tallsteve

Have seen a few reviews of these two, and my brother is going for a test drive tomorrow (0% finance deal at the moment).

I know the petrol is the same engine (and pretty much everything else!) as in the Golf, but how does the handling / build quality compare to the Mk5?

What is the concensus on the 170bhp Diesel engine. I thought the 130bhp unit in the Ibiza and Fabia were pretty good, strong engines - is this a step up in refinement and power? Still as reliable?

Any thoughts or experiences of these two cars?

mattbeef

mum has the FR TDI and it goes like you wouldnt believe. Check the Torque figure rather than the BHP.

Really reliable and have no realy problems with them at the moment.

Check the seatcupra.net forums for some info

tallsteve

I thought the in gear punch of the 130 diesel was v.impressive so I'd imagine the 170 unit would be quite rapid! Think my Bro is testing the petrol DSG one though (I suggested the Diesel as he'll be doing a fair few miles).

Anyone tried a DSG 'box? Look good on Top Gear but maybe that's not a particularly representative view

wilffive

Have tried the DSG on the diesel model - twas okay when cruisin but paddle changes were not the smoothest when pressing on. Dont think the DSG really suits the diesel's power delivery but I guess you may just adapt your driving style over time.

V nice motor though.

GrantyBoy

I've got the 170 diesel and its a good car. Fast enough for real world driving and still getting 40mpg+ for town driving.
Handels pretty good as well

Andy M3

I had one a 'limited edition' all looks and a 1.6 engine variant as a loaner when my Alfa went in. I haven't really noticed them on the road, but when I got the keys I thought it looked ok - once inside it felt huge, good quality materials etc. Once on the move the steering was well weighted but typical VAG somewhat detached from the experience. It did feel like I had been driving the car for years though, everything was easy to operate, brakes were super sharp, and despite the tiny engine it was well geared and when kept on the boil went easily as well as the 2.0 MK4 Golf GTI.

High speed stability was very impressive, although something does whistle, maybe the mirrors? It handles very well, but safe as ever.

The only downside was after I had driven to work, out to a clients and back to the dealers I couldn’t wait to get back in my car. It just wasn’t interesting at all, felt more like a sensible means to an end, something the accountant would approve of!

Try a couple out, see if it keeps you interested

Steve vRS

I have the 170PS engine in an Octavia vRS and it's fast - acceleration is terrific! It also returns nearly 50mpg over a steady 70mph run and the Octavia package is brilliant - bigger than the Seat and better finished in my opinion.

However, the engine is a bit noisy and unrefined and likes a drink of oil (1L per 10 000 miles at £15 per litre).

On balance, it is the most rounded car I have had - not as fast as my Imprezas nor as fun as the Clio but fast enough, economic and comfortable. Plus, as it's a co-car it costs me nothing to run (apart from the tax).

Steve

GrantyBoy

LOL, I am an accountant

Andy M3

Perfect partner then

Suresh

I have the T-FSI petrol engine in my Passat variant and its a peach . Very linear and pulls like a train from 1500rpm. Traction in the wet easily overcome by the torque in 2nd gear. A lighter car might have problems in 3rd too.

matchmaker

Both great engines, but if you want more power forget about the PD170 - the PDF is causing tuners all sorts of problems.

The TFSi on the other hand has a lot of potential

Janspeed

iTrader: (1)

Have a friend who works in a SEAT garage, and it is FULL to the brim with these Leons, mostly diesel, and they have some serious reliability problems.

Mostly engine problems, and then some electrical, other glitches derive from bad build quality.

Was suprised really, but then again it is a SEAT.

MattW

Not really, it's a VW engine and one of the most reliable

Andy M3

I wouldn't go that far!

GrantyBoy

No major issues report in the Seat owners forum, yet.

writeofreply

DSG is great, especially on a car like the diesel, I tried the VW Golf 140 with DSG and didn't experience any problems with the smoothness of gear changes. Exactly the opposite in fact, seamless power all the way through with foot to the floor, no need to lift.

In a car like a cupra or GTi you have to wonder if it's missing the point though.

Christ

Its DPF...

Revo will be releasing their code shortly, this is a quote from one of the dealers on cupranet..

"We've been seeing differing power gains depending on the applications, but healthy power... our Passat has been making over 220bhp but then it's also been making over 190bhp as standard!"

Custom Code & Superchips also do maps..


Chris

Janspeed

iTrader: (1)

I second that!

Janspeed

iTrader: (1)

They dont wont to lose face!

mattbeef

Your mate works in the SEAT garage so it will be full of Leons as they are popular and the current model.
Out of those that he has seen will be a small number of the total in the uk so i think thats a gross understatment to say that they have problems