Recently got my 1.4TSI FR the day before the second lockdown and didn’t have aslong as I would usually like to get a car as I need it for work so only test drove one other Leon before getting this one on PCP from a main dealer.
It’s in great condition, was cheaper than the alternative Leon with lower mileage and had the nicer looking 18inch wheels where as the other one had the Dynamic 17s.
The ride didn’t seem much worse on the test drive, but 6 weeks on the ride quality particularly at motorway speeds is starting to annoy me as my commute is mainly on A and B roads.
It’s mainly the way sharper bumps and imperfections are really noticeable that’s beginning to wear thin. It’s not the initial ‘bump’ but the way the suspension takes awhile to settle after, almost like a wobble especially at the rear that grates the most. I know the torsion beam doesn’t help matters but I’ve had a civic in the past with a torsion beam and that rode really well, granted it was only on 16s though. I have even considered booking it in with Seat to see if the rear shocks are in good condition, but with only 22k on the clock I can’t imagine they would be knackered already.
My first thought was to get a set of Seat 17inch wheels, i actually really like the pre facelift FR 17s especially if resprayed in gunmetal and some decent all season tyres which will be softer than the Michelin and Bridgestone summer tyres my 18s currently have on.
Just wondered if anyone has experience of both wheel sizes and switching to all season tyres?
The other option is to possibly swap the shocks and springs over to the softer ones on the SE and Excellence models as I’ve read they ride substantially better, unfortunately I didn’t have the time to test drive one so don’t have any first hand experience.
On paper that would be the more costly option but I have a friend of a friend who works at a Seat main dealer and could get this done for reasonable money.
Although not my main priority I think my 18s could look a bit silly with the increased ride height of the softer suspension setup.
Other than the ride quality I love the car and doesn’t feel like a massive step down coming from a A6 3.0 bitdi which is a relief! Worth mentioning the A6 was on 20’s with S Line suspension so I’m not expecting Rolls Royce ride quality, I just feel it’s not as good as it could be in Leon as it currently stands.
Any feedback would be greatly appreciate
It’s in great condition, was cheaper than the alternative Leon with lower mileage and had the nicer looking 18inch wheels where as the other one had the Dynamic 17s.
The ride didn’t seem much worse on the test drive, but 6 weeks on the ride quality particularly at motorway speeds is starting to annoy me as my commute is mainly on A and B roads.
It’s mainly the way sharper bumps and imperfections are really noticeable that’s beginning to wear thin. It’s not the initial ‘bump’ but the way the suspension takes awhile to settle after, almost like a wobble especially at the rear that grates the most. I know the torsion beam doesn’t help matters but I’ve had a civic in the past with a torsion beam and that rode really well, granted it was only on 16s though. I have even considered booking it in with Seat to see if the rear shocks are in good condition, but with only 22k on the clock I can’t imagine they would be knackered already.
My first thought was to get a set of Seat 17inch wheels, i actually really like the pre facelift FR 17s especially if resprayed in gunmetal and some decent all season tyres which will be softer than the Michelin and Bridgestone summer tyres my 18s currently have on.
Just wondered if anyone has experience of both wheel sizes and switching to all season tyres?
The other option is to possibly swap the shocks and springs over to the softer ones on the SE and Excellence models as I’ve read they ride substantially better, unfortunately I didn’t have the time to test drive one so don’t have any first hand experience.
On paper that would be the more costly option but I have a friend of a friend who works at a Seat main dealer and could get this done for reasonable money.
Although not my main priority I think my 18s could look a bit silly with the increased ride height of the softer suspension setup.
Other than the ride quality I love the car and doesn’t feel like a massive step down coming from a A6 3.0 bitdi which is a relief! Worth mentioning the A6 was on 20’s with S Line suspension so I’m not expecting Rolls Royce ride quality, I just feel it’s not as good as it could be in Leon as it currently stands.
Any feedback would be greatly appreciate