Golf Gti 230 Performance (DSG) or Seat leon Cupra 280 (DSG)
Discussion
Was in a similar position and was considering the Golf R Estate and The Seat Leon ST.
Personally I thought the Seat was just as well appointed inside and the styling is head and shoulders anove the ‘blancmange’ Golf - all in my humble opinion of course.
Conveniently, my local dealer had a Leon ST Cupra 300 Carbon in - I say ‘had’ as I’ll be collecting it next weekend
I prefer cars that are a bit different, and being only 1 of 42 cars brought into the UK, pretty safe to say that I’m unlikely to see another. Dropping almost £30k on a Seat took some consideration as despite having already lost its initial depreciation (ex Seat demo) it will mo doubt rinse few grand yet. But again, the rarity of the car will help.
Either way, it offers incredible bang for buck. Was far more impressed after the test drive than I thought I would be. Which is why I bought one I guess
Personally I thought the Seat was just as well appointed inside and the styling is head and shoulders anove the ‘blancmange’ Golf - all in my humble opinion of course.
Conveniently, my local dealer had a Leon ST Cupra 300 Carbon in - I say ‘had’ as I’ll be collecting it next weekend
I prefer cars that are a bit different, and being only 1 of 42 cars brought into the UK, pretty safe to say that I’m unlikely to see another. Dropping almost £30k on a Seat took some consideration as despite having already lost its initial depreciation (ex Seat demo) it will mo doubt rinse few grand yet. But again, the rarity of the car will help.
Either way, it offers incredible bang for buck. Was far more impressed after the test drive than I thought I would be. Which is why I bought one I guess
Don't bother with the Cupra 280.
Get the slightly newer 290. Comes with better kit as standard and sounds better (1 silencer instead of 2)
Even better if you get a black ed as it will have heated buckets as standard.
I was in a similar situ looking at the Golf R or Cupra 290 and decided on the latter. It looks better, has better kit as standard and was cheaper for a newer and lower mileage car.
I prefer the seat interior as the golf has the screen in an odd place but they are both nice to be inside. They feel exactly the same as they both use the same interior materials and switchgear etc
Get the slightly newer 290. Comes with better kit as standard and sounds better (1 silencer instead of 2)
Even better if you get a black ed as it will have heated buckets as standard.
I was in a similar situ looking at the Golf R or Cupra 290 and decided on the latter. It looks better, has better kit as standard and was cheaper for a newer and lower mileage car.
I prefer the seat interior as the golf has the screen in an odd place but they are both nice to be inside. They feel exactly the same as they both use the same interior materials and switchgear etc
Edited by Dannbodge on Monday 28th January 22:27
Dannbodge said:
Don't bother with the Cupra 280.
Get the slightly newer 290. Comes with better kit as standard and sounds better (1 silencer instead of 2)
Even better if you get a black ed as it will have heated buckets as standard.
I was in a similar situ looking at the Golf R or Cupra 290 and decided on the latter. It looks better, has better kit as standard and was cheaper for a newer and lower mileage car.
I prefer the seat interior as the golf has the screen in an odd place but they are both nice to be inside. They feel exactly the same as they both use the same interior materials and switchgear etc
In my opinion the screen is awkward on the seat and more natural in the golf. Also the materials are not the same and that is obviously intentional, as well as being well documented.Get the slightly newer 290. Comes with better kit as standard and sounds better (1 silencer instead of 2)
Even better if you get a black ed as it will have heated buckets as standard.
I was in a similar situ looking at the Golf R or Cupra 290 and decided on the latter. It looks better, has better kit as standard and was cheaper for a newer and lower mileage car.
I prefer the seat interior as the golf has the screen in an odd place but they are both nice to be inside. They feel exactly the same as they both use the same interior materials and switchgear etc
Edited by Dannbodge on Monday 28th January 22:27
Leon can be rationalised as better value and or better looking, but that's subjective and providing you don't require AWD or want an estate.
Personally If I had to choose the seat I'd probably go for the 260 with the smaller wheels and slightly better ride.
manracer said:
In my opinion the screen is awkward on the seat and more natural in the golf. Also the materials are not the same and that is obviously intentional, as well as being well documented.
Leon can be rationalised as better value and or better looking, but that's subjective and providing you don't require AWD or want an estate.
Personally If I had to choose the seat I'd probably go for the 260 with the smaller wheels and slightly better ride.
Shows how much it's personal preference!Leon can be rationalised as better value and or better looking, but that's subjective and providing you don't require AWD or want an estate.
Personally If I had to choose the seat I'd probably go for the 260 with the smaller wheels and slightly better ride.
I didn't notice any real difference between the interiors when I looked and played with them both. They both felt substandard compared to the E90 I was driving anyway.
The Leon comes in an estate and the GTI isn't 4wd either (for this thread not my choice).
I had a 290 black edition for 2 years and a Golf R before that.
The extra power in the Cupra is completely pointless. It suffers from horrendous axle tramp and traction is limited when trying to get a move on in anything but bone dry conditions. Given my experience of living with the Cupra I'd take the Golf as sometimes less is more.
In terms of spec it's going to depend what model year you are going for. A 280 will have the old infotainment unit which is a bit crap but I imagine an older GTi will be the same (they did update it earlier in it's life). Styling and interior is all subjective and will be a fair step down from the Q5.
If residual value is of significance then the Golf is the only choice.
The extra power in the Cupra is completely pointless. It suffers from horrendous axle tramp and traction is limited when trying to get a move on in anything but bone dry conditions. Given my experience of living with the Cupra I'd take the Golf as sometimes less is more.
In terms of spec it's going to depend what model year you are going for. A 280 will have the old infotainment unit which is a bit crap but I imagine an older GTi will be the same (they did update it earlier in it's life). Styling and interior is all subjective and will be a fair step down from the Q5.
If residual value is of significance then the Golf is the only choice.
nunpuncher said:
I had a 290 black edition for 2 years and a Golf R before that.
The extra power in the Cupra is completely pointless. It suffers from horrendous axle tramp and traction is limited when trying to get a move on in anything but bone dry conditions. Given my experience of living with the Cupra I'd take the Golf as sometimes less is more.
In terms of spec it's going to depend what model year you are going for. A 280 will have the old infotainment unit which is a bit crap but I imagine an older GTi will be the same (they did update it earlier in it's life). Styling and interior is all subjective and will be a fair step down from the Q5.
If residual value is of significance then the Golf is the only choice.
But the OP is talking about a GTI so that will surely suffer the same axle tramp at which point it'll come down to personal preference. I do agree that the OP should seek out a 290.The extra power in the Cupra is completely pointless. It suffers from horrendous axle tramp and traction is limited when trying to get a move on in anything but bone dry conditions. Given my experience of living with the Cupra I'd take the Golf as sometimes less is more.
In terms of spec it's going to depend what model year you are going for. A 280 will have the old infotainment unit which is a bit crap but I imagine an older GTi will be the same (they did update it earlier in it's life). Styling and interior is all subjective and will be a fair step down from the Q5.
If residual value is of significance then the Golf is the only choice.
ZX10R NIN said:
But the OP is talking about a GTI so that will surely suffer the same axle tramp at which point it'll come down to personal preference. I do agree that the OP should seek out a 290.
No. Along with the slight reduction in power the GTi has different engine mounts which reduce the axle tramp.fellows4 said:
HM-2 said:
I'd also have a look at the BMW M140i. They're preparing to run-out, so there are absolutely ridiculous deals to be had.
I'm averaging 28 but do a lot of short run and town driving. Have seen over 45 on a motorway run.
What kind of ridiculous deals?I'm averaging 28 but do a lot of short run and town driving. Have seen over 45 on a motorway run.
If he's talking second hand, prices are fairly similar for, say, 16/66 cars. You might even squeeze an early M140i rather than an M135i for the £17-£19k you'd pay for a tidy 66-reg Cupra 290.
Edited by HM-2 on Tuesday 29th January 16:56
Hi Guys,
Thanks for all your replies. I definitely feel the GTI (MK7 PP) is more for me after reading the above. it can always be mapped to 300 anyway.
I completely understand it will not be anything like my sq5 in terms of quality and performance but needs must.
My other alternative is a friend is selling 2015 BMW 330D with all the bells and whistles. that will of course have the superior quality - just a little hesitant on buying a diesel these days!
Thanks for all your replies. I definitely feel the GTI (MK7 PP) is more for me after reading the above. it can always be mapped to 300 anyway.
I completely understand it will not be anything like my sq5 in terms of quality and performance but needs must.
My other alternative is a friend is selling 2015 BMW 330D with all the bells and whistles. that will of course have the superior quality - just a little hesitant on buying a diesel these days!
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