FR has far better looking bumpers (imho), bigger breaks, much nicer steering wheel (imho again), different gear knob, different interior colour scheme. I'm not sure about ref sport wheels size, but FR has 17"s as standard and 18"s as option (both FR only). Oh, I would forgot bout silver wing mirrors in FR :)
 
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I would go for FR, but I don't like BTCC kit so it's easy choice for me :)

Seats in FR and ref sport are the same (bar the colour), suspensions are similar in both cars too.
 
does the extra 30 bhp make much difference? not expecting too much in performance really as i am changing from a lcr. Time to be sensible with mpg now though
lol
 
I'd stick with the diesel, I've driven both and opted for the diesel, love it to pieces definately would recommend it over the FR mainly due to fuel economy.

But don't forget you can always get it remapped to more than the FR spits out!!!
 
thanks guys.
I have found a ref sport with the btcc kit and 18's but dunno if i should go for this or an fr?

i was in the same dilema as urself...didnt know to go for a btcc or fr...

i liked the btcc kit, so didnt see the point of getting an Fr and ripping the bumpers off (after all, tahts wat ur mainly paying extra for)


main points u'll notice will just be interior in your case -

- colour scheme is different - however, the refernce sport does have the same sport/bucket seats as the FR - although the passenger one is not height adjustable.

- digital climate control (ref sport has the normal manual heating knobs with a/c button)
- steering wheel - FR has audio controls and a silver insert
- gear knob - fr branded
- clocks - white from my memory on the FR with FR logo
- MFD screen - full screen showing more info, ref sport has a half sized screen with the usual mpg/temp etc



personally imo, i didnt see the point in paying the extra insurance etc on an FR when i was essentially getting a similar car . Plus, after riding in my mates FR, i'd say i have to hate the ride quality of the Fr. It is very hard and crashy. my ref sport is still pretty firm but also quite smooth over the bumps at the same time.

also, i wudnt say theres that noticeable a diff in the 30bhp between them
 
I bought the Ref Sport with Aero Kit and considered the FR too. FR has cruise control, lumbar adjustment, folding mirrors, rear electric windows, ESP and a diesel particulate filter.
 
i was in the same dilema as urself...didnt know to go for a btcc or fr...

i liked the btcc kit, so didnt see the point of getting an Fr and ripping the bumpers off (after all, tahts wat ur mainly paying extra for)


main points u'll notice will just be interior in your case -

- colour scheme is different - however, the refernce sport does have the same sport/bucket seats as the FR - although the passenger one is not height adjustable.

- digital climate control (ref sport has the normal manual heating knobs with a/c button)
- steering wheel - FR has audio controls and a silver insert
- gear knob - fr branded
- clocks - white from my memory on the FR with FR logo
- MFD screen - full screen showing more info, ref sport has a half sized screen with the usual mpg/temp etc



personally imo, i didnt see the point in paying the extra insurance etc on an FR when i was essentially getting a similar car . Plus, after riding in my mates FR, i'd say i have to hate the ride quality of the Fr. It is very hard and crashy. my ref sport is still pretty firm but also quite smooth over the bumps at the same time.

also, i wudnt say theres that noticeable a diff in the 30bhp between them

The bigger MFD comes with the Bluetooth option so it would look the same if both cars had BT installed or are non BT cars.
Alex
 
Do'nt forget that the fr kicks out in excess of 170 bhp probably up to 200 as standard so even a remapped refeerence sport will not keep up with that and if you remap the fr wooooooosh.
 
I have a Leon Sport 2.0 TDI (Not a refrence sport).
Mine is a 2005 model, its before the FR was even released.

It has the FR seats(without the badge) and the steering wheel does have audio controls. 17" wheels as standard.

And yeah, its known that the FR TDI's can be around 190 standard.
 
Insurance groups might be a killer depnding on your age.

My car was group 8, whereas the FR was 14.

With only just turning 19, the FR was not exactly ideal.