2005 skoda fabia vrs
Discussion
No pictures but I'm converted on winter tyres. So much grip and the braking performance is another level. It was a enforced change but I'm not going to get my missus car a set of winter wheels and tyres too now.
Heater speed 1 has given up so pretty sure it'll need a resistor pack. And I've chucked a new set of bosch wipers on it.
So all in all still going, still Economical and still costing peanuts to run.
It has got a big bill looming though as the clutch is showing signs of wear and the top end could do with a refresh ideally.
Heater speed 1 has given up so pretty sure it'll need a resistor pack. And I've chucked a new set of bosch wipers on it.
So all in all still going, still Economical and still costing peanuts to run.
It has got a big bill looming though as the clutch is showing signs of wear and the top end could do with a refresh ideally.
Ste372 said:
No pictures but I'm converted on winter tyres. So much grip and the braking performance is another level. It was a enforced change but I'm not going to get my missus car a set of winter wheels and tyres too now.
Told you! 
I’ll never forget the missus getting her first set of winters on her vRS. I got in the car, and she then did a full emergency stop on snow / ice to prove the grip levels.
Maybe we should make them mandatory for certain parts of the year like other countries. Even if it doesn't snow they will still help. I'm not saying its going to cure everyone's problems but the fact of the matter is I was going past much more capable machinery last night. Weather that was down to pure luck, driver experience I don't know. But I do believe the winter tyres helped me out enormously with grip levels
Ste372 said:
Maybe we should make them mandatory for certain parts of the year like other countries. Even if it doesn't snow they will still help. I'm not saying its going to cure everyone's problems but the fact of the matter is I was going past much more capable machinery last night. Weather that was down to pure luck, driver experience I don't know. But I do believe the winter tyres helped me out enormously with grip levels
No doubt however I honestly don't think its worth it for 90% of people 90% of the time, I have managed to get everywhere on summer tyres with no accidents or near misses.My wife cannot actually get to her work as roads are closed so I would have spent £200 on winter tyres for them to be sat outside my house for the last 4 days. I know they help in the cold and wet however I just drive to the conditions allowing extra distances and reducing speeds!
joshcowin said:
Ste372 said:
Maybe we should make them mandatory for certain parts of the year like other countries. Even if it doesn't snow they will still help. I'm not saying its going to cure everyone's problems but the fact of the matter is I was going past much more capable machinery last night. Weather that was down to pure luck, driver experience I don't know. But I do believe the winter tyres helped me out enormously with grip levels
No doubt however I honestly don't think its worth it for 90% of people 90% of the time, I have managed to get everywhere on summer tyres with no accidents or near misses.My wife cannot actually get to her work as roads are closed so I would have spent £200 on winter tyres for them to be sat outside my house for the last 4 days. I know they help in the cold and wet however I just drive to the conditions allowing extra distances and reducing speeds!
Don't really want to derail this Reader's Cars thread as there are plenty of pro / anti winter tyre threads on PH.
Time for another update I have had little spare time of late. Family life takes over when I finish work. The car is performing brilliantly lately. I have been doing little bits and pieces slowly gathering parts to fit as and when I can.
A cv boot was advised on last mot I have been keeping an eye on it and it started to leak grease last week. A genuine cv boot kit from tps was £19 and comes with new clips and hub nut. No brainer for me so much tougher than the aftermarket micky mouse stuff.
Ordered a genuine fuel filter aswell while they had a service parts promotion on. Came to around £16. It was more for a decent aftermarket make. Just goes to show its always worth a call to get a price on genuine parts.
No pictures as I was too busy flicking cv grease everywhere. Nice messy job.
I bought a cup holder that replaces the ashtray a whole back. I chucked it in my boot and completely forgot about it. Came across it yesterday so chucked it in.
When the car rolled off the production line. They had a cubby hole under passenger seat unless a CD changer was fitted in its place. Then there was a cubby hole under the drivers side instead. I wanted this but no longer available from tps had to out the feelers out on briskoda came up trumps need to fit this weekend
Another addition to the interior is the retrofit cruise control kit. Arrived today from tps cost me £62 and will be fitted soon
Noticed the light output is shocking. The car had hids fitted when I bought it and although bright it was scattered everywhere. I needed a different solution so have bought the necessary parts to convert the halogen lights to run bi xenon projectors. I didn't want to run hids as the cheap kits are unreliable so looked into other options. Nighteye led headlight bulbs are getting rave reviews so I am modifying the projectors to accommodate the led bulbs. I also plan to run usdm kit which will use the indicators as sidelights.
I have various other bits to fit. I'll update as and when I can. Life seems to get in the way a awful lot these days. Free time is mostly taken up spending as time and attention on my two sons.
A cv boot was advised on last mot I have been keeping an eye on it and it started to leak grease last week. A genuine cv boot kit from tps was £19 and comes with new clips and hub nut. No brainer for me so much tougher than the aftermarket micky mouse stuff.
Ordered a genuine fuel filter aswell while they had a service parts promotion on. Came to around £16. It was more for a decent aftermarket make. Just goes to show its always worth a call to get a price on genuine parts.
No pictures as I was too busy flicking cv grease everywhere. Nice messy job.
I bought a cup holder that replaces the ashtray a whole back. I chucked it in my boot and completely forgot about it. Came across it yesterday so chucked it in.
When the car rolled off the production line. They had a cubby hole under passenger seat unless a CD changer was fitted in its place. Then there was a cubby hole under the drivers side instead. I wanted this but no longer available from tps had to out the feelers out on briskoda came up trumps need to fit this weekend
Another addition to the interior is the retrofit cruise control kit. Arrived today from tps cost me £62 and will be fitted soon
Noticed the light output is shocking. The car had hids fitted when I bought it and although bright it was scattered everywhere. I needed a different solution so have bought the necessary parts to convert the halogen lights to run bi xenon projectors. I didn't want to run hids as the cheap kits are unreliable so looked into other options. Nighteye led headlight bulbs are getting rave reviews so I am modifying the projectors to accommodate the led bulbs. I also plan to run usdm kit which will use the indicators as sidelights.
I have various other bits to fit. I'll update as and when I can. Life seems to get in the way a awful lot these days. Free time is mostly taken up spending as time and attention on my two sons.
Podie said:
The cup holder that drops from the radio is a good one - but not cheap.
The alternative was a VW Polo one that fits under the radio.
I bought the one that drops down and unfolds, then lost it!! Only got it for £5 the one I currently have installed is broken.The alternative was a VW Polo one that fits under the radio.
I am lucky however to have bought a car with heated seats, 6 cd changer, cruise, xenon's and sunroof, didn't realise at the time that these items were not standard!
Josh- I'm slowly hunting down the optional extras i feel would be a good upgrade. I've done the leather, fitting the cruise and doing my own version of the xenons.
Ill be updating the headunit when I get around to it. Probably go some sort of android double din, uprated speakers, underseat small sub.
Having said all that. I'm on the trail of a turbo'd suzuki ignis sport which would make for a interesting commute albeit rather more expensive
Ill be updating the headunit when I get around to it. Probably go some sort of android double din, uprated speakers, underseat small sub.
Having said all that. I'm on the trail of a turbo'd suzuki ignis sport which would make for a interesting commute albeit rather more expensive
Still running the winter tyres. Getting in great with them. Still mot decided on which alloys to buy so they'll stay on for the foreseeable at present. Few more bits and pieces have turned up.
Genuine cupra splitter
Egr delete
Mk3 ibiza heater controls (knobs being nicked for the skoda)
Bought a buffer to aid with my growing interest in modifying/cleaning/restoring headlights
Couple of offers in cleaning products so thought I'd see how good they are
The parts to fit shelf is getting a bit busy at the minute. As per loads of ideas, loads of parts zero time!
The next update is the headlights they are now done and fitted into the car. They deserve their own update as I'm really really pleased with how they have turned out. The looks, the performance is everything I wanted.
Genuine cupra splitter
Egr delete
Mk3 ibiza heater controls (knobs being nicked for the skoda)
Bought a buffer to aid with my growing interest in modifying/cleaning/restoring headlights
Couple of offers in cleaning products so thought I'd see how good they are
The parts to fit shelf is getting a bit busy at the minute. As per loads of ideas, loads of parts zero time!
The next update is the headlights they are now done and fitted into the car. They deserve their own update as I'm really really pleased with how they have turned out. The looks, the performance is everything I wanted.
Headlight upgrade
Been a gripe of mine since buying it. The standard lights are gash. There is oem xenons available but second hand units pull a premium. This is a budget build.
I picked up a couple sets of used lights for pennies to use as a base. Ordered some bits and pieces off ebay been building them up over a couple of nights. Spare hour here and there.
Few details. I was hesitant to run hids as I'll be running a cheap kit which usually turn out to be unreliable and the wiring is difficult to make it look neat and tidy. I've been seeing good reviews on the led nighteye bulbs but people were complaining of scatter and blinding oncoming drivers.
Decided to fit the night eyes in the projector housing which was a disaster the bulbs are bulkier. Only option was to grind away the projector housing to accommodate the bulbs. Using led bulbs mean it's plug and play wiring wise
Next problem the projectors cover the sidelights. I've fited a us module so indicators double up as sidelights then flash when needed.
The lens have been wetsanded and polished up now. There is a few marks but overall I'm happy.
Total cost was £70. Used xenons fetch £200 so result.
Beam level needs setting up in work on Tuesday but I'm really really happy with the finished article
Been a gripe of mine since buying it. The standard lights are gash. There is oem xenons available but second hand units pull a premium. This is a budget build.
I picked up a couple sets of used lights for pennies to use as a base. Ordered some bits and pieces off ebay been building them up over a couple of nights. Spare hour here and there.
Few details. I was hesitant to run hids as I'll be running a cheap kit which usually turn out to be unreliable and the wiring is difficult to make it look neat and tidy. I've been seeing good reviews on the led nighteye bulbs but people were complaining of scatter and blinding oncoming drivers.
Decided to fit the night eyes in the projector housing which was a disaster the bulbs are bulkier. Only option was to grind away the projector housing to accommodate the bulbs. Using led bulbs mean it's plug and play wiring wise
Next problem the projectors cover the sidelights. I've fited a us module so indicators double up as sidelights then flash when needed.
The lens have been wetsanded and polished up now. There is a few marks but overall I'm happy.
Total cost was £70. Used xenons fetch £200 so result.
Beam level needs setting up in work on Tuesday but I'm really really happy with the finished article
Another weekend another update.
The aims have been checked and adjusted now. Very pleased. I'll hold my hands up I just clicked cheapest listing in eBay and ordered the bulbs. I've bought 8000 lumens output. Not the end of the world but they'll be replaced by 10k lumens in the winter time.
This weekend consisted of swapping out the deteriorated wing mirror glasses. I've go for the blue tinted mk4 glass. Needed to extend the heated mirror wiring but otherwise a straight fit
Next up was fitting the drivers side underseat storage unit I'd got hold of. Again pretty straight forward just had to unbolt the seat and tilt back so I could get access to the screws
Lastly was to fit the chavtastic wind deflectors. I like to have a little fresh air when I'm driving but hate getting drops of rain and wind noise. So hoping fitting these will stop those problems. I may remove the rear ones as I'm not keen on them at all.
Planned to do the fuel filter today but the clips are very rusty and I've not got any spare clips hanging around so I'll pull that off in work tomorrow. Check the condition of the other hoses.
Still got the rack ends and track rod end to do so I can get a full alignment done.
Couple of other small plans for the interior are being set in motion. Cupra steering wheel is being refurbed and modifying the heater dials to accept some mk3 seat ibiza units
The aims have been checked and adjusted now. Very pleased. I'll hold my hands up I just clicked cheapest listing in eBay and ordered the bulbs. I've bought 8000 lumens output. Not the end of the world but they'll be replaced by 10k lumens in the winter time.
This weekend consisted of swapping out the deteriorated wing mirror glasses. I've go for the blue tinted mk4 glass. Needed to extend the heated mirror wiring but otherwise a straight fit
Next up was fitting the drivers side underseat storage unit I'd got hold of. Again pretty straight forward just had to unbolt the seat and tilt back so I could get access to the screws
Lastly was to fit the chavtastic wind deflectors. I like to have a little fresh air when I'm driving but hate getting drops of rain and wind noise. So hoping fitting these will stop those problems. I may remove the rear ones as I'm not keen on them at all.
Planned to do the fuel filter today but the clips are very rusty and I've not got any spare clips hanging around so I'll pull that off in work tomorrow. Check the condition of the other hoses.
Still got the rack ends and track rod end to do so I can get a full alignment done.
Couple of other small plans for the interior are being set in motion. Cupra steering wheel is being refurbed and modifying the heater dials to accept some mk3 seat ibiza units
Ticked over 120k miles now. Purchased at around 116k miles. Will be doing another oil and filter change very soon.
My auto lights switch has turned up so will pull the dash apart to fit that. Ebay Chinese special already modified for auto/coming home lights.
The wind deflectors despite their horrible appearance are doing exactly what they're supposed to.
Still need to fit fuel filter, rack ends and tracking adjustment. Tracking is spot on (steering is out of alignment) and the flywheel has started a very slight judder at idle every now and again. (previous owner said clutch would slip every now and then) so it's time to replace those. I'm swaying towards the valeo smf conversion kit at present with a sachs/luk slave.
I was so close to selling for a impreza wrx estate as I could do with the extra room. But I'll continue on with the fabia as it really does cost buttons to run. I've decided I miss my old ignis sport greatly and am now on the lookout for one to use as a weekend/track car. I'll probably upload some pictures tomorrow as it really needs a clean and the fuel filter doing.
My auto lights switch has turned up so will pull the dash apart to fit that. Ebay Chinese special already modified for auto/coming home lights.
The wind deflectors despite their horrible appearance are doing exactly what they're supposed to.
Still need to fit fuel filter, rack ends and tracking adjustment. Tracking is spot on (steering is out of alignment) and the flywheel has started a very slight judder at idle every now and again. (previous owner said clutch would slip every now and then) so it's time to replace those. I'm swaying towards the valeo smf conversion kit at present with a sachs/luk slave.
I was so close to selling for a impreza wrx estate as I could do with the extra room. But I'll continue on with the fabia as it really does cost buttons to run. I've decided I miss my old ignis sport greatly and am now on the lookout for one to use as a weekend/track car. I'll probably upload some pictures tomorrow as it really needs a clean and the fuel filter doing.
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