New Ibiza FR

[Mr Pig]

So happy days! I should pick up a 2016 Ibiza 1.2 FR Technology in electrified Kermit green next weekend. In preparation for the happy event, I have a few questions.

It's got 17'' alloys. I'll be treating the little guy to a full-sized spare. Will a 17'' wheel fit in the well without lifting the carpet?

It has four brand new tyres, which are from a crap brand! Toledo TL1000, oh slither. I may bin these straight away. What do you guys find to be a good tyre for the car?

My son has a run-out model 2017 Ibiza 1.0 Ecomotive Tech. On the road, the FR feels pretty much exactly the same! Ride quality and handling feel pretty similar. I can't feel much difference between the 1.0 (90hp) and the 1.2 (105hp). Apart from the bumpers and the admittedly quite nice seats, what exactly is sporty about the FR? Is the suspension actually different, or is it just a rouse.

Cute looking car though :0)

 

[Mr Pig]

Also, how can I check that it's the 105hp car and not the 90? I assume it must be marked on the V5 but I didn't see it. I also assume it has to be marked on the car.

 

[RUM4MO]

The engine version/type should be printed on to a paper label on the plastic cam belt cover, it will end with a D if it is a 110PS and end with a C if it is the 90PS version.

Remember most modern Ibizas have firm suspension so I would not expect the FR to be much firmer a ride to a lesser model. The FR will get sports suspension front and rear, whereas, in the old days, the SC always got sport suspension on the rear it seems according to the CAR DATA printout I got for my daughter's late 2009 Ibiza 1.4 16V SC.

Edit:- I'd think that the 215 section tyres will always lift the rear carpet level which is probably another reason why they normally just offer a 185 section tyre, or maybe SEAT being frugal only offer a 165 section spare wheel.

 

[Mr Pig]

Thank you. The salesman told me it was the 110 but I want to check, not that don't trust salesmen you understand? ;0)

If the 17'' wheel lifts the carpet I'll probably just buy a steel spare.

Any recommendation on tyres? I'l try the cheap tyres to see how they do, they're on the car anyway, but it's not something I compromise on.

Looking forward to getting the little buggy and seeing what it'll do :0)

 

[camelspyyder]

I seem to recall FR suspension is 15mm lower than Standard or SE spec, and rides harder.
The standard springs and 16's on my TOCA give a super ride and nice handling.

215/40R17 are not a very common size. I have driven:

Dunlop SP Sport MAxx..................hard ride, shocking noise, and they don't wear out

Bridgestone Potenza RE050A........noisy on most surfaces, quite grippy.

Continental PremiumContact 2......Quiet and Comfortable. Good grip until down to 3mm, then performance drops off. (that was at about 26000 miles and I ran them to 35000 and took it easy on wet roads)

tyrereviews.co.uk will help pick a tyre. Michelin Cross climates don't fit unfortunately.

 

[Mr Pig]

I knew the Leon FR was lower but I have never seen anything saying that the Ibiza FR was. My son has an SE so I can park next to him and look! ;0)

Just spoke to a local guy who says the 17'' FR alloy fits in the boot without lifting the carpet. Must admit I am surprised.

Potenza was the tyre I was thinking of. Most tyres lose performance when the tread gets low. I've always had good results from Bridgstone, Goodyear and Conti, all good tyres. Liked Vredestein too but the tyres were too fragile, had a couple twist and bulge so not buying them again.

 

[RUM4MO]

Snip ------- Snip

215/40R17 are not a very common size. I have driven

Continental PremiumContact 2......Quiet and Comfortable. Good grip until down to 3mm, then performance drops off. (that was at about 26000 miles and I ran them to 35000 and took it easy on wet roads)

tyrereviews.co.uk will help pick a tyre. Michelin Cross climates don't fit unfortunately.

When my daughter returned to UK to continue working in teaching, as her car was getting a bit low treadwise, I suggested trying to winter proof it a bit and so bought a set of all season tyres from mytyres, they were Kleber Quadraxer 2 as, like you said no Michelin Cross Climates in that size. Seems like quite a good choice and in time for quite a nasty long winter!

 

[Mr Pig]

We have a set of winter tyres on steel wheels for the Leon. Cost a lot to buy but if you keep a car long enough it makes sense. Once I get the Ibiza I'll consider winter tyres for it but the car probably won't be used enough to justify them.

 

[camelspyyder]

I knew the Leon FR was lower but I have never seen anything saying that the Ibiza FR was. My son has an SE so I can park next to him and look! ;0)

Just spoke to a local guy who says the 17'' FR alloy fits in the boot without lifting the carpet. Must admit I am surprised.

Potenza was the tyre I was thinking of. Most tyres lose performance when the tread gets low. I've always had good results from Bridgstone, Goodyear and Conti, all good tyres. Liked Vredestein too but the tyres were too fragile, had a couple twist and bulge so not buying them again.

I hate the Bridgestones I have (RE050A), but they're OEM on a brand new car so I'm stuck with them. Compared with the Conti's on the same chassis they ruin the car!

After much review reading I was looking to replace the Contis with a mid-range tyre and had settled on Falken Ziex 914 (but traded the car before changing rubber).

 

[camelspyyder]

Did the selling dealer put those brand X tyres on?

I would rather have seen what it came in on and chosen a replacement of my own choice.

 

[Mr Pig]

I would rather have seen what it came in on and chosen a replacement of my own choice.

My thoughts exactly. I always think it's crazy when you see young guys spending hundreds on big wheels then fitting the cheapest rubber they can find. Idiots! The tyres are one of the most important parts of the car and can easily make the difference between a scare and a crash. The wet braking of the best tyres and cheap ones can vary by six car lengths!

To be fair, I don't know if the dealer put them on. I suspect they did, the tyres look fairly new and why would someone put four tyres on a car they were trading in, but they didn't say they'd put them on. Just that there was 5mm on all the tyres. It's sickening to think about removing four unworn tyres but I've done it before and I may have to do it again.

I had a Mazda 6 that came with Bridgstones out of the box. They were fine but the car did tram-line and pull to the side under hard braking. I assumed it was just the car until I fitted different tyres and both issues disappeared!

My choice of tyre in this size seems limited. I'll need to check that it's actually what's supposed to be on the car.

 

[Scrogg]

SS16 MEU is an Ibiza 1.2 TSI 110 FR Technology 5dr in Lima Green. The only factory-fitted options are the 17" Tagus alloy wheels and dark tinted rear windows.

 

[Mr Pig]

SS16 MEU is an Ibiza 1.2 TSI 110 FR Technology 5dr in Lima Green. The only factory-fitted options are the 17" Tagus alloy wheels and dark tinted rear windows.

Actually, it has an optional armrest too ;0) Which is next to useless as it almost completely covers the hand-brake!

I was going to check the engine spec when I collect the car. The dealer said it was the 110 but it don't feel that fast. Don't need to check now, thank you.

And I prefer to think of the colour as 'Electrified Kermit' ;0)

 

[Mr Pig]

Yes, I work for a SEAT dealership

Other thing, I have a feeling the tyres should be 215/45 and not 215/40. Am I right?

 

[KXL]

ooh, ..from experience, and pictures, 215/40 R17 tyres mostly came with either Dunlop SP Sportmaxx or Bridgestone Potenza RE050A from factory. As the the others say, in 215/40 R17 guise, not that many choices....unlike the more common 205/55 or 225/45. Mine came with Bridgestones, they are ok, if a bit noisy, grip wise and wet grip not bad.. but perhaps thats the 40 profile. After 10k, still have about 6mm of rubber left on the fronts. If you are ok for a mid-range tyre that usually punches above it's weight, consider Fulda Sport Control 2. Yes FR are suppose to be 15mm lower both all Seats I guess. From the pic of mine, I guess it looks low (and sporty enough)...other day a BMW M4 car wanted to race me, coz apparently my car 'looked' the part, until I told the person, I had a 1.0TSI, and then we had a laugh...he did complimented on how it looked though with the black rims. Maybe he thought I had a Cupra. Oh by the way, the rims are quite prone to scuffing, in my case, a coat of black nail polish does the job.

 

[camelspyyder]

Other thing, I have a feeling the tyres should be 215/45 and not 215/40. Am I right?

No. The 215/45 fits the Ibiza with 16 inch rims - like my TOCA.

http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre-Size/17-Inch-Tyres/215-40-17-Tyres.htm

Re: difference between 1.0 and 1.2 - on an average journey it's about 30 gearchanges less in the 1.2 because it actually has a torque band you can use.

(Manuals only - DSG seems to hide that deficiency in the 1.0)

 

[Mr Pig]

The 215/45 fits the Ibiza with 16 inch rims

Thanks. I've been looking and the tyre choice is limited a little. Favorite so far is the Michelin Pilot Sport 4, but they're not cheap! :0(

The 1.2 sure felt like a little engine but I'm reserving judgment until I've driven more than just a test drive. I'm used to the Leon diesel so a small petrol is bound to feel different.

I've never been a fan of black wheels. I guess I'm old ;0) Too old to be driving an Ibiza I know that.

 

[camelspyyder]

In that link I posted above, the top 4 tyres in 215/40R17 are Vredestein and Falken Winter and Summer options.

The 3 I've tried are half way down the list, or worse.

I think PS4's are possibly overkill on a 1.2 hatchback mind you

 

[Mr Pig]

I have been looking at tyres but like i said, a lot of the popular choices are not available in 215/4- R17.

 

[Mr Pig]

So far of all the tyres I've looked at my top picks are:

Michelin Pilot Sport 4. Expensive but looks very good

Goodyear Eagle F1. Bit cheaper but still decent.

Uniroyal Rainsport 3. Not so great in the dry but very good in the wet, ie Scotland!

Got a call from the dealer. Car will be ready to collect on Thursday.