Seat Altea XL

BarneyMc

Looking at buying a 2011 Seat Altea XL 1.6 diesel. I've 2 kids under 2 and want to know if there would still be room between 2 baby seats in the back for someone to sit? Also, in general can anyone recommend this car?

colm_mcm

I would try and find a 1.9 instead of getting a 1.6. They finished them up in early 2010.

biko

Moved out from an old thread.

BarneyMc

colm_mcm wrote: »

I would try and find a 1.9 instead of getting a 1.6. They finished them up in early 2010.

But what's the problem with them? Is it just that they have less power or just that they're a bit behind the times?

colm_mcm

No, they're technically more advanced and they're quieter than the old 1.9 just they're nowhere near as robust in my opinion. They're also not as torquey at low revs.

Henry Ford III

BarneyMc wrote: »

Looking at buying a 2011 Seat Altea XL 1.6 diesel. I've 2 kids under 2 and want to know if there would still be room between 2 baby seats in the back for someone to sit? Also, in general can anyone recommend this car?

Why not go and test drive one? Bring the baby seats.

BarneyMc

Henry Ford III wrote: »

Why not go and test drive one? Bring the baby seats.

Did both and seems fine. I know nothing about cars so just trying to get some expert views. I might call at the garage again today and have another drive and look at the back seat again.

Davidth88

I have a 132 model. We often have 1 booster seat one baby sear and a small adult in the middle . There is not enough space for 2 booster seats and a baby seat however.

BarneyMc

Davidth88 wrote: »

I have a 132 model. We often have 1 booster seat one baby sear and a small adult in the middle . There is not enough space for 2 booster seats and a baby seat however.

Well that would be perfect - one 14 year old between the baby seats. OK will test again later and give a final verdict.

FR85

If looking at a 1.9 avoid an engine with the code BXE, I'm not too sure if this engine made it into the Altea XL but they are time bombs.
There is a weakness in the conrods and when they go it's new engine time.

E30i

FR85 wrote: »

If looking at a 1.9 avoid an engine with the code BXE, I'm not too sure if this engine made it into the Altea XL but they are time bombs.
There is a weakness in the conrods and when they go it's new engine time.

I have an Altea with this engine code and it has been faultless for the last 6.5 years so I suppose its difficult to generalise. 234,000 klms and never a days trouble. I do mind it and change the oil at 10k klms religiously but they are spacious, economical, in my experience reliable and overall a very practical family car.

For balance they do suffer with dodgey window regulators and are noisey with wind and road noise at cruising speed but I intend to keep this one as a 2nd car as I feel it is worth more to us than you would ever get for selling it. Note I generally change cars every 2 - 3 years out of boredom as much as anything else. DMF and clutch at 130k klms also.

FR85

E30i wrote: »

I have an Altea with this engine code and it has been faultless for the last 6.5 years so I suppose its difficult to generalise. 234,000 klms and never a days trouble. I do mind it and change the oil at 10k klms religiously but they are spacious, economical, in my experience reliable and overall a very practical family car.

For balance they do suffer with dodgey window regulators and are noisey with wind and road noise at cruising speed but I intend to keep this one as a 2nd car as I feel it is worth more to us than you would ever get for selling it. Note I generally change cars every 2 - 3 years out of boredom as much as anything else. DMF and clutch at 130k klms also.

People with that engine have had horrors with them, threads all over the Web with stories and VW as per the norm not recognizing it as a problem. A quick search will show you.
I went from a 1.9 Altea to a 2l one so I'm not knocking the car itself and like you I do oil every 10-12k. 325,000kms on the current one and still flying the flag!!

BarneyMc

Visited the dealer yesterday and he already had 2 infant seats in the back. I tried sitting in between them but not a hope. It's the end of the road with the Altea for me I'm afraid and will be looking for a suitable value 7 seater if there is such a thing. Thanks everyone for your help.

kerten

BarneyMc wrote: »

Visited the dealer yesterday and he already had 2 infant seats in the back. I tried sitting in between them but not a hope. It's the end of the road with the Altea for me I'm afraid and will be looking for a suitable value 7 seater if there is such a thing. Thanks everyone for your help.

You most likely need a MPV with 3 separate same size seats at back minimum. Likes of Scenic, Picasso, 5008, S-Max or full size MPVs like Galaxy, Alhambra, Sharan.

BarneyMc

kerten wrote: »

You most likely need a MPV with 3 separate same size seats at back minimum. Likes of Scenic, Picasso, 5008, S-Max or full size MPVs like Galaxy, Alhambra, Sharan.

Yeah the SEAT dealer said he'll have one or two 2nd hand 5008's coming in so might keep an eye out for them. Thanks.