1.6 16v SX

[Hughesy]

Just wondering if anyone could help me...

I went to look at an 03 Plate Seat Leon 1.6SX 16v today, 53,000 miles very clean and a good price.

Noticed that around the Climate control it has the black fascia, I thought that they had the silver/titanium effect ones.

Taking my mechanic to go have a look at it tomorrow to make sure its all sound, anything specific to take notice of?

Thanks for the help!

 

[JamesL]

Most Leons have the black surrounds - only some of the top end models have the silvery surrounds instead.

I don't know anything specifically 1.6-variant related, but I'd give it a good drive and check it out for your general issues - mechanic is a good idea but it doesn't take a mechanic to spot dodgy oil levels, oil in the coolant, mayo in the oil filler neck, lipped discs, barely legal tyres etc.

 

[Jirwin]

Think they should have the aliminium style surround, mine does and sure I've read it somewhere that they did

Trying to think of things to look for but mine has been mostly good, check it comes up to temp and holds 90' without dropping off, thermostat is an easy cheap fix but I've been through a couple

Make sure the idle is steady, EGR valve caused problems with my idle

Listen for fuel pump when you open drivers door so you know the door lock mechanism has sensed the door has been opened. With the other doors unlock the car with fob, open and close one door, and check car doesn't relock 1 minute(ish) afterwards, again this is the door lock mechanism not sensing its been opened. Its possible to live with it as a problem but a good bargaining chip to bring the cost down!

And I can't think of anything else.

Good luck

 

[Hughesy]

Thanks for the advice!

I thought they had the silver surround, could use this for bargaining!

I know the SX models are a higher spec than the S models, but this also doesnt have remote locking which I thought was very strange seeing as I have a 1.4S and i have remote locking.

I have done the general checks on the car but just taking friend whos is a mechanic to give it the once over to ease my mind, also the HPI check said it was a 1.6SX.

Thanks!

 

[JW.CupraT]

It might be low mileage but I would ask if the water pump / cambelt has been changed, I changed mine at low mileage as it also states to change every 4 years regardless of mileage I believe. At least mines been done now so I shouldn't have to worry.

 

[53 Leon SX]

DVLA are far from infallible with the info on their database. The sx should have the silver/titanium surround and to my knowledge all leons of every spec have remote locking ( I could be wrong but sx definitely should have it ) so not a clue why that doesn't. When you mean "doesn't have it" do you mean it doesn't work or the dealer has told you that? you Be wary is my advice.

 

[Alexis27]

Have they lost the remote fob?

Surround for the climate control should be silver, unless it's been swapped out because of a fault. Is there silver around the hazard switches?

 

[Cupralatic]

Had a 1.6sx from new on 53 plate. The demo had a black surround but when mine was delivered it was silver. So I believe it changed around that time. Enjoyable car to drive, power is ideally suited to car. I owned new LCR at time (still have it) and sx still made me smile.

 

[53 Leon SX]

Enjoyable car to drive, power is ideally suited to car. I owned new LCR at time (still have it) and sx still made me smile.

Really??

 

[Jirwin]

My 1.6 never fails to make me smile, its slow but still fun and comfortable to drive that I love it and I may be biased but I think all the mark one Leon's, LCR, Cupra and poverty spec bumpers are all gorgeous. By far the best hatchback shape of the time

 

[Cupralatic]

I don't mean it had startling performance but the power and gearing was such that it always pulled and felt quite responsive for It's capacity. Spec was good, it had central locking and pretty much all the LCR had apart from the sport add ons. We had no mechanical issues with it other than a bit reluctant to start if you had moved a short distance the night before (swapping cars round) Sold it with 50k on the clock for reasonable sum. Pain free ownership.

 

[53 Leon SX]

Don't get me wrong, I love my car and I agree it is comfortable to drive at any speed as well, but it feels no more or less responsive than any other 1.6 of its era that's all. I do like the gearing although I wouldn't mind slightly longer gears but then I guess its geared (no pun intended) towards town driving so doesn't need it.