Question for Ibiza FR owners with 17" wheels

[motormadmarc]

Afternoon all. I'm just enquiring whether any of you Ibiza FR drivers out there can give me your opinion on something please.

Basically, over the past 2 years or so I have been driving my wife's mobility car, a 2023 Ibiza Xcellence Lux. And now In a few months time It will be time again to get another car. The thing Is though, we both like the Xcellence Lux so much that we were hoping to get another one In September.

However, because the Xcellence Lux Is no longer on the mobility scheme list our only other 2 options are the FR and the FR Sport, because we don't want to go for a lower spec car with only about 95 BHP and less features.

But I'm just wondering how much more stiffer and uncomfortable the Ibiza's FR Sport ride will be compared to our current Xcellence Lux, due to it's sportier tuned suspension?

The FR comes with 17" wheels whereas our current Xcellence Lux has got 18"" wheels. So would the smaller wheels on the FR compensate a bit for it's stiffer suspension compared to the softer Xcellence Lux suspension?

I'm probably going to try and take an FR out anyway for a test drive and then we can see for ourselves what we think about the quality of the ride.

But before I do I just thought that I'd ask for a few opinions from you guys first because I've never driven a car with a sports suspension before.

I'm also going to persuade the wife to get an automatic DSG gearbox this time, because I haven't driven an automatic now for well over 35 years, lol.

Cheers guys

 

[motormadmarc]

Anybody?

 

[pompeydave]

I would say an FR would suit your needs perfectly. I drive a manual 74 plate FR 115bhp and it’s been superb over the last 18 months. Not too crashy over surfaces , I have driven many other cars with stiffer suspension. Also I think the FR looks pretty decent. Maybe the FR sport with 18” might be too much if looking for comfort .
I’ve played around with the tyre pressures as well and have it just right now. Slightly different to manufacturers recommended figures .

 

[José Silva]

I have a 2018 FR the suspension is stiffer because it's a sport version. I don't know what the 's suspension of the Xcellence is like, but it should be softer. I have a 2019 Polo, and the suspension is softer.

 

[motormadmarc]

Thanks for the replies and info guys

 

[pompeydave]

Did you take the FR out for a test drive ?

 

[motormadmarc]

Did you take the FR out for a test drive ?

Hi. To be honest I'm not sure now whether I'm going to bother. The reason being Is that, one of our previous cars was a 2015 naturally aspirated Suzuki Swift Sport (ZC32) and the suspension on that was apparently deliberately set up to give a much more firmer go cart type of feel compared to the more driver friendly Ibiza FR. But neither my wife or I can remember the Suzuki's suspension being a problem while driving over pot holes or crashy over bumps and uneaven road surfaces etc.

So I'm just wondering whether It will actually be worth taking a brand new Ibiza FR with the 17" wheels out for a test drive or not. But if I do I'll post my findings on here

 

[pompeydave]

Any update ? Just back from a Cornish holiday in my 2024 FR 115 and have to report car was superb. Comfortably dealt with the Cornish roads and returned excellent mpg. Back to your original question ref suspension I found on holiday it was very comfortable on all types of roads . I’ve had fiesta ST’s in the past and was looking at a newer shape one around 2023 but on a test drive still pretty hard suspension and makes the FR feel like a limo !

 

[motormadmarc]

@pompeydave.

I finally decided not to test drive the Ibiza FR due to the reason that I stated above. But about 2 weeks ago we went down to our nearest Seat dealer and placed an order for my wife's next Mobility car that Is due In September.

As for the colour we opted for Magnetic Grey. We both liked that colour because we had that same colour a few years ago when we owned a Seat Leon SE. Magnetic Grey also seems to hide the dirt very well, lol.

Also just to mention, we both decided to add a couple of extra's to the car. Reason being was that, because the Ibiza FR that we ordered wasn't the top of the range Sport model the 2 extras didn't come as standard.

The 2 extra's that was added were :

1/ An adjustable drivers armrest with a storage compartment.

2/ A safety pack, that includes automatic dimming headlights and adaptive cruise control. I think by memory the total cost to us for these 2 extra's will be about £485 or there abouts.

Both of these extras that were added came as standard on our current Ibiza Xcellence Lux, but unfortunately that model of Ibiza Is no longer being produced.

Regards

 

[motormadmarc]

I’ve played around with the tyre pressures as well and have it just right now. Slightly different to manufacturers recommended figures.

Just for future reference, what In your opinion are these preferable tyre pressures please?

Thanks

 

[pompeydave]

Exactly what I have - FR in magnetic grey and it does indeed hide the dirt well ! And again I also had a Leon mk3 in magnetic grey . I’m not due to change until late next year but looking at new colours on the Ibiza I’m unsure what to go for if I stick with the Ibiza. Maybe white for a change but there are some whacky colours available now that I don’t think suit the car. My favourite was the deep blue metallic on the earlier Ibiza’s but long gone now .
I’ll double check the pressures and report back .

 

[motormadmarc]

@pompeydave. Thanks for the replies and info.

 

[G.P]

Exactly what I have - FR in magnetic grey and it does indeed hide the dirt well !

Blimey, my Magnetic grey is the complete opposite having always had brighter colours and driving our Ibiza FR on 17"'s is ok until you drive other brands then you realise the VAG group don't really develop the best suspension setup for out UK roads, or dirt tracks..

 

[pompeydave]

Blimey, my Magnetic grey is the complete opposite having always had brighter colours and driving our Ibiza FR on 17"'s is ok until you drive other brands then you realise the VAG group don't really develop the best suspension setup for out UK roads, or dirt tracks..

I think the Ibiza FR is set up pretty good , a little stiff on suspension maybe but nothing you can’t live with. More comfortable than a lot of cars I have driven . Last car was a st-line x Ford puma and that was very similar in set up but previous fiesta ST,s were (as they should be) a lot harder on the suspension . Makes the FR Ibiza very comfortable in comparison. A previous Astra 1.6 turbo 200 Sri was an unusual one , very soft suspension yet had 200bhp under its bonnet . I have altered the tyre pressures a bit on the FR and it’s made it a better drive overall .
With regards to colours my old 71 plate Ibiza FR in white got dirty after a day or two from wash yet the magnetic colour on current car hides the dirt very very well. White looks good on the Ibiza FR and probably my favourite apart from the long gone metallic blue on earlier years.

 

[motormadmarc]

@pompeydave. Any update on your revised and preferred Tyre pressures for the Ibiza FR?