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View Full Version : I love my Alhambra but...............


Brian27
06-02-2002, 23:17
Here is a list of the non wear and tear problems I’ve had with my 1999 SEAT Alhambra since taking delivery from new through to 64,500 miles –

Nearside front suspension noise

Headlight levelling switch failed

Drive belt shredded

Alternator pulley replaced under recall

Fuel filter leaking air into fuel line causing 12 breakdowns

Water pump failed

Turbo solenoid replaced

Front discs scored and worn

Mass air flow sensor replaced

Front suspension links replaced

Driveshaft/CV joint replacement ongoing - £380’s worth of cab bookings on the line for this Friday and Saturday............

These faults amount to a very conservative estimate of £1400+ through loss of earnings and a great deal of my time and aggravation.

Alas, at this minute, I am looking at the Toyota Previa catalogue.

:(

PeterS
07-02-2002, 11:12
Hmmm. Doesn't make for a good read. I wouldn't expect any probs on a new car beyond perhaps some teething rattles or some minor component failure at less than a couple thousand miles. Between a few thousand and 60K I would not expect any major component to go wrong. Suspension links and driveshaft probs? Jeez thats no good.

I hate to say it - but I have some m8's who swear by Toyota's - not cause they're the nicest to drive or look like anything - but because they simply never go wrong. If it were my business involved - it would be a no-brainer I'm afraid -> Toyota. The early Previa's were a bit crud I think with the under-floor engine. Latest ones I believe are excellent. I am looking at a Corolla Verso 1.8VVT as a second car for shifting the kids about - I think Toyota's have improved a lot in the interior and with regards looks (IMHO :D before I get slagged off!).


Regs
Peter

PS: I am waiting for my new Leon Cupra to be built and have read with some dismay all the probs about leaks etc. I don't think l will hesitate to ditch it if I get some of the probs people have reported with theirs!

F2 Stu
07-02-2002, 14:21
here,s what gone wrong with ours;

front discs scored

rattling alternator pulley(seat still adament that this was not a recall job)

aircon keeps blowing the fuses when its turned on...........

orb
10-02-2002, 17:06
I have had three Alhambras, 1 2l petrol and two TDI's the petrol was great, 97k and nothing wrong apart from a failed manifold.
Second TDI not a peep, 156k miles (old type 110)
And now a 115ps new style, Tip-Tronic 30k so far
1, Door handles paint peeled, inside. SEAT Replaced them
2, Fan realay failed, kept killing the battery took weeks to find the problem, seams a few have had this problem.
3, Rear quarter light failed, glass blew out and smashed, scared the crap out of me while I was doing 80+ mph.

Apart from that I think they are very good value for money
Steve

Brian27
10-02-2002, 17:37
Originally posted by brian27
Here is a list of the non wear and tear problems I’ve had with my 1999 SEAT Alhambra since taking delivery from new through to 64,500 miles –

Nearside front suspension noise

Headlight levelling switch failed

Drive belt shredded

Alternator pulley replaced under recall

Fuel filter leaking air into fuel line causing 12 breakdowns

Water pump failed

Turbo solenoid replaced

Front discs scored and worn

Mass air flow sensor replaced

Front suspension links replaced

Driveshaft/CV joint replacement ongoing..........

:(

........SEAT Cheshunt now say it has a "drive" problem and a new gearbox and differential, as well as two new driveshafts are to be fitted. :(

:cheers:

F2 Stu
10-02-2002, 18:05
Originally posted by brian27


........SEAT Cheshunt now say it has a "drive" problem and a new gearbox and differential, as well as two new driveshafts are to be fitted. :(

:cheers:

jesus:eek:, hope ur not paying the bill, sound a bit extreme for just a sheared CVjoint:confused:

Brian27
10-02-2002, 18:20
If I was paying, it would of had a new pattern driveshaft put in last Tuesday. The cost of supplying the pattern one that was available was £240 so it was not economical to get it done myself at that stage. However, 7 days later and still no car it would of been the better option.


:mad:

F2 Stu
10-02-2002, 18:41
Originally posted by brian27
If I was paying, it would of had a new pattern driveshaft put in last Tuesday. The cost of supplying the pattern one that was available was £240 so it was not economical to get it done myself at that stage. However, 7 days later and still no car it would of been the better option.

My Alhambra lost it's drive whilst sitting in SEAT Cheshunts car park after I drove it there.

I had driven it *** miles with the noisy driveshaft/CV joint and had not suffered any loss of drive at all.

Hummmmmm! Interesting! :(


:mad:

when you put it like that does sound sound suspicous, mind you with vag parts in chaos its likely ur not gona get it fixed in the short term as the parts have to come from spain or germany:(

Brian27
14-02-2002, 06:24
Dick, the Service guru at SEAT Cheshunt kindly phoned me yesterday to say that a new gearbox/differential and both driveshafts will be fitted by Thursday 14th (14th Feb, not 14th March!)

I'm not holding my breath tho. :rolleyes:

Feb 14th, feckin Valentine's Day, the one day on which most promises are broken! :( :( :(

:cheers:

F2 Stu
14-02-2002, 10:20
ur a born cynic and so am I:) ;)

Brian27
14-02-2002, 14:29
SEAT Cheshunt have my car ready. :D

It could be an emotional reunion. I must not forget to take a hanky. :p

:cheers:

F2 Stu
14-02-2002, 15:19
thats good to here brian, run in the gearbox nice and gently now;) :cheers:

Brian27
20-03-2002, 14:31
Update -

Here is a list of the non wear and tear problems I’ve had with my 1999 SEAT Alhambra since taking delivery from new through to 67,500 miles –

Nearside front suspension noise

Headlight levelling switch failed

Drive belt shredded

Alternator pulley replaced under recall

Fuel filter leaking air into fuel line causing 12 breakdowns

Water pump failed

Turbo solenoid replaced

Front discs scored and worn

Mass air flow sensor replaced

Remote key replaced

Front suspension links replaced

PLUS

Gearbox replaced.

Front Driveshafts replaced.

Slight vibration and harshness from engine/drivetrain (to be investigated)



And guess what I found this morning....................................


A flooded nearside front footwell! :mad: :mad: :mad:


Well the Leon's have leaks, so I suppose what's good for them is good for my Bammer. ;)

Where's me mop?

:cheers:

speed_uk
20-03-2002, 15:54
:( hey geeze sorry to here about these probs


i had an ibiza with about as many probs as your banger Oop`s

i ment bammer , proof that friday cars can come from spain.



flog it
buy another leon
fit a tow bar to your current 1
tow the new 1 on a transporter + passengers
ya can still work and you dont have to worry
about it breaking down.

see sorted

speed the brain:devil:

Brian27
20-03-2002, 15:58
Speedy - Never thought of those last options. :p ;)

:cheers:

speed_uk
20-03-2002, 16:10
i`m doing well since my brain was returned


speedy;)