Questions for the MK3 Cupra owners

Lockee

Active Member
Mar 4, 2019
45
13
Hello. I'm hoping to upgrade my car in the coming months.
Loving everything about the Cupra 300. Probably looking at 2017 model.
I just have a few questions that I cant seem to find the answers to in reviews and decided to ask here.
Currently cant get a test drive in one either thanks to covid.

1: Turbo sounds? Can't seem to find a good video with engine noises. Old mk1 cupra had a nice sound when coming on to power and off the throttle.

2: Is there a specific add on pack (tech pack, black pack) that is a MUST HAVE that I should be looking out for when buying. I have read about most of them but wouldn't want to have the car and be missing something.

3: I've read on more than one occasion that servicing the car isn't too expensive? Similar to the standard FRs. Is this true?

4: Manual gearbox? not a big fan of DSG, mainly preference. Wondering if the manual box is reliable enough?

5: What is the suspension like for urban driving? Is it rough on speed bumps or uneven roads?

6: Is there anything I should look out for as a warning sign when buying?

Thanks for your time. Any replies or tips for buying are much appreciated.
S.
 

ray

Active Member
Jan 7, 2016
591
190
Hello. I'm hoping to upgrade my car in the coming months.
Loving everything about the Cupra 300. Probably looking at 2017 model.
I just have a few questions that I cant seem to find the answers to in reviews and decided to ask here.
Currently cant get a test drive in one either thanks to covid.

1: Turbo sounds? Can't seem to find a good video with engine noises. Old mk1 cupra had a nice sound when coming on to power and off the throttle.

2: Is there a specific add on pack (tech pack, black pack) that is a MUST HAVE that I should be looking out for when buying. I have read about most of them but wouldn't want to have the car and be missing something.

3: I've read on more than one occasion that servicing the car isn't too expensive? Similar to the standard FRs. Is this true?

4: Manual gearbox? not a big fan of DSG, mainly preference. Wondering if the manual box is reliable enough?

5: What is the suspension like for urban driving? Is it rough on speed bumps or uneven roads?

6: Is there anything I should look out for as a warning sign when buying?

Thanks for your time. Any replies or tips for buying are much appreciated.
S.

So I have a 280 manual, pretty similar.

1. I couldn’t hear much turbo noises on the standard intake, very slight - I have the vwr r600 and there’s loads of turbo noise.

2. Sorry no idea, mine has heated leather which is amazing though.

3. Servicing is fine, using decent oil etc and a full MOT my last service was £170.

4. So the gearbox is great, but I have read that after a remap the standard clutch isn’t going to last long.

5. Fantastic, the comfort mode is exactly that, in fact I never really use cupra mode - just individual with the cupra modes on everything except the heavier steering and stiffer suspension. My brother had a new focus st which is far stiffer for day to day driving.

6. Normal car buying advice, check the media system works ok - sometimes the screens freeze but that might be an older version issue and only happens when it’s freezing. Pretty decent buy though, not many massive issues I’ve seen.


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Lockee

Active Member
Mar 4, 2019
45
13
So I have a 280 manual, pretty similar.

1. I couldn’t hear much turbo noises on the standard intake, very slight - I have the vwr r600 and there’s loads of turbo noise.

2. Sorry no idea, mine has heated leather which is amazing though.

3. Servicing is fine, using decent oil etc and a full MOT my last service was £170.

4. So the gearbox is great, but I have read that after a remap the standard clutch isn’t going to last long.

5. Fantastic, the comfort mode is exactly that, in fact I never really use cupra mode - just individual with the cupra modes on everything except the heavier steering and stiffer suspension. My brother had a new focus st which is far stiffer for day to day driving.

6. Normal car buying advice, check the media system works ok - sometimes the screens freeze but that might be an older version issue and only happens when it’s freezing. Pretty decent buy though, not many massive issues I’ve seen.


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Thanks for the reply mate. Will be looking into a different intake so! Also glad to hear the services are reasonable.
Glad there is a balance of comfort and sport haha.
 
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Kibby

Active Member
Jul 12, 2013
450
39
Belfast
Hello. I'm hoping to upgrade my car in the coming months.
Loving everything about the Cupra 300. Probably looking at 2017 model.
I just have a few questions that I cant seem to find the answers to in reviews and decided to ask here.
Currently cant get a test drive in one either thanks to covid.

1: Turbo sounds? Can't seem to find a good video with engine noises. Old mk1 cupra had a nice sound when coming on to power and off the throttle.

2: Is there a specific add on pack (tech pack, black pack) that is a MUST HAVE that I should be looking out for when buying. I have read about most of them but wouldn't want to have the car and be missing something.

3: I've read on more than one occasion that servicing the car isn't too expensive? Similar to the standard FRs. Is this true?

4: Manual gearbox? not a big fan of DSG, mainly preference. Wondering if the manual box is reliable enough?

5: What is the suspension like for urban driving? Is it rough on speed bumps or uneven roads?

6: Is there anything I should look out for as a warning sign when buying?

Thanks for your time. Any replies or tips for buying are much appreciated.
S.

Im from belfast and have driven mine round ireland in the summer for a "stay cation" (my god i hate that term). Belfast to Donegal to Galway to Cork to Dublin and back. Easily one of the most comfortable cars to drive.

I would point out that tyre prices can be a pain in the neck, servicing is grand but ultimately you need to look after the car and not thrash it about.

Manual gearbox is lovely but the gear sitck is subject to wear and tear so look for any cracking around the base and on the gearknob itself, i can get 45mpg on motorway runs easily and 10mpg on b road runs very very easily.

Find one that ticks boxes that you need it to tick and enjoy the car mate.

Silencer delete will be more than enough noise for you (and doesnt drone)
 
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Lockee

Active Member
Mar 4, 2019
45
13
Im from belfast and have driven mine round ireland in the summer for a "stay cation" (my god i hate that term). Belfast to Donegal to Galway to Cork to Dublin and back. Easily one of the most comfortable cars to drive.

I would point out that tyre prices can be a pain in the neck, servicing is grand but ultimately you need to look after the car and not thrash it about.

Manual gearbox is lovely but the gear sitck is subject to wear and tear so look for any cracking around the base and on the gearknob itself, i can get 45mpg on motorway runs easily and 10mpg on b road runs very very easily.

Find one that ticks boxes that you need it to tick and enjoy the car mate.

Silencer delete will be more than enough noise for you (and doesnt drone)

Not looking forward to seeing my MPG but I've done well in the past with guzzlers haha. Have one on the way to me should be arriving in 3 weeks. Can't wait to be honest. Insurance is going to take me to town though.
 

stermyx24

Active Member
Oct 10, 2020
18
3
Hello. I'm hoping to upgrade my car in the coming months.
Loving everything about the Cupra 300. Probably looking at 2017 model.
I just have a few questions that I cant seem to find the answers to in reviews and decided to ask here.
Currently cant get a test drive in one either thanks to covid.

1: Turbo sounds? Can't seem to find a good video with engine noises. Old mk1 cupra had a nice sound when coming on to power and off the throttle.

2: Is there a specific add on pack (tech pack, black pack) that is a MUST HAVE that I should be looking out for when buying. I have read about most of them but wouldn't want to have the car and be missing something.

3: I've read on more than one occasion that servicing the car isn't too expensive? Similar to the standard FRs. Is this true?

4: Manual gearbox? not a big fan of DSG, mainly preference. Wondering if the manual box is reliable enough?

5: What is the suspension like for urban driving? Is it rough on speed bumps or uneven roads?

6: Is there anything I should look out for as a warning sign when buying?

Thanks for your time. Any replies or tips for buying are much appreciated.
S.

I have one from 2019.

1. I dont hear the turbo when running.
2. When i buyed the car, i think the "must have" packs comes without extra charge. I put all the packs.
3. Is true and not. Is not too expensive, but not like the FRs. And you have to count with tyres, fuel, etc.
4. For me DSG is best, and i was anti-DSG.
5. Suspension is ok for urban driving. It has 3 modes. My car has Racingline springs and still comfortable.
6. Not at all.
 

Kibby

Active Member
Jul 12, 2013
450
39
Belfast
Not looking forward to seeing my MPG but I've done well in the past with guzzlers haha. Have one on the way to me should be arriving in 3 weeks. Can't wait to be honest. Insurance is going to take me to town though.

Get onto Adrian Flux for the car insurance, they have done all of my modifications and are cheap. Been with them two years now and would be reluctant to change
 

Lockee

Active Member
Mar 4, 2019
45
13
I have one from 2019.

1. I dont hear the turbo when running.
2. When i buyed the car, i think the "must have" packs comes without extra charge. I put all the packs.
3. Is true and not. Is not too expensive, but not like the FRs. And you have to count with tyres, fuel, etc.
4. For me DSG is best, and i was anti-DSG.
5. Suspension is ok for urban driving. It has 3 modes. My car has Racingline springs and still comfortable.
6. Not at all.

Thanks for the info! Are they lowered springs?
 
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Dannnnn

Active Member
Dec 9, 2018
440
200
Hampshire
1: Turbo sounds? -

- Air filter, Turbo elbow and Turbo muffler delete will help. With just an air filter I hear it come on boost and dump when I let off.

2: Is there a specific add on pack (tech pack, black pack) that is a MUST HAVE that I should be looking out for when buying.

- Black pack imo. Especially on pre-facelift, they come with bucket seats for starters. On facelift I'm not sure.

3: I've read on more than one occasion that servicing the car isn't too expensive? Similar to the standard FRs. Is this true?

- Yeah servicing is alright, mine gets done at a VAG specialist. No more expensive than my wife's focus or my previous BMW

4: Manual gearbox? not a big fan of DSG, mainly preference. Wondering if the manual box is reliable enough?

- DSG is the one to have. Even though a decent clutch in the manual will make it reliable.

5: What is the suspension like for urban driving? Is it rough on speed bumps or uneven roads?

- Fine. Mine stays in comfort most of the time and even in Cupra it's not harsh.

As someone else has said above, a focus ST is waaay more uncomfortable

6: Is there anything I should look out for as a warning sign when buying?

- service history. Needs to have had DSG oil change at 4 years/40k, Diff Oil at 3 Years/30k. Check the water pump/thermostat for leaks.
Apart from that they're not too dangerous to buy.




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Lockee

Active Member
Mar 4, 2019
45
13
- DSG is the one to have. Even though a decent clutch in the manual will make it reliable.

Is there issues with the standard one or is it just that with wear and tear?
 

Dannnnn

Active Member
Dec 9, 2018
440
200
Hampshire
- DSG is the one to have. Even though a decent clutch in the manual will make it reliable.

Is there issues with the standard one or is it just that with wear and tear?
There's issues with the standard one. It might as well be made of chocolate. Theres people out there with cars with less that 20k on with worn out clutches.
They done put a higher rated clutch in it over a normal 2.0 FR apparently

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Lockee

Active Member
Mar 4, 2019
45
13
There's issues with the standard one. It might as well be made of chocolate. Theres people out there with cars with less that 20k on with worn out clutches.
They done put a higher rated clutch in it over a normal 2.0 FR apparently

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

I will keep this in mind thanks!
 

Kibby

Active Member
Jul 12, 2013
450
39
Belfast
There's issues with the standard one. It might as well be made of chocolate. Theres people out there with cars with less that 20k on with worn out clutches.
They done put a higher rated clutch in it over a normal 2.0 FR apparently

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
Mine has 82k miles and zero clutch slip, it isnt a goldne rule tgat all manual clutches are bad so take this advice and be cautious but dont let it put you off.

If you drive like an d**k and trash through the gears you will ruin the clutch but as i said mine is still perfect.

If you want to go Stage 1 or more then you will need a sachs clutch, having recently costed this expect at least £1000 for parts and labour minimum
 

Lockee

Active Member
Mar 4, 2019
45
13
Mine has 82k miles and zero clutch slip, it isnt a goldne rule tgat all manual clutches are bad so take this advice and be cautious but dont let it put you off.

If you drive like an d**k and trash through the gears you will ruin the clutch but as i said mine is still perfect.

If you want to go Stage 1 or more then you will need a sachs clutch, having recently costed this expect at least £1000 for parts and labour minimum

That's good to hear. Will be keeping it stock for the time being anyway.
 
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