1st year expenses

2012 is coming. I wanted to summarize total expenses for the first year.

Skoda Fabia 1st year expenses chart

Important highlights:
- total 17,642 NIS or 1,470 NIS/month
- half of the budget spent on fuel
- quarter on insurance
If you want to take depreciation loss for this year into account (+16,500):
- total 34,142 NIS or 2,845 NIS/month

Few things to note:
- Loans: from initial 72,000 NIS loan I now have only about 30,000 NIS. It was hard for me to return such a sum but I did it. So probably, if you keep your loan plan as planned with Skoda it's cost should be more expensive.
- Insurance: it can be lower or higher depends on several parameters like age, history, insurance company.

Bottom line - take this chart as start point of overall expenses for your new car for the first year. Also, I didn't show here any money spent on extra oil changes, toys (like Multitronics, dash cam), security things, accessories (luggage nets, wash stuff) and much more. You can add another 8,000 NIS here :-)

If you thinking about to buy a car or take company car. My previous leased company car (regular sedan) cost me 3 000 NIS/month that is 36 000 per year. Of course it includes fuel, insurance, garage cost. But if you driving only 20 000 km/year and you can do related work by yourself (insurances, garage, etc) - you better consider to buy a car. Because after 3 years of paying for leased car - you have nothing, but in case of you own car - you have your 3 years old vehicle that you can sell or change for new one.

My recommendation if you want to buy/lease a car:
- 600-800 km a year - use taxi
- 1,000 - 17,000 km a year - buy a car
- 18,000 - leasing at work

Compare charts from data that I have now.

Skoda Fabia expenses compare

As you know, fuel price changes almost every month, here relevant stats too:

- minimum 6.69 NIS/liter (

- average 7.35 NIS/liter

- maximum 8.80 NIS/liter (because of 98 octan)

By the way - Happy New Year!

Update (2012-02-19): Added depreciation loss and fuel data.

My car care toolset

The orange thing on the top right is garden sprayer. Before it, I was using that water bottle full of 9 liters to wash a car. With a 5 liters sprayer (60-100 NIS in store) I need only 3-3.5 liters for body and 1.5-2 liters for wheels.

5 liters sprayer

Sprayer - for home and garden... and car wash ;-)

Diagnostic scan tool Multitronics VC731

If you remember, back in April I got a new toy Multitronics VG1031GPL - advanced scan tool for vehicle.

Few days ago I bought newer version of it Multitronics VC731. It's was used device, barely few weeks and in good condition. Installation simple as usual - just plug in in diagnostic port and voila! I actually just replaced units, because wiring is the same.

Multitronics VC731

Here a quick video.
Now, about main feature for me and a reason of upgrade. No, it's not color screen or faster CPU or more functions - it's about USB port. Now I can easily update firmware, setup screens and download last 20 trip logs for my statistics table.

But, USB port is closed with cover. To get there you need to uninstall device, remove case. And it's totally wrong, so I made a hole for USB cable. This is actually what manufacturer should do.

Hand-made USB hole

In case someone interested in my old device Multitronics VG1031GPL, I'm selling it. Write me if interested. It works with most modern (and not) cars. Verified car list is here (use Google Translate from Russian), but this is not a full list actually.

See also
Multitronics VC731 product page (Rus)

Luggage nets installed

This is DMA 710 002 - 1 set of luggage nets for luggage compartment installed from recent delivery - feels so free and cool! Because it double sided, it's not only holds things but you can also put inside stuff.

Update (2012-02-23)
Finally scanned fitting instructions DMA 710 001 Rack program - Fitting instructions (PDF) for you.

Air filter inspection

Last week I was thinking about K&N performance filter for my Fabia. Actually, you need a set:

• Round Air Filter E-2997
• Recharger Filter Care Service Kit

And I already found a place to buy here in Israel - pitstop.co.il. We negotiated the lowest price 360 NIS for filter and 90 NIS for care kit (instead of 400 and 120). From eBay you can get the same for about 300 and 100, so 450 NIS is a good price here. But, after some research I found this article Can a better air filter improve fuel economy? We'll find out... with all comments there and I start to doubt. It's very simple, less resistance means bigger holes and more dust come to engine. May be other engines are good with that, but 1.2 TSI should be so sensitive and I decided to wait with purchase.

Original 6R0 129 620 A - air filter costs 185 NIS in Skoda's garage, I can bring same for about 100 NIS. It should be replaced every 60K km or 4 years. I went to check condition of mine that went through 16K already. And it looks fine, I think I will change it around 30K.

6R0 129 620 A - air filter - after 16K km

Outside inspection

Inside inspection

See also
Proven eBay seller for K&N filters
K&N filter discussion on local forum (Russian)

Fabia scaled model

Image source: http://goo.gl/J6R1o

Cute small Fabia 1:43 scaled model at Abrex cars - Skoda Fabia II (model with white roof), just €10...

Insurance cost for 2012

Last week I got a call from insurance agent Alexander Novik.

• Liability insurance cost 1,491 NIS
• Comprehensive is 3,253 NIS

Last year it was 1,773 and 3,089 NIS respectively.
Car code by Itzhak Levi is 676-153.

The first part is lower because I'm 30 now and second is greater because of more thefts of Skoda this year (2011). Now I need to check other offers, but this is a good one. The policy is Careful Driver from Phoenix.

See also
Vehicle theft report (Hebrew)
Vehicle theft - June 2011 (Hebrew, PPT)

Order experiment from Russian Exist.Ru

As you probably may know (or not) that Israeli auto-market is too expensive for normal people.

Let's take for example my try to get original dust and pollen filter. In Skoda Netanya when I asked about replacement part at 15K service they said from 2 types of filter, they import in Israel only the simple one and it costs 133 NIS. Now, i was told that in central Champion's storage it could be cheaper. This is the call log:

Me - I'm looking for dust and pollen filter for my Skoda Fabia

Sk - What is the licence number?

Me - 12-345-67 

Sk - For your car it will cost you 160 NIS without VAT (186 NIS total).

Me - What is exactly the type of it? I know there are two types. 

Sk - We have only this, I can't tell you part number - company policy. Come here to see it.

Me - WTF? I can't come from Netanya just to check it

Sk - I can't help you...

Me- Can you look at least is it black or white?

Sk - I don't know if I have it here... Wait... It's white...

What is a difference between "white" and "black" filter?

As we see, in Petah Tikva, central Champion's storage the same filter 6Q0 820 367 dust and pollen filter costs 186 NIS, but in Netanya Skoda's garage it's 133 NIS. Funny right? And also recall that more advanced version of this filter 6R0 819 653 pollen filter with odor and harmful substances filtration can be ordered for about 300+ NIS.

So I knew about this parts store in Russia - Exist.Ru. This store is a part of Temot International the aftermarket value network. The problem was I have no idea how to manage it from Israel. And I decide to try it.

I placed the following order via internet site.

Part #	Make	Description	Price*, NIS
03C 115 561 D	VAG	oil filter	60
N 908 132 02	VAG	plug with seal	8
1K0 201 051 K	VAG	fuel filter with pressure regulator	147
6R0 819 653	VAG	pollen filter with odor and harmful substances filtration	130
DMA 710 002	VAG	1 set of luggage nets for luggage compartment	150
HFA 381 038	VAG	aerosil spray candy white	40
HFB 380 083	VAG	paint touch-up stick shadow grey	35

* - this is final price including all money conversions and delivery costs

Now that's how it worked:
1. Nov 15th I send money via Western Union to my sister.
2. Nov 19th I submitted the order.
3. Nov 21st my sister in Moscow went to their office and paid money for whole order.
4. Dec 2nd all items were ready. Most of them were ready at Nov 24th.
5. Dec 5th I meet a man in Ben Gurion airport that took the package for me.
Not bad, right? Next time, if I will not find someone to bring me package, I gonna test shitty Russian post service.

This way prices at least 2 times cheaper. I also checked in few local stores (not Champion's) for several parts and they don't have it at all.

If you have someone flying at least one time in month from Moscow to Ben Gurion - contact me, we can arrange our paid delivery with black jack and... you know ;-)

Should be 1K0 201 051 K - fuel filter with pressure regulator (remark: 6.6 BAR)
I got 1K0 201 051 C filter with 6.4 bar pressure instead of 1K0 201 051 K with 6.6 bar as shown in ETKA. But I will send it back for replacement soon.
UPDATE: filter already sent, the right one on the way to me.

03C 115 561 D - oil filter and N 908 132 02 - plug with seal (remark: M14X1,5X22)

6R0 819 653 - pollen filter with odor and harmful substances filtration (model: PR-2V5)

DMA 710 002 - 1 set of luggage nets for luggage compartment (model: square back)

HFA 381 038 - aerosil spray candy white (remark: 1026/F9E/9P9P)
Also, i don't know whey the put green square sticker when it's white color...

HFB 380 083 - paint touch-up stick shadow grey (remark: 9154/F5X/5T5T)

Bulbs and Autolamps Online

Autolamps-Online is recommended online store to buy lamps. One week delivery time, placed in UK.

Bulbs table from manual

See also
2009 Autoexpress H7 headlight bulb review

New way to learn traffic?

New way to learn traffic?

On my way to work today I saw at least two places with camera attached to the car on intersections. While somebody sleeps in a car, camera catches data for post-processing? Interesting... Never saw this before.

Tuning and accessories sites

Image source http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/09/skoda-unveiling-fabia-rs-at-worthersee-2010/

http://skodateile.cz/
http://www.skoda-parts.cz/
http://www.obautodily.cz/
http://www.superskoda.com/
http://www.autostyl-janko.cz/
http://www.spoilercentrum.cz/
http://www.milotec.de/
http://kolapneu.cz/

Wiper blades

Raining season had come. Even thought it's recommended to "replace the wiper blades once or twice a year for safety reasons", mine are in good condition. One thing I did it's switch places of front blades, because left was cleaning a bit less, so now it's perfectly fine. I plan to replace them for the next season.

Skoda Fabia front wiper blade holder

Skoda Fabia front wiper blade Valeo

Skoda Fabia rear wiper blade Swf

Ordering codes
5J1 998 001 - 1 set of aerodynamic wiper blades (remark: left-hand vehicle)
5J6 955 425 - rear aero-wiper blade (model: square black); hatchback

Vehicle license fee 2012

Last week I received new vehicle license. New cars don't need to do test on second year, so it's just a fee.

Skoda Fabia vehicle license fee 2012

This year it's 1 420 NIS, last year it was 1 389 NIS that you pay to dealer with car price.

Skoda Fabia vehicle license fee 2011

Also, I should mention, in new document there is no pledge record to bank. (^_^)

For those, who do reserve duty in army and for the last 3 years served for more than 20 days, you should get discount from army. With mine 10 days no discount... More information here:
http://he.mot.gov.il/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=313:rishayon-rehev-hidush&catid=64:rishayon-rechev-c&Itemid=91
http://www.aka.idf.il/Miluim/templates/inner.asp?catId=58820

Dust and pollen filter

Wanted to check and change dust filter today. This is the filter I bought from garage - 6Q0 820 367 dust and pollen filter (name from ETKA)

Packaging

VW 6Q0 820 367 dust and pollen filter

And this is the filter I pulled out from my car - 6R0 819 653 pollen filter with odor and harmful substances filtration (name from ETKA).

Side look

VW 6R0 819 653 pollen filter with odor and harmful substances filtration

As we see they are not the same, in garage they didn't tell about second type, originally installed in my vehicle. The filter was dirty. I went over it with vacuum cleaner and put back. Need to find where I can buy the same and return the new one to Skoda. I think it's a good idea to replace it every 30K kilometers, and if i'll find it cheap, will replace now.

15K or 1-Year Service

I came at 9:15 and finished at 11:00.

What was done:
1. Engine computer was updated with latest firmware. As far that I know, update related to complains that sometimes engine stalled when starting moving. I never experienced that by myself.
2. I've asked to change "convenience turn signal" from 3 to 4 times. I feel always that I missing just one more light when changing lines, making light turns. It took techinians to figure out where this hided in their service computer :-) I guees, noone ever asked about that before. Moving to other stand...
3. A service man pulled out old oil filter and put a new one. It was a good decision to stand with my car this time. Because I noticed that new filter looks strange. There was "Asal Technologies" or something like that written on it. I took a packaging and it was made in Turkey. What a fuck? I asked to pull out from trash old one. Techinian started to explain that it is the same, they always install such filters. But the old one was made in Germany and has VAG logos. So I went to the warehouse to ask what is just happend right now. Stockman reacted like everything is normal, and when I explained, he says "sorry, that is mistake". Gave us original oil filter. I bet they could change the filter and took money as for original with easy. Ok, filter changed.
4. We (yes, now I was looking precisly what he is doing) lifted the car, opened the drain plug. Oil was very-very black, and this is just 7500 km. We replaced drain plug with the new one. He asked why do I need that, it's almost the new... I didn't explain.
5. He inspected brakes: disks and pads were like new.
6. Lowered Fabia, I gave him new oil with 3.5 liters mark. That's why I had a pleasure experience sucked up extra oil back when they put all 4 liters. In manual and ELSA said it should be 3.6 liters. I'll better add if need later by myself.
7. Took out air filter, cleaned with air and also it's housing.
8. All other luquids were in their level ranges, nothing added.
9. Fuel line rattling not fixed. Will fix by myself.

Overall, 15K service costs me 568 NIS: 368 NIS to garage for work and 200 NIS for my oil. Took around 1 and a half hour.

Skoda Fabia 15K service bill

Also, don't forget your car book, they should also mark there.

Skoda Fabia 15K service mark

I also bought from them original dust and pollen filter 6R0 820 367 for 133 NIS. Not original costs around 75 NIS.

Skoda Fabia dust and pollen filter bill

Odometer: 14,595 km.

Rattling noise is back

And now documented. Was fixed a while ago.





UPDATE:
Possible solution with foam rubber from friend with Seat Ibiza.

Solution to rattling fuel line at Seat Ibiza

Valvoline SynPower XL-III from Alon Halafim

Valvoline SynPower XL-III front

These week I was looking for Valvoline SynPower XL-III 5W-30.
I called several places, was in some stores - nothing.

Usually, in a store dialog looks like this:

Me: I'm looking for Valvoline SynPower XL-III
Seller: What?
M: Valvoline SynPower XL-III
S: We have 5W-40 и 5W-30
M: SynPower XL-III?
S: Valvoline!
M: What is VW approval on it?
S: What is approval? No approval. What car is for?
M: Skoda Fabia 2011
S: Wait, I'm calling to garage. Allo, Michael, what oil you use for Skoda 2001? 10W-40? Here is a best oil for your Skoda, take it.
M: Any stores around here?..

So I asked help on forum. There is a good store Alon Halafim in Rishon Lezion, 2 Tulipman St. Before I went there, I called to check they have oil I need in stock.

Both SynPower and SynPower XL-III were around 220 NIS, sold for 200 NIS. They also gave me to choose most fresh by manufacture date - 2010-10-05. But one thing that amaze me was when I came in and asked for Valvoline oils, the owner said: "I will show all types I have and you will choose what you need, because you understand in it more than I". This is the best car store I know so far! Love it. I'm not mention that they have several section for sitting like in the bank. And a small present - dust cleaning brush.

Valvoline SynPower XL-III side

Valvoline SynPower XL-III back

Btw, windshield washing fluid cost 10 NIS, same thing in Skoda garage is 12 NIS.

Important observation from visiting such stores. Visit them 1 hour before closing, because at morning them too busy with work and other buyers to listen to you, and at the evening - you are the only customer.

First service soon

Reminders on display

Yesterday I passed 14 000 kilometers. This morning I saw new sings on display when started my Fabia. This mean that I have less than 1000 km or 82 days to service check.

Need to buy an oil, I think it will be Valvoline SynPower XL-III. Once I'll get it, will call to garage to schedule a date.

Bank account looks closed in Mizrahi-Tefahot

Got this letter a few days ago. It says that my account that was created for a car credit is closed now. But I have a strange feelings... What a fuck it should be so comlicated? Why I should call for your action? Why this paper not looks real to me and again looks like print-screen from some internal banking program.

Insurance details for 2011

Some details on car insurance for new Skoda Fabia.

I did some research on market with companies offers. Two things you should know. First, small insurance companies will usually screw you when it comes to insurance cases, like Shirbit - very cheap, but people complain about service they offer when time comes. Second, if you can add extra two hundreds for an agent - it's a good idea, because when case happens, you by yourself need to deal with the insurance companies, third sides and so on. On the other hand, a good agent with a good experience will take it on himself doing all dirty job. The problem is to find one, here a good advice is to ask your friends if they know a good agent that already handled real cases and better handled it positively. And another note, you probably want your agent located closely, so you don't need to go to Eilat to sing papers although in most cases fax communication is enough.

So, I found a good agent by friend's advice that actually also have Skoda Fabia but red one and with DSG. He know him for a long time and once helped with road accident case including courts. The agent name is Alex Novik, he is working for Elifim agency (site is badly working). So I went to Raanana to meet him.

He suggested me two options, both are big insurance (and not only) companies:

Phenix - Careful Driver (policy PDF on Hebrew)

Clal - Green Way (policy PDF on Hebrew)

Both offers had almost the same price (+- 100 NIS) for liability ("hova") insurance and comprehensive ("makif") extension. I decided to go with Phoenix, because all my pension money and other funds are in this company.

Bottom line, total insurance cost for driver that
- below of age 30 (can lower a cost if above 30)
- single driver
- zero fault accidents, claims or violations in last 3 years (requires confirmation)
- clear driving records
- not a "new driver"
- from Jan 13th to Dec 31st 2011
- no other vehicle in family (can lower a cost if you have another car)
- requires immobilizer only
Liability insurance cost 1 773 NIS (can split for 11 payments)
Comprehensive is 3 089 NIS (can split for 3 payments)

Pay attention to have in policy
- "new for old" option that will pay actual market value for new car if your car is totaled for more than 50% or stolen, this works for only first year
- road services

Useful links
HowStuffWorks - How Car Insurance Works