RE: SEAT Leon Cupra ST: PH Fleet

[madmatteo]

I wasn't sure about these Cupras when they first came out but they have certainly grown on me. In fact, I keep finding myself looking at some of the fantastic lease deals available on them at present and thinking about chopping in the ST or, better still, keeping the ST and sticking the wife in the Cupra.

The benefit of the Cupra over the Golf R on a lease is that the Cupra comes specced with pretty much everything you need as standard so you can literally lease it straight off the shelf without having to pay over the odds for extras. For me, that is one of the big attractions.

Example lease deal of approx. £1,200 down (incl. admin fee) and £265.88 per month (inc. VAT) for a 3dr Cupra 280 manual on 10k pa over 2 years. Quote can be found here for anyone interested:

http://www.jr-leasing.co.uk/personal-lease-cars/se...

[Gandahar]

Dale Lomas said:

Gandahar said:

Can I ask why Bridgestone RE050s were not too good? I have seen a few people say they are not that good, however they seem to be in the same sector of the market as Michelin PS3 and Goodyear Eagle F1 ? Or are they not as good as those tyres?

I've tried PS3 and RE050 and the Michelin were better but not by that much. I want to try the Goodyears as Henry Catchpole described them as "progressive". Which is journo talk for helping out the rather inept driver at the limit, without insulting half his readers...

In a nutshell, the goodyears are good with good feel. The ps3s have more grip outright, but will slide longer and quicker over the limit, the bridgestones are worse than both in every respect except maybe squeal. They squeal real good, boy.

That made me chuckle. Thanks for that. I think the goodyears will be next on my list.

Having said that, how long have all 3 tyres been going? They must be due an update soon. Michelin seems to be carried away with super super super sports and cup this that and tuther. The F1's seem to have been unchanged forever. Noah probably had them on his XR2 when he got off the boat.

[Dale Lomas]

Gandahar said:

That made me chuckle. Thanks for that. I think the goodyears will be next on my list.

Having said that, how long have all 3 tyres been going? They must be due an update soon. Michelin seems to be carried away with super super super sports and cup this that and tuther. The F1's seem to have been unchanged forever. Noah probably had them on his XR2 when he got off the boat.

And we've not even mentioned the Contisport yet!

[motor mad]

Just back from a weekend trip at the Ring and saw you lapping at a ridiculous pace. The way the car turned in at Kallenhard was very impressive.

[rob.e]

@ Dale. Are you running completely stock suspension then, other than the wheels and tyres?

There were some great gains to be had on the previous car with stiffer ARB's, better dampers and geometry changes at the front (anti-lift kits etc). Is the new car better in this respect from the factory, or are you just limiting what you're spending

[Dale Lomas]

rob.e said:

@ Dale. Are you running completely stock suspension then, other than the wheels and tyres?

There were some great gains to be had on the previous car with stiffer ARB's, better dampers and geometry changes at the front (anti-lift kits etc). Is the new car better in this respect from the factory, or are you just limiting what you're spending

I feel precisely zero need to upgrade it, honestly. It would be a pure trade-off... more dry speed for less wet grip and less comfort on daily duty. It's already fast enough to go sub8 (BTG!) at will and stock dampers (on CUPRA setting) handle the semi-slicks even on a hot day.

No doubt a full set of KWs or Ohlins would yield incredible results, but maybe not as much as you'd think. And I'd lose that squidgy 'Comfort' mode too

[kmack]

madmatteo said:

I wasn't sure about these Cupras when they first came out but they have certainly grown on me. In fact, I keep finding myself looking at some of the fantastic lease deals available on them at present and thinking about chopping in the ST or, better still, keeping the ST and sticking the wife in the Cupra.

The benefit of the Cupra over the Golf R on a lease is that the Cupra comes specced with pretty much everything you need as standard so you can literally lease it straight off the shelf without having to pay over the odds for extras. For me, that is one of the big attractions.

Example lease deal of approx. £1,200 down (incl. admin fee) and £265.88 per month (inc. VAT) for a 3dr Cupra 280 manual on 10k pa over 2 years. Quote can be found here for anyone interested:

http://www.jr-leasing.co.uk/personal-lease-cars/se...

Thats an incredible deal!

[kmack]

Presumably the 450bhp Revo Golf R engine upgrade could be applied to the Leon Cupra?, although I wouldn't want to try and put that power through a FWD car...

[Jwhite84]

rob.e said:

with those tyres fitted the rolling radius stays the same, so no gearing changes.

So more tire wall as well? That looks like a great move and one I'll bear in mind for future "modern" car purchases!

[MMira]

Dale, have you tried physically disconnecting the soundaktor?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kf5RJY9Kx68

[BBS-LM]

I have to say on the Brake pads side of things, CL are fantastic for the money. Amazing pads.