On the verge of buying a mk2

[Deev]

I'm about to take the plunge... I'm on the verge of buying a mk2.

Former mk1 TDI 110 owner, I was forced to get rid of it in March due to a series of mechanical problems coinciding with the cambelt service meaning an astronomical bill or a trade-in-and-leg-it scenario. I'm ashamed to say I committed a heinous crime and bought a Focus TDCI Titanium. What a mistake... After 8 months of constant faults and useless dealerships I wrote the manager an arsey letter quoting fraudulent misrepresentation as well as choice sections of the sale of goods act... Much to my surprise they folded like a pack of cards and gave me my money back!

But I digress...

Having thoroughly enjoyed my two years of mk1 ownership (compared to the nightmare 8 months of Fraud ownership) I'm now looking at a mk2 - specifically a 2.0 TDI Sport. The only thing that worries me though is the supposedly unforgiving sport suspension. From what I've read, it's *very* hard - which could be an issue as I do a lot of town driving as well as motorway driving (and in West Yorkshire too - proud owner of probably some of the lumpiest roads in the country!). Is this a fair comment, or are the people moaning just being too twitchy?

Any other pitfalls I should know of before taking the plunge...

I'm so very tempted to come back to the Seat fold...

 

[Tam]

I have a FR, it has 18" wheels, is the suspension hard - yes but it means it is rapidly fast across country and that makes it a much more pleasurable experience for the odd days that i find it too hard and just want a soft floaty drive.

I do at least 25K miles a year .. mostly motorways

 

[nog]

I'm due to take the plunge soon too. I test drove an FR with 18's a couple of weeks ago and was expecting my fillings to need replacing from what I'd read previously.

However I'm pleased to say that although the ride was definately firm it was very comfortable. The seats are really supportive and although I could feel plenty of imperfections in the road surface the suspension dampened them nicely. I was pleasantly surprised.

It was only half an hour though, I suppose it might be different on a long journey. I think I'm going to stick with 17's to be on the safe side.

 

[BeezerDiesel]

. I think I'm going to stick with 17's to be on the safe side.

Your back may forgive you but you'd vomit every time you looked at them! They're not pretty wheels. And the ride isn't that much better with 17s.

 

[DSG-boy]

I'm about to take the plunge... I'm on the verge of buying a mk2.


I'm now looking at a mk2 - specifically a 2.0 TDI Sport. The only thing that worries me though is the supposedly unforgiving sport suspension. From what I've read, it's *very* hard - which could be an issue as I do a lot of town driving as well as motorway driving (and in West Yorkshire too - proud owner of probably some of the lumpiest roads in the country!). Is this a fair comment, or are the people moaning just being too twitchy?

Any other pitfalls I should know of before taking the plunge...

I'm so very tempted to come back to the Seat fold...

I think you should buy a 2.0T DSG, they are so much more fun than a manual diesel, and don´t forget what a remap can do with it.

Buy a petrol before it´s too late, there will be plenty of time for dieselcars later IMO

 

[S8N]

Deev.... you sound like you had the same problems with FrORD that I did! I have 5 months of a Focus TDCi Titanium with nothing but problems. The dealership were equally as useless as yours. Took me a lot of arguing to get rid. Get shot of it, it never improves

The suspension is hard but nowhere near as bad as my friends new Civic Type-R. You want a boneshaking ride, that is it!

Also, you are looking at a Sport rather than an FR, the sport is slightly softer. I drive around Halifax/Yorkshire/Manchester/Cheshire all week long with no problems with the ride. I think the firmness of the ride is overstated to be honest. There are far worse out there.

Test drive one, the sport is a great car (especially with DSG!) and is a hell of a lot of fun as well as practical

.. and buy the diesel unless you only do 7000-8000 a year. The TFSI is a great engine but it's thirsty.

 

[Deev]

Buy a petrol before it´s too late, there will be plenty of time for dieselcars later IMO

I hear what you're saying, but I do circa 20000 miles a year with work so the sums don't really add up for a petrol. Plus I've driven a TDI Sport before and I know they're pretty damn rapid anyway...

(and yes I know that "diesel" and "sport" are generally oxymoronic )

 

[sm_allen]

I've stuck with the standard 17" wheels on my FR TDI, ride is firm but not uncomfortable (my kids can fall asleep in the car). I personally like the look of the 17" wheels.

 

[klf2007]

i agree with sm allen on the 17'' rims. the 18''s are a £300 teeth loosening option and somehow look more lost under the arches than the 17''s.

 

[SEATcarsdirect.co.uk]

Make sure you guys give me a call to get a great deal


Irfan

 

[Deev]

Okay... 55 plate 2.0 TDI Sport with 19k in Black Magic.
£10995 with a fresh service and 6 months tax.
I'm slightly unnerved by the "2 previous keepers" bit, and I'm trying to find out if the stereo has mp3 (I thought it was standard)...

Good deal?

 

[S8N]

Don't be un-nerved by the 2 owners. A lot of them are ex-demo, pre-reg cars and the first owner was SEAT or the dealer. Check with the seller and see who the first owner was

The price sounds pretty good to me but someone who is more up on definitive pricing could answer better

Which part of the country are you in? North or South?

 

[Deev]

I'm in Leeds.

Incidentally, do we know if the mp3 compatibility is retrofittable? It's quite a biggie for me...

 

[klf2007]

it is, but will cost £350+. they just change the whole unit. id put the money towards another head unit

 

[Deev]

I would have thought an aftermarket unit would look very out of place filling the enormous gap that the current unit takes though...

Hmm. I hope it has it already. The car seems otherwise perfect... (well okay I'd have *liked* them to take 500 quid off the price but I can't have everything...)

 

[klf2007]

a full colour double din headunit makes a fine show piece. a load of knobs and buttons spread all over with a red back light to boot looks... hideous. the design suggests it was for sat nav's then SEAT thought poo what happens if someone just wants a stereo and got a catapult filled with button and pulled. poor form that.

 

[DanGB]

MP3 compatible stereo means it can play CD's loaded with MP3's. you can tell as it has 'MP3' in white above the CD slot

The sport never had the AUX or Ipod option, just the CD changer option.

 

[lard-ajc]

£10995 sounds a good price. Just paid a bit over £12000 for an 06 TDi sport with 8000 miles in emocion red.

Just 2 days to go

 

[Deev]

Grr. It doesn't have MP3. That's annoying... And I'm concerned that sticking an aftermarket double-DIN in it will have warranty implications...

 

[klf2007]

the warranty should only effect the parts you replace (ie only the head unit). i had the dash rattle before and after installing a double din headunit. after fitting they blamed the install. now they wont touch it. well not for free anyway. that was a cop out on the dealers behalf. K and M accoustics in wigan do the alpine iva w202 headunit fitted for £750 with full speed ipod connection. does away with disc's altogether and you can search through artist, albums, etc. best money ive spent. makes the dash look fantastic.

theres a clip on 'you tube' if you type in - iva w202