[MadRash]

Dear Fabia owners:
I have booked a Fabia 1.4 TDI Classic in Chennai. The dealer offered me no freebies except full tank fuel, underbody coating and Teflon coating. I want to know whether you have got any freebies from the dealer.

Regards
Mahesh S

[netchef]

Mods: please make the thread title "Skoda Fabia Diesel (pics on Pg 6)" read:

'Skoda Fabia Diesel (pics on pgs 6, 21)

Rakesh_Raja has some magnificent shots of his black Fabia in Kerala on page 21 and they truly raise the bar. People might miss them.

[netchef]

Originally Posted by MadRash

Dear Fabia owners:
I have booked a Fabia 1.4 TDI Classic in Chennai. The dealer offered me no freebies except full tank fuel, underbody coating and Teflon coating. I want to know whether you have got any freebies from the dealer.

Regards
Mahesh S

MadRash:

Sir, believe me you can consider yourself lucky getting what you did. I got 2 woollen floor mats. Period.
That said, congrats on your buy. She's a gorgeous machine. Do write in your feedback as it will encourage other owners or prospective owners.

Take care and drive safe.
Rajeev

[MadRash]

Originally Posted by netchef

MadRash:

Sir, believe me you can consider yourself lucky getting what you did. I got 2 woollen floor mats. Period.
That said, congrats on your buy. She's a gorgeous machine. Do write in your feedback as it will encourage other owners or prospective owners.

Take care and drive safe.
Rajeev

Thank you Mr. netchef. For more than 2 months I'm watching your thread to assess the Fabia. This made me go for Fabia 1.4 TDI.

Regards
Mahesh

[rakesh_raja]

Originally Posted by MadRash

Dear Fabia owners:
I have booked a Fabia 1.4 TDI Classic in Chennai. The dealer offered me no freebies except full tank fuel, underbody coating and Teflon coating. I want to know whether you have got any freebies from the dealer.

Regards
Mahesh S

Hi Mahesh....congrats on the new addition in your family...did u know that the name "Fabia" means "a bean" in Roman and is a popular name for girls in those parts of the world...
Trivia apart, I managed to get a full tank from the dealer and thats it...however, because of the extra wek of delay from the scheduled date of delivery, I managed to squeeze out all the 4 mud flaps and an extra pair of rubber floor mats -- having said that, please note that I am still waiting to get these freebies delivered!!!! Enjoy the Fabulous Fabia!!!!

Originally Posted by netchef

Mods: please make the thread title "Skoda Fabia Diesel (pics on Pg 6)" read:

'Skoda Fabia Diesel (pics on pgs 6, 21)

Rakesh_Raja has some magnificent shots of his black Fabia in Kerala on page 21 and they truly raise the bar. People might miss them.

Thanks once again!!...for the compliments and the recognition!! Now, I am all the more disappointed that I didnt get some nice monsoon shots of the Fab last time... I will try to make up for it during my next cross-Kerala drive in a few days time...
cheers:

[netchef]

Guys, Mysore beckoned and purely work-related, so a bunch of us from the office decided to drive down for the day and make it a sojourn of sorts, with gourmet lunch thrown in and a couple of touristy things.

So, there it is, the quorum was set. Next up was the decision on which wheels to take. My first ploy was to follow the gang on my Blade as a sort of 'Going-out-with-a-Bang': her last ride with me. But as it finally crystallized, we figured to take the 'green' route and leave the petrol Ikon/Lancia to ruminate and head off instead in yours truly's diesel wheels: The Fabia. I dropped the Blade idea in deference to what threatened to be pretty wet weather since I could not possibly drip my way into a corporate meeting.

The Load:
She was fully loaded. There were 5 of us, all adult, all well-fed specimens, none very far from the average 70Kgs, making it a human payload of 350Kgs. We carried no luggage unless you count a couple of bottles of carbonated drink and some snacks. And the cigarettes, with filters.

The Drive:
We were running a tight schedule to make a morning meeting and the traffic around the 9.15am ETD was pretty thick. As a result, I pushed her a bit. The best speed I managed was 140kmph, but we held 110-120 kmph for longish stretches. She was sheer joy. When slowed by irksome and untidy traffic, she picked up well enough considering she's a diesel and the fact she was Heavy. Naturally, a petrol driver would have felt a lag and for a heart-stopping moment wondered where his power had gone, but we do and always have admitted that diesels follow a different rhythm and require a different sort of Foot. And anticipation.
It's harder still for a guy who gets off a Fireblade and behind the wheel of a Fabia, but one's got to be fair, because an SBK rider would strongly suspect ANY diesel of being Third Cousin Twice removed to a bullock-cart.

There's no discernable turbo lag. I drove her fast but not hard, and don't think I ever crossed 3500RPM (yes, I still harboured the notion she was a new engine and needed more time to find her feet, even though many advised me to the contrary). So, the key question is or should be: was there power to spare and what sort of numbers would she plausibly hit?

Some gent on this thread said he'd cranked his diesel Fabia up to 180kmph. You know what? I believe him. My pretty Blue Czech ballerina segued into a graceful pirouette. She was happy as a lark on spiked birdseed at 140, and I fully believe she had oodles of Czech Bang to spare. Would she have hit 180kmph? I think so. Given a long enough straight, and traffic conditions that didn't call for Boy Racer antics, I'm confident she would sail there (but perhaps I would first have had to jettison a couple of my passengers).

Speed is Not Everything:
Anyone out there saying or thinking that is not only right, but sensible. And mature.
There are many other factors that go into making a decent drive a superb drive. If your car tends to wallow. if she likes to understeer. If her braking leaves much to be desired. If, if- you'll soon realise a sizzling vitriolic scathing blistering engine under the hood will do zip for you. it's gotta work together. What I'm talking is synergies in handling, braking, body-control, and more that need to gel with the traits of the engine to deliver a usable package. Happiness was the baby Fabia on the Mysore road. She clung to the road like the TGV train. Running on Velcro strips, not a rail. She blasted into 110kmph corners that would have stressed and even challenged a lower-slung sportier car, without giving the driver a nervous tic, or indeed making any of my passengers break their conversation or concentration on the music being provided by the Management, to wonder:
- what the @##!& the driver was up to
- whether they were going to sit in front of that Raagi Mudde lunch

She was incredible. I found her perfectly balanced. Poised just right. I might sound cuckoo, but she had the purpose & poise and bearing of a far higher calibre of machine. I liked her solid feel, and would not pare an ounce off her weight (I can't stand those peppy cars that arrive at their peppiness by making everything seemingly of papier mache like the Jap WWII fighter aircraft- if I'm not wrong, they were flown by the Kamikazi pilots. Them cars tend to get blown and buffetted NOT just by a passing truck, but if the Driver of the passing truck happens to pass wind!).

Pardon the French and the Biology.

Her CG is perfect. Not once in all those corners, or thru all those different conditions did I find her even slightly top-heavy. Also, I can't confirm in numbers what the split front: rear would be, but its' good for the weight of the engine, the complement of passengers, and the speeds we called for. The shift of weight under braking was never disconcerting-it seemed so natural. Some cars tend to load the front wheels so much under braking, that steering becomes an effort. Not this Fabia.
The Fabia was solid as a Rock and that's what makes her such a Gem. A bright, lustrous- not kitsch- Reassuring Gem.

The FE paradigm:
We used the A/C 90% of the 400-odd kms, and she returned upwards of 15kmpl, which is fair enough and quite adequate. I've read of Fabia owners getting 17kmpl, and I'd certainly be happy living in that country, but 15 for me is Great.

Bobby Thumbed a Diesel Down. The inside of the filler lid indicates she should not be filled with Bio Diesel!! Is that right? Is that good? I think not.
Please, I need inputs here. What happens when the Government mandates a Blend of bio Diesel being pumped at the fuel stations? What will my little Fabia drink then? HELP.

The @)&&$^^! Speed Breakers.
I hate driving on roads new to me. It takes far more concentration and kills my speeds. So, while 80% of the Mysore Rd is familiar courtesy the Red Rooster blasts, I needed and did walk the last bit tentatively. But they got me on the way back.
gents: remember this. The bloody Highways Dept have built a God Awful pair of Road Humps on the side road to Brindavan Gardens/the Dam. They are positioned on either side of a railway crossing just a short distance before you hit the highway, if you are driving back from KRS Dam, and they are absolutely insane. I felt rotten scraping the under-carriage of the Fabia particulary since I had watched and treaded all the rest of them so carefully the entire day.

Another- this time on the main highway- set of rumble strips hit me from nowhere and I took them at quite a lick even after scrubbing off a heap of speed. Ther weren't any markings on the strip, nor a warning board on the approach. When will our duffers get it right?

For the Lotus Eaters:
The A/C worked like a dream. When I told the rear passengers that the upscale Fabia came with rear vents, they immediately said they felt absolutely no need for them. The temperature was evenly maintained throughout the cabin and we did not once have to crank the fan speed up beyond level 2 even though it was a hot day and we often switched off the A/C and lowered the windows to allow the smokers to do their thing- obviously raising cabin temperatures for the stretch, and making the A/C work that much harder to bring the cabin back to committed 16 Deg C.

Prep:
I did not find the time to check the tyre pressures or liquids. We just climbed aboard and hit the road after giving her the necessary calories. I was especially keen to ensure the tyres were correctly inflated considering we were going to be a full load, but twas not to be. Sigh.
Maybe the FE she returned was impacted by low PSI.

[netchef]

Originally Posted by MadRash

Thank you Mr. netchef. For more than 2 months I'm watching your thread to assess the Fabia. This made me go for Fabia 1.4 TDI.

Regards
Mahesh

MadRash:
Welcome, Sir. Bit of a responsibility on my shoulders, but thanks-I'll take that as a compliment.

Originally Posted by rakesh_raja

Hi Mahesh....congrats on the new addition in your family...did u know that the name "Fabia" means "a bean" in Roman and is a popular name for girls in those parts of the world...

Thanks once again!!...for the compliments and the recognition!! Now, I am all the more disappointed that I didnt get some nice monsoon shots of the Fab last time... I will try to make up for it during my next cross-Kerala drive in a few days time...
cheers:

Rakesh_Raja:
Thanks for enlightening- our little 'Bean' is a chick all right! Would that be Italian? patois?

As to compliments- certainly. They invariably go where they are deserved, so I was but a conduit. There were also selfish motives involved because your pics truly make a hell of a difference and I was hoping for more. Ours can be just car, whereas your throw in bucolic countryside for free. That's surround sound. Air cover. Eye candy. And to top it all, they are pixels in the hands of a very capable photographer- A Grand Master.

[rakesh_raja]

Originally Posted by netchef

Rakesh_Raja:
Thanks for enlightening- our little 'Bean' is a chick all right! Would that be Italian? patois?

And to top it all, they are pixels in the hands of a very capable photographer- A Grand Master.

Some (like your gentle self) are brilliant with strokes of ink...and as for me, it seems that I do it better with clicks!!!!
BTW, the origin is Latin and rightly said..it does come from the land of exotic art, exciting footbal and majestic mafia!!!

Originally Posted by netchef

For the Lotus Eaters:
The A/C worked like a dream. When I told the rear passengers that the upscale Fabia came with rear vents, they immediately said they felt absolutely no need for them.

Siree...I guess your Fab also has those rear vents (as per the brochure, its a standard feature in all versions)...just look carefully under your driver's and front passenger's seat and feel the air blow when u set that AC knob to anywhere near the foot mode....will try to grab and pic and post it here soon

That was quite a blog...what fine use of words...no wonder our forum is influencing the buying decisions of mortals out there!!
cheers:

[MadRash]

Originally Posted by rakesh_raja

That was quite a blog...what fine use of words...no wonder our forum is influencing the buying decisions of mortals out there!!
cheers:

Well said. I agree.

[netchef]

Originally Posted by rakesh_raja

Some (like your gentle self) are brilliant with strokes of ink...and as for me, it seems that I do it better with clicks!!!!
BTW, the origin is Latin and rightly said..it does come from the land of exotic art, exciting footbal and majestic mafia!!!


Siree...I guess your Fab also has those rear vents (as per the brochure, its a standard feature in all versions)...just look carefully under your driver's and front passenger's seat and feel the air blow when u set that AC knob to anywhere near the foot mode....will try to grab and pic and post it here soon

That was quite a blog...what fine use of words...no wonder our forum is influencing the buying decisions of mortals out there!!
cheers:

rakesh_raja:
Sir, thanks very much for the kind words.

Shall check for the vents today. However, don't set too much store by the Fabia manual because it's designed in generic fashion to cover a whole assortment of versions, and I know many of the goodies listed aren't available in India- some not even on the supreme version (case in point: side air bags). Makes your mouth water while it confuses the Hell out of Ye.

Originally Posted by MadRash

Well said. I agree.

MadRash:
Sir, thanks.

If it's possible, please post pics- both of Ye.

[rakesh_raja]

Originally Posted by netchef

However, don't set too much store by the Fabia manual because it's designed in generic fashion to cover a whole assortment of versions, and I know many of the goodies listed aren't available in India- some not even on the supreme version (case in point: side air bags). Makes your mouth water while it confuses the Hell out of Ye.

Chief...I was referring to the brochure and not the manual...the last section of the (Indian) brochure does outline the availability of various features across the versions...and Rear AC vents figures in all of them!!
As for the manual, yup...it does invoke rather strong and mixed emotions..

[netchef]

Originally Posted by rakesh_raja

Chief...I was referring to the brochure and not the manual...the last section of the (Indian) brochure does outline the availability of various features across the versions...and Rear AC vents figures in all of them!!
As for the manual, yup...it does invoke rather strong and mixed emotions..

rakesh_raja:

Oh, correct. Sorry, Sir. Entirely my mistake. I did read 'brochure' but must have been preoccupied when I posted. gotcha. Shall definitely look now.
Interestingly, the newly released 1.2 even has ABS, which is pretty decent value at the price-point, me thinks. My car doesn't have it.

[netchef]

Originally Posted by rakesh_raja

Chief...I was referring to the brochure and not the manual...the last section of the (Indian) brochure does outline the availability of various features across the versions...and Rear AC vents figures in all of them!!
As for the manual, yup...it does invoke rather strong and mixed emotions..

rakesh_raja:

Sir, YOU ARE QUITE RIGHT about the vents. They are there in the flesh, but guess what: they are covered by the woollen mats that came gratis from the dealer! so we never felt the air flow, and couldn't see them. Talk of pulling wool over our eyes.

I'll have to ditch the mats, perhaps. Strange thing is as vents go, they are mere apertures-without any mesh or grill to cover the orifice- so anything from general detritus that shoes might bring in such as leaves/dust/scraps of paper etc to random lightweight rubbish that often floats about in a car- could easily fall in. Wonder why Monsieur Skoda was so negligent of this small detail. Any different on your car?

However, one thing in its favour is that the vents raison d etre is to blow, so blow they will the odd junk that might consider falling- right out once again.

Another item I'd mentioned in the early part of my Fabia-romance concerned a rear seat belt. Well, I managed to free the clasp (or is it 'prong') from beneath the seat where it had lodged.

ALL I HAVE TO SAY TO YOU IS PICS PLEASE!!

[amit_mind]

I have posted few pix of my car at the following location. These are not taken in very good light conditions, perhaps will soon get some under the sunlight (being optimistic in the monsoon season )

Picasa Web Albums - Amit - car pix

[rakesh_raja]

Originally Posted by amit_mind

I have posted few pix of my car at the following location. These are not taken in very good light conditions, perhaps will soon get some under the sunlight (being optimistic in the monsoon season )

Picasa Web Albums - Amit - car pix

Hi Amit...ur Fab looks absolutely coool...sheer elegance draped in white!!

Originally Posted by netchef

rakesh_raja:

Sir, YOU ARE QUITE RIGHT about the vents. They are there in the flesh, but guess what: they are covered by the woollen mats that came gratis from the dealer! so we never felt the air flow, and couldn't see them. Talk of pulling wool over our eyes.

I'll have to ditch the mats, perhaps. Strange thing is as vents go, they are mere apertures-without any mesh or grill to cover the orifice- so anything from general detritus that shoes might bring in such as leaves/dust/scraps of paper etc to random lightweight rubbish that often floats about in a car- could easily fall in. Wonder why Monsieur Skoda was so negligent of this small detail. Any different on your car?

However, one thing in its favour is that the vents raison d etre is to blow, so blow they will the odd junk that might consider falling- right out once again.

Another item I'd mentioned in the early part of my Fabia-romance concerned a rear seat belt. Well, I managed to free the clasp (or is it 'prong') from beneath the seat where it had lodged.

ALL I HAVE TO SAY TO YOU IS PICS PLEASE!!

I have the mats which came as standard equipment with the Fabia...and these do not obstruct the air flow in any way...but dunno whats gonna happen when I get the new rubber mats (freebie courtesy, the dealer) fitted sometime this week...will have to watch out...
Here comes more pics...albeit, this time only my Fab is in focus...with no landscape attachments Have removed my mats to get the rear AC vents clearly...I had taken these before you discovered your version had them too!!!

cheers: