Well, for anyone interested I've penned some thoughts on first proper week of Fabia 'skateboard' vRS ownership - 506 miles.

Compared to previous cars (Mk I Fiesta 956cc(!) N reg Rover 220D and Y reg Tdi Fabia, oh and a Series One Land Rover [currently in bits]) quite a bit of poke. 30mph comes up in no time, but 'sensible driving' i.e. keeping to 30/40 limits is quite easy around town (I was worried about this) by not going above 4th. On the more open road, very responsive/willing in 4th, 5th & 6th even respecting the running in period. Surprises people as well!

IMHO a bit bouncy/twitchy at motorway speeds compared to my old Y reg Tdi Fabia. It does feel much more solid/grippy than the previous Tdi though despite that. Steering is light (I like it), wheel not as comfortable as it could be (I liked the Rover's with the thumb grips) and the stitching annoys.

Engine is much quieter, road noise I think is about the same as previous Fabia (both Fabias are noiser in that department than my old Rover 220D).

Squeaky noises from rear appear to be sorted now by dealer's mechanic armed with a pair of pilers & 'adjustment' to the rubber bits the folding rear seats rest on.

Hissy stereo at low/zero volume deemed acceptible, and as I only notice it when the engine is off and it's quiet outside the car have conceeded. Stereo sounds good otherwise, fantastic 24 hour monitor & record travel information function and volume adjust for car's speed icing on cake.

There appears to be less room for people in the back than the Tdi - perhaps the seats are bigger.

Miss the rear electric windows (the Tdi was an Elegance) as the wind batters the side of my head (if you opened the rear window a crack the airflow went in the back).

Need to get out of the habit of opening the door a crack at end of journey to switch on the interior light, as it now comes on when you remove the key from the ignition.

Ice warning now makes an aircraft cabin announcment style 'ping' and flashes the whole display - much more noticable than the old Fabia (which just flashed the LCD ice symbol a couple of times).

No oil used yet, and it's still 'green' on the dipstick. Dealer still adament that it's on variable service (must print out that other thread and show them!).

Manuals (still) could be better translated, obvious that Skoda isn't a UK firm.

It gets absolutely bloody fithy (it's black so what do I expect!), especially the rear end, in no time at all. When are mud flaps going to be available?

I know what you mean about the back getting filthy, I've washed mine twice in one week of ownership (and I have front mudflaps)

Rear mudflaps are available but they cost

Very good review there matey and a good round up of the car.

i do about 800 miles a week and usually wash it everyday. mines black as well and i will never buy black again!

usually wash it everyday

Where do you find the time?!?!? It takes me a good 3 hours of TLC... And this is with Swissols magic.

Miss the rear electric windows (the Tdi was an Elegance) as the wind batters the side of my head (if you opened the rear window a crack the airflow went in the back).

I've had the same and with a bit of shoulder dislocation and seat gymnastics (not THOSE sort) you can reach back and open the rear window a sliver.

it takes me 20 mins. cos it's so rotten in the morning. it's a right chore but it's a business car so it's got to be clean.

Rear mudflaps are available but they cost

Mudflaps or Cup holder/Elegance tray? I know what my preference is at the moment.

D

Actually I prefer the vRS's 'slot' to the slide tray I had in the old Elegance - I found it got in the way when out and also the plastic underneath was quite sharp (caught my hand on it once or twice!).

Mudflaps wont make a difference to getting a dirty back end (ooo err) the problem is when you drive, you create a low pressure area of air behind the car, which in turn creates a mini-vortex that pulls **** up off the road and in the air and drags it round behind the car until the vortex dissipates (ie you stop moving) the only place the dust can go is on the back of the car.

Mudflaps wont make a difference to getting a dirty back end (ooo err)

Hmm, but my old Tdi Fabia didn't get as grubby and that had mudflaps. Perhaps it's the fact the vRS has different rear bumper/spoiler that changes the aerodynamics. Oh and it accelerates faster as well, so maybe more chance of a vacuum forming behind

I forgot to mention in my thoughts at the beginning, the vRS seats are even more comfy than the previous Tdi Fabia, which were good. (this occurred to me on the drive to work this morning).

Mudflaps wont make a difference to getting a dirty back end (ooo err) the problem is when you drive, you create a low pressure area of air behind the car, which in turn creates a mini-vortex that pulls **** up off the road and in the air and drags it round behind the car until the vortex dissipates (ie you stop moving) the only place the dust can go is on the back of the car.

The rear will still get dirty, that's inevitable but rear mudflaps do reduce spray/dirt and therefore help keep the rear cleaner than without mudflaps.

The offset is the wheelarches take the brunt and require a good clean.

You're also protecting the car against stone chips that get kicked up by the wheels.

D

Does anyone know what the part number is for the rear mudflaps for the furby vrs is?

I'm going to the dealer tomorrow and want to ask about getting them.

We picked ours up last saturday and all I can say is wow. I have never owned a Turbo Diesel before and now owning one of these I am doubtful I will be going back to petrol again.

The pull in each gear is fantasic and will catch out alot of so called hot hatch's who have to drop down a gear to get in the torque band.

The car is comfortable in both front and back and the little extra's you get are well thought out, like the indicators, if you just flick them down and let go on most cars it would flash once, but with the fabia it flashes 3 times (small and silly but a nice touch). The boot has a microswitch on the handle so it opens effortlessly.

Over all this car is built well and it's very hard to find fault in it.

Rear mudflaps are available but they cost

standard hatch rear mudflaps are 6Y6821821AB41 (current one)

I don't about vRS specific ones, sorry. :(

Well' date=' for anyone interested I've penned some thoughts on first proper week of Fabia 'skateboard' vRS ownership - 506 miles.

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... rest of excellent report snipped.

Cracking report, maybe it belongs in the reviews section? Perhaps one of the forums gaffers can do that?

Dave