New Leon Cupra owner questions

[jaybeee]

EDIT: soz about the title. It's not a new Leon (MKII) but the original MKI Leon

Hey

I've just bought a Black Leon Cupra 1.8 (03 reg, 21k!!). I love it! It's soooo good. Great forum btw: I've learnt a lot already.

Anyway, I have a few questions:

(1) Oil: I have already read a few of the oil threads on the forum. One very long one that just confused me. So, the car is overdue a service and will defo need an oil change. Now, I'm thinking it would be better if I buy some oil and ask the guys to use that rather than their oil (that seems like a good idea upon reading some threads already). So, what oil would be recommended for my car that is easily available (Halfords is easiest tbh)? Two or three brands with their properties would be cool.

(2) It has a full SEAT serive history, but as the 3yr warranty is up now, and it's overdue a service (the guy selling was just saving money obvioulsy by not getting it serviced when he should've!), I'm very tempted to take it to the local independent garage that I've been going to for about 4yrs now. These guys are very good and reliable, but are not SEAT (or sports car) specialists. The only thing that concerns me is that the SEAT garages (&/or SEAT specialist garages) will have more experience and specific SEAT equipment/diagnostic tools etc. Any thoughts on this? I can't believe everyone goes to a SEAT garage!?

(3) I have a stone chip on the front of the bonnet about the size of your small finger's fingernail. It's just starting to show signs of rust (only just though). Now I wanna get this sorted asap. Would it be worth getting one of the companies that specialise is stone chips etc to fix this or would I be able to do just as good a job with some paint stuff from Halfords? How do I remove the first signs of rust before applying the paint?

Sorry for the three largish questions, but any help would be highly appreciated.


Oh and btw (just for others interest really) I went with greenlight insurance as they gave the lowest (fully comp, protected no claims [5yrs], wife as named driver, me = age 28) quote of £497. The next lowest was elephant & admiral (same company) of £660.

 

[SpareMan]

Your oil needs to be at least VW501.01 standard grade 15W-40. Other posters say the cars come from the factory with this grade mineral oil. A lot of people on here seem to use 5W-40 semi or even fully synthetic.

A good independant garage should have no problems, after all they have likely seen your engine in numerous VW/Audi/Skoda's. It looks like you are due a 20K inspection so needs oil and pollen filters

Don't know much about chips except they best with gravy.

 

[jaybeee]

^^ thatnks for the reply SpareMan. Useful info about the pollen filter. Was gonna get them to change the oil filter too.

I actually had a chat with them today (had to pick up the wife's car after the alternator went), and they've had Cupra's in before. It was more a of a check really cos this is the first 'good' car I've owned... and what a car! :-D

Chips and tommy K not gravy!

Anyway, anyone any stone chip repair recommendations? DIY or company job?

 

[SpareMan]

of course it should have oil filter, all services do!! I think you misread my thread, should read 'needs oil, oil filter and pollen filter!!'

 

[jaybeee]

Ok thanks

 

[cupra fan]

You wouldn't go wrong using your local seat dealer, as you say got the experience and the equipment, also they use mobile independent chip/dent and paint paint people! good thing is they work on there cars as well-so you know they will do a very good job- just let them know and they'll pre book them!
oil wise Shell 5-40 fully synthetic, some of the dealers use this instead of the vw synta oil and it is a better spec/grade than the synta, but about £15 more!