In the current cold weather I've noticed that my Altea's dashboard creaks "like an old ship in a storm" (from where the dash meets the base of the screen and around the A pillars) until the cabin gets warm. A consequence I assume of the firm ride (on 17" alloys), cheap plastics and so-so build. Anyone else have similar issues?
SNAP !!
I get exactly the same and I am on the standard 16" alloys. It's a minor irritation I can put up with through the winter as I think to attempt to cure it would be a dash out job and I am not about to ask my dealer to do that as it would probably generate more creaks than it does now. Generally though I think the Altea cabin is creak free it's only in the last couple of weeks when the temperature has dropped below freezing that this problem has occurred.
I get exactly the same and I am on the standard 16" alloys. It's a minor irritation I can put up with through the winter as I think to attempt to cure it would be a dash out job and I am not about to ask my dealer to do that as it would probably generate more creaks than it does now. Generally though I think the Altea cabin is creak free it's only in the last couple of weeks when the temperature has dropped below freezing that this problem has occurred.
richardh said:
Yes got exactly the same. Sounds like the whole thing would shatter if you drove over anything seriously bumpy. I think the alot of it comes from the air vent surrounds, they seem very brittle when it's cold.
Cant say I can report this problem with mine. And I definately do not agree that it has "so-so" build quality. After a string of Japanese cars (supposedly the best built ones), I find my Altea the most solidly put together car I've ever owned.
Mind you, maybe I'd better wait until the "worst winter in years" is over and see how many bits drop off.....
Mind you, maybe I'd better wait until the "worst winter in years" is over and see how many bits drop off.....
Well I don't reckon you'll have problems starting the engine.
Having had a couple of Japanese rentals in NZ and Fiji, those Jap cars are pretty crappy. The door don't go with a clunk, just a tin rattle click. The ride is terrible and bouncy and bits fall of the cars.
My Altea was put together very well. I was offered a "fast build" one when it was going to be supplied with the rear parking sensors not fitted, they had dropped this off the companies order to the factory. I thought "fast build", I'll have one built at normal speed tar, and got the garage to fit the parking sensors. Have not regretted it.
Having had a couple of Japanese rentals in NZ and Fiji, those Jap cars are pretty crappy. The door don't go with a clunk, just a tin rattle click. The ride is terrible and bouncy and bits fall of the cars.
My Altea was put together very well. I was offered a "fast build" one when it was going to be supplied with the rear parking sensors not fitted, they had dropped this off the companies order to the factory. I thought "fast build", I'll have one built at normal speed tar, and got the garage to fit the parking sensors. Have not regretted it.
Yep my dash is creaking like mad since the cold weather. My old Leon was just the same.
I have learnt to live with it as trying sort the rattles tends to involve dashboard removal which creates even more rattles than before.
I find that tyre roar tends to drown out the rattles most of the time
I have learnt to live with it as trying sort the rattles tends to involve dashboard removal which creates even more rattles than before.
I find that tyre roar tends to drown out the rattles most of the time
Mine too!
I put it down to the fact that the dash materials and construction are poor, especially for an expensive hatch. Frankly a cheaper Megane, Focus or even something like a Fabia has a far better feel, fit and finish than any of the Altea's I've seen, mine included. If I had one major complaint about it this would be it - I have seen current shape Leon and Toledo owners being put off a new Altea, Leon or Tollie because of this and compared to the nice slush moudled dash of old I don't blame them. Sadly the heating/defrosting/demisting are also woefully poor for a modern car - not only has my Sport TDI not got heated mirrors (the much cheaper Cordoba I had before did!) but it takes an Age to heat up and clear on these frosty mornings. Not impressed!
I put it down to the fact that the dash materials and construction are poor, especially for an expensive hatch. Frankly a cheaper Megane, Focus or even something like a Fabia has a far better feel, fit and finish than any of the Altea's I've seen, mine included. If I had one major complaint about it this would be it - I have seen current shape Leon and Toledo owners being put off a new Altea, Leon or Tollie because of this and compared to the nice slush moudled dash of old I don't blame them. Sadly the heating/defrosting/demisting are also woefully poor for a modern car - not only has my Sport TDI not got heated mirrors (the much cheaper Cordoba I had before did!) but it takes an Age to heat up and clear on these frosty mornings. Not impressed!
Similar threads
