Buying a 2001 Toledo V5 -- help appreciated

Thev5

Keeping it unreal
Nov 19, 2004
156
0
www.gardensandhouses.co.uk
I drain the oil via the sump plug every 20k or so. However, I do change my oil and filter every 5k. I've heard of many additives to help clean gunk and the like out, but I'm sure I've seen it on this forum somewhere, that these don't do much good and in fact can do more harm than good.
 
Feb 26, 2009
5,275
1
Wolverhampton
There's no point to those additives, the filter is going to get rid of most of the rubbish and gravity will do the rest. It does help to keep the engine warm during a service though, just lets the oil flow quicker and take the rubbish with it.
 

odd-head

new to the dub scene
Feb 27, 2010
87
0
calne, wiltshire
i just got a quote from seat on a 80k mile sevice quote which is (from what they said to me)

oil
oil filter
cabin filter
spark plugs
panel filter
and check the tensioners

for £284. thats inc vat
 
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Feb 26, 2009
5,275
1
Wolverhampton
i just got a quote from seat on a 80k mile sevice quote which is (from what they said to me)

oil
oil filter
cabin filter
spark plugs
panel filter
and check the tensioners

for £284. thats inc vat

Now go to a VAG specialist and get the same thing for about a third off! :D
 

dvance

Active Member
Mar 23, 2010
273
0
Hey guys quick update -- due to the crazy weather up here in Scotland, I haven't been able to do much in my plight for a V5.

Today was nice so I jumped at the opportunity to see what they have in a local garage next to the harbor -- no V5s unfortunately.

Test drove an A3 1.8 from 2001 though (75k) -- was pretty dull to be honest, would pick up but not as sharp as my 1.6 147, the suspension seemed alright but well, it's crazy small inside the cabin (3 door). Seemed mostly like an alright car, but I don't think I'll be bying it.

Saw a Golf GTI and a 323F Sport while I was there -- tons of rust on both of them + the GTI was running a little uneven, like one of the cylinders was misfiring a bit. There were tons of seals around the windows that were a tad loose.

Overall I was not really impressed by the place ... won't mention any names here though :D.

Hopefully, I will be able to go up North a bit tomorrow if the weather stays good, and see a Tolly V5, really hoping it turns out to be a good one :)
 
Feb 26, 2009
5,275
1
Wolverhampton
Test drove an A3 1.8 from 2001 though (75k) -- was pretty dull to be honest, would pick up but not as sharp as my 1.6 147, the suspension seemed alright but well, it's crazy small inside the cabin (3 door). Seemed mostly like an alright car, but I don't think I'll be bying it.

I totally agree with the size thing. My mate managed to get a go with a high spec diesel A3 with flappy paddles and all sorts of 'toys', and gave me a lift. Fantastically quick car, but I felt so claustrophobic that I couldn't have been in there for more than a couple of journeys.

It is so bizarre, because it's essentially a Golf, and no SEAT car on the same platform felt anything like that. The Toledo is mark 4 based, and is wonderfully spacious (if a bit cramped in the rear seats). The Leon's that I've sat in were similarly airy and 'a nice place to be', both mark 1 and mark 2. I don't know what Audi did to the A3 to make it so cramped.
 

dvance

Active Member
Mar 23, 2010
273
0
Yeah, it did not make any sense to me at all. Forget about that there is no rear legroom to speak of, I was cramped BEHIND THE WHEEL -- and I am a relatively short guy - 5'7" to be precise -- I mean, it just did not feel right somehow.

Going to go up tomorrow and have a look at a V5, will let you know once I am back.
 
Feb 26, 2009
5,275
1
Wolverhampton
My mate is 6'1, and had it been his car, he would have been doing a hightower on it. you know, rip the front seat out, drive from the back seat!!
 

dvance

Active Member
Mar 23, 2010
273
0
Hey guys, I went and saw a Tolly V5 today. Some good and some bad points, can't quite make up my mind about it, so decided to ask you what you think. I've put a 150 pound deposit on it, but might just walk away if you guys thinks it's a dud.

So the positive -- no corrosion, all panels seem straight, only one really minor scuff (that I could possibly touch up myself), interior seems fine as well. Most electrics seem to work (the ones I checked anyway). No noises or creaks from the suspension or at least I could not hear anything. Engine was pulling away fine, idles alright I think. The car was warmed up (well was running actually) though when I got there so that was something I was not too happy about. So the few things that got me worried:

1. Wet floor mats on the driver's side -- no surprise there. The seals on the front of the rear doors (the ones between the driver's door and the rear door below the window) seem to be the culprits as they are basically coming off -- do you guys think that changing those should fix it? How much was that again? Any good VAG specialists near Edinburgh?

2. There was a light on on the dash -- a yellow circle with 2 squares on each side what's that one about? Brakes? The rear discs seem to need replacing as they're quite "groovy" possibly the pads might be worn out.

3. The steering seems to be pulling so slightly to the left (well the roads on which I tested also seemed to have a bit of camber as well), like the natural position in which it would like to stay would be off by a couple of degrees, actually this is my main issue with the car? Is this serious, and would it be expensive to fix? I had a look underneath, and it seemed quite alright -- CV joints looked fine, could not see any leaking from anywhere (including shocks).

4. The sat nav voice also seemed alright but would break at times and sound horrendous for some time, and then be okay again. What's that about?

5. The fans up front were running when the aircon was on (or at least I think so), when the car would idle at temp they would turn on on high for a bit and then turn back to low, is that normal?

I'll add whatever I've forgotten once it comes to me, but that's I think the more important stuff. I am really desperate to get some feedback from you guys, as I kinda liked the car, but am not sure if I'll just end up spending too much money trying to fix up these small looking faults (which might turn into big faults :cry:)
 
Feb 26, 2009
5,275
1
Wolverhampton
1. As you say, wet carpets are pretty much expected, but (in a star wars stylee) 'those aren't the seals you're looking for'. The seal that fails is inside the door panel and not visible from the outside. However, those external seals being loose probably won't be helping. They don't seem difficult to replace though, but you'll have to get a price from a dealer before knowing how much it will cost to replace.

2. I've just gone to take a look at mine, and I can't find that particular indicator. There is one with two solid sections either side of a circle, but it says 'ABS' in the centre. The one next to it is a circle, but the sections either side are segmented? I believe that is the brake wear indicator. You should be able to see the brake pads through the wheels to see if they are actually worn. I seem to remember there are only sensors on the front. New pads aren't expensive, and it's an easy job.

3. The pulling could be the camber, or perhaps misaligned wheels. If both front tyres are worn on the inside, that would suggest to me the car is trying to go sideways because the wheels aren't pointing forward. Again, an easy fix.

4. I can't comment about the sat nav, I only tried mine once until I realised my whole village didn't apparently exist!

5. That sounds about right, they kick in quite early and stay on for a few seconds. It's nothing like my old Astra that would wait until it got into the red before running the fan, then run it for half an hour until it had got cool again.

You could do with running it from cold though, I've always thought people who warm the car up before a view have something to hide. Although I'm not aware of any major cold starting issues on the V5.
 

dvance

Active Member
Mar 23, 2010
273
0
Thanks for the reply Slimy.

What do you mean segmented? What I meant is that there's a circle and on each side there are two squares lined up I suppose to look like they could be one big rectangle that's been cut in half I suppose. Anyway, I suspect we're talking about the same indicator.

Another thing that I noticed is the way the clutch pedal felt, a bit springy I think would be the best way to describe it, and it was a bit on the harder side to press (not that it needed real force, but it was quite different from the new rental Astra that I drove up there -- btw these last Astra's are pretty nice little cars, apart from the anemic engine which has no fuel efficiency for some reason).

Yes, I'll definitely ask them explicitly to leave the car cold when I go up to collect it (which I think I will sometime next week), to try it before handing the rest of the money over. I managed to convince them to add 3yrs warranty and lower the price to 1900. I think that's a fair offer, right?

Anyway, you've given me hope :) I was quite worried. I would appreciate anything else that you could think of :)
 
Feb 26, 2009
5,275
1
Wolverhampton
The brake disc wear indicator looks the same as the handbrake warning light, but there is no ! in the middle, and the outer symbols are segmented. I don't really see a cut in half rectangle, but looking in the manual doesn't show anything like that either. However, the colour is a good clue, the yellow lights are warnings, so I think you'll be fine. And yes, we probably are looking at the same thing! :)

The clutch pedal might feel odd because it's hydraulic rather than mechanical. It is quite firm, and it does sound about right.

You didn't mention what year the car was, so I'm not sure whether £1900 is good? Then again, even a 2001 model from a dealer going for that price would be good.
 

dvance

Active Member
Mar 23, 2010
273
0
It's a 01 model (51 plate).

Another thing I remembered is that there is a black container just above the washer fluid (I suppose some hydraulic fluid for something, can't remember if it had any sign on it that says what it is) that made a clicking noise from time to time, a pump turning on or off of some sort, had a wee pipe going just under the plastic cover of the motor? Is that normal?

Sorry for asking all of these pointless questions, but well I really want to know what I am getting myself into :). Thank you Slimy for answering all of them so far :)
 

Thev5

Keeping it unreal
Nov 19, 2004
156
0
www.gardensandhouses.co.uk
From the sounds of it, the black canister is the charcoal canister which does something with the emmissions. I don't think the clicking is a problem as I'm sure I've heard it clicking every now and then. I can't go and check as the cars been in the garage for the last 4 weeks having the rear quarter panel repaired.
 
Feb 26, 2009
5,275
1
Wolverhampton
For a 51 plate, that price is about right from a dealer. You'd obviously save a bit going private but you'd lose out on the warranty, so it's swings and roundabouts.

I'd go for it...
 

kewe

Active Member
Jun 20, 2001
814
6
Edinburgh
Visit site
dvance, you mention VAG specialists around the Edinburgh area.

Are you from Edinburgh?

I use Autohaus just near Ikea and they are very good.

Also if you want to look over anything on mines before you part with your cash let me know.
 

dvance

Active Member
Mar 23, 2010
273
0
Yeah, I am :). Oh, that's an awesome offer, when are you free, and where would you like to meet?
 

GrayT

I'm Old
Jul 7, 2004
812
5
London
It's a 01 model (51 plate).

Another thing I remembered is that there is a black container just above the washer fluid (I suppose some hydraulic fluid for something, can't remember if it had any sign on it that says what it is) that made a clicking noise from time to time, a pump turning on or off of some sort, had a wee pipe going just under the plastic cover of the motor? Is that normal?

Sorry for asking all of these pointless questions, but well I really want to know what I am getting myself into :). Thank you Slimy for answering all of them so far :)

From the sounds of it, the black canister is the charcoal canister which does something with the emmissions. I don't think the clicking is a problem as I'm sure I've heard it clicking every now and then. I can't go and check as the cars been in the garage for the last 4 weeks having the rear quarter panel repaired.

Thev5 is right. See post 8 here:

http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?t=222081&highlight=evap+purge+valve
 

kewe

Active Member
Jun 20, 2001
814
6
Edinburgh
Visit site
Yeah, I am :). Oh, that's an awesome offer, when are you free, and where would you like to meet?

I'll PM you mate.

Just noticed I can't PM you :-(

I am off work tomorrow but may be out and about weather depending. I am living on the west side of Edinburgh
near Saughton, so if you're close by feel free to pop down. Not sure how I can get my details to you without PM. Do you have skype
or facebook?
 
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