Leon Cupra 1.8T bought.

MissChief · 9 Oct 2012 at 19:45

Anyone got any tips other than the buyers guide on the seatcupra.net forum?

Went to look at it and bought it. I found documentation confirming timing belt change in December last year that salesman was unaware of which I suspect was one of the reasons it was discounted by £500 in the past two months as no one was buying without the belt change being confirmed so I think I got a bit of a bargain @£2995. Had to get it taxed as he wouldn't budge on the price (not surprising if he had it for £3495 a couple of months ago) so managed to get £30 petrol thrown in.

The car has been removed from AT and their own website already, will get some pics tomorrow but its very clean and so smooth compared to my gti-6. Pleased so far as I was getting 40mpg+ on the journey back.

paradigm · 9 Oct 2012 at 19:51

Buyers guide on seatcupra.net is pretty comprehensive really.

As for cambelt, with no proof, assume the worst.

danza · 9 Oct 2012 at 20:00

paradigm said:
Buyers guide on seatcupra.net is pretty comprehensive really.

As for cambelt, with no proof, assume the worst.

Exactly this.

Tute · 9 Oct 2012 at 20:10

Is the 120d going then?

MissChief · 9 Oct 2012 at 20:16

Tute said:
Is the 120d going then?

I think you're confusing me with mischief?

Tute · 9 Oct 2012 at 20:16

Ah, sorry, my apologies.

Matt82 · 9 Oct 2012 at 20:28

Cambelt isn't even that dear. Things like bushes and worn dampers would be more annoying/expensive

Brookert · 9 Oct 2012 at 20:39

Matt82 said:
Cambelt isn't even that dear. Things like bushes and worn dampers would be more annoying/expensive

Very true, it's more a case of making sure its done to prevent you wrecking your engine.

MissChief · 9 Oct 2012 at 20:59

Yeah cambelt is more to make sure my investment is safe!

Matt82 · 9 Oct 2012 at 21:15

Another biggie on those engines is burnt oil due to ridiculous service schedules leaving the oil pump blocked, that kills a lot of them, late engines are effected worse

Stormster · 10 Oct 2012 at 00:48

I made this when I bought my 1.8t Golf a few years ago, same kinda issues apply/may prompt you to check some bits:

Clicky

CraigN · 10 Oct 2012 at 10:45

From my leon experience i would say the following

Rear suspension springs can crack not sure how this happened on mine but the offside rear spring cracked causing sagging and MOT failure.

The door seals can leak leaving you with a wet footwell.

Front suspension mount/bushes can become worn and caused my car to experience a small clunking noise at low speed turning going over bumps etc.

Cambelt and water pump i replaced at 45k miles.

Rear brakes i also had to replace.

I would check the recirc valve is in working order i saw a lot of cars with poorly fitted dump valves which caused running issues. The after market ones are fine if they fitted correctly.

MissChief · 10 Oct 2012 at 12:34

It was very clean, timing belt documented in December last year and MOT until June next year. So I bought it. Pictures will come soon but now I have to go to work!

NerveAgent · 10 Oct 2012 at 21:03

Mine leaked like hell, steaming up in winter was a pain. Check the floor carpets to see if they are damp.

MissChief · 11 Oct 2012 at 00:18

Checked all the floors, boot, headlining etc and they were all dry but it had been kept inside most of the time. It's supposed to pour tomorrow so i guess we'll see!

Only pic i had time to take

HamZilla · 11 Oct 2012 at 01:22

Congrats Misschief. Looks similar to mine except I don't have teardrop mirrors.

MissChief · 11 Oct 2012 at 18:57

Was driving to work today and realised the drivers side wing mirror has a 3" chunk missing from the plastic surround of it! It looks fine from the front and I can't believe I didn't notice it before! Not really a problem though and the car still makes me smile. Now that it's poured all day I'm hoping its not soaking wet inside!

233 · 11 Oct 2012 at 19:00

yup ours peed water in as well.

they leak like a sieve tbh. Cupra or Cupra R btw?

MissChief · 12 Oct 2012 at 01:23

Standard Cupra. (for now!)

It was dry inside although there was some water on the sill on the drivers side but it was on the outside of the car so hopefully my seals are OK!

Cupra · 12 Oct 2012 at 02:51

MissChief said:
Standard Cupra. (for now!)

It was dry inside although there was some water on the sill on the drivers side but it was on the outside of the car so hopefully my seals are OK!

Mine does this its totaly fine

Id reccomend changing the dog bone mount as this just makes the car 100 times better even if you intend on leaving everything else as it is and its pretty cheap (£30 fitted)

as others have said rear springs love to break also bushes are easy worn out so make sure you have a drive over some speed bumps to make sure theres no noises that shouldnt be there.