Seat Alhambra 1.9 TDi SE

Car plagued by silly problems - mainly the water leak in the rear hatch reverse/fog light cluster. There are five Seat Alhambras in our village and they all have this problem (the lens goes black after a time with the water lying in the lens area). This leads to electrical problems where fuse number 3 blows affecting direction indicators, speedo, cruise control and heater motor. Also problems with black plastic grills falling off.

Front wiper motor has also had to be replaced - printed circuit board failed as well as fuse to the front wiper switch. I wrote to SEAT about the water leak issue enclosing photographic evidence and all I got back was a phone call from James in their customer service department stating that this was the first time he had heard of this problem and could offer no support as my car hadn't been serviced at a SEAT garage - this garage closed a year after I purchased the car. Overall not happy with SEAT's customer care - all Alhambras should have been recalled for these faults to be checked/fixed!

I love my big red Brammer. I've had it since it was eight months old and it has been an excellent servant.

Yes, I had the flywheel problem but the vehicle has so much heart and hasn't put a foot wrong since.

Big red has a new brother, the new model Alhambra which I'm getting to know but Red does the bulk of the work; dogs, shopping, general ferrying about...

such a good honest vehicle...big red has a home with me for life.

Bought from new 1.9 TDi 130. Got 4 children so needed a car large enough for whole family. Used for around town - not ideal as this car is built for motorways. Local Seat garage serviced annually but since 2 years ago we have experienced problem after problem. It eats tyres - approx 10k for the front - front wheel drive. Flywheel damaged after enforced recall by Seat had to be replaced and main driveshaft as well - £2.5K. Now rear brake discs, handbrake, L/H/S driveshaft needs replacing. Air con unit has a hole - cost circa £500 and turbo malfunction even more. It is a nightmare! Would not recommend to another but perhaps we are just unlucky with this particular car. Thinking of replacing very soon - but with what?

I was looking at this site as I was considering trading in my 1.9TDi Alhambra for a Citroen C8. Having read reviews on both cars I think I'll (a) stick with Seat and (b) keep the car I've got.

I've got 5 kids and tow a twin axle caravan so need something reliable and hefty - I bought my car 5 years ago with 40k on the clock from Wiltshires in Farnham, it's now done 110k and still drives as well - along the way we've kept it serviced and its had some repairs but nothing more than you;d expect for a car with so many demands placed on it.

Initially, within warranty we had a problem and it went into limp mode - SLightly ridiculous, we were expected to drive it 100+ miles to the original dealer as they disagreed with the local garages diagnosis (although they were right to disagree!) - this was the airflow mass unit - since then, just brakes and disks, timing belt at correct interval and an alternator pulley. Recently the diesel light started going out too quick, so I replaced the glo plugs and relay at £150 - then found out on the net that this is a common problem and is just the coolant sensor - job done for £10.00 and like new.

We get 35+ to the gallon, 25 with the caravan, and it pulls as though its not even attached - and this is a 7m, twin axle, 6 berth van so no mean feat!! Parts are all VW Sharan or Ford Galaxy so easy to obtain (although you cant get a Haynes manual)

Would I recommend it ? Definitely - it knocks the spots off our previous car (a Renault Espace). Now I know from these reviews they are capable of some really high mileages I think I'll stop looking round and stick with what I know.

We bought our Alhambra 1.9 TDi Automatic at about 80,000 miles and three months later the automatic gearbox started to go. That was £1300 - massive problem. Lots of other repairs in the next year, and each time it seems to be £450 or so - the parts are so expensive. I think we spent £3000 on maintenance in 18 months. THen it was quite good for a couple of years and now the gear box is up the creek again (about 40,000 miles after the last reconditioned one. Found a place in London that can do it for only £700 this time, through ebay - yet to find out if they're reliable. Hope so.

The good thing is they're fuel efficient - about 35 mpg (it's diesel) which isn't bad for a big car like that.

I will never buy and automatic again and I'll probably never buy a SEAT / VW again. People all say they're reliable, but they're not. Give me a ford / vauxhall any day - at least when they break tehy're cheap and easy to fix. We had an astra for 5 years with hardly any repairs.

Had the car from new i have had two injectors fitted and a clutch at 170,000 regular services the car has done 290,000 best car i have ever owned !!! if you think that good my partener had one at the same time hes had one injector a water pump clutch at 195,000 now has over 500,000 miles CHEAP MOTORING !!!!!! highly recomend seat

Have had an Seat Alhambra since new and now done 140K. I can tell you this car has 2 very expensive weaknesses which seem to be quite common for this model:1) Air conditioning has been replaced twice and now broken for a third time2) Just been told that automatic gearbox will fail soon (transmission is slipping at moment) and needs replacing

Bought the 2litre petrol Seat Alhambra 1.9 TDi SE, '96 model, get about 35mpg The most usefull and versatile vehicle I've ever bought. All seats come out for use as a van, then weekends seats go back in for transporting my students on workshops touring sacred sites. Looking to getting the Twin cam 2litre turbo petrol when I can afford it (diesels are expensive to repair).

Easy on the steering, drives like a car. Nice and high up to see over country hedgerows (the wife feels like a queen). Spacious and versatile, good alround vision. Economical for a heavy vehicle. Good firm ride, drives like a car. Seats can be put in or taken out individually. Smooth ride comfortable for all day driving, good upright driving position so pedals are easy to use on the knees and legs.

Just bought it from dealers £9000 3 months its 05 reg done 76000 miles having problems with power and makes noise when accelarator released I think turbos gone.

Please purchase 1 year warranty or up to 80000 miles and also check service history.

Just had gear fail, cost so far £1500. This is a commom fault with the 6 speed box which lets go between 40,000 - 50,000 miles. This is caused by drive shaft fauly in manifacture and modified shaft is over £400.

Gear box will not be guaranteed if not fitted.