The wife's '54 reg. Ibiza 1.2 5 door is a great car. However, the brakes seem to be either on or off with nothing much in between. Slowing down for speed humps is a nightmare as I usually put everyone through the 'screen. Can this be rectified somehow or do we have to 'live with it'? The car I test drove seemed ok.
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Strangely the first thing I would check would be the brakes on your car. It may be that they are inefficient and you have got used to it.
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Thanks Mark but I think the brakes on my '03 Scenic dci are alright. In the Ibiza there just doesn't seem to be a 'slow down' position, just quite severely 'on'. Foot on brake - nothing, half an inch more and Wham! (no, not George Michael on the CD!).
I'll take it to the dealers, but I just wanted to make sure there's anything you guys were aware of before they tell me "They all do that, sir".
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If I drive my Landcruiser for a while and then get in the Galaxy, I have the same thing. Whereas within a day the problem goes away.
My foot is a slow learner.
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By the way, if its anything like the Scenic I used to have, the brakes were rubbish - more of a suggestion to the wheels rather than a demand.
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Mark is right (ish)
The fact that one cars brakes seem to be very sharp is an indication that the brakes you are used to are too soft. The foot and leg have developed a push harder syndrome that is now noticeable on the new car.
The effect can be replicated on any car if you use your left foot to brake (left leg and foot not having any experience of braking) - Nearly everyone ends up going through the window when they first try it.
As for Mark saying the scenic brakes are useless, this comes from a man who thinks a Mk3 cortina is motoring heaven.
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>>this comes from a man who thinks a Mk3 cortina is motoring heaven.
And your point is......?
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Many thanks for your comments, it seems that we need to get used to it a bit more (she had '95 Punto previously - now those WERE bad brakes!).
Talking of previous cars, I had a Nova SR 1.3 (G reg). Don't we all just miss that second choke cutting in at about 3k rpm.....
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My daughter has a 54 Ibiza 1.2S 3dr which I've driven now & again. My own car is a 406 estate. The brakes are a bit sharper than the 406 but well within the 'normal' range that you experience driving different cars.
I find the steering takes most getting used too - it's very light and the car almost seems to wind on lock itself. I *think* its weight can be altered electronically but daughter thinks it's fine.
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Hi Loadsy. I've got a current model Ibiza and the brakes are powerful but more progressive than you describe. I'd suggest it's a one-off - get your dealer to check it out.
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I get to drive quite a variety of vehicles and don't have much of a problem adapting. I find that these days most vehicles of the same segment tend to have similarly weighted controls. I guess they are all designed with the same customers in mind!
I suggest that you may have a problem with the brake servo valving. I have come across this fault before (although not on a SEAT).
If the dealer says that 'they are all like that' then I would ask for a short test run in another vehicle of the same specification.
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>I suggest that you may have a problem with the brake servo valving.
I agree, it sounds like the servo rubber reaction disc which is supposed to give some sort of proportional behaviour is missing or faulty - or that the valves themselves are faulty.
It would be interesting to see if there is any braking effort at the wheels before there is significant pedal effort. By this, I mean if simply by taking up the free travel, the brake servo applies the brakes.
If a short test run in a similar car is not available, then, it is possible to disable the servo by disconnecting and plugging the vacuum supply. A low speed test, preferably off public roads would then confirm Aprilia's diagnosis.
number_cruncher
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Most of the VW group cars are like this. My mothers 53 Polo is the same.
I've just got a new Megane Renaultsport, I agree with Clarkson who says that the pedal is more like an on-off switch. Although after a couple of weeks I'm getting used to them.
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Sincere thanks to all that have responded. Also agree with vista1100 re. steering being being very 'light'.
We will try and get used to it before taking it to the dealer. However, when we do, Aprilia and NumberCruncher's comments about brake servo valve could prove useful!
Finally, did anyone see my 15 mins of fame in Novembers What Car? on page 137 (Mis-sold Seat)? Just shows that a quick, confident response quoting Sale of Goods Act means that you CAN successfully reject a new car.
Praise must go to Seat for the way this was dealt with.
Thanks again for help & comments.
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