I seen a Seat Marbella today. I forgot they existed. How do they compare to the original?

Les Ross
Certified by a Professional.
03 Stilo 5d JTD80 Active
PSI Powerbox and go-faster turtle.

If we're talking Pandas - they are the nearest thing you'll get to a MK1 Panda:
hammock rear seat
cart spring suspension (at the back)


If you're going to get one, don't get the catalysed version (probably '93 on).

Awful things. Mk1 Panda without the Pandaness. [xx(]

<h5>Click here for pictures of my Uno
Click here for pictures of my Brava

Thank God for that - I thought you were talking about the Spice Girls

Marbellas are all right in their own way I suppose but I wouldn't want one. I like originals, not copies!

Steve the geriatric Panda and Beagle freak

R.I.P. G781 TUT: White Panda 1000CL - 18-11-1989 to 08-03-2004
J??? ???: Red Panda 1000CL - collecting next week!
Y771 GNU - Silver Nissan Almera Tino (Penny's motor)

I don't think I would be in the market for one, looks darn uncomfortable.

Les Ross
Certified by a Professional.
03 Stilo 5d JTD80 Active
PSI Powerbox and go-faster turtle.

I had one. there very fun to drive its like a go kart on wheels...i learnt to drive in one. but as soon as i got my real panda i found out how cheep and tacky they were. it was a J reg but my G plate panda feels newer

I've been in one and I wouldn't describe it as a go-kart. The suspension is very very soft and they sort of wallow down the road. To much roll to be go-kart like.

<h5>Click here for pictures of my Uno
Click here for pictures of my Brava

I've got a Marbella 900cat on a K plate.

I compared it to a k-reg Panda 1000 Fire, met paint, and I preferred the marbella. It was a lot smoother, engine sounded nicer, no rust, had slightly quicker acceleration and everthing worked as it should. Also, i think the brakes on the marbella are better, mine will lock wheels at will, the panda was just scary to drive!

I was under the impression that late marbellas use VW parts?

Maybe the panda was just a bad example.

Ian

Late Marbellas used no VW parts. Locking brakes at will is a sign of poor brakes, they should be progressive and stop the car without locking.

<h5>Click here for pictures of my Uno
Click here for pictures of my Brava

Originally posted by ottiian
I've got a Marbella 900cat on a K plate.

I compared it to a k-reg Panda 1000 Fire, met paint, and I preferred the marbella. It was a lot smoother, engine sounded nicer, no rust, had slightly quicker acceleration and everthing worked as it should. Also, i think the brakes on the marbella are better, mine will lock wheels at will, the panda was just scary to drive!

Maybe the panda was just a bad example.

Click to expand...

It's common for Pandas to be neglected - and be "bad" as a consequence - for instance, the front brakes then only work to 50% efficiency due to the sliding calipers being siezed up.

Later Pandas (from late 1993 AFAIK) have servo brakes (mine is early '93, and dosn't) which will obviously reduce the effort needed.

I can lock my front wheels - if I try to - but the backs don't, due to the pressure limiting valve (which I can feel operating through the pedal when I'm really trying to stop).
There is more feel about what's going on through the pedal than with a servo, but given the choice - I'd have a servo.

Regarding the sound of the engine - I'm surprised you liked the 903, as it gets rather a rattle from the timing chain after a few miles.
The "FIRE" is a nicer lump, IMHO.

Also the "Omega" rear axle is a better set-up.
Plus you don't get the cart spring "shackles" rattling, after a bit of use..

You must either have an exceptional Marbella, and/or tried a poor Panda.


John H

yeh, I do get a rattle from the chain, noticeable only when accelerating under heavy load.
I suspect the panda was a bad example - the guy had only owned it a few months and the pedals, gear lever were all very loose.

"Locking brakes at will is a sign of poor brakes, they should be progressive and stop the car without locking."

They only lock when I quickly put full pressure on the pedal or the surface coeff of friction is very low.

Rattle under heavy load is likely to be "pinking/pinging" -

probably any or all of the following:

over-advanced ignition timing,
or poor fuel,
or excessive carbon build up (in the combustion chambers).

The rattle I meant is noticeable at tick-over, especially outside the car near the engine.