RE: SOTW: Seat Leon 20VT

[NGK210]

J4CKO said:

Despite my desire to drive you to drink, I think not, the Cupra R is a lot more car than the Cupra, another 45 bhp, a rather funky body kit, massive wheels and an image I think your money is safe.

True.

And don't forget the LCR's Brembo brakes; upgraded/'floating' front subframe with a strut brace; longer rear spoiler with a front splitter and under-car aero that actually works; lower/stiffer suspension, which was setup and hand-installed by SEAT Sport; quicker steering rack (2.5 turns lock-to-lock); bigger turbo, twin intercoolers, upgraded pistons (Mahle), upgraded cooling, valves, injectors and oil system (same engine and gearbox as S3/TT); Recaros (+ upgrade option); TCS, ESP and electro' LSD; upgraded stereo + six-CD stacker; digital climate control; heated folding mirrors. And IIRC, the brakes also have emergency brake assist??

If the SOTW's 'door leak' is front-passenger-side only, it's because the pollen filter is incorrectly fitted. And if that's the only leak, then it's a good 'un because all Golf 4-based cars are prone to door leaks due to VW's crap/cost-cutting design.

The SOTW's boost leak can be sussed by a smoke test, which'll cost approx one hour's labour at your friendly, local independent.

Edited by NGK210 on Friday 13th April 22:09

Edited by NGK210 on Friday 13th April 22:14

[Alias218]

NGK210 said:

J4CKO said:

Despite my desire to drive you to drink, I think not, the Cupra R is a lot more car than the Cupra, another 45 bhp, a rather funky body kit, massive wheels and an image I think your money is safe.

True.

And don't forget the LCR's Brembo brakes; upgraded/'floating' front subframe with a strut brace; longer rear spoiler with a front splitter and under-car aero that actually works; lower/stiffer suspension, which was setup and hand-installed by SEAT Sport; quicker steering rack (2.5 turns lock-to-lock); bigger turbo, twin intercoolers, upgraded pistons (Mahle), upgraded cooling, valves, injectors and oil system (same engine and gearbox as S3/TT); Recaros (+ upgrade option); TCS, ESP and electro' LSD; upgraded stereo + six-CD stacker; digital climate control; heated folding mirrors. And IIRC, the brakes also have emergency brake assist??

If the SOTW's 'door leak' is front-passenger-side only, it's because the pollen filter is incorrectly fitted. And if that's the only leak, then it's a good 'un because all Golf 4-based cars are prone to door leaks due to VW's crap/cost-cutting design.

The SOTW's boost leak can be sussed by a smoke test, which'll cost approx one hour's labour at your friendly, local independent.

Edited by NGK210 on Friday 13th April 22:09

Edited by NGK210 on Friday 13th April 22:14

I don't mean to sound arrogant, but I know enough about cars (see where I work) to know most of the differences between the two cars. However, I was making a general statement about the shed being a Leon, me owing a Leon ergo me owning a shed but clearly internet buffs can't help but flex their muscles!

FYI, so far as I'm aware, it never came with an LSD. Even the current LCR only has a system mimicking an LSD.

[mike-r]

Ironically, the car is so astronomically boring, it actually makes it interesting.

[NGK210]

Alias218 said:

... FYI, so far as I'm aware, it never came with an LSD. Even the current LCR only has a system mimicking an LSD.

Yep, it's an ABS/TCS-based setup, as per LCR Mk2 - and the McLaren MP4-12C - hence, I wrote "electro' LSD".

[Alias218]

NGK210 said:

Alias218 said:

... FYI, so far as I'm aware, it never came with an LSD. Even the current LCR only has a system mimicking an LSD.

Yep, it's an ABS/TCS-based setup, as per LCR Mk2 - and the McLaren MP4-12C - hence, I wrote "electro' LSD".

Well I'll hold my hands up. At least now I have more ammo for bragging rights. Although I'll have to be careful not to pass it off as a 'real' LSD!

Further to your thing on pollen filter leakages, water can also come in behind the door cards. The foam/rubber seals that direct water away from the inside if the door card and out the bottom along the door seals can deteriorate and fall away letting water come in through the bottom of the doorcards .

[trackerjack]

Sitting in a jam waiting with other drivers in a good old English way and suddenly a prat flies up the outside and forces its way in to the queue................these days they will almost certainly be driving a sporty Seat, the modern answer to an XR3.
Dreadful image, not for me.

[Welshbeef]

trackerjack said:

Sitting in a jam waiting with other drivers in a good old English way and suddenly a prat flies up the outside and forces its way in to the queue................these days they will almost certainly be driving a sporty Seat, the modern answer to an XR3.
Dreadful image, not for me.

Good job you don't drive an Audi else you'd be a wker who likes to be really close up behind..... Mmm

[Mastodon2]

JMF894 said:

Bought a 2004 cupra tdi new and had a revo remap on it.

Great car with torque like a freight train.

Traded it for a new Civic Type R which was slower, less practical, no better inside ( in terms of trim ) and handled worse.

One of my biggest automotive dissappointments.

Jimbo

You do know the Civic has a bit of a party trick at the top of it's rev range right?

I like these old Leons, I had a Cupra R 225 remapped to 270bhp, it was corkingly fast, but suffered from the leaky doors, it leaked like a fking sieve, would be absolutely soaking if I parked it on a hill in the rain.

As for someone thinking a boost leak is easy to diagnose on the 1.8T engine - good luck, you're a braver and more patient man than me. It's a rats nest in there with breather and vacuum hoses going left right and centre, and the majority of turbo piping is nestled nicely behind and around the engine where even a 4 year old girl would struggle to get a hand on the hoses, which are also handily out of view and no amount of mirror-waving will let you see them. Get ready for some frustration and cut knuckles!

As for the engine being "bulletproof", when I used to use seatcupra.net, I think just about every 20VT owner had had at least one boost leak in the time of their ownership, many had several under their belt. Sometimes you get lucky and it's an easy leak to locate, other times VAG spit in your face and laugh!

[VWAUDI]

Mastodon2 said:

As for the engine being "bulletproof", when I used to use seatcupra.net, I think just about every 20VT owner had had at least one boost leak in the time of their ownership, many had several under their belt. Sometimes you get lucky and it's an easy leak to locate, other times VAG spit in your face and laugh!

I personally don't think that a boost leak means the engine is unreliable. If you ensure that all pipework is secured properly with clips that are strong enough it's not an issue.

The 1.8T engine is reliable, the only thing is rods can bend with too much torque and the oil pickup can be blocked.

Interesting shed, but I'd prefer an I6 BMW - original!

[soad]

anything fast said:

dont hate these cars, but this horrid yellow turd has all the appeal of a cock flavoured lolipop.. epic fail

Made me laugh!!

[johnpeat]

Alias218 said:

Although the LCR is nowhere near shed money, its the model itself that is classed as shed worthy.

I know someone driving an LCR for almost shed money - £1100 for a 140,000 miler with a few niggles (which turned out to be cheap fixes) - but that's an exception really - you need over £2K for a tidy one and nearer £3K for something nice.

Oh - those niggles included some bodywork issues which he's just living with but which would be £100s to have fixed (cracked bumper, couple of dents and some paintwork issues) so...

[Matt_N]

Welshbeef said:

They don't make a nice sound. I own one drive it frequently and no it's not a broken one its how they sound

If you read his post he's referring to the V5 sounding nice, not the dull 1.8T.

[Welshbeef]

Matt_N said:

Welshbeef said:

They don't make a nice sound. I own one drive it frequently and no it's not a broken one its how they sound

If you read his post he's referring to the V5 sounding nice, not the dull 1.8T.

That's fair enough.

[Emeye]

I inherited almost the same car as a company car when it was 6 months old - how the original manager managed to get a bright yellow SEAT Leon Cupra with dealer fit side skirts and alloys signed off I'll never know, but when I was offered it I jumped at the chance - other people had turned it down because of the colour, but I could put up with it.

Here it is with my Eunos. IMO the alloys and sideskirts made a massive difference to the looks. I did about 60k miles in it with only coilpacks spoiling the party - I'd advise keeping a spare in the car.



It always felt way faster than the quoted 180bhp - I always wondered if the original owner had the car chipped. The overtaking ability was fantastic - handling wasn't too bad, but not much feel. I'd love to know if someone still runs it.

Oh, and for some reason you always seem to get let out of junctions when you're driving a yellow car...

[KM666]

Leaking doors? That sounds a recipe for rust to me. Not suprising really, germans of this vintage do seem to be more rust prone than others.

article said:

challenge to all PHers: find shed a contemporary - or newer - hot hatch for the same price with more power.

Outright power yes? 137bhp/ton isnt that hard to beat.

I know its a bit cheeky but the Mondeo st200 is a 5 door hatchback, 205bhp and gets the top trumps for amount of valves too. http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

similarly a Vectra GSI is a 5 door hatchback, this one is a proven 210bhp http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

A few 328i's floating about under a grand too, a touring has a rear hatch.... ;P

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

Things with higher bhp/ton are basically all of your late 90's and early 00's hot hatches of a clios size.

Wasnt that Subaru turbo 2000 a few weeks ago a wagon?

Personally I think they're getting to be a bit chavvy now, I see more with monstor exhausts and comedy dump valves than I do stock.

Edited by KM666 on Saturday 14th April 14:38

[kentmotorcompany]

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

2002, 114k, 1 private owner, full SEAT main dealer service history.







I've heard the seller is a very handsome chap too!

[Howrare]

Martin 480 Turbo said:

The style of the rims doesn't go with the yellow at all. They were
not delivered like that on Cupra models in the UK., were they?

Standard fit those.

[Al Wyn]

Leon Cupra 2001 108k in stealth silver...

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3503143.htm

Seller has an attractive wife and offers tea and biscuits

Good little cars these this was my brothers for nearly four years and hes gone for a newer one...used it myself for a few months and its a suprisingly good all rounder with all mod cons and a good turn of speed.

[only1ian]

redgriff500 said:

MORE power was required not less !

Also the 180 can be remapped to 210bhp for £200ish.

Why have a cupra over a rover... Audi interior... VW engine. Q-car looks rather than halfords parts bin ram raid special!

[only1ian]

Welshbeef said:

Had ours 17 months and paid c£1k for it.
Ours thought is one owner full main dealer service history
Very good condition no dings etc interior in fine order everything works as it should.

Ours has 163k miles.


Things that have gone wrong
Secondary air flow pump
Thermostat failure getting fixed as we speak.
New horn.
4 new coil packs - were the origins.


That's it a solid car I wouldn't call it fast it's nippy at best.

Not planning on getting rid of this anytime soon it is a keeper. Tyres have years left in them likewise discs and pads MOT it's flown through both without any issue...


If you want to checkout my garage on profile you can see the costs I have had duringmy ownership. Ditto all my other cars


Have to add I now have had two cars which are SOTW fiat coupe and now Cupra mk1.

Edited by Welshbeef on Friday 13th April 20:39

Thats funny we have the same taste in cars! I found both the Cupra and the fiat coupe and passed them along to PH towers for SOTW consideration!