Leon ST - 1.2TSI any good?

[champ222]

Hi all.

Ive just joined to forum in the hope for your help.

Short version:

Ive found a car in budget, a 1.2 TSI 110 SE with the Tech pack, 2015 with 50,000 miles. looks ok in the photos.

how is the ride on a leon with 16" wheels? firmer than a golf bluemotion?

What is the 1.2TSI like in terms of reliability? Ive read about it being phased out in favour of the 1.0 3 cylinder, so i assume its been out a while...

Anything i should be looking at? or reason to avoid?

Long version:

I need to replace our second car with something bigger. We dont do big miles in it, but we could do with some boot space when we do.

So we've narrowed it down to medium hatchbacks with bigger than average boots, or a medium estate car.

I want a petrol engine, as i have no need, or desire for a diesel, we do lots of short journeys, so it doesnt make sense.

I want good headlights though, xenon or LED. budget is £9000 max, preferably less than that.

I had settled on a honda civic. the Tourer is a bit out of budget. but the hatch is within, just. huge boot on the civic hatch, and the magic seats are awesome. the trouble is, the newer shape, 2012 onwards, are very difficult to find with xenon headlights. they only fitted them to the top models, of which there arent many around. they are nice though, panoramic roof, leather, rear camera etc etc.

So i then stumbled across the Leon ST, with its LED light. it seems a lot of people went for the tech pack, so most seem to have them.

Ive found a car in budget, a 1.2 TSI 110 SE with the Tech pack, 2015 with 50,000 miles. looks ok in the photos.

i would prefer the 1.4 i think, but I'll try and organise a test drive to see what i think about the 1.2. I'm also a bit concerned about the 16" wheels. i say this because if the car is too soft, it sends me to sleep while driving, not good. I had a 2010 golf bluemotion for a temporary company car a few years ago, and it just rocked me to sleep lol. 17's would give a firmer ride with a bit less compliance.

The FR would be better, but well out of budget really. i'm hoping the leons are a firmer ride generally?

What is the 1.2TSI like in terms of reliability? Ive read about it being phased out in favour of the 1.0 3 cylinder, so i assume its been out a while...

Anything i should be looking at? or reason to avoid?

Thanks

 

[Skyscraper120]

If I'm not mistaken the 1.2 110 is very reliable and replaced with a 3 pot 1.0 110 or 115 I think but that doesn't have a proven track record as of yet as it's still fairly new.

LED headlights are a must for me and definitely recommend them. Can't comment on much else.

 

[champ222]

Thanks Brocky, good to know.

Ive read about the passenger seat folding flat. Is this a standard feature on the ST do you know? or an option.

... never mind, you need the storage plus pack

Cheers

 

[Rooster]

I bought my ST instead of a Golf 7 hatchback, ( had a Golf 6 on lease) it's not much longer than a Golf and i like the boot space, the seat release handles come in really handy as well, and the boot floor has two height positions. After trying a few i went for the 1.4 Tsi ACT 150bhp as a balance between running costs and performance and i have not regretted it. It's mad doing 70mph on a level motorway on only two cylinders, 700cc, as well.

 

[KXL]

After trying a few i went for the 1.4 Tsi ACT 150bhp as a balance between running costs and performance and i have not regretted it. It's mad doing 70mph on a level motorway on only two cylinders, 700cc, as well.

And of course 50+ mpg (or 60+?) while crusing @ 70mph using 2 cylinders.

Back to the 1.2 SE Tech, I guess you would be able to do up to 40mpg at slower speeds in city, and easily 50+ mpg at faster speeds (40-70mph). If you have no headlight washers, I recommend you actually wipe the headlight lenses perhaps once a fortnight, or whenever you fill up, as grime and dirt reduces the brightness a lot!

 

[salsajoe]

I bought my ST instead of a Golf 7 hatchback, ( had a Golf 6 on lease) it's not much longer than a Golf and i like the boot space, the seat release handles come in really handy as well, and the boot floor has two height positions. After trying a few i went for the 1.4 Tsi ACT 150bhp as a balance between running costs and performance and i have not regretted it. It's mad doing 70mph on a level motorway on only two cylinders, 700cc, as well.

The 1.4 ACT is great but don't get the 1.5 ACT 150 as they changed the gearing and it is sluggish by comparison - emissions issue probably?

 

[Rooster]

The 1.4 ACT is great but don't get the 1.5 ACT 150 as they changed the gearing and it is sluggish by comparison - emissions issue probably?

That sounds like "progress" then!

 

[champ222]

just to update you all

I test drove the Leon ST, and i liked it. Surprising performance from the little 1.2. On the outside it had some pretty deep scratches. but the inside was nice and tidy. there was a bit of a rumble coming from the rear i think. Sounded to me like a tyre or wheel bearing noise.

Its being MOT'd, having the scratches sorted, and the noise investigated, and assuming that is all done, and done well, i'll be picking it up in a week or so i hope.

Its got aftermarket parking sensors fitted, which seem to work ok, but the beep is a bit loud! might have to find the box and quiet it down somehow.

I think the car is going to work well for us.

I hadnt realised the CD player and the SD card etc is in the glove box. there seemed to be two cables that can plug into the media connector, one of which gives a USB socket. For Music playback, SD card? or USB? or doesnt it matter?

Assuming it doesnt have Full Link, so i can use Android auto, can i retrofit it?

Thanks