RobbieMac

Guest
Hi everyone

Newbie to the forum here and not yet a Seat Owner.

Wanted to get some views of long standing Leon owners on the FR TDI's place in the heavy mileage per week bracket.

Currently doing around 1000 miles per week for company and using hire cars - I've become so happy with using the other Leon models that I was thinking of buying one (company will pay of course!!)

So, is the FR comfortable to drive for those kinds of miles (mostly motorway).

Oh and one other thing, and I apologise ahead of time (I know there are many threads that talk about Central Arm Rests and I've had a good look through them) but I can't spot WHERE you actually order them from, is it as simple as Local Seat Dealer or a specialist?

Many thanks all.

RobbieMac
 
Hi which leon fr tdi do you mean, a mk1 or mk2 shape? Ive got a 55 reg mk1 leon FR+ and for comfort and motorway journeys, this is what the car is built for its quiet comfortable, quick and excellent mpg on a long run 50+ a very good all round car. :) im very very happy with mine.
 
Hi Black TDI Turbo

Thanks for the quick reply.

I'm talking about the mk2, it would be a new car that I get.

I had read some good stats around mpg but wasn't sure if it marketing 'spin' :blink:

But nice to hear it from someone.

Cheers
 
Depends how you drive the mk 2 - I do around 400 motorway miles a week and average about 43mpg, and that is doing around 80 ish.

Comfort wise for the motorway that are good, armrest will be a big benefit. I also find with the stiffer supension it feels mopre sturdy at speed.

The only major downside will be the service intervals with your car needing a visit to the dealer every 10 weeks.........still you wont have any dpf issues I would imagine.
 
Yes - servicing/spare parts should be cheaper than other Manufacturers though (Audi/Golf - the other kinds I've considered).

Pardon the ignorance - dpf?

Yes - the pics of armrests look pretty good.

Was going to add the iPod connector under the seat and get bluetooth for work phone

Whats the sound like with using Bluetooth Phone on the motorway?
 
Only bonus to the VW / Audi will be the long life service option with a service being aound 18 - 20k which may reduce costs.......

DPF is the filter on the exhaust which keeps the emissions low but has problems with short stop start trips, motorway driving stops any issues with it, in 20k of alot of motorway miles I have not had the light flash on once.

For the ipod connector I have heard mixed views on it. As for the bluetooth if you are going to have any extra that is the one, especially with using the phone for work - the main reason I opted for it and also the on board computer has more functions with blue tooth, the reception is really good and I would be lost without this.
 
The bluetooth is very good, never had a problem at any speed hearing the other person or being understood...

The iPod connector is pants really, just a bog standard CD changer type connection so you can only listen to playlists, you would be better off saving the £90 and getting a better option.

I agree with on the verge, the FR feels really steady at high (legal obviously) speeds.

You may be able to get a longer service interval with such high mileage, might be worth checking...

There is a HUGE thread on DPF but with those kind of miles you shouldnt even know its there!
 
do you just do motorway miles, or do you get the opportunity to through it down the backroads???

If its only motorway ... to be honest .. after a while you think that you've made a bad choice as you are constantly bouncing up and down.... but as soon as you nail it down some backroads, you suddenly realise how nice it is and you put up with the harsh motorway ride.

bluetooth is a must no matter what.
 
I won't let it be motorways only - I've enjoyed driving the other Leons 1.6 & 2.0 non-FR versions and they've been good through the bends.

I would like to enjoy what the FR has to offer.

Interesting about the iPod view of things - I have a decent headunit (Becker) with glovebox connector in my current car.

Any suggestions on post-purchase solution to tunes in the car.

Phone + Music is what gets me down the M6 every week!!:whistle:
 
I have the iPod under the seat but it came with it (bought my car used).. My previous car had a Denison Ice lnk, which was good, and if you buy the whole lot even better (I just had a cable). If you phone is an iPhone I'm not sure it works with the standard iPod link anyway... I also have blue tooth and it's indispensable and if you program the voice dialing it's even better. Also depends on the head unit you have in the car as well as these differ and provide different results.
 
I've probably got a similar situation to yourself, company car and upwards of 1k a week. Mines due a service next week and only had it 2-3 months.

I got a FR with all the toys apart from any of the audio connection options and the sat nav. For motorways i love it, especially when you get arrogant BMW drivers flashing lights up your arse to get past. Just drop down and pull away, they usually get the message.

Mine does around 45 if i stick at 70. Comfort is really good, plenty of room in the boot for my tools.

As for the arm rest its around the 100 quid mark from the stealers.
 
If you are doing 1000 miles and if fuel consumption matters to you (but I am guessing that the company is likely to pay the fuel bills??) then a common rail engine would give you maybe +25% more economy.

A Leon isn't as quiet on the motorway as a 1 series BMW.
 
Company will pay around 12p a mile so I'll have to be light on the pedal every now & again.

Still - stats at ah-hem 70 look good [B)]

I'll do some digging into HeadUnit for iPod (I have an older 2nd Gen iPod)

Will let you all know when it's ordered

Thanks to everyone for their insights
 
What's the ride of the new FR's like. I tended to find them a bit twitchy on motorways which was really irritating if you needed a slash. The Cupra suspension seemed more forgiving whilst retaining good handling. I constantly found myself bobbing up and down over what looked like pretty flat roads then crashing through the rough stuff. Annoyingly the S3 has a bit of a similar habit to the FR in this respect. I'm not looking to float, I just like slightly more compliant suspension.
 
I do a fair few miles in mine, have covered 7000 in the few months I've had my car and I still love getting into it everytime! :)

I've had mine remapped and prefer how it feels with that. I've had the DPF light come on twice, once being this morning stuck in traffic on the way into work, but both have cleared about 5 minutes after coming on. I normally average around 45 mpg depending on how bad the traffic is when I'm driving around.

Deffinately get the bluetooth kit, its very handy when I'm driving around in the day. The winter pack is nice too, especially at the moment, the heated seats are a god send in the cold mornings!
 
I do +/- 500 a week in mine & love it, mpg wise the average consumption (setting #2) of a tank goes between 42-44mpg.

I've the underseat Ipod dock & it seems ok, have 1 issue with it not working, but that was fixed.

Bluetooth is 110% a must, as is arm rest.

I had a MK4 Golf PD150 prior to the FR & that was more like a cruiser than a hot hatch.

You can have fun in the backlanes due to the suspension set up, m'way wise, never had any reall problems with the ride, I'm on 18's too.