Mk2 Over Mk1 Improvements

[springen]

I've had my Seat Alhambra 1.9tdi ('97) for over 6 years now, and am now looking to change it for something newer. I tow a caravan so have obviously looked at 4x4's, but have come to the conclusion that I really don't need all that extra complication. For 99% of the time I'm not towing, the boots are no where near as larage as mine and quite frankly the MPV does me fine. So I'm looking for a newer Galaxy Mk2.

 

The Alhambra has served me mostly well, I've had the usual run of problems though. Air con leaks, skuttle drain blockages & wet front footwell, wiper linkage failure, reversing lights not working, broken wires in doors hinge connections, broken speaker grills & ashtray lids, bonnet cable breakage, front suspension linkages, new cat due to rusted pipe, and gear stick selection cable breakage. Didn't realise it was such a long list !

 

Anyway, can you Mk2 owners out there give me an idea of whether things have improved, or should I brace myself for the same problems. I'm currently looking at a Feb'05 1.9Tdi Ghia. It's less than 2 years old, has low milage (13k) and has lost

[NikpV]

:( not having had a mk1 can't be specific but I'd have the one you are looking at no problem :) exact timings of changes such as the chrome roof rails seem a bit variable :(

[AndeeeH]

I've had my Seat Alhambra 1.9tdi ('97) for over 6 years now, and am now looking to change it for something newer. I tow a caravan so have obviously looked at 4x4's, but have come to the conclusion that I really don't need all that extra complication. For 99% of the time I'm not towing, the boots are no where near as larage as mine and quite frankly the MPV does me fine. So I'm looking for a newer Galaxy Mk2.

 

The Alhambra has served me mostly well, I've had the usual run of problems though. Air con leaks, skuttle drain blockages & wet front footwell, wiper linkage failure, reversing lights not working, broken wires in doors hinge connections, broken speaker grills & ashtray lids, bonnet cable breakage, front suspension linkages, new cat due to rusted pipe, and gear stick selection cable breakage. Didn't realise it was such a long list !

 

Anyway, can you Mk2 owners out there give me an idea of whether things have improved, or should I brace myself for the same problems. I'm currently looking at a Feb'05 1.9Tdi Ghia. It's less than 2 years old, has low milage (13k) and has lost

[springen]

Thanks for the replies.

 

Nikpv - how do like the Auto - I really miss my Scorpio Auto, but when towing the auto used to get really hot, even after I had fitted a gearbox cooler - so I thought I had better stick with the manual.

 

Obviously I'll be switching from the VW diesel to the Ford diesel engine. I've heard the Ford one is pretty good and I could do with the extra bhp. Is it chain or belt , and do you know what the belt/chain life is stated at ?

[NikpV]

Thanks for the replies.

 

Nikpv - how do like the Auto - I really miss my Scorpio Auto, but when towing the auto used to get really hot, even after I had fitted a gearbox cooler - so I thought I had better stick with the manual.

 

Was dubious - first auto but happy enough - wouldn't insist on another though - not so economical and I don't tow - folk who do seem quite happy with it (tiptronic - more choice rather than traditional auto )

 

 

Obviously I'll be switching from the VW diesel to the Ford diesel engine. I've heard the Ford one is pretty good and I could do with the extra bhp. Is it chain or belt , and do you know what the belt/chain life is stated at ?

 

 

cam belt is 40K on ours but I think that upgraded parts means that on a 05 it will be back to 60K engine is not a ford (not is the rest of the car ) engine is Vw 1.9 TDI pd 115 130 OR 150 flavours but I dont think you can get auto in 130 or 150

[springen]

Oh sorry I stand corrected, I thought they fitted the Ford diesel in the 'late' models - that most be from the Mk3 onwards.

[NikpV]

yes mk3 diesels are ford tdci

[Guest gooner52]

my mk2 tdi ghia auto .will be 4 years old next month

 

and overall its been trouble free

 

i also have the dual aircon .which is great in the summer.keeps us all kool..

i have had no problems with the auto box.and would not like one with the manual gearbox,but thats me

 

ive had no brokern wires/wipers are fine,no leaks,air con still working great..

 

hope this helps a bit

:)

[Guest MATT jr]

we

[NikpV]

we

[Guest gooner52]

put a witter detach towbar on mine fitted

[Smilge]

I tow a Swift Classic Alouette 5 birth caravan with no problems mate. Have dad no problems with mine and all I can advise is that you choose the towbar carefully. There are two heights ...choose the higher one. The Gal has more lower range torque than the Mondeo 2.0 TDCI which I previously towed it with. The fuel consumption is better towing with the Gal to.

[springen]

I tow a Swift Charisma 6 berth (single axle) with the Alhambra without any problem - holiday Calais-Brittany and back this year. I was actually hoping to transfer the current Witter bar to the new car. It's a fixed one. I guess it's possible to disconnect the rear sensors - never had a problem parking it - specially with tow-bar on the back !

 

How can I tell whether it is a 115bhp or 130bhp ? - rather not trust the salesman. :D

[Smilge]

I tow a Swift Charisma 6 berth (single axle) with the Alhambra without any problem - holiday Calais-Brittany and back this year. I was actually hoping to transfer the current Witter bar to the new car. It's a fixed one. I guess it's possible to disconnect the rear sensors - never had a problem parking it - specially with tow-bar on the back !

 

How can I tell whether it is a 115bhp or 130bhp ? - rather not trust the salesman. :D

 

Have a look on the Log book .... version number on mine states 115PS / 85kW also the insurance company will tell you.

[JohnR]

Don't expect the mk2 to be more reliable than the mk1. If you go to www.whatcar.com and check out the reliability figures, you'll see that the pre-2000 models score much better! (cf 114 for the ealy ones, 200 odd for later lower is better)!

[tim-spam]

That's funny - most surveys I've read rate the Mk 2 as better, but I suppose reliability surveys are not always as reliable as they could be. My Alhambra has been fine, and, having driven both Mk1's and Mk 2's, I would say that the Mk 2 is a significant improvement over the Mk 1.

[mumof4]

I think the peeps on here would be better at giving a response as to which is better..considering we own them both and can give an honest view.

 

All well and good looking at surveys.....but we know on here the strengths and weaknesses of both the MKI and MKII...we know the car inside out..... :D

 

Don't expect the mk2 to be more reliable than the mk1. If you go to www.whatcar.com and check out the reliability figures, you'll see that the pre-2000 models score much better! (cf 114 for the ealy ones, 200 odd for later lower is better)!

[Guest gooner52]

well ive not owned a mk1 so will not have any views on our good they are

 

only 2 say,theres loads out there still,so must be pretty good :D

 

but if i had wanted a 7 seater and the mk2 wasnt there.i would not of bought the mk1

 

i thought the mk2 was a great step forward,love the car

 

:D ;) :D

 

mind you think the rearlights and panel look great on the mk1 ;)

[springen]

mind you think the rearlights and panel look great on the mk1 :angry2:

 

I must admit I too prefer the curver style of the Mk1, when the Mk2 first come out I thought the squarer style made it look more van like - we've all had the 'transit-with-windows' dig I'm sure !!

 

I'll still be buying the Mk2 though. I normally keep my cars about 10 years,and would probably have kept the Alhambra longer if it had been a SE or Gal Ghia. I do as much of the servicing that I can myself, oil changes, brakes, electrics, suspension, etc... Another reason for changing now is that rust has started to appear on one of the rear wheel arches - nothing serious - this seems to be the only place that it is going to rust - a warning perhaps for you others who indend to keep their 'Galarombras' a long time - I'll be giving the arches some special protection on the new one !! While on this subject has anybody else experienced rust problems with the earliest of cars out there ? It would give us all an indication of how best to protect our cars in future. All cars have weak areas. I suspect the floors/sills will also be a future weak point - Any comments anyone ??

[springen]

Well that's it, I've gone and done it now !! Part ex'ed the Alhambra for '05 Galaxy Ghia 1.9Tdi 130. Will pick it up Friday - can't wait. :lol:

[Guest gooner52]

nice one :lol: :lol:

[springen]

Thought I would give you an update, now I've had the mk2 a couple of months. More of interest to those thinking of changing up from mk1 to mk2.

 

Mk2 over Mk1 :-

 

Better:- like the 'lots of chrome' look on front, more powerful lights, black rubbing strip in bumpers, better wipers, more power, 6-speed box, more comfy seats, dash lights brighter, like dark window tint, self propping bonnet, holes in headrests to c through, more interior lighting, dash storage useful, better quality

 

 

Worse:- Ride seems harder (lower profile mitchelin tyres), less torque below 1500 rpm then old diesel, steering seems to tramline more, only 1 power point in boot + still no power point in middle for kid's gameboy charging, no underseat (wet) storage areas now, single opening rear window is a waste of time me thinks, easily scratched door grab handles, no ashtrays in back for kids sweet wrappers,

 

Also love the Ghia goodies (cruise, climate, auto mirror, trip computer, heated screen, etc...)

[NikpV]

Mk2 over Mk1 :-

 

Worse:- only 1 power point in boot

 

funny our mk2 has 2 power points in the boot !!!

[springen]

Mk2 over Mk1 :-

 

Worse:- only 1 power point in boot

 

funny our mk2 has 2 power points in the boot !!!

 

I wonder when and why they reduced it to one ????

[AndeeeH]

June 2003 brochure shows only one power point in the back.

IIRC, although it could of been in the Mk1, you can get small, triangular shaped ashtrays that push-fit into the rear passenger door pockets. :) Andy.

Edited February 25, 2007 by AndeeeH