Seat Leon Cupra 2014 VS Golf GTI mk7 VS M135I
Discussion
Aftershox said:
What are people's general thoughts on the above?
Seat Leon Cupra 2014
Golf GTI mk7
M135I
Pro's and con's to each for ownership, no track days but general usage around 8-10k a year in england and euro road trips.
I've got a 2016 Leon CupraSeat Leon Cupra 2014
Golf GTI mk7
M135I
Pro's and con's to each for ownership, no track days but general usage around 8-10k a year in england and euro road trips.
Pros;
Very fast - I've added a Jb1 and it really is rapid with circa 350bhp
Feels agile and light on its feet. Its a very well sorted chassis.
Relatively bland looks, inconspicuous
Good quality interior generally, much better than the internet says
Very good spec as standard
A lot of fun to drive
Easy to get over 35mpg if you drive normally
Cons;
Relatively bland looks
Side skirts are an optional extra, really grates with me
2wd can struggle in the wet if you are a maniac
Bland interior apart from the seats
Overall I really like it, very effective rapid little car and underrated compared to the other VAG products
I've had a M235i and only the engine, sat nav and slightly more premium feel is better than the Cupra. The Cupra handling provides miles more fun when you really go for it.
MOBB said:
I've got a 2016 Leon Cupra
Pros;
Very fast - I've added a Jb1 and it really is rapid with circa 350bhp
Feels agile and light on its feet. Its a very well sorted chassis.
Relatively bland looks, inconspicuous
Good quality interior generally, much better than the internet says
Very good spec as standard
A lot of fun to drive
Easy to get over 35mpg if you drive normally
Cons;
Relatively bland looks
Side skirts are an optional extra, really grates with me
2wd can struggle in the wet if you are a maniac
Bland interior apart from the seats
Overall I really like it, very effective rapid little car and underrated compared to the other VAG products
I've had a M235i and only the engine, sat nav and slightly more premium feel is better than the Cupra. The Cupra handling provides miles more fun when you really go for it.
Thanks - my brother has a M135I and the acceleration is brutal. Pros;
Very fast - I've added a Jb1 and it really is rapid with circa 350bhp
Feels agile and light on its feet. Its a very well sorted chassis.
Relatively bland looks, inconspicuous
Good quality interior generally, much better than the internet says
Very good spec as standard
A lot of fun to drive
Easy to get over 35mpg if you drive normally
Cons;
Relatively bland looks
Side skirts are an optional extra, really grates with me
2wd can struggle in the wet if you are a maniac
Bland interior apart from the seats
Overall I really like it, very effective rapid little car and underrated compared to the other VAG products
I've had a M235i and only the engine, sat nav and slightly more premium feel is better than the Cupra. The Cupra handling provides miles more fun when you really go for it.
Any financial considerations? The options you've given likely have a decent spread of price, unless you're not bothered by age/miles.
Ignoring the age of the first option, I looked at those 3, amongst others. I was put off by the Seat by the white bit seats & seemingly (but not necessarily) iffy dealers, if nothing else, which I guess there probably is/isn't. Also felt a bit like it was chucking the works at the difficult patient.
Came very close to the M135I, but never quite got there. I'd love the drivetrain, accept the suspension and probably tolerate the looks and sense of being a bit old (well tolerate with very little issue
,).
Ended up with the middle ground Golf. Exciting, err no, even with the PP & admittedly without driving, I likely wouldn't feel any different about the R (joys of arguing with angry blokes aside). However, for a full but not quite daily, it does tick many boxes for now. It is a pretty decent jack of all, master of none in its arena.
Having said all that, if I could justify a shiny new M240i, RS3 saloon , TT-RS, or a good 2 car combination, the Golf would stay or very much go, if the latter option.
Not much of an answer really
Ignoring the age of the first option, I looked at those 3, amongst others. I was put off by the Seat by the white bit seats & seemingly (but not necessarily) iffy dealers, if nothing else, which I guess there probably is/isn't. Also felt a bit like it was chucking the works at the difficult patient.
Came very close to the M135I, but never quite got there. I'd love the drivetrain, accept the suspension and probably tolerate the looks and sense of being a bit old (well tolerate with very little issue
,).Ended up with the middle ground Golf. Exciting, err no, even with the PP & admittedly without driving, I likely wouldn't feel any different about the R (joys of arguing with angry blokes aside). However, for a full but not quite daily, it does tick many boxes for now. It is a pretty decent jack of all, master of none in its arena.
Having said all that, if I could justify a shiny new M240i, RS3 saloon , TT-RS, or a good 2 car combination, the Golf would stay or very much go, if the latter option.
Not much of an answer really
Edited by DukeDickson on Friday 25th August 00:22
ManicMunky said:
I've got a Mk7 GTI and tested the other two against it.
Leon was horrible to sit in, used older generation switch gear and horrible scratchy plastic everywhere. Quick though.
135 tiny inside, my feet got stuck under the dashboard, so couldn't even test drive it!
The golf has a nicer interior, but the Leon has exactly the same switchgear in most places as the golf, - the part numbers are even the same. Climate control dials, heater buttons, window switches, headlight switch, cruise and wiper stalks etc. The only difference is the red backlighting Vs white. Leon was horrible to sit in, used older generation switch gear and horrible scratchy plastic everywhere. Quick though.
135 tiny inside, my feet got stuck under the dashboard, so couldn't even test drive it!
Just take an M135 for a drive and be done with it
RWD will provide more entertainment for years after the novelty of the others has worn off !
As will the straight 6 vs 4cyl
Then there is the build quality vs VAG our Audi (A6) had a clutch, wheel bearing & 2 BOSE speakers by 20k miles - M135i nothing
RWD will provide more entertainment for years after the novelty of the others has worn off !
As will the straight 6 vs 4cyl
Then there is the build quality vs VAG our Audi (A6) had a clutch, wheel bearing & 2 BOSE speakers by 20k miles - M135i nothing
I have an M135i and love it, brilliant all rounder. It's a little less practical than the other two and as it's slightly older misses out on some toys, but other than that really can't fault it. As per above go out and drive one 
For comparison I had a Mk5 GTI a few years ago which I loved and was my all time favourite car until I got the BMW! They both do exactly the same MPG. I also had a Mk7 GTD which was Ok but a bit boring and lacking in character. Owned the older Leon and tried the newer one but the interior quality really lets them down.
For comparison I had a Mk5 GTI a few years ago which I loved and was my all time favourite car until I got the BMW! They both do exactly the same MPG. I also had a Mk7 GTD which was Ok but a bit boring and lacking in character. Owned the older Leon and tried the newer one but the interior quality really lets them down.
I've got the M135i LCI and to me it feels a bit more special than the VAG cars. As mentioned the extra cylinders and RWD layout provide more entertainment. It's a flawed car though. It's a handful in wet conditions and whilst the handling is fine most of the time, it's very twitchy on the limit. Makes a great everyday car as it's comfy, I have a good few toys and the auto box is the best I've used. It's got a very torquey delivery throughout the rev range.
I've out pulled some more exotic and more powerful N/A cars in it. Not the prettiest car in the world to the point where I think I may go for the more grown up 440i next but it's a fast and fun machine.
Can't comment on the Cupra. One of my mates has the Golf GTI and it's a lovely car. I love the cheque seats and it's better looking than mine. It's nowhere near as quick but a great all rounder if not a little on the boring side. More practical though.
I've out pulled some more exotic and more powerful N/A cars in it. Not the prettiest car in the world to the point where I think I may go for the more grown up 440i next but it's a fast and fun machine.
Can't comment on the Cupra. One of my mates has the Golf GTI and it's a lovely car. I love the cheque seats and it's better looking than mine. It's nowhere near as quick but a great all rounder if not a little on the boring side. More practical though.
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