October 2009
I enjoy reading peoples real life reviews on this forum so I thought I?d share our experiences of a 2.0 FSi Altea Sport.
The car was purchased at 6 months old as an ex-demo from a Seat dealer in 2005. Based on the then new MkV Golf platform it was a revelation after our previous 1.6 Seat Leon. The engine was quiet and the six speed gearbox with low gearing made for a fun drive. The seats were fantastic even after a long journey. Wind noise was an issue at motorway speeds although I have read that Seat provided fix for the wing mirror mounts which cost less than £1 if you fit it yourself. The car averaged around 32mpg which was reasonable for a 1400Kg car that was driven fairly hard. The extra height of the Altea was great when loading and unloading offspring into car seats. The double height boot meant you could hide less used stuff and still have easy access to buggies etc.
Reliability proved to be the downfall of this car, we chose to sell in the end as the time between each failure never really exceeded a few months, here are some highlights:
Electronic throttle failure from delivery, caused ECU to disconnect throttle control which was exciting on the motorway ? this required 13 dealer visits over 6 months before they found a fix.
Front wheel bearing failure
Remote locking failed
Water pump leak
Coolant leak from plastic coolant port
Boot lock failed
Coil pack failure
Exhaust gas recirculation valve failure
Catalyst broke up - this was a £700 fix
Further coolant leak, source unknown.
A common response when discussing the issues with the Altea was ?ahhh that?s because it?s a cheap VW? but the only Seat specific part that failed was the boot lock, everything else was generic VAG. Do VAG have a crystal ball which decides which brand their parts are sent to or do all VAG drivers have to deal with this number of failures?
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Is there anyone who cant do their job, get to their house, do their shopping, or get around the UK without 4x4? Read more
It is indeed sad these things are frowned upon. The idea that anyone has the right to expect others to change their ideals and preferences on what are quite frankly, minor areas of their life such has how big your car is, is so petty - there are FAR bigger problems in the world.
I by the way dont care for dogs myself, but my nan was a European dog show judge and breeder so I grew up with them and I wouldnt ever say someone shouldnt have one, just that like a big car, its an individuals choice to spend extra money on something they want - dogs are a sore point atm since a neighbours dog made a mess on my lawn - a Landcruiser wouldnt have done that :-)
Just this week my 92 Eunos has let in water. The hood is only months old and did not leak in the summer rains but water is getting in somewhere. I guess the hood is the most likely culprit. But just where is the water going. I can hear it sloshing about but it seems to be both behind me and to the left beneath the passenger seat. Is there a drain plug of any kind. It is seeping into the interior on the passenger side but the main body of water is definitely beneath and behind. Any ideas? Philipeunos Read more
Thanks for the advice. I'll take a look this weekend if it stops raining. Phil
Car suddenly did not want to start, battery lights on, ignition working, just no turn over when key starts, think it might be starter motor. Tried starting 3-4 times no joy,
lifted bonnet near the starter motor smoke appearing, think it must be burnt out.
Is this usual for a starter motor to just suddenly pack up?
I have read a lot of horror stories about mondeo's and starter motor/flywheel problems.
Hope its just starter motor, as had no signs of anything going wrong, just suddenly would not start.
IT will bump start so I wasn't left stranded. Read more
Are bba-reman paying you to promote their business? ;o)
Hello,
I want to replace my gearlever gaiter.
Basic, I realise, but does the knob simply unscrew? Or is it more complicated?
Also, any tips on where to buy the gaiter?
Thanks for any help.
Steve. Read more
The gearlever gaitor is held on by a metal crimped clip. Unclip the base of the gaitor from the centre console and pull the gaitor up and over the gearknob and you will see what I mean. The clip can either be cut off or twisted side to side with pliers to loosen the tension. Once the tension is released the gear knob simply pulls off.
I bought a gaitor off Ebay and highly recommend this seller, tinyurl.com/yk5svmh , the quality is superb (proper leather as opposed to the standard PVC which cracks and tears easily) and is very easy to fit. You only get the leather gaitor and there is no plastic base mounting bracket. You just remove the staples which attach the old gaitor to the bracket and the new one has an elasticated base which just stretches over this; the top part of the gaitor is secured onto the gearlever knob using the existing top hat type clip.
To resecure the gearknob, I used a strong cable tie in place of the metal clip. A jubilee clip would also suffice.
Looks like I've got to service my Son's Mazda 6 diesel this weekend, so i need to know if and how i bleed the system after changing the fuel filter. Is it self bleeding like my Peugeot or is there a bleed screw I need to undo?
Many thanks in advance
Robin the Technician Read more
Not the easiest one to change as the battery has to come out, its tucked under the scuttle on the firewall. When you refit the new filter fill it with fresh diesel first then when you start up keep the revs above 3000 for about 30 secs. I usually do this job first so the engine is not trying to build up oil pressure after draining the sump from the service if you follow my drift.
hi ron from edinburgh here, am trying to sort the rear brake pads on a ford c-max 04, 1.6. Can anyone tell me how you retract the brake cylinder after changing the old brake pads for new ones Read more
cgi.ebay.co.uk/FOCUS-C-MAX-RS-MONDEO-TRANSIT-BRAKE...0
no idea of the quality of this product.
Halfords do windback tools but the fitting might not be suitable.
When using the tool slacken off the bleed nipple, to avoid pushing the fluid back against the master cylinder. Mastercylinders can cope with some abuse but best not chance it by damaging the seals in it.
Hi. I have just brought a renault espace 2.2 dci privilage 2001 on a y plate but i don't get it until saturday.
I'm just wondering what should i look out for and can anyone say who has had one what they are like and what sort of MPG you can get out of them?
{subject header given a more meaningful title, along with the removal of 'txt' talk and replaced with proper words!} Read more
I have a more modern version - Grand 2006 2.2.Does 35mpg around town and 42 on a decent run, 42,000 and no problems at all, Would have another but going to downsize to Grand Scenic very soon if extended test drive proves okay. The Espace is the most comfy car I have driven over long journeys and the kids and extended family love it, Up for sale, but waiting for the right deal,,,
Pug 406 HDi 2.1
Hi,
I'm thinking of changing the fuel filter. After hearing about bits of metal getting into the fuel system, I was thinking maybe to change the whole filter housing including filter which I can get from my local Pug dealer. I'm trying to avoid problems with what is a very reliable car. I could remove it and change the filter 'off car' and give the housing a thorough clean thus avoiding any 'possible contamination. I've also heard stories of the pipe clips breaking and obviously want to avoid that also.
Whatever happens its going to be changed but do i need to bleed the system or just turn on the key, wait till the pump has run and then start up. Does the system self bleed???
Any advice and guidance would be appreciated.
Thanks
Robin the Technician Read more
Hi,
I can confirm having done this job twice on the car now - without any problems. I only changed the element (when i finally got it off). I did clean the head with a can of aerosol brake cleaner although it looked clean enough anyway. All's well and continues to provide excellent service for our family. I will be sad to see her go when she's sold in favour of a Kia Ce'ed estate or a Skoda Superb Estate (SWMBO's choice)....
Hello
Not been on for a while, but was prompted to by something that's been bugging me the last few weeks, having been working away and driving a long commute Mondays and Fridays.
What is it that lorry drivers don't understand about 50mph average speed cameras on roadworks? I have now lost count of the number of times I have seen aggressive driving from them because someone is, er, going at 50mph in front of them through these roadworks and there are LOADS of them at the moment: on my journey: M6, M42, M40, A404, M4... is it because they can't just keep their pedal to the metal at 56 or whatever they are restricted to?
Cutting in and out, tailgating, waving their arms about... can anyone explain it to me please? Luckily it's only happened to me once, and I wasted no time in ringing his employers (on handsfree obviously!) so hopefully the threat of no Christmas presents for his children will make him think twice before driving so close I had to swerve into the middle lane thinking he was actually going to hit me. Are lorry drivers immune to 3 points and a fine or something? What is it they don't get? Would I be uncharitable to say they don't understand what average speed means?
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Any suggestions as to how they got that tyre there?
It looks too small to go over the camera.
Browse
A friend of mine has a Leon Sport TDI and the ride in that car is the worst of any mass produced car I have ever experienced. It seems to have no suspension whatsoever. You feel the stippled bits on manhole covers, and it's causing some creaks to creep in at just 40,000 miles.
Lovely car otherwise though. Not given him any bother and with the 140 bhp 2.0 PD TDI under the bonnet, goes like stink.