Cordoba Vario questions

[Oswald]

I recently bought a secondhand Cordoba Vario. I have a few questions.

The dashboard lighting is always on, is this normal? I thought it was only supposed to work when my lights are switched on? This gives me the wrong impression that my lights are switched on, when they are actually not. So I'm driving around in the dark, without my lights being switched on

Also, I want to change the speakers in the front doors. How do I get those things out of the door without breaking any pins or clips or whatever it is that's holding the covers attached to the door. Is there anything I should think about when buying new speakers? They don't have to be top of the line, the current ones are busted and creak when I turn the volume halfway... I can't stand creaking speakers.

 

[m0rk]

Hi

Dash lights should be off when the lights are off yes. someones been a hacking with the wiring I think

Speakers are removed by one screw in the side of the cover to remove the cover, then 3 or 4 screws holding the speaker in the door

 

[Oswald]

Thx, I couldn't feel a screw on the side, but maybe there is a small cover over it or something. I'll check tomorrow when it's light outside.

Guess I'll have to return it to the dealer to get the wiring checked. Hope he can solve this easily without screwing up sthg else.

 

[m0rk]

Just wondering...

is it a mk3 or mk2 vario?

 

[Oswald]

It was first used in 2003, judging by the papers that came with the car. So I don't really know if it was already the new model then.

Comparing it to my 1997 Ibiza, the nose looks a lot different (rounded nose and less square shaped lights) Don't know much about cars, so hope that can help you figure out what model it is.

 

[m0rk]

lights like this?

 

[Oswald]

Yep, same car, except for the color.

I just checked, couldn't find any screw that holds the speaker cover in place. I can just squeeze my nails under the cover but can't feel any clip or anything. Doesn't move at all when I try to pull it off.

 

[m0rk]

sorry, I was presuming your one was like the red one in my sig (Mk2)

Right....

the lights are on all the time (big red thing in the middle)
Speaker removal...

You'll need to remove the door trim

Guides

http://www.seatcupra.net/knowledge_base/fitting_guides/seat_ibiza_mk3_door_card_removal_460.html
http://www.seatcupra.net/knowledge_base/fitting_guides/ibiza_door_trim_removal.html

 

[Oswald]

Thx for the guides!

Seems a lot of trouble just to install a speaker. Gonna try it when I have some free time, cause I know I'll just break something when I'm in a hurry.

 

[Oswald]

Does anyone know how many kms a car like this can handle? Mine only has 65.000 kms, I think it has 64hp.
My old 90hp tdi Ibiza was worn out at 212.000 kms. The clutch had snapped, the transponder sometimes refused to work, ... It was creaking and shaking all over basically. Apart from that, the engine itself was still okay.
My friend says an sdi engine should be able to do more miles than a tdi. I thought this sounded a bit weird, so what do you guys think? All conditions being alike (maintenance, luck, ...), shouldn't a tdi engine be stronger and last longer?

 

[m0rk]

sdi will be under less stress, and should go on & on

They're often used in the SEAT Inca van, and seem to last for about 150,000 miles / 240,000km (by ham fisted builders)

 

[Oswald]

Is there anything I can do to give the brakes some extra stopping power? I'ld like to tow a small caravan during summer. But this car doesn't slow down that well. I can't imagine this car being able to slow down on the motorway with 700kgs pushing against the back.

Any brand of pads or discs?

 

[m0rk]

new good quality ones - and probably new flexi lines

but they're pretty terrible - when I had the stock 239's they always overheated