Dissapointed - Leon FR

[Stuart83]

I personally love the Leon, including the interior. But then again, I'm changing from a French car!

I prefer it over the Golf any day, mostly due to the price. If you think the Leon lacks quality compared to the Golf, then have you observed the quality difference between a MKV and MKIV Golf? My parent's 03 reg Golf has much better quality plastics than the mkV!!!

 

[mhill]

Have you looked at the BMW 1 series?

 

[runer]

Hi,
These are my two bits. Since my company's policy while traveling for work is that I am not allowed to use my personal car ( for insurance purposes) hence I have to get a rental for travelling to places Like Belgium & Germany for a period between 2 - 4 days. I've tried the Astra, new & old focus, 307 and tbh they felt really crap next to the mk 4 Ibiza that I had in terms of drivability (I think the MK4 has one of the most dullest interior ever). I now have the 2.0TDI stylance & must say its much better than the Ibiza and IMO than the other cars mentioned here above. You are going to pay a premium to get the best when you purchase the Astra etc & much more with Golf, Audi, Volvo etc.

PS - Some SOB kicked in both my side mirrors ( hope the f..... rots in hell).

 

[baldrick]

I must admit I find the Leon/Altea FR dashes look a bit after market with the white inserts although I could live with them to get the best engines. Top Gear just slated the Leon Cupra interior in their hot hatch comparison. I don't think it is a very safe choice but there are more than enough safe looking interiors right now.

The Leon Cupra is a cracking looking car in yellow IMHO.

Back to the OP's choice, another option maybe the Golf GT TSI. It is a cheaper company car than the diesel and depending how your fuel works with your company 1.4 petrols are rated at 9p per mile the same as 2.0 diesels by the inland revenue. So you could have a 170bhp supercharged and turbocharged petrol instead of a diesel if that appeals. I drove one coming straight out of a 2.5 V6 Alfa and it performed in a similar way.

My only problem was I then drove a GTI and fell in love with the 2.0T FSI engine!

It is also worth noting that the corresponding Audi A3s tend to have lower CO2 emissions than the Golfs and SEATs. Plus VW won't give fleets discounts like Audi will, which may impact what you are allowed. I am allowed an Audi A3 Sportback 2.0T S-Line but not a Golf GTI. Plus with the lower CO2 of the A3 there is no personal cost to having a car with 2-3k higher RRP. The same applies to the TDIs.

With company cars there can be big variations between ranges, you have to look very carefully. An Audi A3 2.0T petrol DSG has a CO2 rating at 23% of retail cost, the Golf GT TDI 170 DSG 24%, the Golf GTI 2.0T DSG petrol 25%. So then it comes down to mileage and preference for petrol or diesel.

Diesels are favourable for company cars but there are some very efficient petrol engines in the VAG range, so it is worth taking a look.

 

[mklock]

Update.

Been driving the Leon all day today, i've changed my mind today. I sat in the Golf again and decided that the Leon is better. Although the steering is too light, but the dealer seems to think that there is a fix for this? I also believe the brakes in the golf were much better too.

But with the Leon i can add quite a few options to it, but with the golf im limited. The one i test drove in the week had more extras on it than id spec'd making it a more appealing car. But after having another look and a chat at the dealers, if decided that the Leon is the car for me.

With regard to Petrol or diesel. I roughly drive 50 miles a day and pay for my own petrol/Diesel so im trying to balance fun and economy.

I did think about the BMW 1 series. But i think its in the same boat as the golf. You need to spend far too much to get what you want, and currently the diesel engine is only kicking out around 140bhp with a 0-62 of 10?.
I have however heard a rumour that they are changing all the engines in april with a new diesel engine expected to kick out 128mg of CO2. If that happens it may be worth it, but i will have to order before then.

Now i suppose the next question is colour, i need to see pics really. would love another Yellow one but i am unconvinced that it will suit the car as much as it did the old one.

 

[baldrick]

Update.

Been driving the Leon all day today, i've changed my mind today. I sat in the Golf again and decided that the Leon is better. Although the steering is too light, but the dealer seems to think that there is a fix for this?

Yes, the electro-mechanical power steering can be adjusted using the plug in diagnostic software (VAG-COM) for any of the VAG range.

 

[Nathanio]

The thing with the 1 series is that it looks like a bread van! Why would you want to be seen in one?

 

[Saul]

same boat for me too.

drove a 120d over the weekend, good engine (163bhp) but tiny car inside, too small for me. As you say tho the three door is released in april with a newer 2.0D that has more power and torque and less emissions, not as well built as a 3 series though

also drove a leon fr tdi, loved the seats and engine, brakes were good again not convinced by the dash and also felt a little claustrophobic due to the high doors and blind spots

golf gt 170 is next on my list to test, but does look a little plain jane though

 

[swoods]

Noticed on Top Gear last night that the Seat Leon FR was under the 'Cool' Section on the 'Cool Wall'. Is that a good enough reason to go for the Leon?

 

[Jace]

I cant see how you can compare the 3 TBH

Audi A3 Sportback 2.0 TDI 170 S line 5dr
PRICE: £23,465
FOR
The Audi A3 Sportback looks very stylish inside and out, and it’s built to the high standards we expect of Audi. It also drives with real polish.

AGAINST
The price may put off some buyers, and the steering lacks the precision of a BMW Compact’s.


Volkswagen Golf Hatchback 2.0 TDI 170 GT 3dr
PRICE: £19,095
FOR
The Golf is fast, fun and has an engaging drive. Build quality is superb, safety kit is good and it's spacious, too.

AGAINST
It's expensive compared with its rivals with similar performance.

Seat Leon Hatchback 2.0 TDI FR 5dr
PRICE: £17,495
FOR
Strong, flexible engines, while sharp handling and impressive composure make for a fun drive. Prices are tempting, too.

AGAINST
The ride is overly firm, and road noise filters through to the cabin. Some rivals are faster.



I havent driven an A3, but I thought the interior on the MK5 Golf was very cheap compaired to my MK4, so real cost cutting on materials & their "feeling"

Yea, the LEON isnt the most amazing interior, but for the ££££, well how does the old saying go "you get what you pay for"






A3 Interior

Golf Interior

Leon Interior

 

[mklock]

Noticed on Top Gear last night that the Seat Leon FR was under the 'Cool' Section on the 'Cool Wall'. Is that a good enough reason to go for the Leon?

I thought id be the only one who would notice that. Any ideas when they put that on there?

 

[mklock]

Im now feeling more confortable with the leon. At first few its horrible, but behind the wheel is better than the golf. it is spacious and clear and no plastic horrid switches. I felt in the golf that the radio display was over kill too and is not angled towards the driver.

The steering will definately need altering though. The golf felt good on cornering, where as the Leon is far too light. if there are 6 settings, Im guessing the leon is set at setting 1 and the golf 3. This may account to why i still feel the golf was a better drive...Just.

I think Seat should advertise the fact that the steering weight can be changed, if i hadn't spoken to the dealer or checked out Honest John i would not have known.

The ride is firm, but no more so than my current car. As for road noise, the volume control on the stereo is a good counter measure

i feel silly now


Currently thinking Zenith Grey or Crono Yellow

 

[Rob GTI]

The steering will definately need altering though. The golf felt good on cornering, where as the Leon is far too light. if there are 6 settings, Im guessing the leon is set at setting 1 and the golf 3. This may account to why i still feel the golf was a better drive...Just.

How do you change the steering settings? I assume it a dealer onyl thing?

 

[Jace]

How do you change the steering settings? I assume it a dealer onyl thing?

I'm sure its a VAGCOM thing

 

[mklock]

yes apparently the dealer can change the weight of the steering through the diagnostic port. The dealership at letchworth had not done any of these yet, but said that he new other dealers had done.

Not sure if it would be covered under warranty yet, will find out tomorrow

 

[Rob GTI]

yes apparently the dealer can change the weight of the steering through the diagnostic port. The dealership at letchworth had not done any of these yet, but said that he new other dealers had done.

Not sure if it would be covered under warranty yet, will find out tomorrow

Let us know how you get on. From what I remember of test driving the FR and the GTI the FR was a lot lighter and I would be interested in adjusting the weighing as well.

 

[mklock]

Will do

 

[fivetones]

Currently thinking Zenith Grey or Crono Yellow

Candy White. We have a black fr tdi, if the white had been available we'd have gone for that.

 

[baldrick]

I cant see how you can compare the 3 TBH

Don't forget the OP was referring to company cars. The Audi produces less CO2 than the Golf which in turn produces less CO2 than the SEAT, despite all having the same engine.

Then understand the cost of a company car includes the fixed cost of loss of allowance (if offered) and the variable cost of tax which is related to CO2 and vehicle cost.

For a car owner paying 40% tax over 3 years the 3 vehicles variable cost is as follows:

Audi £5631
VW £4812
Seat £4618

As you can see the differential is now way different to purchasing outright.

So for an additional £194 you can have the Golf or for an additional £1013 you can have the Audi. Compared with the near £6k difference of rrps.

The Leon is great value if paying for it yourself, but as a company car purchase it all gets a bit closer. If the cars were £17495, £17688 & £18508 would you consider comparing the three?

I know it is sad I know all this but I have been doing the company car maths with the VAG range!

 

[mklock]

Luckily/ or unluckily depending how you look at it, im in the 22% bracket, but you are spot on with regard to how it all works.
Intially we are given a "Budget" of around £16k as a guide. It all comes down to Lease cost, i believe we are allowed a maximum of £340 per month. which can be hard to find descent cars.

I did ask initially if a Volvo C30 was in range (£19k) or the civic (19k) the Civic was but the Volvo was an additional £50 per month.

To put this into context a few years ago, lots of people in the company bought Chrysler Neons (why i will not know) because they came with everything for £16k
Due to risiduals this cost the company in excess of £400 per month, where as a porshe boxter (35k) at the time came in at £420.

Estimated tax costs per month to me are

Golf £86 approx + Fuel (320 miles per week)
Leon £78 approx + Fuel (320 miles per week)
Civic £65 approx + Fuel (320 miles per week)


Also i asked this morning about the Steering. Yes they all can do it but will only do it FOC if you are a regular customer. Im not entirely sure this is the official stance but my local dealer is the Cheshunt Motor company and said try to get the lease comany to get the steering weighted before you take delivery, but if not we can do it for you.

I would also like to add, that due to the incompetence of the Inland Revenue who forgot to tax me for my first company car, im paying an additional £50 per month tax on a car i haven't had for 3 years.