2011 Skoda Fabia vRS Estate 1.4 TSi

Summary:

Cut price Polo GTi Estate!

Faults:

Broken handbrake gaiter on delivery.

General Comments:

Electric performance - the twincharger engine is fantastic.

Handling is very good, as are the brakes.

Very well equipped and very good value.

Boot is enormous for a supermini estate car.

Interior is a bit gloomy, and some plastics a little harsh, but very comfortable.

Suspension a little over firm.

Handbrake cover broken on delivery, still to be fixed.

Fuel economy impressive if driven gently, but suffers when the performance is used.

Fantastic value for money.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 1st July, 2011

2011 Skoda Fabia 1.6 turbo diesel

Summary:

It's good and I like it

Faults:

Electric front windows have very occasionally had a mind of their own! Refusing to close! Or opening when the door key is clicked.

General Comments:

Is it just me or is this new straight-rail engine quirky?

In top gear, if travelling at 30mph, it seems to take over, almost as if it has cruise-control, which it doesn't, and then will not pick up speed unless you drop to 3rd gear. It can get quite exciting when in 30mph traffic, you brake, and expect the engine to slow, to find it drives on - it's like holding the reins of a bolting horse! The only way out is to knock it out of gear, but as soon as you put it back in gear, it carries on at 30mph! Even with feet off the clutch and accelerator. The garage I bought the car at has checked all the engine settings and, they are as the factory set them. Any comments?

My 2 previous cars were a Polo 1.4 TDI and the Skoda Fabia2 TDI. No problem with them. I am happy with the model, its mpg, its comfort, its solidity, but in 50 years of driving all kinds of cars, this is a new one on me.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 14th April, 2011

15th Apr 2011, 16:58

Hi, I think it sounds normal. These cars have very tall gearing. I work for VW, and we use the same engines in the Polo.

The gearing is very long, so at 30mph in 5th, if you look at your revs, you will probably not be doing more than 1000 revs!

I would say at 30mph, you should be in 3rd or maybe 4th.

This is also why your car is not responsive until you put in into third, the engine revs are simply too low and there is no pickup.

These engines are nice and refined, but in the pursuit of economy and emissions, the gearing has been hugely lengthened and throttle response softened. It does take time to get used to, I felt the same when I drove one at work.

I would say only go into 5th above 40mph at the lowest, maybe even 50mph. Stay in 3rd or 4th around town, you will feel the benefit and the revs will still be in the normal range.

It's also worth mentioning that these engines will 'loosen' over time and a few thousand miles, becoming more responsive and also returning better mph.

Oh, and another thing.. I think your car will have a DPF (diesel particulate filters) - make sure you occasionally go on a fairly decent fast longer journey and allow the exhaust to burn off the particulates. Short journeys around town can easily 'clog up' the DPF and cause problems. Again, this is all in the pursuit of reduced cO2, which sadly means having to change your driving style!

Otherwise, I hope you remain pleased with your car, they really are very good.

Matt.

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