Leon FR TDI sold after two months

[CT Aviation]

Well two months was as long as I could stand the Seat UK and dealer fob offs with issues on my car, wet windows, failing speakers, 1 month to get a new windscreen, harsh ride and parts ordered with the car that never turned up. So it's gone and never a Seat again.
All cars can have faults I know but some the leon has just are not right on an £18k car.
So goodbye and thanks to all who have helped me over the past two months.

Chris

[Michael B]

If you paid £18k for a FR TDI, there is something wrong - mine was £16k with loads of extras..

Anyway, sad that you are selling yours, so far mine is perfect

[k4ith]

i, seat cust care is poor i am constantly @ them about my rusty hubs. not letting it lie. CT did you sell it privately?
I am on the verge of selling too, not because of problems just wish i had bought the MK5 gti.mulling over for a month then it maybe sold.

[WildWestHero]

Chris,

Sorry to herar the car wasn't for you. Hopefully you're still looking at the site despite your move away from Seat, and that you'll be able to respons to this.

I thought that you had put Koni FSD's on your FR TDi to make the ride more compliant, and that you were happy with the results. Are you saying that in reality they haven't made that mich difference now that you've been driving for a while on the new setup? I was considering going down that route to make the ride less jiggly, but I don't want to blow £500 if I'm not going to notice much difference.

Thanks

Jim

[harveee]

sorry to hear that , I have done 2000 miles in mine now, have got used to the ride [not that bad now ] and even the uncomfortable seat !!!!!! .... but know its just not the car for me..have part exed with the dealer I bought it from for a 6 month old mondeo st tdci...
I actually hired one for a day to make sure that I like it....I DO !!!!!!!!
I will miss the engine and handling and the looks of the FR....I cant believe how quick it is.....but my car is my office and I feel too confined in the FR, also hate the blind spots and although the engine is more powerful than the ST it feels very rough and loud when compared to the 2.2 common rail engine.
The FR is a fantastic drivers car and I have lost much sleep trying to decide to keep it or change it...so it has grown on me...but if someone offered me a focus st with the fr diesel engine in I would have to choose the ST over the FR.
So when the dealer offered me a Mondy st tdci [fully loaded] for the return of the FR and 400 quid to pay I was too tempted....
This is my third car in a year now !!! Focus ST, leon FR , now Mondy ST TDCi..maybe the problem lies with me !!!! lol must be at that age !!!!!!!

[k4ith]

Originally Posted by harveee

sorry to hear that , I have done 2000 miles in mine now, have got used to the ride [not that bad now ] and even the uncomfortable seat !!!!!! .... but know its just not the car for me..have part exed with the dealer I bought it from for a 6 month old mondeo st tdci...
I actually hired one for a day to make sure that I like it....I DO !!!!!!!!
I will miss the engine and handling and the looks of the FR....I cant believe how quick it is.....but my car is my office and I feel too confined in the FR, also hate the blind spots and although the engine is more powerful than the ST it feels very rough and loud when compared to the 2.2 common rail engine.
The FR is a fantastic drivers car and I have lost much sleep trying to decide to keep it or change it...so it has grown on me...but if someone offered me a focus st with the fr diesel engine in I would have to choose the ST over the FR.
So when the dealer offered me a Mondy st tdci [fully loaded] for the return of the FR and 400 quid to pay I was too tempted....
This is my third car in a year now !!! Focus ST, leon FR , now Mondy ST TDCi..maybe the problem lies with me !!!! lol must be at that age !!!!!!!

I am drawn to the ST3, been looking at them on tinternet today. what was wrong with the ST?

[FR*Man1984]

Sorry to hi-jack, but I've heard loads of compliants about fuel economy on Focus ST's...so maybe thats why. It's not just to ordinary people who drive them either, think a magazine was running one for 12 months, and they said they were getting rougly averaging 25mpg allot and were not happy!!!

However, I would be very tempted for one, love the looks and the sound of that 5cyl engine! yum, lol

[harveee]

I do mostly town miles and was only averaging 22 mpg !!!!! as I drive my car all day doing inspections I was filling the st up twice a week.... had the car for 10 months and loved it except for fuel economy...
It did not handle as well as the FR, was too nose heavy [2.5 eng] and tended to turn in too quick and loose the back end abit..but the ride quality/visability and leather seats were excellent..also the engine sounded lovely !! didnt turn the hifi on for weeks..
The worst thing ford did was put a trip computer in as I was constantly checking the mpg and getting anoyed as it really was hard to get over 25 mpg no matter how slowly u drove it [ mways not included].
So the only reason I got rid of it was fuel really and hve never had a diesel b4 so thought I would try one...
Had fast fords all my life since early days of lotus cortina to 3.0 litre capri then xr4i and think I am conditioned to like fords !!!

[CT Aviation]

To answer a few questions, Yes the Konis did make quite a difference but after covering almost 5000 miles in two months I never got comfortable, got peed off with having wet windows, and mainly was dissapointed with customer service from both Seat and the dealer. The dealer is also a dealer for Alfa Romeo and the gorgeous looking GT was what I was after trading the Fr back in with them for, but they just couldn't be bothered to even arrange a test drive let alone come up with any figures. So I travelled 125 miles and did a deal with another Alfa dealer who actually does seem to give customer service (obvious from a showroom full of customers) for a stunning silver GT with leather and all the goodies which is comfortable, quick (not as quick as the Fr though) and on close inspection is actually rather well screwed together.As we have owned seven other Alfas over the years and not had any particular problems .
Chris

[fivetones]

You've had 7 Alfas and not had probs? That's contrary to most people's view of Alfas.

[WildWestHero]

Chris,

Thanks for the response. If you're doing a couple of thousand of miles per month and your weren't happy with the car, then for peace of mind changing it was the way to go. My car is on lease purchase through work so I'm 'stuck' with it for 3 years.

Heard in other reviews the FR ride described as 'firm but fair'. For me though this depends on the quality of the road surface (and there are some shocking ones on the journey's I've made so far). On smooth surfaces it is great, on poor roads it's very jittery. Love the handling through country lanes though.

Got a few long trips coming up (with a mixture of M, A, and B roads) so that will probably make my mind up as regards the Koni FSD's. Before laying out 500 notes of my own money I want to be sure that I'm not happy with ride for long distances. Ultimately, if that's the way I have to go, it will hopefully be a small price to pay for a more comfortable ride.

In hindsight (wonderful thing), If I'd had a much longer test drive I think I would have stuck two fingers up to fuel consumption (as that was one of the factors in choosing the car I did) and gone for a Golf GTi (Golf GT was too dull). Don't get me wrong, I do like the car - great engine, handling, styling, bluetooth, and pretty good fuel economy. However I feel SEAT have been too radical in places (ride and visibility for starters) and may have alienated some potential buyers. There a certainly many minor things where I think why did they do that, if only they has done this. I suspect that when it's time to change my car again in 3 years the Leon Mk3 (certainly in FR mode) will not be available so I suspect it won't be a SEAT next time.

Anyway, hope you enjoy your new car.

Thanks

Jim

[k4ith]

Originally Posted by WildWestHero

Chris,

Thanks for the response. If you're doing a couple of thousand of miles per month and your weren't happy with the car, then for peace of mind changing it was the way to go. My car is on lease purchase through work so I'm 'stuck' with it for 3 years.

Heard in other reviews the FR ride described as 'firm but fair'. For me though this depends on the quality of the road surface (and there are some shocking ones on the journey's I've made so far). On smooth surfaces it is great, on poor roads it's very jittery. Love the handling through country lanes though.

Got a few long trips coming up (with a mixture of M, A, and B roads) so that will probably make my mind up as regards the Koni FSD's. Before laying out 500 notes of my own money I want to be sure that I'm not happy with ride for long distances. Ultimately, if that's the way I have to go, it will hopefully be a small price to pay for a more comfortable ride.

In hindsight (wonderful thing), If I'd had a much longer test drive I think I would have stuck two fingers up to fuel consumption (as that was one of the factors in choosing the car I did) and gone for a Golf GTi (Golf GT was too dull). Don't get me wrong, I do like the car - great engine, handling, styling, bluetooth, and pretty good fuel economy. However I feel SEAT have been too radical in places (ride and visibility for starters) and may have alienated some potential buyers. There a certainly many minor things where I think why did they do that, if only they has done this. I suspect that when it's time to change my car again in 3 years the Leon Mk3 (certainly in FR mode) will not be available so I suspect it won't be a SEAT next time.

Anyway, hope you enjoy your new car.

Thanks

Jim

the koni kit is a good buy imo. far better than oem setup.

[WildWestHero]

K4ith,

Thanks for your comments. Much appreciated. Will probably go for it as I'm sure it'll give the car the setup it deserves.

Jim

[Tom B]

So the service at Motorvogue is not all that then?

I need to get some warranty work done, should I bother?

All the best with your GT, they are beautiful cars!

[simon34]

Originally Posted by Tom B

So the service at Motorvogue is not all that then?

I need to get some warranty work done, should I bother?

All the best with your GT, they are beautiful cars!

i have had no problems with them at all third car i have had from them and very good service with all of them

[dmcordan1]

What are the koni fsd's? I can't seem to find them anywhere online.
Thanks

[MatG]

Sorry to hear you have given the car back and the other people complaining about their leons.

I feel the need to stick up for the humble leon in this thread though!

The Leon is billed as the sporty arm of the VAG group, so buying an FR or cupra you are buying a sport model. Its not meant to be a mobile office, a motorway mile muncher, its meant to be fun, quick and great handling. You can not get soft handling, but loads of grip, high mpg and decent performance, 18'' wheels and not feel pot holes.

I think its a massive shame that seat customer service has let so many people down though and that is a worry, but having a ford, and a Vauxhall on the drive as well as my Leon - I can tell you they are all as bad as each other.

When it comes down to it within the VAG group there is a car to suit an individuals needs, if you wanted a car to do 5000 miles in 2 months, with good mpg and loads of room then quite frankly you brought the wrong car for your needs.

I hope the new car serves you well

[Bigfoot]

I can confirm that the Focus ST is in fact a bloody GAS GUZLER

[SpursMadDave]

There seem to be a few posts like this still around from last year but touch wood Seat seem to have reacted (or just got lucky) cos i for one havent had any of the usual problems mentioned.... although there are obviously still going to be duff ones about as with any make and model...