Seat Leon Cupra 1.8t
Discussion
Hi all,
So after 6 years driving I've finally bought something a bit more interesting than just a white goods car.
After much deliberation between a lease Fiesta, 130i and MK5 gti I settled on the cupra.
I paid 1600 for an 84,000 mile example with some history and 12 months MOT with the plan to get stuck in and do some work on the car.
The winning factors were the price, the lack of hefty depreciation, parts are easily available and so are the guides.
I find that the greatest luxury of a car is one that you don't worry about, if this can last me 8 months I've broken even on a lease with a fiesta and I dont have to worry about curbed alloys, parking dings and limited mileage contracts.
I wanted a car I could just have fun with and not cringe when a gritter goes past (that happened 3 days after I picked up the car!)
A quick list of the jobs I want to get done:
Full Service
Bushings
Shocks & Springs
Replace tired gearknob
Rear central locking sticking
Intercooler
Tires
Cambelt and Waterpump
With the age and mileage the cars at I'd like to think that its had its belt and pump changed but the lack of any receipts for it isn't reassuring, it'll be good to do some proper work on the car too and not just a few small niggles.
So it is on the night I picked it up and after the all important PH sticker was put on.
So after 6 years driving I've finally bought something a bit more interesting than just a white goods car.
After much deliberation between a lease Fiesta, 130i and MK5 gti I settled on the cupra.
I paid 1600 for an 84,000 mile example with some history and 12 months MOT with the plan to get stuck in and do some work on the car.
The winning factors were the price, the lack of hefty depreciation, parts are easily available and so are the guides.
I find that the greatest luxury of a car is one that you don't worry about, if this can last me 8 months I've broken even on a lease with a fiesta and I dont have to worry about curbed alloys, parking dings and limited mileage contracts.
I wanted a car I could just have fun with and not cringe when a gritter goes past (that happened 3 days after I picked up the car!)
A quick list of the jobs I want to get done:
Full Service
Bushings
Shocks & Springs
Replace tired gearknob
Rear central locking sticking
Intercooler
Tires
Cambelt and Waterpump
With the age and mileage the cars at I'd like to think that its had its belt and pump changed but the lack of any receipts for it isn't reassuring, it'll be good to do some proper work on the car too and not just a few small niggles.
So it is on the night I picked it up and after the all important PH sticker was put on.
Thanks everyone, I'm happy with it as a cheap fun daily driver.
AntiLagGC8 said:
That's a lot of car for the money bud!
You've made a smart decision in buying something you own rather than renting a car.
So where would you like to go with the car ultimately?
I'd like to make it so I've done everything I can in terms of reliability but some track supporting mods and a few track days with the emphasis on the tuition as I have no formal training. A track ready daily driver is how I'd describe it!You've made a smart decision in buying something you own rather than renting a car.
So where would you like to go with the car ultimately?
Its great to see loads of advice already, thanks everyone!!
After 18 days and 1,000 miles I've got some thoughts on the car.
On a daily driver stand point its great, averaging 30mpg with a high amount of foot to the floor moments, I love 6th gear as 70mph is about 2800rpm but no need to downshift to over take, takes a little bit to build up power but that's what I expect but it's worlds apart from my 77bhp punto.
Im really happy that I'm content with the car, I thought I'd buy it, get bored with the power and be stuck with it.
Niggles:
Steering wheel pump makes a slight noise when going over a full turn, smell of damp but no soggy carpets, needs investigating!
Work todo:
Servicing, I'm happy with changing the plugs, oil and filters but the breaks is something I've not done before. I've watched many videos and do think it seems straight forward so I'm going to give it a go.
Aside from euro car parts, does anyone have a recommended place for servicing parts?
Cambelt and waterpump
This job needs doing asap and I want to tackle it myself but I don't believe I'd be able to get it right first time and that would have some expensive ramifications, I contacted VAGtech as they're local and it looks like I'm going to have to just take a hit on the cost, I knew this before I got the car but having it done myself at a reputable place is worth it rather than just a random garage over 10,000 miles ago.
Gearknob
OEM are £60 which is too much on ebay, I found just the leather cover but the description says 5 speed only....
Tyres
It had some dunlops all round but when it came to getting its last MOT the fronts were knackered and the seller put some "Achilles" tyres on, I usually stay away from mis matched tyres but these were put on for the sale so it's not too bad. I always wanted some Toyo R888 but they seem over kill for this car, any suggestions?
I couldn't get the launch right but it pulls nicely through the gears!
After 18 days and 1,000 miles I've got some thoughts on the car.
On a daily driver stand point its great, averaging 30mpg with a high amount of foot to the floor moments, I love 6th gear as 70mph is about 2800rpm but no need to downshift to over take, takes a little bit to build up power but that's what I expect but it's worlds apart from my 77bhp punto.
Im really happy that I'm content with the car, I thought I'd buy it, get bored with the power and be stuck with it.
Niggles:
Steering wheel pump makes a slight noise when going over a full turn, smell of damp but no soggy carpets, needs investigating!
Work todo:
Servicing, I'm happy with changing the plugs, oil and filters but the breaks is something I've not done before. I've watched many videos and do think it seems straight forward so I'm going to give it a go.
Aside from euro car parts, does anyone have a recommended place for servicing parts?
Cambelt and waterpump
This job needs doing asap and I want to tackle it myself but I don't believe I'd be able to get it right first time and that would have some expensive ramifications, I contacted VAGtech as they're local and it looks like I'm going to have to just take a hit on the cost, I knew this before I got the car but having it done myself at a reputable place is worth it rather than just a random garage over 10,000 miles ago.
Gearknob
OEM are £60 which is too much on ebay, I found just the leather cover but the description says 5 speed only....
Tyres
It had some dunlops all round but when it came to getting its last MOT the fronts were knackered and the seller put some "Achilles" tyres on, I usually stay away from mis matched tyres but these were put on for the sale so it's not too bad. I always wanted some Toyo R888 but they seem over kill for this car, any suggestions?
I couldn't get the launch right but it pulls nicely through the gears!
Thanks all for the comments, the leaky door sills no longer seem to be an issue which is good but the central locking has gone Pete Tong, one lock arms the alarm and keeps the offside rear door unlocked, second click disarms alarm, locks the offside rear door and then unlocks the front passenger door!
The alarm went off randomly twice in the night so now to lock the car I need to keep the passenger side door open, lock, press down lock then lock again!
In other news, I did a full service. Cabin, air and oil filter changed, oil changed, spark plugs and coil packs.
I also went on my first driving adventure and where else than the EVO triangle, it was brilliant, a bit dreary weather meant empty roads and attractions. The only hiccup was when Google showed me a brilliantly twisty road that was only 5 mins slower, a single dirt track road with a friendly face off against a tractor was not expected! as a result of the bumpy roads my exhaust has developed a clunk under hard acceleration and I cant work on it till next Monday, another little niggle!
Currently on 89500, 5k in 3 months makes me realise that I made the right decision not getting a lease car.
I don't have many pictures but here are a few.
The alarm went off randomly twice in the night so now to lock the car I need to keep the passenger side door open, lock, press down lock then lock again!
In other news, I did a full service. Cabin, air and oil filter changed, oil changed, spark plugs and coil packs.
I also went on my first driving adventure and where else than the EVO triangle, it was brilliant, a bit dreary weather meant empty roads and attractions. The only hiccup was when Google showed me a brilliantly twisty road that was only 5 mins slower, a single dirt track road with a friendly face off against a tractor was not expected! as a result of the bumpy roads my exhaust has developed a clunk under hard acceleration and I cant work on it till next Monday, another little niggle!
Currently on 89500, 5k in 3 months makes me realise that I made the right decision not getting a lease car.
I don't have many pictures but here are a few.
So not much of an update in terms of pictures, I've just been enjoying the car for what it is.
The surprising thing is I find the 177bhp enough...
I'm now sat on just under 98,000 miles. Looking like tyres, cambelt and water pump definitely need doing with the possibility of the power steering needing some attention, bit of a whirring noise when there's lock on in a slow speed corner.
Inspired by this video some years ago I took the mum, dog and girlfriend up to the Scottish highlands, it properly lived up to expectations. I really enjoyed having a bit of a shed to do it in too, the cottage we rented didn't even have a proper road leading up to it!
Not many pictures but here is the parking spot I had at the cottage!
The surprising thing is I find the 177bhp enough...
I'm now sat on just under 98,000 miles. Looking like tyres, cambelt and water pump definitely need doing with the possibility of the power steering needing some attention, bit of a whirring noise when there's lock on in a slow speed corner.
Inspired by this video some years ago I took the mum, dog and girlfriend up to the Scottish highlands, it properly lived up to expectations. I really enjoyed having a bit of a shed to do it in too, the cottage we rented didn't even have a proper road leading up to it!
Not many pictures but here is the parking spot I had at the cottage!
Learn2MergeInTurn said:
The 1.8t is a wonderful engine and the seat is my second favourite body to have it in (first being the mk4 golf...bring the hate lol)
Wise words.. A remap transforms the car into a snappier sharper beast...I went for a revo remap (cheap but also well recognised) and they released so much power hiding in the car!
In short, nice car mate and may it bring you many more miles of joy! These 1.8t are good fun!
Cheers Mate! I think the MK4 golf was behind when it came out for a drivers car but over time its developed into a good all rounder.Wise words.. A remap transforms the car into a snappier sharper beast...I went for a revo remap (cheap but also well recognised) and they released so much power hiding in the car!
In short, nice car mate and may it bring you many more miles of joy! These 1.8t are good fun!
Deanomx5 said:
I have one of these in the same colour, with leather seats.. Its got an R-Tech stage 1 map 210bhp/244ft lbs torque. FK street coilovers which are exellent for daily use and "custom" exhaust. I would 100% reccomend R-Tech if you choose to map as its a custom map designed for your hardware. How do you change the cabin filters on these!?
I considered the mods you mentioned but as mines not an R and I dont want to invest too much into it... the R has a different turbo and massive breaks compared to mine, I think the price in the market reflects that. Mine was literally half the price of an R. I would consider the armrest mod and leather seats if I could find them for silly money.Cabin filter was a bit of a bar steward with the plastic pins. the video here is a good basic guide, just on the opposite side of the car if i remember correctly! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAned30WVpY
Quick update...
Disaster struck on the way home from my new job. I've now gone from a 3 mile commute to 20 mile each way.
10 miles from home when downshifting on a hill the clutch pedal went straight to the floor to never return.
Gearbox went into neutral no problem with no nasty knocks or noises.
I managed to get into a side street and could see a metal part had come off.
A quick google revealed that its a known problem and I didn't have a welder with me to fix it, so for the first time in my life and 15,000 miles in this car I had to call breakdown service.
I got to the job straight away and had the part re-welded by my mate and fitted it back in.
The Cupra forum had a suggestion of using cable ties to compress the spring, made the job incredibly easy!
Pedal - tab
Pedal + tab
Compressed spring
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff