I Bought A Fabia VRS For £500! 

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Literally every video alex makes: I bought the cheapest ... In the uk

Terrific cars! Bought one new in 2005 and ran it for 6 years and over 100k miles. 52 mpg average over that time and never got tired of the mid-range pull from 2,000 rpm; took many a BMW 320 by surprise!

My first driving instructor car was the SEAT equivalent to the Fabia VRS. I had came from a Fiat Coupe 20v Turbo and the PD130 didn't feel slow.

I never liked diesels much until a mate of mine bought one of these back in college. The torque made it so much fun in the mid range. But your comment about the handling brought back memories. Definitely required some extra care in the wet especially.

Rory definitely needs more 'in front of the camera' time!!!

Hey Alex, the vRS was my first car I owned above 100hp and my first car I modified and started working on myself, and made myself a something of a self styled expert. This has got factory projectors and looks like cruise as well? Which are rare - most fabias had 0 option boxes ticked so any sort of spec is uncommon. The roof bars are a cool item, and those floormats have been discontinued for a few years - there's still some stock kicking around a few warehouses in Europe and a few TPS's, but they tend to be on back order and take a while to arrive. The mileage is nothing for these, and there looks to be minimal rust on arch and sills like these suffer from. As you say they get crashed a bit so unmarked body parts are rare and 90% are all up north. Those seat bolsters always wear really badly, the foam comes off the bar which breaks the fabric. TT seats DO NOT fit - only polo/ibiza/A1 FRONTS fit in a Fabia. If you're looking for a bit more kick, mine was 177hp with an ebay decat exhaust (which is always available and cheap as chips) , an 80mm intake cone and a generic map off ebay lol. Plenty of hybrid turbos to go on these as well, best ones are made by JW Automotive

That Fabia vRS is an interesting car for some reasons: - it is a hothatch which has a diesel engine - its gearbox includes two different defferantial ratio; for the first 4 gears it uses the first differenatial gear and for the 5th and 6th gears it uses the second and the longer one.

Me and my boyfriend both have MK1 VRS’s and absolutely adore them. Best cars we’ve owned and so fun to mod and drive. If you get a 1756 turbo and with a FMIC, straight through ect. you’ll push 220+bhp! Loved watching this video and been watching you since lockdown/car throttle days!

I used to have 54 reg vrs with 211.000 miles on it when I got rid and it never skipped a beat! Fantastic little car 🤙🏾

I had one of these and it was bulletproof. I drove it for nigh on 100k miles and apart from consumables (tyres, discs, pads etc.) the only thing that failed was the brake light switch which cost me £35 fitted! It returned stupendous mpg commuting in it from Sheffield to Leeds. Brilliant car.

Nice. I have recently qualified as a SKODA technician. Must admit during my apprenticeship and now in the 4 years I’ve worked there. Only seen one or two of these. I worked on one recently and really enjoyed working on it. They drive quite nice too, plus there’s the bonus of having that PD engine. My old mentor used to have one too. He had that remapped and it didn’t half shift.

This was my dream first car. I’d definitely pick one up as a cheap daily for my channel if one came up at this sort of price! You got a steal! I’m glad you share my excitement for the VRS, it should be remembered for the cult classic it is 😁

1.9 TDI PD 130 horsepower with a 6 speed, that is a dream!

Another fun fact about the vrs for you Alex that you probably already knew subconsciously but didn't realise, it was the first diesel hot hatch with no petrol equivalent. A fairly boring fact but still a cool one to know.

I like how your stuff is way more interesting than the previous channel now, and it shows on how many views they no longer get now. Honestly you make the show good. And I’m glad you got your own channel

Love the Fabia VRS, fantastic little car. I learnt to drive in one of these and it makes me smile whenever I see one. Was hilarious overtaking people on the bypass with an L plate on the roof :-)

My first car was an '03 Fabia 1.2, absolutely lovely little car. 6 cars later, I've now got a '08 Skoda Octavia 1.9 PD105, also a fantastic car! Skoda know what they're doing!

Had my 05 reg one since 2007. 145,000 miles, 52mpg, immense fun to drive,FSH, been totally reliable, well looked after, love it loads, and won't part with it. Got a Focus RS mk3 too, but would part with that before Fab'.🥰

I like how you managed to get Valtteri Bottas to drive the car. Increased the value massively!

I think it's a brilliant car! I'm glad you're enjoying it. I've been waiting for what feel like forever since you picked it up! Don't forget to name it!

Alex has his official dogging vehicle!😂

I used to work with Matt Pollard a few years back and he had one of these at the time, we had quite a lengthy commute to work everyday (usually about 1:45-2hrs each way!) and the PD engines were the best bang for your buck, great power and the all important fuel economy. When I saw his MK1 Fabia VRS, I had totally forgotten about these little gems. Brilliant cars/engines, a great all rounder! I was shocked to see your video creating Mattwood, I had no idea he was ill until seeing that. Such a nice chap, my thoughts are with him 🙏

Fun fact: Skoda's performance version "VRS" is called normally only "RS". However though for the British and perhaps the Australian marked they have to use "VRS" because of Ford's performance version "RS".

Love it! I bought one 5 years ago for my first car when I was 15 and I’m still daily driving it now. Never getting rid of it!

Have to say I have always loved this shape fabia, used to admire them when I was an apprentice mechanic years ago, great little motors

I had a red one 04’ vintage as well. I’m well jealous of this £500 example. Take the roof rack off and powder coat the wheels gunmetal grey + new centre caps. It’ll look ace. Put a RARB (rear anti roll bar) on the back and it liven’s up the back end, no more VAG ‘safe’ understeer; lift off oversteer ftw! 👌🏼

Still have mine having put 100k miles on it. Even with a 2015 RS3 as my second car, the Fabia VRS doesn’t get boring!! - no one understands it until they drive one, but I’m glad you’re in agreement! However, put a rear anti roll bar on it to MASSIVELY improve the handling, and a powerflex gearbox dog bone mount really sorts out the gear change that you talk about. Brakes I cured by fitting grooved EBC front discs and decent pads with braided lines. Thank you for the mega videos!!

Wow, now this is a bargain! Great car! Looking forward to the prize draw!

Fabias I think it’s so underrated looking forward to seeing what you do with it

Always had a soft spot for the MK1 Fabia VRs . Thanks for your awesome videos, they keep me entertained at work!

i genuinely love these 😅 be good to see what you do to it to make it stand out. good buy!!!

had a punto evo with the rare 1.6 diesel, and that had 320Nm of torque and 125hp, and the in gear acceleration in that was great. More torque then my current fiesta ST had stock

I’ve always liked that shape of the fabia I think it’s so underrated looking forward to seeing what you do with it

Been wanting one of these for ages and you finally made me bite the bullet with this video - it is the perfect daily ❤️

Alex keep up the awesome work and energy! Love the vids.

Moving back to the UK from Australia soon. Would be amazing to have the VRS. :) Love the channel mate, keep on at the videos.

VRs is always good. I have a 2014 Octavia RS with EA888 engine. Planning on Stage 1 next summer to get 300bhp and 440nm. Pretty nice platform for a wagon and 610 liters of boot space isn't bad either :)

I have a new found appreciation for these as my Mrs just got a 9n3 pd100 polo and I can't get enough of it! Small cars with big diesel engines are just epic!!

Love these videos mate!! Keep up the great work, your videos made my childhood and got me into engineering!! 💯

I’ve been a subscriber since day one! Love this channel! That vrs would look lovely on my driveway👀

Please do a drag race video with all the cars in your fleet !

Had one in 2006. Took it to a place in Kirkcaldy that did programmable maps. It was doing 180bhp and 440 nm torque. 40-70 was like lightning and still doing 45mpg. As you say in gear acceleration and ride the wave of torque and its amazing.

loved this, hope you guys have more from sema!

I miss my VRS so much. I would literally love another one. Great video great work keep it up guys!

Gotta love a Diesel Skoda

Ive got a 1.9 pd130 ibiza as my first car. Done just under 265,000 miles and its still such a good car

I've been subscribed sine about 100. I do love that you still do stuff with car throttle

First of all congratulations on the channel Alex, also I would say you are basically a racing driver like you mention. I bought a Fabia vrs this year I've had some not bad cars the fastest was my E46 320d but the fabia would leave it for dead, the fabia handles mint and like everyone says their good engines and you get good MPG, my mate buys them to break or fix up his is running around 380 bhp he builds them himself and it's done properly if you need anything for yours feel free to get back to me. Keep up the good work I love the channel.

Hi Alex, you must change the cylinder head bolts for Pd 150 ones otherwise you run the risk of suffering head lift requiring a new cylinder head as It cannot be re surfaced. Looking forwards to how you sort the car, I have one that is an 06 with 72,00 miles full service history that my son tuned and suffered head lift, ie-combustion gasses in to the expansion bottle, have a new head ready to fit this winter. Martin

FYI Alex them headlights are a rare genuine option, not many projector headlights were spec’ed

I've got a golf mk4 pd 130 and i absolutely love it! Puts a smile in my face everytime i drive it specially when overtaking.

The man is a legend, been looking for a cheap vrs for the last 6 months and he finds one like that

My parents got one brand new in 05, was an awesome glittery black colour. Sadly the engine packed up 4 years ago and the price to fix was just not worth it for them. Car was brilliant and would’ve loved to drive it!

Alex, as a fabia owner you need the PD150 headbolts if you want this thing to live! Love my fabia they’re great cars 👌

My friend, as an older owner of one Fabia VRS, you made the best buy ever. That engine is "war" material, he doesnt die...this little car is the best combo for city driving, its fast (enough) and fun. The original brakes doesnt stop you, just slows you down... Better disc, pads and wider tires resolves it. Dont forget to check the front axle and suspension arms, they also suffer from the torque steering.

I’ve got an 04 fab vrs too. Fantastic car. Mine was lowered before I got it, I’m assuming that one is on standard suspension as it looks like it’s on stilts. Also brave getting it mapped with no service history i.e cam belt change lol good work looking forward to future content on this car.

I had a 56 plate one. Coming from a mk1 Focus Zetec the steering felt so slow and dull, and you could feel the weight of that pig iron engine up front. But mid range torque was great! Those grey seats though....

Love a fabia currently got vRS SE so much potential in tuning! Would defo upgrade front brakes to MK1 Audi TT and replace the head bolts to stop headlift and intercooler, exhaust and a hybrid turbo and it will comfortably get 250bhp

Had an 04 and loved it. My favourite car. Upgraded to the 1.4petrol dsg vrs before landing on a octy vrs 2.0diesel. Love the Vrs range and the original fabia vrs will forever be a bit special. If you’re looking a good home for this one. Feel free to message me

Just after I was born in 2005, my dad (unfortunately) sold his (from new) EP3 Type R to spec a brand new silver Fabia VRS just like this. Apparently the VRS was the better car and the only car that’s made him smile all the way home. My earliest memories are in this car and the MK2 VRS after, it’d be awesome for me to have one a mere 17 years later👍

Alex, you have to do this with a Clio Sport 172/182 - try get a 182 with cup pack suspension or even a trophy. Its like a VRS but takes the correct fuel type and its way more exciting

Love these engines. I know you've had a few. I had a Bora TDI 130 highline, hybrid turbo, new clutch and SMIC and it was the best car I've ever owned. 220bhp, so a great sleeper, "muggage for days mate". I've got a 220bhp Polo 6C GTI now, which is brilliant. Drives better, looks better, handles better.... but still miss the Bora!

I had a VRS Fabia when they wasn't too old. Was stock and a really good car, was going to do a Octavia front calliper upgrade but never got round to it. Later finally got a PD160 Ibiza Cupra R, having a PD150 turbo and FMIC from factory along with the AP 4 pots was a great car!!! Mine had EGR delete and Map and was just under 200BHP and 302ft/lbs. Looking back was one of my favourite cars, power to surprise a Fiesta ST leaving it seeing a puff of black smoke, and MPG that never went lower than 45MPG

My dad had one of these about 16 years ago, I had it’s big brother a Mk1 Octavia VRS! The Fabia was an absolute little beast of car , looking forward to see what Alex does with it.

Do another cheap car challenge please!

It’s worth £500 just for the engine

I have an Alfa 159 1.9 JTDm (TDi). Similar driving experience. Love it. Love your work 👍

Great to see you've bought a miniature locomotive 😂 looking forward to seeing what's to come for it!

Nice one. I had an '11 Fabia vRS. Cool car but many problems, mostly regarding high oil consumption.

"Whoever thought of putting a 1.9 diesel in engine in a little hot hatch is a genius." Peugeot would like a word with you, Alex 😂

Weirdly I always wanted one of these ! There as just something about a diesel hot hatch was really cool at the time! Love the videos Alex! ❤

That Fabia is a nice little motor. There's a couple of Fabia mk1 VRS's locally that I've seen for a decade or more with the same owners. They are clearly much loved keepers and well looked after. A modern classic? I had a 2004 poverty spec Fabia 1.2 HTP for 14 years, quite solid little things, reliable and comfortable runabouts and not expensive to run. No body rust on mine (galvanised), but the rear axle and underbody bits were getting a bit flaky later on. A lot were sold, and they lasted well, so there's still plenty of cheap scrapyard parts.

It's no Dacia sandero

360p early squad

Awesome cameo by the German Shepherd!!! That's how we know Alex Kirsten is a first class human being. The dog was happy to see him and Alex forgot what he was doing......hello doggy!!!!

I always loved the factory green brake calipers on the original Fabia and Octavia VRS

Another car you won't be allowed to drive at your house soon

I had a 04plate Skoda fabia 1.9tdi and loved it, was great on fuel great to blast around and brilliant sound system as standard.

Love this videos always funny can't wait to see nexts 1

You always produce such great content Alex! Always looking forward to the next video. I’ve always liked the Mk1 VRS, and would love the chance to have one.

Great video as always bud. Great wee cars, miss my 56 plate. The BLT engine in that also had the best engine code 🤣

One of my fave lil hatches keep it up guys

My old Ibiza FR TDi had a mesh panel filter, a bigger intake pipe from the grill to airbox & a 2.5" turbo back exhaust and it made 144bhp with no smoke or remap. That power is quite low even for an old vRS. With that mileage and being stock, the EGR & Intake manifold will be choked up and the air flow will be terrible. The cat might be fairy clogged up as well. I'd fit an EGR delete, get the intake manifold removed and professionally cleaned, a more free flowing downpipe. 2.5" with cat removed is ideal for stock turbo. A full service as well might free up a few ponies, depending on when it was last done. If power was still poor after that, then it would need to be down to a boost leak, or else a very worn camshaft.

Yet another banging episode Alex, 6 speed manual yes please!

Oh wow that looks like such a great time. I have so much fun throwing my current Toyta Aygo around, can't imagine what this beat would be like

I have the same engine on my 2004 Passat B5.5 and I can tell you its really quick and it will pull like no tomorrow even on a heavy car like the passat, absolutely love it

Just sold my 5th one of these, just can’t keep away! Practical, good mpg, fast, look really well with the rights mods. Can’t beat em.

I own an 03 Octavia estate with the same engine, peppy little engine and bulletproof. Definitely not as quick as this VRS but still love my estate. It’s got 3 owners including me and my father who drove it 240k miles. It’s at 318k miles right now and the engine hasn’t missed a beat, currently in the process of partially restoring it mechanically. Since it needs some love, it still drives around 18k miles a year. Planning to keep it for quite some years to come

i was looking at a few fabia,mk4 golf all PD recently had to scraped my 3 door mk4 golf and stuff like that they are really nice cars

I'd love to own that car looks so fun and what a great deal Alex always gets!

Love it, always had a soft spot for the fabia vrs

I used to have an octavia VRS 2.0 PD and it was THE best car I've driven. I'm in the motor trade and have driven everything but nothing beats the smoke and the noise that comes from that engine. I've a 120d now and I'd swap it in a heartbeat for my old octy. Can't beat a VRS, I love these cars and will one day buy one!

My dad used to have an 1.2 Fabia but we had to sell it at some point, but I loved it, the gearbox was so nice. Now that he's not around anymore I kinda want a Fabia again so it'd remind me of him.

Loved mine from 2004-2007… JBS Auto Designs in Chesterfield got it to 187bhp and 290lbft with a super flat torque curve. TT 312mm front brakes, H&R Coilovers, and Porsche “Design 90” alloys. Great memories!

Yes love the Pd130 by the looks of the power number that turbo is a bit tired, would love to see a hybrid turbo on it, 230hp on stock injectors easily!

Love this, what does it need, tyres, front suspension, so what should we do? None of that, lets go map it!!! lol!!

Videos like this are the reason I bought my 320d for £500 all the quirks add character and give these tin cans a soul amazing video Alex smashing it

I have a 245 Octavia petrol and it’s bloody thirsty but it’s fantastic to look at and drive I love it!

Nice plus just hot 500k subs pretty impressive for such a short time. These guys are brilliant