New Soon to be MK3 Leon owner

Jul 26, 2025
11
3
Hi all,

A budding soon to be MK3 Leon owner here. I'm still on the look out for "the one"

I've been out of the car community for a few years but now have some money to be able to get back in and enjoying what I drive again. 2 boring silver fiestas later!
 

James_R

Moderator
Staff member
Moderator
Apr 22, 2008
5,643
64
37
Manchester
Hi all,

A budding soon to be MK3 Leon owner here. I'm still on the look out for "the one"

I've been out of the car community for a few years but now have some money to be able to get back in and enjoying what I drive again. 2 boring silver fiestas later!
Welcome to the community!

Which spec are you planning on going for?
 
Jul 26, 2025
11
3
Hi, thanks for the welcome.
I've been looking for a few weeks now.
Feels like I'm looking like a needle in a haystack!
1.8tsi manual 5door (hatch or estate) preferably around 70k miles, and preferably the facelift.
But I'm also considering the 1.4 or 1.5 150ps models as well. I think I'd prefer the better suspension with the 1.8.

Feels like each search I do on autotrader I come up with less than 10 😂
 

James_R

Moderator
Staff member
Moderator
Apr 22, 2008
5,643
64
37
Manchester
Based off personal experience and to widen your search, I'd definitely consider the the 1.5tsi over the 1.8. It's a proven engine with plenty of grunt and there's not many more pros to the 1.8 unless you plan on tuning, but in that case you'd be better plumping for the 2.0.

I've had 2 x mk3 Leons, a 2014 1.2TSI and a 2015 2.0TDI, both excellent vehicles with lots of potential. I'd say that the 2014 Leon was probably the best car I ever had. I was sad to see it go.
 
Jul 26, 2025
11
3
Thanks for your input. I think I'll look to giving each a test drive.
I test drove the 1.5 130 the other day, and it was a bit gutless low down I felt. And I've also read about the gearboxes on the manuals being a bit "kangarooy" which is something I know I'll hate. Rev hang is already something I hate on most petrol cars these days.

It'll help widen the search for sure.
A cupra is not off the table either, checked the insurance and it's very reasonable for me.
 
Jul 26, 2025
11
3
I would love a cupra for sure. But I think they're just out of my price range, which is a shame
 
Jul 26, 2025
11
3
I've just managed to find a handful of 1.4ecotsi facelift models that fit the bill.
Wish me luck!
 

Seastormer

Cupra Leon VZ2 300/CBF1000
Apr 25, 2014
5,419
908
69
Edinburgh (Scotland)
Welcome to SCN, I too would say go for the Cupra, I had my 280 for near 8 trouble free years, and still miss it now. The CUPRA Leon I replaced it with is a great car too, but the infotainment system for controlling everything just can't beat having some good old fashion buttons, like my Mk3 had.
 
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Jul 26, 2025
11
3
I'd love to. Just can't quite stretch to a cupra.
There are some around, but they're even worse to find than a 1.8! 😂
 
Jul 26, 2025
11
3
Thanks guys,
I placed a deposit on one today!
I'll put a post up in the correct location when I get it.
I may need to pick some people's knowledge about getting the Full link up and running (hopefully for free)
 
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BradleyH

(Used to be BradsterSwagDog but then I grew up!)
Jan 5, 2018
18
5
Chesterfield, Derbyshire
Hi all,

A budding soon to be MK3 Leon owner here. I'm still on the look out for "the one"

I've been out of the car community for a few years but now have some money to be able to get back in and enjoying what I drive again. 2 boring silver fiestas later!
Hi Mikey welcome, I’d say it depends what you want out of it, I own a 2019 Leon Xcellence Lux ST 2.0TSI boot is huge for what is basically a golf chassis, 190ps moves from 0-60 in 7.1, tyres aren’t too expensive since Bridgestone Turenza 6’s are like £95 a tyre, I currently average around 38mpg as this is my workhorse and doesn’t go on the motorway all that often but when it does it is around 42-46mpg which means to me having come from a 2017 Audi S3 for power to economy I’d say it is pretty good to me, handles great with the independent rear suspension, what ever you end up picking I’m sure you’ll enjoy it, only thing with the 2L version that I know of is to keep an eye on the waterpump (not sure if this affects other engines) but it isn’t an instant catastrophic failure. Other bonus of this particular engine on the Xcellence lux of late MK3 years is TSI+MPI, so if you don’t know what that is it is dual fuel rails so you’ve got your direct injection and you’ve got port injection which does away with carbon build up on the intake valves
 
Last edited:
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Jul 26, 2025
11
3
So what have you chosen then?
Managed to get a great deal I reckon.
2016 Leon FR technology 1.4EcoTSI, it's red and immaculate.

Really pleased with it so far.

Just need to do a few things
1. Unlock the full link (I think it's the MIB1 has all the buttons on the media unit)
2. Get a parcel shelf (it didn't come with one)
3. Car mats
1000044698.jpg
 
Jul 26, 2025
11
3
Ah ok! Be aware that if they become yellow, they are slowly on their way out. Thats why I asked :)

That usually only happens when they have been on for a very long time (read: high mileage cars)
Thanks, for that. Is it the lenses changing the colour or the actual LEDs on their way out?

They're definitely fine at the moment.
 
Adrian Flux insurance services - discount for forum members.