I've got the 184 ST and really like it.
Certainly not as well finished inside as a Golf but that's what you pay extra for.
Power and torque - Has a nice pick up from about 2500 to 4500 revs. As mine is the ST and is usually loaded with something, it's punchy but not that punchy. I've just had a DTUK tuning box fitted and it's now about 210bhp and that feels so much better. Serious belt of torque from 2500 and really comes to life after 3000. This puts it on a par with the Golf GTD in my view. No idea on top end - when I first bought it (pre-chip) it got to about 130 but not tried anything since. Not that it really matters.
DPF - Although I was doing 20,000 miles a year, a lot of it changed to more rural roads, speed limits and rarely reaching 60mph. The car tends to regen every 170-200 miles. In 2 years and 40,000 miles the car has never had the DPF light come on. If you are on the motorway (or around 60-70mph) you won't notice the regen. Town driving you'll get the higher tickover, stop-start turns off and you can sometimes smell it. Ideally, you want to complete a regen before turning off, otherwise the fan goes mental trying to cool everything down. The car will try to finish the regen the next time everything is warmed back up. The best thing I did was get the Carista dongle and app. I can then see in real time when the DPF is about to or undertaking a regen. You just keep driving the car until it's complete and cooled everything down. Helps you also monitor how often the car regens, mileage since last regen etc. If the DPF light comes on, then yes, take it for a spin. It is however, telling you that the car needs a regen and isn't able to through normal driving.
Carista
MPG - I get 50-55mpg driving mine normally and on the M6 in 50mph roadworks it gave me 60+. Since fitting the chip, I now get 55-60+ mpg on my usual routes. It's like some sort of black magic! Even if I drive the car hard, I'm still around 40mpg.
Fuel - Very subjective but it does seem to like V-Power. I do stick in regular diesel and have an additive (allegedly the same stuff used in the posh fuels) that I add to try and keep it sweet. The additive works out at about £1 a tank rather than the V-Power £5.
Spec - I have the Tech Pack - absolutely essential and I think most 184's would have it. Also have convenience pack, which is nice. Not got the winter pack and sometimes I do wish I had heated seats. Of the 3, I'm happy with the 2 I have.
Driving - can't really comment or compare, but I think it handles well and from what I've read elsewhere, the 184 has bigger brakes and multilink suspension compared to 150 cars. Not saying this is gospel as I was reading another post.
https://forums.seatcupra.net/index.php?threads/leon-fr-150-or-leon-fr-184.438648/
I like how it handles and tyre choice seems to have a massive impact on handling and road noise. Currently have RainSports up front and they work well for me and are due a change after 22,000 miles. Those with bigger budgets may well aim higher.
The known niggles:
- Heater matrix clogging (split silicant bag in header tank)
- Rear shocks
- Water pump failure
Mine is 2014 with 100,000 miles. I am sure you would be looking at a newer version and the above issues may not be relevant.
Personally, a 184 (chipped or not) is a great car. Won't break the bank, has some good power but can equally be driven very sensibly for 50-55mpg comsumption. A chip or remap does make it 100% better and more on par with other sporty types.