New FR fist issues I have discovered

ayrshiredude

Active Member
Dec 2, 2017
208
23
So had my car a couple of weeks ago and generally really like it. However I have came accross a couple of things that are not so good.

1. The inside seems to get soaking wet all the time. When I come into the car all the window are soaking wet on the inside. This is becoming a pain as any journey has to start 10 mins early just to clear it. I have cleaned the glass with glass cleaner then Isopropyl alcohol to make sure it is totally clean, I have also tried Rainx anti-fog to no avail. I don't know what is causing this and have never had it on any car I have owned before. I wondered if there was a leak somwhere but all the carpets and spare wheel well look dry.

2. The seat belt fasteners twang, I kept hearing a twanging noise when I closed my door then every time I went over a bump. on investigation I discovered that the seat belt fastener mechanism ( the part that you insert to clasp into) seems to be loose inside and if you knock it it twangs quite noticibly. I noticed it on the Passenger side but the drivers does it as well. Having the fastener inserted into it stops it. I know I could fastent the passenger side as well but that would have the seatbelt sticking out over the seat. Think this is one for the dealer to sort out, perhaps a bad design.

Any ideas?
 

Curtly

Active Member
Jun 5, 2015
893
19
Essex
Most Leons do the whole condensation on the inside of the windows, shame it's the same on the ibiza. Tbh I think it's a trait of the mqb platform
 

camelspyyder

2 SEAT-er
Jun 26, 2014
1,305
175
It's an inexpensive brand built in a country barely staving off economic disaster and / or regional independence.

As long as you don't expect you're getting a VW or Audi, it's OK for me.

I put up with these SEAT "features" (or faults) because the cars are so low priced :)

I haven't found another importer that would have let me have a total of £17k off the RRP's of my last 3 cheap new SEATS to be sure.
 
Last edited:

Rowan83

Active Member
Dec 5, 2017
241
82
Condensation on the inside is usually a sign of worn door seals or rubbish ones! :confused:
 

Woksin

Active Member
Dec 13, 2017
168
5
Leicestershire
It's an inexpensive brand built in a country barely staving off economic disaster and / or regional independence.

As long as you don't expect you're getting a VW or Audi, it's OK for me.

I put up with these SEAT "features" (or faults) because the cars are so low priced :)

I haven't found another importer that would have let me have a total of £17k off the RRP's of my last 3 cheap new SEATS to be sure.

Actually Catalonia is very rich compared with other parts of spain. In particular Bareclona, (where the factory is located) which is arguable comparable to many European capital cities. If VW actually invested in Seat like it does it’s other brands there wouldn’t be a problem. Or infact if Seat had the same level of economic activity like Bareclona it would be a luxury brand.
 

camelspyyder

2 SEAT-er
Jun 26, 2014
1,305
175
Actually Catalonia is very rich compared with other parts of spain. In particular Bareclona, (where the factory is located) which is arguable comparable to many European capital cities. If VW actually invested in Seat like it does it’s other brands there wouldn’t be a problem. Or infact if Seat had the same level of economic activity like Bareclona it would be a luxury brand.

I was referring to Spain as the problematic state, not Catalonia.

Truthfully, the slightly iffy quality control on my SEATs has been just the same on the Spanish and Czech built examples.

But, it is a cheap car brand and we get what we pay for. I can't afford Mercedes or BMW quality so I happily put up with what I can get.
 
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rcopus

Active Member
Jun 6, 2012
270
8
Midlands
Some Audi’s are (or are soon to be) built at the SEAT plants in Spain so I don’t agree that it’s Spanish/SEAT so it’s acceptable to be crappy.

Incidentally though, I have noticed this seems more of problem in the Mk5 we have but I can’t remember how it was on the Mk3 Leon.

I think in some cases it can be explained by the drivers use/lack of use of the aircon settings etc. My previous and current cars have climate control which I just let do it’s thing and I don’t seem to recall having these issues.

I’ve noticed when washing the Mk5 Ibiza it mists up inside whereas the A-Class doesn’t.
 

camelspyyder

2 SEAT-er
Jun 26, 2014
1,305
175
When Jag took over the Ford plant on Merseyside, they practiced by building ever higher quality Escorts for a year before preparing to make the X-type. You can bet the QA at Martorell will be improved before any Audi badged products leave the factory gates. Maybe better quality SEATs will be a welcome side effect.

The final year of Escort production is renowned as by far the best ever.
 

ImTxmo

Active Member
Dec 20, 2017
1
0
Ticking Engine Too?

So had my car a couple of weeks ago and generally really like it. However I have came accross a couple of things that are not so good.

1. The inside seems to get soaking wet all the time. When I come into the car all the window are soaking wet on the inside. This is becoming a pain as any journey has to start 10 mins early just to clear it. I have cleaned the glass with glass cleaner then Isopropyl alcohol to make sure it is totally clean, I have also tried Rainx anti-fog to no avail. I don't know what is causing this and have never had it on any car I have owned before. I wondered if there was a leak somwhere but all the carpets and spare wheel well look dry.

2. The seat belt fasteners twang, I kept hearing a twanging noise when I closed my door then every time I went over a bump. on investigation I discovered that the seat belt fastener mechanism ( the part that you insert to clasp into) seems to be loose inside and if you knock it it twangs quite noticibly. I noticed it on the Passenger side but the drivers does it as well. Having the fastener inserted into it stops it. I know I could fastent the passenger side as well but that would have the seatbelt sticking out over the seat. Think this is one for the dealer to sort out, perhaps a bad design.

Any ideas?

I agree with the seat belt ticking, thought I'd left something in the doorbin/under the car seat at first! I've had mine since Oct (Ibiza FR 115) and have noticed a ticking noise from my engine, I thought I had something in the fan at first... It's my first car and assumed it was okay but I've had mixed responses on people I've asked... Some say it's just because it's a 1L, others say it its not right and think it might be the tappets?... Anyone else have this issue?!

Love the car though!

--Txmo
 

camelspyyder

2 SEAT-er
Jun 26, 2014
1,305
175
No ticking from my 1.0. In fact at steady speed it may be the quietest engine I've owned in 39 years driving.
 

DigiMagic

Active Member
Apr 14, 2017
87
12
I think I've heard the ticking several times. I think those are usual 3-cylinder engine "clangs"; on vehicles with bad sound insulation (like my previous up) the clangs can be heard clearly, on better isolated ibiza most of the noise seems to be suppressed so only the loudest "ticks" are able to penetrate into the cabin.
 

camelspyyder

2 SEAT-er
Jun 26, 2014
1,305
175
This 1.0 is by far the most refined 3 I've ever driven, however in some cars (Skodas Rapid for instance) VAG have penny-pinched all the under-bonnet sound insulation so it's not as silent in every application. PSA and Suzuki threes are well rough in comparison though. The Suzuki 3 is nearly as rattly as the Wartburg 3 whose motor dates back to about 1939 (and it was a 2-stroke as well). For me the VAG 1.0TSI is well refined ( but unfortunately lacking in useable torque )
 
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