Fitting of Seat Strut Brace to Skoda Fabia vRS

I have now fitted a Seat Leon strut brace to the front of the Skoda Fabia vRS. The fitting went as follows:-

Time taken = 30
Difficulty = Easy
Part no = 6L0071710
Parts purchased from = Any Seat dealer
Estimate parts cost = £49.98
Tools Required = 10mm spanner & 13mm spanner

Step by Step Instructions

Remove the vaccum accumilator (Black unit) which is held in with 3*10mm nuts, then gently ease this to the side. Then disconnect the plug that fits into the cooling system bottle.

Undo the 2 tops bolts and remove fully from the drivers side (Off Side). 2*13mm bolts.

Undo the 2 tops bolts and remove fully from the passenger side (Near Side). 2*13mm bolts.

Place the brace across the rear near the bulk head but remember to feed the cable under the brace otherwise the brace will not fit.

Replace the vaccum accumilator (Black unit) which is held in with 3*10mm nuts. Then reconnect the plug that fits into the cooling system bottle.

I would welcome feedback via email from anyone running the Seat strut brace or the Forge or MOMO versions so that we can compare feedback.

Fabia vRS Engine Oil

It is important to keep an eye on oil levels on the vRS as diesels go through their oil a lot quicker than petrol performance cars. You must use an oil which meets specification VW 505 01. The following oils are approved to that specification:

BP Special Visco V 5W-40 (fully synthetic)
Bucher AG Motorex Profile V-XL 5W-40
Carat ad-Diesel PD-Oil 5W-40
Carlube Triple R 5W-40 PD Diesel (fully synthetic)
CARTECHNIC Motorenol Pumpe-Duse 5W-40
Castrol 505.01 5W-40
Castrol GTD 505 01 5W-40
Cepsa Star TDI Synt 5W-40
DEA Ultec Diesel SAE 5W-40
Delek IDI 5W-40
Delphi Prestige Diesel Plus 5W-40 (synthetic-based)
Denicol Pro Syn 4 5W-40
Elf Excellium DID 5W-40
Esso 505 01 5W-40
Eurol Turbo DI 5W-40
Fina Delta 505.01 5W-40
FL Selenia Aktual Top Synth 5W-40
FL Selenia Pulsar Progress 5W-40
FL Selenia Selenia Performer 5W-40
Fuchs Labo Syntha High Tech Synthese 5W-40
Fuchs TITAN Supersyn Plus 5W-40
Fuchs Titan Supersyn SL PD SAE 5W-40 (fully synthetic)
Gulf Oil Gulf TEC Plus 5W-40
Repsol Elite 50501 TDI 5W-40
Shell Helix Diesel Plus VA 5W-40
Texaco Havoline 505.01 5W-40
Total Gulf GDI Extra 5W-40
Total Quartz 505.01 5W-40
Unil Opal Opaljet 505.01 5W-40
VAG-branded 505 01 505 00 High Lubricity Engine Oil 5W-40 - G 052 167 A2
- (Part No: ZGB 115 QLB 00 462 - RRP £32.90 inc VAT for 5 litres)
Valvoline DuraBlend Diesel motor oil SAE 5W-40 (semi-synthetic)
VAPS VAPSOIL 505 01 5W-40
Volkswagen Original Teile Motorenoel G 052 167 A2
Yacco VX 505 5W-40

I would welcome hearing from any Skoda Fabia vRS owners who have used any of the above mentioned oils as I would like to feature a review of the products within this website.

Fabia vRS Fuel Filler Flap

At the weekend I noticed that the fuel filler flap on the Fabia vRS wasn't shutting home properly. At first I was about to call our independent VW/Audi/Skoda specialst Midland VW to order a replacement spring when I had a thought that it may be something I could fix myself. I knew that we had taken part of the boot liner out when changing the vRS rear bulbs and I wondered if the spring mechanism had become loose.

So before doing anything else I pulled back the boot carpet trim and had a look at the little cable which allows the flap to spring open and flush closed. It had in fact popped out of its housing and all it needed was pushing back into its plastic housing and the wires were hidden again and the flap now sits flush again.

If however this doesnt work, you will need to purchase a new retaining spring which is available from http://www.vagcat.com/ or your local dealer. The part number is 6Y6809857 .

Seat Leon Cupra R Front Splitter

Another purchase was recently made for the Skoda Fabia vRS - the front splitter of a Seat Leon Cupra R. We purchased this off ebay for about £20 and from reading various posts on the Skoda forums that this is a simple modification to do that has a real improvement on the overall look of the Fabia vRS.

Fitting of the front splitter is fairly easy but the part needs cutting in places to fit.

First you will need a mate to help as someone needs to hold the splitter in place while you mark where it fits. A cutting tool and 14 self tapping screws will be needed. Part number for the splitter is 1ML 805 903. The part needs to bend slightly so to stop it from deforming and giving a crease you need to cut 2 small triangles on the corners so that it bends easier.
Next smooth off the top of the 2 lugs in the centre of the splitter - 2mm above the plasic bit that is in them so you can screw them in later on.

Then use some masking tape (and your mate!) to line up the splitter. Ensure you tape it on so you can stand back and ensure its even.

Then drill through the small clips on the splitter into the spoiler - they have a small edge on them so best to file these down first so they are smooth. Screw into the bumper all around the edge. You will need to cut about 3cm off each edge so it sits in front of the mudflap. Finally you'll need to small headed screws (I have heard that you may have to grind some down to fit), screw in the 2 lugs to the bumper. it is advisable to also use some black stickyflex to help adhesion.

Job done - full pictures to follow with a detailed picture how to also.

Osram Night Breaker +90% 12v 55w Headlight Bulbs

Well the Osram Night Breaker headlight bulbs have been on just over a week and what a difference they have made! Driving at night is no longer a nightmare peering into the darkness with the standard bulbs the Osram Night Breaker +90% 12v 55w light up the road incredibly well without dazzling on coming motorists.

I've driven across country and i dint feel the need to use my main beams as much as the headlights were powerful enough to light up the road ahead without the need.

The full breakdown of the Osram Night Breaker +90% 12v 55w is as follows:

90 % more light on the road with brand new bulb from OSRAM
Launched October 2007, the new Night Breaker headlight lamp from OSRAM will bring some dynamism to the automotive lighting market. This lamp will set new standards in safety and will be the ideal upgrade for the new lighting season. Thanks to innovative technology in its manufacture and a new design, Night Breaker provides up to 90 percent more light on the road and a 10% whiter light. The lamp illuminates the road in front much better and also makes the verges more clearly visible. This new product therefore gives drivers precisely what they need. When buying an automotive bulb you should pay attention to the output of the lamp as this is a crucial safety factor in night-time driving. Safety conscious drivers will find Night Breaker ideal for their needs. More light for better visibility OSRAM Night Breaker enables drivers to see pedestrians, cyclists and animals much earlier. A better view of the road also helps prevent collisions with immovable objects such as tree branches, particularly on unlit country roads. It is not only the luminous efficacy that OSRAM has improved. The light itself is up to 10 percent whiter, which is much easier on the eyes and therefore reduces driver fatigue, especially on unit roads. Benefits:

• Latest high-power technology
• Up to 90% more light for optimum visibility and safety
• 10% whiter light for minimal glare and comfort
• Exclusive design with silver cap and two blue strips
• Available in H1, H3, H4, H7, and H11
• Fully ECE approved with Category “E1”

These are a great cheap upgrade to your car and make it easier to drive at night!

Future vRS Modifications

It seems there's always something else to add to the list of modifications. Currently on the cards for the Fabia vRS is a front strut brace. I have been looking at both the Forge strut brace and also a well known German make called Weichers. Both received good reviews although there is a big difference in price between the two makes. The Weichers one comes in at around £40 and can be purchased painted or as polished metal direct from Dubmeister's online website.

In the new few months the car is booked in for a custom engine re-map at DNA Tuning. DNA offer ECU Tuning by complete experts, all their software is developed to give the smoothest and the most power reliably from your vehicle as well as ultimate performance. I have known John at DNA since he re-mapped my 1.8T New Beetle and he really knows his stuff and provides top quality tuning without compromising any aspect of the car. He already has a custom ECU setup ready for the Fabia vRS.

As soon as this gets put on the car I will post some dyno and performance results.