Leon for my next car - maybe...

[W444AJD]

Hi All,
I'm looking at replacing my 2009 A3 1.9 TDie Done 70k miles and starting to rattle a lot - recently had to spend over £500 replacing faulty EGT sensors, and I reckon the DPF is on the way out.
Anyway - the MK3 Leon is definitely a contender for next car. I recently had a rental car with the 1.2 TSI engine - was really impressed with that little engine - its the same power as my 1.9 TDi, with a few less torques, but obviously a lot smoother/quieter/more refined! Looks like 50mpg is also pretty achievable with this petrol motor, and its a lot cheaper than the diesels.
Just a couple things I hoped you guys could help with, before signing the dotted line!

1. What is the service interval for the 1.2 TSI? tried to find this online but with various different answers - some say 12,000 others say variable servicing, so maybe up to 20,000 depending on driving patterns?
2. Can you stream audio from iPhone 5S using spotify on the "basic" (5" media system) stereo in the SE model?
3. Reckon the apperance pack is worth the £500 on SE car? do the 17" wheels ruin the ride any, or affect the CO2/tax rate? I am probably going to tick the winter pack box too - my A3 has heated seats and dont think I could live without them now!

Thanks for any info/recommondations on options,


My Car History (present car first):
1. 2009 Audi A3 3dr 1.9 TDIe Sport
2. 2009 Alfa 147 5dr 1.9 JTDM Collezione
3. 2010 SEAT Exeo ST 2.0 TDi SE
4. 2010 BMW 118d 2dr Sport Coupe
5. 2004 Ford Focus 5dr 1.8 TDCi Zetec
6. 2005 Ford Focus 5dr 1.6 LX
7. 1999 Ford Escort 5dr 1.8 TD finesse
8. 2000 Fiat Punto 1.9 JTDM ELX

 

[stu_m]

I have just swapped my 1.2 tsi ibiza for the 1.6 tdi leon

I prefer a diesel than petrol

The 1.6 tdi has the same power as the 1.2 tsi except for the torque

You will miss the torque of the diesel as you drive on torque not on bhp

As for servicing long life is 20k I wouldn't recommend it personally

10k or every year whichever comes first for me

 

[Fred99]

Try the 1.4tsi engine rather than the 1.2. You will be amazed.

 

[dephead2004]

I have a1.2tsi with dsg. I get long term about 48mpg mostly careful short journeys. If I were doing a lot of long distance I'd look elsewhere but as a town, country and medium distance drive it's great.

Buy the service pack but for four years. I pay 11.20 per month. The fourth year is expensive so it's a better bet than 3 years. Just had year 2 service for £0. Mind you that's about what they did to the car. Oil and pollen. Oh and a year of seat recovery.
Tax£30.

At the time of purchase the dsg was only available with a1.2. I believe it's now available with a1.4 and I would have considered that.

Choose your dealer carefully my first one was appalling, second one excellent..look at drive the deal and see if the dealer will match it. Mine did. Some don't. Seems to depend on whether they have a bonus on the horizon. Who knows how the vag scandal will affect the deals.

 

[W444AJD]

Thanks for the info guys - I have driven the 1.4 TSI in my dad's Octavia and it's also a nice engine, I just didn't notice a huge leap from that 1.2 TSI I drove recently, and the 1.2 makes a cheaper purchase + cheaper insurance etc.
Dephead2004 - did you just get it serviced annually then, regardless of mileage?
There's some pretty good used prices on 1.2 TSI SE, looking about £10k for a 2014 car with 15k miles.

 

[dephead2004]

Yes I'm on annual servicing. For my use 20000 would take 4 years!