2005 Seat Ibiza TDi FR from UK and Ireland - Comments

Initial Issues:

Misting Up Headlights.

Given the low mileage so far this is more of an 'initial impression' than a full review, but I thought it might be useful and I'll add to it as the miles rack up (if that's possible!)

If you're considering the 130bhp diesel you'll probably know by now that the car is quite brisk. ;) The only downside is that the initial rush of grunt is not maintained for that long, but the engine makes the car rapid and very laid back, with more subtle suspension it would be an ideal olde school GT.

The suspension is *very* firm and to be honest a bit over the top on a road car, try before you buy!

Folk say the engine is noisy, but generally it is a lot quieter than my old tech ZX TD. That said cold starts are a little noisy and pulling away shows up still more of the diesel clatter. Above walking pace though the engine is pretty near silent with only a gentle 'chatter' as you ease on the power. Tyre roar is very noticeable at even quire low speeds and increases with speed - make sure your test drive includes a bit of dual carriageway!

The full on climate control seems overly complicated, either warming you or chilling the air, you can't seem to get just 'outside' air.

The fuel computer needs checking too. Optimistically suggesting that mpg figures of 65+ are being achieved where calculations reckons about 52 which is confusing, but still good on a tight engine with this much torque.

A final initial (?) thought, ignore the myth of VAG build quality, they have as many problems as anybody else these days, just have a nose through the Polo reviews...

Overall I'm more than happy getting a pre-reg 130 FR TDi (pre-2006 facelift) for £10750.

I recently purchased a face-lifted 1.9 TDi FR (5 door) and can agree with all the comments made:

- The suspension is *very* firm,

- some tarmac surfaces give rise to a lot of tyre roar,

- headlights like to mist up slightly,

- I also got about 52 mpg average (over 1200 miles), when trip computer always says 60+, sometimes 70+ mpg.

- Build quality seemed fine, but after driving over some rough road there is a noticeable creak in the dash.

I intend to keep the car for some time, hopefully it will prove reliable - but I might have to do something about the harsh ride!

Now with 3k up the FR is going well. The 'box has eased up a bit though, as others have found, second can be a bit reluctant especially when the box oil is cold.

The ECON button on the climate control isn't as the dealer suggested a Economy setting on the aircon, but simply turns the aircon off and bleeds external air to reduce the temperature. Certainly more comfortable on the colder days and saves 2-3mpg.

After about 300miles car decided to start drifting slightly to the nearside, tyres pressures are fine to that will need checking. Headlamps still mist up. Kids in Saxos still try and race it and still get suprised by the grunt. ;)

No other issues, all going well thankfully!

I have had mine for 12 months now and it still feels superb. Although I have a few issues.

The exhaust tailpipes are starting to rust and when the rust started to show when the car was only 6 months old I was told by the dealer that it is not covered on the warranty. I contacted SEAT and they told me that it is not performance affecting and not body rot therefore not covered. I have since found out this is a common fault with TDI FR's and I feel aggrieved at having to replace a rotting component with the car just 12 months old.

The FR badges are fading badly and the dealer refuses to replace them. The red on the badge is almost pink. Again, I have contacted SEAT customer support and I have got the same response – it is not performance affecting and they are not covered. The car was also supplied with the wrong TDI badges on and after 12 months I have finally got the dealer to put the correct ones on.

The build quality is not as good as people make out. But would I change it? No. I love the car. It is fast, fun and cheap to run! What more could I ask for? I think the problems I have had, to be honest, are down to a poor dealer and poor customer care on SEAT’s part.

I bought an 06 FR TDi in September, and agree pretty much with the comments made.

The ride can be very harsh, and you have to be careful with the road surface (pot holes and so on)

The points I will add: -

I've kerbed every alloy on my car (so easy to do)

Economy isn't as good as the figures make out. My driving is mainly motorway, and I get high 40's, low 50's at best.

Bought one of these last year as a pre-reg for £10500 and am impressed. Build quality is reasonably good and performance is good for the type of car. I cover 30k miles pa and the shove of the PD diesel suits me, on motorways & particularly on A-roads where it is good for overtaking. Wouldn't say it was fast - no more than my previous Mondeo 2.0 TDCi 130, and ride is harsh off the major roads, but it's quite fun to drive. Agree with comment about exhaust trim & badges. Mine is just over a year old now, rusty exhaust trims, faded badges, scratch up n/s, and cracked rear bumper. I don't look after it particularly well, but it wasn't expensive to buy, and after a quick tart-up I'm sure there will be some boy-racer that will snap it up when I'm ready to sell. I'll run it another year or two at most and will probably go back to another 'boring' Mondeo - probably a 2.2TDCi - quick enough, but far more spacious and comfortable (and also anonymous... good for not drawing the attention of the police and daft wee boys in Saxos)!

Ran an Ibiza FR PD130 for 25000 miles and have just sold it after 3 months of trying! Car was remapped to 180bhp by supplying dealer, this makes a huge difference to the performance, but still could get 45-50 mpg travelling quickly.

My thoughts on the car are that it was almost a great car Immense performance, faster on the road than the Impreza it replaced on half the fuel cost! Ride was pretty hard with a lot of road noise on some surfaces, but other than that was comfortable. What totally ruined the car for me was the dreadful steering, featherlight with no feel whatsoever making it very unpredictable in wet or slippery conditions when driving quickly. The overall handling was biased too much to understeer for my taste with (probably not helped by the upgraded torque to be fair) bad power understeer and a fair bit of torquesteer. Ate front tyres which would be expected, but it was quite keen on rears too which is odd given they didn't do a lot!

Other comments would be that I got the impression it wouldn't be particularly durable although nothing broke or fell off, servicing seemed a bit pricey and I wasn't over impressed with the dealer.

I persevered with the car for 25000 miles, but the steering (and to a lesser extent handling) was so bad in the end I couldn't live with it, a great disappointment as in most other respects it suited my purpose admirably.

Must agree with the comment on dealers, try customer services if you have problems, they will be very helpfull-not!, ie give it to me like a bullet, bang, bang, bang was seat uks comment when I complained about a dealer who questioned why I did not buy off them!

Update:

I haven't been using the car as much as expected so mileage is only now up to 7k. For info, to add to the misting headlamps (which all Series 4 Ibizas seem to suffer from in varying degrees) both electric mirrors have died, I suspect a fuse, naturally a week after the annual service... A colleague who liked mine so much bought the facelifted 06 version has also had an LCD display fail, not sure if these are common, but maybe things to look out for.

Apart from that, going well, adjusting happily to suspension and to gearbox when cold. Fuel consumption settled in the low 50s. Climate control still frustrates with it's "i know best" attitude, but is easily overrided.

For the money I still can't think what new car gives anything like the bang per buck...

I've had my Ibiza 1.9TDI FR for about 9 months now and I still love it. I needed to downsize from my Bora 1.9 TDI so I chose this little beauty. Unlike most, I love the suspension as the car is really fun on those country roads, really makes you feel like you are driving! and on the motorway it doesn't really matter as most of the roads are smooth anyhow. Love the torque, but not the torque steer, but with a small car being so powerful what do you expect.

My downsides to the car are the misting of the front headlights, don't use a jet wash on them and you should be okay. Does go through front tyres a bit, but again a lot of hard driving is the cause of that so I can't complain too much. And finally the Climate control, it's okay if you want the air con on all the time, but I don't most of the time I can just use the outside air, but it selects air con automatically every time you want to clear the front windscreen etc so you have to switch back manually. sorry one more thing, they could of designed the dash just a little better, it looks a bit cheaply done.

Other than that though very very happy at the MPG, the Road tax and the speed of the thing!

Now racked up 14k. FR badges fading to pink, and blown fuse was the cause of the inoperative door mirrors. New fuses also blew which then pointed to a dud motor in the right hand mirror. That is now replaced and I now have a rattle in the door even though I'm assured it wasn't taken apart to replace it.

Not seeing any oil consumption issues that other VAG PD130 owners talk about, but early days yet I guess. Lights still mist up and box is still reluctant to go into 2nd on cold oil.

Although I'm not a lover of 'sports' seats, the bolstering is fairly mild on the FR, you can tend to move about in the bends.

Friend who bought the mildly chaved up face lifted version in late 2006 got through 17" PZero tyres in 12k, the 16" Touranzas on mine are fine at 14k though grip is underwhelming.

Have just bought a new Ibiza FR 1.9 TDI on 17" wheels. Tyres are very noisy and the ride is very harsh. Very disappointed. Admittedly it goes quickly and handles well at speed, but does anyone have any ideas how to soften the ride? Would a smaller wheel and larger profile tyre work? Ideas or sell?

Reading these comments reminded me that when I tested my 4 month old FR TDi prior to purchase the electric mirrors weren't working. This was duly fixed by the supplier. I've had it for 1 year now and the electric mirrors are still OK. Maybe it was a blown fuse they replaced with a higher-capacity one?

Interesting comments about kerbing alloys and not being happy with the ride. I'm toying with the idea of replacing types with 45/50% profiles and say 215/225 width. It'll cost a fortune whatever tyre I go for! The logic behind this is that the alloys should hopefully be less 'kerbable' and the ride less harsh. That's if the tyres actually fit in the wheel arches and don't rub against something when the suspension is compressed.

16" wheels with 205/55 tyres will make a huge difference, you'll get a much quieter, just as grippy ride, plus they look fine with 55 profiles.

I've had the FR for 3.5 years now, and have found it to be an excellent sports hatch, and the power of the engine is marvelous. Handling is fantastic, and I love the hard ride. However, I have just recently has to replace both front springs within a week of each other after they both broke. I didn't go over any pot holes or ramps, in fact, the car had been sitting on the driveway for 6 weeks as I was away. When I got back drove it and heard a strange noise on the passenger side, and noticed that it was a couple of inches lower on that side. After I got it fixed, it happened to the drivers side a week later!! Apart from the springs, and it blew the turbo which the dealer replaced under warranty, its fantastic.

I have had my Ibiza for just a few short months. initially, I am impressed and it is a nice sporty little hatchback. The interior is well put together and the overall looks are mean and sporty. I am just about to take it back to the dealer to speak to them about the headlamps misting up! it's only two years old and still under warranty. Tyre's are quite expensive but the 16" wheels and 205 tyres provide a decent amount of grip and looks. The ride is hard as most say, but it does make the Ibiza a spirited drive! All in all, its under 10K and for the money, you get what you pay for. Not a VW, but the next best thing.