Buying an FR TDI - Things to look for?

[seat_rich]

As the title really, I'm currently looking at a ~ 70,000mi FR TDi on a 54 plate, around the £5k mark.

What should I be on the lookout for?

The only thing I know about is the cambelt change, but other than that I'm a complete novice at giving a used car the once over!

 

[st10587]

have a look in the FAQ section as there is a thread on the common problems/things to look for

 

[seat_rich]

have a look in the FAQ section as there is a thread on the common problems/things to look for

I've read that, so I'm aware of the things that might go wrong, I'm more thinking about things to look for / test on the actual test drive itself.

Obviously I'll do the whole 'making sure every switch/control/dial/feature' works, but as an example, if I was buying an ST, I'd make sure to listen for a clicking driveshaft whilst taking up load.

Is there a similar 'test drive' list for the Ibiza?

 

[st10587]

make sure the clutch is not slipping when underload, knocking suspension mounts, make sure its pulling in every gear and check for excessive smoke, check for full service history.

 

[seat_rich]

make sure the clutch is not slipping when underload, knocking suspension mounts, make sure its pulling in every gear and check for excessive smoke, check for full service history.

That's great, much appreciated!

PS Can you remove the link to your car from your sig? It's already tempting me to start modding and I haven't even bought it yet

EDIT: How would I recognise knocking suspension mounts, or is it just a really obvious knocking?

 

[st10587]

That's great, much appreciated!

PS Can you remove the link to your car from your sig? It's already tempting me to start modding and I haven't even bought it yet

EDIT: How would I recognise knocking suspension mounts, or is it just a really obvious knocking?

the way foward is in my thread

its quite obvious to know if they are knocking on uneven/bumpy roads. its a good point to lever some cash off and if your mechanically minded will cost about £20 for a set of front top mounts just will involve stripping down the front suspension to fit them

 

[Hudson]

Mate in all afirness and the experience i've had with my 06 plate fr... I'd suggest lookign else where.

 

[st10587]

Mate in all afirness and the experience i've had with my 06 plate fr... I'd suggest lookign else where.

sound like you had a bad one! i had a shocking example of a mk4 with my 1.2 but the FR has been awesome!

 

[seat_rich]

sound like you had a bad one! i had a shocking example of a mk4 with my 1.2 but the FR has been awesome!

Well, fingers crossed. I'm taking a 54 plate for a test drive at the weekend.

With any model I suppose you get the odd nightmare (god knows my ST has given me enough stick when there are hundreds of others on the forums that have been trouble free).

Just luck of the draw I guess.

 

[st10587]

Well, fingers crossed. I'm taking a 54 plate for a test drive at the weekend.

With any model I suppose you get the odd nightmare (god knows my ST has given me enough stick when there are hundreds of others on the forums that have been trouble free).

Just luck of the draw I guess.

i work for BMW and lets face it we get the odd bad £70,000 7 series of course your going to get the odd bad £13,000 ibiza.

 

[seat_rich]

i work for BMW and lets face it we get the odd bad £70,000 7 series of course your going to get the odd bad £13,000 ibiza.

Never mind a £70K BMW, just look at Clarkson's non-functioning Ford GT (yeah, I know, it's a Ford, but it's hardly a Ka).

 

[st10587]

Never mind a £70K BMW, just look at Clarkson's non-functioning Ford GT (yeah, I know, it's a Ford, but it's hardly a Ka).

very true

 

[teepee4bh]

make sure the clutch is not slipping when underload, knocking suspension mounts, make sure its pulling in every gear and check for excessive smoke, check for full service history.

which suspension mounts knock? ours has started doing it when turning left. sounds like spring is moving in top mount type of noise.

 

[teepee4bh]

i work for BMW .

do you....dealer or BM UK?

you may prove useful for the 1er i have !

 

[st10587]

which suspension mounts knock? ours has started doing it when turning left. sounds like spring is moving in top mount type of noise.

ive only had the front knock!

do you....dealer or BM UK?

you may prove useful for the 1er i have !

i work for dealer! just pm if you need stuff

 

[teepee4bh]

ive only had the front knock!

thats where ours is coming from but i can't find where.

 

[st10587]

thats where ours is coming from but i can't find where.

ive had antiroll bar bushes, anti roll bar links, lower arm bushes done under warranty and still havbe the knock. the i put coilovers on knock still there. so the only thing i can see left is the top mounts

 

[teepee4bh]

ive had antiroll bar bushes, anti roll bar links, lower arm bushes done under warranty and still havbe the knock. the i put coilovers on knock still there. so the only thing i can see left is the top mounts

i'll check the drop links and anti roll bars bushes. it does it randomly

 

[teepee4bh]

drop links ok

anti roll bar bushes ok

noticed a mark on steering arm and corresponding one on roll bar - maybe

Only leaves top mounts now amd only happens at slow speeds and usually when turnng
or parking