Anyone moved to SEAT from Audi?
Discussion
I went from an Audi A1 to current Leon and have not regretted at it all, although only 6 months in.
It’s a well built VAG car, with lot’s of kit and actually drives better than the A3 I tried. The plastics are not as good, and the interior is a bit bland in comparison to the A3, bit I like it’s simplicity and it feels nice and solid. I’ve had one small rattle from a door which comes and goes, but I had that on the A1 as well. You can notice other cost cutting, obvious ones are that the boot floor is not adjustable and you have to lift the bonnet yourself rather than allow gas struts to do the work for you. It really depends on whether these things matter to you or not. I like the fact that I’m getting similar engine etc, with much more equipment for about a £4k price saving. I suspect the sound deadening is not as good, but as I went from noisey 1.6TDI to a quiet and refined 1.4 ACT, its actually much quieter. It’s far less common than an A3 as well, which is good although I am seeing an increasing number of Leons, apparently they are a big sales success and I can see why.
Seat dealers have a dreadful reputation, although I found 2 out of 3 I dealt with to be good. The one I purchased with was excellent, matched DTD price and kept me fully updated through the process. The proof will be if I have an issue with it and what they are like come service time. With Audi, I had some decent courtesy cars (A3 184 Quattro, A4 Avant 3.0tdi etc), but I’m sure with Seat it will be a Mii or Ibiza, but then servicing should be less expensive to compensate for this.
It’s a well built VAG car, with lot’s of kit and actually drives better than the A3 I tried. The plastics are not as good, and the interior is a bit bland in comparison to the A3, bit I like it’s simplicity and it feels nice and solid. I’ve had one small rattle from a door which comes and goes, but I had that on the A1 as well. You can notice other cost cutting, obvious ones are that the boot floor is not adjustable and you have to lift the bonnet yourself rather than allow gas struts to do the work for you. It really depends on whether these things matter to you or not. I like the fact that I’m getting similar engine etc, with much more equipment for about a £4k price saving. I suspect the sound deadening is not as good, but as I went from noisey 1.6TDI to a quiet and refined 1.4 ACT, its actually much quieter. It’s far less common than an A3 as well, which is good although I am seeing an increasing number of Leons, apparently they are a big sales success and I can see why.
Seat dealers have a dreadful reputation, although I found 2 out of 3 I dealt with to be good. The one I purchased with was excellent, matched DTD price and kept me fully updated through the process. The proof will be if I have an issue with it and what they are like come service time. With Audi, I had some decent courtesy cars (A3 184 Quattro, A4 Avant 3.0tdi etc), but I’m sure with Seat it will be a Mii or Ibiza, but then servicing should be less expensive to compensate for this.
Thanks that's useful to know and confirms what I suspected to be the main differences. The residuals is one concern though. A lightly used, decent spec Leon FR can be had for just £15-16k, a used A3 with equivalent spec and mileage would set you back £19-£20k. However in 3 years time, the A3 would still be worth £14k whereas the Leon would have probably dropped to around £9k. So where it may be cheaper to buy in the first place, it will lose more money in the long run. Even so, if like me where newness and spec are of more importance than outright quality or the badge, then it's a no-brainer.
I've had a couple of recent SEATs (Ibiza and Leon) which felt noticeably cheaper inside than the two Audi A1s we've had over the same time period. Some people notice it more than others but there's a lot of cost cutting going on inside the SEATs and cheap feeling plastics,
They are great value for money cars and the current shape Leon FR is particularly good. However I wouldn't go buying it expecting Audi levels of quality as it simply doesn't offer that.
They are great value for money cars and the current shape Leon FR is particularly good. However I wouldn't go buying it expecting Audi levels of quality as it simply doesn't offer that.
I'll agree with that, the A1 is quite a darty little thing and reasonably good fun to push on in. Even the little 1.6 diesel is entertaining in that the agile chassis is on your side when it comes to maintaining momentum.
The only new Leon I've driven was a fairly standard 2.0TDI and it felt quite refined and grown up. A couple of steps down the ladder from latest A3 in terms of NVH but still a nice place to be.
The only new Leon I've driven was a fairly standard 2.0TDI and it felt quite refined and grown up. A couple of steps down the ladder from latest A3 in terms of NVH but still a nice place to be.
The A1 was a good drive, mine was a 1.6tdi sport on standard wheels, it felt nimble and tidy handling. The biggest problem was the ride, too ridgity and not great on the motorway.
My Leon is a 1.4 ACT FR on standard 17" alloys, and the ride is so much better than the A1, handling is also very good with the light engine up front. I find it better to drive than my old Mk 5 Gti although obviously down on power, and that's down to the newer MQB platform, it's excellent. The Leon really is good, and there is the option of the Golf or Audi if you want a better interior/badge and are prepared to pay more for it.
In terms of residuals, the Leon is expected to be similar to the Golf from what I read, the GFV on mine after 3 years and 45,000 miles is £8,600, and I paid £17,500. I think the equivalent Golf and A3 where about £11k GFV on the same mileage.
I can't see a 3 year old A3 being worth £15k, maybe a dealer selling it, but no way would you get that on a trade in or private sale.
My Leon is a 1.4 ACT FR on standard 17" alloys, and the ride is so much better than the A1, handling is also very good with the light engine up front. I find it better to drive than my old Mk 5 Gti although obviously down on power, and that's down to the newer MQB platform, it's excellent. The Leon really is good, and there is the option of the Golf or Audi if you want a better interior/badge and are prepared to pay more for it.
In terms of residuals, the Leon is expected to be similar to the Golf from what I read, the GFV on mine after 3 years and 45,000 miles is £8,600, and I paid £17,500. I think the equivalent Golf and A3 where about £11k GFV on the same mileage.
I can't see a 3 year old A3 being worth £15k, maybe a dealer selling it, but no way would you get that on a trade in or private sale.
JackReacher said:
I can't see a 3 year old A3 being worth £15k, maybe a dealer selling it, but no way would you get that on a trade in or private sale.
Golf GTD residuals are higher still.
Residuals not so important. I guess the question for me is, with my budget do I go for a 3 month old Leon FR with every gadget known to man and interior trim that's superior to Ford, Vauxhall etc even if it is a wrung or two below the A3 and Golf... Or do I buy a 2-3 year old A3 that's likely been sullied by the previous owner? Must admit I'm leaning toward the Leon. Who cares about a badge? No one else cares what I drive so why but something older just to impress the neighbours more?
Ecosseven said:
Have never owned an A3 but very pleased with the Leon FR I bought last month. Plastics are a very cheap in places but I'm not too bothered by that. For me it is better value for money that the A3 and also looks better.
These are fantastic value for money in comparison to the golf and A3. They seem to be loaded with spec too, where with Audi you do have to pay through the nose in options.
Nice colour too.
va1o said:
Certainly not far of in the trade. Current shape has now been out 3-years and this is what a 30k miles 2.0 TDI S-Line books at today:
Golf GTD residuals are higher still.
I stand corrected then, but I guess that was a £23-24k car new, so £10k drop similar to the Leon. Golf GTD residuals are in a different league to the other models, nice cars.Golf GTD residuals are higher still.
Ecosseven said:
Have never owned an A3 but very pleased with the Leon FR I bought last month. Plastics are a very cheap in places but I'm not too bothered by that. For me it is better value for money that the A3 and also looks better.
That's a very rare colour, have never seen one out on the road.Here is mine, I went for the free colour and kept with the 17" wheels as well. Most FR's seem to have the optional 18"s which do look better, but I went for better ride and easier cleaning
JackReacher said:
Ecosseven said:
Have never owned an A3 but very pleased with the Leon FR I bought last month. Plastics are a very cheap in places but I'm not too bothered by that. For me it is better value for money that the A3 and also looks better.
That's a very rare colour, have never seen one out on the road.Here is mine, I went for the free colour and kept with the 17" wheels as well. Most FR's seem to have the optional 18"s which do look better, but I went for better ride and easier cleaning
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