Buying Seat Leon - Which Option?

[Stevens96]

Both Seat Leon FR Tech 1.4 - 18 plate - both same colour

Option 1.
39k miles
Auto
0-60: 8 sec
£15k
Just had major service, dsg oil change


Option 2.
33k miles
Manual
0-60: 9 sec
13.75k
On long life serving, last being 2021, next due 2023


Never had an auto but heard good things. Both got two year warranty and roadside assistant. I'm not sure if the auto is worth the extra 1.25k?

Which would you go for?

Edited by Stevens96 on Thursday 12th May 13:31

[PH.sausages]

I would go for the manual. Saves a few quid and has less mileage as well.

[SlowV6]

I would drive them both and buy the one I like the most. £1k isn't much over the lifetime of ownership and the DSG (auto) car is always likely to be worth a bit more so you'll get most or all of it back when it comes to selling it.

[Previous]

Depends where you're driving and how often. I'm looking for an auto next but more regularly doing clogged motorway driving now.

I'd be tempted to service it more frequently than the long life suggested intervals, as I'd be sceptical this isnt just a marketing gimmick, a bit like "sealed for life" gearboxes really means "sealed to last until after our warranty obligations exipire"

[Big Nanas]

I had an '18 Seat Leon FR ST (Estate) 1.4 DSG for a few years.

Couple of things: I found the DSG to irritating and jerky in slow traffic, and was a pain when I needed to accelerate on to a roundabout for example. It was either no power, or too much and wheelspin (maybe that's my driving technique?)
And if either of these have the 18" wheels then I'd recommend driving on a variety of road surfaces, as I found mine to have an unacceptable level of tyre noise coming in to the cabin. On some motorways it was unbearable.

[Pica-Pica]

Big Nanas said:

I had an '18 Seat Leon FR ST (Estate) 1.4 DSG for a few years.

Couple of things: I found the DSG to irritating and jerky in slow traffic, and was a pain when I needed to accelerate on to a roundabout for example. It was either no power, or too much and wheelspin (maybe that's my driving technique?)
And if either of these have the 18" wheels then I'd recommend driving on a variety of road surfaces, as I found mine to have an unacceptable level of tyre noise coming in to the cabin. On some motorways it was unbearable.

18” wheels is far too big for a Leon, I would imagine 16” would be best for that size car.
In my view the manual would be better, if that is compatible with your journeys.

[georgeyboy12345]

If I had to, then the manual one. The DSG gearbox in these has reliability issues. The long life servicing is putting me off the second one though. Can’t you find a manual that hasn’t has long life services?

[Drive Blind]

I guess it boils down to if you think it’s worth paying more for the DSG ?

I’d be also looking at things like when tyres and brakes would need replaced. 4 premium tyres and discs and pads all round would be the best part of a grand.

Also is the spec the same, no desirable options on either?
I ran a Leon FR for a few years and the optional 18’s really did improve its appearance IMO

The standard bridgestones were very noisy, no issues with goodyears or Michelins.

[Summit_Detailing]

I would go for the manual on the basis that I don't like how DSG equipped cars drive.

I'd also swap it to 12mth/10k miles service intervals too, 'longlife' servicing in my opinion does not ensure mechanical reliability/longevity.

Nice cars the Leon, enjoy whichever you decide is best for you.

Cheers,

Chris

[Stevens96]

Cheers for all the replies. I currently have a Seat Leon 1.5 19 plate on lease and its a manual. Lovely car to drive but its the SE version and wanted something a little less 'car hire' like.

[Stevens96]

georgeyboy12345 said:

If I had to, then the manual one. The DSG gearbox in these has reliability issues. The long life servicing is putting me off the second one though. Can’t you find a manual that hasn’t has long life services?

Unfortunately not in my price range which includes seat used approved warranty. If I go for the manual i'll try and get them to do a service to take it off long life.

[Stevens96]

Drive Blind said:

I guess it boils down to if you think it’s worth paying more for the DSG ?

I’d be also looking at things like when tyres and brakes would need replaced. 4 premium tyres and discs and pads all round would be the best part of a grand.

Also is the spec the same, no desirable options on either?
I ran a Leon FR for a few years and the optional 18’s really did improve its appearance IMO

The standard bridgestones were very noisy, no issues with goodyears or Michelins.

Like the idea of a DSG and having paddles but more than happy with my current lease which is a Leon 1.5 manual.

Same spec car but the auto has more bhp meaning its 0-60 is 1 second faster.

Both on 18" wheels

[Drive Blind]

Stevens96 said:

Same spec car but the auto has more bhp meaning its 0-60 is 1 second faster.

so the manual is the 125 bhp engine the dsg is the 150 bhp cod engine ?

the 150 cod engine is the one to have.

[Canon_Fodder]

OP are you sure you want the 'FR Tech' not just the FR?

When I had an FR Leon there was something that put me off the 'Tech' version (but sadly I can't remember what...)

[Glosphil]

I have owned a 2018 Leon FR TECHNOLOGY (150) DSG for 3 years.

I don't understand the reports of jerkiness around town with DSG. I don't experience this & also didn't with the DSG in my previous 6 years with an Octavia vRS DSG.

However I do find a delicate touch is needed on the throttle so as not to be jerky when the AutoHold releases.

I prefer the car on its winter 225/45-17s rather than the original 225/40-18s. All the used Leon FRs I found had the optional 18s fitted.

[Ardennes92]

Does this 1.4 require a cambelt change at 5yrs same as the 1.5?

[georgeyboy12345]

Ardennes92 said:

Does this 1.4 require a cambelt change at 5yrs same as the 1.5?

Neither require the cambelt changing every 5 years. They only need doing at 133,000 miles. There is no time interval specified by the manufacturer.

[MrGTI6]

Out of the two, I'd opt for the manual.