Cupra vs Cupra R

[chrispyvrs]

Hi guys,

Thanks for reading my post, just after a few questions being answered if possible!

Looking at a Seat Leon at the moment, and test drove a lovely Cupra R at the weekend just unfortunately the finances with a p/x wouldnt work with that particular one at a dealer.

So my main question is what are the main differences between the Cupra and the Cupra R. The most noticeable ones that would affect day to day driving. MPG? Comfort?


And I dont just mean things like the bodykit!

Thanks everyone,

Chris

 

[RaviR50]

Loads mate, the interior is all black most cupras i expect arent, bucket seats ect. the cupra r is also a lot quicker they came in a 210bhp and a 225bhp version whereas the cupras are only 180bhp. The R also has brembo brakes making it a lot quicker when stopping (i guess) dont get me wrong the Cupras are lovely car but the R is the more desirable (for me anyway)

 

[andycupra]

if you can afford it get the cupra R.
In terms of comfort ive always found the LCRs a little better, probably due to suspension differences.
MPG, no real significant differences if driven like for like, ultimately the LCR is more powerful so if booting it will drink a bit more, but cruising should be much the same. I found the cupra is a little bit more nippy and eager round town, the LCR likes to stretch its legs as such. The LCR is a bit more civilised in how it puts the power down IMO.

differences are more than first appears. there are threads on it on here im sure. i wont get everything but a quick overview is:

engine:
LCR has K04 turbo, so larger than the cupras K03s
twin intercooler set up, 1 each side rater than the single one on a cupra.
larger injectors
larger air intake / maf.
LCR runs slightly lower compression pistons - to match larger turbo.

Exhaust:
larger downpipe and exhasut system on LCR. oval single tailpipe. cupra has small twin outlet.

brakes:
LCR runs larger front brakes with bremdo calipers
vented rear disks - cupra has solid rears and no brembos.

wheels:
LCR runs 18" split 5 spoke alloys, cupra runs 17"

suspension, - one of the bigger unnoticed differences
LCR has audi TT set up basically so different ARB set up.
Lighter whishbones on LCR.
LCR suspension has more damping and slightly softer springs. much nicer IMO.

interior:
LCR is black, cupra is black/grey. the LCR has black roof lining and pillars the cupras are grey. door cards, glovebox etc are all black on the LCR.
cupra has stock or leather seats. LCR has stock or recaro seats.
LCR has nicer steering wheel from facelift onwards (around 2003)
LCR has little red bits on airvents and rd stitching on seats etc.

other:
ESP is standard in LCRs, traction control is standard in cupras with ESP as an option.

lots more differences but id be here all day.

 

[dazjstuart]

+1 for all the above.

My Facelift LC has black door cards and glovebox etc, and has the same seats as the non reccaro LCR ones just in a different colour (dark blue stripes in the centre as opposed to plain black with red stitching). Think its only the pre-facelift LC's that have the standard interior.

Havent sat in an LCR for a while but from memory (this is personal opinion of course) the LC has a more comfortable ride it doesn't jar and jolt over bumps as badly, although this may just be down to the larger 18" wheels more than anything. I love my LC but the thing I envy most about the LCR is the interior, not many cars have the all black interior, its smart as. That said I prefer the exterior looks of the facelift LC, the fat boy back bumper is better than the 2 tone LCR one IMO and I have never been a massive fan of the "frog mouth" LCR grille.

As the others have said if you can afford it go for the LCR they are both nice motors but the LCR will possibly hold its value slightly better and if power is your thing a simple stage 1 remap can very cheaply give you 250bhp+ whereas with the LC getting anything more than 220 will require lots of £s.

 

[Richy Cupra]

Both awesome cars but for the price of the LCR's atm i would go for that. So much car for your money!!

Didn't know ESP was an option on the cupra andy?? another thing iv learnt

 

[CupraRmark]

I've had both and both are great cars, but I'd say get the LCR as ready to rock and better to upgrade, brakes and suspension wheels ready for tweaking..... Lc modding gets expensive


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[JackN91]

All the stuff above is spot on. Engine won't change on the LC, LCR comes in 210 and 225 bhp. The interior etc varies depending on what you buy, e.g I have the LC (didn't have the extra cash for LCR) but mine has full black leather interior and the colour matched body kit so it looks nicer then normal if you have cash to spend get the LCR it's the next one up in the leon range so it's going to be a nicer car

 

[DdraigR]

If you've got the budget to get a LCR and ou buy just a LC..........You will just be kicking yourself afterwards!

 

[putridmocha]

If you've got the budget to get a LCR and ou buy just a LC..........You will just be kicking yourself afterwards!

seconded. lc are nice cars tho

 

[chrispcupre]

I would buy a low mileage mint lc over a high mileage lcr and stage 1 remap the lc to improve the performance personally but if you can find a tidy lcr in your budget grab it !

 

[ben450]

I would buy a low mileage mint lc over a high mileage lcr and stage 1 remap the lc to improve the performance personally but if you can find a tidy lcr in your budget grab it !

Aslong as its been looked after and serviced regularly a high mileage don't matter

 

[JDUB 20V]

This looks nice & it has Recaro's - http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...code/le47nl/page/1/keywords/cupra_r?logcode=p

 

[putridmocha]

Good find, good time to buy a car in January and knock a bit off cash sale.
Just check for receipts and SH

 

[JDUB 20V]

I nearly had a Yellow Cupra R when i was looking for one, the engine needed attention and the owner only wanted £1200 in the end but it looked too tampered with so i just walked away.

 

[andycupra]

Both awesome cars but for the price of the LCR's atm i would go for that. So much car for your money!!

Didn't know ESP was an option on the cupra andy?? another thing iv learnt

the original cupras, around 2000 had ESP as standard, but also leather electric memory seats, auto dimming mirror, reverse gear dipping wing mirror, cruise, auto changer, radio display in dash display.
basically at this time the 'cupra' didnt exist, but in the UK seat took the sport model, threw options at it and sold it as an £18,000 'cupra', a sort of UK rebadging exercise. (thats £18,000 in 2000 so was a pricey car).

then a little while later they dropped the sport and the cupra proper was adopted by seat. however it was nearer to the sport spec than the original cupra, price reduced as a result no leather seats etc other than by optional extra. im not sure but before the facelift ESP may still have been a feature.
After the facelift traction control was standard, and i believe ESP was on option, but im not 100% on this. id be surprised if it wasnt an option.

 

[JDUB 20V]

Its a shame how the early ones got alot of extras and the later ones didnt I would have loved to have anti dazzle rear view mirror, maybe auto headlights like the VW's, radio display in dash display.

 

[andycupra]

Its a shame how the early ones got alot of extras and the later ones didnt

yes and no.. you could add the extras at a cost...
and then with the facelift if it had all the extras then im sure it would have been the same money as golf gtis etc. Which at the time would have not worked in the VAG set up and seat may not have been here today. Im also sure the LCR would not have come along..

 

[JDUB 20V]

Hmmmm the MK4 Golf's weren't that great! Apart from the R32..

 

[ben450]

I had a golf mk4 gti 1.8t and the difference between that and the R is night and day.

 

[JDUB 20V]

This isnt that bad either apart from the leather - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Seat-Leon...0482194?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item4d0839b812

Apart from price this one is interesting too - http://www.edition38.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=478302