Ibiza SC - 1 month on..impressions?

[jamoy]

I'm new here, and in a desperate bid to reach 15 posts to get some pictures up here's a thread Although i'm actually quite interested in other peoples opinions on their Mk5's, so here goes.

Why i chose it:

Well, despite the 0% finance it was such good value overall compared to pretty much anything else I looked at. An equivalently specified Fiesta would of been several k more at least, and then you also have the problem of owning a Fiesta I'd already had a Polo, so wasn't interested in that, thought about a Corsa for moment, but there was only one winner as far as I was concerned.

All it took was a test drive and I was happy with it.

Impressions after one month and 1700 miles

Just come back from a 109 miles drive including M42, M6 and M1. Have to say for a 1.4 it's a surprisingly civilised form of motorway transport. Happy to sit at illegal speeds without a problem (until you hit a hill that is). Steering feels much better at those speeds than it does around town, where I feel it's a touch too light. Also have to say that the top end is a little weak, i put that down to the enormity of the tyres on what is a fairly low powered car with just 83hp, but then again those massive tyres make it ridiculously easy to corner at silly speeds without even realising it until your kidney is being harassed by the side bolster on the seat

Overall build quality is really impressive, the way the whole car is put together is very similar to that of even an A3 I'd say. I've only driven one A3 but it was a high spec 2.0 TDI 170 quattro, and to be honest i couldnt say that way the A3 felt was hugely different to the way the Ibiza feels. (Also pretty pleased that the Ibiza's windows can be opened and closed with the remote and an A3's can't , well not from standard anyway)

As far as fuel goes i think it's also pretty good if you stay below 70mph and have a gentle foot. The run i just came back from averaged 30.4mpg according to the computer, but while I was in the running-in phase I managed to reach a consistent 49-50mpg on a rural 40-50mph drive. Now it's run in I feel the need to floor it in 1st and 2nd way too often, it feels really rather brisk when you do this, must be the gearing.

Also how good is the standard stereo? i'm really pleased with it! sounds better than a mates' new BMW 1 series and just as good as another mates Focus ST with the Sony stereo package...

BTW, has anyone else noticed a hesitancy in the engine when the wheels spin in 2nd gear slightly? it's like there is traction control limiting power, except I don't have ESP.

Wouldn't mind a cupra though if only it came in manual

Anyway, if any other Mk5 owners would like to express their thoughts it would be great to hear.

Thanks,
J.

 

[jc_boc]

Very nice opinion mate. I also have had my car for a month now and done onlt 1000 miles. I am very impressed that my little 1.4 twin charged engine can handle almost anything i throw at her. She definately likes to be driven hard which affects my pocket as you could well imagine, but that is what having 180 bhp does to the right foot hahahaha.

I agree on the sound system too, mine is very good compared to some others i have listened to so have not yet had the urge to upgrade speakers and stuff. Fuel economy has been pretty level because of my driving style but admittedly when on the motorway it does look very good even with a tight motor. Will improve more i am sure but currently avg 36mpg on motorway and about 26mpg in town.

All in all, very happy for now, until the launch the cupra r in a few years time. I do believe that will happen once VW launch the polo r, then sadly the boc goes and the cupra r will be the new one on the drive hehehehe

 

[Lifecrisis]

 

[northernmonkey]

Ive had my FR for only 3 weeks now and 450miles but I bloody love it! The 1.4 tsi engine is nicely loosening up by the day now and is smooth and refined...........then the urge hits you to push the throttle down and it turns into a little beast haha!

It sounds pretty nice at the low end, nothing too OTT , although I do think it can sound a little strained at higher revs or when pushed hard in sport mode (only tried it the once so far and never got out of 4th on some national speed limit road). I presume the Cupra/Boc has a different engine note/exhaust system to sound different?

Im averaging about 33mpg at the moment which I don't think is too bad whilst its still 'running in'. Thats with a mix of around town driving (to from work etc) and a few night drives on more open road to clock some miles on it.

As for the DSG Jamoy, have you had a go with one in this car?

Id have gone straight for a manual without even thinking about it if one was offered. As with the Ibiza, Skoda and Polo 'warm/hot' I had no choice but to go DSG and I don't regret it one bit....What a brilliant gearbox it is! Nice and responsive, good kick down, and its a pleasure to drive even in 'D' mode offering refinement and a quick pace if you decide to floor it. Sport mode makes it even more rev happy and is damn quick!

The stereo too, I'm really happy with. I paid a bit extra for the ipods connection and cup and that was well worth it too.

All in all, I love my FR! Well built, plenty of features, comfortable, refined and fairly economical for general day to day use and a little beast when one whats a bit more fun on the twistys!

 

[CupraDean]

damn jason how you managed that?! i have had mine a week and its on 600 miles! Im livid! haha

 

[Belmont Turbo]

ive had my 1.6 tdi sport 2 months now and done just over 5k(work car) drives really nice and smooth, handles really well with 215/40/17s can just though it around in the dry. tight corners in the wet it under steers quite bad but to be expected

iv been thinking about upgrading the speakers don't get me wrong its a good system and i was well impressed when i first got it but i think one of the door speakers have blown probs my fault lol

i drive it quite hard like you meant to when its a company car lol and i just worked out the mpg from my fuel receipts and i get 40mpg ish per tank which is dame good compered to my other car 15-20mpg lol

must say tho over 70its pretty gutless and im looking into remaps but upto 60 its pretty much identical to my mates leon 1.9tdi thats been remapped to 140 bhp but after 60 he just pulls away

 

[MARKG_BOC]

I'm same I've done 950 miles only had it two weeks

 

[skeat12]

Had mine for a little over a week now, done around 300 miles so far.
Reviewing in the same format, here's my personal opinion.

Oh btw mines the 2.0 TDi FR

Why i choose it:

I was driving around in a Fiesta 1.6TDi Sport van (yep a van). As it is a company veichle it was on a 3 year lease which ended recently. I was given a monthly budget and proceeded to look around. My first choice was a Citreon DS3, however their earliest delivery was September. I then looked at alot of other diesels within my budget and saw the Ibiza 1.6 TDi SC. Went to the local dealer and was given a 2.0 TDi FR to test drive, well that was enough for me to decide. That and the fact it gives the cheapest tax for a 2.0 car.

Impressions after one week and 300(ish) miles

Motorway driving is a joy, the engine idles along at 2k rpm @ 80 mph with ease. the ride is a little hard but I have no probelm with that. On a trip to Notts I was getting around 51 mpg which I suspect will rise a little once the engine has loosened up a bit.

One thing I do find annoying is the gear change indicator, it wants to change a little too early in my opinion. For example, (from memory) i'm in 4th gear doing around 30 - 35 mph it indicates for me to go into 5th, in 4th the engine feels like it is labouring, in 5th it wold be worse. A petrol car would probably be ok doing this, not sure if the ecu thinks it is running a petrol version

Overall build quality on the whole is pretty good, I have an annoying plastic vibration noise from the drivers footwell area that I need to find though.

The climate control unit looks a little odd, it's like it's been grafted on instead of blending in with the dash. Also with the two small 'vents' on either side, it seems SEAT couldn't think of anything else to put there,

The glove box door takes a little effort to shut properly, although not worried about that.

I do think the colour of the radio/climate display should have been matched to the multi function display, ie either both red or both silver/grey.

Shame the folding mirrors are not automatic when the engine is switched on/off, not sure if this is possible, I should read the manual one day lol.

I had the bluetooth/usb option thinking I could, at the very least charge my iphone, how wrong was I. The stealer failed to mention the extra bits required when I was looking at options, and told him I have an iphone to use with the car.

That's my current opinion, will see if anything changes after i've had it a few more weeks. Must also get some piccy's up far all to see (better wash it first though)

Andy

 

[VRSLOZ]

Some really good reads there guys, maybe should make this a sticky for personal reviews on the MK5?

 

[jc_boc]

Sounds like a very good idea SC16v. Dean i live in London buddy so really only drive my car on week-ends and when the weather is good I drive outside of London to do some walking in the country side. Never mind in August I am driving to Prague mate!!! How many miles will that be hahahahahahahaha

 

[jamoy]

Very nice opinion mate. I also have had my car for a month now and done onlt 1000 miles. I am very impressed that my little 1.4 twin charged engine can handle almost anything i throw at her. She definately likes to be driven hard which affects my pocket as you could well imagine, but that is what having 180 bhp does to the right foot hahahaha.

I agree on the sound system too, mine is very good compared to some others i have listened to so have not yet had the urge to upgrade speakers and stuff. Fuel economy has been pretty level because of my driving style but admittedly when on the motorway it does look very good even with a tight motor. Will improve more i am sure but currently avg 36mpg on motorway and about 26mpg in town.

All in all, very happy for now, until the launch the cupra r in a few years time. I do believe that will happen once VW launch the polo r, then sadly the boc goes and the cupra r will be the new one on the drive hehehehe

I reakon the TSI with 7 speeds is probably more economical than my 1.4 16v, anything over 70 and i instantly see the instant mpg figure falling from a constant 40+ to mid 30's.

How much power could a cupra R have? surely then it would clash with the Leon FR, Scirocco GT and Golf GTI for power?

Ive had my FR for only 3 weeks now and 450miles but I bloody love it! The 1.4 tsi engine is nicely loosening up by the day now and is smooth and refined...........then the urge hits you to push the throttle down and it turns into a little beast haha!

It sounds pretty nice at the low end, nothing too OTT , although I do think it can sound a little strained at higher revs or when pushed hard in sport mode (only tried it the once so far and never got out of 4th on some national speed limit road). I presume the Cupra/Boc has a different engine note/exhaust system to sound different?

Im averaging about 33mpg at the moment which I don't think is too bad whilst its still 'running in'. Thats with a mix of around town driving (to from work etc) and a few night drives on more open road to clock some miles on it.

As for the DSG Jamoy, have you had a go with one in this car?

Id have gone straight for a manual without even thinking about it if one was offered. As with the Ibiza, Skoda and Polo 'warm/hot' I had no choice but to go DSG and I don't regret it one bit....What a brilliant gearbox it is! Nice and responsive, good kick down, and its a pleasure to drive even in 'D' mode offering refinement and a quick pace if you decide to floor it. Sport mode makes it even more rev happy and is damn quick!

The stereo too, I'm really happy with. I paid a bit extra for the ipods connection and cup and that was well worth it too.

All in all, I love my FR! Well built, plenty of features, comfortable, refined and fairly economical for general day to day use and a little beast when one whats a bit more fun on the twistys!

I haven't driven a DSG car, but my cousin has an A3 TDI with DSG and i've also been in an R32 at race pace with DSG. Personally i love changing the gear myself, trying to rev match perfect down-changes etc. I just feel that with an auto it might detract from that a bit? Having said that, if i was in the market for that kind of car, no question it's what i'd have.

ive had my 1.6 tdi sport 2 months now and done just over 5k(work car) drives really nice and smooth, handles really well with 215/40/17s can just though it around in the dry. tight corners in the wet it under steers quite bad but to be expected

iv been thinking about upgrading the speakers don't get me wrong its a good system and i was well impressed when i first got it but i think one of the door speakers have blown probs my fault lol

i drive it quite hard like you meant to when its a company car lol and i just worked out the mpg from my fuel receipts and i get 40mpg ish per tank which is dame good compered to my other car 15-20mpg lol

must say tho over 70its pretty gutless and im looking into remaps but upto 60 its pretty much identical to my mates leon 1.9tdi thats been remapped to 140 bhp but after 60 he just pulls away

you think the 1.6tdi is gutless? try the 1.4! lmao. I'd hate to know what a 1.2 is like lol

Had mine for a little over a week now, done around 300 miles so far.
Reviewing in the same format, here's my personal opinion.

Oh btw mines the 2.0 TDi FR

Why i choose it:

I was driving around in a Fiesta 1.6TDi Sport van (yep a van). As it is a company veichle it was on a 3 year lease which ended recently. I was given a monthly budget and proceeded to look around. My first choice was a Citreon DS3, however their earliest delivery was September. I then looked at alot of other diesels within my budget and saw the Ibiza 1.6 TDi SC. Went to the local dealer and was given a 2.0 TDi FR to test drive, well that was enough for me to decide. That and the fact it gives the cheapest tax for a 2.0 car.

Impressions after one week and 300(ish) miles

Motorway driving is a joy, the engine idles along at 2k rpm @ 80 mph with ease. the ride is a little hard but I have no probelm with that. On a trip to Notts I was getting around 51 mpg which I suspect will rise a little once the engine has loosened up a bit.

One thing I do find annoying is the gear change indicator, it wants to change a little too early in my opinion. For example, (from memory) i'm in 4th gear doing around 30 - 35 mph it indicates for me to go into 5th, in 4th the engine feels like it is labouring, in 5th it wold be worse. A petrol car would probably be ok doing this, not sure if the ecu thinks it is running a petrol version

Overall build quality on the whole is pretty good, I have an annoying plastic vibration noise from the drivers footwell area that I need to find though.

The climate control unit looks a little odd, it's like it's been grafted on instead of blending in with the dash. Also with the two small 'vents' on either side, it seems SEAT couldn't think of anything else to put there,

The glove box door takes a little effort to shut properly, although not worried about that.

I do think the colour of the radio/climate display should have been matched to the multi function display, ie either both red or both silver/grey.

Shame the folding mirrors are not automatic when the engine is switched on/off, not sure if this is possible, I should read the manual one day lol.

I had the bluetooth/usb option thinking I could, at the very least charge my iphone, how wrong was I. The stealer failed to mention the extra bits required when I was looking at options, and told him I have an iphone to use with the car.

That's my current opinion, will see if anything changes after i've had it a few more weeks. Must also get some piccy's up far all to see (better wash it first though)

Andy

I too have a strange clicking sound if i go over a rough patch in the road, when i hold my seatbelt buckle it seems to stop. Only hear it around town as it's quiet though..
The 2.0tdi FR - jealous! lol

Some really good reads there guys, maybe should make this a sticky for personal reviews on the MK5?

i'm down for that.


Also, does anyone else experience bad wheel hop when wheel spin occurs in 2nd gear? It's strange that i've got enough grunt to even get those big goodyears fighting for grip! cool though, in my immature mind. And it still stutters slightly after loosing grip, like traction control is braking the wheel or something, didnt think unless you had ESP there was any form of traction control though.. ideas?

 

[jc_boc]

I am not sure tbh. I read in one article the polo r would have 210bhp from a 1.6t engine and another said only 190bhp from the same 1.4tsi engine BUT it will be manual!!!! So you can expect the cupra to be the same. I would hope for the 210bhp figure in manual guise. Makes mapping alot more fun and viable imho.

 

[Imran]

it will be 210bhp and probs a 1.6t
iirc the polo r and cupra r will both have the 1.6t with 210-220bhp and this engine will be used in the next golf gti

 

[jamoy]

Thats interesting! be even more interesting to see how they would price it. In between a Ibiza Cupra and Leon FR? mhmm

 

[jamoy]

it will be 210bhp and probs a 1.6t
iirc the polo r and cupra r will both have the 1.6t with 210-220bhp and this engine will be used in the next golf gti

1.6T in a Golf GTI?

 

[Imran]

yeh 1.6t in golf gti because of all the downsizing with engines eg 1.2 tsi replacing 1.6 and 1.4tsi replacing 1.8s and all the emission being cut down!

 

[jamoy]

that sucks! last time a GTI had an engine that small was the 70's! although if it's anything like the 1.4tsi its capacity shouldnt hinder it, hopefully the less weight should make it better!

 

[suj]

that sucks! last time a GTI had an engine that small was the 70's! although if it's anything like the 1.4tsi its capacity shouldnt hinder it, hopefully the less weight should make it better!

and IMO is the best golf gti (but i am biased lol)

 

[Imran]

yeh most hot hatches are going small i think ford next st is a 2ltr instead of a 2.5 but audis rs3 will be something special 2.5 engine from the tts rs around 335bhp!

 

[jamoy]

and IMO is the best golf gti (but i am biased lol)

It's all about the old GTI's

yeh most hot hatches are going small i think ford next st is a 2ltr instead of a 2.5 but audis rs3 will be something special 2.5 engine from the tts rs around 335bhp!

yeah, do you know anything about the Fiesta ST? Ford said they wouldnt build one, but tbh they cant not with the old one being such a big seller. 1.6T? new engine? or would they outsource again?

Yeah RS3 - Dream car.