1.8T Cupra - Common Faults and suggested mods?

[Gaz37]

Hi Guys,

I'm just visiting from Clubgti & am after some advice from you.

A friend is looking at buying a Mk1 Leon Cupra, I've done a search on here for common faults, the most recent post apears to be form 2006 & was just wondering if there is anything in particular to look out for on the Mk1 Cupras that has come to light since?

The car he is interested in is an 04 plate with 96k on the clock, it's advertised for £4995 with a dealer in Cardiff.

Also are there any "must have" mods or improvements to look for?

Any advice you could give regarding common faults (we're already aware of coil packs & water leaks) would be much appreciated.

Thanks

 

[smithygcupra]

well i bought an 02 LC back in feb with 35k on the clock..... its got 49k on it now (14k in 10 months!!lol)..... needed the timing belt changed as it reached 6 years/40k..... had the water pump changed too........ and thats all..... it wasnt needed work... just for peace of mind really.... so ive had no problems at all with mine..... im used to the power now so it feels quite slow to me.... i need a map very soon..... but other than that i absolutely love it..... i had a mk4 golf gti before the Leon... and i must say the LC is ten times better than my golf was... i lok forward to drivin my LC... thats probably why ive done 14k in 10 months lol

also what garage in cardiff?? there is one garage i would be careful with...

 

[AndyHazza]

Get it mapped first of all biggest power increase for the least money. The whatever else you fancy. Suspension, exhausts, air filters... the world is your oyster

Depending on mileage, check its had a cambelt and waterpump done. Check the service history. Check out the suspension bushes if you can and have a listen out for any knockings when going over speed bumps etc.

 

[Gaz37]

well i bought an 02 LC back in feb with 35k on the clock..... its got 49k on it now (14k in 10 months!!lol)..... needed the timing belt changed as it reached 6 years/40k..... had the water pump changed too........ and thats all..... it wasnt needed work... just for peace of mind really.... so ive had no problems at all with mine..... im used to the power now so it feels quite slow to me.... i need a map very soon..... but other than that i absolutely love it..... i had a mk4 golf gti before the Leon... and i must say the LC is ten times better than my golf was... i lok forward to drivin my LC... thats probably why ive done 14k in 10 months lol

also what garage in cardiff?? there is one garage i would be careful with...

Thanks for that, this is the dealer

Appolo Cars
206 Merthyr Road
Whitchurch
Cardiff
CF14 1DL

 

[Gaz37]

Thanks for the replies guys.

Also, it seems that coil packs are prone to failure, how much are these to replace?

 

[JamJay]

Fault: Check that the N/S passenger footwells are not wet or damp. One of the seals within the N/S front door can perish (I believe it's only sealant anyway) over time and allow water to build up between the base of the door and side skirt which eventually over flows and runs into the front footwell. From there, if you don't mop it up, can run into the back too. It's nothing like a flood, very minimal but it's something that can be done without.

Mods: As mentioned above, a remap is a good choice. Check out www.revotechnik.com or www.custom-code.co.uk for the gains you'll see on the car your friend is potentially buying. There are other companies that offer a remap but I am not sure who they are. Use the search func on here for remaps, there will be 46,09867,08907875 posts on it.

If you want the dump valve to sound off a bit, try an open cone induction kit .

 

[Gaz37]

I've just noticed that I posted the milage as 96k it is actually 69k DOH!

Thanks for the help

 

[olliep]

reverse round a bend and feather the brakes. occasional problems with rear brakes when going backwards.

 

[Nutkin]

coil packs, and mafs maybe.

its all fairly obvious, Also have a good listen to the turbo as if these go thats pricey.

 

[Gaz37]

coil packs, and mafs maybe.

its all fairly obvious, Also have a good listen to the turbo as if these go thats pricey.

I know it's difficult to describe a sound but what will a worn turbo sound like?

Are the coil packs & mafs an easy job & how much are the parts?

 

[wisejason]

both very simple jobs... MAF's plug in by the air box (only a few bolts/screws) and cost around £40-60... coil packs are best sourced from the dealer and cost around £25 and a again are a very simple change.

 

[LEE69]

Fault: Check that the N/S passenger footwells are not wet or damp. One of the seals within the N/S front door can perish (I believe it's only sealant anyway) over time and allow water to build up between the base of the door and side skirt which eventually over flows and runs into the front footwell. From there, if you don't mop it up, can run into the back too. It's nothing like a flood, very minimal but it's something that can be done without.

Any of the door seals can fail, also the pollen filter seal and the seal for the electrics entering from the engine bay (both under the scuttle panel)

 

[smithygcupra]

Thanks for that, this is the dealer

Appolo Cars
206 Merthyr Road
Whitchurch
Cardiff
CF14 1DL

nope... not the one lol