Bingy says Hi there

bingyp · 25-08-2005, 12:38

Hello everybody, it's very nice to be here.

My name is Paul and I'm an alcoh ... Damn, wrong group!!!

I am Paul Bingham and I live in Sheffield, Yorkshire, England. I work at the Northern General Hospital as a slave.

I joined this group a little while ago but have taken my time introducing myself. Maybe I would have stayed silent were it not for the screen nagging me to introduce myself

In June I bought a Fabia SDi Classic from Bickerton. Y reg 2001, Dynamic blue, FSH, 36000 miles, one owner,

I didn't get a very good deal on my old car, an Escort estate but I was glad to get rid as it was soooo expensive. High insurance and road tax but worst of all it drank like George Best on a stag-night. I had to get something cheaper to run.

Having had a diesel 306 previously, I had to get back to an oil-burner. As good as the Ford Zetec engine was, I much prefer the economy and flexibility of a diesel. But what to choose?

Having bought the Escort estate as a baby wagon, I found I didn't need all the space so was able to get a physically smaller car. The Fabia seemed a great idea as it has the economy, low insurance, lowish road tax, big for its class and great reviews, even on this forum!!

As Bickerton hadn't got an SDi in stock, I got one from group stock from Lincoln via Bickerton. Overall I think I got a good deal but could have been better. I suppose it is tricky to negotiate hard when you haven't got the car in front of you. A couple of minor blemishes were cured before handover and the required service carried out.

After two months of use, I am happy with the car but it isn't perfect.

Firstly the valetting was poor. Carpets/upholstery were cleaned ok but the compartments appear to have been ignored, I had to clean out the glove box and found a chocolate bar wrapper underneath the hand brake.

As I bought the car in June and it has been dry for most of the time, it took some time to discover that I have a problem with water ingress on the hatch. One day after heavy rain, I lifted the hatch to hear water noise and quite a bit of water coming from the grey inner hatch trim. It's done it since so next time it rains heavily I will return it to Bickerton and show them the waterfall

It seems that the doors are water tight. Not had much rain to check extensively.

I had a creak from the rear area which appears to have been cured by adjusting the back seat rubber stoppers, great advice discovered on these forums. Thanks guys! I also have an infrequent central dash creak which seems dependant on temperature and once again, thanks to the excellent advice from here I know how to cure that quirk.

The non-metallic paint is a bit of a mess really. Swirls and chips, a fault so common yet so annoying. Progress?? The old paints were tougher and resisted bird-poop better so why have we gone backwards?

Biggest complaint I have is that I didn't get a Comfort. I could have done with the A/C with all the hot weather we've had !!!

The car seems solid, is a lovely drive with a nice, easy, flexible engine which seems quite sprightly and is more than sufficient for my driving. Only tank full I've clocked returned over 50mpg so I am more than happy with that. Biggest shock was when I changed my insurance. Escort gp 7, Fabia gp 2 but worth more, I expected the usual 'there will be no/small charge for this change of details.' Instead I was told I was due a £37 refund for the remaining 6 months of my policy! Insurance company giving refunds!! I nearly needed hospital treatment! ;-) I use Frizzell with CSMA membership discount. I just wonder what my renewal figure will be.

I did have to get a new battery, not covered by Skoda warranty, unsurprisingly. Annoying but understandable. That's the third car I've had to put a new battery on shortly after purchase. If this one lasts 4 years then I'll be happy.

One query/concern I have. Apart from the diesel engine rattles, there is a ticking-type noise from the engine that changes with engine speed. Similar volume to engine rattle. It doesn't sound nasty could even be described as soothing but I don't know if all SDi units should sound like that or if I have a problem. I would hope that if there had been a fault then the service and PDI would have discovered it. Can any of you experts identify this sound from my vague-ish description?

Any how, I think I've bored you all enough as it is so I'll close.

I hope that I will be able to contribute something positive to this forum though compared to some on here, I am a totally ignorant novice. I do think the internet is amazing and that a forum such as this is just sooooo fantastic. Advice, humour, companionship, real help, meets. Makes old style owners clubs seem a little dated. A pleasure to be here.

**VRStu** · 25-08-2005, 12:42

Welcome to Briskoda.

I'm sure you will continue to uncover little snippets of info whilst browsing around - I do!!

lozgti · 25-08-2005, 15:30

Welcome!

kenny · 25-08-2005, 19:24

welcome

***DGW*** · 25-08-2005, 19:34

Welcome from me too.

ChrisRs · 25-08-2005, 20:13

Watcha Paul. Look forward to your contributions

150HP&counting · 26-08-2005, 08:46

Welcome Paul mate - a fellow sheffield'er here (in fact you're working not too far from where i live

)

bingyp · 26-08-2005, 17:16

That's good cos I work not too far from where I live !!

Will keep my eyes open for any other Skoda, as always but especially Black Magic Octavias!!

150HP&counting · 31-08-2005, 09:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by bingyp

That's good cos I work not too far from where I live !!

Will keep my eyes open for any other Skoda, as always but especially Black Magic Octavias!!

Think the first thing you will see are my new 18" alloys

My g/f works down at the N.General too(herries rd side), so may see you as i tend to be the one picking her up/ dropping her off at times!

25-08-2005, 12:38	#1
bingyp Briskodian Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Sheffield, UK Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Bingy says Hi there Hello everybody, it's very nice to be here. My name is Paul and I'm an alcoh ... Damn, wrong group!!! I am Paul Bingham and I live in Sheffield, Yorkshire, England. I work at the Northern General Hospital as a slave. I joined this group a little while ago but have taken my time introducing myself. Maybe I would have stayed silent were it not for the screen nagging me to introduce myself In June I bought a Fabia SDi Classic from Bickerton. Y reg 2001, Dynamic blue, FSH, 36000 miles, one owner, I didn't get a very good deal on my old car, an Escort estate but I was glad to get rid as it was soooo expensive. High insurance and road tax but worst of all it drank like George Best on a stag-night. I had to get something cheaper to run. Having had a diesel 306 previously, I had to get back to an oil-burner. As good as the Ford Zetec engine was, I much prefer the economy and flexibility of a diesel. But what to choose? Having bought the Escort estate as a baby wagon, I found I didn't need all the space so was able to get a physically smaller car. The Fabia seemed a great idea as it has the economy, low insurance, lowish road tax, big for its class and great reviews, even on this forum!! As Bickerton hadn't got an SDi in stock, I got one from group stock from Lincoln via Bickerton. Overall I think I got a good deal but could have been better. I suppose it is tricky to negotiate hard when you haven't got the car in front of you. A couple of minor blemishes were cured before handover and the required service carried out. After two months of use, I am happy with the car but it isn't perfect. Firstly the valetting was poor. Carpets/upholstery were cleaned ok but the compartments appear to have been ignored, I had to clean out the glove box and found a chocolate bar wrapper underneath the hand brake. As I bought the car in June and it has been dry for most of the time, it took some time to discover that I have a problem with water ingress on the hatch. One day after heavy rain, I lifted the hatch to hear water noise and quite a bit of water coming from the grey inner hatch trim. It's done it since so next time it rains heavily I will return it to Bickerton and show them the waterfall It seems that the doors are water tight. Not had much rain to check extensively. I had a creak from the rear area which appears to have been cured by adjusting the back seat rubber stoppers, great advice discovered on these forums. Thanks guys! I also have an infrequent central dash creak which seems dependant on temperature and once again, thanks to the excellent advice from here I know how to cure that quirk. The non-metallic paint is a bit of a mess really. Swirls and chips, a fault so common yet so annoying. Progress?? The old paints were tougher and resisted bird-poop better so why have we gone backwards? Biggest complaint I have is that I didn't get a Comfort. I could have done with the A/C with all the hot weather we've had !!! The car seems solid, is a lovely drive with a nice, easy, flexible engine which seems quite sprightly and is more than sufficient for my driving. Only tank full I've clocked returned over 50mpg so I am more than happy with that. Biggest shock was when I changed my insurance. Escort gp 7, Fabia gp 2 but worth more, I expected the usual 'there will be no/small charge for this change of details.' Instead I was told I was due a £37 refund for the remaining 6 months of my policy! Insurance company giving refunds!! I nearly needed hospital treatment! ;-) I use Frizzell with CSMA membership discount. I just wonder what my renewal figure will be. I did have to get a new battery, not covered by Skoda warranty, unsurprisingly. Annoying but understandable. That's the third car I've had to put a new battery on shortly after purchase. If this one lasts 4 years then I'll be happy. One query/concern I have. Apart from the diesel engine rattles, there is a ticking-type noise from the engine that changes with engine speed. Similar volume to engine rattle. It doesn't sound nasty could even be described as soothing but I don't know if all SDi units should sound like that or if I have a problem. I would hope that if there had been a fault then the service and PDI would have discovered it. Can any of you experts identify this sound from my vague-ish description? Any how, I think I've bored you all enough as it is so I'll close. I hope that I will be able to contribute something positive to this forum though compared to some on here, I am a totally ignorant novice. I do think the internet is amazing and that a forum such as this is just sooooo fantastic. Advice, humour, companionship, real help, meets. Makes old style owners clubs seem a little dated. A pleasure to be here.

25-08-2005, 12:42	#2
VRStu Briskoda Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Hampshire Posts: 19,839 Thanks: 90 Thanked 858 Times in 773 Posts	Welcome to Briskoda. I'm sure you will continue to uncover little snippets of info whilst browsing around - I do!! __________________ Stu - Freedom Pimp Stu's Websites - http://www.fabia-vrs.com & http://www.octavia-vrs.com Stu's Car - 2007 Octavia vRS, Race Blue, Xenons, Columbus Navigation, Rear Parking Sensors, Maxi Dot, Light Assist, Jumbo Box, 18" Alloys, Stu's Cruise Control & OEM Integrated Bluetooth Telephone. SWMBO's Car - 2008 Seat LEON TDi Stylance, Black Magic, Sports Pack, Rear Parking Sensors. Something for Weekend - 2002 Lotus Elise RaceTech, Gunmetal, Radio, Carpet Mats.

25-08-2005, 19:24	#4
kenny Briskodian Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Scotland Posts: 3,795 Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	welcome __________________ Ive seen a lot of good things die and im in an over emotional way So please hand me the bottle I think im lonely now, and please give me direction I think the hurt has set in, and I don’t feel nothing

25-08-2005, 19:34	#5
*DGW* BRISKODA Staff Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Cambridgeshire Posts: 17,042 Thanks: 46 Thanked 154 Times in 115 Posts	Welcome from me too. __________________ Denis 2002 Octavia 1.8T 4X4 turbo Estate - rebreathed on by Jabba ... 31.93mpg 2007 Fabia vRS - CC, ESP, Jabba rear ARB, and full leather trim by Seat Surgeons ...48.01 mpg...

26-08-2005, 08:46	#7
150HP&counting Briskodian Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Sheffield UK Posts: 793 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Welcome Paul mate - a fellow sheffield'er here (in fact you're working not too far from where i live ) __________________ Blk Magic Octy (Not quite a VRS) L&K,Climate,Heated leather,Cruise,Xenons,Clifford G5 w/Proximity (Cat1&2), DiskLok (Cat 3) MODS(so far): Custom Code Phase II JBS-Forge-007P DV, Forge/Samco TIP, 18" Ace 205's, ABD/JBS CAI (*Wooosh), Audi TT 312mm Brakes PLANNED: Full Miltek Exhaust, FMIC, and then More Custom Code Tweaking by James

25-08-2005, 15:30	#3
lozgti Briskodian Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: midlands Posts: 5,616 Thanks: 9 Thanked 8 Times in 8 Posts	Welcome!

25-08-2005, 20:13	#6
ChrisRs Skonda Fabic Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 4,978 Thanks: 17 Thanked 20 Times in 19 Posts	Watcha Paul. Look forward to your contributions

26-08-2005, 17:16	#8
bingyp Briskodian Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Sheffield, UK Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	That's good cos I work not too far from where I live !! Will keep my eyes open for any other Skoda, as always but especially Black Magic Octavias!! Last edited by bingyp; 26-08-2005 at 17:17.

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