Leon ST mods

[SAMF2204]

Hey all... just picked up a 'Boheme purple' Leon ST 1.6 tdi with DSG and I'm basically after inspiration for a few mods and make it stand out a little.

What have you guys done to your ST's to make them different?

Also.... been looking into a remap but not sure if it would grenade the gearbox..... could the 7 speed dsg handle the torque of a mapped 1.6? (its a 2018 model if that makes a difference)

Cheers all!!!

 

[Deleted member 77314]

I have a 184 ST DSG with some mods....

REVO stage 1 map (181hp to ~230hp):

REVO Stage 1 Software for a SEAT Leon MK3 (5F 2012 - 2020) 2.0 Common Rail 184

www.onlyrevo.com

I have the older 6 speed 'box, The map was put on in 2018 and has run flawlessly since then. Can't say how the 7-speed would perform though.


Triple R Composites splitter:

SEAT Leon MK3 FR / Cupra (PFL) Front Splitter | triplercomposites

PRODUCT DESCRIPTIONDefinition of a front splitter - Front splitters are essential aerodynamic components that serve to balance the front vs. rear distribution of downforce. A splitter is typically found on the front-end of a race car, appearing as a flat extension to the very bottom of the front...

www.triplercomposites.com

Rieger diffuser:

Seat Leon FR (01/17-on) Rieger Rear Bumper Diffuser - Twin Left Exit Gloss Black for sale online | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Seat Leon FR (01/17-on) Rieger Rear Bumper Diffuser - Twin Left Exit Gloss Black at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products!

www.ebay.co.uk

Looks subtle and goes well!

 

[Chillout]

Check out my build log:

SEAT Leon FR ST Ultimate Edition on DRIVE2

About car: 2020, 150 hp, engine gasoline, robotic. ⚠️Please, no private messages, asking me for support or help. I am not a business, but my time is valuable too. Many people forgot to say 'thanks' after helping them out, or have been making money th…

www.drive2.com

 

[Corzo54]

I have a 184 ST DSG with some mods....

REVO stage 1 map (181hp to ~230hp):

REVO Stage 1 Software for a SEAT Leon MK3 (5F 2012 - 2020) 2.0 Common Rail 184

www.onlyrevo.com

I have the older 6 speed 'box, The map was put on in 2018 and has run flawlessly since then. Can't say how the 7-speed would perform though.


Triple R Composites splitter:

SEAT Leon MK3 FR / Cupra (PFL) Front Splitter | triplercomposites

PRODUCT DESCRIPTIONDefinition of a front splitter - Front splitters are essential aerodynamic components that serve to balance the front vs. rear distribution of downforce. A splitter is typically found on the front-end of a race car, appearing as a flat extension to the very bottom of the front...

www.triplercomposites.com

Rieger diffuser:

Seat Leon FR (01/17-on) Rieger Rear Bumper Diffuser - Twin Left Exit Gloss Black for sale online | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Seat Leon FR (01/17-on) Rieger Rear Bumper Diffuser - Twin Left Exit Gloss Black at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products!

www.ebay.co.uk

Looks subtle and goes well!

Hi mate do u know if that splitter would fit mine ?

 

[nd-photo.nl]

Also add the rear window spoilers, they look great and also help with aero. They are quite expensive if you buy them original, they can also be found on Aliexpress etc

I also have a ST (Cupra 280), and added a Rieger diffuser. It totally transforms the back end. I don't know what is available for your bumper, but a diffuser is highly recommended. More pics:

ND-Photo.nl 's - Seat Leon ST Cupra 280

Fixed a small oil leak, the hose from the PCV valve didnt seal that well anymore. Replaced both O-rings with new Nitril rings. I will probably buy a new hose somewhere in the future, as they are pretty cheap.

www.seatcupra.net

 

[Corzo54]

I tried to put those side spoiler things on mine and the spoiler I’ve got is to big so they don’t fit lol

 

[nd-photo.nl]

@Corzo54 Now I am curious how your spoiler situation looks!

 

[Corzo54]

@Corzo54 Now I am curious how your spoiler situation looks!

Not good pretty sure It’s not an estate one but it’s stuck on now anyway it’s supposed to be flush with the roof and the windows but it sits out abit when I tried to put the side bits on they came down past the window on the bottom

 

[nd-photo.nl]

@Corzo54 Ah nice, I haven't seen it before! Do you have a link for it?

 

[Corzo54]

https://ebay.us/m/RtlDJ5 just a cheap one it’s deffo not the right one for the estate the fitment is not great it sits up abit on the roof and at the sides im scared of it blowing off soon on the motorway not sure I would recommend. When I bought the car I went to a body kit place to get the splitter and skirts and he told me all the mk3 hatchback stuff will fit but it deffo doesn’t as I’ve found out

 

[Corzo54]

https://ebay.us/m/RtlDJ5 just a cheap one it’s deffo not the right one for the estate the fitment is not great it sits up abit on the roof and at the sides im scared of it blowing off soon on the motorway not sure I would recommend. When I bought the car I went to a body kit place to get the splitter and skirts and he told me all the mk3 hatchback stuff will fit but it deffo doesn’t as I’ve found out

 

[Mo_86]

SEAT LEON MK3 5F8 ST SPORTS TOURER SPOILER ( from 2012 ) | eBay UK

Seat Leon 5F8 Sports Tourer. Spoiler will fit Sports Tourer model only.

ebay.us

This is the copy one for an ST, from Poland and is fibreglass so the fitment can be hit and miss.

 

[cairus]

SEAT LEON MK3 5F8 ST SPORTS TOURER SPOILER ( from 2012 ) | eBay UK

Seat Leon 5F8 Sports Tourer. Spoiler will fit Sports Tourer model only.

ebay.us

Dies ist die Kopie eines ST aus Polen und besteht aus Fiberglas, daher kann die Passform unterschiedlich ausfallen.

No shipping to Austria

 

[nd-photo.nl]

https://ebay.us/m/RtlDJ5 just a cheap one it’s deffo not the right one for the estate the fitment is not great it sits up abit on the roof and at the sides im scared of it blowing off soon on the motorway not sure I would recommend. When I bought the car I went to a body kit place to get the splitter and skirts and he told me all the mk3 hatchback stuff will fit but it deffo doesn’t as I’ve found out

Ah ok ok, I'm still hesitant about the upwards facing lip, I don't think it complements the sleek sloping roofline. The lip suits the SC better than the ST if you ask me

 

[Mr Pig]

The best mod you could do to a 1.6 TDi is to sell it and buy a petrol!

Not kidding. The 1.4 TSi 150 is a lot faster, more responsive and just nicer to drive but still gives you 45mpg all day and over 50 on a run. So yes, the diesel is more economical on fuel but work it out, unless you do very big millage the difference in cost might not be as big as you think. Totally worth the extra spend as the 1.4 is a beautiful engine. The TDi is a dog! A reliable and economical dog but a dog all the same.

 

[Frostybear]

There's also the RDX spoiler for the ST. I don't know of anyone that's fitted it though, so how well it fits is unknown.

https://rdx.de/en/products/seat/leon-5f/rdx-roof-spoiler-seat-leon-5f-st-station-wagon-incl-fr

 

[LeylandVCDS]

The best mod you could do to a 1.6 TDi is to sell it and buy a petrol!

Not kidding. The 1.4 TSi 150 is a lot faster, more responsive and just nicer to drive but still gives you 45mpg all day and over 50 on a run. So yes, the diesel is more economical on fuel but work it out, unless you do very big millage the difference in cost might not be as big as you think. Totally worth the extra spend as the 1.4 is a beautiful engine. The TDi is a dog! A reliable and economical dog but a dog all the same.

Hmm, can't agree there. My old 1.6TDI was remapped to 140, and pulled beautifully, quiet for a diesel and never let me down once in 5 years. Main problem to watch out for it keeping on top of the DPF on the diesel, but that's easy enough to do with the VAG DPF app anyway. Pre 2017 the 1.6 diesel is now £20 a year to tax, previously zero. Can't comment on servicing costs, as I do my own, and not sure how often the petrols need servicing.
Previous to my 1.6TDI, I had the 1.4TSI petrol in an Octavia and absolutely hated it with a passion. Mega heavy on fuel around town compared to the diesel, better on the open road but still nowhere near the figures the diesel gave. I've never kept a car as short a time as that one, and it was a certainty that when it did go, I was going back to diesel 100%.
I'm only doing 3-4k per year, and swapped my 1.6TDI for a 2.0TDI, and I'm not sorry. It won't be remapped as it's 150 standard anyway, once again I keep on top of the DPF, and do my own servicing on this too. If it's anywhere near as reliable and enjoyable to own as the 1.6 I'll be more than happy.

 

[Mr Pig]

Hmm, can't agree there. My old 1.6TDI was remapped to 140, and pulled beautifully, quiet for a diesel and never let me down once in 5 years. Main problem to watch out for it keeping on top of the DPF on the diesel, but that's easy enough to do with the VAG DPF app anyway. Pre 2017 the 1.6 diesel is now £20 a year to tax, previously zero. Can't comment on servicing costs, as I do my own, and not sure how often the petrols need servicing.
Previous to my 1.6TDI, I had the 1.4TSI petrol in an Octavia and absolutely hated it with a passion. Mega heavy on fuel around town compared to the diesel, better on the open road but still nowhere near the figures the diesel gave. I've never kept a car as short a time as that one, and it was a certainty that when it did go, I was going back to diesel 100%.
I'm only doing 3-4k per year, and swapped my 1.6TDI for a 2.0TDI, and I'm not sorry. It won't be remapped as it's 150 standard anyway, once again I keep on top of the DPF, and do my own servicing on this too. If it's anywhere near as reliable and enjoyable to own as the 1.6 I'll be more than happy.

If you liked the 1.6TDI you should be happy with the 150. In most respects it feels very similar although the extra weight on the nose is noticeable and unwelcome. Doesn't spool up as quickly and generally feels a bit more leaden at lower speeds. Power band is narrow but get the changes right and it does shift. Ours was noisier than the 1.6 but as the miles have piled on it's quietened down a bit. Still not as quiet as the 1.6 but it's not a noisy engine by any means. Sits well on the motorway.

If you're only doing 3-4k a year the overall difference in fuel costs is going to be negligible and diesels don't like short trips. If it's mainly longer drives it'll be fine but 4k of stop-start town driving is not what a diesel is designed for. They are mile munchers but they struggle to keep clean if running cold a lot. My wife gets about 54mpg average out of the 150 TDi while I get about 45mpg from the 150 ACT. I drive both cars all the time and there is no way I'd pick the diesel over the petrol. My wife's next car will be petrol.

Should be reliable. Both the 1.6 and 2.0 seem to be solid with no glaring weaknesses. If you're servicing yourself they cost about the same to service, maybe slightly less. Watch the timing belt though. VW have done away with the five-year schedule and are recommending inspection only but what I'm hearing is that ignoring the belt long term is a bad idea. Best not let it go beyond seven years. The belt on the TDI is cheaper to do than the 150 TSi ACT as it's a straightforward job while the ACT needs special kit to get the timing bang on. Using premium fuel really seems to make a difference to how the cars run, whether they are diesel or petrol. I was alternating but I'm running the good stuff all the time now as it makes a noticeable difference to the MPG I get. You just seem to get less issues the better the fuel you use.

 

[LeylandVCDS]

If you liked the 1.6TDI you should be happy with the 150. In most respects it feels very similar although the extra weight on the nose is noticeable and unwelcome. Doesn't spool up as quickly and generally feels a bit more leaden at lower speeds. Power band is narrow but get the changes right and it does shift. Ours was noisier than the 1.6 but as the miles have piled on it's quietened down a bit. Still not as quiet as the 1.6 but it's not a noisy engine by any means. Sits well on the motorway.

If you're only doing 3-4k a year the overall difference in fuel costs is going to be negligible and diesels don't like short trips. If it's mainly longer drives it'll be fine but 4k of stop-start town driving is not what a diesel is designed for. They are mile munchers but they struggle to keep clean if running cold a lot. My wife gets about 54mpg average out of the 150 TDi while I get about 45mpg from the 150 ACT. I drive both cars all the time and there is no way I'd pick the diesel over the petrol. My wife's next car will be petrol.

Should be reliable. Both the 1.6 and 2.0 seem to be solid with no glaring weaknesses. If you're servicing yourself they cost about the same to service, maybe slightly less. Watch the timing belt though. VW have done away with the five-year schedule and are recommending inspection only but what I'm hearing is that ignoring the belt long term is a bad idea. Best not let it go beyond seven years. The belt on the TDI is cheaper to do than the 150 TSi ACT as it's a straightforward job while the ACT needs special kit to get the timing bang on. Using premium fuel really seems to make a difference to how the cars run, whether they are diesel or petrol. I was alternating but I'm running the good stuff all the time now as it makes a noticeable difference to the MPG I get. You just seem to get less issues the better the fuel you use.

That's about what I'm averaging on the 2.0 - 54ish mpg. Drops to 45-48 in town, have had 73-75 on a decent run driven sensibly. Can't say I've noticed the extra weight or it feeling more leaden at lower speeds, but then again, the 2.0 is a DSG, whereas my 1.6 was a manual. Fuel I use is from my local Shell garage, whose prices are within a couple of pence of the local Tesco and Sainsbury's - I tend to use that since finding our my last Octavia 1.9PD (BXE) did not like supermarket fuel at all, it was noticably rougher, smokier and less powerful than when premium fuel was used, but that's the only car I've ever noticed that difference in.
This one's now 6 years old, and just over 33k miles, and the timing belt and water pump were replaced last year. Something I'm very, very religious about - 5 years no matter what the mileage (generally around the 18-20k mark for me - and I've done that since my old PD engined Octavias) - a mechanic friend of mine sorts the big jobs like that, and charged me £120 labour, after I sourced genuine belt kit, pump and aux belt from TPS. Full job with genuine parts for under £400 I can live with. Also done at the same time was a full coolant change, and a change of expansion bottle to one without the silica bag. I think I'm on top of it, just had a rear coil spring snap the morning of the last MOT but nothing else.

One thing to mention is the adblue on the TDI150 - never had an issue with it, and topped up for the first time since buying the car 2 years ago on the last service - it actually cost me less than £7 on the pumps for 2 years running, so absolutely negligable cost - only thing I wish I could sort out is the bloody calibration for the highline reverse camera it now has!

 

[Mr Pig]

That's about what I'm averaging on the 2.0 - 54ish mpg. Drops to 45-48 in town, have had 73-75 on a decent run driven sensibly.

I've never seen even close to 75mpg! I'm talking actual average over a tank by the way, not what the computer in the car says. Best average I've had is about 60. For town driving I think the petrol is better. Yes, the mpg drops but not as much as the diesel does on that kind of driving. To me diesel only makes sense if you're going more than average millage and it's mostly longer runs. And petrols are getting so good these days the case for diesel is even weaker. Years ago our 150hp car averaged about 30mpg but the 150hp Leon does 45 while diesel economy has not advanced by anything like that much. If at all.

I didn't know the newer cars have adblue?

You don't need to change the bottle to get rid of the silica bag, just pull it out.