cupra tdi with revo or similar?

[RobM]

Right guys... I'm just working through the spreadsheet that Chris sent me (cheers!) and I thought I'd make sure people are happy with the way I'm working this out.

Firstly... power and torque.

I'm taking book figures for each car as the standard figures, as that makes it fair.
For remapped, I'm looking at two of the biggest remapping companies - Revo and CC - and I'm taking the average of what their website quotes. I don't want to rely on Dyno Lottery produced figures or 'pub talk' figures as that's unfair. And we all know that one car will vary to the next and also that other mods will have an affect on the power produced.
So, I'm basing it on a Stage 1 remap of an otherwise standard car and I'm taking the average of the two companies mentioned. That way it's fair and consistent.

0-60 - Firstly, I hate this. I think its the biggest load of crap ever invented as a way of judging performance. Therefore, I think it's right to only include the standard figure for 0-60 and forget remapped 0-60.
Reasons being... firstly, driver skill will dictate most of this. Secondly, it's very, very hard to get an accurate figure. Thirdly, remapped TDi's often suffer with clutch slip which will affect the true 0-60 and make it look worse. And if you have to change the clutch, it's unfair to compare it to an LCR with a standard clutch.

Then there is MPG - Chris, in your spreadsheet you put three options; Taking it easy, Mixed Driving and Hammering it. The trouble with this is anything other than mixed driving is hard to get a real figure on, so is just guesswork. And as the idea of this comparison was to keep it factual, I suggest we keep the MPG to average only. Plus, this means more to potential buyers. Nobody hammers it all the time and nobody drives lightly all the time, so an average MPG would be more fair. This will be worked out based upon the results of the thread running at the moment.

And lastly... once this is done, I'd like to open it up to the LC too. It's not fair that we don't include that as it is an option for somebody wanting to sit between the two cars in their purchasing decision. So once we have finished this spreadsheet I think we could ask LC owners to add their facts and figures. If everyone else involved in this agrees?

This isn't a hard and fast 'this is what we're doing' as this is a group effort... I just thought I'd put my thoughts down for you lot to consider

 

[olaf]

Sounds good to me Rob, nice one!

 

[RobM]

The other thing that's on the spreadsheet is fuel costs.... is it worth adding this, as the fuel price jumps up and down on a weekly, if not daily basis? I fear that this might be out of date quite quickly if somebody doesn't update the prices each week.

 

[olaf]

I'm a geek and record the cost of fuel and how many miles I got etc when I fill up!

 

[RobM]

What I'm worried about is the spreadsheet going out of date quickly. I fear if we put prices that are relevant now... in 6 months time when somebody is looking at this for information, it will be useless to them.

 

[olaf]

Youll just have to put a date on the sheet and leave it at that. And then try and update it when you can.

If you show the calculations aswell it will allow people to alter it themselves if they look at it and want to update it.

 

[RobM]

Good plan, will put prices correct at....

I'll base it on this: http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/fuel/index.html but will need to find an average for Super Unleaded as that's what the LCR needs.

 

[jonjay]

Yea i am all for what you suggested Rob. If you need any work done, mail me the spreadsheet over or if you want me to contact anyone.

 

[RobM]

I've just found this website: www.petrolprices.com

So I'll use that for the average petrol prices and I'll be sure to quote that website so people can find out the latest info, should they wish to

All that's left now is the Leon Cupra details and the servicing costs. I've emailed Seat UK to ask if they can provide an estimated cost for each service for each type of car, but not sure if they will be able to or not?

If that fails, we could just pick a midlands based dealer and ask for prices there? It's not actual prices we're looking at, just comparison I guess? Any ideas?

 

[lexie]

jesus, what did i start!

i didn't want to start a diesel vs petrol debate, i've read too many on this and other forums tbh. i was only asking if a remap changed the driving characteristics of the diesel to be more petrol-like, ie better acceleration from standing and longer range to rev through. sorry if it wasn't pit across the best.

i did search for this but couldn't find the specific answers i was after and didn't want to drag up long forgotten threads.

my situation is this. i'm changing jobs soon and i'm looking at a 5k pay raise for the first year and another 1.5k for each of the next 2 plus annual increase on top of this so funds are not going to be a problem. i buy my fuel across the border in the republic of ireland and petrol and diesel work out at about 1.10 euro per litre, so 75 per litre in our money.
i'll be doing about 400 miles per week but with the pay raises and low fuel costs i won't mind paying the more at the pumps for the extra gallons the r would consume.

if the diesel could drive more like the petrol it would be nice as it would save money(like someone said, no one wants to spend unnecassary $$$)

 

[olaf]

I think you might regret going petrol.

Although you wont miss the money as it will be extra to what you currently have, you will still have to keep filling up! And watch the pennies go in and out of the car.

Thats just my opinion though!

 

[LiCkWiD]

Don't buy a Cupra if you cannot afford to run one.

If the only reason you buy a car in diesel format is for the money side, then I think you'd better invest in a pipe and slippers to go with that All-seasons box set of "Points of View" with Anne Robinson.

I drive what I drive because I like the thrill of driving petrol turbos. That and the sporty undepinnings of a Leon Cupra.

If we're talking about buying a car for the MPG it yields than I'm sure there are some lovely, practical and economical diesel Hondas out there for you all.

£55 a week in petrol, for me.

 

[RobM]

my situation is this. i'm changing jobs soon and i'm looking at a 5k pay raise for the first year and another 1.5k for each of the next 2 plus annual increase on top of this so funds are not going to be a problem. i buy my fuel across the border in the republic of ireland and petrol and diesel work out at about 1.10 euro per litre, so 75 per litre in our money.
i'll be doing about 400 miles per week but with the pay raises and low fuel costs i won't mind paying the more at the pumps for the extra gallons the r would consume.

On that basis, I don't think diesel is going to save you an extraordinary amount of money, but you are definitely into diesel territory with 400 miles a week.

The LCR will get you between 300-330 miles per tank @ £50 for a full tank from empty at UK current prices. If you're getting petrol for 20p or more a litre less than UK current prices, that figure drops to £45 a tank. A diesel will get you around 500 miles per tank, so without a doubt you'll spend less time at the petrol station as you wont need to fill up once a week or more.

So, from a financial point of view, diesel will show benefits for you. But that's only half the story. You need to drive both cars before you can make this decision. Forget remaps, forget any form of modifications, drive both cars as standard as it's the characteristics of each that's important here.

Both the petrol and the diesel cars in question gain a bucket load more power and torque when remapped and both end up with more usable power over the rev range. Basically, the power and delivery of each car is extended and improved post-remap.

As you will have seen from this post, everybody has their own ideas about what's best. Whether that's based on fact or a persons natural desire to defend their decision is another matter. So make up your own mind by driving both

 

[InfernalBadger]

As you will have seen from this post, everybody has their own ideas about what's best. Whether that's based on fact or a persons natural desire to defend their decision is another matter. So make up your own mind by driving both

Trufes!


I didn't dare drive an LCR though as it just wasn't financially viable and I know I'd have really wanted one if I had a test drive

Probably still would trade mine in if I worked closer to home

 

[RobM]

What is interesting, is I started a thread (in the TDI section now) asking the question 'who bought their diesel for reasons other than fuel economy' and nobody said that was the case. HOWEVER - the vast majority of the replies said they bought it for economy and money saving reasons but have grown to love it and love the way it drives, performs and feels on the road

 

[olaf]

I bought a diesel becuase I couldnt afford an LCR (insurance wise at least).

I was going to get a Cupra or FR - but then decided that once remapped performance was fairly simmilar (albeit each car still has its major differences) to a diesel and the economy was obvioulsy better with the soot chucker. Even though I only do 12-14k miles a year.

There were also more FR+ diesels than petrols around when I was looking.

 

[lexie]

What is interesting, is I started a thread (in the TDI section now) asking the question 'who bought their diesel for reasons other than fuel economy' and nobody said that was the case. HOWEVER - the vast majority of the replies said they bought it for economy and money saving reasons but have grown to love it and love the way it drives, performs and feels on the road

interesting that. it obviously says a lot for the car

thanks to everyone for their help by the way

 

[ChrisUK]

To be honest, I don't know why I bought the diesel !!

My mate has a Ibiza 130, so I was looking at them originally, but wanted a bigger car, so ordered the FR..........I didn't even test drive it before ordering (ordered over the internet lol)

Best thing I have done though

I do about 200 miles a week, and only put in £40 per fortnight (£20 per week). I was spending £30 per week in my 1.6 MX5 !!

 

[jonjay]

Main reason i bought an TDI was because the insurance cost of an LCR as astronomical for me....weird...

 

[RobM]

Insurance is a funny business. But you might be surprised at the difference between the example quotes I've got for this comparison