Observations after 400 miles of ownership

[Rob_M]

Well I've been busy enjoying my new car, and just thought I'd mention a few things ive found.

First - after 1 tank of super unleaded, I managed to average (mixed driving) the grand total of 18 mpg!

Second - Traction Control, it's only kicked in once and was a bit of a shock really. In my old Mondeo, when the TC kicked in all power went and it kangaroo'd down the road. In the leon the power seems to be put down more progressivly, so your not left stranded in a dangerous place and can still move off quickly - is this a normal characteristic? If it is I'm very impressed!

Thirdly and lastly - the amount of power and pull available in every gear is just staggering. I've never driven anything like this!

I've confirmed my car has been lowered, but I want to know what other mods if any have been done. I know the air filter etc are all standard, but want to check to see if it has a recirc valve or anything fitted - can anyone point me in the right direction to look and tell me or show me a photo of the standard units?

Cheers guys and girls.

 

[G2232]

a good place to start would possibly post some pictures then people will be able to look at photos and ast whether there are certain obvious changes from standard
and i dont mean just wide shots...

 

[longman]

Hi Rob

Traction control sounds spot on mate.... Mine is the same... Still power there but just cuts enough not to spin up!

Recirc or DV valve... Under the main engine cover. It sits on top of the corrigated, air inlet, pipe running from the Air Box where the filter is. It will have a small vacuum pipe off of the top and another larger bore pipe from the side.

Whether its original or an after market one, it will have the same inlet and outlets. Original will be made of plastic. A/M should be Ali (Annodised or Natural Finish probably)

Sorry for no pics, I am not on the right computer for that!!

18mpg? I get late twenties on a good, steady run. Although, I must admit it was far less than that in the first few weeks of fun!!

Max the computer has said is 38!! A bit spurious I think!!

 

[Gnollins]

This had me confused until I twigged that you're a different Rob M to the other one on here who has a Cupra R!

Rob_M vs RobM!

 

[Rob_M]

Will get some engine bay pics up later on, and some wide shots just because I love it so much and want to show it!

I wasn't expecting much from the first few tanks, just surprised how high it was really, most of the driving had been on my own to work and back and running round to see a few mates. The sensible driving (which is surprisingly easy to do) was with my little girl in the back so had no choice but to take it easy!

 

[Willie]

This had me confused until I twigged that you're a different Rob M to the other one on here who has a Cupra R!

Rob_M vs RobM!

SNAP

Was wondering why he had changed from a LCR to a LC
Didn't think he would free up much funds in that move

 

[Gnollins]

SNAP

Was wondering why he had changed from a LCR to a LC
Didn't think he would free up much funds in that move

Yeah, and the comments about driving a diesel in another thread!

 

[Rob_M]

I am going to update my sig and profile to say NOT RobM! Sorry if I keep confusing people, will try and speak to admin about changing my name on here if I get a chance.........

 

[skahigh]

Will get some engine bay pics up later on, and some wide shots just because I love it so much and want to show it!

I wasn't expecting much from the first few tanks, just surprised how high it was really, most of the driving had been on my own to work and back and running round to see a few mates. The sensible driving (which is surprisingly easy to do) was with my little girl in the back so had no choice but to take it easy!

how high it was???? i would have said 18 is pretty low! I was moaning that I only average about 22-23 a couple of weeks ago! FYI, Im sure VPower is giving me about 4mpg more than bpultimate as Im now averaging 28-30 doing the same route in the same driving style as before.

 

[stewbie55]

how high it was???? i would have said 18 is pretty low! I was moaning that I only average about 22-23 a couple of weeks ago! FYI, Im sure VPower is giving me about 4mpg more than bpultimate as Im now averaging 28-30 doing the same route in the same driving style as before.

My thoughts exactly, the worst I ever got in my Revo'd LC was 23 mpg over a 50 mile journey hitting 120 mph for some sustained periods (was 4.30 in the morning and clear roads ) and only slowing down for lights and roundabouts.

In my LCR typically get high 20's to low 30's in mixed driving. Worst I've had so far is 26mpg over a tankful which included 4 1/4mile runs and a blast up to 150

 

[chris_m]

Just dont for goodness sake get it chipped, because its a downward spiral. I managed almost 3yrs on 180bhp, had a map barely a month ago, and now i want more..... shocking really, as its got more than enough oomph to see off 95% of cars on the road, but its all want want want now.

 

[Rob_M]

Ok, finally got 5 minutes to get a pic of the engine without the cover on. Excuse the poor camera phone picture.

I've found what I think is the recirc valve, it is metal and has forge printed on it.

Any idea what the benefit is of this?

Cheers

Rob

 

[BCM]

Yup thats uprated!
Looks like a forge 007.
Also looks like the hose on the left could do with being pushed on a bit more!

 

[longman]

The benefit is that the original plastic ones don't cope very well under the heat of the engine and fail, causing the diaphragm inside to leek.

The forge one (Assuming yours is the later 007P) has a piston and a spring in it, this works much better, is more reliable and reacts quicker to the change in throttle response, resulting in a smoother drive and quicker pick up.

The earlier ones were still diaphragm ones but would still be better than the original.

Nice one, must be quite good fun playing hunt the free mod!!!

 

[andycupra]

now given it has a forge DV id say its possible its been remapped also.

where did you get this car from?

do you have TC or ESP? - will say on the button.

as for the Trction control, its doesnt operate below a certain speed, ie when pulling out of junctions, i believe there is a different system. on the move i find its pretty good. If you are feeding the power and just give it a little too much then its not to intrusive.

if you are a bit on or off on the throttle then it can be more instrusive. However its good to hear a comparison as many on here say the TC is not so good on the leons.

 

[Rob_M]

The button says ESP i think, will double check later.

I am thinking it has been mapped, mainly because when I was giving it some stick on the way home from work I didn't realise how close to the indicated red line I was, and it hit the limiter at 7.5K revs...... I though from the first one I test drove the limiter was at 6.5K revs?

Going to speak to a vag specialist who's a friend of my father in law, see what he can reveal for me.

It's nice finding free extra's that I would be wanting to get anyway.....

Will get that pipe checked and pushed on better BCM, well spotted.

 

[andycupra]

if its ESP then thats a nice touch too.
im not sure the rev limiter is at 6,500 rpm, however th red section of the rev counter starts at 6,500.

oo just noticed its been lowered also. id say it sounds like its been mapped.

 

[longman]

Is anyone else quite keen some pics of this car?? Come on Rob...Get some shots up so we can all have a look at the beast!!! Lets see what else you've got for free!!

I think its only LCRs that have ESP...TCS is what the LC has (more abreviations anyone?)

Measuring some blocks on VAG-COM would soon show if its been remapped. Shame you are so far otherwise I could have had a look for you.

I am sure your F.I.L's mate will be able to do that anyway.

I think the limiter is well into the red line to be honest. I have accidentally buzzed it into the 7,000s with no sign of a limiter and mine is a std map.

 

[andycupra]

ESP was standard on very early cupras. later ones TC was standard and ESP an option.

 

[Rob_M]

Will get decent pics of car and engine bay tonight when I can use the wifes camera.

I did put a wide shot in the intro section from the autotrader add for the car, but will get some decent ones tonight.

So glad I found this forum before I went looking for a car, you guys all know your stuff and are so helpful it's unreal!

Oh, BTW I managed 21 mpg on the last tank of fuel so it's getting better..... maybe when the thrill of being able to boot it and not leave a cloud of black diesel smoke wears off I'll get closer to 30.......... in about 6 months.