So, after nearly two years of MK4 ownership and continuing unresolvable software issues (including the Sat Nav being reset to a pre-production version following the 1896 upgrade), our early build FR 150 MK4 has been exchanged for a last of line MK3 FR 150 (Black Edition) with a DSG gearbox and winter pack. Our thanks to our dealer for their patience and helping us resolve the situation. Whilst we had to pay money out for the purchase (the MK3 was registered on the road after our MK4 so is a 21 registration), it was a real pleasure getting back into a car with rotary heater controls, no lane assistance and a decent satnav where you can easily search on postcodes. It is also good having the DSG gearbox and the luxury of heated seats. We're still loyal to the brand but not to the MK4!
Goodbye to MK4 Leon, Hello to MK3
- Thread starter Philk
- Start date
Reading on this forum and quite a few VW forums of the ongoing buggy and gremlin affected software (in spite of the fixes) used in the current generation of VAG vehicles, I don’t blame you for ‘upgrading‘ to a mk3 Leon. Granted, most car manufacturers have some issues with their software, but VAG certainly seem to have more than it’s fair share, resulting in frustration for many owners.
After 20 years of VW’s, when the time comes to change my current car (probably in 2.5 - 3 years time), the replacement is very likely to be wearing a badge from outside VAG.
Enjoy your new car and may you have many trouble free miles of motoring.
After 20 years of VW’s, when the time comes to change my current car (probably in 2.5 - 3 years time), the replacement is very likely to be wearing a badge from outside VAG.
Enjoy your new car and may you have many trouble free miles of motoring.
We had a MK3 Leon FR previously so it seemed a natural choice to do a like for like switch to the MK4. The problems started immediately and, to be honest, it's now a real pleasure to go back to the MK3 FR. Whilst subjective to the user, we feel the seats are more comfortable too. I'm in the process of uploading radio station logos and, again, this is possible in the MK3 but not in the MK4.
This is really interesting.
Glad you are happy with your new mk3 even if you have had to pay out more for it.
It’s disappointing though when you’ve obviously had problems with the Mk4 for 2 years and it’s never been resolved.
I know every car manufacturer is the same in moving things on with technology etc not just Seat/ Cupra but it’s more hassle than it’s worth.
I have looked at a few new cars over the past year cause I need a new daily soon but none have them have appealed with touchscreens and ultra light steering that have no feel whatsoever.
I like to feel like I’m driving a car not steering an I pad and have fake sound pumped into the cabin.
This plus the ridiculous wait times for most new cars and to be honest the prices are putting me off a new one.
I have a mk1 Leon Cupra R as my hobby car and I love it to bits. The steering wheel is exactly that, not a remote control for the infotainment or the cruise control, you can change gear when you want not when the car tells you and it doesn’t steer you into the path of oncoming traffic if you’re moving to the left to avoid a tractor coming the opposite direction.
The fact you’ve gone back to a mk3 should be a lesson to Seat and the VW group that they need to go back to the drawing board with all this tech or else they will be loosing customers when the time comes for a new car.
Glad you are happy with your new mk3 even if you have had to pay out more for it.
It’s disappointing though when you’ve obviously had problems with the Mk4 for 2 years and it’s never been resolved.
I know every car manufacturer is the same in moving things on with technology etc not just Seat/ Cupra but it’s more hassle than it’s worth.
I have looked at a few new cars over the past year cause I need a new daily soon but none have them have appealed with touchscreens and ultra light steering that have no feel whatsoever.
I like to feel like I’m driving a car not steering an I pad and have fake sound pumped into the cabin.
This plus the ridiculous wait times for most new cars and to be honest the prices are putting me off a new one.
I have a mk1 Leon Cupra R as my hobby car and I love it to bits. The steering wheel is exactly that, not a remote control for the infotainment or the cruise control, you can change gear when you want not when the car tells you and it doesn’t steer you into the path of oncoming traffic if you’re moving to the left to avoid a tractor coming the opposite direction.
The fact you’ve gone back to a mk3 should be a lesson to Seat and the VW group that they need to go back to the drawing board with all this tech or else they will be loosing customers when the time comes for a new car.
We are loyal SEAT customers (we've had several Leons and Ibizas over the years) so the MK4 was a big disappointment. Having to pay a bit more for the MK3 was as much down to the state of the current market as it was to the fact it is the Black Edition with Digital Cockpit, black trim and wheels, microsuede seats plus the DSG gearbox (which is very good). Also a good colour (Magnetic grey). In a way, it's also nice to have one of the last off the line. Aside from the software, we found the MK4 to be well screwed together albeit lacking some of the soul of the MK3. The continuing software issues killed it for us though plus the well commented on absence of proper switches and heater controls. When we did the test drive a week or so back, getting back into the MK3 was like meeting up again with an old friend. Definitely more involving to drive and so much simpler and more intuitive to use the infotainment.
![IMG_0285[9034].jpg](https://www.seatcupra.net/forums/attachments/img_0285-9034-jpg.33995/ "IMG_0285[9034].jpg")
With my MK3 I could count the issues it had the whole three years on the fingers of one hand; ACT was jerky, display dimmed to black, clutch bite and a rattle on the turbo actuator - that's it.
On the MK4 I wouldn't know where to begin with the list of poor design and software shortcomings they released it with, but I certainly don't have enough fingers or toes. It's certainly the most inherently unsafe car I've ever driven, the most distracting to the driver when even the 'safety' systems are trying to kill you.
I'd go back to my MK3 in a heartbeat, so I totally understand you actually doing it.
On the MK4 I wouldn't know where to begin with the list of poor design and software shortcomings they released it with, but I certainly don't have enough fingers or toes. It's certainly the most inherently unsafe car I've ever driven, the most distracting to the driver when even the 'safety' systems are trying to kill you.
I'd go back to my MK3 in a heartbeat, so I totally understand you actually doing it.
Would also love to go back to my MK3. Haven't been able to resolve "electric drive not working" error for the last 2 months on my FR ehybrid (electric mode still works fine but the error is annoying, maybe 1896 related). Took it to the Seat dealer and they had it all day to only then be told it needed to be a specialist high voltage dealer. I was like er, I specifically brought it in for the electric error which you knew about. I asked if they could plug it in and read the codes at least but apparently nobody was able to do it at that dealer. Very strange and annoying situation.
MK3 was a much nicer driver, better handling, proper heating controls, better brakes (really do not like the brakes on this particular car, I'm guessing the cupra etc are much better), having to turn lane guidance off every time, seems to take me ages to find things in the infotainment.
MK3 was a much nicer driver, better handling, proper heating controls, better brakes (really do not like the brakes on this particular car, I'm guessing the cupra etc are much better), having to turn lane guidance off every time, seems to take me ages to find things in the infotainment.
This is going to become more and more of an issue. With battery packs that are almost 3x mains voltage and basically unlimited current, no one wants to work on EV/hybrid stuff. The amount of health and safety assesments, training and protective measures needed to work on them, means 99% of garages and main dealers don't want to touch anythinng related to the HV system.
Similar threads
