So I've decided after a year and a little bit of ownership I best post a readers ride. My car has definitely been through a transformation for the better, although some people may disagree with my choices, I have done things to make my car personal to me. As of yet my engine is untouched, bar a Pipercross air filter as I don't know if I trust it (more to follow about that) I'll start off with some pictures of it that were taken when it was completely standard:
At this time I had moved up from a 2001 Fiesta 1.25 which had 60 or so bhp. My Boc's engine was pretty bad though. In my opinion someone had run it into the ground from new and chopped it in. The only modifications I did were spraying the badges just incase SEAT released me and asked for it back but even this mod, to me, is a must do:
The engine was using 1l of oil to 100 miles so after a long process and numerous calls to/from SEAT UK it got replaced. At this time I was meeting with a few fellow members on a Sunday morning who were very supportive and started my love for the car community.
The next mod I NEEDED to do was my rear lights, after seeing a new plate Ibiza FR so I scoured the Internet for months but eventually got a set at a decent price and was instantly in love again. I also met more regularly with other owners, helping where needed:
I then added Team Heko wind deflectors as I realised that water easily came into the car in the morning if the window was slightly ajar. I also have a Seat Sport plate surround on the back.
Through the power of the forums and Facebook I started to organise some meets which have so far been successful as well as got fellow owners together for shows:
Around this time I bought a Cupra R splitter, it was a bodge job to say the least but bridged the gap nicely whilst I convinced myself to get a Triple R. When I got the Triple R a couple of months back I wondered why I didn't take the leap as it looks the part day and night (Triple R to follow later but Cupra R to be seen here) I also upgraded front bulbs to LED as well as number plate bulbs at the rear
Next was the break callipers, gone were the boring silver ones. This was surprisingly easy and cheap. Halfords supplied calliper cleaner and paint, home base for a wire brush and 2 hours later I had 4 glossy red callipers:
I immediately had my centre silencer removed from my exhaust which cost £80 but makes my smile daily/gearly!!
So, now comes my most risky mod in terms of people's opinion. After much debate I decided to get my alloys done. I'd scuffed them most of the way round through sheer dedication to get them done. Through asking others I was getting the answers I wasn't willing to hear "black, gloss black" but I'm not a sheep. I worked closely with the guy who eventually did them for me and made a BOLD decision:
This turned out to be very satisfying, being a test dummy had paid off and heads have been turned ever since. Lots of positive comments from fellow car enthusiasts, the missus isn't keen but since when has that stopped me.
Next came the Triple R (eventually). It was selling for £50 new from a fellow Ibiza owner and couldn't let it slide. Fitted it solo, using a crest of an inclined drive which took all of 10 minutes max:
Spoiler followed, one of my controversial purchases. I ended up buying the eBay one, made by a 3rd party out of GRP. It cost £89 then £80 to prep and spray but fits and looks exactly the same. A little bit of a bodge job but I'm from Yorkshire and we love our bargain bodge jobs! Looks the part though:
Don't worry, nearly there..... The most recent mod (the one the girlfriend hated/ continues to hate the most) was my suspension. If you noticed in previous pictures it's got arch gap big enough to fit a small family. Not a lot of research went into this because I knew other owners who are running a basis H&R springs setup. The advice given, which I stand by is "it's fine as long as you aren't a ***** (women's lady parts)". I'll admit it's a big choppy, descend a bump too quick your back tyres feel like they are rear passengers but drive carefully it's all good! Handling is 10x better and appearance is spot on:
Another 6 months on and I've managed to swindle a couple more modifications under the missus's nose. I have fitted a rear anti roll bar made by whiteline which gives the handing a very positive boost in the perfect direction. I have also remained very bold with my alloy wheel choice and picked up a set of XXR 527's in a deep purple colour which are stunning. They are 8.25j so provide perfect fitment without spacers, pictures below:
In early 2016 I got a little bit bored and after peer pressure I decided to take my car for some more exhaust work. I opted to use Tony Banks in Leeds again. They sorted me out with an Custom Back Box which is literally the size of a spray paint can! The noise the car makes is now unreal and attracts a lot of positive attention. It has been through its MOT and emissions were very low, if not the same as before. This cost me £160.
The purple XXR 527's were sold nearly as quickly as they were bought, random facebook message and the guy collected with cash the next day. This left me with a decision to make "what next?". After careful deliberation and liasing with Mitch at Inspired Automotive in Wakefield I put a deposit down and bought a brand new set of Cast 13 RB2 in silver costing just shy of £540. I went for the 8j et30 17" set. I was very dubious but they look the part against the car and snap necks everywhere. Definitely would not suit the car at standard ride height but slightly lowered on the H&R springs was not too bad. This led directly to my next mod.....
After about a year of pressure and persuasion from a close friend I eventually dropped some money on a decent set of coilovers. I opted for and then got a great deal on a set of fully adjustable KW ST X offering 50mm front and 60mm rear lows. I am currently running them wound all the way down and the drop is absolutely amazing! The ride comfort is about 3x as comfy as OEM and 10x better than the H&R. I spent a total of £365 on these.
I have a double din Pioneer screen to fit very soon and a sub that will be passed on from a close friend so watch this space...
So there we go, so far. If anybody has any questions I'm happy to answer them but I'll leave you with some pictures taken with other enthusiasts cars.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
At this time I had moved up from a 2001 Fiesta 1.25 which had 60 or so bhp. My Boc's engine was pretty bad though. In my opinion someone had run it into the ground from new and chopped it in. The only modifications I did were spraying the badges just incase SEAT released me and asked for it back but even this mod, to me, is a must do:
The engine was using 1l of oil to 100 miles so after a long process and numerous calls to/from SEAT UK it got replaced. At this time I was meeting with a few fellow members on a Sunday morning who were very supportive and started my love for the car community.
The next mod I NEEDED to do was my rear lights, after seeing a new plate Ibiza FR so I scoured the Internet for months but eventually got a set at a decent price and was instantly in love again. I also met more regularly with other owners, helping where needed:
I then added Team Heko wind deflectors as I realised that water easily came into the car in the morning if the window was slightly ajar. I also have a Seat Sport plate surround on the back.
Through the power of the forums and Facebook I started to organise some meets which have so far been successful as well as got fellow owners together for shows:
Around this time I bought a Cupra R splitter, it was a bodge job to say the least but bridged the gap nicely whilst I convinced myself to get a Triple R. When I got the Triple R a couple of months back I wondered why I didn't take the leap as it looks the part day and night (Triple R to follow later but Cupra R to be seen here) I also upgraded front bulbs to LED as well as number plate bulbs at the rear
Next was the break callipers, gone were the boring silver ones. This was surprisingly easy and cheap. Halfords supplied calliper cleaner and paint, home base for a wire brush and 2 hours later I had 4 glossy red callipers:
I immediately had my centre silencer removed from my exhaust which cost £80 but makes my smile daily/gearly!!
So, now comes my most risky mod in terms of people's opinion. After much debate I decided to get my alloys done. I'd scuffed them most of the way round through sheer dedication to get them done. Through asking others I was getting the answers I wasn't willing to hear "black, gloss black" but I'm not a sheep. I worked closely with the guy who eventually did them for me and made a BOLD decision:
This turned out to be very satisfying, being a test dummy had paid off and heads have been turned ever since. Lots of positive comments from fellow car enthusiasts, the missus isn't keen but since when has that stopped me.
Next came the Triple R (eventually). It was selling for £50 new from a fellow Ibiza owner and couldn't let it slide. Fitted it solo, using a crest of an inclined drive which took all of 10 minutes max:
Spoiler followed, one of my controversial purchases. I ended up buying the eBay one, made by a 3rd party out of GRP. It cost £89 then £80 to prep and spray but fits and looks exactly the same. A little bit of a bodge job but I'm from Yorkshire and we love our bargain bodge jobs! Looks the part though:
Don't worry, nearly there..... The most recent mod (the one the girlfriend hated/ continues to hate the most) was my suspension. If you noticed in previous pictures it's got arch gap big enough to fit a small family. Not a lot of research went into this because I knew other owners who are running a basis H&R springs setup. The advice given, which I stand by is "it's fine as long as you aren't a ***** (women's lady parts)". I'll admit it's a big choppy, descend a bump too quick your back tyres feel like they are rear passengers but drive carefully it's all good! Handling is 10x better and appearance is spot on:
Another 6 months on and I've managed to swindle a couple more modifications under the missus's nose. I have fitted a rear anti roll bar made by whiteline which gives the handing a very positive boost in the perfect direction. I have also remained very bold with my alloy wheel choice and picked up a set of XXR 527's in a deep purple colour which are stunning. They are 8.25j so provide perfect fitment without spacers, pictures below:
In early 2016 I got a little bit bored and after peer pressure I decided to take my car for some more exhaust work. I opted to use Tony Banks in Leeds again. They sorted me out with an Custom Back Box which is literally the size of a spray paint can! The noise the car makes is now unreal and attracts a lot of positive attention. It has been through its MOT and emissions were very low, if not the same as before. This cost me £160.
The purple XXR 527's were sold nearly as quickly as they were bought, random facebook message and the guy collected with cash the next day. This left me with a decision to make "what next?". After careful deliberation and liasing with Mitch at Inspired Automotive in Wakefield I put a deposit down and bought a brand new set of Cast 13 RB2 in silver costing just shy of £540. I went for the 8j et30 17" set. I was very dubious but they look the part against the car and snap necks everywhere. Definitely would not suit the car at standard ride height but slightly lowered on the H&R springs was not too bad. This led directly to my next mod.....
After about a year of pressure and persuasion from a close friend I eventually dropped some money on a decent set of coilovers. I opted for and then got a great deal on a set of fully adjustable KW ST X offering 50mm front and 60mm rear lows. I am currently running them wound all the way down and the drop is absolutely amazing! The ride comfort is about 3x as comfy as OEM and 10x better than the H&R. I spent a total of £365 on these.
I have a double din Pioneer screen to fit very soon and a sub that will be passed on from a close friend so watch this space...
So there we go, so far. If anybody has any questions I'm happy to answer them but I'll leave you with some pictures taken with other enthusiasts cars.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
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