Looking to buy a '64 plate Leon 1.6 TDI SE

[Karmann_65]

The wife is in the market for a replacement for her ever reliable ten year old 1.9TDi Altea Sport.

One of her stipulations is that it must be a nice shade of blue.

She likes the look of new shape Audi A3's but the price is over our budget for a low mileage example and the interior spec is often (how shall I put this?) underwhelming.

My daily driver is a 2.0TDi ST Exeo so we're no strangers to the Seat brand.

After much online searching and ticking a lot of boxes is the Seat Leon 1.6 TDI SE TECHNOLOGY 5d 105 BHP. Low tax, modern good looks (in a nice shade of blue), Sat Nav and seemingly great economy.

£10,000 gets a clean low mileage car.

Are there any downsides to this model with its 1.6TDi? DPF's, EGR's, economy not being as advertised etc? Or other known issues of any kind.

Thanks in advance

 

[KXL]

What is the mileage? It's still has a bit left on warranty isn't it?

If it's fully serviced and you usually drive longer(ish) journeys (prefierably on motorway @ 70+mph), the odd short journey is ok, give it good fuel (BP/Shell/Esso) diesel. These cars should run well.

If you do get it, i recommend putting 1 or 2 full tank of Shell V power Nitro Plus Diesel, to clean out the engine a little bit, then resort to regular good diesel. Both the longer journeys and good fuel usually helps keep the DPF in check.

I had the 2.0TDI prior, did 8k miles in 24 months, predominately city driving with once or once in 2 months longer journeys (more than 50 miles at speed) the DPF light never once came on, but it was fed only Shell/Esso diesel with the odd tank of Shell Vpower.

 

[Karmann_65]

What is the mileage? It's still has a bit left on warranty isn't it?

If it's fully serviced and you usually drive longer(ish) journeys (prefierably on motorway @ 70+mph), the odd short journey is ok, give it good fuel (BP/Shell/Esso) diesel. These cars should run well.

If you do get it, i recommend putting 1 or 2 full tank of Shell V power Nitro Plus Diesel, to clean out the engine a little bit, then resort to regular good diesel. Both the longer journeys and good fuel usually helps keep the DPF in check.

I had the 2.0TDI prior, did 8k miles in 24 months, predominately city driving with once or once in 2 months longer journeys (more than 50 miles at speed) the DPF light never once came on, but it was fed only Shell/Esso diesel with the odd tank of Shell Vpower.

I've seen ads for these at this price with between 10k and 20k miles on the clock. My 2.0TDi Exeo suffers quite badly with the DPF but my 15 mile each way commute isn't on any fast roads. I don't want the wife to end up with the same problem as her commute is similar. I'm not ruling out a petrol version. The 1.4 TSI SE is still good on juice according to the figures given.

 

[KXL]

I've seen ads for these at this price with between 10k and 20k miles on the clock. My 2.0TDi Exeo suffers quite badly with the DPF but my 15 mile each way commute isn't on any fast roads. I don't want the wife to end up with the same problem as her commute is similar. I'm not ruling out a petrol version. The 1.4 TSI SE is still good on juice according to the figures given.

I guess the wife would be not looking for speed that frequently, 1.2 TSI then? I guess if both of you need to go longer distances, you will take the Exeo anyway.

Saying that, my Leon 2.0 TDI was 85% of the time doing 13 mile (each way) commute via central London on a Sunday morning...east London to West London (max speed 30mph) As it took more than 30 mins, the engine got up to temp and it could regen itself if need be. There were no DPF problems nor DPF light. It's only if you do say 2-5 miles each way (10-15 mins journey), then DPF becomes loaded with crap and then it becomes a problem. The newer TDIs seem quite good at clearing itself out that being said. Once again, it rarely did any regens on the V Power.

 

[Karmann_65]

I guess the wife would be not looking for speed that frequently, 1.2 TSI then? I guess if both of you need to go longer distances, you will take the Exeo anyway.

The wife isn't a speed demon but she does like/has got used to the "sport" suspension of her Altea. It'll take her a while adjusting to something that doesn't corner the same.

I had a B5 Passat "Sport" estate before the Exeo and they were poles apart in handling. The Passat was like driving a ship and after 5 years I never really got along with its boat like handling.

Our Exeo is very much the family mileage munching workhorse when it's not commuting which means my better half should be fine with a smaller car.

However we have two growing boys and they're not getting any smaller so Mums new taxi will have to cope with them and their growing mates. A 1.2 might be a bit lacking so we're looking for something with more of a mid sized engine and definately 4 doors.

Maybe a 1.4 TSI SE (Tech Pack)? Learning as I go, I didn't realise there were so many versions of the Leon.

 

[KXL]

Well the older 1.4 140 PS were avaliable on SE.

The newer 1.4 150PS ACT were only avaliable on FR trims.

From what i gather, the older 140PS units are quite rare.

Don't forget the 1.2TSI are quicker than the 1.6 TDI in a sprint, at least on paper.

I'm not sure how to respond to the 'Altea' 'handling' and the Leon handling, as I haven't driven an Altea before.

 

[Karmann_65]

Well the older 1.4 140 PS were avaliable on SE.

The newer 1.4 150PS ACT were only avaliable on FR trims.

From what i gather, the older 140PS units are quite rare.

Don't forget the 1.2TSI are quicker than the 1.6 TDI in a sprint, at least on paper.

I'm not sure how to respond to the 'Altea' 'handling' and the Leon handling, as I haven't driven an Altea before.

Looks like we'll have to get bums on seats and have a couple of test drives.

I'm still coming to terms with a 1.2 litre putting out 104 bhp. That's about what a Ford Escort XR3i used to put out while being at least twice as thirsty.

The range of recent Leon engines is nothing short of amazing....please feel free to add if I missed any

1.2 TSI 104 or 108 BHP
1.4 TSI 123 or 138 or 148 BHP
1.6 TDI 108 BHP
1.8 TSI 178 BHP
2.0 TDI 148 or 168 or 181 BHP
2.0 TFSI 237 BHP
2.0 TSI 261 BHP

 

[KXL]

Looks like we'll have to get bums on seats and have a couple of test drives.

I'm still coming to terms with a 1.2 litre putting out 104 bhp. That's about what a Ford Escort XR3i used to put out while being at least twice as thirsty.

The range of recent Leon engines is nothing short of amazing....please feel free to add if I missed any

1.2 TSI 104 or 108 BHP
1.4 TSI 123 or 138 or 148 BHP
1.6 TDI 108 BHP
1.8 TSI 178 BHP
2.0 TDI 148 or 168 or 181 BHP
2.0 TFSI 237 BHP
2.0 TSI 261 BHP

Well I've got an Ibiza 999cc 'EcoTSI' that outputs 110PS (reallistically this is more if you put good fuel) and 200 Nm torque with 3 cylinders! And Ford has an EcoBoost 999cc outputing 138 BHP (140).

I'm not sure there is a TDI 168bhp version of an MK3 Leon, nor TSI 237 BHP.

In some markets there's even a 1.2 TSI (85).
There is also a 2.0 TSI 276 (280), 286 (290) and 296 (300) & ST 300 4wd .
And on the facelift Mk3 there is also a 1.0 TSI 113 (115)

VAG groups even have a 2.0TDI BiTUrbo (240).

 

[Karmann_65]

Well I've got an Ibiza 999cc 'EcoTSI' that outputs 110PS (reallistically this is more if you put good fuel) and 200 Nm torque with 3 cylinders! And Ford has an EcoBoost 999cc outputing 138 BHP (140).

I'm not sure there is a TDI 168bhp version of an MK3 Leon, nor TSI 237 BHP.

In some markets there's even a 1.2 TSI (85).
There is also a 2.0 TSI 276 (280), 286 (290) and 296 (300) & ST 300 4wd .
And on the facelift Mk3 there is also a 1.0 TSI 113 (115)

VAG groups even have a 2.0TDI BiTUrbo (240).

You're not helping!

Those I listed were as advertised on Auto Trader so make of them what you will.

So except for using good fuel is there anything else I should know? Have you had to fix anything on yours? Are Leons prone to water leaks through the scuttle panel like other Seats?

Have the window mechanisms got any better. I'm practically an expert now at changing them on pre 2012 VAG cars.

And thanks for replying KXL. Knowledge is power!

 

[KXL]

OH, what to look out for, where do I begin! Just joking...

Me personally I've experienced condensed rear right light cluster, and rattling trim.

Both were sorted competently under warranty by the dealer south of the Thames...

A pillar rattles sorted by tightening bolt, door rattles, sorted by removing door panels and adding expanding foam noodle thingi, and they replaced the right rear LED lights.

Didn't have any issues with windows. Not sure what you mean by water leaks, but no water comes in, although if you open the boot after a downpour, not all the water goes into the drainage bits, but INTO the boot.

Other issues that some others have experienced but not me: LED headlights not leveling (restart engine usually sorts it) and cracked third brake light.

Inputting postcode in Sat Nav counter intuitive..

Also the LED headlight light ouput seem to drop drastically if the lenses are dirty, so clean them frequently, unless yours will have washers, then you know what to do. If you had normal halogen bulbs, you will find them really good, if you are coming from factory fitted BI-Xenons, you won't find them anything special.

If you would like a more in-depth review please read here:
http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?t=434960

 

[Karmann_65]

OH, what to look out for, where do I begin! Just joking...

Me personally I've experienced condensed rear right light cluster, and rattling trim.

Both were sorted competently under warranty by the dealer south of the Thames...

A pillar rattles sorted by tightening bolt, door rattles, sorted by removing door panels and adding expanding foam noodle thingi, and they replaced the right rear LED lights.

Didn't have any issues with windows. Not sure what you mean by water leaks, but no water comes in, although if you open the boot after a downpour, not all the water goes into the drainage bits, but INTO the boot.

Other issues that some others have experienced but not me: LED headlights not leveling (restart engine usually sorts it) and cracked third brake light.

Inputting postcode in Sat Nav counter intuitive..

Also the LED headlight light ouput seem to drop drastically if the lenses are dirty, so clean them frequently, unless yours will have washers, then you know what to do. If you had normal halogen bulbs, you will find them really good, if you are coming from factory fitted BI-Xenons, you won't find them anything special.

If you would like a more in-depth review please read here:
http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?t=434960

Water leaks refers to when it runs down the front windscreen and into the vents. Some have issues with clogged drain grommets.

That gives me a few pointers when we go shopping. Much appreciated. I'll report back with what we decide.

 

[stu_m]

I have one of these 1.6tdi's

No problems whatsoever

The wife goes to work and back every day which is 8 miles so 16 in total and has done for 2 years we do a few decent trips a year and the odd run out too

average to and from work up to 52, A roads 56-62 no better on motorways but if you start pushing it 80+ it will drop to about 55

No issues with DPF despite popular belief

I have also had the 1.2tsi in a seat ibiza FR and to be honest the engine felt week! like petrols it had to be reved to make it move and just didn't feel good to drive! maybe because I am used to TDI's

 

[kazand]

OH, what to look out for, where do I begin! Just joking...

Me personally I've experienced condensed rear right light cluster, and rattling trim.

Both were sorted competently under warranty by the dealer south of the Thames...

A pillar rattles sorted by tightening bolt, door rattles, sorted by removing door panels and adding expanding foam noodle thingi, and they replaced the right rear LED lights.

Didn't have any issues with windows. Not sure what you mean by water leaks, but no water comes in, although if you open the boot after a downpour, not all the water goes into the drainage bits, but INTO the boot.

Other issues that some others have experienced but not me: LED headlights not leveling (restart engine usually sorts it) and cracked third brake light.

Inputting postcode in Sat Nav counter intuitive..

Also the LED headlight light ouput seem to drop drastically if the lenses are dirty, so clean them frequently, unless yours will have washers, then you know what to do. If you had normal halogen bulbs, you will find them really good, if you are coming from factory fitted BI-Xenons, you won't find them anything special.

If you would like a more in-depth review please read here:
http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?t=434960

Glad it's not just me with the LED lights... Coming from a xenon LCR , the LED's in previous 280 were poor, even when adjusted correctly. Current 290 seems better, but if xenons were an option, I know what I'd have...
Otherwise no issues, just a creaking back seat in both. Oh yes, and the sat nav. Buy a map.

 

[Karmann_65]

Had an interesting day yesterday. We (the wife , me and our two boys) went out to look first hand at a couple of Leons at a nearby car supermarket.

First we looked at was a 1.2TSi Teck Pack in blue. It certainly looked the part and drove well around the local roads. The salesman wasn't keen on being 5 up on a test drive so just the wife went. It'll be her car after all when we decide which model version.

Next we looked at a 1.6TDI Teck Pack at te same place and she took that out for a test drive while the previous drive was fresh in her mind. Reporting back she immediately preferred the TDI with its better power delivery. The concern for us is on the odd occasion she has to go on conference with work and will have to do a London trip from up North.

Both cars were on budget but the TDI had too many miles on it for the money and was grey in colour. Sounds like a minor detail but I'd already found a TDI in blue 20 miles away with just 11,000 on the clock (20,000 less than the grey one).

We then went down the road to see the blue TDI but by the time we arrived it was already being viewed and test driven by another prospective buyer.

While waiting to see if they bought it we wandered the lot and looked at other cars. One comment the wife then made was that she liked her current car seats better than either she had just tested. Her Altea has a more wrap around style of front seats being the Sport model.

I suggested we look at an FR then and this seems to be our ultimate solution. A 2.0TDI with silly HP is not a serious option for her but.....and it's a long shot......a 1.4TSi FR in blue is actually currently for sale on the Web so they do exist!

We're away this coming week so the search goes on when we return. Until then she has a very clean Altea to roll about in due to my efforts making it more presentable for trading in.

With reference to what's been suggested here to look out for, a couple of Leons had damp in the rear light lenses.

Thanks for all the repilies.

 

[KXL]

Water leaks refers to when it runs down the front windscreen and into the vents. Some have issues with clogged drain grommets.

That gives me a few pointers when we go shopping. Much appreciated. I'll report back with what we decide.

Not sure about the water leaks, it gets a bath (at the carwash (human not machine)), and usually these clogs or vents would be sprayed clean once a month.

 

[KXL]

Glad it's not just me with the LED lights... Coming from a xenon LCR , the LED's in previous 280 were poor, even when adjusted correctly. Current 290 seems better, but if xenons were an option, I know what I'd have...
Otherwise no issues, just a creaking back seat in both. Oh yes, and the sat nav. Buy a map.

I actually took the reverse route, I had Leon with LEDs, I thought not bad...now I have Ibiza with D1S bi-xenons, expecting a slight step down, but no..these bi-xenons are perhaps a bit brighter and longer reach (or maybe they were new, but you can always raise the lights a little with a screwdriver within reason). Recently rented an Audi A3 with Halogen, it's so dim!

Lights colour wise...I'm still not decided, Leon looks a tad more blue, Ibiza xenons more pure white(ish), but if I were to rate the high beam, Leon LEDs are still better than Ibiza xenon high beam.

 

[KXL]

I suggested we look at an FR then and this seems to be our ultimate solution. A 2.0TDI with silly HP is not a serious option for her but.....and it's a long shot......a 1.4TSi FR in blue is actually currently for sale on the Web so they do exist!

With reference to what's been suggested here to look out for, a couple of Leons had damp in the rear light lenses.

Thanks for all the repilies.

Did you know if it was (sorry for confusing you even more hee hee) it a 1.4 140 or 1.4 140 ACT or a 1.4 150 ACT? The first one should get you near 50mpg on a 'easy' run, and the other 2 should be able to push close to 60mpg.

Those are very powerful/fast engines...some slight condensation that goes away after awhile is ok...but persistent condensation for a week or longer (even after being in the sun) is somethign you need to look out for.

FR suspension is a little bit more 'taut' road holding wise, but if you have many pot-holes...well lets say SE suspension would serve you better.

 

[Luckypants]

Hi, I'm a little to this party but thought I would weigh in with my tuppence worth as I have a 1.6TDi asked about in the OP. My vehicle has covered 34K miles since new, all with us. We have not had any issues with the car mechanically or electrically. We find it comfortable and quite swift enough, the extra torque from the diesel over a petrol of same power really does make a difference in the real world. 40-60 acceleration is very reasonable (even brisk) for overtaking.

The fuel economy is not the 70 odd mpg advertised, but it is very good. We live in a hilly area, so tend not to get near the best claimed mpg figures. That said my average since new (measured) is 56.9 so not too shabby. My best on a run is 65mpg and my best average over a tank is 63. On a trip to France where most of the driving is on motorway we averaged 61.2 for the trip. As far as commuting goes, my wife uses the car for her 12 mile trip to work - 5 miles hilly lane and then a good but busy A-road and the car turns in 56mpg regularly. I get 60+ om my weekly trip to the office 45 miles away.

We get noticeable DPF re-gens every 2-3 weeks, depending on how the car is driven. Often this is on the motorway during my weekly trip to the office, signaled by a noticeable drop in fuel economy but is not obtrusive when driving. We have never had a DPF alert from the car's systems. The EGR is not an issue on these cars that I have heard of.

We run it on supermarket fuel.

HTH, any questions ask away.

PS if you click on the icon below you can see all my fuel use since it was delivered, notes on servicing etc.

 

[Karmann_65]

Did you know if it was (sorry for confusing you even more hee hee) it a 1.4 140 or 1.4 140 ACT or a 1.4 150 ACT? The first one should get you near 50mpg on a 'easy' run, and the other 2 should be able to push close to 60mpg.

Those are very powerful/fast engines...some slight condensation that goes away after awhile is ok...but persistent condensation for a week or longer (even after being in the sun) is somethign you need to look out for.

FR suspension is a little bit more 'taut' road holding wise, but if you have many pot-holes...well lets say SE suspension would serve you better.

Back from our week away and with time to think she's now set on having an FR. Which engine version is yet to be decided by what we can find out there. We've yet to have a test drive in a 1.4 but look forward to doing so soon.

Is there such a thing as a diesel FR that's not a 2.0?

 

[Karmann_65]

Hi, I'm a little to this party but thought I would weigh in with my tuppence worth as I have a 1.6TDi asked about in the OP. My vehicle has covered 34K miles since new, all with us. We have not had any issues with the car mechanically or electrically. We find it comfortable and quite swift enough, the extra torque from the diesel over a petrol of same power really does make a difference in the real world. 40-60 acceleration is very reasonable (even brisk) for overtaking.

The fuel economy is not the 70 odd mpg advertised, but it is very good. We live in a hilly area, so tend not to get near the best claimed mpg figures. That said my average since new (measured) is 56.9 so not too shabby. My best on a run is 65mpg and my best average over a tank is 63. On a trip to France where most of the driving is on motorway we averaged 61.2 for the trip. As far as commuting goes, my wife uses the car for her 12 mile trip to work - 5 miles hilly lane and then a good but busy A-road and the car turns in 56mpg regularly. I get 60+ om my weekly trip to the office 45 miles away.

We get noticeable DPF re-gens every 2-3 weeks, depending on how the car is driven. Often this is on the motorway during my weekly trip to the office, signaled by a noticeable drop in fuel economy but is not obtrusive when driving. We have never had a DPF alert from the car's systems. The EGR is not an issue on these cars that I have heard of.

We run it on supermarket fuel.

HTH, any questions ask away.

PS if you click on the icon below you can see all my fuel use since it was delivered, notes on servicing etc.

Thanks for the detailed reply. Late to the party but alas not too late. We're still on the lookout for the right car and to be honest we can afford to wait. All information is good and you obviously keep a detailed record which is just what we need.

Manufacturers quoted figures are usually somewhat optimistic compared to real world driving but anything that can do regular 50mpg + would be great for us. The wife's commute is over flat 50mph A roads with a couple of slow downs through rural villages.

The only problem we have now with the TDI (and it's not an engine issue) is the darn seats. The wife is set on having seats more in the FR style and they don't appear to have been fitted in TDI's. I'd like to be proven wrong though.

On another note she has relented a little on colour choice. White is now a second option.

The mythical blue 1.6TDI FR has yet to be found, let alone one with low miles and for sale within a 200 mile radius of home.

Hoping to have a test drive in a 1.4TSi FR in the next week or so. When we do I'll reply back with how that goes.

Thanks again for your feedback. Much appreciated!