Any New Altea Owners?

[ALTEA DUDE]

Has anyone got an Altea 6 months or less old? I want to do a very unscientific poll and see if the build quality is better, worse or the same since I got mine not long after it came out. I've had about 4 or 5 minor faults which have been fixed under warranty and its still free from squeaks and rattles.

How have you newer Altea owners been finding your cars? Any problems, major or minor? Any squeaks, rattles etc?

It would be interesting to know if the quality standards have improved, slipped or stayed the same since I got mine.

 

[Rallye Dale]

Mines Reg Nov 06 , FR TDI

So far no problems to date 3300 miles

Only one annoying squeek from light switch surround

 

[widdy]

2006 56 1.9 TDI Ref Sport

Current miles 4400

Trips to Dealer to have :

Noisy drivers door opening (catch plate needed adjustment)
Acceleration hesistant at 60 & 70 Mph (reload of s/w)
Airbag light stayed on (wiring checked under drivers seat)

All above resolved by Kings Seat Portsmouth sometimes even by ringing the same day.

 

[alex1]

2007 , 07 plate 1.9 TDI ref sport

So far everything has been spot on - no issues at all. Build quality appears very good, with excellent fit and finish, and I am a real perfectionist.

In fact on delivery we were very pleased as the spec had been slightly changed from when we ordered. We got electric mirrors, MP3 CD player, with aux in connection, and cruise control. None of which were part of our original order, but which had been included on the build between our order and delivery, as part of the overall spec changes to the model.

 

[Jacey Boy]

I might not bother getting an Altea, they seem to have lots of problems and the build quality is worse than a Skoda, also they are just not out there on the private market, owners seem to trade them back or sell them back to the dealers

Might have to spend the beans elsewhere

 

[Tell]

I think most owners are very happy, buy them new and keep them. This site from 2004 has been full in general of happy owners. There are niggles on the cruise control, the headend on some units switching on by themselves, the aircon acting erratic etc. But they are common problems and nobody that forked out the 17,000+ figure at the start for a full spec car I don't think is moaning too much myself. If you can't buy one secondhand cheap, then it's tough. Looking at the admiration I still get when people see the car they seem to be getting more popular as the New Leons have become, the boy racers MPV.

 

[PhilOfCas]

would 2nd Tell's comments, the forum posts can be like the 'news', you only (in general) get to know about problems, rather than good things being reported. I would say Seat's are no (again, in general) different to any other manufacturer, practically all cars have some problem or other, i'd add again, that forums are a public way of hearing about problems.
I'd say there will be Fiat owners who've never had a problem or Fiat owners who'd had loads of problems and say there will be Rolls Royce owners just the same.

To summarise for 'Jacey Boy', don't be put off from getting one just because of comments on here, they're basically a very good car, i've had mine for nearly 2 years and it still gives me that feel good factor, hope to keep it for plenty years to come.

 

[muddyboots]

would 2nd Tell's comments, the forum posts can be like the 'news', you only (in general) get to know about problems, rather than good things being reported.

Exactly. How often do people post on forums just to say "My car is performing normally today" ?

 

[aceman]

My car is running fine today !!

Well that's after I have had the EGR valve replaced that failed but that is the only thing that has gone wrong in over 2 years of motoring so I have no complaints at all.

 

[Tell]

I just drove mine from London to North Italy and back over the last ten days across the alps and through them.... and it's running pretty good as well . Only problem with the owner eating too much schitzel / vino and needs too loose a few pounds.... note to myself.

 

[Bondiblu]

I totally agree, my Altea (touch wood) has been "sweet as", the only issue being 1 single button on the radio stopped working, and that was replaced under warranty. IMHO, a very good value for money vehicle, with the backing of a good group (VAG)

 

[ALTEA DUDE]

Wow, thanks for all the feedback everyone. Sounds like its a definate thumbs up from everyone apart from someone who doesnt even own one!

I would agree with the feedback. I've have been superbly happy with the car, this forum has been great and without wanting to sound like a broken record my local dealer has been the only 1 huge downside. But I've run many company Mercs and its dealers are even worse!

Thanks for the comments and Bondiblu, your car looks excellent!

 

[RJS]

I am on my second one the first had done 60000 in 18 months no real issues.

Better value than a Golf, better looking than a Focus, you would not get me near a Vauxhall.

May go for a Saab next or a Freetrak will have to wait and see.

JR

 

[CheshireLad]

I've just ordered an '06 Altea 2.0 TDI Stylance (140), I pick it up on Friday. Currently got an '02 Leon TDI (110) SE which my other half will receive.

 

[FinerDetails]

I did have a 55 plate 2.0TDi 140 and ran it for 10k miles before selling it due to starting Finerdetails.

This weekend we went and bought an 07 2.0 TDi 140 Special Edition. Does that say enough? Great cars, best I've ever had and fabulous to drive, own and be seen in!

 

[processpaul]

Great resource here so thought i'd contribute

I have a 55plate 1.9 TDI stylance. Its done 19k and I think its great. Drive is very good smooth and handles well for a bigish car. Build is good overall, but not as good as MK4 golf i had. All the extra gadgets that would cost the earth in a golf are really useful. I use cruise alot of the time (not had the bad column switch yet!). Trip computer is nice, love the wiper system and it looks great in car park against all the others. Boot space is fab and the extra bit under the rear shelf is dead handy for bits and pieces. I shove all my work gear in easily and still have room for passengers. Sliding seats are easy to get flat and make loads more space for my mountain bike

I have some rattles dash (one around glovebox and one near drivers air vent) that i hope to get sorted at the next service under warranty, but not banking on it

Mods so far are speakers in the front and new headunit, couldnt live without decent sounds. Ikea bootmat for £4 is a must (thanks to Pantsdavies for that one). Pipercross air filter fitted for the heck of it. Not sure if its made any difference though.

Please remember that I have created a service spreadsheet so PM me if you want it. Already had a few "customers" for it.

I also have full version of VAG-com so please ask if you're near Brighton and you need anything checked. Its really useful and i'm learning it fast.

Cheers

 

[Tinta]

Took delivery of my 2.0TDi Stylance last Monday....only to have to drive through the floods this week! Everything feels very nicely put together....going to have look for the IKEA boot mat this afternoon

 

[Doddsy]

we've had out 07 reference sport 1.9 diesel since march ... have now done 5k in it and its been perfect .... we're very pleased with it... and for 12k brand new... no rattles or squeaks ... drives very well looks good, well equipped ...cruise.. trip comp.. traction.. sports interior ..alloys.. etc everything a Cmax isn't

 

[chrislang]

Second Altea Minor hassles

Bought a new Altea XL Stylance in May having had an Altea Reference since
they came out in 2004 both were / are 1.9 TDI.
The original had no problems at all in it's life with me with the exception of bad wind noise from the passenger window area, somewhat cured by the foam strip therapy applied by my local dealer. The new one however has improved in the wind noise department, the new shape mirrors on the XL seem to have cured that problem. I'ts lost its removable Boot floor, so no level loading with the seats down now, also it's engine cover and now only comes with one remote control key as opposed to the originals two! However you do now get an MP3 compatible CD player in the Audio unit. Otherwise it drives much the same with reasonable accelleration, good fuel consumption and excellent roadholding for a fairly tall car + of course on the XL reversing sensors and a larger boot are standard. Mine also came with the TomTom 710 pack which is a good bonus.
However despite only covering 1600 miles the XL's been back to my dealer twice already with a airbag warning light problem. The first time the airbag was replaced, but the warning light came on again after a short time. The next time they hard wired it under the seat ( apparently a SEAT notified fix ) this was then OK for a few weeks but today the light has come on again!!! I'm off back to the dealer on Monday and will let you know how I get on.
I noticed that Widdy had also had airbag light problems and wondered if his had recurred? ( My reference was the first Altea sold by Kings in Portsmouth! )
Overall apart from the airbag niggle I'm really pleased with the Altea in both forms and still love to drive it.

Regards
Chris

 

[shouldknowbette]

Altea 1.6 Engine Problems

Hey folks, my 2004 seat altea 1.6 has an intermittent engine problems. It seems to working fine most of the time but it "chuggers" in every gear except 5th and at low revs. When I say "chuggers", it kind of kangaroo jumps. My local Seat dealerships (both Agnew Seat garages in Belfast) cannot find the fault, largely cause it's intermittent.

There's 30000 miles on the clock and I need new pads and discs all round. Is that normal? Does anyone have any ideas where I can get decent replacement/performce discs and pads for the altea, cause seat are looking to charge £400+ for the parts alone?