Seat Leon (Mk2) 2.0TFSI Sport- talk to me...
Discussion
Afternoon all
I recently posted a "what car" thread in GG, with a few ideas on what brisk but discrete, fun but comfortable hatch to replace my aging Mk1 Focus 1.8 with. I've looked at a few options so far- a Mk1 Leon Cupra (03/53, very tidy, low end of the budget but hesitant about buing another Mk4-Golf-chassis car as my last one was such a nightmare), Clio 197 (over budget, and the only ones I can find are gearbox-woes-era models), Clio 172/182 (fun but seemed cramped, felt very old and many of them have been fettled with already) and the Mini Cooper S (generally quite nice, but seems like a lot of money for a 10-year-old hatchback). In an ideal world and given a slightly higher budget I think a Mk5 GTi would be top of my list as an "everything, everywhere" daily hack.
There's a couple of 2006/6 Mk2 Seat Leon 2.0T FSI Sports within about 30 miles of me (Gloucestershire), both of which come in under my £5,000 maximum budget. My understanding of these is that they're basically Mk5 Golf GTi 5-doors with a very slightly detuned engine and a rather dull cabin- however they seem a good 20-30% cheaper than equivalent Golfs and the insurance is incredibly reasonable (actually less than I'm paying for my Focus if AXA are to believed). I also very much like the discrete, sleeper-ish look of them.
Anyone had any experience with these? The few reviews I've been able to find of them specifically (as opposed to the FR or Cupra which are both much more expensive) indicate they're quite well received, with a great engine and a decent enough steer, though a bit bargain-basement inside and a little firm in terms of ride.
What are the common issues? I've already inquired with one about tyre make/brand/wear, recent belts, aux and water pump (60k miles unless I'm mistaken) and service history. They seem very much like a capable, reasonable-budget alternative to the likes of the Mk5 GTi and I've always had a bit of a soft spot for how they look.
Thoughts?
I recently posted a "what car" thread in GG, with a few ideas on what brisk but discrete, fun but comfortable hatch to replace my aging Mk1 Focus 1.8 with. I've looked at a few options so far- a Mk1 Leon Cupra (03/53, very tidy, low end of the budget but hesitant about buing another Mk4-Golf-chassis car as my last one was such a nightmare), Clio 197 (over budget, and the only ones I can find are gearbox-woes-era models), Clio 172/182 (fun but seemed cramped, felt very old and many of them have been fettled with already) and the Mini Cooper S (generally quite nice, but seems like a lot of money for a 10-year-old hatchback). In an ideal world and given a slightly higher budget I think a Mk5 GTi would be top of my list as an "everything, everywhere" daily hack.
There's a couple of 2006/6 Mk2 Seat Leon 2.0T FSI Sports within about 30 miles of me (Gloucestershire), both of which come in under my £5,000 maximum budget. My understanding of these is that they're basically Mk5 Golf GTi 5-doors with a very slightly detuned engine and a rather dull cabin- however they seem a good 20-30% cheaper than equivalent Golfs and the insurance is incredibly reasonable (actually less than I'm paying for my Focus if AXA are to believed). I also very much like the discrete, sleeper-ish look of them.
Anyone had any experience with these? The few reviews I've been able to find of them specifically (as opposed to the FR or Cupra which are both much more expensive) indicate they're quite well received, with a great engine and a decent enough steer, though a bit bargain-basement inside and a little firm in terms of ride.
What are the common issues? I've already inquired with one about tyre make/brand/wear, recent belts, aux and water pump (60k miles unless I'm mistaken) and service history. They seem very much like a capable, reasonable-budget alternative to the likes of the Mk5 GTi and I've always had a bit of a soft spot for how they look.
Thoughts?
cuprabob said:
The main issue for me on the Mk2 Leon is the design and quality of the interior. If you can live with the interior then it's a good alternative to the Golf.
Like all VAG variants based on this platform you can get tread stepping wear on the rear tyres causing them to drone.
Having spent the last three years driving a Mk1 Focus, the plastic and interior trim being a bit worse than an equivilent Golf isn't going to bother me too much. Just how bad is it, though? In some photographs it looks pretty decent (large amount of flat plastic but I don't really care about that) but on others it seems very faded.Like all VAG variants based on this platform you can get tread stepping wear on the rear tyres causing them to drone.
Thanks
the-photographer said:
Is there is Seat garage nearby, where you can check the interior of a similar car?
Otherwise, its the same mechanics as a Golf/VRS (with the same problems which aren't too bad).
There is- I might have a mosey on down. To be honest I doubt it's too much of an issue. From what I've seen so far, it looks more "utilitarian and functional" than "late 1990s Renault". Can anyone here do HPI checks? If so, I'll drop the registration numbers of the two I'm looking at.Otherwise, its the same mechanics as a Golf/VRS (with the same problems which aren't too bad).
The sport is likely to be the 180bhp TFSI engine if its an early model, as opposed to the later one found in the Fr and Golf GT which are the 200BHP variation on the engine until the revision to 210bhp later on in the cars life
As said the biggest factor usually is the fact the interior is the biggest disappointment on the car, if you can live with that then its probably the biggest hurdle to overcome I think.
What problems did you have with the mk4 platform for you to rule it out? You could get a very good example mk1 cupra r and change for that money
As said the biggest factor usually is the fact the interior is the biggest disappointment on the car, if you can live with that then its probably the biggest hurdle to overcome I think.
What problems did you have with the mk4 platform for you to rule it out? You could get a very good example mk1 cupra r and change for that money
chris285 said:
The sport is likely to be the 180bhp TFSI engine if its an early model, as opposed to the later one found in the Fr and Golf GT which are the 200BHP variation on the engine until the revision to 210bhp later on in the cars life
As said the biggest factor usually is the fact the interior is the biggest disappointment on the car, if you can live with that then its probably the biggest hurdle to overcome I think.
What problems did you have with the mk4 platform for you to rule it out? You could get a very good example mk1 cupra r and change for that money
It is the 180bhp TFSI engine, as opposed to the 200bhp. I have tried to identify what the differences between the two engines are but all the usual sources seem to contradict each other. Some says it's just the engine map, some actual physical components. I'll have a look in regards to interiors but I'm fairly confident it won't be an issue.As said the biggest factor usually is the fact the interior is the biggest disappointment on the car, if you can live with that then its probably the biggest hurdle to overcome I think.
What problems did you have with the mk4 platform for you to rule it out? You could get a very good example mk1 cupra r and change for that money
I had a (leggy) Mk4 Golf GT TDi 130, which in the 8 months I owned it had a myriad of electrical problems (climate control, stereo, wipers, lights, alarm), had a turbocharger fail, ingested 3 ABS sensors, two snapped rear springs, common undertray fault, MAF and a couple of other things. Whilst I really do like the Leon Cupra R, they're also much, much more expensive for me to insure (about double the very reasonable £410 quote I got for the Mk2 2.0T Sport) and AFAIK very firm- plus consumables (tyres, disks, pads ect) seem quite expensive.
The earlier 185PS 2.0 TFSI Sport represents stunning value on the used market. I noticed this one recently it seems particularly good - http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013... . Just the one owner from new with a full SEAT history and loaded to the hill with options including Nav, Cruise and Climate.
Just make sure the cambelt has been done to schedule otherwise need to budget for that. Also there was a recall on the coilpacks for the MK5 Golf GTI which may also be applicable to the Leon.
I myself drive a MK2 1.4 TSI and like it very much. Interior isn't too awful, yes its not quite Golf/ A3 standards but it isn't any worse than a Focus and the sport seats are excellent. Having the factory fit vw-sourced sat nav certainly helps as the standard SEAT head unit on the pre-facelift looks awful and is horrible to use.
Just make sure the cambelt has been done to schedule otherwise need to budget for that. Also there was a recall on the coilpacks for the MK5 Golf GTI which may also be applicable to the Leon.
I myself drive a MK2 1.4 TSI and like it very much. Interior isn't too awful, yes its not quite Golf/ A3 standards but it isn't any worse than a Focus and the sport seats are excellent. Having the factory fit vw-sourced sat nav certainly helps as the standard SEAT head unit on the pre-facelift looks awful and is horrible to use.
That one looks very tidy- almost ideal, in fact- but is a bit of a trek for me (85 miles)- still certainly one to add to the list, especially given the price. I had my eye on a black, 63,000-mile one but the dealer seems to think that the book-figure of 180k KM for cambelt changes is acceptable- we all know in here that it's really 60k/4 years. There's a smart-looking one within 25 miles here- I don't like the silver as much but it's got a good spec, decent mileage and doesn't seem too badly priced for a dealer. No idea whether they're any good, though- the dealer, that is, not the cars.
Its worth travelling to get the right car IMO. Got mine from 170 miles away, sometimes have to go the distance to get the right deal! To have only a single owner from new and a full main dealer history is rare on a car of that age IMO.
SEAT charge £279 for the belt - http://www.seat.co.uk/content/uk/brand/en/models/s...
SEAT charge £279 for the belt - http://www.seat.co.uk/content/uk/brand/en/models/s...
Good point. I've fired off an email. The spec on that car is extremely impressive.
So, the overriding feeling with these is "good option if you can get past the interior"? Well, I had a look in one this evening- by an amazing stroke of luck, I parked up next to an '11 FR when I was doing my shopping and caught the owner as he was departing. Asked if I could have a look as I'm considering one; the interior doesn't seem that much worse than on, say, a Mk2 Focus or Volvo C30.
So, the overriding feeling with these is "good option if you can get past the interior"? Well, I had a look in one this evening- by an amazing stroke of luck, I parked up next to an '11 FR when I was doing my shopping and caught the owner as he was departing. Asked if I could have a look as I'm considering one; the interior doesn't seem that much worse than on, say, a Mk2 Focus or Volvo C30.
va1o said:
The earlier 185PS 2.0 TFSI Sport represents stunning value on the used market. I noticed this one recently it seems particularly good - http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013... . Just the one owner from new with a full SEAT history and loaded to the hill with options including Nav, Cruise and Climate.
Two litre twin turbo? 
Bitzer said:
Two litre twin turbo?
Presumably a typo! Car itself looks very tidy though. I continue to be amazed at how rough looking some younger cars end up getting, and how quickly the owner tally increases. Saw a 2.0 TDI Golf the other day on a 59-plate which had only been back to VW once for a service. Totally mental! Just spent a few weeks looking at Golfs, Leons, Octavias and A3s. My wife's comment on the Leon FR+ was, "Well, if you were 26 instead of 66". I bought an Octavia vRS. I found the Leon very claustrophobic. Even worse for my wife (5'4"); the swept back A-pillar was very close to her head and severely restricted her view. I was looking at early to mid-2012 cars. The Leon drove well expect for the very harsh ride (probably just showing my age).
Va1o- good spot on the black one. The owner seems very accommodating to my suggestion we meet somewhere between our two addresses. Have confirmed with him that belts have been done recently- front tyres and decent Bridgestone Potenza S001s, rears are Pirreli P6000s so already budgeting to replace those.
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