View Full Version : Potential v5 owner
Hi Guys,
I'm contemplating joining the world of SEAT from the Ford Focus camp. Can anyone give me any advice on buying and owning a toledo. I'm specifically thinking of a w reg v5 (150hp) - is this a good move!? I'm led to believe that reliability in general is a good point, do you lot agree?
Cheers,
Andy.
Hi Andy,
Had my 99 V5 for 3 months now with no reliability problems to report.
Your basically looking at a fully loaded VW Bora, so reliabiltiy is going to be on a par IMO.
Cheers,
Hi Stu
Thanks for the comment. How do you rate the performance? I have only seen figures for the 170 version, and does the 150 have much low down grunt or is it a high rev performer? I've also read that quick pulling away is tricky without the EDS kicking in - what drawbacks if any have you spotted. I quite fancy the Toledo due to the reasonable price, the perceived quality and the chance to have a decent engine! It's also pretty rare compared to a lot of the other family cars about.
Cheers
Andy.
Hi Andy,
Performance from the 10 valver IMO is very capable. It's certainly no neck snapper of the mark, most of the power (and sweet V5 sound) is 3-5K, but for general driving this does give you it's V torque on demand for overtaking etc. I guess it depends what boots you have on and how you drive, but to be honest I've never had the drive control working in the dry. The gearchange (again in my opinion) is not really of the standing 1/4 mile mould - it doesn't like to be rushed too much. Power delivery is smooth. Seems more than happy taken to the red but that is not where the power lives. Had 125 mph and still pulling - till I bottled it !
No complaints about build quality at all, and yes you don't see too many around.
Cheers
I find with my 1.8 Focus that you need to rev the nuts off it to get much out of it and it still isn't that good even then - it's also very sensitive to load - 3 people up is so much worse than two. I basically just want a car with a bit of grunt for easy overtaking - i'm sure a 2.3 litre must be up to it!
What about rear space. I know it's a bit tight but how much of a squeeze is it for three abreast?
I appreciate your answers Stu. I'm trying to be objective but i'm getting quite excited at the thought of 150bhp. I'm trying to justify a 2000 Toledo v5 against a 2002 1.8/2.0 Mondeo. The mondeo is loads more practical but I want to get away from the run of the mill stuff.
Andy.
Hi Andy.
I've had my V5 150bhp for about 3 months, it makes me smile every time I drive it. The tone of the engine is glorious.
I've recently had to replace the driveshaft, luckily I purchased a 12 month SEAT extended warranty for £199.00 which covered the repair. Might be worth considering this if you are going to buy a V5 from somewhere other than a SEAT dealership.
Paint's a little soft, I have the black magic and I am noticing new blemishes with the paint weekly, but nothing that elbow grease and a bit of Autoglym can't remove.
Performance is more than adequate, just like Stu I bottled it approaching 125mph, and it still had a bit left.
Overall, I love it to bits. I was originally considering replacing it for a 170bhp version next summer, but since getting it, I don't think I'll bother.
Cheers
Goose (Scott)
Yep, overtaking grunt not a problem for the V5.
As for 3 adults in the back.....tight would be the best way to describe it ! I am quite tall so my drivers seat just about leaves room for an leg between it and the rear seat. On the plus side however, the boot is as accomodating as a Passat (15 crates of Stella no problem).
Hey Scott,
As an alternative to the 170 V5, you can have your V5 ECU re-mapped for £350. This will cover the extra 20bhp and 20 lb/ft in torque.
Just a thought for the future.
Cheers,
Hi Stu.
What about insurance though, would I need to declare it as a mod. I'd have thought it would send my premium sky high. One of the reasons I went for the Toledo was because of the low insurance group.
Cheer
Scott
It would definately be sensible to yes.
However, the re-map is 'invisible' to diagnostic equipment and technically you haven't changed any parts on your car. A re-map is purely code - no chip involved.
There would be no harm in asking your insurance company. If they are OK with mods then £350 + a slight increase in premium would no doubt be cheaper than changing to a newer 170. They can only say NO.
I will be looking into it in the new year.
Stu.
Thanks for that, it's certainly worth a try, let me know how you get on in the new year.
Scott
Stu Ward
07-11-2002, 08:33
I have the 2002 170 BHP model, and i think its an amazing car.
It has everything, grunt, speed and that lovely V5 sound.
My only performance query is when from a standing start, there is a delay between depressing the accelerator and actual pickup in revs.
So if you want to get away from traffic lights quickly you have to pre-empt the change and give it just that extra push on the pedal, if you don't the car tends to Kangaroo before you set off.
Other than that, for 16K you get a car with as many extras as you could possibly wish for
Stu
i have a v5 170 and think it is great no complaints or problems with it at all and it has enough power to easily get you in to trouble.
can you re-map thew 170 for extra power as well?
only downside is fuel consumption not good at all but hit 5000 rpm and the fantastic sound makes up for it (esp with my new air filter)
chris
Hi Chris,
Definately would be able to re-map the 170 also. Would suspect that you would get close to 200bhp with map, filter and an exhaust.
Yep, them V5's love those panel filters don't they ;)
I have had my 2001 170 bhp V5 since May and I am really impressed with it so far. I love the engine sound and performance and all the toys. Mine is fully loaded with Sat Nav, memory seats, folding mirrors etc etc. For the money you can't really go wrong.
Everyone who has been in it and seen it seems really impressed with it. They can't beleive the standard equipment levels. Its better equiped than many large executive cars costing loads more.
The only downside is that nobody has ever heard of them. Mind you I often feel quite smug about not driving something as common as a 318 or 316 beemer which has no equipment and is nowhere near as quick.
Whats this about a different air filter? What make are they and do they make the V5 unit even better? I would be interested to know.
not sure about the actual bhp performance gains on the air filter but it definatly pulls a bit quicker , sounds 10x better , and slightly improved fuel consumption so its all good really.
i have a jetex direct replacement panel filter as it is the only one i could find that directly did one for the v5 (and not just the golf v5)
you can order online at www.jetex.co.uk and it cost me about £35 so aint to bad.
just a quickie make sure you tell them not to replace it at a service as the idiots did at mine (fortunatly they didnt bin it and i got it back)
chris
Stu Ward
09-11-2002, 10:08
The Jetex filter sounds very interesting. I'm no mechanic and mine is a company car, are they easy to fit and take back out again when the car goes in for its 10K services ?
Tempted to buy one if it makes the engine sound even better, out of interest what do you mean by Better ????
Stu
im a total mechanical novice and if i can do it anyone can its just a few clips to replace and remove.
sound better means when you get a lovely loud sucking sound when you boot it ,
well worth the 2 mins it takes to fit and remove
My filter is K&N. The Mk4 Golf drops straight in (naturally). I paid £32. It's easy as Chris says. I didn't need to disconnect the MAF sensor just 2 screws and 2 clips.
My dads going to see a 2001 51 reg one for sale soon is there anything we should watch out for?
whats the standard spec? equipment wise?
whats the standard spec? equipment wise?
Ermmm.....everything !
not sure what to look out for really as they are pretty bullitproof,
51 model should be the 170bhp version (easy to tell because it has sat nav) the engine is one of best there is, should never go wrong (according to my local seat engineer anyway)and i have had no trouble at all
standard spec
electric heated memory seats
auto wipers
satellite navigation
auto dim rear mirror
trip computer
cruise control
electric heated folding mirrors
climate control
6 cd changer
full leather and alcantera interior
tcs, abs, etc etc
the list goes on and on great spec for the moula
the engine is one of best there is, should never go wrong (according to my local seat engineer anyway)
Ermm mine did at 11k. It went very wrong and had to be replaced under warranty. Mind you everyone I spoke to had never heard of such a thing happenning. I guess I was unlucky.
Uk cars also don't have heater seats and not all 170's have Sat Nav. The 170's were introduced in March 2001 and Sat nav was made standard in June/July 2001. Cars on a 51 plate will be 170's and will have Sat Nav. However, memory seats were dropped around the autumn of 2001. My July 2001 model has the lot though.
Great Car though and well worth buying.
consider me corrected then
i must of been lucky because i got the lot as well !
ps any v5 owners what is the switch on the pillar between the doors low down next to the drivers seat?.
I believe that the switch on the pillar is for enable / disable of the interior alarm sensors.
the engine is one of best there is, should never go wrong (according to my local seat engineer anyway)
Unless you drive through a flood and hydraulic the engine as the previous owner of my V5 did :)