Clio 182 FF vs Seat Cupra R 225/1.9TDI 150 buying advice
Discussion
I have been doing a lot of research lately for a new motor, and now it has come down to this trio. However I just can't decide which one I want more.
The Seat Leon Cupra TDI 150 is very economical, goes very well and cheap on car tax. But the noise doesn't excite me and it seems a bit too sensible for me right now.
However the 225 1.8 Turbo is a peach of an engine and made me grin like a Cheshire cat on the test drive, but the 270 RFL puts me off and I've never owned a turbo car before. I'm not sure what I should be looking for? I checked around the turbo housing for any leaks and general checks. Should I check for anything else?
Now the little 182 is a cracking little motor. It is also a lot cheaper than the Seat, however I don't know anything about them. Is there anything I need to look for? HG issues? Gearbox problems?
I am open to other suggestions too.
From the owners of these cars, what are they like for servicing? What kind of mpg should I be expecting (not a massive issue, but it is quite nice to have 30mpg sometimes). How much should I be budgeting for tyres?
Also, what is the Leon 225 like on fuel? My commute is 20 miles a day, with a mixture of very long straight A roads and a dual carriageway.
Thank you,
PB
The Seat Leon Cupra TDI 150 is very economical, goes very well and cheap on car tax. But the noise doesn't excite me and it seems a bit too sensible for me right now.
However the 225 1.8 Turbo is a peach of an engine and made me grin like a Cheshire cat on the test drive, but the 270 RFL puts me off and I've never owned a turbo car before. I'm not sure what I should be looking for? I checked around the turbo housing for any leaks and general checks. Should I check for anything else?
Now the little 182 is a cracking little motor. It is also a lot cheaper than the Seat, however I don't know anything about them. Is there anything I need to look for? HG issues? Gearbox problems?
I am open to other suggestions too.
From the owners of these cars, what are they like for servicing? What kind of mpg should I be expecting (not a massive issue, but it is quite nice to have 30mpg sometimes). How much should I be budgeting for tyres?
Also, what is the Leon 225 like on fuel? My commute is 20 miles a day, with a mixture of very long straight A roads and a dual carriageway.
Thank you,
PB
Leon 225 with a miltek, induction kit and remap please. You'll get over 30mpg on the commute described if you take it easy. It will probably see about 38mpg with lots of effort. The 225 (especially modified) is in a different league to the diesel and the 182 IMO. So if your budget allows...
StottyZr said:
Leon 225 with a miltek, induction kit and remap please. You'll get over 30mpg on the commute described if you take it easy. It will probably see about 38mpg with lots of effort. The 225 (especially modified) is in a different league to the diesel and the 182 IMO. So if your budget allows...
I have promised myself not to modify another car. I do wonder how long that will last though 
My budget is 5k. However, that seems to get me a high mileage facelift model which isn't what I would like. I need to buy a car by the 11th of may (insurance renewal date).
Is the 1.8 Turbo okay with 70k plus miles? It is mainly the turbo which concerns me a bit, as I'm sure the block would be okay.
Pig benis said:
StottyZr said:
Leon 225 with a miltek, induction kit and remap please. You'll get over 30mpg on the commute described if you take it easy. It will probably see about 38mpg with lots of effort. The 225 (especially modified) is in a different league to the diesel and the 182 IMO. So if your budget allows...
I have promised myself not to modify another car. I do wonder how long that will last though My budget is 5k. However, that seems to get me a high mileage facelift model which isn't what I would like. I need to buy a car by the 11th of may (insurance renewal date).
Is the 1.8 Turbo okay with 70k plus miles? It is mainly the turbo which concerns me a bit, as I'm sure the block would be okay.
Although I am wondernig why you are looking at 182s if you have a £5000 budget? I suppose that would be an option if you'd like lots of change.
StottyZr said:
As long as its been properly maintained I can't see why 70k+ would be a problem. They use a k04 turbo which is pretty reliable and reasonabily cheap to replace if it did go wrong.
Although I am wondernig why you are looking at 182s if you have a £5000 budget? I suppose that would be an option if you'd like lots of change.
If something did go Pete Tong with the turbo, how much would it be to replace? Also, I will be taking out a warranty. Would they cover a turbo? Or does it depend on the company?Although I am wondernig why you are looking at 182s if you have a £5000 budget? I suppose that would be an option if you'd like lots of change.
3.5k would get me a pretty tidy 182 and I would keep the rest of my money for a rainy day + a new kayak
Pig benis said:
If something did go Pete Tong with the turbo, how much would it be to replace? Also, I will be taking out a warranty. Would they cover a turbo? Or does it depend on the company?
3.5k would get me a pretty tidy 182 and I would keep the rest of my money for a rainy day + a new kayak
About £300 for a used turbo I'd expect and then a couple hundred fitting. Although in the unlikely event of turbo failure, you have the perfect excuse to fit a VF34 and go for 320hp... You really need to apply some man maths to this entire situation, it will help you along.3.5k would get me a pretty tidy 182 and I would keep the rest of my money for a rainy day + a new kayak
Pig benis said:
Is the 1.8 Turbo okay with 70k plus miles? It is mainly the turbo which concerns me a bit, as I'm sure the block would be okay.
I sold my S3 with a K04 turbo last year with 130K on it. It seemed in fine fettle 
10K oil changes and nursing it when cold, and warming down are key.
rumple said:
Clio's are known for suspension problem that can be expensive, is say it was the best drive though
What problems are these then? The rear dampers will leak after 60K but they're only £50 each. Unless you mean the rebuild on the Trophy Sachs dampers (which the OP isn't looking at anyway)Pig benis said:
3.5k would get me a pretty tidy 182 and I would keep the rest of my money for a rainy day + a new kayak
do it, you wont be disappointed! i just acquired a 172 cup and im impresed. I have had scoobys, gt4's and many others in the past that are alot quicker but the clio's just have a bit of character and their not slow either I would go for a later FR TDi 150. As you say they are cheaper to tax and obviously run with fuel (up to 50mpg+!) and i would guess also insure. The price difference isn't a million miles away from a Cupra R, but you can bet the diesel version will hold better money and be more desirable when you come to sell it. It is a rapid car and much better to drive than the TDi GTi Mk4 Golf its based on - although i don't know how it would compare to a Clio.
I must side with MR Stotty 7R.
Both my best mates had a Leon cupra R 225 and the other a golf PD150.
Both very good cars at different things. Just like people.
Leon : Quick, refined, quiet, understated, decently frugal for the performance. Although from memory the last quarter of a tank would last about 20min.
Golf (with remap and uprated clutch) : quick, frugal. Thats it.
I will admit im not a fan of diesel powerbands, everytime i drove it i just felt like you were always changing gear. Plenty of torque to kepp you happy just wasnt fun.
As said before take one Cupra 225 add a exhaust, sports cat, intercooler, intake and a custom remap and you should see 290 + Bhp.
In regards to the turbo cost there should be places supply and fit for less than £500. K04 are widely used and therefore cheap!
Oh and if you get put off hearing about coil packs going, dont worry Dingbro £20 a pop. Sorted.
Both my best mates had a Leon cupra R 225 and the other a golf PD150.
Both very good cars at different things. Just like people.
Leon : Quick, refined, quiet, understated, decently frugal for the performance. Although from memory the last quarter of a tank would last about 20min.
Golf (with remap and uprated clutch) : quick, frugal. Thats it.
I will admit im not a fan of diesel powerbands, everytime i drove it i just felt like you were always changing gear. Plenty of torque to kepp you happy just wasnt fun.
As said before take one Cupra 225 add a exhaust, sports cat, intercooler, intake and a custom remap and you should see 290 + Bhp.
In regards to the turbo cost there should be places supply and fit for less than £500. K04 are widely used and therefore cheap!
Oh and if you get put off hearing about coil packs going, dont worry Dingbro £20 a pop. Sorted.
Edited by Powerrr on Wednesday 18th April 13:04
Ian_sUK said:
What problems are these then? The rear dampers will leak after 60K but they're only £50 each. Unless you mean the rebuild on the Trophy Sachs dampers (which the OP isn't looking at anyway)
I never knew that! Thanks for clarification. I always had that misconception and ruled out a 182. I may have to consider one as the next fun toyNot entirely fair to either car to directly compare a 182 to a Leon.
Go and have a drive of both and see if you prefer the little or 'larger'
My 182 gets 30 mpg around town and above 40 mpg on a casual motorway cruise. The lowest MPG I've had from a tank was 27 - and this was during that snow of Winter 2010/11 when the car basically idled to be de-iced and spun its wheels up and down the hills in my town.
I'm not sure what suspension 'problems' are being referred to - could be confusion with the Trophy's dampers.
As others have said, belts services are expensive on the Clio as it's a fair few hours labour. Either look for one with proof of a recent service, or include this in your bargaining power if it's due a change soon.
Don't be put off by non-Renault exhausts - Renault ones are poor value for money so most people use different brands when the original exhaust needs replacing. I'd guess that there aren't too many 182s still on original exhausts as they're all 6+ years old (mine is original - 6 1/4 years old and 55k miles).
Go and have a drive of both and see if you prefer the little or 'larger'
My 182 gets 30 mpg around town and above 40 mpg on a casual motorway cruise. The lowest MPG I've had from a tank was 27 - and this was during that snow of Winter 2010/11 when the car basically idled to be de-iced and spun its wheels up and down the hills in my town.
I'm not sure what suspension 'problems' are being referred to - could be confusion with the Trophy's dampers.
As others have said, belts services are expensive on the Clio as it's a fair few hours labour. Either look for one with proof of a recent service, or include this in your bargaining power if it's due a change soon.
Don't be put off by non-Renault exhausts - Renault ones are poor value for money so most people use different brands when the original exhaust needs replacing. I'd guess that there aren't too many 182s still on original exhausts as they're all 6+ years old (mine is original - 6 1/4 years old and 55k miles).
Not driven a 182 but have been a passenger of one - I had this choice and went for the Cupra R.
Nice power, especially after a simple remap (got me up to 265bhp), nice ride and I've got up to 39mpg on motorway runs before, which considering the car is 9 years old is pretty damn impressive for 265bhp IMO. Discs and brakes are expensive (brembos).... Steering is OK, bit numb in comparison to what I've heard about the Clio.
Nice power, especially after a simple remap (got me up to 265bhp), nice ride and I've got up to 39mpg on motorway runs before, which considering the car is 9 years old is pretty damn impressive for 265bhp IMO. Discs and brakes are expensive (brembos).... Steering is OK, bit numb in comparison to what I've heard about the Clio.
Edited by LCR265 on Wednesday 18th April 14:55
I had a 182 both Cup packs back in 2005.
Fantastic little car on track, probably most fun i've had in a car on the track. However the build quality left me a little underwhelmed with the car, to the point it had to visit renault 14 times in a 3 month period for a multitude of faults.
However possibly i was just unlucky, Friday Afternoon car,lol, but if you can live with the slightly poor build quality of them they are a good prospect with a fantastic engine and fantastic levels of grip.
Fantastic little car on track, probably most fun i've had in a car on the track. However the build quality left me a little underwhelmed with the car, to the point it had to visit renault 14 times in a 3 month period for a multitude of faults.
However possibly i was just unlucky, Friday Afternoon car,lol, but if you can live with the slightly poor build quality of them they are a good prospect with a fantastic engine and fantastic levels of grip.
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