New to the site! - Talk to me about Leon's!

[MF-Racing]

Hi there,

New to site and new to the exciting world of SEAT!

I’m currently driving a 04 1.6 Fiat Stilo (remapped, lowered, Induction, etc etc) which I love but I keep seeing these sexy Leon’s driving about, which I really like the look of! I’ve also heard you can get the Audi DSG gearbox with them?!

So, I’ve been looking on the Seat site and I have a few questions I how your guys can help me with…

I’m after the sporty model – which is the best to go for the FR or Cupra?

Which model is it with the cut-outs on the rear (and front?) bumpers?

I take it the sporty models are all diesel? What sort of MPG do they do?

Is the DSG gearbox any good? Does it have paddles? Is the gear change nice and quick? Does it blip on the way down?

What options are recommended? I’ve off down to my dealership to have a chat this weekend.

What’s this DPF everyone is taking about?

I see that the model spec has just changed. Is it worth getting a brand new one or a slightly older one?

What about remapping etc is this possible? What are the gains like?

Anything else you can tell me about them!!??

Thanks in advance guys

Matt

 

[Deev]

Whoah - how long is a piece of string? Welcome though - and expect great gains if you're upgrading from a Stilo!

Some of the other guys can probably help you out with some of the questions as they're not really my department but I can correct you on a couple of points to start with...

The FR and Cupra are both, as you rightly say, the sporty models, and which to go for depends on how mad you want to go and how deep your pockets are. The Cupra is the performance choice with its standard 240bhp petrol engine and will chip to the 300bhp+ mark. The Cupra is obviously considerably more expensive though. The (slightly) more sane FR model is available in either 170bhp diesel or 198bhp petrol engines, with the diesel remapping to around 200bhp and the petrol up to about 250bhp (it doesn't remap as fas as the Cupra as the Cupra has a somewhat bigger turbo...). So no, the sporty models aren't all diesels, although personally I'm a fan of the performance you can get out of the diesels alongside the more favourable fuel bills and lower car tax brackets. It's also entertaining blowing boy racers away with your diesel

Yes the Leons have the DSG paddleshift option although I've not used it so I'm not the best person to recommend them. Most on here who have them are fans though...

The DPF is the thorn in the side of the TDI FR at the moment. It's the diesel particulate filter fitted to the 170bhp TDI and a lot of users are having trouble with it. Basically it's not a problem if you plan to thrash the car (as per the instructions!) but if you're more sedate and don't give it the beans now and again the filter clogs up, you get fault lights on the dash, and sometimes worse. Dealers tend to ignore your protestations as the "instructions" in the manual are to thrash it! I suppose that's one line you can use when you get pulled... "The manufacturer told me too officer...)

Hope you enjoy your time at the dealers... Happy shopping!

 

[ZBOYD]

Much as Deev has already explained:

However worth nothing that the only DSG equipped 'sporty' Leon at the moment is the Leon FR 2.0 TFSI Petrol model.

The model with the 'cut outs' is in fact a SEAT dealer fitted body kit, called the Aero kit (often incorrectly called the BTCC kit). SEAT have recently offered a revision to the Cupra called the CupraK1 which is essence just a Cupra with the Aero kit fitted to it.

Options to seriously consider are the Bluetooth kit, as the car gets the larger MFD (Multi Function Display) similar to Audi's driver information system. As well as the all important phone system.

The forum has had a great deal of these questions answered before in much greater detail, so I'd always recommend trawling the forum for more in-depth answers.

 

[mansell]

I am new to..... but couldn't agree more with Deev
I would love to have add the diesel.... but decided on petrol FR 2.0 because I do not do the miles for a diesel..... if you search for DPF you will find a lot of info

Welcome to the forum

 

[rpmleon]

Hi there,

New to site and new to the exciting world of SEAT!

I’m currently driving a 04 1.6 Fiat Stilo (remapped, lowered, Induction, etc etc) which I love but I keep seeing these sexy Leon’s driving about, which I really like the look of! I’ve also heard you can get the Audi DSG gearbox with them?!

So, I’ve been looking on the Seat site and I have a few questions I how your guys can help me with…

I’m after the sporty model – which is the best to go for the FR or Cupra?

Which model is it with the cut-outs on the rear (and front?) bumpers?

I take it the sporty models are all diesel? What sort of MPG do they do?

Is the DSG gearbox any good? Does it have paddles? Is the gear change nice and quick? Does it blip on the way down?

What options are recommended? I’ve off down to my dealership to have a chat this weekend.

What’s this DPF everyone is taking about?

I see that the model spec has just changed. Is it worth getting a brand new one or a slightly older one?

What about remapping etc is this possible? What are the gains like?

Anything else you can tell me about them!!??

Thanks in advance guys

Matt

Welcome to the forum my friend.

I think if you did a search on each of your questions you would find a "link" which will answer each one in more detail than anyone will be prepared to put up here.

In other words, with no disrespect, there is already an amaizing amount of information on all of the questions you have asked if you are only willing to "look" for it. If you then come across something which is already available on this site and need a little more info. Then ask the question. Lets look at what you have already asked:

I’m after the sporty model – which is the best to go for the FR or Cupra?
Answer: TEST DRIVE BOTH AND MAKE YOUR OWN DECISION!

Which model is it with the cut-outs on the rear (and front?) bumpers?
Answer: DO YOUR RESEARCH ON THIS SITE AND FIND THE ANSWER!

I take it the sporty models are all diesel? What sort of MPG do they do?
Answer: HAVE YOU EVER DRIVEN A SPORTY CAR? Ooops sorry. Having seen what you currently drive. Apparently not!!!!!!!

Is the DSG gearbox any good? Does it have paddles? Is the gear change nice and quick? Does it blip on the way down?
Answer: Yup, I can answer this because I do own a TFSI FR DSG (That is petrol not Diesel)

1. Does it have paddles?
Answer: Some models do, some don't. Mine does have "flappy paddles" which, to date I have rarely used. I personally tend to flick between 2 of the "4" options which are available. These are Normal "D" mode and "Sports Mode" (Do some research and TEST DRIVE!!)

2. Is the gear change nice and quick?
Answer: My friend, with no disrespect, you personally will not notice. The only way to appreciate it is to TEST DRIVE IT!

3. Does it blip on the way down?
Answer: My only answer to this can be What do you exactly mean by "blip"?

What options are recommended? I’ve off down to my dealership to have a chat this weekend.
Answer: Do it. Ask questions and take an elongated test drive in each model you are interested in. If you then have any additional questions ask them here!

What’s this DPF everyone is taking about?
Answer: Many threads posted. Do your research!

I see that the model spec has just changed. Is it worth getting a brand new one or a slightly older one?
Answer: Once again my friend. Do your own research. My point is: If you spent time looking at the threads on this site which will tell you what the most recent changes are it may affect your decision. For example. Xnon lights on the new Leon Cupra come as an £850 "OPTION" where as last year they came as standard!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What about remapping etc is this possible? What are the gains like?
Answer: Many links on this. Do your own research!

My friend. I do not want to seem negative on this but there is a lot of info you can gain by spending a little time "reseaching" your questions first before asking for clarification.

As I said, no offence meant. Go for a Seat and join the Club Elite

RPM

 

[Al]

What is your budget and are you looking for performance or economy or both? That will help you answer your questions.

 

[phil3012]

As the others have said depends what your needs and budget are as to which is the best to go for.

FR Petrol is an excellent car and very good value for money. Economy probably won't be great though.

Cupra in my oppinion is that little bit better all round than the FR Petrol, but significantly more to buy especially now as Xenons are optional and the fuel economy isn't great (but better than some rivals). I get as an overall average just under 26 mpg.

FR Diesel it a good mix of performance and economy. Not driven one, but know peole who own one. You need to do quite a bit of dual carrageway/motorway driving though really to avoid the potential DPF issues.

FR Petrol DSG. Again not driven one, but a lot of people rave about how good the DSG is.

I would try and decide roughtly what you're looking for and then find a dealer to compare a couple of models side by side. That's what I did when I was choosing between the FR and Cupra (well tried to, ended up going to 2 different dealers on the same weekend).

 

[flakmunky]

Welcome to the forum. RPM gets a bit irate now and then with people who don't use the search facility... But he's a nice guy really and very helpful as you can see.

Flappy Paddles are - I've started using them a lot, however because of their position on the s/w you sometimes need to use the stick to shift - like when you're giving it some beans coming off a roundabout the chances are your flappy paddle won't be to hand.

I think the FR TFSI DSG comes with flappy paddles, the Stylance doesn't but someone may correct me on that - the FRs I test drove (2) and mine all had them.

 

[Al]

Cupra in my oppinion is that little bit better all round than the FR Petrol, but significantly more to buy especially now as Xenons are optional and the fuel economy isn't great (but better than some rivals). I get as an overall average just under 26 mpg.

Xenons dont increase the performance though bud and a standard Cupra would stand its ground against a mapped FR TFSi in the performance stakes, it would stop quicker, and to boot, the Cupra is much less common than the FR. In addition, the fuel economy on the Cupra is little worse than the TFSi.

 

[PhilYerBoots]

Welcome to the forum. RPM gets a bit irate now and then with people who don't use the search facility... But he's a nice guy really and very helpful as you can see.

Flappy Paddles are - I've started using them a lot, however because of their position on the s/w you sometimes need to use the stick to shift - like when you're giving it some beans coming off a roundabout the chances are your flappy paddle won't be to hand.

I think the FR TFSI DSG comes with flappy paddles, the Stylance doesn't but someone may correct me on that - the FRs I test drove (2) and mine all had them.

Flakmunky is correct on the Stylance DSG - no paddles but still cracking to drive with the TDI 140 engine...:
..but it still has the tiptronic-style change on stick if you want to get involved...

 

[rpmleon]

Flakmunky is correct on the Stylance DSG - no paddles but still cracking to drive with the TDI 140 engine...:
..but it still has the tiptronic-style change on stick if you want to get involved...

Are the "paddles" not an option on the Stylance???????????

RPM

 

[amnesia]

The main thing that changed my mind from the Cupra to the FR was the DSG box and how easy it makes the drive. I guess if you haven't been driving long, the manual would be better. And also, you can get the Seat FR Leather Seats, if you want. Like others have stated, it's better to just go down to a dealer, drive a few and pick the right spec for you.

The one thing that you must get is Bluetooth. That's without a doubt.

And I think if you had a fully loaded FR, it would work out cheaper than a Cupra with Xenon's. So yeah. It's all personal choice. Enjoy your test drives. =)

 

[PhilYerBoots]

Are the "paddles" not an option on the Stylance???????????

RPM

Not that I'm aware of RPM...

Didn't have ours from new so had no choice on options unfortunately...

I think I read somewhere that there may be an after-market paddle option for the DSG on the Leon and would be interested if somebody knows anything about this...sorry if going a bit off-thread there...