VZ2 or VZ3; stick or twist?

[Bahnstormer_vRS]

It's two years already since I acquired AK , my '23' plate Ateca VZ2, and I'm looking at the options to change.

I've been really happy with AK as the VZ2 spec gives me Leather upholstery which my previous VZ1 didn't, plus it's got the Panoramic Roof, and is a great car to drive but my funding / personal preference is to keep in as new a model as possible, without buying new. Moreover, the Ateca suits my needs really well so I'm not looking at any other models.

I'm looking around for something that is less than a year old, preferably only six months, with as low mileage as possible; AK came to me at 6 months & 1,500 miles - perfect. I'm happy to wait for the right car and there don't seem to be any VZ2s around at the moment, but I have come across a couple of VZ3s at sensible prices available now.

The VZ3 majorly give the Brembo brake upgrade (as I'm sure we all know) which has + & - points; better performance vs. greater cost of replacement pads/discs. There's an additional factor in that I wouldn't be able to use my current 18" 'winter wheels' although have got a spare set of 19" that I could put winter tyres on - and yes, I know that living in East Anglia I don't truly need winter tyres but I've been running them for 15 years or so and like the confidence they give.

Bottom line; should I 'Stick' with a VZ2 or 'Twist ' and upgrade to a VZ3?

Guy

 

[Seastormer]

It's two years already since I acquired AK , my '23' plate Ateca VZ2, and I'm looking at the options to change.

I've been really happy with AK as the VZ2 spec gives me Leather upholstery which my previous VZ1 didn't, plus it's got the Panoramic Roof, and is a great car to drive but my funding / personal preference is to keep in as new a model as possible, without buying new. Moreover, the Ateca suits my needs really well so I'm not looking at any other models.

I'm looking around for something that is less than a year old, preferably only six months, with as low mileage as possible; AK came to me at 6 months & 1,500 miles - perfect. I'm happy to wait for the right car and there don't seem to be any VZ2s around at the moment, but I have come across a couple of VZ3s at sensible prices available now.

The VZ3 majorly give the Brembo brake upgrade (as I'm sure we all know) which has + & - points; better performance vs. greater cost of replacement pads/discs. There's an additional factor in that I wouldn't be able to use my current 18" 'winter wheels' although have got a spare set of 19" that I could put winter tyres on - and yes, I know that living in East Anglia I don't truly need winter tyres but I've been running them for 15 years or so and like the confidence they give.

Bottom line; should I 'Stick' with a VZ2 or 'Twist ' and upgrade to a VZ3?

Guy

You pay your money and take your chances or stick for now, as something may come up soon.

 

[Bahnstormer_vRS]

One thing at the back of my mind is that the Ateca, and it's sister model Skoda Karoq, won't be around forever. At some point Skoda will cease production.

 

[Tell]

Cupra have the Terramar if production ceases on the Skoda production line. Going to leave a hole in the regular Seat's. End up with a Swiss cheese line. I wonder what they will do with Seat dealerships if I haven't missed anything. Skodas electrification of the range may dictate what happens to the Karog. Yet to sit in an Elrog it's supposed EV twin.

 

[Bahnstormer_vRS]

Appreciate your comments @Tell and, shall we say, I'm with you in your thought process.

I checked out the Terramar shortly after it's release and found it disappointing. It's bigger on the outside compared to an Ateca, but smaller on the inside especially in the rear (which is important to me as I often carry adult passengers). Best performance is only 204PS, compared to the Ateca's 300PS and I have an arguably illogical loathing of column mounted gear selection levers!

Skoda Elroq? I've checked that out too. I came to Cupra 4 years ago when I needed to replace a 10 year old Skoda Yeti, I'd had an Octavia vRS before that, and couldn't get a suitable Karoq. I'd happily go back to Skoda if they have the right car.

Looking at the Elroq, on paper it would fit the bill for me, appropriate size, suitable equipment and performance, especially the recently released vRS version BUT it suffers from having the battery pack in the floor. This raised the floor level by 4 - 6 inches turning and SUV seating position into a 'normal' hatchback/estate seating position.

Importantly, again, rear seating is poor. I can comfortably sit in the rear of my Ateca behind the drivers seat set for me (6'2" - 110kg). In the Elroq it felt that my knees we up around my ears due to the high floor level; okay they weren't of course but they were definitely high and I was in an uncomfortable position.

All the above, leads me to a desire to stay with an Ateca and get a newer model before production ceases and the conundrum of should I 'Stick' with a VZ2 or 'Twist ' and upgrade to a VZ3?

Guy

 

[Tell]

I'm not replacing my standard Ateca either. Still batteries will get thinner with time so you dont loose that legroom height which is important to me. Seat / Cupra are putting us in an unfortunate position if we have brand loyalty. Still I have no pressing need to change right now so I'm seeing which way the land lays. The dealer network may change if Seat dont keep up a reasonable offer. Cupra dealership is 80+ mile round trip rather than a mile away with Seat. The specialisation of Cupra to named dealers hasn't really helped. EVs there will be even less maintenance work for them. My dealer also does rugged farming vehicles . Probably end up with a 4 cab. I can see them giving up Seat in the longer term. They are prevented from selling Cupras except secondhand.

 

[Bahnstormer_vRS]

It's two years already since I acquired AK , my '23' plate Ateca VZ2, and I'm looking at the options to change.
. . . . . . . . . .

Bottom line; should I 'Stick' with a VZ2 or 'Twist ' and upgrade to a VZ3?

Guy

I've answered my own question by finding a 6 month old Feb '25 (74 plate) VZ3 with sensible mileage and in an agreeable colour.

Transaction agreed including a fair P/X for AK that keeps my PCP payments the same for a modest cash/deposit input.

Aiming to collect my new VZ3 next Friday.

Guy

 

[twabrigs]

Coming to this thread late but best of luck with the VZ3. I do like the wheels on those although the extra cost of the pads / discs put me off when I got my VZ2 a few months ago.

 

[Bahnstormer_vRS]

Thanks, gents.

I collected Katy - KT yesterday and spent yesterday evening putting all my 'stuff' e.g. spare wheel kit, itg air filter etc. into her and setting up the Infotainment, connection to My Cupra.

This morning I checked and adjusted the tyre pressures to the Comfort level that I prefer.

As to the glorious copper CUPRA wheels, they'll be coming off next week and I'll refit the Team Dynamics Pro Race LTs I had on AK. The copper CUPRAs will be set aside to await some All Season / Winter tyres.

Guy

Sent from my Galaxy S23 Ultra using Tapatalk

 

[SRGTD]

Thanks, gents.

I collected Katy - KT yesterday and spent yesterday evening putting all my 'stuff' e.g. spare wheel kit, itg air filter etc. into her and setting up the Infotainment, connection to My Cupra.

This morning I checked and adjusted the tyre pressures to the Comfort level that I prefer.

As to the glorious copper CUPRA wheels, they'll be coming off next week and I'll refit the Team Dynamics Pro Race LTs I had on AK. The copper CUPRAs will be set aside to await some All Season / Winter tyres.

Guy

Sent from my Galaxy S23 Ultra using Tapatalk

Looking good @Bahnstormer_vRS .

As regards to the alloys, I think I’d keep the copper coloured diamond wheels on for non-winter use and fit your Team Dynamics Pro Race LT’s for the winter.

The OEM copper coloured Cupra alloys are diamond cut and IMHO winter road conditions and diamond cut alloys isn’t a great combination if you want to preserve the factory fresh look of your alloys; it’s usually only a matter of time before (the inevitable?) white worm corrosion sets in. Your Team Dynamics alloys on the other hand are powder coated which is a much more durable finish than diamond cut, so they’re much better suited to winter use and should withstand being subjected to road salt, road grit and anything else the local authority spreads on the roads during the winter.

 

[Bahnstormer_vRS]

^^^^ @SRGTD

Interesting points on the finish of my wheels.

I'll agree my Team Dynamics are powder coated but the OE Copper Cupra look to have a normal painted finish.

I'll accept that the Sport Machined finish wheels I had on my VZ2, that are current spec on the V1 / V2, are Diamond Cut.

Objectively, though, I prefer the notion of keeping the Team Dynamics for summer use with their lighter weight (4.5kg per wheel), wider rim (8.5J) and wider stance (ET35).

Guy


Sent from my Galaxy S23 Ultra using Tapatalk

 

[SRGTD]

@Bahnstormer_vRS - Strangely, it seems that some Cupra copper coloured alloys have a copper painted face and others have a tinted copper coloured clear coat applied to the diamond cut face - described as ‘machined’ in the details at the 2nd, 3rd and 4th links below (sometimes also referred to as ‘polished’). There’s no reference to diamond cut, machined or polished for the premium copper alloys fitted to your car (first link below) so your copper alloys do indeed appear to be painted which IMHO is preferable to a diamond cut finish - apologies if I misled you in my previous post .

Just goes to show that every day’s a school day as you learn something new every day .

The alloys on your car at the first link - no reference to ‘machined’.

SEAT Cupra Ateca 2017-2020 19" Premium Copper Alloy Wheel

SEAT Direct Parts - 19" Alloy Wheels - 575601025AN XEB- 5F9071499A HPN- Genuine SEAT Parts & Accessories Delievered Straight To Your Door

seatdirectparts.co.uk

The alloys below are diamond cut with a copper tinted clear coat applied to the diamond cut / ‘machined’ face;

19" Exclusive Machined Alloy Wheels in Copper

SEAT Direct Parts - 19" Exclusive Machined Alloy Wheels in Copper - 5FF601025E XEB- 5FF601025EXEB- Genuine SEAT Parts & Accessories Delivered Straight To Your Door

seatdirectparts.co.uk

SEAT Cupra Formentor 19" Machined Alloy Wheel in Copper

SEAT Direct Parts - SEAT Cupra Formentor 19" machined alloy wheel in copper - 5FF601025K XEB- 5FF601025KXEB- Genuine SEAT Parts & Accessories Delivered Straight To Your Door

seatdirectparts.co.uk

19" Exclusive Machined Alloy Wheels in Copper

SEAT Direct Parts - 19" Exclusive Machined Alloy Wheels in Copper - 5FA601025RXEB- Genuine SEAT Parts & Accessories Delivered Straight To Your Door

seatdirectparts.co.uk

 

[Bahnstormer_vRS]

@SRGTD

Thanks for the info and links; appreciated. I'll concur that the 2nd, 3rd & 4th links you've posted have a good prospect of being Diamond Cut, but not the 1st i.e. mine.

Thanks also for linking SeatDirectParts; I'd forgotten about their website and am off to look for a few other bits for KT.


Guy

PS> Doing this post on my Laptop reminds me that I ought to change my Avatar from my original 70 plate VZ1.

 

[Seastormer]

Thanks, gents.

I collected Katy - KT yesterday and spent yesterday evening putting all my 'stuff' e.g. spare wheel kit, itg air filter etc. into her and setting up the Infotainment, connection to My Cupra.

This morning I checked and adjusted the tyre pressures to the Comfort level that I prefer.

As to the glorious copper CUPRA wheels, they'll be coming off next week and I'll refit the Team Dynamics Pro Race LTs I had on AK. The copper CUPRAs will be set aside to await some All Season / Winter tyres.

Guy

Sent from my Galaxy S23 Ultra using Tapatalk

Very nice, and those wheels do look like they would be ok for winter.