Thinking of buying a leon

[N1ck1711]

Hi, in the process of getting rid of an Ibiza bocanegra which I have only had a couple of months but the had numerous problems with it.

Thinking of getting a Leon to replace it but unsure which engine/trim to go for.

Want it to be quite sporty and as quick as the bocanegra. And also DSG.

Have been looking at the 1.8tsi DSG FR.

Thanks a lot in advance


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[matthab]

Dont discount the FR 1.4 tsi. Has a lot of low down grunt so feels faster than it is.

 

[jcbmally]

Hi, in the process of getting rid of an Ibiza bocanegra which I have only had a couple of months but the had numerous problems with it.

Thinking of getting a Leon to replace it but unsure which engine/trim to go for.

Want it to be quite sporty and as quick as the bocanegra. And also DSG.

Have been looking at the 1.8tsi DSG FR.

Thanks a lot in advance


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http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?t=420387

 

[N1ck1711]

Had a look through that. Seems to be mixed reviews and from last year. Is the 1.8 still hard to find?


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[jcbmally]

Had a look through that. Seems to be mixed reviews and from last year. Is the 1.8 still hard to find?


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If your buying new then no, second hand a bit rarer. Personally I had the 1.8tsi. Had the 1.4tsi and 1.8tsi for demo and went with the latter, better brakes, suspension and a bullet proof engine.
I know there will be mixed comments about the two engines but if you want slightly cheaper running cost then go for the smaller capacity. I averaged 37/38 to high 40's in mine (worst was 33/34 hard driving). Yes the engine has been around a while but you cant knock years of development

I await the punches

 

[N1ck1711]

If your buying new then no, second hand a bit rarer. Personally I had the 1.8tsi. Had the 1.4tsi and 1.8tsi for demo and went with the latter, better brakes, suspension and a bullet proof engine.

I know there will be mixed comments about the two engines but if you want slightly cheaper running cost then go for the smaller capacity. I averaged 37/38 to high 40's in mine (worst was 33/34 hard driving). Yes the engine has been around a while but you cant knock years of development



I await the punches

Thanks for your reply. I think I would prefer the 1.8 as if the 1.4 is anything like the Ibiza cupra then it's one to stay away from. Not getting brand new looking for second hand. Too expensive brand new otherwise would love one!

 

[weirdkerr]

Thanks for your reply. I think I would prefer the 1.8 as if the 1.4 is anything like the Ibiza cupra then it's one to stay away from. Not getting brand new looking for second hand. Too expensive brand new otherwise would love one!

the 1.4tsi is not the same twincharger engine used in the boc....

 

[Ashworth]

If your buying new then no, second hand a bit rarer. Personally I had the 1.8tsi. Had the 1.4tsi and 1.8tsi for demo and went with the latter, better brakes, suspension and a bullet proof engine.

I hope the 1.8tsi being a bit rare second hand might mean that I will get a good price for mine if I decide to sell it in the next few months. Mine is a manual, not DSG, and will be 3 years old in June. I too am looking at getting a DSG when I swap my car. Still can't make up my mind whether to have another 1.8 or have the 1.4 instead. I've loved the 1.8 manual and so probably will have another 1.8 especially if I get a good price for my current car. I was actually surprised that the difference in price between the two engines isn't greater.

 

[Biker]

Push the boat out and go for the Cupra! The 2.0L engine is sublime...........

 

[Ashworth]

Push the boat out and go for the Cupra! The 2.0L engine is sublime...........

Sounds a good idea, but no. The 1.4tsi would probably be more than adequate for what I need but I have enjoyed having the 1.8tsi and for the small price difference I will probably go for that bit extra again. I know the Cupra is quite understated in its looks, but although I live in a rural area I do occasionally have to visit and park in a rather dodgy inner city area where I would just be worried about parking it there at night. I've always wanted a Golf Gti but not had one for that reason. I know it perhaps sounds silly but I would just be worried all the time I parked there. Also, as I am now almost 60 years old perhaps I need to drive something a little less sporty. The 1.8 is identical in looks to the 1.4 and so I can get away with it! Joking really, as I know my age shouldn't matter on such matters.

 

[shadak]

I tested 1.4 and bought 1.8 dsg so id vote 1.8 for reasons already mentioned.

BUT after 2 years I decided it was time for Cupra 290 and boy am I happy Ive done that... its sooo good even compared to 1.8 I couldnt believe it.

 

[matthab]

Thanks for your reply. I think I would prefer the 1.8 as if the 1.4 is anything like the Ibiza cupra then it's one to stay away from. Not getting brand new looking for second hand. Too expensive brand new otherwise would love one!

The 1.4 TSI ACT is NOTHING like the 1.4 twin charger. It has good low down grunt and is a nice little engine.

For me the 1.8 is in no mans land. Its not got quite enough power and isnt very economical, I know you do not get the Bigger brakes, better chassis etc but will you notice? Where as the 1.4 ticks a lot of boxes for a lot of people, good amount of grunt and economical. This shows by how many used 1.8's vs 1.4's are about. Im ready to take the bashing here .

For me if you want grunt save up and get a Leon Cupra. The 2.0tsi is such a wonderful engine and its a good step up from the Ibiza Cupra.

My own view is Seat should of offered the FR with the 1.4tsi and the 2.0tsi used in the VRS/GTI. Then offer the Cupra as a step up.

 

[dieselface]

My own view is Seat should of offered the FR with the 1.4tsi and the 2.0tsi used in the VRS/GTI. Then offer the Cupra as a step up.

Some fair and valid points if I don't agree with them all. The multi link rear was the difference for me.

The mk2 FR 2.0 petrol was in no man's land (200 & 211PS vs 240 & 265PS) so not sure doing the same to the mk3 would work (220 vs 280/290). Seat stopped selling it before the end of the mk2s run and made FR essentially a sport trim level - clearly a commercially correct decision.

 

[Seastormer]

Sounds a good idea, but no. The 1.4tsi would probably be more than adequate for what I need but I have enjoyed having the 1.8tsi and for the small price difference I will probably go for that bit extra again. I know the Cupra is quite understated in its looks, but although I live in a rural area I do occasionally have to visit and park in a rather dodgy inner city area where I would just be worried about parking it there at night. I've always wanted a Golf Gti but not had one for that reason. I know it perhaps sounds silly but I would just be worried all the time I parked there. Also, as I am now almost 60 years old perhaps I need to drive something a little less sporty. The 1.8 is identical in looks to the 1.4 and so I can get away with it! Joking really, as I know my age shouldn't matter on such matters.

Having just came from a Biza twincharger, the Cupra is a nice upgrade and does not stick out like some hot hatchbacks do. As for being too old, I'm as old as you and find the cars two natures ideal, comfort mode for the family journeys, but a press of Cupra or Sport for those country roads will keep you young.

 

[Lentäjä]

I went for 1.8tsi...for me it is the best from both ends.
It has more or less the same suspension than Cupra and the ride is more or less the same,
i do not notice any difference when i drive my friends ST 290 and then jump back to mine.
But i do notice difference when driving my other friends SC 1.4tsi, it feels less sharp and not as planted on corners.
What comes to brakes, normal driving (i drive quite spirited as normal) i really do not feel any difference between the three, i'm sure though that when you go out on track or some nice strech of road and push there will be a difference.
But once again, i do not do trackdays with dailydriver.

What comes to engines and power, 1.4 runs out of puff very shortly, it feels eager but does not pick up speed the way it feels...its a nice little engine for driving in towns, but lacks grunt when you want to go fast and overtake people.
What comes to 1.8 and Cupra, yes the Cupra is its own league, but i did APR stg2 and now my friends Cupra does not feel so good anymore, it has 20-30bhp more on paper, but lacks torq 350nm vs. my 1.8 APR 412nm, and now can not keep up.
Yes, you can do APR Cupra too, but for best bang for my buck, 1.8tsi is the way to go.

Stock Cupra 290 is over 40200EUR and FR 1.8 is 28300EUR, so the price difference ~12000EURO is just way too much...i got my FR 5-door with almost every option and still it was ~7000EUR cheaper and after APR it is still 6k less, and stock Cupra does not gve you anything more.
To make Cupra feel special you need to buy options, such as the seats,
since the regular Seat Sport seats in Cupra is same as in FR

 

[niggle]

My own view is Seat should of offered the FR with the 1.4tsi and the 2.0tsi used in the VRS/GTI. Then offer the Cupra as a step up.

Funny you should say that as the imminent Audi A3 revision appears to be dropping the 1.8 CJSA engine in favour of a cleaner 180PS version of the 2.0 EA888 engine. This will be coupled to the DQ500 7-speed wet clutch DSG found in the RS3, Q3 and Tiguan.

The CJSA is a short stroke version of the 2.0 EA888 and revs sweetly. It does like a drink though. We average 30mpg in our 1.8 FR and have never seen more than 45mpg. Not a deal breaker for us as we do less than 7,000 miles per year.

 

[zondaff]

Sounds a good idea, but no. The 1.4tsi would probably be more than adequate for what I need but I have enjoyed having the 1.8tsi and for the small price difference I will probably go for that bit extra again. I know the Cupra is quite understated in its looks, but although I live in a rural area I do occasionally have to visit and park in a rather dodgy inner city area where I would just be worried about parking it there at night. I've always wanted a Golf Gti but not had one for that reason. I know it perhaps sounds silly but I would just be worried all the time I parked there. Also, as I am now almost 60 years old perhaps I need to drive something a little less sporty. The 1.8 is identical in looks to the 1.4 and so I can get away with it! Joking really, as I know my age shouldn't matter on such matters.

If anything the Ibiza Cupra is probably the more outlandish car. Spec the Cupra correctly and you'll have a very discrete, yet effective weapon! If your budget says so, brand new Cupra's can be had for a smidge over 24 thousand.

 

[AndyG_TSi]

Firstly, the 1.4 is NOT the same engine as in the bocanegra. The bocanegra is the twin charged engine that had lots of reported faults.

There are 3 1.4TSi variants in the Leon which a single charged only (turbo)

A. 1.4Tsi 122ps
B. 1.4Tsi 140ps
C. 1.4Tsi 150ps EcoTsi with manual gearbox
D. 1.4Tsi 150ps EcoTsi with DSG gearbox

The EcoTsi is the pick of the bunch, good performance, £30 a year VED & claimed mpg return of 60mpg.
Also, I beleive the higher PS versions go back to using a cambelt, rather than a cam chain

I'm currently running a mk2 1.4Tsi sport with the 125bhp single charged engine which is chain driven. Even this has a good amount of grunt and if I was changing now I'd be going for a mk3 with the 150ps EcoTsi engine.
And just to say, I've had ZERO issues with my car in 4 years of ownership, all its had is annual servicing

While you may get bigger brakes & independent suspension with the 1.8, it's a lot more insurance & a lot more VED to run over the 1.4.

If your looking for proper performance, as others have said, go for the CUPRA. If you after a good eonomical daily driver that has a decent turn of pace, go for the 1.4.