Has anyone witha 1.4 mpi Fabia noticed any grip problems. I have previously owned an elegance and presently have the silverline, which has the same alloys. HOwever, I have a hell of a lot of wheelspin nearly everytime I set off and it does not feel anywhwre near as grippy on bends, I don't have confidence throwing this car round corners as I did the elegance.

It has the standar 14 inch alloys with firestone tyres. From what I recall my first car had pirelli. Any ideas anyone.

Thanks

Are you certain it isn't just the recent road conditions? There's been a lot of water and dirt on the roads just recently...

Maybe you've got more power in the new car! check it hasn't got a turbo without you knowing it :shock: Although looking at your later post this is probably not the case.

All tyres have different characteristics, what you're finding MAY be attributed to this. How are your pressures? It may be worth checking and possibly altering the pressures. Try going up/down in steps of 2psi at a time and see if you notice any differences. (I think you'll find as you increase pressure grip should increase but at the expense of wear and ride comfort) Also, when do these differences show up, wet and/or dry, again things like this may just be characteristics of the tyres.

Paul 8)

My money is on the tyres as all other variables "appear" to have been removed. Either pressure or more likely type.

I agree, it must be down to tyre pressures or the type of tyre.

A friend with a Fabia Elegance TDi came with ecomomy type Firestone tyres. My Comfort however came with Dunlop SP Sport tyres, which are relatively grippy.

My Fabia Blackline has the same Firestone tyres as yours I think, but I haven't found any lack of grip! It corners better than my Classic two years ago, but I suppose the 14" alloys help! I think the Classic had Michelins.

How do Skoda's get there tyres anyway? By the looks of it I think somebody just fits what they feel like! I know that my Fabia came with Continental CP contact tyres which the Octavia came with Michelin Pilot Premacy

didn't your elegance have traction control ?

Hi all,

Let me intro me self.........am a Skoda owner from far away Singapore ...... I own a Fabia 1.4m 8v, though some of experiences maybe different from what u guys go through ( especially the weather ) in the UK.It may differ but I find that sometimes certain common traits may be there becos we essentially drive the same car........

From my sharing with other local car owners ( I used to drive a SEAT Cordoba......... ) I find that the Firestones arent at all that good. Michelin make decent rubbers, Continental make good tyres but expensive !!!......especially the CSC I & II range, Bridgestones make good mid range, Michelin Pilot Sports are damned good tyres, Dunlop SP Sport arent too bad either....

Essentially James, u may have to upgrade your wheels. If u say u r running stock 14's I'd say its probably 185 60 14's........I'd take it u have standard steel rims. With wear and tear on the tyres........u may suffer from the lack of traction as what u r experiencing !!!

If budget permits......u should try looking for a set of 15" alloys shod it with something like 195 50 15's running some decent rubbers like Brdigestones, Yokohamas or maybe even some decent Dunlops. U'll find that your grip does improve tremendously.

Just take me as an example. Bought me Fab abt 4 1/2 months back ...........it came shod with incredously small tyres.......165 70 14's on stock steel rims !!!! When I tested the car.......it felt horrible, floaty and not grippy at all !!! After collecting the car ........I had the wheels changed..........to a set of 15" Momo's that came off a fellow SEAT forumer, shod it with a set of Bridgestone Potenza G3's ( 185 55 15's ) & Wah lah.........she corners as she runs on rails !!!! My best investment ever on a car.

My final bit of advice.............never never scringe on rubbers .........they make a hell of a lot of difference to the way car handles.........!!!

:cheers:

Hi,

My wheels are standar fit 14 alloys, but they are 185/60

After all I said in my post, I went travelling the other week and ended up with two irreperable punctrures, si finally decided to replace the whol lot and fit Michelin XT1's.

The car is noticeably better and holds better and is quieter, the only problem with now having quieter tyres is I can hear all the interior plastic trim vibrations and rattles even more, something i am determined Skoda will fix, it is beyond acceptable for an 8 month old car, and didnt happen in my last Fabia???

Thanks