2003 Leon Cupra Buying Advice

[Patcho]

Hi - I've just paid a small deposit on a 90k 2003 Leon Cupra.

Before I pay/pick it up are there any obvious things to look for? It has a dealer history (only 2 services in fact, 3rd due), and everything *looks* in order, and it seems to drive fine - very tight.

My main area of concern is the cambelt - I think that should be done (although not due until 120k) - is this expensive at a Seat dealer?

Many thanks

Rob

 

[Ruddmeister]

Hi - I've just paid a small deposit on a 90k 2003 Leon Cupra.

Before I pay/pick it up are there any obvious things to look for? It has a dealer history (only 2 services in fact, 3rd due), and everything *looks* in order, and it seems to drive fine - very tight.

My main area of concern is the cambelt - I think that should be done (although not due until 120k) - is this expensive at a Seat dealer?

Many thanks

Rob

Ummm 2 services in 90k miles!, it should be serviced every 10K miles, assume your talking about a petrol 1.8T ???

Cambelt is expensive 4/5 hours labour @ say £40/hr + parts + VAT, at a guess not much change from £200

 

[Patcho]

Ummm 2 services in 90k miles!, it should be serviced every 10K miles, assume your talking about a petrol 1.8T ???

Cambelt is expensive 4/5 hours labour @ say £40/hr + parts + VAT, at a guess not much change from £200

Thanks R - 30000 for an oil change seems a lot! But it was dealer done. £200 for the cam belt is not a huge problem - I'd get a dealer service done if I buy it.

I've offered £7000 - I don't mind paying over the odds because it's convenient and good p/x.

Rob

 

[Ruddmeister]

My biggest concern would be that oil is very important in these cars, turbo temps I guess up around 800deg C.....now it sounds like this car got serviced once a year at roughly 3x times as much mileage as it should....I don't know how the oil performs after 30k miles instead of 10k and how effective the oil filter is at 3x times the mileage??.

Maybe there is no problem but it can't be too healthy can it??

If the car is cheap enough though it may be worth a punt though.

 

[Tallpaul]

how long do you plan to keep the car for, i wouldn't count on that engine running beyond another 20-30k.

i honestly wouldn't touch it with a barge pole! 2 Services in 90k is a joke, not only in terms of engine oil but also umpteen dozen minor things that'll be looked at over the 9 sheduled services in that period. Plus that service interval is in breach of the warranty terms. Any owner which would be that lax on servicing may well have treated it very questionably in other ways.

If i were you, i'd go back to the dealer and ask for my deposit back. Assuming they are a SEAT dealer, i'd be asking questions as to how they can sell this car as 'Approved Used' when it hasn't been serviced in-line with their own recommendations!

 

[chris_m]

Agree with those above.... i wouldnt touch it with a bargepole.

For example, i went to look at a Cupra R about 18 months ago, trekked all the way down to manchester to look at it... got there, it had 27k on it, but had went from 9000 to 26500 miles without a service. It sounded rough, the oil cap was covered in white gunk, i had to walk away. So it wouldnt suprise me to find a dealer selling a car not serviced in line with their reccommendations, that one wasnt!

How much was the car out of interest? 90k in not even 3yrs is bonkers mileage.... mines a 2003 Cupra and ive only done 24k!

 

[Cuprabob]

As the guys say servicing is really important to these cars don't touch it with a barge pole. £7K is over the top for a car with this mileage and no real service history.

I've got a 2002 LCR that has done 77.5K miles but it's been serviced every 10K without fail (4-5 months) and runs like a gem. I've currently got it up for sale. If you want one you won't find a better example for the money.

Have a look http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/70980.htm

If your interested drom me a mail.

 

[chris_m]

Oh, missed the pricing post!

Well, judging by some of the pricing websites ive just looked at, which i know cant be taken as gospel, the car with that mileage is worth £5500 tops at a dealership, and thats without its very ropey history!

Walk away..

 

[Patcho]

Oh, missed the pricing post!

Well, judging by some of the pricing websites ive just looked at, which i know cant be taken as gospel, the car with that mileage is worth £5500 tops at a dealership, and thats without its very ropey history!

Walk away..

Mmm - thanks for all the replies. I've just come back from a dealers and found out the following:

Service history - is correct - 10,000 miles *or* 12 months. I asked about the 30,000 between changes and he said it was high, but within the manufacturer's guidance and valid for warranty (this one's just out of warranty - March 2003). Seat don't keep a national database so it's going to be difficult to see what if anything has been done. It's a one owner fleet car.

Price - the dealer had a 2003 Leon Cupra on the forecourt - 30,000 miles, £12500 - manager's special, ahem. Knock 2500 in real money - 9k independent book for average miles. I reckon I'm paying £1000 over the odds. They priced my old car virtually unseen and for various reasons it'd be tricky to shift any other way.

Service - cam belt and tensioner (£240), water pump (£85) and 90,000 mile service (he called it a '10' I think - £180). Not bad IMO.

Well, people, I'm going to give it a good look over on Friday and make a decision. Many thanks for the feedback.

Rob

 

[Ruddmeister]

Service history - is correct - 10,000 miles *or* 12 months. I asked about the 30,000 between changes and he said it was high, but within the manufacturer's guidance and valid for warranty (this one's just out of warranty - March 2003). Seat don't keep a national database so it's going to be difficult to see what if anything has been done. It's a one owner fleet car.

Yes 10,000miles or 12 months and the missing words are "whichever is sooner"

30,000 between services is cr@p, I bet SEAT would be asking questions if it's more than 1,000-1,500miles over.

The dash flashes at 10,000miles and says the car needs service, but some idiot has driven on for another 20,000miles

If you are in any doubt call SEAT head office and ask them if it's normal 0500 222 222

 

[Ruddmeister]

Price - the dealer had a 2003 Leon Cupra on the forecourt - 30,000 miles, £12500 - manager's special, ahem. Knock 2500 in real money - 9k independent book for average miles. I reckon I'm paying £1000 over the odds. They priced my old car virtually unseen and for various reasons it'd be tricky to shift any other way.

You could get a 54 plate Leon Cupra R in a private sale with 25,000 miles for £12,500

 

[Ruddmeister]

Service - cam belt and tensioner (£240), water pump (£85) and 90,000 mile service (he called it a '10' I think - £180). Not bad IMO.

If the are doing the cam belt and tensioner then the water pump should be parts cost only. The water pump is 5 mins work with the cam belt and tensioner off.

Also buy a GSF water pump with the metal Impellar not the std VAG one with the plastic impellar......it's cheaper and better.

 

[chris_m]

From what that dealer is saying, i wouldnt buy a car off them, period!

Ruddmeister is right..... its 10,000 miles or ever 12 months, whichever is sooner, bunch of lying swines!

 

[robby71]

Price - the dealer had a 2003 Leon Cupra on the forecourt - 30,000 miles, £12500 - manager's special, ahem. Knock 2500 in real money - 9k independent book for average miles.


Rob

is this a standard car?
i paid £8.5k for a 2003 Cupra with 31k, revo, full leather, cruise, etc

with the 90k car you'll need a brake fluid change and antifreeze change as well

 

[Patcho]

From what that dealer is saying, i wouldnt buy a car off them, period!

Ruddmeister is right..... its 10,000 miles or ever 12 months, whichever is sooner, bunch of lying swines!

OK! It's just what the Seat service dept told me in answer to the question "How many services should a 3 year 90000 mile Leon Cupra have had?" Answer: 3. I agree - it is absolutely stupid.

Rob

 

[Patcho]

is this a standard car?
i paid £8.5k for a 2003 Cupra with 31k, revo, full leather, cruise, etc

with the 90k car you'll need a brake fluid change and antifreeze change as well

Yep - standard Leon Cupra. Brake fluid was done a year ago, not sure about the antifreeze.

 

[Patcho]

From what that dealer is saying, i wouldnt buy a car off them, period!

Ruddmeister is right..... its 10,000 miles or ever 12 months, whichever is sooner, bunch of lying swines!

I'll check with Seat UK - thanks for the tip. I asked in a local Seat garage. I'm buying (perhaps) from an independent.

Rob

 

[Ruddmeister]

"How many services should a 3 year 90000 mile Leon Cupra have had?" Answer

Nine?

or was that a rhetorical question

 

[Tallpaul]

really, really don't buy this car. there are plenty of properly serviced, lower mileage examples out there.

it sounds like you are tempted by this one based on the part-ex that the dealer has offered you? if that is the case, whatever saving you are making there won't offset the cost that a car this poorly serviced will cost in the future - plus you will find it extremely difficult to get a good price for the Leon later on, nobody in there right mind should buy a high miler with a dodgy background.

 

[Spanky]

Where abouts are you Patcho...???

Having a quick flick on the Autotrader website (only looking at Trade - so you can PX) there are ALOT of sub 30K miles Leon Cupra's for less than £9K...

2003 03 Reg SEAT LEON 1.8 20VT CUPRA (FACELIFT MODEL) 5 Doors, Manual, Hatchback, Petrol, Metallic Silver. 180 Bhp, 6 Speed, 20.000 Miles With Full Seat Service History, Power Steering, ABS , Remote Locking, E/Windows x4, E/Mirrors, Air Con, Climate Control, . . . . (trade) £8,995

They even have a Audi S3 with 87K for £8,795 !!!

This was just one of many....... this particular one may not be near you (Leicestershire), but there are that many, there will be a few that are.....