Facelift Ibiza FR Steering Controls

[m15chief]

Hi all, i'm new to the forums, I found you because i'm researching a fault I have on my brand new Ibiza FR, only picked up from the showroom last week.

I was driving it home and tried to adjust the radio with the steering wheel buttons, but they didn't work. When I got home I searched all through the manual to see if it was something I needed to turn on, but there was nothing in there, so I called the dealer to ask what I was doing wrong. They said it was probably just a loose connection and asked if i could drop it into the service centre the next day.

I turned up at the garage and was told they'd need to give me a courtesy car for the night while they took a look. I got a call the next day to say they had tried everything and that the whole steering wheel would need replaced but I could take the ****e ibiza reference courtesy car back and pick mine up until the parts arrived. I was quoted as 3 days for the parts to arrive, but its now been 10 days, and I just called to find out what was happening to be told the steering wheel is on back order, and will take 6 to 10 weeks because parts for new models are usually used up to make the new cars so i'll have to wait.

I just called the customer service number to complain, but i'm not holding my breath, HAVE I MADE A MISTAKE BUYING A SEAT??? IS IT GOING TO BE LIKE THIS EVERY TIME I NEED A PART???

Also has anyone else had this kind of problem with the new FR's? I know it doesn't affect the driving etc, but I'm a bit sore that my new car was busted from the off and Seat don't really seem to be kissing my @ss enough, or trying to get this sorted asap like any other dealer would do.

Comments/Suggestions would be great... Thanks in advance

 

[andythom]

Its the general attitude of any dealer nowadays......not just seat.

I see the point thought about them building cars first...

 

[andythom]

Welcone to SCN

 

[m15chief]

Thanks Andythom, I appreciate they would want to get as many vehicles out and on the road as soon as possible to meet the demand and make money, but they really should have made sure there were parts available to custoers before the car was launched...

What if it had been a part that affected driving the vehicle? And they fobbed you off with "Sorry, but those parts are reserved for building brand new cars, its on back order and will be 6 to 10 weeks"??

Its been a shame on what i've considered so far to be an excellent vehicle.

Incidentally, I have another question if anyone can answer it. The FR is meant to have TCS and ESP, but I Only have the TCS button. Is the ESP built in and automatically set to ON? or is it tied in with the TCS... Or have I been stiffed with only TCS? Sales guy has made all sorts of claims, and i just want to see if its all true

 

[andythom]

I'm sure the facelift defo had ESP and TCS.....not sure about the switches though......just got TCS myself

Yeah mate I understand about the parts.....they should not sell cars if they have no spares to replace any problems with the new cars.....

Thing is, they look at it as we can sell a whole car now, or refit another new part free.....

all politics and money.....pish.

 

[andythom]

Hope other than your steering wheel problems your enjoying it

Did you got for a TDi or 20vt?

 

[Ol' Timer]

Good to see another new Ibiza FR driver. Welcome.

Unfortunately the steering wheel is one of the few parts which is completely specific to facelifted Ibiza FRs. I suppose they only budget for one per car and their stock levels are geared towards the new cars they are building.

Did you receive any response from SEAT customer services? When I had a persistent problem with creaky rear suspension I emailed a POLITE but firm complaint to customer services saying how disappointed I was that this problem was spoiling an otherwise good car and I was considering changing brands next time. They contacted me by phone and were then very helpful in sorting the problem out. Could be worth a try.

Hope you get it sorted and enjoy your Ibiza. They are great little cars, honest.

 

[m15chief]

Went for the TDI because I can get about 50mpg on average out of it, Insurance is dirt cheap and its relatively easy to re-map for the extra power. Plus I got my bike for driving 'Really fast'

 

[m15chief]

Good to see another new Ibiza FR driver. Welcome.

Its been a cracking car so far, apart from the steering wheel buttons putting a dampner on things. Oh, and my girlfriend kerbing one of the front alloys 20 mins after I picked it up

I did test drove a pre-reg, pre-facelift model before I got it that the dealer was really trying to get me to buy rather than brand new.

It almost put me off the car altogether though, pleased I never got it, the pre-facelift model seemed to have no guts at all in low revs compared to this one. (Perhaps it was busted and they were desperate to shift it)

 

[andythom]

Good to see another new Ibiza FR driver. Welcome.

Unfortunately the steering wheel is one of the few parts which is completely specific to facelifted Ibiza FRs. I suppose they only budget for one per car and their stock levels are geared towards the new cars they are building.

Did you receive any response from SEAT customer services? When I had a persistent problem with creaky rear suspension I emailed a POLITE but firm complaint to customer services saying how disappointed I was that this problem was spoiling an otherwise good car and I was considering changing brands next time. They contacted me by phone and were then very helpful in sorting the problem out. Could be worth a try.

Hope you get it sorted and enjoy your Ibiza. They are great little cars, honest.

When stopping and putting the handbrake on?

what was the cause?

 

[spyke85]

It is a pain yes, but be glad it isn't a vital part for the car! Imagine how Audi A3 customers felt when all the wiper motors were recalled and there wasn't enough replacements!

 

[Ol' Timer]

When stopping and putting the handbrake on?

what was the cause?

The noise on mine was a 'rubbery' creak when going over bumps, which got progressively worse. It was simply the salt on the roads getting into the rear suspension mounts causing them to dry out and creak. The dealers lubricated the mounting points and that sorted it out. I think a good drop rain after the winter to wash away all the salt, or the jet from a hose, would have done the same thing.

I still get the usual moaning noises from the rear brakes from time to time when reversing. That seems to be a common problem with rear disc brakes as they don't pull clear of the braking surface as cleanly as drums do. If anyone knows a definite cure please let me know!

 

[andythom]

Cheers mate, just noticed a slight creak when i washed it the other day and reversed, as you said prob be the discs being wet, still in contact....

 

[Ol' Timer]

Cheers mate, just noticed a slight creak when i washed it the other day and reversed, as you said prob be the discs being wet, still in contact....

Sorry m15chief we're going a bit off topic here.

As I live a couple of minutes from a 70 mph dual carriageway, when I have washed my car I give it a quick blast down the road with some hard stopping to fully dry off the brakes. I don't want my clean, shiny car to have rusty brake discs, which happens if I leave them wet for an hour or two. SWMBO thinks I'm a bit sad!

 

[andythom]

Exactly what i did last time

Started the car just before finishing and blasted down the local national gradually braking heavier, gets the warm

Tis a bit sad lol

Back on topic!!

 

[Ol' Timer]

m15chief, I see you give your location as "Newcastle Upon Tyne (God's Country)." I can't argue with that. I think Northumberland is the most beautiful county in England. Had some great holidays there.

 

[m15chief]

m15chief, I see you give your location as "Newcastle Upon Tyne (God's Country)." I can't argue with that. I think Northumberland is the most beautiful county in England. Had some great holidays there.

Certainly is, I've lived all over the country, but its the one place I keep going back to.... And not just because the girls wear mini skirts in the winter

 

[andythom]

See you like Happy Tree Friends too lol

 

[m15chief]

See you like Happy Tree Friends too lol

Ultra Violent cartoons ROCK Plus I used to be in the Army so flippy seems like a good avatar

 

[andythom]

Flippy is the best

Psycho Nam veteran lol