Avice Please - Leon Cupra or Golf Ed 30

[spikeydoo]

Hi all

Time to swop out the LCR & I'd love an S3, just a bit pricey for me....

So what should I do? I spose more importantly why should I buy a cupra over a Golf Ed30? From what I understand the golf is the same engine 'basically' as both the Cupra & S3 but in a different tune?

New there isn't much in it in price terms - I'm gonna drive the golf gti, ed30 & the Cupra this weekend - but in the meantime i'd be interested in peoples views...

 

[DanGB]

If the price is actually similar, i'd go for the golf. Alot nicer quality of interior.

Bearing in mind alot of things come as standard on the cupra, like cruise, dual climate. Not sure about the golf.

Cupra and Golf do have the same engine, just different tune.

Of course test drive both, you may feel one drives better in terms of comfort and handling.

 

[H8T WP]

if you want a faster car then the cupra, i think it looks better also, there are tonnes of gtis out there and even though your after the 30 edition, not many people will take any notice its a special model lol

 

[phil3012]

I thought the price difference for the same spec was about £4000? I suppose now that Xenons are optional the difference isn't as much though.

Worth driving both and seeing what you think.

Bear in mind also the new Golf is out next year, wherease the Leon is fairly new in comparison, so the Golf will date a lot quicker.

Not driven the Ed 30, but wasn't that impressed with the Golf GTi. The Leon FR was a much better car. The GTi was just really dull to drive.

 

[phil3012]

Has the Ed 30 been made standard part of the Golf range?

When I was looking around for a car last May I was told all the ones they were every going to build had sold out. Wikipedia also confirms only 1500 were built for Europe.

Still looks as if you can buy them new though.

 

[Rampage]

It depends on which one feels/looks right for you.
Apparently the mk5 Golf is soon to be replaced, I wouldn't want to buy a car if if's about to be replaced.

 

[spikeydoo]

Thanks for the comments, taking them onboard...

Ed30 is about 21,500 in standard spec, thats with a discount - & yes limited to 1500 in the UK. I was at a VW dealer with my dad as he bought a polo TDi & happened to find myself sitting in the drivers seat of the golf & things just escalated from there....

I did not realise a new model was out so soon, could be why I can get a discount. I'll have a hunt about for info one that, thanks.

 

[tommy-cupra]

go for the S3!!!!

 

[H8T WP]

go for the S3!!!!

wouldnt we all ! if only it was cheaper !!!!

 

[Saul]

having just drove both, and bought an ed30 (nicer interior, better built and better residuals)

although they are now not 'limited' but are on open production (a current bone of contention for ed30 owners)

 

[phil3012]

Sounds like they are no longer limited to 1500. I'd be cheesed off if I'd bought one of the 'limited' run ones.

The score with the new Golf is that apparently the current Golf isn't selling well and too expensive to build, so they need to replace it ASAP.

It was supposed to be replaced this year (2 years early), but has been put back to next year as it isn't ready yet.

 

[spikeydoo]

Completely agree.... would be nice, pockets are just not deep enough for the S3.... & i really wanted a nice new shiney car....I didn't realise that they are not a limited run....thats a bit cheeky of VW....

I'm booked in for the golf & the ed30 tomorrow - & the seat dealership is not far either so I’ll pop along there too.

Saul - how was the ride quality? I have an LCR & they are pretty, shall i say firmly suspended?

 

[Saul]

Completely agree.... would be nice, pockets are just not deep enough for the S3.... & i really wanted a nice new shiney car....I didn't realise that they are not a limited run....thats a bit cheeky of VW....

I'm booked in for the golf & the ed30 tomorrow - & the seat dealership is not far either so I’ll pop along there too.

Saul - how was the ride quality? I have an LCR & they are pretty, shall i say firmly suspended?

i was pleasantly surprised on the test drive (albeit short)

having now done 500 miles, im very impressed, it rides bumps/potholes very well, not crashy at all, very well set up IMHO.

Theres no lean in the corners either and no torque steer.

possibly the best car ive ever owned, only thing i and others arent to impressed with are the brakes, 312mm whereas the leon cupra gets the r32's 344mm (which im looking to upgrade to)

 

[stokeballoon]

I too have an ED30, prior to this I had an FR TDI with a lot of extras.

The Golf Is far and away the better car IMO, the ride is far more refined, although i have not driven the CUPRA, so cannot comment there.

I found the visibility in the Leon awful, ok for short periods, but when you drive other cars, then drive the Leon it really shows.

I started to have DPF issues, nothing major, but with the likelihood of further issues, and these not being covered with the warranty, chopped it in.

The economy of the TDI was awful, my ED30 does 35 MPG, so not far behind at all, and a lot smoother.

When you drive a Golf again, its the little things that you find that make the drive.

Bonnet lifters, plenty of cubby holes, net in the boot, 12v socket in the boot, Handbook fits in the glovebox and so on.

I am not slating the Leon, i really wanted to get on with it, it looks great, the engine (TDI) wanted to go and really flew, but the enjoyment of driving was not there for me.

As a final point, I bought my ED30 when it was 3 months old with 1000 miles on the clock, paid a lot less than new, in fact around £3500 less, great car. Including a lot of options!

Go for the extended t/drive and see which suits you.

Dave R

 

[spikeydoo]

Thanks for the information, really really good stuff...

I was a bit worried about a crashy ride, because the LCR, joy as it is, can be quite tiring on twisty county back roads... Have an ed30 dsg & a gti manual booked in tomorrow to see whats what.

I think the sales guy wants to accompany me - going to have to think of a way to ditch him else it won't be much of a test drive.

These days is Xenons a must or just an expensive nice to have extra?

 

[JamMonkey]

I've just come out of a Mk5 GT TDI and thou i loved it i had read a automag stating the new Golf was coming this year, basically something about taking 4 weeks longer to build the current golf compared to Honda and Ford, all to do with rear suspension so they have redesigned it all to be able to make it quicker thus maximising profit.
I didn't want to be driving in the older shape for the next 3 years even thou i had a great price on a GT TDI 170.
So i went FR TDI, i do 20K miles a year work wise so had to be a diesel.

You'll know what you like, i ordered my Leon in November been worried i'd made the right decision ever since, but i love it now, just been changing the headlight bulbs to Philips Xtreme Whites need it to go dark now

 

[Saul]

xenons for me was a must, as standard lights seem very poor these days.

dont get the dsg IMO, although good (especially if you do a lot of town driving) some niggly problems on tt's with the ecu's giving up, and if you tune it, you will always be worried about the torque through the box.

 

[Ben CTR]

Test drove both, like both, pick up my Candy White 3DR Ed30 DSG with Xenons, Sat Nav, MFSW and armrest in about 7 weeks..
Do really like the Cupra, it's just that dash...
The Cupra does have 10bhp extra to start with. But when both remapped, they kick out the same horses..

 

[spikeydoo]

A mk6 golf on the horizon would hit the residuals on the mk5 somewhat. fell foul of that with the wifes clio ...

Got to admit white is very in at the moment, & it looks sooo sweet on the ed30 & the cupra but i'd be a little worried about re-sale.....but then again in a car park full of silver, black & grey cars, white will stand out loads....I think i get white - nice choice!

thanks for all the comments - slight more informed but no less decided....

 

[G!zmond0]

Man have you all bought seat just because of the lower price?