Hello all,

I have been reading this forum now for some time, both before and after purchasing my new Fabia 3 1.4 TDi 80, and would like to say that it has been most useful.

I purchased my new fabia on the 1st Jan 08 and took delivery of it on the 11th Jan. I went for the plain red with black interior, no optional extras, just a few accessories, boot liner, mud guards, sill protectors and boot slam panel protector. The same day I picked it up it went to get the rear windows tinted. I have to be honest it looks fantastic!

I had used the car for about 600 miles when I lost all power, the glowplug warning light started flashing and the maxidot lit up with 'Engine Fault, Visit Workshop' and a large yellow spanner.

Rather ironically I had driven past my skoda garage only 30 seconds earlier. The car would idle but I could get nothing else from it, so I spun it around and drove it back into the garage. The mechanic took it into the workshop and about 15 minutes later came out to tell me that the accelerator pedal was faulty?! I enquired how a piece of cable could develop a fault, I was informed that the pedal was electric and the sensor on it had failed.

So now without a car I asked the service guy if he had a hire car that I could have while it was being repaired. I was told that there was only one available for that day and I had to return it the next day. Which I did assuming that there would be another for me to take, there wasn't. They said that there would be a week delay waiting for a part and that there would be no car that I could use during this time. A little off put by this I began to lose my temper with the man who gave me no other viable option.

As a last resort I called skoda head office to voice my disgust, I spoke to a young lady who told me not to worry and that she would call me later. I got a call about 40 minutes later and she told me that she had arranged a third party hire car for the total duration of the repair of my car. Upon returning to the garage (smug look on) I was given a renault clio.

I got my car back about a week later due to the non-availability of the part and it works just as lovely as ever it did. So once again I am back to being a skoda 'manufactured happy driver'.

As a general overall experience of skoda, as I have never owned one before I am very suprised to the overall build quality and just general quality overall.

There are no rattles, squeaks, knocks or bangs

the 10 speaker 'Dance' stereo is absolutely fantastic,

steering is responsive,

road noise is very low,

pickup is great, there is no extra engine noise compared to a normal 4cyl diesel, considering it is a 3cyl diesel. I have also noticed that the gearbox is a lot tighter on the diesels none of the sloppiness that the petrol models have.

I do only have a few gripes.

1. The full beam headlights are absolute rubbish, like a candle in a jar.

2. The horn is like my neighbours dog chewing a squeaky bone.

3. The gutters on the roof are not deep enough, and allow water to run over the edge above the door opening getting the seat wet (obviously with the door open).

4. I am getting nowhere near the 68mpg combined economy promised in the sales brochure. More like 48-55mpg.

5. The brakes are a little spongey on occasion (rear drums not discs)

6. No confirmation light for the operation of the heated mirrors.

I also had problems with the boot seal being a little big, I always have to really slam the boot lid or the boot lid open light remains on and the car will not lock or arm the alarm. However this is getting better with use.

Overall, I am a convert, my next car will be a skoda!

I am more than pleased with what I have got for my money, although I cannot recommend the dealer and the sales brouchure was misleading.

I love my new skoda!

On the bulb front, you could try some uprated items from www.powerbulbs.co.uk. I can highly recommend the Philips Extreme +80% bulbs and from what I've read the Roomster only takes a single bulb and uses "smoke and mirrors" to switch between dipped and main beam....

Chris

There are no rattles, squeaks, knocks or bangs

the 10 speaker 'Dance' stereo is absolutely fantastic,

steering is responsive,

road noise is very low,

pickup is great, there is no extra engine noise compared to a normal 4cyl diesel, considering it is a 3cyl diesel. I have also noticed that the gearbox is a lot tighter on the diesels none of the sloppiness that the petrol models have.

I do only have a few gripes.

1. The full beam headlights are absolute rubbish, like a candle in a jar.

2. The horn is like my neighbours dog chewing a squeaky bone.

3. The gutters on the roof are not deep enough, and allow water to run over the edge above the door opening getting the seat wet (obviously with the door open).

4. I am getting nowhere near the 68mpg combined economy promised in the sales brochure. More like 48-55mpg.

5. The brakes are a little spongey on occasion (rear drums not discs)

6. No confirmation light for the operation of the heated mirrors.

Welcome

I went out in a 2 spec (albeit a 1.2 HTP, but I'm familar with the 1.4 TDI), and was very pleased with it - I'd gladly have one for a run about!

I was too pleasantly supprised with the Dance stero. I prefer the noise of the 3 cylinders, tbh...

As for your gripes:

1 - Yup, there are pleantfull supplies of decent bulbs out there, see your local motor factors

2 - Well.... yeah lol

3 - You're not driving fast enough to clear the roof lol - this is a problem with lots of cars

4 - You won't. Not ever, not no-how (to paraphrase the guard of the Emerald Palace). The Fabia vRS had a combined of lots, and I got 40 no matter how hard I tried to be frugal. Manufactuers MPG figures are "theoretical". I wouldn't say that 48-55 is bad though. Seems about par for the course!

5 - that's just how they are

6 - that's something that bugs me, I have to turn the stereo down and listen for the relay to click!

And lastly... welcome

I never noticed a click of the relay for the mirrors, I will have to listen for it. It is obvious they are working though, they clear rain and leave the obligatory water marks on the glass as evidence.

I also had a 1.2htp as a loan car while the dealer refitted the boot slam panel protector and found it far too easy to select reverse instead of 1st gear and the gear lever felt like a spoon in pudding, it had only done 2700 miles.

The moan I had about the brochure is that the pictures for the fabia 3 clearly shows a cd changer and ESP inside the car. I am sure they arent allowed to do that as they dont come as standard, also the website said that ESP and tyre pressure monitors were standard on the 3, which they arent.

1. The full beam headlights are absolute rubbish, like a candle in a jar.

2. The horn is like my neighbours dog chewing a squeaky bone.

3. The gutters on the roof are not deep enough, and allow water to run over the edge above the door opening getting the seat wet (obviously with the door open).

4. I am getting nowhere near the 68mpg combined economy promised in the sales brochure. More like 48-55mpg.

5. The brakes are a little spongey on occasion (rear drums not discs)

6. No confirmation light for the operation of the heated mirrors.

1) better bulbs will sort this - the standard ones in my octavia were crap as well.

2) Good luck with that.

3) You don't get that on the octavia - just a boot full of water.

4) It will depend a lot on how you drive it. To get the quoted figures you do need to drive with economy in mind. Wind and rain won't help either. More importantly though , the engine won't deliver it's best until it's well run in - at least 10k miles is needed and then you'll be at least 10% better off.

5) That might improve with time. The roomster I drove had cracking brakes.

6) Is that separately operated from the heated screen?

I also had a 1.2htp as a loan car while the dealer refitted the boot slam panel protector and found it far too easy to select reverse instead of 1st gear and the gear lever felt like a spoon in pudding, it had only done 2700 miles.

not a problem unless you lean on the stick imoa

The moan I had about the brochure is that the pictures for the fabia 3 clearly shows a cd changer and ESP inside the car. I am sure they arent allowed to do that as they dont come as standard, also the website said that ESP and tyre pressure monitors were standard on the 3, which they arent.

the brochure pictures also show a radio thats a lesser model to the dance on we get over here do you want that too? the pictures are reference points nothing more. theres always a disclaimer somewhere saying the pictures are for illustrative purposes only

not sure where you saw that info on esp and and TPM, ive looked through the last book and the new one and i cant see that anywhere :confused:

to the OP, get the boot checked out by your dealer. weve had a few that need aligning properly otherwise the boot needs to be slammed. my own demo suffered with it but after a bit of fiddling in the workshop its sorted.

also ive had a recent 1.4tdi that also had a intermitant problem with loosing power. im wondering if it could be the same problem! might go and ask in a sec

Yes true, as I am a HGV driver changing gear hundereds of times a day I tend to keep my hand on the gear lever, its just a matter of habit.

The pictures do show the 'Dance' head unit, but there is a cd changer under the glove box, and the ESP button on the dash, this is the same in all 3 of the brochures I have. I just took a look at the Škoda website, which is still advertising the fabia 3 with rear disc brakes, ESP and TPM as standard!!!

The dealer is reluctant to adjust the boot lid, he says that there is a tendancy for them to leak if they are messed with (just an excuse?).

If you are thinking about the accelerator pedal being a problem in your car, my car instantly knew there was a problem with the accelerator pedal, light flashing and beeps and pings all over the place!

Good Luck

6) Is that separately operated from the heated screen?

Yup the electric mirror switch has 4 positions, L, off, R, and heat, plus of course the movement joystick is part of the same switch.

The heated rear screen switch lights up orange when it is in operation, heated mirrors you get nothing..................??

There is a short lesson to be learned there - no matter how close to the dealer you are when you break down, never, ever drive it in. Always call Skoda Assist which then entitles you to onward travel including a car for three days.

The throttle pedal is a potentiometer, they do fail but not very often that I know of.

Yes true, as I am a HGV driver changing gear hundereds of times a day I tend to keep my hand on the gear lever, its just a matter of habit.

The pictures do show the 'Dance' head unit, but there is a cd changer under the glove box, and the ESP button on the dash, this is the same in all 3 of the brochures I have. I just took a look at the Škoda website, which is still advertising the fabia 3 with rear disc brakes, ESP and TPM as standard!!!

The dealer is reluctant to adjust the boot lid, he says that there is a tendancy for them to leak if they are messed with (just an excuse?).

If you are thinking about the accelerator pedal being a problem in your car, my car instantly knew there was a problem with the accelerator pedal, light flashing and beeps and pings all over the place!

Good Luck

ESP, Rear disks and TPM are standard on the 3, but only the 1.6 Tiptronic. So I guess technically they can say they are standard, but they should make it clear thats only for the range topping petrol

Yup the electric mirror switch has 4 positions, L, off, R, and heat, plus of course the movement joystick is part of the same switch.

The heated rear screen switch lights up orange when it is in operation, heated mirrors you get nothing..................??

It sounds like it's the same as the Octavia II - with the switch in the heated mirrors position it's not actually on and heating them , but works off the heated screen switch which *does* have a light.

If you had the mirror dial set to any of the other three positions then the heated screen with only do that and not the mirrors as well.

HTH

It sounds like it's the same as the Octavia II - with the switch in the heated mirrors position it's not actually on and heating them , but works off the heated screen switch which *does* have a light.

If you had the mirror dial set to any of the other three positions then the heated screen with only do that and not the mirrors as well.

HTH

My mirrors work independently of the rear screen heater, I can have them on on their own?!?!:confused:

There is a short lesson to be learned there - no matter how close to the dealer you are when you break down, never, ever drive it in. Always call Skoda Assist which then entitles you to onward travel including a car for three days.

The throttle pedal is a potentiometer, they do fail but not very often that I know of.

My dealer said that my car was the first breakdown they have had back from the new fabia series. <>:(

About the Skoda Assist, I did call them when my car broke down, they did say exactly that!! They also told me that this cover is extended to the whole of Europe too!

I got caught out a long time ago, thinking I was doing the right thing, just dropped by at the dealers and they then said I couldn't drive it until it was fixed.

You'll find that the headlights are not set up properly - far too low.

I asked for mine to be set correctly for height and spread as I do a lot of night driving. They assured me they had set them up but they hadn't.

A very kind MOT centre (Grange Moor Garage, Wakefield) did mine for free. The guy said they were too low and not set up for the horizontal.

Having them set up has made a very, very significant difference to both dip and main beam.

The headlights seem to be set up properly as the pattern cast on the ground is correct and the full beam spread is correct also, I just think the bulbs are inadequate.

What is anyones view on the HID Xenon bulb conversion kits that require ballasts and cost about £50??

i can't believe the horn hasn't been improved.it's rubbish on my mk1 fabia too !

Interesting on the MPG my Fiat Coupe always beats the Combined official 28mpg usually 30-32mpg and most of that is pretty pacey driving.

Seems that either your hooning about in it OR diesels capabilities on the MPG are overstated to encourage you to buy them as like for like they are more profitable than the petrol (maintenance) and higher purchase price.

Interesting on the MPG my Fiat Coupe always beats the Combined official 28mpg usually 30-32mpg and most of that is pretty pacey driving.

Seems that either your hooning about in it OR diesels capabilities on the MPG are overstated to encourage you to buy them as like for like they are more profitable than the petrol (maintenance) and higher purchase price.

give it a rest. diesels take 10-15k to loosen up. my 2.7 managed 30ish for first 8k then 35 for next 8 k now is avg of 37 with 46-47 on a long run possible.

no diesel will deliver "mfr figures" at such a low miles.. as for 32mpg from ther fiat you cleasrly drive it like a tart then.....

I get around 32-37mpg on my commute to work in my 1.8T Superb

Interesting on the MPG my Fiat Coupe always beats the Combined official 28mpg usually 30-32mpg and most of that is pretty pacey driving.

Seems that either your hooning about in it OR diesels capabilities on the MPG are overstated to encourage you to buy them as like for like they are more profitable than the petrol (maintenance) and higher purchase price.

To give you some idea on my driving style I have passed a course called SAFED (Safe and Fuel Efficient Driving), paid for by my boss to help him save money on his HGV fuel bills.

Needless to say with fuel prices as they are at the moment I can hardly afford to be booting it about all the time, I generally use the 1000 - 2000RPM range (2500 if I am feeling a bit excitable).

I will give it some time and a few more thousand miles (just passed 1500 today), I have spoken to the dealer who has told me that I should see an improvement at 3000 miles??

Time will tell............

ESP, Rear disks and TPM are standard on the 3, but only the 1.6 Tiptronic. So I guess technically they can say they are standard, but they should make it clear thats only for the range topping petrol

those specs are standard on either the level 2 or 3 fabia, as long as you have the 1.6 tiptronic

those specs are standard on either the level 2 or 3 fabia, as long as you have the 1.6 tiptronic

Yes I forgot it's on the 2 as well,

Quite strange really why the tiptronic comes with these (Expensive!) extras,

I can understand uprated brakes because it's an auto, so I guess the ESP a TPM comes with the rear disks?

Im not complaining:P just thought it was strange

I do an 80-mile round trip each day so my 1.4TD has just passed 14k and generally driving at the speed limit it will give a read out of about 50mpg. Drops a bit when you're going 70 - about 50mph seems to be the optimum speed so handy when I'm encouraged to drive at that speed by the lorry in front! Based on fuel bills it is an average of about 53mpg.