Newbie with questions

[M6TT F]

Hello and Happy Christmas to you all! this is my first post, I'm Matt and i'm interested in replacing my Passat 1.8T for a Leon FR.

The Passat is a great comfy cruiser but no fun whatsoever so come April it's going. I like the look of the FR, it's cheaper than an equivalent Golf Gti and cheaper to insure (which is what the wife really wants!)

I have a few questions though -

Petrol or Diesel? - I've never had a derv and never thought I would, but with fuel costing what it does it's a thought. Are they noisey? do they rev or is it all over by 4K meaning constant gearchanging for the sweetspot? andyone had experience of both?

Specification levels - I can't seem to find a definitive answer as to what came as standard and what's a desirable aftermarket option to look out for (other than DSG) was there a facelift for the Mk2 as well?

Any known problems that should have been addressed before buying and any really annoying niggles that come with ownership? I noticed something about them steaming up a lot?

Sorry for all the questions but I want to make sure I get a good one one before shelling out 10k for a lemon

 

[TimJK]

Hello, I constantly switch between diesel and petrol as i work in a garage, so from my personal opinion if you want something FUN to drive then dont go for a diesel, go for the petrol, like you said, its quieter, it doesnt rev out til near 7k and there is more potential to get a few more horses out of one if you later on get bored again.

 

[Mr Cellotape]

Hello, I constantly switch between diesel and petrol as i work in a garage, so from my personal opinion if you want something FUN to drive then dont go for a diesel, go for the petrol, like you said, its quieter, it doesnt rev out til near 7k and there is more potential to get a few more horses out of one if you later on get bored again.

I dissagree. Diesel cars have come along way and are a lot of fun to drive.......You can't tell me the wifes Cupra TDI (my old one) isn't as much fun to drive as my K1

 

[TimJK]

Yes they have come along way, but if both cars were the same, i would much rather be driving a petrol one.

I drive about 10 cars a day minimum so always switching between the two.


I was driving my dads 3 litre tdi a5 last night and although you get some good looks i would rather drive my lcr

 

[alx_chung]

The choice between Derv or Petrol really boils down to how many miles you are doing a year. Both choices are fun to drive in the FR trim though and both have possibilities if you are going to mod it.
The facelift for the Leon did not come out until recently so unless you are buying new you are not going to get one for 10K. The must have options is Bluetooth and the Convience pack (auto dimming mirrors etc) The Winter pack is good as well but on the 2nd hand market its quite hard to come across cars with these options unless you are prepared to wait and search for it.
Alex

 

[M6TT F]

I've seen a few cars advertised with heated seats - is that part of the winter pack?

 

[alx_chung]

I've seen a few cars advertised with heated seats - is that part of the winter pack?

Yep.
Alex

 

[m888khn]

if fr then diesel & if you want petrol then cupra

 

[M6TT F]

Interesting, based on what?

 

[cuprakemp]

suppose it is all down to personal preference really and what u are going to use the car for . i had a diesel fabia vrs for 4 years and it was fun but after a while i got bored with it

 

[dannychapman10]

I have a standard 170 BHP FR and if you test drive both the petrol and diesel variants you will be blown away with the amount of torque from the TDI plus that figure only gets bigger when you remap

Danny.

 

[dannychapman10]

suppose it is all down to personal preference really and what u are going to use the car for . i had a diesel fabia vrs for 4 years and it was fun but after a while i got bored with it

God I bet you get some looks in that car mate! Awesome colour

Danny.

 

[jezyg]

I have a few questions though -

Petrol or Diesel? - I've never had a derv and never thought I would, but with fuel costing what it does it's a thought. Are they noisey? do they rev or is it all over by 4K meaning constant gearchanging for the sweetspot? andyone had experience of both?

Specification levels - I can't seem to find a definitive answer as to what came as standard and what's a desirable aftermarket option to look out for (other than DSG) was there a facelift for the Mk2 as well?

Any known problems that should have been addressed before buying and any really annoying niggles that come with ownership? I noticed something about them steaming up a lot?

Sorry for all the questions but I want to make sure I get a good one one before shelling out 10k for a lemon

Petrol or diesel is a personal as well as financal choice some prefer th economy and mid range punch of a derv and some prefer the higher revability and usually sharper response of a petrol. The petrol FR is cheaper to buy simply due to weaker residuals. Derv is obvioulsy more economical if unsure testdrive both.

An FR came with dual climate control, cruise control, alloys, electric windows, mirrors, ESP, bespoke (rather firm) suspension, silver mirror covers, sports FR seats, sports front and rear bumpers and FR badging inside and out. The facelift FR was realeased April 09 along with the rest of the Leon range.

The petrol FR can have fuel pump wear issues plenty on that in the FAQ section at the top. Some minor electrical issues but overall is a pretty reliable car. Tyre wear and tracking can be a problem if the tracking is out. Steaming up is a known design issue partly due to the windscreen design not sure if addressed on the FL but some cars seem worse than others?

 

[M6TT F]

Very informative jezyg thanks. I've seen a few cars with rear parking sensors too, was that a factory option?

 

[jezyg]

Very informative jezyg thanks. I've seen a few cars with rear parking sensors too, was that a factory option?

Yes that was a factory option but could be retro fitted. Not sure if PDC is only on FL models???? Don't have my pre FL brochure to hand.

 

[cuprakemp]

God I bet you get some looks in that car mate! Awesome colour

Danny.

yeah get sum looks oryt but i love the colour somthing different

 

[dannychapman10]

Yes that was a factory option but could be retro fitted. Not sure if PDC is only on FL models???? Don't have my pre FL brochure to hand.

Yes, was on pre-FL aswell and can also be retro-fitted

Danny.

 

[jezyg]

Yes, was on pre-FL aswell and can also be retro-fitted

Danny.

Thanks was not sure