Buying advice - 1.6 SX

[jamb0n]

^^ This

linkyone to have a gander at

If you hadn't said that you would be doing minimal mileage I would have suggested a diesel but you'd never make up the premium paid for it through savings on fuel.

I wasn't trying to put you off with the head gasket talk mate just trying to make you aware if you weren't already that it could be a problem further down the line if it hasn't been attended to properly! Check to make sure the oil (on the dipstick especially, not so much around the oil cap) is black and not cloudy/milky otherwise water has got in there and that spells head gasket trouble. You should probably walk away from it if that is the case.

Don't bother asking them to re-gas it if there is nothing wrong as it will just piss em off lol and you'll probably come off as a pain in the ass and who knows they might even refuse to sell you the car. There loss? your loss?...you decide

I like the feel of the clutch but I haven't had much experience of other cars so I can't really comment tbh lol just a few bmw's and french cars that I've driven on random occasions.

I think the belt that is visible is the alternator belt (someone please correct me if I'm wrong) but does the squeaking sound like this?

linky

The general consensus is that the standard speakers and quite good and even the Aura head unit that comes in it is fairly decent and good enough for the average person. If you're a sound freak then it probably won't be good enough but for most it is. If you want to change anything first then you should change the head unit first and go from there.

All in all I'll say it again I'm not trying to put you off the car at all just trying to help you avoid paying for a lemon if that's what it is.

That car looks good, it needs TLC though!

No, that's fine! I'm all for listening on what to look out for - everything mentioned in this thread has helped me immensely.

I'll check the dipstick when I get to look at it, do I need to have it running for a bit or will it show from cold?

The noise is like that but is not as loud or constant, just an intermittent belt noise that is slightly audible when the engine is running - when I lifted up the bonnet it did sound like it was coming from that belt, the trader said it's the alternator belt.

I think I'll stick with the stock speakers (hated replacing them in the Rover). I'll keep the head unit for a while. Is the glovebox not very big? I'm just wondering if I overlooked the fact it may have been a disc changer there... I'll probably change the head unit just so I can have aux in or usb/sd card to play music from.

I'm hoping that when I can pick it up and they've tidied up those problems, I'll test drive it again and think it's perfect - then I'll be happy!

 

[Greenjag]

Trust me you won't want to upgrade the stock speakers. They are pretty damn awesome for stock. As for aux in. I bought a cable of eBay (connects2) I think it was called took me 5mins to install. One end plugs into head unit other is 3.5mm headphone socket. Makes the head unit think the cable is the cd changer. I plug my iPhone into it, and play my music through it. And when get a call, it turns stereo into handsfree kit. best bit of kit I bought for it.
Don't forget to buy a seatcupra.net sticker depending on colour it adds between 10-15 bhp
GJ

 

[53 Leon SX]

Check the engine cold for oil.

The alternator belt may be something to take note of then. My car made a similar noise and i just got it changed when it had its service and the noise went away but I can't tell you for definite if the noise requires action though ideally it shouldn't be noticeable. The belt might just be on its way out.

Glove box is somewhat... disappointing size wize lol I don't think the sx models came with the 6cd disc changer as standard. There are a couple options of being able to use the stock HU with usually a cable of some sort like greenjag has said that can attach to either the HU or even the cd changer lead that should be behind the glovebox trim so you use your ipod/mp3/phone etc. I changed mine anyway.

 

[jamb0n]

Trust me you won't want to upgrade the stock speakers. They are pretty damn awesome for stock. As for aux in. I bought a cable of eBay (connects2) I think it was called took me 5mins to install. One end plugs into head unit other is 3.5mm headphone socket. Makes the head unit think the cable is the cd changer. I plug my iPhone into it, and play my music through it. And when get a call, it turns stereo into handsfree kit. best bit of kit I bought for it.
Don't forget to buy a seatcupra.net sticker depending on colour it adds between 10-15 bhp
GJ

The cable seems to be £58-60 including delivery on ebay - does that seem reasonable?
I think I'd like to leave the head unit stock so this would be ideal - thanks.
Nice, I'll get the sticker - it'll save me having to get some go faster stripes for the bhp increase!

Check the engine cold for oil.

The alternator belt may be something to take note of then. My car made a similar noise and i just got it changed when it had its service and the noise went away but I can't tell you for definite if the noise requires action though ideally it shouldn't be noticeable. The belt might just be on its way out.

Glove box is somewhat... disappointing size wize lol I don't think the sx models came with the 6cd disc changer as standard. There are a couple options of being able to use the stock HU with usually a cable of some sort like greenjag has said that can attach to either the HU or even the cd changer lead that should be behind the glovebox trim so you use your ipod/mp3/phone etc. I changed mine anyway.

Well he said he'll replace it, so when I test drive it again I'll get to see whether it was sorted or not.

I'm not that bothered about the size of the glove box. I want this car so badly!

Edit: Just read another thread which says that you can use a normal 3.5mm jack? I don't mind not having controls from the stereo just the ability to plug in my phone to the Head Unit.

Thanks again!

 

[Greenjag]

I think it was roughly £30 I paid for mine.
GJ.

 

[Greenjag]

Sorry for multiple posts, I need to get
My post count up so I can post a useful link for you.

 

[Greenjag]

Take a nosy in this thread now I've hit the magic 15 posts.
http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?t=299616
Work out which cable you need and google the part number for best price. Only other thing you need is the stereo removal keys. Some people will say just cut up an old plastic creditcard type thing. But if like me your backhanded their only £4 from halfords.

 

[jamb0n]

Take a nosy in this thread now I've hit the magic 15 posts.
linky
Work out which cable you need and google the part number for best price. Only other thing you need is the stereo removal keys. Some people will say just cut up an old plastic creditcard type thing. But if like me your backhanded their only £4 from halfords.

Nice! Thank you very much. I'll wait till I pick up the car and I'll get that ordered.

 

[Greenjag]

No worries
One more thing. That really loud beep, the one That will scare **** out of you in first week or two, is only the low fluid in washer bottle warning.
GJ

 

[jamb0n]

Interesting...

Did an HPI check and:

Source Date Mileage
DVLA 09/06/2011 154,000

I guess I should check the service stamps and the mileage and any recent MOTs!?!?

I'm going to pick it up tomorrow!

 

[jamb0n]

The original ad says 105,000 miles btw!

 

[Greenjag]

That's really bad news. I'd want to a decent explanation from the garage before getting my money back. Looks to me from what you've said is the garage have a car with service history till 100k. With nothing after that. So wound back mileage till it meets service history. Hpi is rarely wrong.
I'd be walking away, hard to do when you've set your heart on it. But I wouldn't be able to trust anything the garage have said to you.
GJ

 

[Greenjag]

Especially since with those engine niggles and funny head gasket change.
I'd be walking away with my money and looking for another one.

 

[jamb0n]

That's really bad news. I'd want to a decent explanation from the garage before getting my money back. Looks to me from what you've said is the garage have a car with service history till 100k. With nothing after that. So wound back mileage till it meets service history. Hpi is rarely wrong.
I'd be walking away, hard to do when you've set your heart on it. But I wouldn't be able to trust anything the garage have said to you.
GJ

Especially since with those engine niggles and funny head gasket change.
I'd be walking away with my money and looking for another one.

Does the servicing booklet thing have dates on it? What if the booklet has the right service intervals with dates should that change my mind?

Also the MOT was done recently (it says it has a long MOT) so I guess that won't be much help will it as it could have "clocked" miles on it?

Any more advice?

I've read that there can be clerical errors when inputting the mileage?

Is it's strange that only one date and mileage is recorded on the Mileage Records?

This sucks!

 

[Greenjag]

Mileage is recorded on each MOT, if you have the MOT number you can look it up online.
Anyone can make a full service history with a kiddies stamper set.
I'd be very wary of the garage. From now on.
It sucks big time. But if you buy it and it's a complete shed. It'll suck even more. Especially if that engine let's go.
GJ

 

[53 Leon SX]

Mileage is recorded on each MOT, if you have the MOT number you can look it up online.
Anyone can make a full service history with a kiddies stamper set.
I'd be very wary of the garage. From now on.
It sucks big time. But if you buy it and it's a complete shed. It'll suck even more. Especially if that engine let's go.
GJ

All of this is good advice. I assume you already have a deposit on the car of some sort if you're picking it up tomorrow?

 

[jamb0n]

Mileage is recorded on each MOT, if you have the MOT number you can look it up online.
Anyone can make a full service history with a kiddies stamper set.
I'd be very wary of the garage. From now on.
It sucks big time. But if you buy it and it's a complete shed. It'll suck even more. Especially if that engine let's go.
GJ

All of this is good advice. I assume you already have a deposit on the car of some sort if you're picking it up tomorrow?

Okay so... if I go to the directgov motinfo.. I can put in the REG & the mot test number or the number from the v5c then I'll get all the data from 2005 onwards - OH YEAH.

I can try to do that on my phone tomorrow or use their computer if they're confident they haven't clocked it.

Yes, I put down a £100 cash deposit so I need to go there tomorrow morning.

 

[Greenjag]

Get as much ammo as possible before going to the garage. Make sure
Ask for your deposit back. If they get funny just remind them you put the deposit on a 100k car not a 150k car. Google your local trading standards officer. Remember his name drop it into conversation (i.e. They refuse your deposit you say something like "I'll have to give Dave Jones a bell he works in trading standards see what he says") make sure you have his number already in your phone. And don't be afraid to use it if they call your bluff.
GJ.

 

[53 Leon SX]

Yes you can and should do that. Take a print out of the HPI check also. When you check it tomorrow if the government mot history confirms the 154,000 miles on the car then don't walk, run away. An average of 22,000 miles a year over the course of that cars short life, gives some insight into the hg issues and the expectancy of many more issues down the line suspension, bushes, etc etc. Don't listen to any bs, get your deposit back if you can, and leave in the knowledge that you've saved yourself loads of trouble down the line

 

[Greenjag]

+1 ^^^^^
And most importantly start looking for another Leon. That you will be able to enjoy without worrying about it.
GJ