R32 v Leon Cupra R v BMW 330 ci
19 October 2003, 09:19 PM
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O.k folk's,
Based on the R32 & BMW being 2nd hand (say £20K ish..) and the Leon being brand new which would you go for and why, taking into consideraton the following :
Performance, Depreciation, image, running costs etc....
Many thanks...
Based on the R32 & BMW being 2nd hand (say £20K ish..) and the Leon being brand new which would you go for and why, taking into consideraton the following :
Performance, Depreciation, image, running costs etc....
Many thanks...
19 October 2003, 09:30 PM
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The BM', it will depreciate less, is better to drive (I have one and have driven an R32 and believe me, it IS better), RWD (matter of preference really) and running costs are lower, than the golf anyway - cheaper insurance - 30mpg (25 for the Golf).
I am sure the Leon is a good car but it wouldn't be for me.
I am sure the Leon is a good car but it wouldn't be for me.
19 October 2003, 10:01 PM
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I'd say they are all so good you'd have to drive them all and decide which one suited you best. The Leon & Golf both come complete with indicators and an off switch for the fog lights though, so this might just swing it for you 
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20 October 2003, 10:09 AM
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LMAO at Cupramax ! FYI mate, i am about to get the lease on my Clio 172 chopped short and get a Cupra R 225 ordered You may see me on Cupranet a bit, may have some Revo questions 
Dave
You may see me on Cupranet a bit, may have some Revo questions Dave
20 October 2003, 02:03 PM
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The 225 R is £18k (up £1k from the 210 model). Colours, Flash Red, Ebony Black, Ovni Yellow, Artic Silver & Platinum Grey.
Whatcar do a target price. Phone the number and ask for the dealer thats supplying it. Bear in mind theres a 3 month or so waiting list for the new model so doubt you'd get it before Xmas....
Whatcar do a target price. Phone the number and ask for the dealer thats supplying it. Bear in mind theres a 3 month or so waiting list for the new model so doubt you'd get it before Xmas....
20 October 2003, 09:27 PM
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Well I guess I can fairly closely comment on these cars. Not had a 330i, but a 328 and an E46 M3. I have owned an R32 and Leon Cupra R.
My short list would consist of the Cupra R and R32. Quite frankly the 330 is very overrated. Sure its RWD, but all the current 3 series lack that final degree of driver feel, that makes you happy to totally chuck the car around. Yes you can use the electronics, and in the M3 they are damn good. The 330 will struggle to make you smile though. Buying one for 20k, it will have a fair few miles on the clock, will probably be the older shape E46, and BMW’s build quality is not what it once was. CSL owners are not having the best of time even now. They are getting close to the drug baron brigade now (E46 in general), so not really sure on resale. I have a copy of CAP, and its pretty bad news on residuals. Also think they look a bit dated now. I would buy the 330d and tune it if I was going for a 3 series.
R32- so close, yet so far. The engine noise to equal an M3, without having to break the speed limit. The handling is also pretty damn good as are the brakes. Build quality is patchy. Its biggest downfall in the end is lack of grunt. Mid range on B roads is nothing short of ordinary. My Fabia RS with remap, would show it how to take on a line of traffic. The short term outlook on residuals is good, however when VW launch a 200bhp Golf GTI next year, I fear it might suffer. Great car to of had on your CV though.
Cupra R. I know Cuprmax is on here, and I also had mine in Red, but it needs Black.
Handling is damn good for a FWD car. In std form it is damn boring. It needs the remap big time. I wouldn’t go for a new one, but try and wait a couple of months until the 225 came out, and then pick up a 210 at a good price. The remap will give the same power as a 225 and the car will cost you 2-3k less. Residuals are amazing on the Cupra R. I recently tried to buy one. I refused to pay the prices they were going for. Seat is also limiting supply next year, so residuals will remain high IMHO.
In the end buy what your heart wants, and enjoy
Jonathan
My short list would consist of the Cupra R and R32. Quite frankly the 330 is very overrated. Sure its RWD, but all the current 3 series lack that final degree of driver feel, that makes you happy to totally chuck the car around. Yes you can use the electronics, and in the M3 they are damn good. The 330 will struggle to make you smile though. Buying one for 20k, it will have a fair few miles on the clock, will probably be the older shape E46, and BMW’s build quality is not what it once was. CSL owners are not having the best of time even now. They are getting close to the drug baron brigade now (E46 in general), so not really sure on resale. I have a copy of CAP, and its pretty bad news on residuals. Also think they look a bit dated now. I would buy the 330d and tune it if I was going for a 3 series.
R32- so close, yet so far. The engine noise to equal an M3, without having to break the speed limit. The handling is also pretty damn good as are the brakes. Build quality is patchy. Its biggest downfall in the end is lack of grunt. Mid range on B roads is nothing short of ordinary. My Fabia RS with remap, would show it how to take on a line of traffic. The short term outlook on residuals is good, however when VW launch a 200bhp Golf GTI next year, I fear it might suffer. Great car to of had on your CV though.
Cupra R. I know Cuprmax is on here, and I also had mine in Red, but it needs Black.
Handling is damn good for a FWD car. In std form it is damn boring. It needs the remap big time. I wouldn’t go for a new one, but try and wait a couple of months until the 225 came out, and then pick up a 210 at a good price. The remap will give the same power as a 225 and the car will cost you 2-3k less. Residuals are amazing on the Cupra R. I recently tried to buy one. I refused to pay the prices they were going for. Seat is also limiting supply next year, so residuals will remain high IMHO.
In the end buy what your heart wants, and enjoy
Jonathan
22 October 2003, 07:34 AM
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Although Cupra is great car, the only thing against it is the looks.
Bodyshell looks like a Mk2 Astra, or the Daewoo Nexia.
The Golf is a bit to square and stodgy.
Rear wheel drive will always be the best and most fun to drive.
Most people who drive BMW's, drive like they own the road.
But that's because the car inspires you to drive it.
Just my opinions at the end of the day.
Don't forget repair cost's at VW and Seat dealer's are expensive.
They reduced the price of their cars, and upped the service/repair costs to get the money back.
I have also heard the paint finish on the Cupra, is pretty poor.
Regds,
Mantamagic
Bodyshell looks like a Mk2 Astra, or the Daewoo Nexia.
The Golf is a bit to square and stodgy.
Rear wheel drive will always be the best and most fun to drive.
Most people who drive BMW's, drive like they own the road.
But that's because the car inspires you to drive it.
Just my opinions at the end of the day.
Don't forget repair cost's at VW and Seat dealer's are expensive.
They reduced the price of their cars, and upped the service/repair costs to get the money back.
I have also heard the paint finish on the Cupra, is pretty poor.
Regds,
Mantamagic
22 October 2003, 10:39 AM
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The 225 R is £18k (up £1k from the 210 model). Colours, Flash Red, Ebony Black, Ovni Yellow, Artic Silver & Platinum Grey.
£1k for 15bhp, thats not worth it at all, do you get anything else extra, or just the power upgrade?
22 October 2003, 01:26 PM
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brother bought a new black R 9 months ago and has since had it mapped to give around 265bhp and 260lb ft.
he gets late twenties on a run and a lot less on a blat, dealer servicing has been fine (10k mile intervals), has a 3 year warranty and some dealers are quite happy to honour warranty claims providing it is a reputable tune (ie. AmD).
i used to have a MY99 and for the money the Leon is miles ahead, both in performance and value for money - did I see a MY01 for sale on here for £12 or so, bad depreciation.
it is a bit of a stealth car in black but has more than enough poke to suprise a few people, only problem I have found is that the traction control can flash a bit in the wet !
take them all out for a drive, the only thing is that for non enthusiastic driving the leon doesn't have the damping of more expensive motors, it is just a bit hard.
he gets late twenties on a run and a lot less on a blat, dealer servicing has been fine (10k mile intervals), has a 3 year warranty and some dealers are quite happy to honour warranty claims providing it is a reputable tune (ie. AmD).
i used to have a MY99 and for the money the Leon is miles ahead, both in performance and value for money - did I see a MY01 for sale on here for £12 or so, bad depreciation.
it is a bit of a stealth car in black but has more than enough poke to suprise a few people, only problem I have found is that the traction control can flash a bit in the wet !
take them all out for a drive, the only thing is that for non enthusiastic driving the leon doesn't have the damping of more expensive motors, it is just a bit hard.
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