Test Drive

Darth Revan

Active Member
Morning all... Went for a 'brief' test drive in a 1.8T SC Leon yesterday. Was a manual box version with no toys, but was the engine I wanted to test.
Over all I was quite impressed. The car feels SO different to my MK2 FL, its lighter, handles very well and smooth to drive. Sounds nice when going for it too (sound thingy?) and while it doesn't 'feel' as fast as mine, looking at the speedo I suspect its not that far behind.
However, the one major gripe I had was the suspension. It was FIRM, very firm!!! It felt like my old '07 FR. My current Leon is on Eibach's and it is soooo much more comfortable. Is that normal??

They are letting me take one overnight sometime this week, so I'll get a better feel for the car :)
 

gamer555

Active Member
Dec 6, 2008
133
0
Brussels
if the car had DCC then you could have altered the suspension as well. was the car on 18's ? assuming your FR sits on 17's
 
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ZBOYD

Looking up at the stars!
May 19, 2001
9,468
15
Cheshire
www.seatcupra.net
The 1.8TSI FR doesn't have the DCC. Currently only the Cupra has this feature

Sport mode: alters Engine note (sound actuator), Throttle response, Steering firmness, if used with a DSG the change points are quicker.

I haven't really noticed the firmness in mine, feels good, though I don't like a completely soft ride, want to be able to feel what the car is doing on the road, but then I did come from a Mk2 Cupra with full coil overs, where going over a match stick was rough :p
 
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gamer555

Active Member
Dec 6, 2008
133
0
Brussels
I have ordered my 2.0 184 with DCC (also available for 1.8) in belgium, I assumed they are already out there.
 

Darth Revan

Active Member
Well, I've eventually got the car on test...
Its a 2013 Blue SC with all the toys (bar leather and sunroof) - 1.8FSI 180 (manual)

I did 84 miles in the car last night and I have to say I love it. Its very smooth and responsive, feels quick and sounds nice. Its comfortable and quiet. The suspension issue I had with the initial test drive were not there (that car had 30 miles on it, this has 8k?)
The interior is a complete step up from my MK2 FL Leon, looks and feels a higher quality and is a very nice place to sit :)
The tech pack features are very nice and the sound system with the sub is great :)
Lane warning system is 'weird' so kept turning it off lol.
Coming from 8 yrs of diesel driving I wasn't sure how I'd feel about driving a petrol again. Ok, I miss the low torque of mine a lot, but get the revs up and the smile appears :) I managed 34.5 mpg over the 84 miles of 'mixed' driving so I don't think that's too bad?
Oh and i LOVE the LED headlights with high beam assist!!
If they offer me a DSG for the right money I will be tempted!!
 
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Cougar

Active Member
Jul 10, 2011
356
1
All the same reasons that I chose to upgrade from my Mk2 FL mentioned in there :)

I don't look back at all either!

I hope you enjoy the rest of your test-drive as much as you have the first 84 miles!!
 
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