Ibiza Cupra R or Leon Cupra R

[TimW]

Hello I'm new to this forum, as you can probably tell.

I'm in the market to buy a Leon Cupra R. However, never too keen on its 5dr-ness. I've seen a 2004 Ibiza Cupra 180 for sale, I've been trying to search the forum to see what difference it is between the two?

Do the Ibiza's run the K03 turbo and the Leon K04's?
If so, can the K04 be put onto the ibiza?
What sort of power would I be looking at with a few breating mods & remap.
Do they handle aswell as the Leon? The Leon looks a wider track.

Any help would be great thanks!!

 

[SeanyK]

Im not keen on 5 doors either mate, i've had 4 Ibiza Cupra's and loved them all including the latest MK4 I have.

They have the k03s turbo on the MK4 Ibiza Cupra's, the MK3 Ibiza has the K03.
The LCR I think has k04.

You can put the k04 with some work I believe, or alternatively go hybrid on a k03s.

People on here seem to get about 210bhp from a stage 1 remap, i'd imagine a few more bhp if you have the exhaust and air filter to match.

Stage 2 users around 220-235bhp realistically on the stock turbo, but this is with full turbo back system as the downpipe is the main restriction.

On my other car the one thing I noticed when changing the downpipe, was how freely it revved higher in the rev range.

Handling - not so sure, rear spacers help a lot, as will a decent set of coilovers.

 

[Pabs]

Just one thing - not that it matters too much - there is no mk4 ibiza cupra R - the cupra is the top model.

The mk3's had a handful of cupra R's, otherwise it's only the mk1 leons (currently) that have an R version. (Soon to change when the mk2 R comes out though!)

 

[NickyJam]

personally, if i could afford the overall cost i would go for the leon as it performs better overall and the clutches are much more manageable...however if you want a bit more fun while comprimising on space then the Ibiza is a good choice

 

[cupraajy]

Got a mk4 Ibiza cupra and love every minute of it, like seanyk said, Upgrade the downpipe and exhaust and re-map and u have got a very fun car to drive, 200+bhp per tonne!

Handling wise, decent set of coilover, spacers and Rear anti roll bar...decent tyres too

 

[TimW]

This might sound very chav, lol. but how quick are the ibiza's when running 240bhp? I'm currently running a bmw 325, which is pretty quick when it wants to be and i've just had it dyno'd at 205bhp.

Also, what would be a good price for a ibiza black cupra on a 54plate, with 38k on the clock? its up for £6500 atm.

 

[cupraajy]

well since my map...and im running 225bhp i can keep up and just pass an astra vxr running a TB exhaust...and they arnt slow cars!

I reckon thats a good price for the cupra...considering its been well looked after etc!

 

[TimW]

well since my map...and im running 225bhp i can keep up and just pass an astra vxr running a TB exhaust...and they arnt slow cars!

I reckon thats a good price for the cupra...considering its been well looked after etc!

So with milltek/downpipe/filter and stage 2 map It should be pushing 235/240bhp?

Sorry for all the questions! lol, where can you get a K03 hybrid?

 

[warren_cox]

Mk3 Ibiza Cupra R vs Mk1 Leon Cupra R.

That is a REALLY tough question. Having had two Leon's I could be inclined to swing that way, but I just love the size and weight of the Ibiza. It's quick AND nimble.

If you could have bought a Mk3 Ibiza Cupra R in 2003 I would have probably chosen it over the Leon.

Love them both, so a very tough call. Strangely I think the Ibiza Cupra R will turn out to be more iconic in time.

 

[TimW]

Sorry i mean the mk4 ibiza cupra. not the mk3 R. That was my mistake!

 

[warren_cox]

Sorry i mean the mk4 ibiza cupra. not the mk3 R. That was my mistake!

that's a much easier decision. LCR all the way for me. A more compelling drive and starting platform for modding. Driven both (Ibiza Cupra drive was at a SEAT UK organised track day at Prodrive, Warks), and whilst good, I just don't think its as good overall as the LCR.

 

[cupraajy]

that's a much easier decision. LCR all the way for me. A more compelling drive and starting platform for modding. Driven both (Ibiza Cupra drive was at a SEAT UK organised track day at Prodrive, Warks), and whilst good, I just don't think its as good overall as the LCR.

i went for the ibiza becuase you dont see many of them on the road (not that you see too many LCR's for that matter) but i dont need a big boot or 5 doors just yet. Still love the LCR and could be a contender as the replacement to the ibiza.

You could see 230-240bhp with what u have listed but all depends on the map...im only running 225bhp, but im happy with that cause the weight of the car makes it a very fun toy!!

A couple of the forum sponsers do the hybrids, its the best option instead of going down the K04 route, if do a search there are a heaps of threads on both option...end of the day you will see similar performance gains!

 

[Gaz44]

This might sound very chav, lol. but how quick are the ibiza's when running 240bhp? I'm currently running a bmw 325, which is pretty quick when it wants to be and i've just had it dyno'd at 205bhp.

Also, what would be a good price for a ibiza black cupra on a 54plate, with 38k on the clock? its up for £6500 atm.

You'll destroy a 325 with a 240 Ibiza. A standard Cupra R would take the BMW. I've just sold a 330ci Clubsport and that was maybe a tad quicker than an R, with 231bhp. The BMW's are heavy!

 

[Pabs]

I agree with cupraajy here (for obvious reasons):

But I was looking at LCR's as my next car, and eventually opted for the mk4 ibiza cupra instead. The reasons behind this were mainly financial:

The ibiza is 2 groups lower for insurance
The ibiza is around £1k cheaper for a newer car, lower mileage, and better condition
There are very few ibiza cupras on the road that I see - the Leon/LCR are everywhere now.

I picked up my 54plate Ibiza cupra, with 33k on the clock, for a shade over 6k. The LCR's I was looking at, at around 7k, were sh*t in comparison.