SE with or without Tech Pack?

[ShubZ]

Hi guys,

I'm sorry if these questions have been answered elsewhere but I've tried searching the forum for quite a while, to no avail. I'm looking at buying a second hand Leon 1.2TSi SE (probably a 13 or 63 plate) and I'm trying to work out whether it is worth getting one with the tech pack? The tech pack seems to add about £1000 to the price of the vehicle but I can't quite work out whether or not it's worth paying.

I've been looking around at sites like Parkers, HonestJohn etc to try and establish the exact specification of the car but I am struggling to find the answers to some questions, so I was hoping all you experts out there might be able to answer them?

I'd like to know whether the standard SE model is able to stream music via Bluetooth or is it via a physical connection? (i.e. Is aux/USB input the only option?) Also is there a USB port/SD card slot/micro SD slot to play music from? Finally is the standard infotainment system touchscreen as standard?

Would it be better to visit a SEAT dealer and get them to do a FullLink software upgrade on an SE? (Is this even possible, as this seems a much cheaper option than going for the full tech pack?)

Apart from looking more aesthetically pleasing do the LED headlights actually make a significant difference to the nighttime driving experience? Are they actually much brighter than the standard headlights?

Finally what are your experiences of the built in SAT NAV? Is it any good or would the likes of Google Maps be better?

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated, cheers!

 

[DragonQ]

Honestly I have no idea about the different trims. When I was looking at the Seat website to find out which trim I wanted, it wasn't even clear which trims were considered more premium than others. Then you have the distinction between "SE Dynamic Technology" and "SE", which the Technology Pack can be added to. The website has slightly different feature lists for them but it's not very clear if they really are any different.

As for your media/sat nav questions, what I can say is I have a 2014 model with the Media System Plus / Navigation head unit and it plays music via bluetooth (with no button press necessary after initial set up). I'm not sure if the most basic stereo unit supports this. Full Link is only available on more recent models - late 2015 onwards if I remember correctly. The sat nav is useless. It might be fine for basic use but its judgement of which route is fastest based on traffic updates is poor in my experience. I use Waze/Google Maps instead.

 

[dw911]

I drove a car last night without led last night, had to check the lights were actually on, so I'd say the led headlights are certainly worth having
1000 pounds sounds a lot over and above a model without, so obviously in demand, worth bearing in mind also that it will make the car easy to sell and for a higher price in the future, so prorater you should get back some of the extra 1000 pounds over a model without.
Also when the Leon first came out, the technology pack was not free as it was later down the line.
Also have a look through older posts and you will come across people wanting to add stuff like led headlights etc to leons without, so if you can afford the extra money I'd say get the tech pack.
Anyway that's just my opinion

 

[yellowcone87]

I think the tech pack is a worthwhile addition if you can stretch to it.

The standard SE system is a 5" touchscreen, and it comes with an SD card slot where you'd expect the CD player to be usually. It also has two fewer speakers than the tech pack. It isn't great to be honest, and can't be upgraded with full link.

The sat nav is okay. I do use it, but it is far from the best I've used, and it regularly seems to choose the most awkward route imaginable. It isn't a very intelligent systems and you'll find yourself regularly ignoring it's instructions. But it will get you there, eventually!

The LED headlights are great, when they work. They're not as good as the zenons I've had on previous cars, but they are much, much better than the halogens on standard Leons. I've had a problem with mine since it was built in 2014 and 'Seat have been entirely unable to fix it. The auto levelling sequence on the headlights does not function properly, leaving one shining straight down at the floor with annoying regularity. This requires a full engine restart to rectify. Drives me nuts.

DAB though is worth its weight in gold. Couldn't go without it myself, but lots do!

 

[dephead2004]

I have your spec 1.2 se plus tech pack. Apart from the headlights and DAB you also get the signature running lights. All in all a more satisfying experience, hence the premium. Mine was free at point of sale so to add £1000 is a bit steep unless it is supply and demand.
Some se models have a media system (not plus) head unit. This is much poorer and should be avoided..
Please ask other questions and I will try to answer.

 

[R22 JGB]

The Tech pack cost £1000 on a new car, a used car should not be a grand more expensive with the tech pack.
My car has the tech pack, I changed my Octavia Scout because it had candle powered halogen headlights, my previous Leon had Bi xenon lights, I would say the LED lights are better, but don't steer around corners. Standard Sat Nav is overrated, If I need Sat Nav, I would rather use Tom Tom.

 

[TheVoice]

My last car (Mazda3 Sport) had xenons and my current Leon FR has LEDs; I'd never go back to normal halogen headlights again. I find the LEDs to be really good, and they completely transform the look of the car, it's just not a very pretty sight with the halogen reflectors.

I don't mind the sat nav, if I was using it regularly it might annoy me more as it can be a bit clunky and slow but for the occasional use it works well and I like the way it integrated with the Driver Information Screen.

 

[ShubZ]

Thanks everyone for all the replies!

It certainly sounds like it's worth going for one with the Tech Pack if I can. For some reason there doesn't seem to be as much choice of vehicles available with the petrol engine as the diesel so there is a bit of a jump in price, but not just due to the addition of the tech pack: mileage and age also differ.

For example:

2013 SE 1.2L (104bhp) 30,300 miles without the tech pack is available for £7995

then the next cheapest within 70 miles of me with the tech pack is:

2014 SE 1.2L (108bhp) S/S 23,000 miles £9500

So currently there's a £1500 difference between the two vehicles. I could hang tight though and see if anything else becomes available or broaden my net a bit and head a bit further afield.

If I can think of any more questions then I'll let you know

 

[Jarre]

Try a national search and see what's available then either travel further or see if there's a dealer closer to you that the car could be transported to


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Vale46]

Hi, I bought a MY2013/63 1.2TSI SE Technology with 18k mileage and the Tech Pack is totally worth it. Don't buy a non-tech one, as you will regret it just for the looks alone. The LED headlights, running lights and tail lights really make the car and go for the best spec you can find, not just the first one that comes along I did well sourcing mine as it came with Metallic Paint, 17" factory upgrade wheels, tinted rear privacy glass, headlight washers, cruise control, heated washers, full climate, DAB nav and best of all SEAT Sound upgrade.

 

[dephead2004]

Thanks everyone for all the replies!

It certainly sounds like it's worth going for one with the Tech Pack if I can. For some reason there doesn't seem to be as much choice of vehicles available with the petrol engine as the diesel so there is a bit of a jump in price, but not just due to the addition of the tech pack: mileage and age also differ.

For example:

2013 SE 1.2L (104bhp) 30,300 miles without the tech pack is available for £7995

then the next cheapest within 70 miles of me with the tech pack is:

2014 SE 1.2L (108bhp) S/S 23,000 miles £9500

So currently there's a £1500 difference between the two vehicles. I could hang tight though and see if anything else becomes available or broaden my net a bit and head a bit further afield.

If I can think of any more questions then I'll let you know

There's quite a lot going on with this pricing other than the tech pack eg newer engine ie 108bhp and one year warranty remaining and one year from MOT. Location is also quite key. What the market bears in one area would be impossible in another. So your£1500 difference accounts for more than the tech pack.

 

[ShubZ]

Then you have the distinction between "SE Dynamic Technology" and "SE", which the Technology Pack can be added to. The website has slightly different feature lists for them but it's not very clear if they really are any different.

Does anyone know what the difference is between these two, or even if there is any?

Thanks again for the responses. I'm certainly not going to rush in to anything but I'm eager to get behind the wheel of a Leon! It's world's apart from the 11 year old Vauxhall Meriva I've been driving!

 

[ShubZ]

There's quite a lot going on with this pricing other than the tech pack eg newer engine ie 108bhp and one year warranty remaining and one year from MOT.

I hadn't considered the manufacturer's warranty aspect, good point well made!

Is there much difference between the newer 108hp and older 104hp engines?

 

[stu_m]

Does anyone know what the difference is between these two, or even if there is any?

Thanks again for the responses. I'm certainly not going to rush in to anything but I'm eager to get behind the wheel of a Leon! It's world's apart from the 11 year old Vauxhall Meriva I've been driving!

the "SE Dynamic Technology" is only available on a new car and not on the model you are looking at

 

[dephead2004]

I hadn't considered the manufacturer's warranty aspect, good point well made!

Is there much difference between the newer 108hp and older 104hp engines?

4bhp?

 

[ShubZ]

4bhp?

Thanks