VRS buying help!

colonel-shoe · 10-07-2006, 08:44

Hi,
I joined a while a go, but this is my first post. here goes..
Im selling my beloved 206 gti soon and i intend to replace it with a fabia vrs (a good swap i think). Before I do Id like to know if there is anything vrs specific I should be asking about when i look at the car i.e stuff known to wear out fast or go wrong on a vrs. Ill probably be looking at a 2003 model with 40-50k on the clock if that helps. are there any issues i should know about?

cheers in advance.

cheezemonkhai · 10-07-2006, 13:15

You need to know if it has been modified as the car is very hard to insure if it has been modified.

Above that I think you will need to wait for some fabia owners to come and let you know.

colonel-shoe · 10-07-2006, 14:09

cheers, I should have said that id be aiming for an un-modified car.

there must be some issues I should be watchful for, just having a brief look at this forum and im seeing 'stuttering' or 'seat cover wear'

Neily03 · 10-07-2006, 14:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by colonel-shoe

cheers, I should have said that id be aiming for an un-modified car.

there must be some issues I should be watchful for, just having a brief look at this forum and im seeing 'stuttering' or 'seat cover wear'

The 'stuttering' only applies to cars built after October 2005.

Leaking rear doors i a common one.

Greybeard · 10-07-2006, 21:41

Check for

All these are minor niggles:-

Leaking tailgate struts
Creaking front drivers seat
Ticking noise from heater fan
Blocked pollen filter
Ring shaped marks on windscreen glass when it mists up
Vibrating gear lever
Blocked/loose/missing screenwash nozzles
Light seat fabric gets grubby quickly

Door leaks and anti roll bar bushes knocking are more annoying, seat wear can be issue.

Check all the electrical toys and features work, check rims for damage or kerbing and bonnet in particular for stone chip damage. Front fog/driving light lenses can crack or sustain damage from stones.

All the above pale to insignificance when you drive it, but worth checking at point of sale. I'll buy another after this one.

colonel-shoe · 11-07-2006, 09:11

thanks for that comprehensive list.
I presume leaking tailgate struts means it puts oil everywhere.
Where is the pollen filter located, so i can check this and is it obvious when it gets blocked?
I was concerned about the fabric seats, are they easily cleanable?
They leaky doors thing doesnt sound too hot, is that a really common problem? are skoda aware of it? is it solvable. Not sure i like the idea of a wet interior.
Im not so bothered about the other stuff, creaks, knocks and ticking im used too. I do own a 206 you know lol

Sorry to be a pain, Im definately buying one, i just want to give myself a fighting chance of getting one in good condition.

Still cant believe im making the switch to diesel, must have had a knock to the head

Schern · 11-07-2006, 11:14

Wouldn't the ring shaped marks just be caused by stuff being stuck there with suction cups? A good clean should get rid of them.

chas · 11-07-2006, 11:27

the rear leaks are easily fixed by the dealer, the seats can get grubby but can be cleaned quite easily, i found the fabric on the seats very poor though, very prone to bobbling(especially the front drivers seat bolsters). I was fed up with the seat material so i had leather fitted and its much better.

The condensation left by the air con is more common in the winter and is common with most cars with air con, just use a rag to wipe the windscreen, or in the last 5 mins of your journey switch the air con off and open your window slightly to allow the moisture in the car to escape.

Great car though and all cars have minnor niggles, mine has but i still love it.

mr barearse · 11-07-2006, 11:42

the rear door leaks you could fix yourself for £20

Neily03 · 11-07-2006, 11:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schern

Wouldn't the ring shaped marks just be caused by stuff being stuck there with suction cups? A good clean should get rid of them.

Yes.

colonel-shoe · 11-07-2006, 13:20

i bet the full leather sports seats cost a packet lol

how would i fix the door leaks for 20 quid then, does it just need new rubber lining?

chas · 11-07-2006, 13:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by colonel-shoe

i bet the full leather sports seats cost a packet lol

how would i fix the door leaks for 20 quid then, does it just need new rubber lining?

got the leather fitted at the seat surgeons see http://www.fabia-vrs.com/gallery_7.htm quite a few on here got it done and it does make a difference.

mr barearse · 11-07-2006, 14:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by colonel-shoe

i bet the full leather sports seats cost a packet lol

how would i fix the door leaks for 20 quid then, does it just need new rubber lining?

yes the foam on the inside of the door carrier needs replacing with a sealing cord which you can get from skoda for £20 a box there is a guide on how to fix it in the guides & how to's section on the left hand side of the screen

colonel-shoe · 11-07-2006, 16:20

cheers guys this info is very useful, those leather interiors look fantastic, should be standard. Thats a mod worth saving for i think

Now excuse my ignorance, but i have never owned a diesel (still cant believe im going to buy one). what are the major things that need replacing and after how many miles, just so I can check their service history with a fine tooth comb.
I know from experience, that just cos theyve got a full service history doesnt mean they got the important things sorted out.

cheers for being patient

Greybeard · 11-07-2006, 20:51

Biggest most important is the camshaft timing belt at 60k. Although the service schedules might say later, good idea to make sure its changed if you buy near the 60-80k mark. A few hundred pounds well invested unless you are absolutely convinced it was changed before you bought it.

Change oil every 10k or before and fuel filters to schedule. I think thats about it for the major league stuff until you reach starship mileage but even then modern diesels can go 200k plus with just the routine schedules if looked after.

The pollen filter is shown very clearly on a recent post.

EDIT - see here
http://www.briskoda.net/forums/fabia...-filter/57349/

colonel-shoe · 12-07-2006, 08:28

all i can say is thanks very much for everyones help.

I look forward to becoming a skoda owner and an active member of these forums

10-07-2006, 08:44	#1
colonel-shoe Briskodian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: oxfordshire Posts: 63 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	VRS buying help! Hi, I joined a while a go, but this is my first post. here goes.. Im selling my beloved 206 gti soon and i intend to replace it with a fabia vrs (a good swap i think). Before I do Id like to know if there is anything vrs specific I should be asking about when i look at the car i.e stuff known to wear out fast or go wrong on a vrs. Ill probably be looking at a 2003 model with 40-50k on the clock if that helps. are there any issues i should know about? cheers in advance.

10-07-2006, 13:15	#2
cheezemonkhai Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 13,753 Thanks: 77 Thanked 340 Times in 314 Posts	Re: VRS buying help! You need to know if it has been modified as the car is very hard to insure if it has been modified. Above that I think you will need to wait for some fabia owners to come and let you know. __________________ Cars make CO2 and trees absorb CO2. By driving your car you're feeding a tree and helping the environment.

10-07-2006, 14:09	#3
colonel-shoe Briskodian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: oxfordshire Posts: 63 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: VRS buying help! cheers, I should have said that id be aiming for an un-modified car. there must be some issues I should be watchful for, just having a brief look at this forum and im seeing 'stuttering' or 'seat cover wear'

10-07-2006, 21:41	#5
Greybeard Torquesurfer Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Bournemouth, Dorset Posts: 117 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: VRS buying help! Check for All these are minor niggles:- Leaking tailgate struts Creaking front drivers seat Ticking noise from heater fan Blocked pollen filter Ring shaped marks on windscreen glass when it mists up Vibrating gear lever Blocked/loose/missing screenwash nozzles Light seat fabric gets grubby quickly Door leaks and anti roll bar bushes knocking are more annoying, seat wear can be issue. Check all the electrical toys and features work, check rims for damage or kerbing and bonnet in particular for stone chip damage. Front fog/driving light lenses can crack or sustain damage from stones. All the above pale to insignificance when you drive it, but worth checking at point of sale. I'll buy another after this one. __________________ GB Corrida Red 05 Fabia vRS

11-07-2006, 09:11	#6
colonel-shoe Briskodian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: oxfordshire Posts: 63 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: VRS buying help! thanks for that comprehensive list. I presume leaking tailgate struts means it puts oil everywhere. Where is the pollen filter located, so i can check this and is it obvious when it gets blocked? I was concerned about the fabric seats, are they easily cleanable? They leaky doors thing doesnt sound too hot, is that a really common problem? are skoda aware of it? is it solvable. Not sure i like the idea of a wet interior. Im not so bothered about the other stuff, creaks, knocks and ticking im used too. I do own a 206 you know lol Sorry to be a pain, Im definately buying one, i just want to give myself a fighting chance of getting one in good condition. Still cant believe im making the switch to diesel, must have had a knock to the head

11-07-2006, 11:14	#7
Schern Apocalypse=Now Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Peterborough Posts: 665 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Re: VRS buying help! Wouldn't the ring shaped marks just be caused by stuff being stuck there with suction cups? A good clean should get rid of them. __________________

11-07-2006, 11:27	#8
chas Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 288 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: VRS buying help! the rear leaks are easily fixed by the dealer, the seats can get grubby but can be cleaned quite easily, i found the fabric on the seats very poor though, very prone to bobbling(especially the front drivers seat bolsters). I was fed up with the seat material so i had leather fitted and its much better. The condensation left by the air con is more common in the winter and is common with most cars with air con, just use a rag to wipe the windscreen, or in the last 5 mins of your journey switch the air con off and open your window slightly to allow the moisture in the car to escape. Great car though and all cars have minnor niggles, mine has but i still love it.

11-07-2006, 11:42	#9
mr barearse Briskodian Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 198 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: VRS buying help! the rear door leaks you could fix yourself for £20 __________________ 2001 FANTASY GREEN SKODA FABIA F.T.M

11-07-2006, 13:20	#11
colonel-shoe Briskodian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: oxfordshire Posts: 63 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: VRS buying help! i bet the full leather sports seats cost a packet lol how would i fix the door leaks for 20 quid then, does it just need new rubber lining?

11-07-2006, 16:20	#14
colonel-shoe Briskodian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: oxfordshire Posts: 63 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: VRS buying help! cheers guys this info is very useful, those leather interiors look fantastic, should be standard. Thats a mod worth saving for i think Now excuse my ignorance, but i have never owned a diesel (still cant believe im going to buy one). what are the major things that need replacing and after how many miles, just so I can check their service history with a fine tooth comb. I know from experience, that just cos theyve got a full service history doesnt mean they got the important things sorted out. cheers for being patient

11-07-2006, 20:51	#15
Greybeard Torquesurfer Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Bournemouth, Dorset Posts: 117 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: VRS buying help! Biggest most important is the camshaft timing belt at 60k. Although the service schedules might say later, good idea to make sure its changed if you buy near the 60-80k mark. A few hundred pounds well invested unless you are absolutely convinced it was changed before you bought it. Change oil every 10k or before and fuel filters to schedule. I think thats about it for the major league stuff until you reach starship mileage but even then modern diesels can go 200k plus with just the routine schedules if looked after. The pollen filter is shown very clearly on a recent post. EDIT - see here http://www.briskoda.net/forums/fabia...-filter/57349/ __________________ GB Corrida Red 05 Fabia vRS Last edited by Greybeard; 11-07-2006 at 20:55.

12-07-2006, 08:28	#16
colonel-shoe Briskodian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: oxfordshire Posts: 63 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: VRS buying help! all i can say is thanks very much for everyones help. I look forward to becoming a skoda owner and an active member of these forums

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