Cupra ST 4Drive
Discussion
Collected the new car on 12th May after being one of the many who fell foul of the Octavia VRs245 mess back end of last year.
Placed the order for this in December, arrived at dealership mid April which in the grand scheme of VW Group factory order lead times I was pretty happy with.
Its replaced an M135i, this time around I was needing a little more space (boot space in particular) but not really wanting / needing to go much bigger - only cars that seemed to tick enough of the boxes was the VRs245, Golf R and this.
Looked at a Golf R and felt it was not as nicely styled as the Leon and when the Pretorias and DCC were added it just did not add up in terms of monthlies.
Early impressions are very positive - build quality is at least as good as the BMW, lots more toys, really liking the virtual cockpit and its many configurations, feels massively better across country, much better tuned suspension setup and its nice not to have to worry about the lack of traction on even slightly damp road surfaces.
I will miss the glorious smoothness and noise of the straight 6 but you can't have everything.
Placed the order for this in December, arrived at dealership mid April which in the grand scheme of VW Group factory order lead times I was pretty happy with.
Its replaced an M135i, this time around I was needing a little more space (boot space in particular) but not really wanting / needing to go much bigger - only cars that seemed to tick enough of the boxes was the VRs245, Golf R and this.
Looked at a Golf R and felt it was not as nicely styled as the Leon and when the Pretorias and DCC were added it just did not add up in terms of monthlies.
Early impressions are very positive - build quality is at least as good as the BMW, lots more toys, really liking the virtual cockpit and its many configurations, feels massively better across country, much better tuned suspension setup and its nice not to have to worry about the lack of traction on even slightly damp road surfaces.
I will miss the glorious smoothness and noise of the straight 6 but you can't have everything.
Looks great to me. I too have a m135i five door, and we are due a second baby imminently so i am looking at a skoda or seat or even VW. How much rear space is there compered to the BMW? i assume the boot is much bigger, but i am mainly interested in the rear seats for baby seats. thanks Will
Nice looking 300!
I had also an M135i with MPE before our Cupra 300 ST arrived.
We moved to the Cupra as our two labradors needed a bigger taxi!
I find the Cupra much bigger inside and generally a lot more practical. Rear leg room much more generous than M135i. I’m 6’3, and people can actually sit behind me in the SEAT, whereas they would need leg amputations in the BMW.
Totally different to drive though, and I certainly miss the character and sound of the 3.0 straight six.
I’d also say you need to get the 4wd version (like the OP’s) - ours is a 2wd manual, and it really struggles on the tight and twisty B roads where we live. TC light constantly lit. It would be left for dead by a Golf R (or 4wd Cupra).
I had also an M135i with MPE before our Cupra 300 ST arrived.
We moved to the Cupra as our two labradors needed a bigger taxi!
I find the Cupra much bigger inside and generally a lot more practical. Rear leg room much more generous than M135i. I’m 6’3, and people can actually sit behind me in the SEAT, whereas they would need leg amputations in the BMW.
Totally different to drive though, and I certainly miss the character and sound of the 3.0 straight six.
I’d also say you need to get the 4wd version (like the OP’s) - ours is a 2wd manual, and it really struggles on the tight and twisty B roads where we live. TC light constantly lit. It would be left for dead by a Golf R (or 4wd Cupra).
Edited by The Voice on Thursday 24th May 06:38
As has already been said it feels much more spacious inside and boot is massively better, does make me wonder why anyone would need any more interior space.
Having a centre silencer delete done in the next couple of weeks to hopefully liven up the rather flat exhaust note - hopefully £170 well spent
Having a centre silencer delete done in the next couple of weeks to hopefully liven up the rather flat exhaust note - hopefully £170 well spent
Another one coming from an M135i to one of these, delivery due in just under a month and I've gone for Eclipse Orange too, albeit in the 2wd form as I couldn't pass up the lease deal on offer. Relieved to hear it's much more spacious inside as I've not actually even sat in one yet and one of the primary complaints about the BMW is the lack of rear legroom.
Steve Evil said:
Another one coming from an M135i to one of these, delivery due in just under a month and I've gone for Eclipse Orange too, albeit in the 2wd form as I couldn't pass up the lease deal on offer. Relieved to hear it's much more spacious inside as I've not actually even sat in one yet and one of the primary complaints about the BMW is the lack of rear legroom.
I'd never sat in one either - I could not pass up on the 4Drive as it was only £10 per month more than the FWD..I have found interior better quality than the BMW, more legroom, headroom, much better luggage space and cabin feels wider too.
Certainly in 4Drive spec its much more planted and confidence inspiring across country - maybe not quite as much fun but certainly more competent.
The digital cockpit is great. lots of ways to personalise it and pretty intuitive to use.
Also enjoyed making a few tweaks via OBD Eleven, auto fold mirrors, fuel to refill, rear wiper "tear drop" wipe etc
Found out today that the 4drive I have on order, that was due late June, now won't be here until November!
Very annoying but not really a lot I can do about it!
Annoyingly I sold my car a couple of weeks ago and have a cheap interim shed to use. The interim shed will now be more like 6 months!
Very annoying but not really a lot I can do about it!
Annoyingly I sold my car a couple of weeks ago and have a cheap interim shed to use. The interim shed will now be more like 6 months!
blank said:
Found out today that the 4drive I have on order, that was due late June, now won't be here until November!
Very annoying but not really a lot I can do about it!
Annoyingly I sold my car a couple of weeks ago and have a cheap interim shed to use. The interim shed will now be more like 6 months!
A lot of cars are getting delayed due to WLTPVery annoying but not really a lot I can do about it!
Annoyingly I sold my car a couple of weeks ago and have a cheap interim shed to use. The interim shed will now be more like 6 months!
Edited by Andy665 on Thursday 24th May 20:13
Although I have a golf r (I find a bit dull and build quality so so) at the end of my lease can see me potentially getting one of these - I prefer the seat styling - and the fact it is cheaper than the golf to buy, is a plus point for me.
Why anyone would want a SUV I don't know - its been a good family car for us - although haven't used the boot as much as I thought I would - but will come in handy as daughter starts school september and I will be extending the golf lease by 6 months so I can take it to south of france.
To me these estates from the VW group do offer all the space you need - although more expensive - I will probably look at 340i estate and possibly S4 estate - but I find I don't get to use the golf power as much as I would like.
But do want to own a v6 / strakight 6 engine at some point, then its only v8 left, can't see me ever having a v10/12.
Why anyone would want a SUV I don't know - its been a good family car for us - although haven't used the boot as much as I thought I would - but will come in handy as daughter starts school september and I will be extending the golf lease by 6 months so I can take it to south of france.
To me these estates from the VW group do offer all the space you need - although more expensive - I will probably look at 340i estate and possibly S4 estate - but I find I don't get to use the golf power as much as I would like.
But do want to own a v6 / strakight 6 engine at some point, then its only v8 left, can't see me ever having a v10/12.
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