RE: Shed Of The Week: Seat Leon Cupra 20VT
Discussion
FN2TypeR said:
Limpet said:
Pictures deleted so save folk scrolling.
After fixing the leak, drying the sodden carpets and insulation out over 2 weeks, and thorough cleaning, it did all recover (and stay dry). But a disgusting, smelly, mucky job that I never want to have to repeat.
After fixing the leak, drying the sodden carpets and insulation out over 2 weeks, and thorough cleaning, it did all recover (and stay dry). But a disgusting, smelly, mucky job that I never want to have to repeat.
wowza, I have never seen a car in a state like that before!Our C6 A6 filled with water from the stupid positioning of the air con drain inside the car....
Had a Mk1 Leon Cupra R and it was a hoot to drive - only car I regret selling.
Leather and heated seats make this fairly rare spec (you couldn't have either on the later R version) and it's easy to coax the power output up. One thing not mentioned is the propensity for the engine to die as a result of a clogged oil pick up - particularly problematic with long life serviced cars, or those that've skipped services. If getting the belts done it's worth pulling the sump off as well to clean it out and ensure the pick up isn't blocked.
Had a Mk1 Leon Cupra R and it was a hoot to drive - only car I regret selling.
Leather and heated seats make this fairly rare spec (you couldn't have either on the later R version) and it's easy to coax the power output up. One thing not mentioned is the propensity for the engine to die as a result of a clogged oil pick up - particularly problematic with long life serviced cars, or those that've skipped services. If getting the belts done it's worth pulling the sump off as well to clean it out and ensure the pick up isn't blocked.
The Crack Fox said:
Bit of a boring shed, this. Not offensive in any way, but hardly enthralling. Talk of water leaks is more interesting that the thing itself.
A question for the marketeers here; what is the point of Seat? There's Audi, VW and Skoda for the same product with different price points. Where does Seat fit?
The 'sexy' one isn't it? Trying to pinch a bit of Alfa in the styling occasionally.A question for the marketeers here; what is the point of Seat? There's Audi, VW and Skoda for the same product with different price points. Where does Seat fit?
Had mine for just over five years and she was a stonking bit of kit.
Bought a Metallic Black '02 20vt Cupra with c54,000 miles and she racked up another 110,000 with largely no trouble. Like I usually do I did my research as I was actually looking at a MK4 Golf GTI, but the Leon was both cheaper and had lower miles than the equivlent Golf, plus it had more standard kit and is to my eyes, better looking than the Golf too. Beefy.
Shed's point about paint is on-target, but given a thorough clay and polish, an occasional (quality) wax thereafter really made the black pop up a treat.
Like a lot of owners, the first thing I did was sell the standard wheels and fit a set of 18" Audi RS4-a-likes. IMO the car doesn't really suffer for the reduced sidewall and it looked the business.
In my ownership she didn't want for quality servicing or tyres - Once the cheapies that came with the wheels were done I ran Pirelli Rossos for a while, but putting Conti Sport Contacts on made her a whole new car; much more secure handling with the ride about the same (i.e. pretty stiff, but bearable) Outside of servicing, I did a lot myself as it's not too much hardship, which included changing the rear springs when one was noted as having a passable crack (Only £55 a pair and a mornings work)
Of course mine had a coil pack go, but I changed all four to be safe anyway - that way I had spares. Oddly, when she went to Seat for her second cambelt change, they told me that the car was eligible for a free coil pack swap as part of the manufacturer recall notice (Bear in mind it's 2012 at this point, so good on them for the offer) I said fine, long as I get mine back too. Bingo, now I had seven spares
PS. Watch who does your water pump when changing the cambelt - it's supposed to be an exchange item but when mine came out I got a call to tell me it wasn't an official Seat part, so I had to pay the surcharge because it couldn't be returned.
Other than this, mine did throw an error due to a faulty crank sensor which is a right b
h to change, as it's in the front of the engine under the inlet manifold. The main 'pipe shaped' breather hose split, throwing a MAF error. This is also fun as you have to partially unbolt the fuel rail carrier to get to it underneath. While I remember, I replaced three pairs of headlight blubs too - literally, one would go and the next would follow two or three days later 
Front door seals went a couple of years in. I got the dealer to sort that so I had someone to shout at if it leaked again (it did, so back it went - then they forgot to reconnect the front door lock, so back it went a third time) and I also had a ghost in the windscreen wipers, which ended up with Seat replacing the wiper arms AND motor to sort - and let me tell you, at £368 just for parts, that hurt.
An induction kit works wonders as the turbo gets going a bit lower down in the range and it sounds fab with the windows open as it spools up Change the radio for a better model and throw in a Bluetooth kit, and you're good to go for miles.
Time was called when the clutch slave cylinder seal went, dumping fluid all over my employers car park. I was fully prepared to get a new clutch, but as she'd recently had a major service, fuel pump (trust me, when it starts getting louder, don't ignore it!) and two front tyres, my wife said we'd spent enough already that year so off she went (Car, not missus) showing almost 166,000 miles. The new owner arrived, marvelled at the service history and my receipt filing skills, filled the clutch reservoir then drove her home to Kent - 60 odd miles away (!) It's worth noting that a new clutch wasn't listed among the many invoices I had detailing the history, so assume that it did all those miles on the original - still had the factory exhaust on too.
Bought a Metallic Black '02 20vt Cupra with c54,000 miles and she racked up another 110,000 with largely no trouble. Like I usually do I did my research as I was actually looking at a MK4 Golf GTI, but the Leon was both cheaper and had lower miles than the equivlent Golf, plus it had more standard kit and is to my eyes, better looking than the Golf too. Beefy.
Shed's point about paint is on-target, but given a thorough clay and polish, an occasional (quality) wax thereafter really made the black pop up a treat.
Like a lot of owners, the first thing I did was sell the standard wheels and fit a set of 18" Audi RS4-a-likes. IMO the car doesn't really suffer for the reduced sidewall and it looked the business.
In my ownership she didn't want for quality servicing or tyres - Once the cheapies that came with the wheels were done I ran Pirelli Rossos for a while, but putting Conti Sport Contacts on made her a whole new car; much more secure handling with the ride about the same (i.e. pretty stiff, but bearable) Outside of servicing, I did a lot myself as it's not too much hardship, which included changing the rear springs when one was noted as having a passable crack (Only £55 a pair and a mornings work)
Of course mine had a coil pack go, but I changed all four to be safe anyway - that way I had spares. Oddly, when she went to Seat for her second cambelt change, they told me that the car was eligible for a free coil pack swap as part of the manufacturer recall notice (Bear in mind it's 2012 at this point, so good on them for the offer) I said fine, long as I get mine back too. Bingo, now I had seven spares
PS. Watch who does your water pump when changing the cambelt - it's supposed to be an exchange item but when mine came out I got a call to tell me it wasn't an official Seat part, so I had to pay the surcharge because it couldn't be returned.Other than this, mine did throw an error due to a faulty crank sensor which is a right b
h to change, as it's in the front of the engine under the inlet manifold. The main 'pipe shaped' breather hose split, throwing a MAF error. This is also fun as you have to partially unbolt the fuel rail carrier to get to it underneath. While I remember, I replaced three pairs of headlight blubs too - literally, one would go and the next would follow two or three days later Front door seals went a couple of years in. I got the dealer to sort that so I had someone to shout at if it leaked again (it did, so back it went - then they forgot to reconnect the front door lock, so back it went a third time) and I also had a ghost in the windscreen wipers, which ended up with Seat replacing the wiper arms AND motor to sort - and let me tell you, at £368 just for parts, that hurt.
An induction kit works wonders as the turbo gets going a bit lower down in the range and it sounds fab with the windows open as it spools up
Change the radio for a better model and throw in a Bluetooth kit, and you're good to go for miles. Time was called when the clutch slave cylinder seal went, dumping fluid all over my employers car park. I was fully prepared to get a new clutch, but as she'd recently had a major service, fuel pump (trust me, when it starts getting louder, don't ignore it!) and two front tyres, my wife said we'd spent enough already that year so off she went (Car, not missus) showing almost 166,000 miles. The new owner arrived, marvelled at the service history and my receipt filing skills, filled the clutch reservoir then drove her home to Kent - 60 odd miles away (!) It's worth noting that a new clutch wasn't listed among the many invoices I had detailing the history, so assume that it did all those miles on the original - still had the factory exhaust on too.
Limpet said:
That is actually all that puts me off it. A lot of VAG products of this era had a real issue keeping rainwater on the outside.
The mess below was what I found after trying to track down an intermittent musty smell in our 2003 mk4 Golf that had been irritating me for months. Finally, during the repeated downpours in the run up to Christmas 2014, I noticed the rear footwell carpets were wet. The strip down revealed the extent of the issue. From the intermittent musty smell, and the rate of the leak when hosed from outside (a tiny drip), I reckon this had been leaking for months if not years before it revealed itself, and the water was being absorbed by the sound insulation. Only when that finally soaked through did it bubble up through the carpets.
[imghttp://i683.photobucket.com/albums/vv196/DP_75/10704142_865737340138196_8781831912229673350_n_zpsys7k3vym.jpg[/img]
After fixing the leak, drying the sodden carpets and insulation out over 2 weeks, and thorough cleaning, it did all recover (and stay dry). But a disgusting, smelly, mucky job that I never want to have to repeat.
Dang.The mess below was what I found after trying to track down an intermittent musty smell in our 2003 mk4 Golf that had been irritating me for months. Finally, during the repeated downpours in the run up to Christmas 2014, I noticed the rear footwell carpets were wet. The strip down revealed the extent of the issue. From the intermittent musty smell, and the rate of the leak when hosed from outside (a tiny drip), I reckon this had been leaking for months if not years before it revealed itself, and the water was being absorbed by the sound insulation. Only when that finally soaked through did it bubble up through the carpets.
[imghttp://i683.photobucket.com/albums/vv196/DP_75/10704142_865737340138196_8781831912229673350_n_zpsys7k3vym.jpg[/img]
After fixing the leak, drying the sodden carpets and insulation out over 2 weeks, and thorough cleaning, it did all recover (and stay dry). But a disgusting, smelly, mucky job that I never want to have to repeat.
Had a similar issue with my mum's Tigra and water ingress through a boot lid seal. Took ages to dry out the carpet and sound insulation!
Had a maroon 2002 one in the mid 2000s, quickest car I'd had at the time. Coil packs went, was a bit wet inside at times but I absolutely loved it. Nothing shouty about it at all yet fairly went. Hadn't told my mates I was getting it, one of them had a convertible megane at the time that he drove flat out everywhere, my dad was out having a go in my Leon and spotted my mate at the front of a set of traffic lights with an empty lane beside him, the look on my mates face was priceless when he realised it was my old man who beat him off the lights!
Was heading up to my mates near Braemar and got a text he was going to be late. Went for a drive further along up the devils elbow, still rates as one of the best drives I've ever had. The way back the next day I was super hungover (even leaving it late enough to have sobered up), that got completely forgotten about following a big engined merc for miles. Was only when it pulled over that the hangover came back.
Went to view one as a cheap run around 6 months or so ago, really got the feeling that going back would be a mistake and very likely ruin the memory of it.
Was heading up to my mates near Braemar and got a text he was going to be late. Went for a drive further along up the devils elbow, still rates as one of the best drives I've ever had. The way back the next day I was super hungover (even leaving it late enough to have sobered up), that got completely forgotten about following a big engined merc for miles. Was only when it pulled over that the hangover came back.
Went to view one as a cheap run around 6 months or so ago, really got the feeling that going back would be a mistake and very likely ruin the memory of it.
The Crack Fox said:
A question for the marketeers here; what is the point of Seat? There's Audi, VW and Skoda for the same product with different price points. Where does Seat fit?
Its the one you buy if you have a bit more money and don't want the stigma of saying you own a Skoda, but can't afford a VW and aspire to own an Audi.Its the VAG sliding scale of Status Anxiety Syndrome.
The Crack Fox said:
Bit of a boring shed, this. Not offensive in any way, but hardly enthralling. Talk of water leaks is more interesting that the thing itself.
A question for the marketeers here; what is the point of Seat? There's Audi, VW and Skoda for the same product with different price points. Where does Seat fit?
Taking of the new gen Seats. Better looking than their VAG counterparts and come with a much, much, higher spec.A question for the marketeers here; what is the point of Seat? There's Audi, VW and Skoda for the same product with different price points. Where does Seat fit?
I find VW hot hatches too common, audi's far too expensive with less kit on them than a mid-spec astra (not to mention the utterly dull exteriors). I do love my Seat's. I've always had a soft spot for the underdog, so part of it is that. Even though all round they blow most of the competition; in the same family, out of the water.
But it doesn't have 4 rings on the badge, so most people will probably not want one.
Edited by Jonno02 on Friday 14th October 12:47
210bhp suggests it has been remapped. I've got a REVO stage 1 which gives around the same. Had mine for nearly 8 years and it has never let me down apart from a couple of coil packs & wet carpets. In the end I resorted to removing all the underlay (which weighed several stone when wet) and removing the rubber drain plugs in the foot well!
If you like to modify cars then this is for you. A basic remap will make good gains especially in terms of torque. Standard suspension is terribly soft. I got some bilstein gas shocks and H&R lowering springs which has improved handling considerably.
The larger 210mm front discs from the Cupra R will bolt straight on. As will the front lower strut brace. And splitter.
I would try and get one from 2003 onwards as the big bumpers, honeycomb grills, skirts, and 17"s come as standard and look so much better. Although you can pick up any of these bits from a scrappy cheap and facelift your 02 model as I did with mine.
If you like to modify cars then this is for you. A basic remap will make good gains especially in terms of torque. Standard suspension is terribly soft. I got some bilstein gas shocks and H&R lowering springs which has improved handling considerably.
The larger 210mm front discs from the Cupra R will bolt straight on. As will the front lower strut brace. And splitter.
I would try and get one from 2003 onwards as the big bumpers, honeycomb grills, skirts, and 17"s come as standard and look so much better. Although you can pick up any of these bits from a scrappy cheap and facelift your 02 model as I did with mine.
Jonno02 said:
The Crack Fox said:
Bit of a boring shed, this. Not offensive in any way, but hardly enthralling. Talk of water leaks is more interesting that the thing itself.
A question for the marketeers here; what is the point of Seat? There's Audi, VW and Skoda for the same product with different price points. Where does Seat fit?
Taking of the new gen Seats. Better looking than their VAG counterparts and come with a much, much, higher spec.A question for the marketeers here; what is the point of Seat? There's Audi, VW and Skoda for the same product with different price points. Where does Seat fit?
I find VW hot hatches too common, audi's far too expensive with less kit on them than a mid-spec astra (not to mention the utterly dull exteriors). I do love my Seat's. I've always had a soft spot for the underdog, so part of it is that. Even though all round they blow most of the competition; in the same family, out of the water.
But it doesn't have 4 rings on the badge, so most people will probably not want one.
Edited by Jonno02 on Friday 14th October 12:47
Seat seemed to do really well with the Mk1 Leon and Ibiza’s of that era, which looked better than the VW version, but then slipped into the wilderness a bit with all those MPV shaped cars than looked worse than the equivalent VW, which kind of loses their selling point. I think the latest Leon and new Ateca will help revive it.
Cupra R brembo's are 323mm and they are not, it's possibly he means the later 312mm compared to 288mm discs on some which requires the carriers to do so
I have a facelifted 05 plate Fr TDi Mk1 Leon and I love the looks of the car myself, it's not going to define a new driving experience but i've had 8yrs nearly of happy ownership of mine. Had the door seal issue and a few others but generally been a reliable car, i want to replace mine for something newer with more parts but I still catch mine in a shop window and think it's a good looking car myself and at least it's something different to the tons of mk4 golf's it was based on
I have a facelifted 05 plate Fr TDi Mk1 Leon and I love the looks of the car myself, it's not going to define a new driving experience but i've had 8yrs nearly of happy ownership of mine. Had the door seal issue and a few others but generally been a reliable car, i want to replace mine for something newer with more parts but I still catch mine in a shop window and think it's a good looking car myself and at least it's something different to the tons of mk4 golf's it was based on
I also had one of these in exactly the same colour spec and age '02' reg. Coming from a 1.8 petrol Mondoe this felt like a rocket ship, but also then felt a bit small. The performance felt great at the time but I just didn't get on with it. The coil packs went, the drivers door had terrible wind rush at higher speeds as if the window was down, the drivers window dropped into the door, the blue paint was soft as reported in the ad and stone chips terrible and in the end i'd just had enough. I chopped it in again 18 mths later for another Mondeo. How boring!
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