Seat Leon, any good?

[leightheiceman]

get a bimmer

[Nick Goodall]

Have to agree it seems a lot of money for a car with so many miles, i'd think you'd be better buying an 05 plate older shape Leon FR Tdi with say 40k miles for similar or less money?? I am a bit reluctant when it comes to high mileage cars though, how many miles will you do a year?

Maybe even look at a 54 Golf GT TDI with much lower mileage too, the engines haven't changed that much and the older car with the 6 speed manual box would probably be a better buy in my opinion....

[spud31]

Oil usage on VW PD diesels is normal due to the way it cools the injectors and the type of oil used.
Just make sure that correct PD oil is always used, and dont use supermarket diesel as they hate it.

[millzy]

I wouldnt touch it mate, sounds like a shead from reading what you have posted.

Love my Leon and when this one needs replacing im getting another Prob FR like some one else said they did

[bodgit]

Over £7k iwth that milage is way too much. Try a test drive in a c max. I,ve had them for 7 years and never had a problem apart from not being able to brim the tank but that would be sorted on them by now. You could get a decent 2lt 07 auto with 20k miles for under £6300 cash. Great car to drive lots of room in boot for your rc gear and as I said mine have been totally reliable. Smooth ride and great handling. Being a bit higher you get good views.
I get 45-55mpg

[littlened]

Astra 1.9cdti 16v

Stick a box on between the ECU and common rail, and enjoy 200bhp



That's ours.

I've just found this one on the net.
http://www.evanshalshaw.com/vehicles...s=false&type=1

a little over your budget £8.5k, but only 28k on the clock, 2007 model, with 150 bhp. Way way way better than the car you've been looking at which is way over priced and sounds like a shed.

[mikeyscott]

Originally Posted by Chaz

I'd personally buy the 'old shape' cupra for that money pal. Look on Piston Heads . They sometimes have a few good cars on there . Can't fault the Seat's though. Ok i've got nothing anywhere near as powerful (53plate 1.4 Leon) but it tootles along fairly nicely at 90mph Fairly roomy backseat too.......

I've got a MK1 Leon Cupra with Milltek and Revo remap. It's been very good and just about to hit 100k on an 03 plate.

I'm wanting a 55 R32 VW Golf next, S3, S4 or 3.2 A3 / TT

But I've got my wedding this year so no chance. Whenever I do it I'll stick with VAG

www.seatcupra.net have the new Leon Cupra R review posted

[littlened]

If I had to have an VW Group car, I'd have..

A3
Golf
Octavia

in that order

[Northy]

Originally Posted by littlened

Astra 1.9cdti 16v

Stick a box on between the ECU and common rail, and enjoy 200bhp



That's ours.

I've just found this one on the net.
http://www.evanshalshaw.com/vehicles...s=false&type=1

a little over your budget £8.5k, but only 28k on the clock, 2007 model, with 150 bhp. Way way way better than the car you've been looking at which is way over priced and sounds like a shed.

Mmmmm the VX 1.9CDti engine - from Fiat.

£1k when the fuel pump fails.
£250 a pop for injectors when they fail.
Swirl valve bar where the ball joints wear out and the only fix is a new manifold - £1K.
Hope they've put the ECU in a sensible place on the Atra, or that's £1k when that rots through.
EGR valve that's always full of shite.

Yeh, good engine when it runs.....

[Nick Goodall]

I think a Leon would be a good bet for you, just not this one!

I've just bought an 08 Leon FR TDi (170) same as MattW's by all accounts and it's awesome so far... Goes like stink but still does over 40mpg!

I think the older shape FR TDi is also a great car, all the benefits of a high spec Golf but for much better money!

Check this one for example! 2006, 46k Miles, £7995 http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1581786.htm

2005, 50k Miles, £7990 http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1488705.htm

2005, 50k Miles, £7250 http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1565425.htm

[littlened]

Originally Posted by Northy

Mmmmm the VX 1.9CDti engine - from Fiat.

£1k when the fuel pump fails.
£250 a pop for injectors when they fail.
Swirl valve bar where the ball joints wear out and the only fix is a new manifold - £1K.
Hope they've put the ECU in a sensible place on the Atra, or that's £1k when that rots through.
EGR valve that's always full of shite.

Yeh, good engine when it runs.....

Fuel pump goes on ANY diesel...expensive
Injectors goe on ANY diesel...expensive
Swirl valve and EGR are fairly common the JTD engine and are a bit of a pain in the arse

The EGR valve is a 30 minute clean as long as its not fucked, and isn't too expensive to replace. I believe ford are also experiencing similar problems. Fiat have a solution which involves a blanking plate with a hole in it.

We bought the car with 2 years left on the warranty, and we'll be getting rid once it's 4 year old, so none of the above problems will cause us any issues apart from the EGR, which I think is starting to clog up now, but it'll get fixed for free.

The diesels are used by many company cars and taxis, so they can't be that bad.

[Northy]

I have been told that all modern diesels are running so close to limits these days and with new not so proven technology that they are just unreliable - and big bills to fix.

That said I still run a Vectra with the 1.9CDti engine in 150hp trim. EGR valve can't the blocked off, the ECU complains.

Just because those parts fail on all (high pressure) diesel cars, doesn't make it right. The manufacturers are letting the customers find the faults imho

Ask an AA man (if he's not striking ) how many diesels and petrols he goes out to each day

G

[littlened]

Originally Posted by Northy

I have been told that all modern diesels are running so close to limits these days and with new not so proven technology that they are just unreliable - and big bills to fix.

That said I still run a Vectra with the 1.9CDti engine in 150hp trim. EGR valve can't the blocked off, the ECU complains.

Just because those parts fail on all (high pressure) diesel cars, doesn't make it right. The manufacturers are letting the customers find the faults imho

Ask an AA man (if he's not striking ) how many diesels and petrols he goes out to each day

G

Fiat plank it off with a blanking plate with a 10mm whole in it, although I do believe the valve has to be replaced for an MOT. but I suppose what would be the point of the blanking plate?

[Northy]

Fiat may do when they use it in a Fiat with a Fiat ECU, I'll have to take your word for it.

If you do anything like that on the 150ps Vectra's the ECU chucks a mental. It's ok to do it on the 120ps cars though apparently.

G

[littlened]

Originally Posted by Northy

Fiat may do when they use it in a Fiat with a Fiat ECU, I'll have to take your word for it.

If you do anything like that on the 150ps Vectra's the ECU chucks a mental. It's ok to do it on the 120ps cars though apparently.

G

It's ok to do it on the 150's as well. If you blank it off but don't drill a hole the ECU kicks up a fault. Drilling a 10mm hole in in the plate allows some air through and the ECU seems fine with it.

Loads of people over on the astra owners forum have done it.

[Northy]

But what's the benefit if it has a hole in it?

G

[Southwell]

Thanks all.
The older shape is the one i initially wanted, but was reluctant to spend 7k+ on a 5 year old car.
I think i will look further at the FR Leon's, but older, i don't do nearly enough miles to warrant spending 12k+ on a newer shape one.

In regards to Astras, i have never sat in a comfortable Vauxhall, even though i would consider one if i did.

Ive just had my Mazda MOT'd and two new tyres, it's getting a gearbox oil change tomorrow so ill probably sell it privately if it cures my clunky 2nd gear problems.

Originally Posted by Nick Goodall

I think a Leon would be a good bet for you,
just not this one!

I've just bought an 08 Leon FR TDi (170) same as MattW's by all accounts and it's awesome so far... Goes like stink but still does over 40mpg!

I think the older shape FR TDi is also a great car, all the benefits of a high spec Golf but for much better money!

Check this one for example! 2006, 46k Miles, £7995 http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1581786.htm

2005, 50k Miles, £7990 http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1488705.htm

2005, 50k Miles, £7250 http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1565425.htm

[littlened]

Originally Posted by Northy

But what's the benefit if it has a hole in it?

G

What's the benefit of an EGR value? all it does is recirculate exhaust gas back into your inlet manifold. It easily gets clogged up with carbon from the burnt diesel, remove it, and the problem no longer exists.

[littlened]

Originally Posted by Southwell

Thanks all.
The older shape is the one i initially wanted, but was reluctant to spend 7k+ on a 5 year old car.
I think i will look further at the FR Leon's, but older, i don't do nearly enough miles to warrant spending 12k+ on a newer shape one.

In regards to Astras, i have never sat in a comfortable Vauxhall, even though i would consider one if i did.

Ive just had my Mazda MOT'd and two new tyres, it's getting a gearbox oil change tomorrow so ill probably sell it privately if it cures my clunky 2nd gear problems.

Comfort kind of goes out the window when you have sports seat, suspension and low profile tires. They don't have take the comfort out of driving. Plus, you don't get a 'sport' button on a Seat

[smokes]

Got one yet ? With diesel your better of with the dsg 1st gear is to short and take the pleasure of driving a manual, you just have to get used to the slight delay in response.
Also the sport suspension is stiff see if you can liv with it first.