SEAT Leon MK2 Any good ?

Dav4

Dav4

Dav4

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As previously posted i have been after an st220 since xmas time and once again getting bored waiting for one to come up thats either not stupidly overpriced or that has not got a million miles on the clock.
Always liked the Seat Leon mk2 looks and have been looking at the 2.0 fsi, the 2.0 tfsi or 2.0 tfsi FR which has 200bhp same 0-60 times as the st220.
I find the model line up confusing as im wanting a petrol 2.0 within a 4.5k budget and presume the tfsi has a turbo?
and the tfsi FR has a little more bhp than the tfsi so whats the difference?
why did the tfsi only run from 05-06?
Are the petrol Leons reliable? as there is not much info around for these specific models that i want.

example:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201312140530248/sort/default/usedcars/maximum-mileage/up_to_80000_miles/postcode/l54sy/maximum-age/up_to_9_years_old/radius/1501/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew/transmission/manual/make/seat/fuel-type/petrol/price-from/3000/page/2/model/leon?logcode=p

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201405164247259/sort/default/usedcars/page/3/postcode/l54sy/fuel-type/petrol/make/seat/radius/1501/maximum-mileage/up_to_80000_miles/maximum-age/up_to_9_years_old/transmission/manual/price-from/3000/model/leon/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew?logcode=p
 
I'm guessing the 2.0 tfsi with 200bhp is the same engine that's in my mk2 Audi TT seeing as both cars are VAG. Its a great engine, pretty much bomb proof, with plenty of power and decent mpg.

Someone will probably be along to inform me I've got it wrong soon enough though :p
 
IvanDobskey said:
I'm guessing the 2.0 tfsi with 200bhp is the same engine that's in my mk2 Audi TT seeing as both cars are VAG. Its a great engine, pretty much bomb proof, with plenty of power and decent mpg.

Someone will probably be along to inform me I've got it wrong soon enough though :p
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Are Leon's pretty much a golf underneath? Is the 2.0tfsi a turbo? It's so hard to find proper info about these as seat is not exactly a big name is it and the few seat forums are mainly full of info about the Cupra only
 
Leon MK1 was a stonking car, it felt a quality product, it was essentially an A3, even down to dash components.

MK2 was a real let down, it looked distinctly average and the interior really felt cheap and nasty. I havent actually driven one, just been a passenger in one.

How about an Octavia?
 
Tinders said:
Leon MK1 was a stonking car, it felt a quality product, it was essentially an A3, even down to dash components.

MK2 was a real let down, it looked distinctly average and the interior really felt cheap and nasty. I havent actually driven one, just been a passenger in one.

How about an Octavia?
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Don't like Octavia's it's the most used private taxi round my ways so has a bad image.
I agree the dash etc in the mk2 is awful but I think the tfsi fr in black really stands out on the road. And the 200bhp is close to the St220 I have been wanting. Just don't know anyone who's owned a Seat so was wondering how reliable there engines are etc??
Is there a reason why a 200bhp fr can be had for 4.5k when something like a focus ST of the same age costs around 6k
 
Fluke? said:
Same engine as in the MK5 golf gti I think.
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Yeh I have heard that. I think it's nicer looking than the golf gti of the same age 2006 and it's cheaper .
Anyone know if parts are same as vag etc? Will it be much more expensive parts wise than my focus 2.0 or an St220?
 
The Cupras with the K1 kit look amazing IMO.

Pre 2009 cars (I think!) don't have a particularly great interior.

Post are meant to be a bit better.

The cupras are quick when mapped, even at stage 1 (just a remap).
 
I was pretty much in the same situation as you. I was after an ST220 but got sick of waiting for any to pop up nearby for a price that wasn't extortionate. Then found myself an Octavia vRS (same car as the leon). It's a turbocharged engine + gearbox + chassis from the golf GTI with about 197bhp as standard.

The belt and waterpump has to be done either every 5 years or 60k miles so if you're going to view either of the ones in post#1 then make sure they've been done or negotiate it off the price (I paid about £360). Oh and don't worry if the engine sounds terrible, they all sound like tractors. Look out for the usual signs of turbo failure of course but they're fairly strong engines and don't have to many problems.

As was mentioned above, they remap really well to about 230-240 with a reputable company like Revo or Shark.
 
mccarf said:
I was pretty much in the same situation as you. I was after an ST220 but got sick of waiting for any to pop up nearby for a price that wasn't extortionate. Then found myself an Octavia vRS (same car as the leon). It's a turbocharged engine + gearbox + chassis from the golf GTI with about 197bhp as standard.

The belt and waterpump has to be done either every 5 years or 60k miles so if you're going to view either of the ones in post#1 then make sure they've been done or negotiate it off the price (I paid about £360). Oh and don't worry if the engine sounds terrible, they all sound like tractors. Look out for the usual signs of turbo failure of course but they're fairly strong engines and don't have to many problems.

As was mentioned above, they remap really well to about 230-240 with a reputable company like Revo or Shark.
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thanks for the info. what can be some noticeable problems to look out for with the Turbo? as i have never test drove or looked at a car with a turbo before.
 
2.0 TFSI until 09 then TSI after that (facelift, can be spotted by the new lights and new boot).

Pretty much everything is VW parts.

Not much to go wrong on the TFSI, but watch the chain cam tensioner on the TSI can be a bit dodgy.

For info I have a Leon Sport TFSI :)
 
Deathwish said:
2.0 TFSI until 09 then TSI after that (facelift, can be spotted by the new lights and new boot).

Pretty much everything is VW parts.

Not much to go wrong on the TFSI, but watch the chain cam tensioner on the TSI can be a bit dodgy.

For info I have a Leon Sport TFSI :)
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are the parts expensive? can aftermarket parts be used like i can get for my focus?
Is the 2.0 TFSI FR the best model to go for on a 06 plate for my 4.5k budget? and are there any specific things to look out for when test driving one?
 
Most parts are shared with other VW cars of the era, Golf MK5, Octavia MK2, Audi A3 etc.

There is a big aftermarket scene for most of those vehicles, and so for the Seat also.

You can find a lot of good info here http://www.seatcupra.net

Only things that come to mind to check on a test drive would be make sure the gearbox changes smoothly, some like mine are a bit picky about 1st to 2nd :) Oil change usually fixes it.
Make sure she idles clean cold and warm, if not could be the PCV which is an easy fix tbh.

Wear n tear parts are reasonable I think, front discs/pads are £120 + fitting etc.

There is a thread on that forum above with common faults.
 
Deathwish said:
Most parts are shared with other VW cars of the era, Golf MK5, Octavia MK2, Audi A3 etc.

There is a big aftermarket scene for most of those vehicles, and so for the Seat also.

You can find a lot of good info here http://www.seatcupra.net

Only things that come to mind to check on a test drive would be make sure the gearbox changes smoothly, some like mine are a bit picky about 1st to 2nd :) Oil change usually fixes it.
Make sure she idles clean cold and warm, if not could be the PCV which is an easy fix tbh.

Wear n tear parts are reasonable I think, front discs/pads are £120 + fitting etc.

There is a thread on that forum above with common faults.
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Thanks, what about the turbos on them anything to keep an eye out with that? I'll try and go test drive one this weekend see wat i think
 
I don't think I've heard of anyone with a turbo issue (touch wood!). Usual warm up before nailing it and let it cool by driving nicely a few miles before stopping if possible technique.
 
I have a mk2 facelift FR tdi as my commuter and while it's not the most loved car, I really enjoy it for my daily drive. The one thing I'd suggest you check on a test drive is the suspension as it's made of rocks (this is being kind). The interior is indeed, quite harsh on earlier ones which made me go for a facelift. Parts are indeed cheap and easy to come by and for non-engine related items I don't think there are that many common faults aside from this issue which you can check on a test drive.
 
I just got rid of my 2007 Cupra. Absolutely loved it but unfortunately going to start doing a lot more miles so it wouldn't be efficient enough.

I've also owned a 2004 Leon FR (1.9 tdi) which was a great car, but as soon as my mileage dropped I had to get the Cupra.

Try to get one with the larger MDF display if you can. It'll have bluetooth and is a slightly better trip computer. Also be sure to check the AC, they have quite a few problems. Other than that I really had no issues with either car - on the Cupra I had to replace the carbon canister, but that was it. As said - VAG group parts so easy to get. Loads of great info seatcupra.net.

Oh, and get the Cupra :P
 
PAz said:
I just got rid of my 2007 Cupra. Absolutely loved it but unfortunately going to start doing a lot more miles so it wouldn't be efficient enough.

I've also owned a 2004 Leon FR (1.9 tdi) which was a great car, but as soon as my mileage dropped I had to get the Cupra.

Try to get one with the larger MDF display if you can. It'll have bluetooth and is a slightly better trip computer. Also be sure to check the AC, they have quite a few problems.

Oh, and get the Cupra :P
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Can't get a mk2 Cupra for 4.5k can I? Isn't the tfsi fr the next best thing for my budget?
 
So sorry, I missed your budget there some how...you might get lucky though - post a wanted advert on seatcupra.net. I just sold my 2007 Cupra for 6k on there.

Otherwise yes, FR is the next best thing....no bucket seats and xenons though :(
 
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