Leon cupra 290 ST v Golf R estate
Discussion
Looking at the above vehicles, just wondering what the Cupra (being FWD) is like in comparison to the golf (being 4WD) .
I like the fact the Leon is available in manual and is generally a bit cheaper, does the FWD handle the power well?
I've had a Leon FR for 5 years now, the Cupra is the same shape albeit mine is a 3door and the Cupra is estate.
I'll be doing c. 18-20k miles a year, I'm not sure depreciation between the 2 is going hugely different, I'm looking at c. 3year old cars and keep it 3years.
I like the fact the Leon is available in manual and is generally a bit cheaper, does the FWD handle the power well?
I've had a Leon FR for 5 years now, the Cupra is the same shape albeit mine is a 3door and the Cupra is estate.
I'll be doing c. 18-20k miles a year, I'm not sure depreciation between the 2 is going hugely different, I'm looking at c. 3year old cars and keep it 3years.
IanJ9375 said:
I like the look of that but not the price tag that they seem to be up for! I have had both of these cars so feel like I am in a good place to comment.
I had the Golf R Estate from 2016 to 2018 and it was great. It was so surefooted and plenty fast enough. I had no issues with mine whilst I had it and apart from one service and 4 new tyres at 18k miles, it was perfect. It did like to drink oil mind but I just topped it up when it needed it and this never turned into a problem. It was even fairly economical with a lifetime average over 24k miles of 32mpg - and I did not take it easy. Also, they are all DSG only meaning launch control which seems hilarious in a Golf Estate.
In comparison, I currently have a manual Leon Cupra 300 estate (or ST in Seat speak) which is the front wheel drive version. It is also a great car and I'm 18 months and just over 18k miles in mine from new. My clutch has, thus far, lasted albeit I do live in fear it may go at any point now. I'm hoping it can be made to go past 20k miles though and there are no current signs of it slipping...yet. As a car to drive it is nice and it feels really quick once you are up and running (even more so than the Golf) - bearing in mind it is no good at the traffic light grand prix due to being front wheel drive.
I would probably say the Leon is closer to a driver's car than the Golf R estate as it definitely feels more nimble and with the LSD it grips really well through corners and roundabouts (etc.) The Golf always felt a little lardy in comparison. There are, however, downsides. Firstly, the wheel spin is really quite bad - even with superior replacement front tyres (Goodyear Eagle F1 Asy3s) and in anything other than completely dry, it will light up the front tyres until you are in 3rd gear and up. Secondly, it eats front tyres quickly - 9k miles on my last set but, so far, a little longer on the current Goodyears. Also, and this may be a significant one, the Leon estate is so so quiet inside and out of the car. My Golf was much louder in comparison. It's strange though as my wife has the Leon 300 hatch and that sounds really quite fruity inside and out but, sadly, it seems Seat have denied the estate version the same exhaust sound.
The Leon is also definitely more economical than the Golf R estate and I am now averaging approx 34mpg over the last 2k miles or so. It also does not drink oil in the same way - in fact, I haven't ever had to top it up before or since its first service. I wonder if that may be to do with the DSG box? I don't know though.
Overall, I would have either car again but find myself drawn back to the Golf more than the Leon. For me, the Golf was the better all rounder and I did find the 4wd made it easier to live with day-to-day given our weather and greasy roads. I also liked the DSG box in the Golf albeit appreciate that this can be found in the Leon as well. My view, try both and see which you prefer as they definitely drive differently, particularly if you are comparing the fwd Leon with the 4wd Golf.
I had the Golf R Estate from 2016 to 2018 and it was great. It was so surefooted and plenty fast enough. I had no issues with mine whilst I had it and apart from one service and 4 new tyres at 18k miles, it was perfect. It did like to drink oil mind but I just topped it up when it needed it and this never turned into a problem. It was even fairly economical with a lifetime average over 24k miles of 32mpg - and I did not take it easy. Also, they are all DSG only meaning launch control which seems hilarious in a Golf Estate.
In comparison, I currently have a manual Leon Cupra 300 estate (or ST in Seat speak) which is the front wheel drive version. It is also a great car and I'm 18 months and just over 18k miles in mine from new. My clutch has, thus far, lasted albeit I do live in fear it may go at any point now. I'm hoping it can be made to go past 20k miles though and there are no current signs of it slipping...yet. As a car to drive it is nice and it feels really quick once you are up and running (even more so than the Golf) - bearing in mind it is no good at the traffic light grand prix due to being front wheel drive.
I would probably say the Leon is closer to a driver's car than the Golf R estate as it definitely feels more nimble and with the LSD it grips really well through corners and roundabouts (etc.) The Golf always felt a little lardy in comparison. There are, however, downsides. Firstly, the wheel spin is really quite bad - even with superior replacement front tyres (Goodyear Eagle F1 Asy3s) and in anything other than completely dry, it will light up the front tyres until you are in 3rd gear and up. Secondly, it eats front tyres quickly - 9k miles on my last set but, so far, a little longer on the current Goodyears. Also, and this may be a significant one, the Leon estate is so so quiet inside and out of the car. My Golf was much louder in comparison. It's strange though as my wife has the Leon 300 hatch and that sounds really quite fruity inside and out but, sadly, it seems Seat have denied the estate version the same exhaust sound.
The Leon is also definitely more economical than the Golf R estate and I am now averaging approx 34mpg over the last 2k miles or so. It also does not drink oil in the same way - in fact, I haven't ever had to top it up before or since its first service. I wonder if that may be to do with the DSG box? I don't know though.
Overall, I would have either car again but find myself drawn back to the Golf more than the Leon. For me, the Golf was the better all rounder and I did find the 4wd made it easier to live with day-to-day given our weather and greasy roads. I also liked the DSG box in the Golf albeit appreciate that this can be found in the Leon as well. My view, try both and see which you prefer as they definitely drive differently, particularly if you are comparing the fwd Leon with the 4wd Golf.
I collected my 2019 Leon ST 300 DSG yesterday after my 2019 Leon 290 DSG was stolen 3 weeks ago.
The earlier model ST's were available in a manual or DSG as a FWD.
I was looking to switch to a Golf R but finding them in budget with DCC was proving hard, I was able to get a 6 month old car with 4000 miles and a Pan Roof for less than I would have paid for a 2017 Golf R with over 20,000 miles and no DCC.
As other have stated the clutch is a weak point on these models so factor that in, what sort of budget do you have?
The earlier model ST's were available in a manual or DSG as a FWD.
I was looking to switch to a Golf R but finding them in budget with DCC was proving hard, I was able to get a 6 month old car with 4000 miles and a Pan Roof for less than I would have paid for a 2017 Golf R with over 20,000 miles and no DCC.
As other have stated the clutch is a weak point on these models so factor that in, what sort of budget do you have?
madmatteo said:
I have had both of these cars so feel like I am in a good place to comment.
I had the Golf R Estate from 2016 to 2018 and it was great. It was so surefooted and plenty fast enough. I had no issues with mine whilst I had it and apart from one service and 4 new tyres at 18k miles, it was perfect. It did like to drink oil mind but I just topped it up when it needed it and this never turned into a problem. It was even fairly economical with a lifetime average over 24k miles of 32mpg - and I did not take it easy. Also, they are all DSG only meaning launch control which seems hilarious in a Golf Estate.
In comparison, I currently have a manual Leon Cupra 300 estate (or ST in Seat speak) which is the front wheel drive version. It is also a great car and I'm 18 months and just over 18k miles in mine from new. My clutch has, thus far, lasted albeit I do live in fear it may go at any point now. I'm hoping it can be made to go past 20k miles though and there are no current signs of it slipping...yet. As a car to drive it is nice and it feels really quick once you are up and running (even more so than the Golf) - bearing in mind it is no good at the traffic light grand prix due to being front wheel drive.
I would probably say the Leon is closer to a driver's car than the Golf R estate as it definitely feels more nimble and with the LSD it grips really well through corners and roundabouts (etc.) The Golf always felt a little lardy in comparison. There are, however, downsides. Firstly, the wheel spin is really quite bad - even with superior replacement front tyres (Goodyear Eagle F1 Asy3s) and in anything other than completely dry, it will light up the front tyres until you are in 3rd gear and up. Secondly, it eats front tyres quickly - 9k miles on my last set but, so far, a little longer on the current Goodyears. Also, and this may be a significant one, the Leon estate is so so quiet inside and out of the car. My Golf was much louder in comparison. It's strange though as my wife has the Leon 300 hatch and that sounds really quite fruity inside and out but, sadly, it seems Seat have denied the estate version the same exhaust sound.
The Leon is also definitely more economical than the Golf R estate and I am now averaging approx 34mpg over the last 2k miles or so. It also does not drink oil in the same way - in fact, I haven't ever had to top it up before or since its first service. I wonder if that may be to do with the DSG box? I don't know though.
Overall, I would have either car again but find myself drawn back to the Golf more than the Leon. For me, the Golf was the better all rounder and I did find the 4wd made it easier to live with day-to-day given our weather and greasy roads. I also liked the DSG box in the Golf albeit appreciate that this can be found in the Leon as well. My view, try both and see which you prefer as they definitely drive differently, particularly if you are comparing the fwd Leon with the 4wd Golf.
Thanks, that's very informative, the short tyre life and clutch wear is a but concerning given the mileage I will be doing, perhaps with more long trips and less town type driving both will improve... I had the Golf R Estate from 2016 to 2018 and it was great. It was so surefooted and plenty fast enough. I had no issues with mine whilst I had it and apart from one service and 4 new tyres at 18k miles, it was perfect. It did like to drink oil mind but I just topped it up when it needed it and this never turned into a problem. It was even fairly economical with a lifetime average over 24k miles of 32mpg - and I did not take it easy. Also, they are all DSG only meaning launch control which seems hilarious in a Golf Estate.
In comparison, I currently have a manual Leon Cupra 300 estate (or ST in Seat speak) which is the front wheel drive version. It is also a great car and I'm 18 months and just over 18k miles in mine from new. My clutch has, thus far, lasted albeit I do live in fear it may go at any point now. I'm hoping it can be made to go past 20k miles though and there are no current signs of it slipping...yet. As a car to drive it is nice and it feels really quick once you are up and running (even more so than the Golf) - bearing in mind it is no good at the traffic light grand prix due to being front wheel drive.
I would probably say the Leon is closer to a driver's car than the Golf R estate as it definitely feels more nimble and with the LSD it grips really well through corners and roundabouts (etc.) The Golf always felt a little lardy in comparison. There are, however, downsides. Firstly, the wheel spin is really quite bad - even with superior replacement front tyres (Goodyear Eagle F1 Asy3s) and in anything other than completely dry, it will light up the front tyres until you are in 3rd gear and up. Secondly, it eats front tyres quickly - 9k miles on my last set but, so far, a little longer on the current Goodyears. Also, and this may be a significant one, the Leon estate is so so quiet inside and out of the car. My Golf was much louder in comparison. It's strange though as my wife has the Leon 300 hatch and that sounds really quite fruity inside and out but, sadly, it seems Seat have denied the estate version the same exhaust sound.
The Leon is also definitely more economical than the Golf R estate and I am now averaging approx 34mpg over the last 2k miles or so. It also does not drink oil in the same way - in fact, I haven't ever had to top it up before or since its first service. I wonder if that may be to do with the DSG box? I don't know though.
Overall, I would have either car again but find myself drawn back to the Golf more than the Leon. For me, the Golf was the better all rounder and I did find the 4wd made it easier to live with day-to-day given our weather and greasy roads. I also liked the DSG box in the Golf albeit appreciate that this can be found in the Leon as well. My view, try both and see which you prefer as they definitely drive differently, particularly if you are comparing the fwd Leon with the 4wd Golf.
I have a Leon relatively local for sale as well as a similar aged R estate both at franchised dealers but with £3.5k price difference. (Both 66 plates)
Does the 4wd improve the tyre wear or is it still an issue?
Mr911lover said:
I collected my 2019 Leon ST 300 DSG yesterday after my 2019 Leon 290 DSG was stolen 3 weeks ago.
The earlier model ST's were available in a manual or DSG as a FWD.
I was looking to switch to a Golf R but finding them in budget with DCC was proving hard, I was able to get a 6 month old car with 4000 miles and a Pan Roof for less than I would have paid for a 2017 Golf R with over 20,000 miles and no DCC.
As other have stated the clutch is a weak point on these models so factor that in, what sort of budget do you have?
Thanks again - my budget is dependant on age, I'm happy to spend more for a newer car as due to car allowance policy I will be able to keep it (and finance it if needed) longer.. The 2016 (66) cars are £17.5k and £21k.The earlier model ST's were available in a manual or DSG as a FWD.
I was looking to switch to a Golf R but finding them in budget with DCC was proving hard, I was able to get a 6 month old car with 4000 miles and a Pan Roof for less than I would have paid for a 2017 Golf R with over 20,000 miles and no DCC.
As other have stated the clutch is a weak point on these models so factor that in, what sort of budget do you have?
2018 Golf GTi's (less practical) and octavia VRS 245's also fall in the higher price bracket of these 2 cars...
tjdixon911 said:
Mr911lover said:
I collected my 2019 Leon ST 300 DSG yesterday after my 2019 Leon 290 DSG was stolen 3 weeks ago.
The earlier model ST's were available in a manual or DSG as a FWD.
I was looking to switch to a Golf R but finding them in budget with DCC was proving hard, I was able to get a 6 month old car with 4000 miles and a Pan Roof for less than I would have paid for a 2017 Golf R with over 20,000 miles and no DCC.
As other have stated the clutch is a weak point on these models so factor that in, what sort of budget do you have?
Thanks again - my budget is dependant on age, I'm happy to spend more for a newer car as due to car allowance policy I will be able to keep it (and finance it if needed) longer.. The 2016 (66) cars are £17.5k and £21k.The earlier model ST's were available in a manual or DSG as a FWD.
I was looking to switch to a Golf R but finding them in budget with DCC was proving hard, I was able to get a 6 month old car with 4000 miles and a Pan Roof for less than I would have paid for a 2017 Golf R with over 20,000 miles and no DCC.
As other have stated the clutch is a weak point on these models so factor that in, what sort of budget do you have?
2018 Golf GTi's (less practical) and octavia VRS 245's also fall in the higher price bracket of these 2 cars...
I had a 17 r hatch manual and now have a dsg cupra 290 hatch , the r had a couple of minor issues , rear indicator failed (new light unit) and the thermostat housing split , it averaged about 31 mpg and the clutch was slipping on full throttle in 6th, it felt quicker than the cupra but it was such a boring car
I prefer the cupra mainly down to the dsg and it’s about 5 mpg better off , it moves around a lot on the road whereas the r was totally planted, a dsg golf r with decent seats would be my ideal
I prefer the cupra mainly down to the dsg and it’s about 5 mpg better off , it moves around a lot on the road whereas the r was totally planted, a dsg golf r with decent seats would be my ideal
annodomini2 said:
There looks some good deals on there, I've never seen that site before, assuming everything's a cash price (unlike car wow where the lowest price is usually supplemented with a PCP offer..) I have had a golf r for 24k miles, mines lease spec, so no fancy toys (estate, white with cadiz alloys).
If you can I would stretch to the 7.5 version, the 7th gear really helps with mpg, driving to belgium I got 42 mpg or there abouts, at 70mph in 7th gear your at around 2000 rpm. Belgium speed limit is 75 mph. That was with air con on too as it was when we had the hot spell.
I have though only filled mine with tesco momentum (occasionally 95 ron if I can't get it).
I can't comment on the Seat as I have not driven it.
The golf is a capable car, but I do find it a bit dull (but then a lot of modern cars are). It is too capable if that makes sense, but the estate is a good size, took everything we needed for Belgium (stayed a week centreparcs). That included buggy for our then 6 month old.
Sport mode is pretty much a waste of time (sounds terrible with the subaru noise coming from the sound acutator), sport mode dsg is also a waste of time unless on track or in full manual mode, but then the gear stalks on the steering wheel are tiny and crap (most fit aftermarket ones if using a lot).
have a look at www.vwroc.com - im a memeber there - plenty of bits about the R, I would say test drive one, see what you think, the journalists raved about the r - but I'm in the its a good car, but not a great car camp.
If you can I would stretch to the 7.5 version, the 7th gear really helps with mpg, driving to belgium I got 42 mpg or there abouts, at 70mph in 7th gear your at around 2000 rpm. Belgium speed limit is 75 mph. That was with air con on too as it was when we had the hot spell.
I have though only filled mine with tesco momentum (occasionally 95 ron if I can't get it).
I can't comment on the Seat as I have not driven it.
The golf is a capable car, but I do find it a bit dull (but then a lot of modern cars are). It is too capable if that makes sense, but the estate is a good size, took everything we needed for Belgium (stayed a week centreparcs). That included buggy for our then 6 month old.
Sport mode is pretty much a waste of time (sounds terrible with the subaru noise coming from the sound acutator), sport mode dsg is also a waste of time unless on track or in full manual mode, but then the gear stalks on the steering wheel are tiny and crap (most fit aftermarket ones if using a lot).
have a look at www.vwroc.com - im a memeber there - plenty of bits about the R, I would say test drive one, see what you think, the journalists raved about the r - but I'm in the its a good car, but not a great car camp.
I am on my second R. The 7.5 version (mine is an estate) is a great car. The economy is much better with the 7.5 - on a long journey I get nearly 45 mpg and have a long term average of about 38 mpg. I have had mine for 19 months and have done 32k so far. Has needed one set of tyres (but I do have a spare set of winters) and one service so far.
Like all modern cars it’s a little boring and sanitised but it’s easy to live with and pretty nippy.
I leave mine in race mode but with gearbox in normal mode.
Rarely bother with paddles.
Haven’t ever used the launch mode (did it twice on first R).
The digital dash is nice. The cruise radar thing is fab.
The auto brake tech is really annoying. Have had a couple of dangerous scares with it. Once it decided to emergency auto brake on an icy steep hill as I was creeping downhill in first gear, sending me into a slide which thankfully didn’t end up with me hitting anything. There were no other cars around and there wasn’t any snow on the front badge. Weird.
Like all modern cars it’s a little boring and sanitised but it’s easy to live with and pretty nippy.
I leave mine in race mode but with gearbox in normal mode.
Rarely bother with paddles.
Haven’t ever used the launch mode (did it twice on first R).
The digital dash is nice. The cruise radar thing is fab.
The auto brake tech is really annoying. Have had a couple of dangerous scares with it. Once it decided to emergency auto brake on an icy steep hill as I was creeping downhill in first gear, sending me into a slide which thankfully didn’t end up with me hitting anything. There were no other cars around and there wasn’t any snow on the front badge. Weird.
madmatteo said:
In comparison, I currently have a manual Leon Cupra 300 estate (or ST in Seat speak) which is the front wheel drive version. It is also a great car and I'm 18 months and just over 18k miles in mine from new. My clutch has, thus far, lasted albeit I do live in fear it may go at any point now. I'm hoping it can be made to go past 20k miles though and there are no current signs of it slipping...yet. As a car to drive it is nice and it feels really quick once you are up and running (even more so than the Golf) - bearing in mind it is no good at the traffic light grand prix due to being front wheel drive.
I would probably say the Leon is closer to a driver's car than the Golf R estate as it definitely feels more nimble and with the LSD it grips really well through corners and roundabouts (etc.) The Golf always felt a little lardy in comparison. There are, however, downsides. Firstly, the wheel spin is really quite bad - even with superior replacement front tyres (Goodyear Eagle F1 Asy3s) and in anything other than completely dry, it will light up the front tyres until you are in 3rd gear and up. Secondly, it eats front tyres quickly - 9k miles on my last set but, so far, a little longer on the current Goodyears. Also, and this may be a significant one, the Leon estate is so so quiet inside and out of the car. My Golf was much louder in comparison. It's strange though as my wife has the Leon 300 hatch and that sounds really quite fruity inside and out but, sadly, it seems Seat have denied the estate version the same exhaust sound.
I'd echo a lot of that (also got a 2018 ST 300 manual). 13k miles in and no clutch issues, FWD is perfectly fine (I don't miss my previous 4WD at all, as I thought I would), but as said above I really do find it too quiet inside and out. As above, the non-ST's got the more fruity exhaust and they deliberately toned it down for the ST. It really does bug me (a lot), as it's just too quiet, and the "fake noise" is there but is obviously not "real". I think it's really that reason alone that I've never really gelled with it. I would probably say the Leon is closer to a driver's car than the Golf R estate as it definitely feels more nimble and with the LSD it grips really well through corners and roundabouts (etc.) The Golf always felt a little lardy in comparison. There are, however, downsides. Firstly, the wheel spin is really quite bad - even with superior replacement front tyres (Goodyear Eagle F1 Asy3s) and in anything other than completely dry, it will light up the front tyres until you are in 3rd gear and up. Secondly, it eats front tyres quickly - 9k miles on my last set but, so far, a little longer on the current Goodyears. Also, and this may be a significant one, the Leon estate is so so quiet inside and out of the car. My Golf was much louder in comparison. It's strange though as my wife has the Leon 300 hatch and that sounds really quite fruity inside and out but, sadly, it seems Seat have denied the estate version the same exhaust sound.
Everything is good (as above) but I think I've come to realise how important the noise is to me (having come from a V6 previously). I'm even thinking of selling, and have been looking at what other (6-cyl etc) options there are in the market (answer = not many at the moment). It does everything well, but it doesn't have the "soul" I think I'm looking for via the engine/ exhaust noise. Maybe I'm just old-fashioned!
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