veearsix

Hi Jim, I'm coming a bit late to this... My brother's partner has had three Fiestas. The first two were 'normal' ones (1.6 engine?), her third, which she's only had for a few months is an ST. On the first two she also ticked the 'sports suspension' option. I only drove the second one, though as a driving experience, I can't really remember anything about it. My single over-riding impression on all three concerns the ride: I thought the first was unacceptably bad, esp for a mainstream manufacturer in 2012. The second was a bit better even though, on paper, it had identical suspension. I thought the ST was even worse than the first - I reckon after a long day at work it would completly do your head in. If someone had told me it had been fitted with a set of cheapo coilovers, I'd have still thought the ride was terrible! To qualify things a bit, my brother lives near Bath, which has always had appalling roads. I'd say if you don't live in the city and don't need to regularly commute into one, then it might be bearable. To provide some reference points, my bro has an Elise (3 or 4 years old) which he commutes in. Although the ride sounds bad, it rides like a limo in comparison to the ST. He also thinks the ST rides unacceptably badly. My references are my VR, which had a complete suspension overhaul in Jan - apart from the springs, anti-roll bar and back axle I changed everything else for as much genuine VW as possible, although the dampers are (OE spec) Bilstein B4. It's true that it's not the firmest, runs out of damping control at higher speeds and would no doubt struggle to keep up with an enthusiastically driven ST, but then I wouldn't need to be visiting the osteopath, either! If you're thinking I quite like a nice soft ride, my other car is a Mk2 Polo (G60) which has been pretty tightly tied down on Eibachs, custom spec Konis, etc. It has a very crashy ride, but, somehow seems more 'honest' than the above Fiestas, if that makes any sense. How about an Up!? My bro has just ordered one - he test drove three different ones at different dealers just to try out the different wheel options. He's gone for 17s and even with their skinny 195/40s he reckoned the ride was ok. So if nothing else, the VW dealers sound a bit friendlier that the Ford ones!

Thanks JC and Sean for your replies and insight, Yes, I see what you mean. I guess the Climatronic control panel is basically 'fly-by-wire' so needs matching air-ducting gubbins, whereas the Corrado rotaries are cable operated, hence fairy drastic frankensteinien bodgery would be needed to try and mix and match, on top of what is already a complex project! Am still interested, so would like to take these items if I may. I could collect this weekend, if that would be convenient. thanks, Tony

Hi, I'd be interested in this. In the 18 months I've had my VR, I've often thought about retro-fitting A/C. Just one question; as it's quite a complex job would I have the option, by not fitting all of the parts, to just make it normal A/C, i.e. without the climatronic part? thanks, Tony

That would be absolutely marvellous. Many thanks, Chris!

Hi, have I missed the boat on these? Are there any left? Thanks, Tony

Thanks for the welcome guys! Karmannski, I'm just outside Ipswich, where are you based? This is my first car with a leather interior and it certainly makes it a very nice place to sit! What you can't see is a very small hole on the driver's side bolster caused by the seat belt buckle 'poking' it whenever the seat is tipped forward. I was puzzled for a while for why it only seemed to be this car that had this problem, and why the seat was reluctant to stay in the tipped-forward position. In the end I just twisted the buckle so that it was naturally at an angle. This meant it now rotated and 'flattened' itself when the seat is tipped forward and also now stays put, too. Assuming that was the cause, I'll need to get the hole fixed at some point in the future - I'm hoping it's something that'll be reasonably straightforward for a leather interior specialist. Another job for the 'to do' list!

Hello all. I’ve owned my VR6 for about 9 months and have found this forum to be an invaluable help for sorting things out. Thought it only right that I should properly join and say ‘Hello!’ Like many, I’ve always fancied a Corrado VR6 ever since hearing that lovely cultured engine note so thought I should do something about it before I get too old! I actually bought the car from a forum member. It’s now done 128k and I use it as my daily driver – it’s certainly very different to my two previous Sciroccos! I’ve been slowly working my way through the car over the past nine months sorting out bits and pieces (including: fan blower, heater controls, HRW switch, dodgy alarm wiring, most of the cooling system, front engine mount, rear discs pads and bearings, ABS light, door handles, rear spoiler, battery tray, interior rattles, etc) – and also becoming very well (re)acquainted with my local VW parts dept! Still many things to do over the coming year that should make a very nice car to drive even nicer still! Btw, although I did a few searches and didn’t turn anything up, I’m guessing folks are familiar with the throttle cable mod? I only mention it as it’s one of the few things that costs only pennies but makes a big difference. I noticed that (when I had various dashboard pieces out) the throttle cable has a spring at the pedal linkage end that softens (fudges) the response to blips of the pedal. What was meant to be a temporary fix of clamping three fuel-pipe clips over the spring to make it ‘solid’ has become pretty much permanent and with a resultant much better throttle response – definitely worth trying! Cheers, Tony [ATTACH=CONFIG]76903[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]76904[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]76905[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]76906[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]76907[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]76908[/ATTACH]