jbl

My son is interested in buying one of these and i just wondered if there are any particular points to watch out for apart from the usual.
Car is supposed to have a fsh so will check this and usual other things, any known weaknesses ?
Cheers
JBL

ChrisB

I had one on a 52 plate which I stuck 84,000 miles on.

When I chopped it in, the engine felt bombproof but the suspension was knackered. I don't remember the fault properly but the bushes in the front arms give up and they are something of a bugger to replace.

Jonto

ChrisB - long time no speak!

Anyway, i had one which i stuck 50K on and i also have a Fabia vRS with 140k on now, they are essentially the same car.

As Chris said, the engines are bombproof provided they've had the right oil used. Make sure the cambelt gets done, and also the water pump at the same time.

Suspension components aren't great, i had a spring go on my ibiza as well as rear console bushes. On the fabia i've had console bushes, both front and rear. also anti role bar bushes and drop links. Window mechanisms fails (but are cheap to repair) and the powersteering pumps can go on them as well. They are about 300quid each.

Other than that, they are pretty decent motors. Get it mapped (your clutch will slip) and they are pretty nippy!

jbl

Thanks all, he has now bought the 2003 model, 64k, one owner, fsh.
I'll pass all the details onto him so he can keep an eye out for things.

Cheers
Brian

Hammie82

iTrader: (1)

Owned a 03 for 6 years!
Put 125k on the clock!
Never let me down once,
Once the engine stays well serviced and looked after, they are bomb proof! If they aren't looked after they can be a bit of a **** and cost a fortune in repairs!

Only thing ever gave any kinda trouble was the front wishbone bushes!

Brun

Fab VRS here on 183k