SEAT Ibiza III 1.8T FR - Excessively skittish handling - symptoms of deeper

Honest John Back Room » Technical matters
View Threaded
Sun 2 May 2010 21:54
SEAT Ibiza III 1.8T FR - Excessively skittish handling - symptoms of deeper - motorfan

I have just bought a 2006 SEAT Ibiza 1.8T FR with only 16,000 miles on the clock. On smooth roads it handles very well, but on poor, irregular road surfaces with small bumps/ripples or poorly maintained tarmac the handling becomes excessively skittish, to the point where it doesn't actually feel safe. the best way I can describe it is that it then feels as though the suspension is not completely connected to the car...

My question is: is this just a handling characteristic of the SEAT Ibiza, or does this point towards potential problems and something I should be worried about? I still have some warranty left.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 2 May 2010 23:36
SEAT Ibiza III 1.8T FR - Excessively skittish handling - symptoms of deeper - Peter.N.

Has'nt been fitted with low profile tyres has it?

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 3 May 2010 11:10
SEAT Ibiza III 1.8T FR - Excessively skittish handling - symptoms of deeper - bimmer-driver

Probably nothing wrong with it. SEAT just don't seem to be able to tune a chassis correctly. Lovely on smooth roads, but as soon as it gets even slightly rough, they turn bouncy, crashy and wobbley. My 2007 Ibiza tdi was the same. The only thing it might be are the rear wishbone bushes which don't seem to last long.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 15 May 2010 22:05
SEAT Ibiza III 1.8T FR - Excessively skittish handling - symptoms of deeper - motorfan

thanks for the replies - makes me feel a little better. The tyres are standard as far as I can tell but like the previous post its fine on smooth roads but on poor surfaces the car seems to "dance" across the road, so much so that sometimes I feel like it might lose control. makes for nervy progress. I have a diesel 3 series touring too and over the same roads it feels solid as a rock

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 16 May 2010 00:34
SEAT Ibiza III 1.8T FR - Excessively skittish handling - symptoms of deeper - bathtub tom

What tyres are fitted, and, more importantly, what pressures?

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 16 May 2010 00:52
SEAT Ibiza III 1.8T FR - Excessively skittish handling - symptoms of deeper - Peter.N.

I was about to say the same, what are the tyre pressures? You may find it benificial to lower them a little unless you are driving with a full load.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Looking for a garage you can trust? Honest John's Good Garage Guide has thousands of reader recommended garages, plus how-to guides and tips on servicing.

The Good Garage Guide