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T. Spark
Guest
Correct
FR 70mph = 2,100rpmish
Sport 70mph = 1,850rpmish
Basically, a FR top speed (power permitting) would be around 160-165mph
Whilst the sport is geared (power permitting) to around 196mph.
Thats a suprise very fond of the newer frs styling tbh and if i got the 130 sport would prob spend the money changing exterior so edging towards trying to find an fr to begin with really not sure what the best bet really is need to look into in more detail. was looking at leons for ages in hope of getting one but think that'll be in a couple years or so once insurance drops some more. what would you all recommend fr or 130 sport based on your experiences
I think the sport represents excellent value for money. Stick the facelift bumpers on it, some better suspension, couple of silver wing mirror covers and some wheels with a proper offset (it needs a wider track) and you've got a cracking car with performance, economy and looks.
No idea how the insurance compares, I've never checked.
Just having a quick look on Autotrader. 52 plate, 90k Sport 130 is £2800. 54 plate 90k FR is £5k (and the FR isn't a facelift, so thats the same car, 2 years newer for £2200 more). Why by the FR, they're both going to need new suspension anyway.
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fr bumpers are same as cupras on the later models am i correct or well off?? insurance difference is 1 group with the 130 sport being group 7 and fr being 8. not sure on specs tho so could do with help fromowners of each really
FR bumpers are similar, not exactly the same as Cupra's.
On a Cupra the plastic under the foglights extends beneath the bottom of the front skirt. On an FR the bottom edge is the same height all the way along. There's a different foglight surround shape too. (more of a snarl on the FR).
Can be seen clearly in the pics below.
Cupra
FR
As an interesting comparison, a yellow TDI Sport 130 too. Notice how it appears to be on jacked up suspension, with the rear wheels really set into the arch. Compare that to the Cupra which is sitting much further out in the arch and lower.
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The 130 Sport is a great wee car.In a straight line.Unleash it's mental power going round corners or the likes and you'll regret it!.
From what i've read on here,i think the handling difference is minimal between the 2.Only the Cupra TDI has the right brakes and suspension to handle the power.The Sport,like the FR is very nose heavy,so i don't think that does the handling any good at all.
Sorry,i don't know the first thing about coilovers and arb's.I've kept mine original since buying it 3.5 years ago.I just got fed up being stuck behind slow coaches all the time,and not having the power to get past them.Once i bought the Sport,that was the end of that problem.
Got to know it's limitations though.Say,you come up to a big roundabout fairly quickly,roads clear,and you boot it,even in 4th it'll try to go straight across the roundabout- when you're trying to steer!.
T. Spark
Guest
Agreed with the price of a sport does make it a bargain. As said insurance is one group more on the FR. But one group less than a vRS
As for "why by the FR" well its interior is 'fresh'er' than the out going Sport, tailpipe and grills etc make it better visually to look at.
To correct this one a sport, ud spend less than 2.2k yes, however would still be a sport, so when you sell it, your selling a sport not a FR. However that being said, id purchase a sport.
The Sport,like the FR is very nose heavy,so i don't think that does the handling any good at all.
Sorry,i don't know the first thing about coilovers and arb's.I've kept mine original since buying it 3.5 years ago.I just got fed up being stuck behind slow coaches all the time,and not having the power to get past them.Once i bought the Sport,that was the end of that problem.
Got to know it's limitations though.Say,you come up to a big roundabout fairly quickly,roads clear,and you boot it,even in 4th it'll try to go straight across the roundabout- when you're trying to steer!.
Sounds like with a bit of work to the handling could be made to handle brilliantly or atleast along the line with the cupras if the right mods are carried out have to start another thread and get some knowledge from others experiences. good to know about the limits tho mate wouldnt wanna wreck ha. just about being caredul on fast turns then. i guess its ok once you know how it handles. have you experienced any problems with yours or is there anything to look out for when buying an ibiza sport. heard of electrical faults have you experienced these.
thanks
Ive had electrical faults on my last 2 ibiza's. I had to sell both of them in the end as noone (including seat) were able to diagnose the problems. However these were both mk3's so im hopeing that they will have improved in the mk4.
Ive got the 130 sport and love it! Ive only had it for about a month but have done aprox 4k miles in it. It handles a lot better than the mk3 stops and goes better too! having spoken to the salesman at seat when I was buying this one, I think the diferences in the mechanics of the sport and FR are realy very similar. That said I would prefer a Fr just for its name! but its not worth the extra money when you an make all the changes yourself eg new bumpers ect.
I thought that the brakes were the same on the 130 sport, FR and cupra?
Ive got the 130 sport and love it! Ive only had it for about a month but have done aprox 4k miles in it. It handles a lot better than the mk3 stops and goes better too! having spoken to the salesman at seat when I was buying this one, I think the diferences in the mechanics of the sport and FR are realy very similar. That said I would prefer a Fr just for its name! but its not worth the extra money when you an make all the changes yourself eg new bumpers ect.
I thought that the brakes were the same on the 130 sport, FR and cupra?
Yeah,there's loads of things you can do to improve the handling,braking etc.You can even have more power if you want,but personally i think it's got more than enough as standard.The readers rides section gives you an idea of the mods available.It all depends on how much free cash you've got i suppose(i don't have any).
Also,theres a handy section on 'what goes wrong with the mk4's')Well.I've done 62,000 miles in 3.5 years.Mileage is now 68,000.As everyone on here will tell you,the most important thing bar none-is your cambelt,tensioners and water pump change.Some say,4 years or 60k,others 80k and a whole load of other opinions.I got all 3 things done by Seat at 62,000 miles.Cost £330.Independants are cheaper,but the ones i phoned-only by a few quid.So i stuck to Seat.If you're buying a Sport,look for evidence(either in the service book,or preferably invoices)that it's been done.I've seen quite a lot of Sport's/early FR's for sale recently about the 60k mark.You can put your money on it,they were traded in to save the owner the cost of the belt change.A wise move,but if it snaps you'll rue the day you ever set eyes on it.
![[:@]](/forums/styles/seatcupra/oldforumsmileys/furious.gif "Furious [:@]")
Not had anything major go wrong with it.Air con had to be regassed a couple of years ago.Drivers side heated mirror element went(warranty).Quite a few folk have had probs with the electric windows,but i've been fine so far.Pops bulbs more often than other cars,but nothing to worry about.Ben tolod it's going to need new rear discs and pads(still on the originals),and some front suspension bushes for it's MOT in Feb.Rear window exploded a couple of Winters ago,something to do with cold,heat and me shutting the tail gate!.
Apart from that,it's been ultra reliable.Uses a wee drop of oil,but that's normal.Make sure you try and get one with a full history,and that the correct PD oil has been used every 10k.
As others have said,it's a cracking car for the money,lots of good ones for sale on Autotrader. Just make sure the belt has been changed,or demand £300 off for the job.
The Sport is a brilliant little car.Mad as a bucket of frogs,but there's none better to put a smile on your face-for so little cash!.Happy hunting!.
Yeah,i think the Sport and FR have the same brakes.But the Cupras are upgraded callipers and bigger discs.I think the Sports brakes are pretty good.I think they have to be,to stop you going off into the trees!.
I'd personally say get the sport and use the money you have saved over the FR to buy coilovers, 20mm spacers for the rear wheels, and an anti roll bar also for the rear. Will make a massive difference to the way the car handles. Also id spend a reasonable amount on a decent set of tyres as that can make a big difference.
Remaps are also worthwhile.
And in answer to the question about FR bumpers, the range was facelifted in 2006, and the ones with the more aggresive bumpers are the facelift models. Thats why you will find FR's with similar style bumpers to the sports.
Remaps are also worthwhile.
And in answer to the question about FR bumpers, the range was facelifted in 2006, and the ones with the more aggresive bumpers are the facelift models. Thats why you will find FR's with similar style bumpers to the sports.
T. Spark
Guest
I won't have a bad word said against them.They are the bestestest brakes in the entire Seat line up.Better even than the Cupras.
I hope you're saying they are better than "pretty good"?
The same brake diameter are standard on Calibra/Cav Turbo's which not only weight a lot more, but are faster and therefore have more work to do. And they're pretty damn good on them.
I'd say they are easily as good as the ST170's 300mm setup which I have on my Focus.
On a track, perhaps there may be an issue, but for fast road use, they are fantastic, never had any fade on them and they work very well at all speeds.
It all comes down to the pads, the wrong pads can make a very expensive set of brakes into little more than extra unsprung weight.
That said, given I need new front pads and the disks will only be good for another year, I will most likely be changing to the 312's off a "TT".
T. Spark
Guest
No im saying they are so bad, id rather use milk bottle tops inline with my own feet to stop me.
What brake diameter are the rears on a standard Calibra/Cav Turbo? Also specify each axle weight.
Without being rude, my 312mm set up with 501 dot can barely manage fast road use, and just held on at cadwell earlier this year. However I had huge brake fade over in germany on this long toll road you might have heard (I will admit however I was braking more than needed as never been on before, nor played any silly games so had no idea what was next)
Your not wrong about pads, hense why good ones are so expensive. However there is also the caliper you need to think of, and simply put, the 288mm set up as a whole, is poor. I have no doubt if you spend silly money on decent discs and good pads, they are ok for normal road use on standard power. Anymore, or this 'fast' road use you speak off, and the standard brakes are crap.
I guess it all comes down to what people class as fast road use, and normal driving aswell. It might be your fast road use, would be my daily drive to work, whilst my fast road use, is your nutter driving.
This being said, my current tank of diesel is seeing my trip computer state 56mpg.
I only hear the 288mm v 312mm brake upgrade debate from people who dont have 312mm. Funny that
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