I've also posted this on a Seat forum but they all seem pretty dead in comparison to this one!

Hope its ok to post here really, but know they are similar cars and have a few ibiza owners on here

Thanks.

"So im after buying a Seat Ibiza fr, 1.9 tdi 130bhp. got a budget of around £4000, will pay abit more for a decent one.

I currently have a Skoda Fabia, im familiar with the preface lift 1.9 tdi (pd 130) engine being a ASZ and then in 2006 they made a facelift Fabia with a newer euro 4 engine with the engine code being BLT. These engines are known for being quite abit faster than the ASZ engine from pre 2006.

So is this the same case with the ibizas? - Im after a 2006 onwards ibiza but dont know how different a 2004 model would be for example.

So in summary... Did the engine's change over from ASZ to BLT? if not what are the engine codes for the 1.9 tdi fr's?

secondly, what are the changes from say a 2004 ibiza and a 2007 one"

I think the engines did change over to BLT with the facelift yes. I have a 2007 FR with BLT engine code

Main differences apart from engine code are wheels (17s instead of 16s), different bumpers (much more angular at the front and rear identical to Cupra), different gearknob, different front ARB (bigger instead of having some plastic end bits that were prone to breaking or something like that)

What he said ^^^.

I think changeover happened the same time as with Skoda. i.e. My 55 plate VRS is an ASZ, little bro's 5 dr FR on 2006 06 plate is BLT. Key to it is Euro 4 emissions. ISTR they came in some time end 2005.

Read up on it now. January 2005 - any newly designed model had to comply. January 2006, existing, previously approved vehicles had to comply.

Might also be some interior chromification going on around dials etc.

Also did a bit of digging myself regarding prices earlier this year. I concluded that the equivalent model/year Fabia VRS was likely to be £500-£1000 cheaper than the Ibiza FR. Assuming a post-facelift Ibiza FR.

J.

BLT maybe quicker but from what I've seen not as reliable, especially if tuning in mind. Quite a broad statement I know but as yet I personally haven't seen piston issues on ASZ, seem to be seeing a fair few on BLT. But that's my own experience.

BLT maybe quicker but from what I've seen not as reliable, especially if tuning in mind. Quite a broad statement I know but as yet I personally haven't seen piston issues on ASZ, seem to be seeing a fair few on BLT. But that's my own experience.

'Scuse my iggerance Sor, what piston issues? :wonder:

I was wondering the same thing Coffin Dodger

Thanks for the replies first of all, had more replies on a skoda forum than a seat one!

Anyway, looks like a few BLT owners are worried now!

I've read a few people saying when they had their BLT dyno'd they came in around 140 - 150bhp so thought they had been remapped in the first place. If this is the case i'd be happy to get 170bhp and leave it at that! Should still be reliable i guess :/

I can think of three BLTs that have had cracked pistons (two had been tuned) still undecided what has caused it, maybe cylinder temps. pistons are different to the ASZ engine.

Apologies for not replying over on IOC! I normally leave that stuff to a few other members now-a-days!

In fairness I know of one ASZ with a cracked piston probs due to cylinder temps.

Re BLT faster than ASZ... I will race any BLT and see who wins haha!

Out of interest why go for a Ibiza Sport/FR rather than a Fabia VRS?

Also worth nothing that the early Ibiza Sport's (pre-FR branding) from 02/03 will also feature gear box with the long legged 6th ratio rather than the shortened version in later cars

Much like early Fabia vRS isnt it? Didnt the 03 plate vRS come with the longer ratio's too?

yep pretty much the same

I had the longer box in my PD130 Ibiza Sport on a 52 plate and the short box is in both my 04 and 54 plate Fabias

I can think of three BLTs that have had cracked pistons (two had been tuned) still undecided what has caused it, maybe cylinder temps. pistons are different to the ASZ engine.

Whst symptoms are there when this happens mate?

If your mapping it they'll only go to the same power anyway

Personally speaking the Ibiza's only appeal over the Fabia is its 3 door.

The wife has a Cupra TDi and its plasticy inside, very cheap controls in comparison to the Fabia.

Before I got the Fab I went and looked an 2007 FR and TBH it was worse than the Cupra in every way.

Not really relevant but thought i'd throw my 2p in

Well my previous car was a fabia as well, so if i get another it would be my third one. Dont get me wrong... I'd have a vrs if one comes up, but the seat ibiza is abit different, like the look of them, better interior, Cup holder! multi function steering wheel. All with a fabia under it. Perfect.

the exterior of the fabia is a bit dated if you ask me. The ibiza, especially the facelift look ALOT more modern.

Technically the Fabia has an Ibiza under it... oh err

Anyone noticed how high the window sill is on an Ibiza compared to a fabia? From driving my mates I think it Gives a sense of a higher ride height :(

No, but I might soon

No, but I might soon

Proper climate control....

Elaborate?

Its digital as oppose to the fabia`s dial analog version.

This also ^^ seems so fancy!