Buying an Ibiza

[Mr Pig]

We have a 14-plate Leon, my son has a 17-plate run-out model Ibiza. I need another car to get to work and i reckon an Ibiza would be ideal.

Looking at maybe a 2012-ish one but anything to watch out for? Read a lot of unhappy noises about the 1.4 tsi engine so I should be looking for a 1.2? Insurance not an issue, quite fancy an FR. Looked at one locally the other day but there was something dodgy about it. Was a 2013 FR but the back bumper was a later non-FR one and lights were earlier. Paint looked good and panels were perfect but a story in there somewhere.

So any opinions and advice welcome :0)

 

[camelspyyder]

The 1.4 TSI comes in so many forms. The twincharger "Turbo and Supercharged" ones are known to have issues, These are the older 140PS or higher ones.
The 1.4/122PS engine is single turbo 16V and I haven't heard of much trouble with it. There is also the more modern 1.4 ACT 140PS motor.
The 1.2TSI had camchain issues and some recalls up to 2012. 2013 on are better (I ran a 2014 1.2/105 for over 3 years without camchain problems)

 

[Mr Pig]

I spoke to a salesman at the local Seat dealer the other day and he said he was unaware of any issues with the 1.4. That doesn't surprise me at all as I've had the service department say the the same thing about known issues in the past.

Think I want a late 2012-on 1.2 FR. Just need to find one.

 

[camelspyyder]

Unaware of the 1.4! Haha!! The oil burning, blow up prone Twincharger is a legend.

 

[Mr Pig]

Car salesmen may lie. Just a hunch.

 

[camelspyyder]

1.2/8V is the smoothest 4 I've ever had. Many dyno reports online show it makes more than the standard rated 105PS, I've seen them showing 116 and more.

REVO claim to Stage 1 it to 144PS or BHP (cant remember which).

Chains are supposed to be fine since the last 2012 recall, but gently driven ones can suffer from a charge pressure actuator problem, which can lead to a Turbo replacement (my 2014 had a turbo replaced under guarantee at 2.5 years old).

 

[Mr Pig]

Driving gently is bad??

 

[camelspyyder]

Driving gently is bad??

have read the turbos can suffer from a carbon build up under those circumstances.

 

[Mr Pig]

I see. So avoid 'one careful owner' cars? ;0)