Ibiza fr 1.8t reliability?

[Dubbed]

Hi guys and girls,

i am 18, i currently own a 1.0 polo which has been the first car from hell

i have had countless gearbox problems, various seals go and just general annoyance.. seemed like i was just waiting for the next problem! Very stressfull..

Anyways i'm looking to upgrade, i've always loved the 1.8t engine as it is so surprising for what it is.

A friend owns a mapped fr and has offered to sell it to me at a very good price. He has told me all the work that the car has had and has said that in his 4 years of ownership it has never let him down (apart from coil packs and anti roll bar bush's), he just want something less juicy.

I have agreed to buy it, my insurance is over double of what i am currently paying (currently 1k, FR 2.3k)

I am happy to pay this as i want a fun car, i just want to know what the likely problems are and how reliable they really are?

If anyone says gearbox problems.. i will probably cry.

BTW

car has done 50k miles and is an 05 plate


Thank you for any replies- very much appriciated.

 

[D1x0n]

timing belt? water pump been done?
whats the service book like?

german engineerd my friend reliable is the word if you ask me.

if i had probelms with a car i wodnt sell it to a friend tho.

 

[Dubbed]

timing belt? water pump been done?
whats the service book like?

german engineerd my friend reliable is the word if you ask me.

if i had probelms with a car i wodnt sell it to a friend tho.

he is a audi master tech all work has been done by himself

car is very clean

cam belt done last year, havn't asked about water pump

he changes plugs every 2 years and has a minor ever 8months to a year

my faith in german engineering has gone down the pan a bit since my 6n2!

lol thanks for the reply

 

[xpa]

Its like any car mate, you can get a mint one that wont kick up a fuss or one that just has loads of problems. Unfortuanately it can depend on lots of factors. But saying that most mates wouldnt sell a lemon to a friend as its obviously bad and going to come back to ya!
As long as the services are done right and the right oil is used it should be fine!
And on the german engineering, i dont think it makes a diff anymore. look at the amount of vtr's past the 100k mark

 

[LukeFR]

Just selling a 1.8T myself and haven't had ONE problem with it all.

Good reliable engines.

 

[Dubbed]

thanks im picking it up this weekend

not looking forward to the fuel and insurance.. i will be skint.. oh well

 

[D1x0n]

Ul enjoy it tho

 

[xpa]

Ul enjoy it tho

Too right, thats why we buy em! All the little problems ive had with my seat I still love it!

 

[Dubbed]

Too right, thats why we buy em! All the little problems ive had with my seat I still love it!

if you dont mind me asking, what problems?

 

[Blanco92]

Suspension is the weakest point of the Mk4 Ibiza without a doubt. Just listen out for knocking when going over speedhumps or round corners, the front rear wishbone bushes are common to fail. If it's coming from an Audi master tech, I would expect by now he has fitted the Cupra upgrade bushes (solid as opposed to voided), might be worth a quick look under the car to find out!

 

[.Phase]

Nothing wrong with my engine!
VAG have been using them for ages beforehand and have smoothed out any issues

Gearbox are great you will be glad to hear ^_^

My suspension was squeaking but had that replaced under warranty so alls good

 

[xpa]

well, had small electricsl issues like the fuel gauge, bit of an odd one! The window mech went faulty, the rear washer ofc, the turbo went (still in warranty at the time!) and yeah the susspension problem. Oh and i killed a gearbox, it was my fault though!
But tbh most of them are easy fixes.

 

[Gooner_Mike]

Had mine for 3yrs/50k miles with no problems. Only needed to replace the usual consumables and a coil pack!

 

[Dubbed]

thanks for the replies, really helped me out!

only 2 more days until i pick it up.. cannot wait already planned my 'test route'

 

[Chino_UK]

I've had my FR 20VT 2 years, its ticked over 53k recently, its a 2005. No problems apart from the wishbone bushes and rear washer hose popping off. Nothing too crazy. Tha's with running it on a stage 2 map the last 20 months.