MK5 GTI or MK1 Leon Cupra R

[BBS-LM]

So I have about 5K to spend on a car, for that money I have 2 options which I can run, a High Milage Golf GTI Mk5, or a low milage Leon Cupra R, both are about the same year, 2005 and both offer almost the same performance. What would be your choice?

[Crafty_]

Leon all day long. More power (210 or 225 depending on year, either way it has the k04 turbo instead of k03), better brakes and IIRC has a better diff. Inside is pretty good too, decent seats (if a little high) and the better looking dash of the two.

[PorkRind]

mk5 for handling, Leon for go, stop and not handling.
Mk5 for fuel costs.

Theyre quite different really.

Get a megane renaultsport 230/f1, will outshine both !

[BBS-LM]

PorkRind said:

mk5 for handling, Leon for go, stop and not handling.
Mk5 for fuel costs.

Theyre quite different really.

Get a megane renaultsport 230/f1, will outshine both !

Mate I cannot do French cars anymore, the Clio 172 has put me off for life, the build quality of the thing is shocking, but what really put me off are the repair cost, ridiculously expensive for a Hot Hatch.

[BBS-LM]

My man math is saying MK5 GTI, just because the MK5 Platform was a big step up on Built Quality for VAG. and even so the Cupra might be quicker in a straight line, it's still built around the Mk4 Platform which I never really rated that mush.

[PorkRind]

BBS-LM said:

Mate I cannot do French cars anymore, the Clio 172 has put me off for life, the build quality of the thing is shocking, but what really put me off are the repair cost, ridiculously expensive for a Hot Hatch.

I used to have a 172 - did 204k miles on it, maintained at proper intervals and cant say it was unreliable at all. In fact, it was far more reliable than my old Polo 16v that I had from nearly new.. The most expensive thing on the Clio was the belt service at nearly £750, it was hard one to swallow. I wouldnt say the Golf/Leon is any better put together than the renaultsport cars (whcih are made in a separate factory in Dieppe compared to the standard Renault fodder), we all know the Germany build quality 'thing' is a tale from the 80s.. They just make a car thats got a slightly nicer look/feeling interior, if you put that over driving prowess and fun then sure go get a golf. I will go so far to say that if you were to test drive them all, I guarantee the megsport will put the biggest smile on your face and leave you doubting your original selection !

[Crafty_]

I haven't driven mk4 golfs or the same age A3 but I've read (subjective) opinion that the Leon is better than both, different shock/springs etc ?

I have driven a Mk5 and to be honest didn't think it was any different to the Leon that I owned.

I take it the golf is modified to bring it up to the Leon's power ?

I think the Leon is the better looking out of the two, even the back end.

[BBS-LM]

PorkRind said:

BBS-LM said:

Mate I cannot do French cars anymore, the Clio 172 has put me off for life, the build quality of the thing is shocking, but what really put me off are the repair cost, ridiculously expensive for a Hot Hatch.

I used to have a 172 - did 204k miles on it, maintained at proper intervals and cant say it was unreliable at all. In fact, it was far more reliable than my old Polo 16v that I had from nearly new.. The most expensive thing on the Clio was the belt service at nearly £750, it was hard one to swallow. I wouldnt say the Golf/Leon is any better put together than the renaultsport cars (whcih are made in a separate factory in Dieppe compared to the standard Renault fodder), we all know the Germany build quality 'thing' is a tale from the 80s.. They just make a car thats got a slightly nicer look/feeling interior, if you put that over driving prowess and fun then sure go get a golf. I will go so far to say that if you were to test drive them all, I guarantee the megsport will put the biggest smile on your face and leave you doubting your original selection !

Well I have had the Clio for just over a year now, Cambelt change on a Golf GTI is £300, Clio £600, and that goes for the clutch as well, 2Tech at Dartford wanted £700 and I think that was just labour to replace the clutch, they even admitted to me there a nightmare to work on. The only thing I liked about the 172 was to drive down a good B road, thats when it worked, apart from that, there over rated for what they are.

[blearyeyedboy]

BBS-LM said:

So I have about 5K to spend on a car, for that money I have 2 options which I can run, a High Milage Golf GTI Mk5, or a low milage Leon Cupra R, both are about the same year, 2005 and both offer almost the same performance. What would be your choice?

Well, if you take 2005/6 cars a few years back when I had a similar dilemma... I drove off in an Octavia vRS.

Downsides? Image, handling isn't quite as good as the Golf GTi (but it's a close thing), you won't fit into as small parking spaces.

Upsides? Image (some of us like less attention ), a big boot, you'll get a less leggy/battered example for your £5k.

If it's a Golf Mk5 or any of its clones, check whether the cambelt and water pump have been changed on schedule. If not, that's a £600 job for both (in the South East anyway).

[motor mad]

Shop around and you can get a cam-belt done on a mk5 Golf GTi for much less than that. I paid £390 for a cam-belt, water pump and an oil service using VW parts.

VW also do good servicing deals on cars under 10 years old

[Olivera]

I've had a Mk1 Cupra R for a long time now, good car but out the box the MK5 platform handles quite a bit better.

[bigandclever]

blearyeyedboy said:

If it's a Golf Mk5 or any of its clones, check whether the cambelt and water pump have been changed on schedule. If not, that's a £600 job for both (in the South East anyway).

Pedantically perhaps, VW do it themselves for £349 ... http://www.volkswagen.co.uk/owners/servicing/cambe...

[MinuteMan]

Drive both and see what you prefer. I was in the same position last year and found the golf was very boring. £300 spent on the LCR gets you ~265bhp, which is something else to consider if that's your thing. Very good all rounder.

[jc84]

You won't go far wrong with either

[StottyEvo]

BBS-LM said:

High Milage Golf GTI Mk5, or a low milage Leon Cupra R

That settles it for me, your money gets a much nicer example of the Cupra R.

I'd probably chose the Cupra R anyway but it would be a close one. Taking into account you can either have a mint late low mileage Cupra R or a high mileage early MK5 I'd definitely pick the Cupra R.

[blearyeyedboy]

motor mad said:

Shop around and you can get a cam-belt done on a mk5 Golf GTi for much less than that. I paid £390 for a cam-belt, water pump and an oil service using VW parts.

VW also do good servicing deals on cars under 10 years old

Helpful to know, thanks.