upgrade. It's a standard Fabia MK2 1.4 TDI (70HP version) and I want to consider it my first little project.

 

Some things I'd like to upgrade/fit

- Audio quality including fitting some rear speakers as it doesn't come with any  (I've had a look under the door cards and can't seem to find any wiring into the rear doors for speakers) also I have already fitted a new head unit I found really cheap on eBay (Sony XAV-AX1000)

- I would like to fit some front fog lights if at all possible

- Upgrade wheels (for looks and handling)

- Reduce body roll

- I would also like DRL's or auto lights ?(not sure if they're the same thing)

 

I would really appreciate any help and suggestions from you guys 

Re: Lights:

- I saw, at least for Fabia Mk.3, that AliExpress retailers are selling fog light kits, so they're probably selling similar for the Mk.2. The guy I bought the car from bought a kit and never installed it because it broke in shipment, should run you about 40 pounds from what I've seen.

- The fog light kit comes with a switch that allows you to turn them on, of course - you could probably buy a switch that supports automatic lights, but you'd have to run wiring for a light sensor (typically fitted above the rear-view mirror).

- DRLs aren't automatic headlights, they're just dim lights that are always on (even when the light switch is off). Wikipedia defines their "intended use" as "not to help the driver see the road or their surroundings, but to help other road users identify an active vehicle."

- The Mk.3 has DRLs and they can be turned off via OBD2 - check if your Mk.2 has the physical lamps (or space for them).

 

For body roll you'll need sway bars, and at the local standard is that if you buy new wheels the shop will fit your tyres over them.

Good luck!

Edited 9 November, 20241 yr by OakSh

17 hours ago, OakSh said:

Re: Lights:

- I saw, at least for Fabia Mk.3, that AliExpress retailers are selling fog light kits, so they're probably selling similar for the Mk.2. The guy I bought the car from bought a kit and never installed it because it broke in shipment, should run you about 40 pounds from what I've seen.

- The fog light kit comes with a switch that allows you to turn them on, of course - you could probably buy a switch that supports automatic lights, but you'd have to run wiring for a light sensor (typically fitted above the rear-view mirror).

- DRLs aren't automatic headlights, they're just dim lights that are always on (even when the light switch is off). Wikipedia defines their "intended use" as "not to help the driver see the road or their surroundings, but to help other road users identify an active vehicle."

- The Mk.3 has DRLs and they can be turned off via OBD2 - check if your Mk.2 has the physical lamps (or space for them).

 

For body roll you'll need sway bars, and at the local standard is that if you buy new wheels the shop will fit your tyres over them.

Good luck!

Are sway bars hard to fit? and if so should I fit them on just the front or the rear too? 

3 hours ago, em1L said:

Are sway bars hard to fit? and if so should I fit them on just the front or the rear too? 

Not sure, I'm not exactly an expert.

 

Look it up online, YouTube is genuinely great if you're a visual learner.

I can recommend channels like ChrisFix for practical tutorials (on cars sold in the US though) and Driving 4 Answers for technical and theoretical knowledge.

Also, I'll take the safe approach and say that posting links to technical manuals (that are not published freely) would award one with moderator action.

However, and I hereby state that I do not condone this - I will say that Google knows best, and with some reading and with some dorking/"google hacking", you'll be surprised to see just how much pops up.

Edited 10 November, 20241 yr by OakSh