Altea model history, options etc

[muddyboots]

Hi all

I'm looking ahead and thinking about what I will replace the Passat with, probably sometime next year.
I had a Mk4 Ibiza for 3 years, then switched to a high miler Passat to use as a load lugger whilst moving & house building. Both remapped 130 TDIs.
I've kind of got hooked on having the useful extra space of the Passat - and had been thinking of getting another estate, probably an A4. However they aren't cheap by any means. This morning the Altea popped into my head and got me thinking.

However I don't know much about the Altea history, so wondered if you guys could tell me more, specifically:

1) Which models were available with the 2.0 140 TDI engine ?

2) Were rain sensing wipers and xenon headlights available - either as standard or options ? Have had both on the Ibiza and the Passat, I'd be lost without them !

3) What size wheels & brakes are fitted to the 2.0 TDI 140 models ?

4) How do families with kids find them - enough space ? Haven't got kids yet but most likely on the cards in the next year or two.

Answers to these or any general advice would be most welcome

And hello Ian How do you find your remapped Altea compares to your remapped Ibiza...?

 

[aceman]

You called !

1) Initially the Sport which had the 2.0 140 TDI but it has now been fitted into the Stylance model which basically is the replacement for the sport since the FR came out. There is a special edition also out at the moment that has this engine plus larger alloys and leather interior.

2)I think these were available but don't quote me but I found the standard headlights far better than the standard lights on the Ibiza so may not be quite a concern to you.

3) The standard wheel size is 16" with 205/55 rubber but I know many of the people on here opted for the 17"s and some even the 18"'s which were available as an option. Brakes are 288mm but have the same calipers as the golf gti so can be upgraded to 312mm with the addition of carriers and disc/pads. As you can imagine going from the Ibiza with 312mm I can remember my first thoughts that the brakes were crap but I soon got quite used to them and in fact can haul you up quite quickly, I expect you had the same initial feeling with the Pasat.

4) The entire reason I got the Altea was because my daughter had been born a couple of months earlier and I was finding the Ibiza too small. Boot space good if you get one with the spacesaver or tyre repair kit but tends to be slightly narrow meaning your buggy has to fit diagonally but no hardship really. Rear legroom is excellent and of course comes with isofix for the seat.


Remap wise I have had no issues whatsoever and you know what it's pushing out. There is a noticable lag compared to the Ibiza but it is the same turbo as the 150 which also suffers from that. Being a heavier car (+1500KG) you do notice it but it does handle quite well being based on the golf V platform.

I may be selling mine when you are looking next year so give me a bell and you never know !

 

[muddyboots]

You called !

1) Initially the Sport which had the 2.0 140 TDI but it has now been fitted into the Stylance model which basically is the replacement for the sport since the FR came out. There is a special edition also out at the moment that has this engine plus larger alloys and leather interior.

2)I think these were available but don't quote me but I found the standard headlights far better than the standard lights on the Ibiza so may not be quite a concern to you.

3) The standard wheel size is 16" with 205/55 rubber but I know many of the people on here opted for the 17"s and some even the 18"'s which were available as an option. Brakes are 288mm but have the same calipers as the golf gti so can be upgraded to 312mm with the addition of carriers and disc/pads. As you can imagine going from the Ibiza with 312mm I can remember my first thoughts that the brakes were crap but I soon got quite used to them and in fact can haul you up quite quickly, I expect you had the same initial feeling with the Pasat.

4) The entire reason I got the Altea was because my daughter had been born a couple of months earlier and I was finding the Ibiza too small. Boot space good if you get one with the spacesaver or tyre repair kit but tends to be slightly narrow meaning your buggy has to fit diagonally but no hardship really. Rear legroom is excellent and of course comes with isofix for the seat.


Remap wise I have had no issues whatsoever and you know what it's pushing out. There is a noticable lag compared to the Ibiza but it is the same turbo as the 150 which also suffers from that. Being a heavier car (+1500KG) you do notice it but it does handle quite well being based on the golf V platform.

I may be selling mine when you are looking next year so give me a bell and you never know !

Thanks Ian.

Any idea when the 2.0 140 Stylance started selling ?

Sounds like the brakes are the same as the ones the Passat came with - yes I found them horrendous after getting used to your old 312 setup on the Ibiza, so bought some carriers, 312mm discs & pads - I still have the originals so I may switch back to standard when I get rid of the Passat - depends whether the cost of new 288mm discs & pads is less than the carriers cost to buy. Even with the 312 setup I still notice the extra weight of the Passat compared to the Ibiza, and I think the Altea is similar at approx 1500kg.

Another question - does the Altea have the small SMIC ? Have you ever done any logging of intake temps with your remap ?
(Interestingly, the Passat has a small SMIC but inlet temps never get as high as the Ibiza did - think it's all down to position and airflow).

The more I think about it, and the more reviews I read, I'm coming to the conclusion the Altea would make a far more sensible buy than an A4 Avant TDI I'd originally set my mind on - it might not be quite as big but I'd be able to get a newer model with some warranty left, and less miles on, for the same price. It's 5-star NCAP rated too, plus I think it looks good.

 

[aceman]

Does your Passat have a PCD of 112 if so you maybe right, I know the new Passat has 312mm brakes and 112PCD as my boss has got one.

The Altea has a large but thin FMIC sandwiched between the engine and aircon radiators but there is loads of space behind the front bumper which Richard Washbrook commented on when he mapped the car. Thats part of the Euro five star rating I think for pedestrian safety. Never doen any logging so not sure what intake temps get upto.

Not sure about the Stylance but I think early last year at a guess. Just bare in mind the stylance doesn't quite have the same spec in true fashion SEAT have done the usual and lowered the spec after a couple of years on the market, it's the silly things again that they have missed off.

Like I have said before if I ever get chance to come down and see you when I am visting my brother then you can have a drive.

 

[muddyboots]

Yes Passat PCD is 112. What's the Altea - is that 112 as well or 100 ?

FMIC sounds interesting. Een if it's thin it sounds like it's in a good place for airflow, and even if an upgrade was required it shouldn't need much in the way of pipework re-routing.

OK another question - how does the ride quality of the Altea Sport compare with the Mk4 Ibiza Sport - is it any better, or just as hard and jiggly ?
What about road noise - any better than the Ibiza ?

Do the Sport & Stylance models come with ESP as standard ?

What sort of things have been chopped out of the spec over the years ? Is there a "vintage" year like 2003 was for the Mk4 Ibiza Sport !

 

[aceman]

Altea is 112mm which is the same as the Passat then.

Ride quality is firm but it's not as firm as the Ibiza although I am running on standard 16"s with 55 profile tyres so that will soak up some of the bumps. The Altea does ride speed bumps alot better and has a far better spring/damper rate than the Ibiza did as standard.

The Stylance on paper looks to be speced better but just comparing my sport with the current spec stylance it doesn't have EBA or ESP which mine has, it all depends on what you value the most I guess. The stylance doesn't have the sports suspension or seats either and I can say the sport seats are very very good.

I know the 2006 model sport had a few changes like the ommision of an auto dipping mirror but then it had sliding rear seats which mine doesn't so it's swings and roundabouts really.

Any more questions ? keep 'em comin'