(Help me decide) Leon 280 Cupra '15 vs Leon 190 FR '19

[M93]

Hey guys,

Im torn between these two cars and figured this would be the best place to ask. Im looking for a fun daily driver. Im coming from a BMW 335i and I want to buy a used Leon next. These cars both have the petrol 2.0 coupled to a DSG box. They both have 135k kms, both include a service history and their price is 18.5k.

Cupra:
+ Absolutely love the exterior
+ Its a cupra 280

FR
+ More specced
(Beats audio instead of Seat Sound)
(Digital dash)
(Touchscreen, not sure if this is a plus)
(Panoramic roof)
+ Facelift model and overall just a newer car
+ Less power but I reckon still fun and a better gas mileage


Im a motorcycle riding instructor so I need to do some spirited driving every now and then to keep up. I also want to get a trailer hitch installed to transport a motorcycle every once in a while. The sensible guy in me tells me to get the newer, more economic car. The child in me tells me to get the Cupra. Would love to hear your opinions. Thanks in advance.

 

[H Rafiq]

I have a Cupra 280 hatch, but I’d go with the FR to be honest as it’s newer and has better options. Plus, you could always stage 1 it if you need more power.

 

[tracktoy]

I would go for the 280 (that's what I have)

Personally Digital Dashboards do nothing for me (I want to drive the car not look at a screen) and to be fair if I want one I would connect a phone/tablet to OBD2 Plug using Torque Pro and build my own dash with stuff that I want in the format I want.

Do either of the cars have, DCC or ACC or Auto Lights or Heated Seats

Check the seat bolsters on the new cars there is a common fault where the plastic trim cracks on newer cars less so on older ones

Check the heating, there are many threads on here about people who have had to replace the heating matrix due to the bag in the header tank splitting.

I would expect the Cupra to have the Electronic Diff at the front, not sure if that's on the FR

You also need to check on the service history of both, have they had a DSG service and has the water pump been replaced (as this is a common fault) if not make sure the warranty covers it

 

[TripleBob]

Would definitely do the 190 - easy remap to 260bhp, and way better spec than the older Cupra with all the perks of the facelift (full led lights, bigger and better screen nav etc). You can give the 190 virtually the same power as the 280 for a small outlay - you can't give the 280 the same spec as that 190 no matter how much you spend...
Fyi - the 190 has the newer wet 7spd dsg the same as the more powerful cupras, and it has the exact same electric diff

 

[M93]

Would definitely do the 190 - easy remap to 260bhp, and way better spec than the older Cupra with all the perks of the facelift (full led lights, bigger and better screen nav etc). You can give the 190 virtually the same power as the 280 for a small outlay - you can't give the 280 the same spec as that 190 no matter how much you spend...
Fyi - the 190 has the newer wet 7spd dsg the same as the more powerful cupras, and it has the exact same electric

Thanks, I think you're spot on. 190 it is.

 

[SuperV8]

Would definitely do the 190 - easy remap to 260bhp, and way better spec than the older Cupra with all the perks of the facelift (full led lights, bigger and better screen nav etc). You can give the 190 virtually the same power as the 280 for a small outlay - you can't give the 280 the same spec as that 190 no matter how much you spend...
Fyi - the 190 has the newer wet 7spd dsg the same as the more powerful cupras, and it has the exact same electric diff

But then Cupra can remap to 350 - 400bhp!
The 190 does not have the same front locking diff from the Cupra. VAQ/Vorderachsquersperre/Ediff/ELSD/etc..