• Evo Magazine are looking for a mint and (and ideally unmodified) Leon Cupra Sub8 to drive and photograph for a feature. Find out more here .
  • Hey Guest👍👎 We're looking for reviews of your local CUPRA or SEAT Dealership - it's quick and easy to do: Leave a review now

TDi_B5

Active Member
Feb 2, 2010
52
0
Southampton
Hi guys,

I looked at an Arosa Sport today (mk1 16v 100bhp) and this is the second one I have driven. It had a few niggling issues such as the temperature gauge working intermittently (coolant temp sensor?) and some more significant ones.

I drove it down a 5 mile stretch of dual carriage way and although it felt much pokier than my 8v Arosa I was surprised to see the revs up at 3400-3500rpm at 70mph! Are these generally high revving engines? It had the AFK engine by the way. I really want an Arosa sport, preferably a mk1 and will be using it on motorways now and again. that many revs at that speed seems a bit excessive?

Any ideas/thoughts on these sport models?
 
its likely to be the gearbox ratios being different to the 8v. the 16v is quite nippy and fun. even my 2.0 revs at 3k at 70mph. but i get the best mpg at 3.5k . they look great when lowered :p
 
does anyone know what would cause the temp gauge to work intermittently? The owner seemed to think it had been like that since the new clutch was fitted?!
 
It is indeed, only about £20.00, had one done on our other Ibiza.

They're high reving engines mate, pretty sure they are twin cam too so that sounds about right for the speed. The only way you'll notice the real difference between 16 and 8 valves is when you scream it to the redline!
 
Coolent temp sensor will be the problem dude, was the same when i bought my mk2 arosa. Ever since i replaced it, its been great.

Revs sound about right to be honest. Ive just had a custom ratio gearbox put in my mk2 sport so now it revs at 2.5k at 60 and 3k at 70 :) Much better for motorway driving but it wasn't the cheapest mod.
 
Coolent temp sensor will be the problem dude, was the same when i bought my mk2 arosa. Ever since i replaced it, its been great.

Revs sound about right to be honest. Ive just had a custom ratio gearbox put in my mk2 sport so now it revs at 2.5k at 60 and 3k at 70 :) Much better for motorway driving but it wasn't the cheapest mod.

So you've given your box longer ratio's??? Different :D

Make you feel better my Ibiza does almost 4k at 70mph
 
So you've given your box longer ratio's??? Different :D

Make you feel better my Ibiza does almost 4k at 70mph

Mainly just 5th.

Basically the gears have been moved around in a sense, X amount of speed it done in 5th it now does in 4th. 1st and 2nd are the same and 3rd is a tad longer :) Final drive bearings had gone so thought i might as well get something different :p

Still goes well though :)
 
I have the Mk1 with the AFK and have used it quite a bit on the motorways and rackked up some high miles. It seems to take it quite well but if there is more than me in the car we dont use it as its not really fun for the pasenger(s) ;)

I had the same prob with the temp sensor at approx 80K, it is a 5 sec job to change, I originally just pulled it out and cleaned it and it solved the problem but in the end I just bought one off the net for approx £7 and fitted, it been fine since.

Things to watch out for are mainly are gearbox / clutch problems and the wear of drive belts.

I had mine 5 years and overall I would say its been a good car for the purpose it has served. It is used almost everyday of the year for a mixture of short and long jurneys by me or others. It has always started first time everytime so all due respect for doing that! It has needed vairous bits like wheel bearings but it has never broken down even on the long commutes.