Leon FR 184, Cupra, Golf GTD

[Bucksssss]

Afternoon all

I currently own a Cupra 290, however I do ~20k miles a year and although petrol price isn’t too much of a problem, it makes a significant different when travelling that much.

Has anybody owned a FR 184, or a golf GTD as well as owning a Cupra?

I’m basically trying to find out if you guys thought the 184/GTD was sufficient enough, I know the power isn’t anywhere near but when travelling this much I think I’m going to have to branch away from the Cupra

Any experiences from Cupra drivers who have driven a 184/GTD would be greatly appreciated

 

[AndrewJB]

Just for looks the GTD is a nicer car, both have same engine so wont be that much different. don't get swayed by the FR150 over the 184.

You could always bang a remap on there for the extra power.

 

[Challymo]

My previous car was an Octavia VRS 184, it is plenty of car for the day to day and there is something to be said for the grunt of a diesel. I only ever felt it was lacking a little when pulling away from lights/a roundabout next to something genuinely quick.

I will say that the consumption wasn't great unless you are doing longer journeys on a regular basis, for short journeys in traffic expect mid-high 30's on longer journeys driving gently I could average in the mid-high 60's.

 

[Bucksssss]

Just for looks the GTD is a nicer car, both have same engine so wont be that much different. don't get swayed by the FR150 over the 184.

You could always bang a remap on there for the extra power.

Completely agree. Would probably get a Mk7.5, I previously had a golf 150 and although it was good, just can’t see myself going from a 290 to a 150.

My previous car was an Octavia VRS 184, it is plenty of car for the day to day and there is something to be said for the grunt of a diesel. I only ever felt it was lacking a little when pulling away from lights/a roundabout next to something genuinely quick.

I will say that the consumption wasn't great unless you are doing longer journeys on a regular basis, for short journeys in traffic expect mid-high 30's on longer journeys driving gently I could average in the mid-high 60's.

What was the engine noise like? I know of course diesels are louder but did you find it significantly annoying? All my miles are motorway miles tbh so those MPG stats sound ideal, as well as I think a GTD looks beautiful.

 

[Laurbach]

I've just gone from a Leon FR 184 (2015) to a new Cupra 290. I've been really happy with the diesel. The diesel sound is there around town but as you build up speed it becomes just a deep humming. It's fantastic on the motorway though. We drive to Denmark once a year and it's so relaxed at 120 mph through Germany. And I don't think I've ever done less than 500 miles pr tank/50 liters.
Only thing against it is the lack of sound when you want to have a bit of fun. The engine doesn't sound like it's working at all no matter how hard push it. And I think the shifts in the manual box are a bit long.

 

[Bucksssss]

I've just gone from a Leon FR 184 (2015) to a new Cupra 290. I've been really happy with the diesel. The diesel sound is there around town but as you build up speed it becomes just a deep humming. It's fantastic on the motorway though. We drive to Denmark once a year and it's so relaxed at 120 mph through Germany. And I don't think I've ever done less than 500 miles pr tank/50 liters.
Only thing against it is the lack of sound when you want to have a bit of fun. The engine doesn't sound like it's working at all no matter how hard push it. And I think the shifts in the manual box are a bit long.

Glad to hear you enjoyed it, fills me with a lot more confidence. Is the 184 more than enough overtaking power? Oh god I miss getting 500 miles from a tank

 

[Laurbach]

Glad to hear you enjoyed it, fills me with a lot more confidence. Is the 184 more than enough overtaking power? Oh god I miss getting 500 miles from a tank

Yes I think it's been plenty powerful especially when you are on the motorway. Coming from a Cupra, obviously you will fell a difference. The acceleration is a bit like being pulled by a bungee cord. Is not as full on immediately as the Cupra but it builds up and it keeps accelerating way past what you can do on British motorways

 

[LouG]

Will fuel savings exceed the cost of running another car?

 

[Bucksssss]

Yes I think it's been plenty powerful especially when you are on the motorway. Coming from a Cupra, obviously you will fell a difference. The acceleration is a bit like being pulled by a bungee cord. Is not as full on immediately as the Cupra but it builds up and it keeps accelerating way past what you can do on British motorways

Ah brilliant, and apparently that’s the same engine that’s in the GTD right? For some reason the GTD is appealing that tiny bit more to me, might be the standard tech you get with it.

Will fuel savings exceed the cost of running another car?

Won’t be getting an extra car bud, just replacing it.

 

[Laurbach]

Ah brilliant, and apparently that’s the same engine that’s in the GTD right? For some reason the GTD is appealing that tiny bit more to me, might be the standard tech you get with it.


Won’t be getting an extra car bud, just replacing it.

Same engine yes. And the GTD might have less of the Leon interior rattles ;-) You really need to go and have a go in one..

 

[RCampbell1]

Same engine yes. And the GTD might have less of the Leon interior rattles ;-) You really need to go and have a go in one..

I've had both and they both had their fair share of rattles

GTD was much more refined to drive though

But I think my 290 ez is better still

 

[Bucksssss]

Same engine yes. And the GTD might have less of the Leon interior rattles ;-) You really need to go and have a go in one..

Yeah looks like I’m taking my ass to the VW dealership tomorrow

I've had both and they both had their fair share of rattles

GTD was much more refined to drive though

But I think my 290 ez is better still

I’m guessing you got similar MPG to the Skoda whilst in your GTD? 50+ on motorways?

 

[RCampbell1]

Yeah looks like I’m taking my ass to the VW dealership tomorrow



I’m guessing you got similar MPG to the Skoda whilst in your GTD? 50+ on motorways?

The one area the fr was better than the golf was fuel economy. Not sure why, the fr was consistently 5mpg better everywhere (measured doing the brim to brim method)
Overall I was about 47mpg in GTD and 52 in fr

 

[Bucksssss]

The one area the fr was better than the golf was fuel economy. Not sure why, the fr was consistently 5mpg better everywhere (measured doing the brim to brim method)
Overall I was about 47mpg in GTD and 52 in fr

Ah, not as high as I hoped but still considerably better than the cupra thanks for the reply.

 

[Miguel 7]

Let's swap
I only do 3 miles to work and back and have a 184 so wouldn't mind at all
My boss has a gtd he's a golf lover
Am in love with Leons so really biased when comparing. Both similar cars tbh
Golf has a slightly better finish inside

 

[caz95]

I'd get the 184 FR over the GTD pretty much the same car with a different/posher badge. It'll cost a lot less aswell. Dunno what's behind the hate for SEAT interiors in general. I've only ever had a mk3 fr and always get a compliment when someone sees it for the first time, inside and outside. The stock car is by no means slow either, it's not rapid but it's just right for going up and down motorways. I'm getting mine remapped the first weekend in May, if you're still undecided by then I'll let you know

 

[Bucksssss]

Let's swap
I only do 3 miles to work and back and have a 184 so wouldn't mind at all
My boss has a gtd he's a golf lover
Am in love with Leons so really biased when comparing. Both similar cars tbh
Golf has a slightly better finish inside

Aye sounds like a perfect deal Your boss sounds like a good bloke, I do miss my golf 150ps to be honest. There’s just something about the interior that just pleases me.

I'd get the 184 FR over the GTD pretty much the same car with a different/posher badge. It'll cost a lot less aswell. Dunno what's behind the hate for SEAT interiors in general. I've only ever had a mk3 fr and always get a compliment when someone sees it for the first time, inside and outside. The stock car is by no means slow either, it's not rapid but it's just right for going up and down motorways. I'm getting mine remapped the first weekend in May, if you're still undecided by then I'll let you know

I completely agree on the cost side, almost the same car with a lot of price difference. Tbh I’m just bored of the SEAT interior and I’m not a huge fan of the screen. As long as the stock 184 is enough to get you out of trouble/overtake and have a bit of fun I’m sure that engine will suffice. Off to the dealerships tomorrow to test both cars me thinks!

 

[LouG]

Ah brilliant, and apparently that’s the same engine that’s in the GTD right? For some reason the GTD is appealing that tiny bit more to me, might be the standard tech you get with it.


Won’t be getting an extra car bud, just replacing it.

OK, your second sentence misled me. Personally, I couldn't give up Cupra grunt, it's too addictive. Fuel would have to go way higher than $2.48 litre before I'd get twitchy about the cost.

 

[RCampbell1]

Ah, not as high as I hoped but still considerably better than the cupra thanks for the reply.

Both my cars were estate versions so a slight weight penalty which possibly impacted the consumption. The golf was also definitely heavier than the fr with its extra sound proofing and all the other fripperys.They're supposedly similar cars but, sorry fr fans, everything is just that little bit better in the golf (apart from consumption in my case)

 

[Bucksssss]

Both my cars were estate versions so a slight weight penalty which possibly impacted the consumption. The golf was also definitely heavier than the fr with its extra sound proofing and all the other fripperys.They're supposedly similar cars but, sorry fr fans, everything is just that little bit better in the golf (apart from consumption in my case)

Agreed, just feels that tiny bit more classy.