New car purchase help needed on Seat Leon FR

entertheninja · 21 Feb 2018 at 14:33

Hello

I'm mulling over forking out for a new SEAT Leon 1.4 or 1.8 TSI 5 door, FR version. I currently own a Fiesta ST Line which has 140ps. Tbh its not too good. Good for town driving but lacks energy. Handling is fair though.

Looking at the SEAT as I want something with more power and a big bigger.
Have test driven a couple of leon 1.4s and liked them verymuch! not got around to seeing the 1.8 which apparently has bigger breaks and independent rear suspension

what are your thoughts/experiences of the Leons ? reliability? anyone have a 1.8 or 1.4? how does the 1.8 compare for performance and comfort ?

thanks muchly

mjt · 21 Feb 2018 at 14:37

The Leon 1.4 also has 140bhp, so surely that would be a step down in terms of performance as it's bigger and heavier than the Fiesta.

entertheninja · 21 Feb 2018 at 14:52

mjt said:
The Leon 1.4 also has 140bhp, so surely that would be a step down in terms of performance as it's bigger and heavier than the Fiesta.

The Leon has 150PS (148BHP) and additional torque. I own the Fiesta and can say with my hand on my heart that the Leon 1.4FR is faster even with 2 people in the car as opposed to just the driver in the Fiesta

[TW]Fox · 21 Feb 2018 at 19:19

entertheninja said:
The Leon has 150PS (148BHP) and additional torque. I own the Fiesta and can say with my hand on my heart that the Leon 1.4FR is faster even with 2 people in the car as opposed to just the driver in the Fiesta

There is going to be virtually no difference between them. You are going to need the 1.8 if you genuinely want to notice a difference.

ExoMale · 22 Feb 2018 at 02:29

remap

a1ex2001 · 22 Feb 2018 at 03:16

[TW]Fox said:
There is going to be virtually no difference between them. You are going to need the 1.8 if you genuinely want to notice a difference.

I agree selling a car for a heavier one with an additional 10ps and using performance as a rational is silly.

LiE · 22 Feb 2018 at 08:56

1.8 + DSG, it's quite good. I've had the 1.4 (in a Golf) and had a 1.8 Leon, and the difference is well worth it. DSG makes progress a lot quicker too.

I've also had the 2.0TDI Leon, which has slightly more power than the 1.8 petrol, and I would rate the 1.8 quite a bit higher than the 2.0TDI.

Dan103 · 22 Feb 2018 at 10:00

I have an ibiza with 1.4 tsi and its nippy but if i was getting the bigger and heavier leon it would be the 1.8 for me..

Quinnaay · 22 Feb 2018 at 10:04

I'd avoid the 1.4tsi as it's already at the tether in terms of performance and are commonly known for having a number of problems. The 1.8 is a better engine and has more scope for remapping and squeezing a bit more out of the car.

SC0TTRS · 22 Feb 2018 at 10:13

Get the Cupra R FFS!

Dis86 · 22 Feb 2018 at 10:32

a1ex2001 said:
I agree selling a car for a heavier one with an additional 10ps and using performance as a rational is silly.

Silly isn't quite the word is use!

mjt · 22 Feb 2018 at 19:40

Quinnaay said:
I'd avoid the 1.4tsi as it's already at the tether in terms of performance and are commonly known for having a number of problems. The 1.8 is a better engine and has more scope for remapping and squeezing a bit more out of the car.

Is the 1.4TSI in the Mk7 really that bad?

Lumeycom · 22 Feb 2018 at 19:45

yes, they still didnt fully resolve the oil burning issues (amongst many others)

mjt · 22 Feb 2018 at 19:51

Lumeycom said:
yes, they still didnt fully resolve the oil burning issues (amongst many others)

Balls. I've been looking at 1.4TSI Mk 7s as I don't want a smelly diesel but VW didn't offer anything between the 1.4 and the GTI with a petrol engine

Munkyman · 22 Feb 2018 at 22:36

IIRC it's only the older twin charged 1.4tsi that had all the issues. The newer 1.4tsi ACT doesn't have any issues as far as I know.

wesley · 22 Feb 2018 at 22:47

Only twin charged 1,4tsi got problem with oil burning.

Mk2 fabia VRS, polo 1.4 GTI, Ibiza Cupra, and golf 1.4TSI GT (170ps)

Non twin charged 1.4tsi are ok.

Edit, I've drove the newer 1.4tsi golf 150ps. Found the engine a little gutless. I'd go for the 1.8

Ryan-3 · 22 Feb 2018 at 22:51

Munkyman said:
IIRC it's only the older twin charged 1.4tsi that had all the issues. The newer 1.4tsi ACT doesn't have any issues as far as I know.

I went from a Cooper S (R56) to a Leon SC with this engine with DSG and I find it give plenty of poke when needed and good economy for daily use. Feels more powerful than it is. More than enough unless you're really hooning it.

TheVoice · 23 Feb 2018 at 10:33

Munkyman said:
IIRC it's only the older twin charged 1.4tsi that had all the issues. The newer 1.4tsi ACT doesn't have any issues as far as I know.

Was going to say the same, I'm not aware of any glaring issues with the newest iteration of the engine.

I've had my FR 1.4 TSI ACT for almost two years, it's a great car. Performance is very good as is economy. The manual can get a bit laborious, I didn't have the luxury of there being many Leon FRs in my area to choose from but if I was doing it again I'd get a DSG.

If you want some advice from owners, this is a good forum to check out:
http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=309