Leon 20v Turbo????

[eybic]

I've had my GT-Four for around 7 years and have loved every minute. I've spent quite a lot on it and have got it up to 356bhp & 320ft/lb. With current fuel costs being so high I think I am going to get rid as I manage about 17mpg which isn't great.

I have been toying with ideas for 2 cars to replace it with, 1 being a sensible diesel hatch and a fun weekend/track car (MX5/205 etc).

I don't think I would be able to get 2 decent cars for the money I would have available so I am now leaning more towards getting a fun and more economical car and have beeng mulling a 2002-2004 ish Cupra R 225.

Does anyone have experience of them and normal running costs/ MPG? I like the look of them and dont think I could move away from turbo cars but am fully aware the mpg drops dramatically when the loud pedal is pressed.

Any advice/ suggestions appreciated.

Thanks

[SaltyToe]

Yellow ones fade

[Cupramax]

I ran a 02 Cupra R for 4 years, great car (early ones up to 04 will be 210, not 225)... only problems I had was the usual coil packs plus a gearbox replacement but that happened in the first week from new so more than likely a manufacturing fault. Servicing is cheap if it doesn't include Brembo's.. then it becomes a bit scary. Dealer parts for a front brake overhall (disks and pads) are near on £500!! And believe me you will use them

Apart from this the only other things to look out for a standard Leon issues with water leaks via the door seals or the pollen filter which ends up with an indoor lake on the passenger side so check for dry carpets front and rear. MPG on mine when was showing 26mpg on the trip computer when I sold it but most of my driving is around town.

I'd have another one without hesitation though, good fun car to hoon around in and a serious missile when remapped.

[eybic]

Thanks for that. Is it easy to get the 210's uprated? I don't want to be in the same position I am in now with fuel costs but I certainly don't want to be driving a snail around.

I can get servicing etc done by friends so main dealer type prices aren't an issue for me.

Are they comfy on long journeys?

[StottyZr]

Surely if you buy a Cupra R and say Remap it your going to be in a similar situation with fuel consumption? Maybe more like 25mpg but its not that big of a difference from 17... Financially this idea doesn't make much sence to me. How many miles do you drive a year?

[Cupramax]

Yes, the 210 and 225 versions remap to the same figures, about 265-270hp and 280lb/ft, 210's will have the code AMK and 225's BAM, these are shown on the vehicle sticker under the boot carpet in the spare wheel well. It'll be fine on long distances, the seats are great and if you can find one thats got the £1200 optional Recaro seats all the better, the recaro fitted cars have RECARO written in white stiching on the front seat backs.

Edited by Cupramax on Tuesday 3rd May 10:54

[redgriff500]

I have a 180bhp Leon Cupra (not the R) as a "commuter" car.

How anyone gets enthusiastic about them I have no idea - it gets you from A-B but it isn't even remotely fun.

I'd suggest something RWD.

[paul26982]

ive got a Leon Cupra, got a readers ride on PH, personally think they fantastic cars, good MPG when driven sensibly, alot of potention if you into modding exterior, interior, or engine wise, all round good value for money, loads better and less common than the MK4 Golf's hold there value allitle better too.

Oh i get around 83 miles to £20 in mine too running around 240BHP

[AbarthChris]

I have an 05 R that I use for everything. Over the last 4000 miles on the trip computer, its reading 29mpg, which covers everything from hooning about welsh and scottish roads to boring 70mph motorway trips.

I did 250 miles home from Preston to London on Sunday through busy-ish motorways and at 76mph ish I managed 34mpg. A spirited drive will see mid to low 20's.

Mine's standard though so cant comment on fuel consumption after remapping.

[eybic]

StottyZr said:

Surely if you buy a Cupra R and say Remap it your going to be in a similar situation with fuel consumption? Maybe more like 25mpg but its not that big of a difference from 17... Financially this idea doesn't make much sence to me. How many miles do you drive a year?

Miles wise I do about 8k per year commuting plus a bit of private. The issue for me with the Celica is repair costs are high if anything goes wrong, Insurance (£900 per yr with 7yrs NCB) and fuel so if the insurance and repair costs are lower I could live with similar fuel economy.

[StottyZr]

eybic said:

StottyZr said:

Surely if you buy a Cupra R and say Remap it your going to be in a similar situation with fuel consumption? Maybe more like 25mpg but its not that big of a difference from 17... Financially this idea doesn't make much sence to me. How many miles do you drive a year?

Miles wise I do about 8k per year commuting plus a bit of private. The issue for me with the Celica is repair costs are high if anything goes wrong, Insurance (£900 per yr with 7yrs NCB) and fuel so if the insurance and repair costs are lower I could live with similar fuel economy.

Fair enough then. I can't comment on running costs, all I know is my last and only performance car ended up costing me about £6500 in the year I had it :P

Although I would say the cost of taxing, insuring and running a little cheap car (they break too) could possibly be just as expensive as paying the extra fuel on the Cupra R, but you'd get a lot less enjoyment/refinement on your daily commute

[mattcov]

210 LCR is the S3 engine. Remaps nicely to around 265. Best MPG I ever got was 38 (and that was trying) - expect 25-30 average - remap wont harm fuel economy.

Leon Cupra R is fair bit different to standard Cupra or VT. Different brakes (brembo), suspension, rack I believe. Find one fully specced with front and rear recaros + sat nav.

Only thing that went wrong with my Leon was the front fans assembly which is a known problem on most of the VAG products of that era - I expected it to fail and took out an extended warranty which covered it (its a ~ £350 job at main dealers). Tyres and brake consumables most likely cost - also factor in cost of timing belt + water pump change (£500?)

[DickSkruttock]

AbarthChris said:

I have an 05 R that I use for everything. Over the last 4000 miles on the trip computer, its reading 29mpg, which covers everything from hooning about welsh and scottish roads to boring 70mph motorway trips.

I did 250 miles home from Preston to London on Sunday through busy-ish motorways and at 76mph ish I managed 34mpg. A spirited drive will see mid to low 20's.

Mine's standard though so cant comment on fuel consumption after remapping.

Have to agree with you on the mpg front. My S3 AMK 210 will easily do high 30s on a busy motorway, and mid 20s on a spirited run. My long term average is 30.5mpg.

Comfort wise, with electric Recaros you can't go wrong.

Edited by DickSkruttock on Tuesday 3rd May 11:15

[chrisxr2]

Dont buy yellow, as yes they do fade. I have a cupra R 210. Average 30mpg pootling around town, 37 driving carefully and scary figures when it is pushed. Good motors, very comfy seats. look out for air con fan not working properly, and the fact the door seals go and they leak like sieves. Similar on the market for the money, and become the car of choice of the chavs round hear as they are now dirt cheap. My missus won't let me sell ours as she enjoys drivingit so much.

[paul26982]

for lots of info, infact all the info you need, get yourself over to seatcupra.net/forums

[redgriff500]

mattcov said:

210 LCR is the S3 engine. Remaps nicely to around 265. Best MPG I ever got was 38 (and that was trying) - expect 25-30 average - remap wont harm fuel economy.

Leon Cupra R is fair bit different to standard Cupra or VT. Different brakes (brembo), suspension, rack I believe. Find one fully specced with front and rear recaros + sat nav.

Only thing that went wrong with my Leon was the front fans assembly which is a known problem on most of the VAG products of that era - I expected it to fail and took out an extended warranty which covered it (its a ~ £350 job at main dealers). Tyres and brake consumables most likely cost - also factor in cost of timing belt + water pump change (£500?)

I fitted LCR suspension to my LC - still dull.

It's competent as are most VAG products, it's probably the best value in the range but its still not fun.

Seriously go and try a decent RWD - 200SX, M3 BMW, Supra etc

[mattcov]

I have to say remapping it made the most difference - dramatic change - far more fun.

[300bhp/ton]

Are these cars actually fun to drive??? And by that I don't simply mean able to be fairly quick with a remap. But actually enjoyable to throw about?

While I'm happy to be corrected, I always thought (by reputation) that they where a rather dull steer.

Personally think such a car would be a MASSIVE step down from a GT-Four, in every respect.

[paul26982]

the Leon is different to the GT4 in every aspect, id test drive one first, mapped if you can, as said, been mapped (by a decent company) transforms the car in every way, makes them so much fun to drive, especially on B roads, on motorways i think they are very good too' so smooth, never have to drop a gear from 6th either

[mattcov]

300bhp/ton said:

Are these cars actually fun to drive??? And by that I don't simply mean able to be fairly quick with a remap. But actually enjoyable to throw about?

While I'm happy to be corrected, I always thought (by reputation) that they where a rather dull steer.

Personally think such a car would be a MASSIVE step down from a GT-Four, in every respect.

As good as a VAG product of that era goes yes. An LCR drives much better than the equivalent Golf. Do expect the usual VAG steering/weight feel though. Compared to a modded GT-Four, yes I would expect it to be a bit dull in that comparison.