Seat Altea Freetrack TSI 4x4
Discussion
After 3 long years in a Seat Mii, it was time for something that I can fit a decent size bike rack and chuck all the stuff in the back of. I'd originally looked at earlier model Nissan Elgrands, but as I had to finance it, they wouldn't do it on such an older vehicle.
Looked at a Focus C-Max that sounded better on paper. Then, I found this on Autotrader. Seemed to tick all the boxes (big, quick and quite rare). After the dealer handed me the keys and told me to go for a drive on my own, I was pretty much sold.
This is the 2.0 TSI model (same engine as MK5 Golf GTI).
Only got dealer pics at moment. Taking some more when I pick it up next week. Need to purchase my third PH smiley now! Suggestions welcome
Looked at a Focus C-Max that sounded better on paper. Then, I found this on Autotrader. Seemed to tick all the boxes (big, quick and quite rare). After the dealer handed me the keys and told me to go for a drive on my own, I was pretty much sold.
This is the 2.0 TSI model (same engine as MK5 Golf GTI).
Only got dealer pics at moment. Taking some more when I pick it up next week. Need to purchase my third PH smiley now! Suggestions welcome
Gave it a good scrub today and have been driving it a few days. Few minor issues I want to get sorted and a few upgrades planned
- one heater vent open/close wheel broken (stays closed).
- New gear knob and gaiter.
- Minor scratches here and there.
- Wheels could do with a refurb (may get new wheels eventually).
- Want a remap and custom stainless steel exhaust.
Here are a few very amateur photos and apologies for the interior (just been to the tip with a carpet and hoover on charge). Just waiting for my 2" PH smiley to arrive now!
- one heater vent open/close wheel broken (stays closed).
- New gear knob and gaiter.
- Minor scratches here and there.
- Wheels could do with a refurb (may get new wheels eventually).
- Want a remap and custom stainless steel exhaust.
Here are a few very amateur photos and apologies for the interior (just been to the tip with a carpet and hoover on charge). Just waiting for my 2" PH smiley to arrive now!
Forgot to add that a replacement radio is on the cards too. Apparently yellow are quite rare! Would have been quite a coincidence to get the same color as the outgoing car in the first pic
To be honest, I wasn't aware of the petrol one till I saw this on Autotrader.
Ideally, I would like one of the more modern VAG head units with DAB and built in nav etc. From the little research I've done, it looks like a bit of minefield.
To be honest, I wasn't aware of the petrol one till I saw this on Autotrader.
Ideally, I would like one of the more modern VAG head units with DAB and built in nav etc. From the little research I've done, it looks like a bit of minefield.
Jonny1984 said:
Forgot to add that a replacement radio is on the cards too. Apparently yellow are quite rare! Would have been quite a coincidence to get the same color as the outgoing car in the first pic
To be honest, I wasn't aware of the petrol one till I saw this on Autotrader.
Ideally, I would like one of the more modern VAG head units with DAB and built in nav etc. From the little research I've done, it looks like a bit of minefield.
Sorry for the thread resurrection, what kind of MPG do you get out of this?To be honest, I wasn't aware of the petrol one till I saw this on Autotrader.
Ideally, I would like one of the more modern VAG head units with DAB and built in nav etc. From the little research I've done, it looks like a bit of minefield.
Deebo007 said:
Sorry for the thread resurrection, what kind of MPG do you get out of this?
I had one of these for a few years, never realised someone had started a thread on one or I might have chipped in while I still had it - I was averaging around 28mpg in mine day to day, anything into the low 30s was seen as a good result...have you got one Deebo, or thinking of buying?Spumfry said:
I had one of these for a few years, never realised someone had started a thread on one or I might have chipped in while I still had it - I was averaging around 28mpg in mine day to day, anything into the low 30s was seen as a good result...have you got one Deebo, or thinking of buying?
I don't have one, but it's on my list for a possible next car. I used to have an Altea FR TDI and regret selling it as it was such a good all-rounder.Thread resurrect I’m afraid.
Wondering how you got on with the Freetrack.
I’ve been looking at these for a while in the ads and have done as much research as possible on the net.
I need a reliable daily runner & a load lugger for Euro trips both north and south. I like the grey bumpers , I’m fed up with my cars getting paint scrapes when I’m parked up in narrower streets.
This week I’ve arranged to try a couple out.
Both versions are just over 100k milers , £3500.
I have a 2.0tdi to look at first, but slightly put off by it having a dpf and being the 170 version.
In 2.0 petrol form it’s basically a haldex driven mk5 golf gti so usual maintenance as noted in buying guide recently, but is there anything I should look or listen for regarding the haldex?
I’ll use it as a daily for 2 x 25 mile trips 70/30 mway/town.
I’m aware of the mpg figures for both versions.
Owners views appreciated.
Wondering how you got on with the Freetrack.
I’ve been looking at these for a while in the ads and have done as much research as possible on the net.
I need a reliable daily runner & a load lugger for Euro trips both north and south. I like the grey bumpers , I’m fed up with my cars getting paint scrapes when I’m parked up in narrower streets.
This week I’ve arranged to try a couple out.
Both versions are just over 100k milers , £3500.
I have a 2.0tdi to look at first, but slightly put off by it having a dpf and being the 170 version.
In 2.0 petrol form it’s basically a haldex driven mk5 golf gti so usual maintenance as noted in buying guide recently, but is there anything I should look or listen for regarding the haldex?
I’ll use it as a daily for 2 x 25 mile trips 70/30 mway/town.
I’m aware of the mpg figures for both versions.
Owners views appreciated.
indigostr said:
I like the grey bumpers , I’m fed up with my cars getting paint scrapes when I’m parked up in narrower streets.
This might disappoint you, but those bumpers are painted - they are black underneath the grey paint, so will show scrapes. re the haldex, I stretched the service intervals for mine and didn't have any problems, but it's probably safer to stick to the recommended routine.
After looking at all 5 tfsi that came up for sale the last 6 months I finally bought a 2 owner with 68k and full SEAT history. Managed to find one with factory upgraded satnav and xenons . The bodywork has a few blemishes but this was the first I’d taken out that didn’t have any strange sounds coming from either the engine , gearbox or haldex. Had it a week and 600 miles already. Averaging 32mpg on my usual mix of roads. I’ll get flamed but I much prefer this to the mk7 dsg gti I’ve had for 2 years. New tyres coming this week, service inc haldex booked for December as well as a remap to sort out a few flat spots. It seems well planted on the road and not top heavy. 
Just found this thread....and decided that after 12+ yrs of lurking I would post something.
After spending 18months looking for a cheap Octavia Scout I discovered the freetrack ...cheaper, funkier and it would seem unwanted especially the Tfsi version...so that was it I needed one. With 65 left in the country tracking one for sale wasn’t easy, I found 3 over a 6month period, also looking at a couple of diesels too. Of the 3, one was leaking oil, no boost, too expensive. No2 went before I could decide on the whether the long trip to view was worth it, which left no3, a sister car to the picture above KY57 Y?? Which I presume were originally SEAT uk cars. Local garage , partex’d , he wanted to get shot but I wanted a few niggles sorted before parting with the cash. 2 weeks later, car bought and off to RallyGB in it.
Problems - yes, horrendous oil consumption which stabilised very quickly after some right boot treatment. Fuel pressure sensor and HPFP follower changed to clear misfire. Diverter valve changed as a precaution...Brakes were seized but finally became unseized after a couple of miles down a closed road at the end of a rally stage😉.
6+months later, it is my fave car but for the shocking fuel consumption...only my twin DCOE Westfield manages less miles per unit of go juice.
Oh, and the previous owner is a colleague at work....didn’t realise until months after though as the private plates had hid the identity.
Sorry for the long first post, but these cars are massively underrated and I wanted to share the love.
After spending 18months looking for a cheap Octavia Scout I discovered the freetrack ...cheaper, funkier and it would seem unwanted especially the Tfsi version...so that was it I needed one. With 65 left in the country tracking one for sale wasn’t easy, I found 3 over a 6month period, also looking at a couple of diesels too. Of the 3, one was leaking oil, no boost, too expensive. No2 went before I could decide on the whether the long trip to view was worth it, which left no3, a sister car to the picture above KY57 Y?? Which I presume were originally SEAT uk cars. Local garage , partex’d , he wanted to get shot but I wanted a few niggles sorted before parting with the cash. 2 weeks later, car bought and off to RallyGB in it.
Problems - yes, horrendous oil consumption which stabilised very quickly after some right boot treatment. Fuel pressure sensor and HPFP follower changed to clear misfire. Diverter valve changed as a precaution...Brakes were seized but finally became unseized after a couple of miles down a closed road at the end of a rally stage😉.
6+months later, it is my fave car but for the shocking fuel consumption...only my twin DCOE Westfield manages less miles per unit of go juice.
Oh, and the previous owner is a colleague at work....didn’t realise until months after though as the private plates had hid the identity.
Sorry for the long first post, but these cars are massively underrated and I wanted to share the love.
Hey Bofus, how many miles are on yours? Currently looking at one as like you discovered it completely by accident. Needing a replacement to b7 A4 Quattro Avant that died by Head gasket and crap mechanic.
Interested originally in standard altea XL 2.0 170 but like the option of 4wd in Scotland
Interested originally in standard altea XL 2.0 170 but like the option of 4wd in Scotland
Bofus said:
Just found this thread....and decided that after 12+ yrs of lurking I would post something.
After spending 18months looking for a cheap Octavia Scout I discovered the freetrack ...cheaper, funkier and it would seem unwanted especially the Tfsi version...so that was it I needed one. With 65 left in the country tracking one for sale wasn’t easy, I found 3 over a 6month period, also looking at a couple of diesels too. Of the 3, one was leaking oil, no boost, too expensive. No2 went before I could decide on the whether the long trip to view was worth it, which left no3, a sister car to the picture above KY57 Y??
6+months later, it is my fave car but for the shocking fuel consumption...only my twin DCOE Westfield manages less miles per unit of go juice.
Sorry for the long first post, but these cars are massively underrated and I wanted to share the love.
Pretty much the same circumstances in finding the Freetrack although I was also looking at mk5/6 gti. I had a 4 hour journey to look and buy the one I ended up with , and yes another SEAT UK car. Full history backed up by a call to SEAT for a printout.After spending 18months looking for a cheap Octavia Scout I discovered the freetrack ...cheaper, funkier and it would seem unwanted especially the Tfsi version...so that was it I needed one. With 65 left in the country tracking one for sale wasn’t easy, I found 3 over a 6month period, also looking at a couple of diesels too. Of the 3, one was leaking oil, no boost, too expensive. No2 went before I could decide on the whether the long trip to view was worth it, which left no3, a sister car to the picture above KY57 Y??
6+months later, it is my fave car but for the shocking fuel consumption...only my twin DCOE Westfield manages less miles per unit of go juice.
Sorry for the long first post, but these cars are massively underrated and I wanted to share the love.
It likes being pushed and corners can be taken more briskly than its looks suggest.
Not much info on them , some european youtube reviews if you can translate. Tfsi were also sold with dsg in Europe up to about 2014.
I've read up on the mk5 gti forums for info on the engines , I've purchased replacement parts through Awesome GTi.
I'm still averaging 32-33 mpg on super unleaded which is its preferred drink. Oil has been 1.5ltr in 4k miles .
Revo will remap stage1 to 250 , with their intake 260 possible. I'm sure cheaper options are available.
I've had the following preventative work done & parts replaced since purchasing and the combination has definitely improved the drive.
Haldex service inc filter,
Oil service and new filters, cabin filter looked original.
Cam follower,
DV+,
Spark plugs,
r8 coils ,
Updated pcv breather kit ,
Propshaft coupling joint.
Edited by indigostr on Thursday 4th April 00:02
Apologies for the resurrect but these are so rare I am short on forum owners....I own what looks like an ex SEAT UK car judging by the similar rego. Bought in 2018. Looked for 18 months for a low mileage. Has total of 62000 ish miles on it now. Engine being rebuilt with uprated KO4 turbo and a few other bits, am looking for a reliable 360HP, will see dyno report soon. The only exterior modifications will be a new 1.4 TSi badge. Unlikely to recoup my investment in performance upgrades. But can you put a price on a Golf R driver's expression as you haul past?
How many left show 73 cars max in 2013, I think one of these might have been a LHD in burgundy that a friend saw in a garage as I am informed that there were only 72 sold by SEAT UK. So rarer than a 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Competition.
61 Left in 2019...
I'm glad you resurrected this post - I nearly did a couple of days ago.
Was the K04 rebuild a planned decision or did you have an issue with the old turbo?
Bought mine just before Christmas, since then I've given it a thorough service and replaced the following:
Camshaft Position Actuator
PCV
Cam Follower
DV
Thermostat needs replacing and one of the coil packs leaked a bit of water through (caused a misfire) so I'll replace all 4 soon
Was the K04 rebuild a planned decision or did you have an issue with the old turbo?
Bought mine just before Christmas, since then I've given it a thorough service and replaced the following:
Camshaft Position Actuator
PCV
Cam Follower
DV
Thermostat needs replacing and one of the coil packs leaked a bit of water through (caused a misfire) so I'll replace all 4 soon
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