Which Altea ??

[Neaky]

Hi,
I am going to be buying an Altea in the next few weeks but can't make my mind up which one to go for !
The car will be used for the daily commute and family stuff so its got to be a diesel
I really like the later plate FR models with the 18" wheels but could save myself a few quid by getting a nice clean 2.0 TDi Sport and swapping the wheels and remapping it therefore putting it at the same level performance wise as the FR
What would be the general consensus about that?
Is the FR a marked upgrade from the Sport making it worth the extra cash or would it just be spending for the badge
Thanks for any advice

Neaky

 

[CrispDust]

Not sure if FR has better brakes too? Although upgrade of 345s from VR32 is very easy.
Interior is probably very much the same.
Go for a DSG, effortless driving. Make sure its been oil changed if more than 40k though.

 

[leighivn]

One or the other

Hi Neaky,

I have had the privilege of owning two Altea's.

My first was a 2.0tdi Sport DSG;

Very good car, loved the DSG gearbox had very little issues with it , i miss the gearbox.

The second the 2.0tdi FR 170, fantastic car, lots of ooomph!! when you need it, brought it only two weeks ago so still in the honeymoon period.

The main difference other than the increase in power I have noticed is there is a definitely noticeable difference in the ride between the two cars.

The brakes seem better and more positive in the FR.

The engines I have experienced all pull willingly so which ever you go for you will definitely enjoy the sweet engine..they can surprise a few away from the lights...

 

[Neaky]

I used to have a 1.6 Reference which i loved but part-ex'd it against my Mitzy, always wanted another and the time is right now.
I like the look of the FR models bur obviously i would need to put more money towards it on top of the Punto i use now.
I just need to decide which way i am going to go

Option 1 - Go for a 2.0 TDi Sport with relatively high miles and not add much money to the budget

Option 2 - Go for a 2.0 TDi Sport with lower miles and add £1k ish to budget

Option 3 - Go for a FR around 06 plate and add £2k ish to budget

Option 4 - Go for a FR around 08 plate and add £4k ish to budget

Is there any major difference in specs between the 06 and 08 FR's apart from 18" wheels?

Last question, I have read that the remap will give an extra 40 bhp and an 11% increase in fuel economy, has anyone had the map and how true are the figures

Cheers

 

[martin89]

I have a 56 plate fr and love it. I dont think there is any difference between ages apart from the wheels but could be wrong. If you preferred the 18s they can be had for £300-400 so could save quite a bit money there. When i got mine i looked at a sport but the interior of the fr did it for me.

my m8 has his ibiza fr mapped and he gaind 30bhp and is a lot better on fuel

 

[Neaky]

I have a 56 plate fr and love it. I dont think there is any difference between ages apart from the wheels but could be wrong. If you preferred the 18s they can be had for £300-400 so could save quite a bit money there. When i got mine i looked at a sport but the interior of the fr did it for me.

my m8 has his ibiza fr mapped and he gaind 30bhp and is a lot better on fuel

Cheers for the info

Think i will start looking for an FR then

Remap and 18's to follow shortly afterwards

The remap purely for economy