Opinions on Seat Leon Cupra and Mk 7.5 Golf GTI?

[chrisNW]

Hello all!

Just in the market for a new hot hatch, currently have a 1.8 manual Polo GTI and time for an upgrade. Just after general opinions on the two cars and if there are any current/previous owners who can lend some of their wisdom!

I know the Leon is a lot cheaper on PCP than the Golf which also plays a part, just curious if the Golf is worth the extra.

Look forward to hearing what you've all got to say :-)

[Andy665]

Can only speak from personal experience of first 12 months in a Leon Cupra 300 ST 4Drive

No squeaks, rattles or faults in first 12 months

Better built than my previous M135i and whilst its down to personal views I prefer the simpler interior layout to the Golfs which I found to be trying too hard to be "premium" and just ended up looking chintzy

Digital cockpit works well

DCC works well and you can tell the difference between the damper settings

Getting more economical - now getting an average of low 30's whereas it struggled to get to high 20s in first few months

Does everything I expected it to do

[chrisNW]

Thanks for that response!!

I found the same with the 1 Series', the VW group seem to be a able to do a better job with the interiors.

So on the motorway, how does mpg fair?

Also, how much are tyres on it and does it wear through them too quick? Just don't want to be delving into my pocket every few months to get new tyres as I do around 20k a year.

[MinuteMan]

chrisNW said:

Thanks for that response!!

I found the same with the 1 Series', the VW group seem to be a able to do a better job with the interiors.

So on the motorway, how does mpg fair?

Also, how much are tyres on it and does it wear through them too quick? Just don't want to be delving into my pocket every few months to get new tyres as I do around 20k a year.

My best trip MPG (Cupra 300 manual) on motorway was 51.4mpg, doing an average of 62mph over 250 miles. Not fun, but I wanted to see what it was capable of. Probably could have squeezed a few more miles out of every gallon if I overinflated the tyres and tailgated lorries

On my daily 11 mile commute (1 mile local road, 2 mile motorway, the remaining 50mph road with lots of lights), I can see anywhere between 28-40mpg depending on my mood. Usually 40mpg in the mornings, and 28 in the evenings.

It will go through tyres quickly, especially if you rag it. Having said that, I got through my stock Continental ContactSport 5s in 16k miles from new - 12k miles commuting (mostly on motorway), 4k miles of fun.

Put Michelin Pilot Sport 4S on the fronts after the Contis wore out. They're currently on 4mm after 6k miles of mostly local, spirited driving.

You can get decent midrange tyres (Uniroyal Rainsport 3) for around £90 per tyre. The Michelin PS4S is universally regarded as the best tyre for these, and they cost around £140 a tyre.

[Andy665]

chrisNW said:

Thanks for that response!!

I found the same with the 1 Series', the VW group seem to be a able to do a better job with the interiors.

So on the motorway, how does mpg fair?

Also, how much are tyres on it and does it wear through them too quick? Just don't want to be delving into my pocket every few months to get new tyres as I do around 20k a year.

Motorway journeys its mid to high 30s (I got 39.6 on a 200 mile round trip to MK this week) now its fully run in, around town its high 20's.

Just had its first service at just under 8k miles, report shows brakes less than 10% worn and still 6mm all round on tyres (Conti SportContact5) - as mine is Haldex I am presuming that front tyre wear is better than on FWD models

[chrisNW]

MinuteMan said:

My best trip MPG (Cupra 300 manual) on motorway was 51.4mpg, doing an average of 62mph over 250 miles. Not fun, but I wanted to see what it was capable of. Probably could have squeezed a few more miles out of every gallon if I overinflated the tyres and tailgated lorries

On my daily 11 mile commute (1 mile local road, 2 mile motorway, the remaining 50mph road with lots of lights), I can see anywhere between 28-40mpg depending on my mood. Usually 40mpg in the mornings, and 28 in the evenings.

It will go through tyres quickly, especially if you rag it. Having said that, I got through my stock Continental ContactSport 5s in 16k miles from new - 12k miles commuting (mostly on motorway), 4k miles of fun.

Put Michelin Pilot Sport 4S on the fronts after the Contis wore out. They're currently on 4mm after 6k miles of mostly local, spirited driving.

You can get decent midrange tyres (Uniroyal Rainsport 3) for around £90 per tyre. The Michelin PS4S is universally regarded as the best tyre for these, and they cost around £140 a tyre.

That mpg is mind-blowing!! Must've been quite painful though! Haha

I think it'd have to be Michelin PS4S for the tyres. The wear doesn't sound too bad and I'll try and convince myself the money I could save a month by not getting the Golf will pay for the tyres!

I couldn't believe it, I was looking at a 67 reg Golf GTI PP with 7k on the clock and that was £1500 down and £450/month whereas a SEAT dealer quoted me £1000 down and £340/month for a brand spanking new one and it was specced up!

Only problem is, I don't like to call myself a brand snob but having a SEAT badge doesn't have the same 'class' (apologies I couldn't think of another word), but it's not that I'm bothered about driving it and owning it, it's more that my other half is highly against a SEAT as she just thinks - and pardon my French - that they're utter s***. Although, she doesn't know the whole VW Group and that a Leon is basically just a sportier Golf.

[chrisNW]

Andy665 said:

Motorway journeys its mid to high 30s (I got 39.6 on a 200 mile round trip to MK this week) now its fully run in, around town its high 20's.

Just had its first service at just under 8k miles, report shows brakes less than 10% worn and still 6mm all round on tyres (Conti SportContact5) - as mine is Haldex I am presuming that front tyre wear is better than on FWD models

Interesting, I'm assuming the FWD hatch will be able to get better mpg as it's lighter? Might be clutching on straws!!

6mm after 8k miles is impressive! How do you drive it if you don't mind me asking. As I will just be driving economically Mon-Fri just commuting with the possibility to take the long way home on a Friday to give it a blast, as well as some general driving around town with the occasional 'thrash', so tyres should be fine, I think?

[MinuteMan]

chrisNW said:

That mpg is mind-blowing!! Must've been quite painful though! Haha

Definitely, never again! I try it once with every new car I get, to see what they can do. Had 38mpg out of a 350z once.

chrisNW said:

I think it'd have to be Michelin PS4S for the tyres. The wear doesn't sound too bad and I'll try and convince myself the money I could save a month by not getting the Golf will pay for the tyres!

Once you realise how chuckable they are, you'll be getting new tyres every month . They don't have mechanical LSDs, it's electronic, but the way the front end grips and pulls you round tight corners is unreal.

chrisNW said:

I couldn't believe it, I was looking at a 67 reg Golf GTI PP with 7k on the clock and that was £1500 down and £450/month whereas a SEAT dealer quoted me £1000 down and £340/month for a brand spanking new one and it was specced up!

Have you looked into leasing the SEAT instead? They're around £300/month for the 290 DSG I believe. It might be closer overall now that the prices have gone up, but when I was looking, leasing was a no-brainer in terms of cost if you don't mind not owning the car.

chrisNW said:

Only problem is, I don't like to call myself a brand snob but having a SEAT badge doesn't have the same 'class' (apologies I couldn't think of another word), but it's not that I'm bothered about driving it and owning it, it's more that my other half is highly against a SEAT as she just thinks - and pardon my French - that they're utter s***. Although, she doesn't know the whole VW Group and that a Leon is basically just a sportier Golf.

Peel off the SEAT badge on the engine to reveal the VW one underneath it, she won't know any different

[Andy665]

chrisNW said:

Interesting, I'm assuming the FWD hatch will be able to get better mpg as it's lighter? Might be clutching on straws!!

6mm after 8k miles is impressive! How do you drive it if you don't mind me asking. As I will just be driving economically Mon-Fri just commuting with the possibility to take the long way home on a Friday to give it a blast, as well as some general driving around town with the occasional 'thrash', so tyres should be fine, I think?

I drive it pretty quickly across country, around town and motorways its sensible, trip to MK this week was done at or just above the legal limit, not really driving with economy foremost in my mind, my old M135 was more economical though - over 2 years and 20k miles that averaged 36mpg

[Steve_F]

Those mileages out of a set of tyres is a bit of an eye opener, my leased manual Leon 300 has just gone over 7k miles and the original Contis are looking very, very close to needing changed! Commute is all back roads. Currently averaging 30mpg. First 800 or so miles were a road trip round the north of Scotland (NC500 based) last June so have used it as intended a fair bit.

I've been a fan of the Cupras since I had one in 2006, Golf is too easy a choice for me so almost always prefer Seat's offering to the VW one. Followed a Golf R and what sounded, and looked, like a remapped 280 Cupra (popped and banged a lot more than mine) into work one day and no one was pulling away from each other.

Have really enjoyed my 11 months with the Leon so far.

[nunpuncher]

I had a manual mk7 golf R followed by a DSG Cupra 290.

The cupra felt cheaper.

The cupra looked cheaper.

The cupra used more fuel.

That last one was a massive surprise.

Both were perfectly decent cars but if you parked both in front of me and said "pick one" I'd take the golf.

[chrisNW]

Steve_F said:

Those mileages out of a set of tyres is a bit of an eye opener, my leased manual Leon 300 has just gone over 7k miles and the original Contis are looking very, very close to needing changed! Commute is all back roads. Currently averaging 30mpg. First 800 or so miles were a road trip round the north of Scotland (NC500 based) last June so have used it as intended a fair bit.

I've been a fan of the Cupras since I had one in 2006, Golf is too easy a choice for me so almost always prefer Seat's offering to the VW one. Followed a Golf R and what sounded, and looked, like a remapped 280 Cupra (popped and banged a lot more than mine) into work one day and no one was pulling away from each other.

Have really enjoyed my 11 months with the Leon so far.

Bet that road trip was good fun! Would love to do something like that. Are you going to stay with the Contis or going to try something different?0

I've heard that the Cupra is meant to feel better than the R simply because it's lighter and more agile. As I've never driven a Cupra I can't comment but
having driven an R, they feel really planted but heavy if that makes sense - obviously because of the Haldex system.

An average of 30mpg doesn't sound bad at all, especially with your commute being back roads! What's your opinion on the interior?

I'd also be quite curious to see what Cupra do with the new Ibiza, or just to see what they do with the new Leon.

Not sure if you've seen the Cupra Formentor concept, but I'm not keen on the massive screen, and I think the new Leon might follow suit which is a shame, much prefer integrated screens like the current Leon/Golf.

[Mr911lover]

The Golf looks better, has a nicer interior and has the better badge!

However if you want a hot hatch the Leon without doubt is the hotter of the 2, much more powerful and has the DCC as standard.

I've had my Cupra since Jan and I'm still loving it!

[chrisNW]

Mr911lover said:

The Golf looks better, has a nicer interior and has the better badge!

However if you want a hot hatch the Leon without doubt is the hotter of the 2, much more powerful and has the DCC as standard.

I've had my Cupra since Jan and I'm still loving it!

Is DCC a must? It sounds like it would be a priority as I quite like the idea of having the car ease off when I'm just not in the mood.

May I ask what your mpg is like and your current tyre situation?

[nunpuncher]

After the first week you'll probably never touch DCC. I mucked about with all the settings but after trying them all I left it in Comfort for the whole 2 years. Cupra or sport or whatever it was was just far too hard for the roads around me. Coupled with 19" wheels and it's tendency to axle tramp like a bd.

My Golf had the passive dampers and felt similar to the Cupra in comfort mode. I suspect it was slightly stiffer but benefited from a more sensible 18" wheel.

[The Voice]

Forget the Leon or Golf: get an M140i.

I’ve got a Cupra 300, previous car was an M135i.

The BMW was, to me, a far far superior and more enjoyable machine. Much more of an ‘event’ - the engine was in a different league to the VAG 4 cylinder.

I find the VAG cars dull in comparison

[chrisNW]

nunpuncher said:

After the first week you'll probably never touch DCC. I mucked about with all the settings but after trying them all I left it in Comfort for the whole 2 years. Cupra or sport or whatever it was was just far too hard for the roads around me. Coupled with 19" wheels and it's tendency to axle tramp like a bd.

My Golf had the passive dampers and felt similar to the Cupra in comfort mode. I suspect it was slightly stiffer but benefited from a more sensible 18" wheel.

I don't doubt it at all haha! Probably just leave it in comfort, highly unlikely I'll be taking it on a track and with the state of our lovely British roads, I'm not ready for permanent back ache just yet!

I imagine the 18's are a better fit and do make a difference with the comfort side of things. Quick question, do the smaller wheels help reduce tyre/road noise? As I bomb up and down the motorway it's the little things like a quiet cabin that helps justify a decision.

[chrisNW]

The Voice said:

Forget the Leon or Golf: get an M140i.

I’ve got a Cupra 300, previous car was an M135i.

The BMW was, to me, a far far superior and more enjoyable machine. Much more of an ‘event’ - the engine was in a different league to the VAG 4 cylinder.

I find the VAG cars dull in comparison

Well, long story! I went for a test drive in one of these and the person that took me out wouldn't let me put it in sport, god forbid sports+, wouldn't let me 'stretch' the engine and would scold me if I dare go over the speed limit and I've been scared to go back in case I get her again! Haha

I am a really big fan of the M140i and I am quite curious to see what this new M135ix will be like (apologies if I got the name wrong).

Just out of curiosity, what's mpg and tyres like on an M140? I know you had an M135 but I'm sure they wouldn't be far off each other.

[Steve_F]

chrisNW said:

Bet that road trip was good fun! Would love to do something like that. Are you going to stay with the Contis or going to try something different?0

I've heard that the Cupra is meant to feel better than the R simply because it's lighter and more agile. As I've never driven a Cupra I can't comment but
having driven an R, they feel really planted but heavy if that makes sense - obviously because of the Haldex system.

An average of 30mpg doesn't sound bad at all, especially with your commute being back roads! What's your opinion on the interior?

It was a great road trip, mine is the estate. Had the mountain bike and camping gear in it. It arrived two days before I left, was down to the wire if it was going to be it or my 85bhp Nissan NV200 van! Some of the single track roads and the ferry over to Orkney were a bit nervy as it was still under a week old. The swell on the sea really did make me wonder just how good the electric handbrake really was

I like the interior, not really had much recent modern stuff as this is just my second lease after a diesel Civic but no complaints. Been in a recent Golf and would have been happy with either.

Next tyres will be interesting, it's going back in 13 months so not sure what to put on, really want to try MPS4s. Will probably try and get them to last until it goes back but I'm really not a fan of behaving to make them last.

Was a bit surprised at the average MPG, only checked this morning as the red light was on and I was getting nervous!

[chrisNW]

Steve_F said:

It was a great road trip, mine is the estate. Had the mountain bike and camping gear in it. It arrived two days before I left, was down to the wire if it was going to be it or my 85bhp Nissan NV200 van! Some of the single track roads and the ferry over to Orkney were a bit nervy as it was still under a week old. The swell on the sea really did make me wonder just how good the electric handbrake really was

I like the interior, not really had much recent modern stuff as this is just my second lease after a diesel Civic but no complaints. Been in a recent Golf and would have been happy with either.

Next tyres will be interesting, it's going back in 13 months so not sure what to put on, really want to try MPS4s. Will probably try and get them to last until it goes back but I'm really not a fan of behaving to make them last.

Was a bit surprised at the average MPG, only checked this morning as the red light was on and I was getting nervous!

The estate is a very good looking motor - a lot more so than the Golf R estate in my opinion. I'm sure you would have had just as much fun in the little van! Haha

What other cars were on the trip or was everyone just in your car?

I get what you mean about the tyres. I replaced the stock tyres with the same Bridgestone Potenza's and whilst they can manage my normal driving style, I don't have 100% confidence in them so next time they need replaced I'll get MPS4s because I'm really curious about them!