Legojon's sensible & economical totally stock 1.6 Leon

[Legojon]

So I debated whether or not to create a readers ride for my new Leon. It’s never going to be a 400bhp track car, I’m not even sure it has roll bars. But it’s a Seat. I’m thinking for every souped up beast on here, there must be a dozen stock Seats. So I’m creating this readers ride for my new daily driver. I’ll post up some pics of the interior, exterior and engine. Go through what I wanted from a car, the inspection process, what was good about it, what's bad about it. I plan to keep this car entirely stock. But over the next 6 months bring it’s maintenance entirely up to date and make it the safest car possible (going to share it with my son when he passes his test).

So firstly, why did I pick a 12 year old 1.6L 100bhp Leon. So I didn’t feel like I was cheating on the community here, it had to be a Seat. It had to be <£2000, be in fairly decent shape and the less on the clock the better. I’m hoping to get 40+mpg out of it (compared to the motorway 20mpg in my Cupra). And it’ll be run completely on Shell fuel save (£1.21 a litre vs £1.37 for v-power). So in that respect, I hope within 2 years for it to pay for itself.

I chose petrol over diesel for the simpler, cheaper engine. No EGR / DPF issues on the horizon and it doesn’t even have a turbo (which means no remapping – not that I already checked). Replacement parts are cheap, complex gadgets and electrical systems few. Extras include: cd player and a seat belt warning light.

 

[Legojon]

So checking over the car. The engine bay was nice and dry (except for the water I tipped in it opening the bonnet!). No signs of white patches (leaking coolant), or black patches (leaking oil). All the hoses seemed in good condition as did the auxiliary belt. Fluids were all their correct colours and levels. Strangely the air intake pipe was disconnected and the clip half way down the pipe, but not to worry eh!?

The engine started first time, first turn (sometimes the battery can be flat after months of standing – so not always a bad sign if it doesn’t). But the engine sounded fine at idle, no rattles or strange ticks. Getting someone to rev it for me didn’t add any unwanted sounds. Aircon and heater both worked properly (and both fans in the engine compartment). All door lock modules and electric windows worked.

Checking the MOT history in advance, I knew it was fairly clear but had needed some suspension work. So getting under the car, the dampers looked a bit corroded, but no leakage. The springs looked recently replaced. The exhaust wasn’t too bad. Also noted on the MOT, the handbrake seems to have already been sorted.

Moving onto the brakes. The pads still had a bit left, the discs were rusted, but not scored and the lip didn’t seem excessive. However, whilst both front discs had a fair amount of rust/wear. One side has a much bigger lip than the other. Didn’t seem like one had been replaced. So I’m wondering if one of the callipers is / has been sticking.

Speaking of which, all four callipers are rusted, excessive corrosion on the rears. But on the road test, there were no unusual noises, the steering, brakes and suspension all seemed fine. As did the hand brake / gear selection (including reverse). Aside from the rust on the brakes (nothing important then), the body work, although scuffed, scratched and cleaned by Edward Scissorhands was free of corrosion around the arches / joins.

So with £500 knocked off the window price the deposit was down. My plan is to give this 12 year old some Legojon lovin’. I want to bring this car up to scratch for as cheap as possible, without skimping on brands (using OEM where possible) and doing most of the work myself.

 

[Leeoncupra]

You should have looked for a mk1 fr pd150 bud as another alternative

leon mk1 cupra

 

[Legojon]

The most irritating niggle that needs to be sorted first is the key remote. The lock button works, the unlock doesn’t. So everytime I open the car with the key, the alarm goes off, marvellous. Next to that is looking a twat letting passengers in as the lock button in the center console works, but the unlock doesn’t. Why did the previous owner unlock the car 100 times more than lock it???

So my work list currently stands at:

• Give interior proper clean
• Clean exterior removing / covering as many scratches as possible
• Service (oil and filter, air filter, pollen filter)
• Spark plugs
  
• Purchase new center console panel
  
• New winter tyres (Good year ultragrip 9)
• Kenu Airframe
  
• Fit and hardwire dashcam
• Upgrade exterior bulbs (as much as possible)
  
• Upgrade interior bulbs to white
• Some car mats!
• New front discs/pads/calipers
• New rear discs/pads/calipers
• SeatCupra.net sticker!
• Test battery / alternator (replace if needed)
• Aftermarket stereo (maybe Android)
  
• Cambelt
• New key remote
• Figure out why rear window is so wet on the inside.
• Replace chipped rear light cluster
• Check alloys for damage, maybe refurb and change colour?
• New dampers on the front (and possibly rear)
• Ponder why I didn't just pay more for a better car!
• Boot handle sticking
• Wipers feked
• Radio turns off randomly (hurray!)

 

[Legojon]

You should have looked for a mk1 fr pd150 bud as another alternative

It's annoying as I've seen about 2-3 members on here sell their MK1s recently and I really fancied them (the cars, not the members ) . But I couldn't justify making an offer till I'd got my new job contract in writing.

 

[Sharpy]

Looks tidy. Lowered with big wheels and a few choice bits and pieces it’ll look great.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Legojon]

Looks tidy. Lowered with big wheels and a few choice bits and pieces it’ll look great.

Cheers, I don't usually tell people about my dreams cause then they look at me like I'm crazy. But I had a dream last night I powdered coated the wheels blue! When I woke up .

 

[Sharpy]

Cheers, I don't usually tell people about my dreams cause then they look at me like I'm crazy. But I had a dream last night I powdered coated the wheels blue! When I woke up .

Erm.... okayyy.... *steps slowly away*

I would go with gold....

 

[Legojon]

Avalanche of spending unleashed. Mats ordered (hopefully the correct shape). 8L of oil arriving tomorrow. Picked up parts for service. And center console buttons hopefully next week.

 

[Legojon]

Hmmm, I'm not sure I've got the energy to sort out pedal covers again... but maybe...

 

[Brimfull]

Should be an interesting little project

 

[Sharpy]

Needs an armrest...

 

[Legojon]

Needs an armrest...

You know what! It does!! I look like a right twat getting into and out of it! I got in, went to lean on the armrest and fell into the passenger well. Then getting out, I went to push myself off the arm rest and falling face first onto the horn. Conclusion, I must be so unfit and lazy!

 

[Legojon]

Didn't have time to do much today. Reconnected stupid pipe under the bonnet. The dipstick is rubbish, so it may or may not have oil. Made myself look a fool in Timpsons insisting the remote circuit board needed repair. Till he pointed out the tiny LED that isn't flashing. So that cost me £10 for a 20p battery I could have done myself! That'll teach me!! But at least all the remote buttons are working now and the alarm doesn't go off every time I get in.

I did manage to clean the front seats / footwells, controls, dash, mirror, interior windows, door cards.

Engine bay doesn't look too bad, although I removed the felt and binned it, and then washed my hands 5 times to try and get rid of the smell. I'm worried that water will now end up in the engine bay. But I'll see how it pans out.

Brakes have seen better days... rear:

Front:

Oh... and strangely the radio keeps turning on/off. Doors locking/unlocking while driving and when I got in the clock was showing midnight! I believe it's the original battery. So I've ordered a Bosch S4 which I'll hopefully pick up Sunday.

And finally, my first random part that's dropped off and I don't know where it goes:

 

[Sharpy]

There’s a leon not far from me that’s being broken that has one... want me to get a price?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Legojon]

There’s a leon not far from me that’s being broken that has one... want me to get a price?

You mean the underfelt? I think I'm going to leave it off for the moment, cheers. Trouble is, no matter what I put on, it's going to get saggy and mouldy again. This was literally so wet it was hanging off in the middle.

 

[Sharpy]

You mean the underfelt? I think I'm going to leave it off for the moment, cheers. Trouble is, no matter what I put on, it's going to get saggy and mouldy again. This was literally so wet it was hanging off in the middle.

Sorry meant armrest... you’d be better getting the felt new! They do get damp and smelly...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Legojon]

Sorry meant armrest... you’d be better getting the felt new! They do get damp and smelly...

Oh right. LOL. I'm avoiding any luxuries as I want to keep it as cheap as possible. It also makes me appreciate getting back in my Cupra more.

 

[Sharpy]

Oh right. LOL. I'm avoiding any luxuries as I want to keep it as cheap as possible. It also makes me appreciate getting back in my Cupra more.

Haha. Fair enough.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Bedlam]

That part that fell off is a cable cover from under a seat