Emily's dad

We replaced our Alhambra for a Mazda 5 and cannot fault it. It's only really a 6 + 1 and not a full seven seater as the centre seat in the 2nd row is tiny, and is designed to fold away. I cannot fault it though and would not go back, the sliding rear doors are so much more useful in tight parking spaces when putting the kids in car seats.

Apparently my car was hooked up to Seat diagnostics for a total of 16 hours and some of that time directly to Seat HQ in Milton Keynes. What it actually cost I don't know as it was done under warranty When I was handed the keys back it was running fine, but I wasn't told exactly what they had done. The suggestion made to me was that I need to drive the car further and harder to stop the carbon build up on the turbo charger. I suggested that I shouldn't have to drive my car further or harder, as when I bought the car no one at Seat said, this car is rubbish if you only do short journeys. Anyway I've solved the problem once and for all. Half an hour after getting the car back I part exchanged it for a Mazda 5. No more reliability problems for me.

Glad you've got your car sorted and its as good as new, what about my repair bill. My Alhambra has been in at a Seat dealers for 6 days now whilst they try to sort out an overboost problem. Fortunately for me its still under warranty, but what would the labour cost of that be ?

This thread covers the sticking vanes issue www.fordgalaxy.org.uk/ford/index.php?showtopic=15484 I am having trouble with my Alhambra, and thought that the vanes were sticking. It's in the Seat dealership at the minute, they have had it for 4 days now and still haven't resolved the problem. That is after having it for 2 days in April where they changed the N75 valve. Makes you wonder if dealers actually have any idea what they are doing. Fortunately mines under warranty so won't cost me a penny.

It hasn't worked. Less than 250 miles later mine has started tripping out again, it's going back to Seat on Monday. The only consolation is that mines still under warranty. The wife has begun to lose faith in the car and we've started to look around for something else, she's got her eye on a Rav 4 at the minute. I'll keep you updated.

Also found this post which seems to have different part numbers. I suspect Ford, Seat and VW may use the sme part with different codes on. "Re the N75. I just ordered mine from a local ford dealer. Part number F1003803 sensor assy.

Could be the N75 Valve. I had similar turbo problems, was diagnosed and fixed under warranty as the N75, pressure converter valve.

Part number is 1J0906627A. My invoice shows it costing a grand total of

Had mine recently replaced uner warranty at a seat dealers. I will dig out the invoice and find the part number. They are available on line, as on the paperwork it only had the part number. I checked it on google and it came back as the N75 valve.

All I was thinking was another caravan towed by a Volvo :D Only joking, I have to say I don't know much about caravans but that looks mighty impressive, I'm sure you'll enjoy some quality time with the kids in it.

So's mine, but I never bother with it, stick it in drive and off I go.

Do you have any more info of the history of the gearbox. Has it ever been overhauled, had it's oil changed etc etc. It's a bit difficult to say until we know a bit more.

Manual v Auto is a choice only you can really make. Those who like autos will recommend them and those that have never owned or driven one are generally manual fans. At home we've got a auto Alhambra and a manual toyota avensis My wife and I both use both cars and I have no preference as to which one I drive. The wife much prefers the auto, mainly for the reasons others have outlined, more relaxing drive etc etc. Auto does suit the Alhambra as although you hear people say manuals are more involving to drive a big old MPV is never going to be a "drivers " car down to its size and weight and as we bought ours to ferry the kids around in its perfect. At work our cars are automatics and when you are stuck in traffic they are a godsend, what is your typical journey like ? Any chance of test driving both a manual and auto to see what you like better ?

My alhambra is still under warranty so went back to my local Seat dealers for a service and some warranty work.

Do you belong to any motoring organisations, AA, RAC, IAM etc. Often they have some sort of legal helpline who may be able to help and often they carry a bit more clout than the individual. Similarly you may have some help under your insurance policy as if you took out the legal cover they may too be of some assistance.