Leon FR 2.0 tdi 150 (manual) Performance disappointing

Devman

Active Member
Jun 12, 2015
10
0
Hi,
Last month I purchased my 14 Leon FR 2.0 TDI 150 having traded in a 10 Ibiza 2.0 FR TDI 140. The interior and spec is a massive improvement. I was expecting reasonably similar performance between the two based on listed 0-60 times solely, however I'm pretty disappointed. The Leon in comparison struggles in acceleration most noticeably when trying to overtake on single lane country roads at 50mph for example. The Ibiza could blast past quickly as safely, whereas the Leon , you kinda have to be much more cautious of distant oncoming traffic. I'm guessing top speed is probably around 130 mph and it wouldn't have enough to get anywhere near that even if I tried.... To be honest the power is more similar to my wife's 2010 Mini Cooper d than my old Ibiza.

Is anyone's else with the manual 150 bhp version feeling the same? Where the power at 50 upwards is just missing that 20/30%?

I've changed the driver profiles and notice absolutely no difference between normal and sport mode in terms of performance which doesn't seem right either unless it's a gimmick in the 150 version.

I don't want to take it to the dealer and waste their time if this is the norm or maybe it's actually a known or recognisable issue. Any guidance would be appreciated.
Cheers
 

Julian1977

Active Member
Jan 28, 2015
174
2
I do find mine quite fast, at least compared to my old Corolla that had a 1.6 petrol engine delivering 110 BHP. I can overtake easily and it accelerates fast IMO. But I guess it's a matter of choice.

I guess the Ibiza was lighter hence the difference.
 
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Devman

Active Member
Jun 12, 2015
10
0
I do find mine quite fast, at least compared to my old Corolla that had a 1.6 petrol engine delivering 110 BHP. I can overtake easily and it accelerates fast IMO. But I guess it's a matter of choice.

I guess the Ibiza was lighter hence the difference.

I appreciate the weight differences in the cars, however the manufacturer 0-60 of the two cars in question are 8.1 for the Ibiza and 8.4 for the Leon, therefore weight of car is already taken into account. The new Leon engine is a different engine to the Ibizan older generation engine too.

For you Julian im guessing the performance figures aren't compatible for your old 110 bhp Corolla to the Leon. Do you notice any difference between normal and sport mode in you car in terms of throttle? The car for me feels slightly underpowered for what the manufacturer figures state. It's as if sport mode isn't working to give that little bit more urgency accelerating. The turbo just isn't there...where in the older Ibiza engine it was.
I'm at a loss for an explanation.
 

Stegor

Active Member
Jul 17, 2011
332
0
The old 140 engine was a cracker but perhaps it's geared differently so that mid range isn't as good. Find a quiet stretch of road and time your 0-60. You could also hunt around on the internet for the power graphs for both engines.
 

DEAN0

Old Git
Feb 1, 2006
5,288
300
Preston - UK
I came from an Ibiza 140CR TDi.

Decided at test drive stage I would not be happy with the 150TDi Leon.

The Leon does FEEL much slower than the Ibiza - It feels like you are not moving at 40mph compared to the Ibiza.

I finally settled on the 184. Much closer in FEEL to the 140 Ibiza.

Even the 184 felt quite dozy at first when the engine was tight. it's only after 3000 miles where the motor feels like it has freed up a bit and is starting to feel like the Ibiza motor.

EDIT - if you really can't live with the 150 - a DTUK box will wake it up and make it feel more lively.
 
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garybuttle

Active Member
Oct 27, 2011
129
3
depends which gear you are in when you put your foot down, if 6th then its only turning at 1300 revs so hardly likely to pick up very quickly, but if you drop inti 3rd should pin you in the seat within reason.
Seems very little quicker than my ibiza 1.6 tdi sport because its so smooth and quiet, but overtaking is when you really notice the gap closing bloody quickly.
 

seatstu

Full Member
Apr 15, 2004
209
0
I test drove a 150 leon when i was looking to buy one with my company car allowance. I must say that I was really disappointed too, it had no get up and go at all, I found myself flat to the floor on slip roads joining motorways and no real overtaking acceleration even at 70mph. My wife has the 184 which is quick and much better/easier to drive, never have to put foot to the floor. I ended up buying a Mk2 Supercopa 170bhp instead and love it as I couldn't stretch to the cost of a Mk3 184 for myself.
Not sure why the 150 feels so slow, perhaps they have over geared it to get the economy.
 

Devman

Active Member
Jun 12, 2015
10
0
Cheers for the replies guys. I guess I'm not the only one then noticing this then. I don't want to thrash the car to get the performance I was expecting and still be disappointed. With the Ibiza you could rely on when the power was going to kick in, and therefore overtake safely. I've nearly come up short a couple of times with the Leon. So, basically it seems get the 184 if you want performance otherwise get the 1.6 tdi and be content trundling along with excellent economy.
I couldn't find a 2014 184 bhp with the 18" wheels when I wanted to change so settled for the 150.maybe I should have waited or compromised on the wheels instead. It's a shame as everything else about the car is cracking. I have had the 1.8 tsi as a courtesy car and wasn't exactly blown away there either now I come to think of it. Next time I'll take my test drive on a dual carriageway!
 

DEAN0

Old Git
Feb 1, 2006
5,288
300
Preston - UK
Cheers for the replies guys. I guess I'm not the only one then noticing this then. I don't want to thrash the car to get the performance I was expecting and still be disappointed. With the Ibiza you could rely on when the power was going to kick in, and therefore overtake safely. I've nearly come up short a couple of times with the Leon. So, basically it seems get the 184 if you want performance otherwise get the 1.6 tdi and be content trundling along with excellent economy.
I couldn't find a 2014 184 bhp with the 18" wheels when I wanted to change so settled for the 150.maybe I should have waited or compromised on the wheels instead. It's a shame as everything else about the car is cracking. I have had the 1.8 tsi as a courtesy car and wasn't exactly blown away there either now I come to think of it. Next time I'll take my test drive on a dual carriageway!

Sounds like your quick fix would be a DTUK box on the 150.

They are quoting around 200hp ( up from 150 ) and 445nm ( up from 320 )

That is going to put you better than a factory 184 with better economy when you do take it easy.
 

Pew.

Active Member
Mar 23, 2012
1,451
142
Scotland
I have the dtuk box. There are 2, theres a box with 3 maps offering 190bhp and a stage2 box which also increase boost and fueling which offers 197bhp off the top of my head.
I have the standard box on my 150tdi. Even 6th gear pulls now.

I came from a stage 1 20vt cupra to my 150tdi SC and I didn't mind 1st to 3rd hear but found 4th onwards pretty weak. DTUK box has sorted that

Sent from my LG G Flex2
 

Stegor

Active Member
Jul 17, 2011
332
0
Cheers for the replies guys. I guess I'm not the only one then noticing this then. I don't want to thrash the car to get the performance I was expecting and still be disappointed. With the Ibiza you could rely on when the power was going to kick in, and therefore overtake safely. I've nearly come up short a couple of times with the Leon. So, basically it seems get the 184 if you want performance otherwise get the 1.6 tdi and be content trundling along with excellent economy.
I couldn't find a 2014 184 bhp with the 18" wheels when I wanted to change so settled for the 150.maybe I should have waited or compromised on the wheels instead. It's a shame as everything else about the car is cracking. I have had the 1.8 tsi as a courtesy car and wasn't exactly blown away there either now I come to think of it. Next time I'll take my test drive on a dual carriageway!

You've got to keep the revs up with the petrol engines as they don't have the low end torque of the diesels. The 1.8 is a good compromise if you don't want a diesel otherwise I'd go for a 184 every time (I think the 184 wasn't available with DSG when I bought my 1.8).
 

Julian1977

Active Member
Jan 28, 2015
174
2
Do you notice any difference between normal and sport mode in you car in terms of throttle?

Yes, I do. The car is more responsive in Sport mode. Maybe you should test it. Find a straight road and do two runs, one in Eco, one in Sport.

On the other side, sometimes the car doesn't feel like it's actually doing the speed shown by the speedometer.

Overall I am happy with the performance. I didn't drive an 184 let alone a Cupra and whilst I am sure they are much better, mine serves the purpose I purchased it for.
 

LeonFRTDi

MrGadget
Jan 29, 2005
373
0
Northsostishire
well after 10yrs of the best car by miles ive ever had the mk1 leon FR 150hp PD Engine.
I now have the 184hp mk3
Was never a real fan of the mk2 & I think if they still made the mk1 I'd buy another tomorrow.
its a totally diff engine but when you need the power its there & id say theres def more.
But its so much smoother & quieter you wouldn't think it was a Diesel anymore.
The worse noise it makes is on take over I cant make my mind up but it sounds nowt like a diesel
but like a harsh pissy petrol...

Just to add the diff in price NEW £900 over the 150 vs 184 is a no brainer...
Much better rear suspension & bigger brakes as well as the HP increase.

after having the mk1 with 1.9PD 150hp & 320nm of Torque which funny enuff is ni on identical to the Mk3 150hp 2lt engine.

There was no way I was having any less in me next car.

Dunno why there isn't a 7th gear option now coz it would pull in it no probs.
 
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jskelton555

Active Member
Feb 23, 2008
53
2
staffordshire
Hi,
I went from a Mk1 leon fr tdi (150) to a mk3 FR tdi, once its eased off its not bad at all, I did notice the very high gearing that's on the mk 3. My Mk1 was happy in 6th gear a lot of the time, this is 4-5th gear but is far more leisurely in top gear, economy is better at higher speeds due to this. now I am used to it you learn to keep it in lower gears for quick acceleration
 

DEAN0

Old Git
Feb 1, 2006
5,288
300
Preston - UK
Hi,
I went from a Mk1 leon fr tdi (150) to a mk3 FR tdi, once its eased off its not bad at all, I did notice the very high gearing that's on the mk 3. My Mk1 was happy in 6th gear a lot of the time, this is 4-5th gear but is far more leisurely in top gear, economy is better at higher speeds due to this. now I am used to it you learn to keep it in lower gears for quick acceleration

The CR motors don't seem to have that punch that the older PD motors possessed.

I went from a PD130 Ibiza to a CR143 Ibiza and missed the punch.

Then went from the CR143 Ibiza to a CR184 Leon and although it is quick - still lacks that punch.
 

LeonFRTDi

MrGadget
Jan 29, 2005
373
0
Northsostishire
have to say even tho its the lastest tech is there any need for this power shut off when freewheeling so to speak down a hill or slight gradient only to apply the power and theres a delay....
Arrrrrggggg

Car does 1600revs @ 60mph but under 3,000 at 100mph iam sure the mk2 was around 3,000 at that speed is the final drive geared higher possibly ??

infact iam sure I was at 110 & it was still under 3,000revs on a private Road of course ;-)
 
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DEAN0

Old Git
Feb 1, 2006
5,288
300
Preston - UK
have to say even tho its the lastest tech is there any need for this power shut off when freewheeling so to speak down a hill or slight gradient only to apply the power and theres a delay....
Arrrrrggggg

Car does 1600revs @ 60mph but under 3,000 at 100mph iam sure the mk2 was around 3,000 at that speed is the final drive geared higher possibly ??

the 184 is way overgeared.

I get better fuel consumption using 5th and cruise control on the motorway than I do if I use 6th and cruise control ( based on the same speed )
 

LeonFRTDi

MrGadget
Jan 29, 2005
373
0
Northsostishire
The CR motors don't seem to have that punch that the older PD motors possessed.

I went from a PD130 Ibiza to a CR143 Ibiza and missed the punch.

Then went from the CR143 Ibiza to a CR184 Leon and although it is quick - still lacks that punch.

The PD Engines run higher fuel pressures than current Common Rail !!!

PD Engine was & still are a great piece of engineering
 

LeonFRTDi

MrGadget
Jan 29, 2005
373
0
Northsostishire
the 184 is way overgeared.

I get better fuel consumption using 5th and cruise control on the motorway than I do if I use 6th and cruise control ( based on the same speed )

oh am happy with its gearing did 430mile trip to Lincolnshire last week A1 all the way & easily ave 80mph a fair way there n back Car still returned 58mpg if Computer is not lying.
three folks in car, same journey with the Mk1 would see it around 50mpg at them speeds but no more
You had to keep it 70mph max to get into the mid 50 mpg range.
Yet it would do 600 plus out of every tank & will the right additive in over 700miles.

Ive tried the Car in all the MODES and once your cruising it makes naff all diff to the overall MPGs

But that SoundAcktor doesn't half get on your wick at motorway speeds.....
 
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