View Full Version : Build Quality
primekart
22-10-2001, 10:50
Reading some of the messages in the Forums quite astonish me to see the variety of problems Ibizas and especially Leons have in build quality. In Israel we have had quite a good impression of the build quality of the Ibiza! Some mechanics even told me that SEAT is better built than VW on the same platforms, i.e. Ibiza/polo etc.
The Leon is new here but the Toledo is quite successful especialy with Cab drivers, (TDI version).
I wonder, could it be that the Right hand drive Ibiza's are built on different lines than the Lefties? If not - why the discrepancy in quality?
ibizacupra
22-10-2001, 10:59
Originally posted by primekart
Reading some of the messages in the Forums quite astonish me to see the variety of problems Ibizas and especially Leons have in build quality. In Israel we have had quite a good impression of the build quality of the Ibiza! Some mechanics even told me that SEAT is better built than VW on the same platforms, i.e. Ibiza/polo etc.
The Leon is new here but the Toledo is quite successful especialy with Cab drivers, (TDI version).
I wonder, could it be that the Right hand drive Ibiza's are built on different lines than the Lefties? If not - why the discrepancy in quality?
I think you may hit the nail on the head.
RHD models.....
Rattly trim is the worst annoyance personally.
Bill
Scoobster
22-10-2001, 13:42
Apparently...
The Cupra's are actually built in a seperate facility to the standard ibiza's. It is the same as with many other companies that do 'race' 'motorsport' divisions. They manufacture by different processes and will only produce the 'sporty' versions of a model.
I was told that the cupra facility standardly produces LHD models as the major market is europe, and that on a periodocal basis the facility manufacturing process is stopped and all the equipment altered to apply the requires 'change parts' so the equipment can then produce RHD models.
It is likely that due to this changing of process equipment and the fact that it is seldom done that causes the problems with build quality. It is like anything, if you become use to doing something in a certain fashion when asked to do something another way, even though the final result should be the same there are discrepancies in quality. It is all familiarity. This should infact be covered by their Quality Management System and they should have systems in place to ensure that all process are fully validated for all relevant operations, however in practice this doesn't seem the case.
I love my car to pieces.. but I personally think that before too long it might actually be in pieces. I had a rattle on the engine (1400rpm) after a few weeks of owning the car, which I had fiexed and was due to a rattling exhaust manifold. My drivers seat moved in all directions and was fixed by the replacement of the bushes only to find that it is now again doing it (going in for fixing on friday), the passenger side door rattled and squeaked while driving, which was fixed by the lubrication of the rubber stops inside the door, my drivers side door now has the same squeak on it )which will be fixed on friday also) and my accelerator pedal rattles when I take my foot off it and the car starts to decelerate (usually around 3000rpm) which I hope to be fixed on friday. And finally... the brakes.. oh my word the brakes.. they stop you fine, pretty well infact.. but when in slow traffic.. the noice.. unbearable.. my dealer sai it was a known problem due to the pads, and I have resorted to having EBC pads put onto my car (doing that on wednesday).
I reckon maybe I just got a duff one, which would be about right for my luck, however I will keep taking it back until I am happy with it, and if SEAT get bored of having to sign off on repairs on the warranty then they can provide me with a new car that doesn't have the faults and I will shut up and drive off in peace.
Hopefully SEAT will improve some more over the coming years as they have some good cars and great ideas and could really push themselves to the forefront of the automotive industry.
Here's hoping..
primekart
22-10-2001, 14:07
Of all the problems that you mention, the problem of the brake pads resonance is well known here also. Probably due to high metal content in the brake pads. I have heard it a few times also coming from the rear brakes when going in reverse into my garage driveway. VAG Service recommends changing to other brands. It is covered under warranty when the car is brand new.
I have also heard some very minor creaking coming from the back door, when moving and maneuvering the car very slow. I guess it is a known problem with all hatchbacks.
The outside temperature termistor is dropping the reading very low whenever I wash the car. However it settels to normal readings when it dries up.
Other than that, after 3 months in urbane driving and 3900 Km, all is fine... touch wood ! :)
the ibiza temp sensor is in the door mirror , so thats probably why you get a change in readings
stick a wet sponge under the mirror and watch the temp go down :p:p:p
ibizacupra
22-10-2001, 20:32
Originally posted by primekart
Of all the problems that you mention, the problem of the brake pads resonance is well known here also. Probably due to high metal content in the brake pads. I have heard it a few times also coming from the rear brakes when going in reverse into my garage driveway. VAG Service recommends changing to other brands. It is covered under warranty when the car is brand new.
I have also heard some very minor creaking coming from the back door, when moving and maneuvering the car very slow. I guess it is a known problem with all hatchbacks.
The outside temperature termistor is dropping the reading very low whenever I wash the car. However it settels to normal readings when it dries up.
Other than that, after 3 months in urbane driving and 3900 Km, all is fine... touch wood ! :)
Standard pads in mine were Jurid.
for info.
Bill
rriveroll
23-10-2001, 19:01
My LHD Ibiza has rattles near the AC vents and glove compartment. Ime anoyed and the delaer says it will take them about a week to take the thing appart. The good thing is its under waranty.
Originally posted by primekart
In Israel we have had quite a good impression of the build quality of the Ibiza!
Well, my car is 10 months old today and is going fine. No major problems at all, a slight rattle from the dash early on that has gone away. I'm very impressed with the build/reliability.
Andy
Scoobz
You aint the only one.
The exhaust rattle, i've got on mine, fixed twice already.
Drivers chair moves and squeeks terribly (trying to rectify with buckets)
Brakes..........well enoughs been said already, pagids on order.
Dash rattle, sounds like that will wear out with time tho.
Bloody annoying, but dealer is fine and says take it in whenever and i'll get a C/Car.
Still live the car tho :)
Scoobster
24-10-2001, 13:51
I am glad to hear that I aint the only one with the rattly squeaky Ibiza..
As I did say and as others have said.. despite the problems.. I still love my car..
My dealer are reasonable in terms of checking the car out and doing the sqeaks and stuff. they were not so forthcoming with the brakes, they said they are NOT covered on warranty and they have tried on 6 occasions to get SEAT to address the situation but got the reply that there had not been enough cases of problems so would carry on assessing the situation.
I have a pair of EBC greens presently sitting in my boot, that I am now going to put on next week (was going to be today), after they have done a test drive of my car.
I have some concerns about a shafted DV or dodgy turbo, as I am getting loads of lag and some intermittent moments of feeling as if someone has stolen the turbo (possibly stalling of the turbo due to DV not venting and pressure back-up), so I told the dealer about it today and they said that when I take it in for de-squeaking on Friday they will hook it up to the laptop and VAG software and do a full check on it to see what pressures I am running and it there are any problems. So I didn't want to stick some nice new pads on before that so that they can go and glaze them within a few miles before they have been 'bedded in'.
All in all.. not too bad... I hope things settle down as I expect they will and I will have my car running smooth with no probs in no time.. :)
Originally posted by rriveroll
My LHD Ibiza has rattles near the AC vents and glove compartment. Ime anoyed and the delaer says it will take them about a week to take the thing appart. The good thing is its under waranty.
I had exactly the same problem a few months ago. After a little searching seat found out that the cables that are beneath the LCD display were making that rattling noise.
They took out the display, then the box that contains the stereo they put a soft clothe around the cables and thats it!!!
It took them about 25 minutes.;)
CUP RAcing
25-10-2001, 21:54
It seems to me that there is a MAJOR problem with the brakes on our SEATS. I have lost count of the amount of people that have complained about sqeaking brakes, and I think that between us we have enough evidence to prove to SEAT there is a fault.
I for one am going to tackle them about it, im currently on my second beeza 20VT in 3 month ( first one was rusty ) :eek: , and both of them have suffered with the brake pad noise problems.
Come on FLAPPER, surley there must be something we can do to make SEAT pay for replacement pads, what else can be the problem ? and why the hell should I pay to replace brand new brake pads ?????
SEAT customer care, watch out, Ive already got a brand new car out of you, so Im sure as hell I can manage a couple of brake pads :devil: