Buying advice (1.8Tsi FR)

Parked_up

Active Member
Aug 18, 2020
28
2
Hi everyone, I've been trying to find a MK3 1.8 FR in various online marketplaces but have am struggling to find one that compares well in price to its diesel counterpart or other petrol engine size. I am pretty new to the Seat world so I am thinking that this model is a bit more rare than the diesel one and so the price holds its value a bit more. I also noticed another comment in a different thread mention that due to the current covid situation the prices are higher than normal, is this what others have experienced?

Cheers
 

Jazzjames

Active Member
Sep 13, 2018
160
68
Germany
I can’t offer advice on prices, but if you hunt around I’m sure you’ll find one at a decent price.

I own a 1.8 TSI and in my opinion it’s got a lot more to offer than the 1.4 TSI, which is already a good car. I would have thought the price of the 1.8 tsi would be very competitive against the 1.4 tsi because people are so fixated on MPG. (In my experience, the difference in economy between the cars is not big.)
 

Parked_up

Active Member
Aug 18, 2020
28
2
Thanks that's helpful. I test drove a 1.4 and got the impression I would need to put my foot down a lot to get it to go quicker, probably more than I would if I was driving the 1.8. Hence, the realistic difference in fuel economy is lower than manufacturer figures would suggest. I realise there's a lot more to than that but I'll be the one driving it at the end of the day.
 

Jazzjames

Active Member
Sep 13, 2018
160
68
Germany
The 1.4 tsi’s throttle pedal is actually mapped to give the impression of performance at smaller throttle openings. The 1.8 tsi on the other hand actually seems to need a little more pedal travel to get the same amount of acceleration. However, there is ultimately more performance on offer. I don’t mind this. It’s hardly much effort moving my big toe another cm or two. You can always drive around in sport mode to sharpen the throttle response if you wish.

People will say the two engines have the same torque figure, but fail to realise the range at which this is available. The 1.4’s torque band is narrow by comparison and As a result dies up top, not unlike a diesel, or the small 1.0 tsi tripple found in the Ibiza etc. The 1.8 is more linear and really starts moving just as the 1.4 needs another gear. It depends how you want to drive.

They’re both decent. From what I’ve read here and on PH, just avoid the 1.5 EVO engine found in later cars.
 

Parked_up

Active Member
Aug 18, 2020
28
2
Interesting thanks. Yes I've read the 1.5 has taken a nose dive from the 1.4 performance. Do all MK3 Leon's have the switchable performance option (ECO - SPORT) ?
 

Rooster

Active Member
Oct 27, 2018
1,188
326
Yorkshire
The 1.8 engine variants are rare, if you search around on this site there is lots of info on this subject, hope you get sorted. A friend of mine has a 1.5 FR and quite how Seat managed to turn the sweet "old" 1.4 150 into that is a mystery! We have swapped over a few times, and the older engine is definitely punchier and pulls well.
 

BoomerBoom

Active Member
Jun 1, 2018
690
249
Interesting thanks. Yes I've read the 1.5 has taken a nose dive from the 1.4 performance. Do all MK3 Leon's have the switchable performance option (ECO - SPORT) ?

No, this is model specific but the only noticeable difference is the throttle map between ECO and sport.
 

Parked_up

Active Member
Aug 18, 2020
28
2
Cool cheers. I'll have a search around the site. How do people find the DSG vs manual box on the car? Sorry if this is a common question.
 

adam davies

Active Member
Dec 30, 2019
338
138
Hi everyone, I've been trying to find a MK3 1.8 FR in various online marketplaces but have am struggling to find one that compares well in price to its diesel counterpart or other petrol engine size. I am pretty new to the Seat world so I am thinking that this model is a bit more rare than the diesel one and so the price holds its value a bit more. I also noticed another comment in a different thread mention that due to the current covid situation the prices are higher than normal, is this what others have experienced?

Cheers
What prices have you seen ?

I paid £10,500 around december time manual 1.8tsi sc, panoramic sunroof, black. 27,000 miles 2017 pre facelift.
Its a really nice car to drive and is even better mapped by apr ?
 

BigJase88

Jase
Apr 20, 2008
3,767
1,069
Cool cheers. I'll have a search around the site. How do people find the DSG vs manual box on the car? Sorry if this is a common question.
DSG is awesome. Once you go DSG you won’t go back to manual. However the 1.8 TSI has the weak 7 speed DSG that should be avoided. No potential to remap as they fail even in stock tune.
 

Parked_up

Active Member
Aug 18, 2020
28
2
DSG is awesome. Once you go DSG you won’t go back to manual. However the 1.8 TSI has the weak 7 speed DSG that should be avoided. No potential to remap as they fail even in stock tune.
Good to know, has anyone swapped out the box with a stronger Cupra one (or other) ?
 

BigJase88

Jase
Apr 20, 2008
3,767
1,069
Good to know, has anyone swapped out the box with a stronger Cupra one (or other) ?
I wouldn’t of thought so would be too much work.

I considered the 7 speed dsg but after reading all the horror stories online i opted for the 6 speed dsg instead.
 

Jazzjames

Active Member
Sep 13, 2018
160
68
Germany
The manual is a nice shift and the gear ratios are pretty sensible for having a bit of fun, too. 2nd goes to just shy of 60mph. 3rd takes you past 90. 6th gear is well set up for the motorway. Relatively low revs but you’ve got torque to accelerate if you need.

I got a manual because I find automatics boring to drive. I say get the manual and enjoy it!
 
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