SEAT Ibiza III - VAG TDI Engines

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Sun 29 May 2011 21:44
SEAT Ibiza III - VAG TDI Engines - Lord Laughton

Hi, new to site tho used info here wisely in buying last BMW e91 320d. Need to replace wifes car now. Have seen a seat ibiza 53 plate fsh cambelt and water pump done at 63k, years tax and mot 1.9tdi (100 bhp) good tyres all round with 99k on clock for £2450. Question is two fold really: 1) Is this good value ( we need the diesel as daily commute of 40 miles) and 2) what do others think of this car/engine. Please be brutally honest.

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Sun 29 May 2011 21:55
SEAT Ibiza III - VAG TDI Engines - Avant

Welcome to the forum.

If you're going to buy a used diesel, this engine is probably the best one to go for: it seems less liable to expensive failure than most others. As no doubt you know, the mechanicals are the same as in other VW Group models, but SEATs tend to be cheaper. By the look of it, that's not a bad price: you may be able to haggle down to nearer £2,000.

Get a good long test drive if possible, and see if you can discover the true reason why it's for sale.

Edited by Avant on 29/05/2011 at 21:57

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Sun 29 May 2011 22:00
SEAT Ibiza III - VAG TDI Engines - Lord Laughton

Thanks, dealer sale stes taken in px. Dealer appears genuine and offering iro 2k for our 54 plate fiesta so not much to stump up I guess. Fiesta has to go as 1.4 is thirsty and gutless, car is 3 door with no isofix for the nipper. Is the 100 bhp the PD engine? Is this power sufficient for the car size.

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Sun 29 May 2011 22:05
SEAT Ibiza III - VAG TDI Engines - unthrottled

Yes it is PD. Yes, the power is 'adequate' ie plenty for roundabouts, uphill slip roads etc.

But 100hp is 100hp. Some people will try and argue that torque is what matters. Carp! Gearboxes multiply torque to whatever you want; you can't multiply power!

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Sun 29 May 2011 22:11
SEAT Ibiza III - VAG TDI Engines - Lord Laughton

I have my car plus £800 max. I would like a mk4 golf gtdi 130 ( I believe the 150's suffer from excessive cam shaft failure?) but there are no decent looking ones on the trader in my price range all approx £3000+ and 120k= miles. So I was thinking Ibiza is basically a polo, engines I hear are very reliable and ecconomical. I dont need fast 0-60 but I do need mid range grunt for overtaking the Lorries and Sunday drivers on A roads in Southern Lincs/Northants coupled with good ecconomy. But I cant afford the potentially pricey repairs to a turbo diesel if they go wrong, hence the request for info re reliability. Plus insurance is much less than Golf. Good for my 26 year old not so speed camera observant wife.

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Mon 30 May 2011 16:35
SEAT Ibiza III - VAG TDI Engines - Roly93

But 100hp is 100hp. Some people will try and argue that torque is what matters. Carp! Gearboxes multiply torque to whatever you want; you can't multiply power!

Yes but a 100BHP diesel has a lot more torque than a 100BHP petrol, and most people are happy with this power level in a small runabout car.

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Mon 30 May 2011 18:42
SEAT Ibiza III - VAG TDI Engines - Boulder2k9

Yeah 100bhp in that car will be plenty, the engine range in that model starts with a 60bhp 1.2 petrol, I'm sure that a 100bhp engine will be really nice. As regards reliability there are other posters here who have a great knowledge of the PD engines but in my experience, they have been excellent as long as regular oil changes and filters etc are done on time.

On your long commute 50mpg should be possible!

Good luck!

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Mon 30 May 2011 18:54
SEAT Ibiza III - VAG TDI Engines - TTToommy

I'd also use Shell "super" diesel ocasionally due to the cleaning agents and the lubricosity(?) i.e keeps the diesel pump running for longer

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Tue 31 May 2011 17:45
SEAT Ibiza III - VAG TDI Engines - 12345oncei

Sorry to hijack this thread.

Would the same reassurances of reliability apply to an 03 plate 1.9 tdi (130 bhp)? Is the ECU still in a stupid place on these (under scuttle panel) ?

Ta.

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Tue 31 May 2011 18:06
SEAT Ibiza III - VAG TDI Engines - Boulder2k9

In my opinion the 130bhp engine is even better and as many have said on this forum as long as it has regular oil changes filters etc it should run forever. FSH is a must if buying one though. I had one and it was excellent, reliable fast and economical.

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Wed 1 Jun 2011 20:38
SEAT Ibiza III - VAG TDI Engines - Lord Laughton

Well went and looked at the motor today - 160 mile round trip!!! Loved the engine, tourque in abundance and pretty nippy. Handled well and nice to drive. Did I buy? Hell NO. I love the model, I'm a new Ibiza 1.9tdi convert but todays example was shoddy to say the least.

The ad did state there were minor paint work issues and included 4 helpful photos of what appeared to be very minor scuffs. I thought what the hell, 99k on the clock, cambelt and water pump done and fsh. I'm so glad I followed your advice HJ on "Gut Feelings". The body work was shoddy - covered in small scrapes and chips to both the metal and plastic parts of the car.

The Fiesta I was hoping to PX is immaculate and is only a year younger. I look after my cars!. Sure the car was clean and these could be got out with a couple of hundred quid but why sell a car in this condition from a dealership? The nearside headlamp cluster was frosted over with glue ( I presume from driving abroad ) and the dealer helpfully suggested I find a mechanic to fit a replacement which he had in the back. I went with the premise that if its crap on the outside then it will be the same inside.

The engine was warm on my arrival, to a temperature where I knew that it had been running a while prior to my arrival - alarm bells!!!! but otherwise clean and all fluids at the right levels/viscosity?

I test drove it anyway for the experience - engine seemed sweet as a nut as did the gear box. BUT, I read on HJ's buying advice to reverse the car and turn the wheel full lock both ways. To my amazement the grinding sound of what I took to be the driveshaft going. Took the car straight back. Made my excuses and left.

I will find a decent example hopefully around 3k. Thankyou for the advice and contributions.

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