Also to put it this way.
My lc180 cost 2k.
A good cupra r in the same age, condition and mileage was 5k
This was a 3k difference. I have so far purchased ( but not fitted all )
Gt3071 turbo £700
T4 manifold £100
Custom 3" exhaust straight through with backbox £310
Coilovers £200
External wastegate with screamer pipe
£200
Front mount intercooler £220
Airfilter and cold air induction £100
Custom 4" turbo intake pipe. £60
Custom 4" maf housing £30
Custom oil feed and return hoses £30
Still need to buy
Better breaks £500 approximate
Bigger injectors £250 approximate
Forged rods with necessary parts to carry out £400
Uprated clutch £700
Uprated fuel pump £80
And of course custom re-map £400
The above list is roughly what I have spent or will spend on parts and will have a car that will push way beyond that a cupra r will achieve on stock turbo I know labour costs for people unable to do there own work will be huge but fortunately I'm doing all my work myself.
So basically it's costing me around
6-7k total for around 400-550bhp that would be more reliable in some ways than a maxed out k04 turbo. How long do you this a k04 will last pushing
280-300bhp? Let alone it's running a lot hotter so intake temps are increased and further creating the risk for internal damage.
I bet a lot of cupra r owners who have achieved close to 300bhp have spent more than 2k getting there. Where as in my budget I can afford a few essentials such as rods and clutch.
I know a lot will say the r has better body kit , interior and wheels but that's all personal preference. My point it just to say a cupra is not as expensive to tune as some people say it is.