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Mk3 Cupra or Mk4 TDI Sport 130

Randomman

Active Member
Jan 11, 2007
100
0
Oh the decisions! Lol.

I've read through a lot of search topics and wanted to add a few questions. (none of which are 'which is beter')

Firstly what should a good Mk3 Cupra cost? I'm talking circa 60k with all belts and water pump changed and at least part service history.

Secondly, how does the Cupra handle long motorway trips? I know the engine is good for it, but how arduous is it for the driver?

Third, what sort of fuel economy can you expect on the Cupra on a motorway?

Fourth, What sort of money do you need do apply to a cupra to what spec? Im thinking FMIC, Ko3s, injectors(are these needed?) breathing mods and a remap. What power are people with these running?

And finally, how well is a Mk3 built? I'm not expecting Audi standards but it looks a little dated on the outside (sorry, just my opionion, still like it though!) is the inside well put together and comfy?

Cheers in advance
 

JimyFloyd

Full Member
Sep 13, 2004
234
0
Right well - SEARCH

Secondly I regularly drive my cupra and an audi A3 2.0 TDI 140

The audi has better ride quality and build quality but the cupra is much quicker and i feel much more confident in my cupra overtaking etc.

I get about 30mpg on a run and about 22/23 on town stuff.
 

B3NPM_Cupra

Money = Power!
Dec 9, 2006
262
0
Tamworth (West Mids)
1. a good condition mk3 with around 60k on sould be around the 5-6k mark..with major service done.

2. not bad at all..especially on standard susp!

3. put it this way my cupra very very rarely sees a motorway and im allways on the gas and my average mpg is on 28. so on a motorway you will easilly see around 350 ish miles to a tank im sure!

4. to get a cupra to that sort of spec you are looking around 2.5-3k, and would be around 240bhp and 260lbft.

anyone please correct me if i am wrong with wot i have said..lol
 

Randomman

Active Member
Jan 11, 2007
100
0
Right well - SEARCH

I did, but it didnt return all the opinions of everyone on the forum (surprisingly) so I posted again to give the people who didnt answer a chance.

If its was a simple yes/no question I would agree with you wholeheartedly. I know its annoying when people ask the same thing over and over (like what dump valve, do these alloys fit etc) But I was asking for opinions on a car I could potential speand thousands of pounds on - so I want more opinions! Lol
 

JimyFloyd

Full Member
Sep 13, 2004
234
0
I did, but it didnt return all the opinions of everyone on the forum (surprisingly) so I posted again to give the people who didnt answer a chance.

If its was a simple yes/no question I would agree with you wholeheartedly. I know its annoying when people ask the same thing over and over (like what dump valve, do these alloys fit etc) But I was asking for opinions on a car I could potential speand thousands of pounds on - so I want more opinions! Lol

Fair enough - but everything you asked has been covered numerous times!

Basically if you want a car that is going to be cheap to run don't get the cupra - it likes fuel, and in my experience isn't cheap to service! But.....you'll have a heap more fun in it than some diesel "sports" car!
 

Randomman

Active Member
Jan 11, 2007
100
0
I'm not after a cheap running car, I've always speant way too much on insurance and petrol (ever since that calibra at the age of 18)!:cry:

I just want a few things back, like a good motorway drive, some 'reasonable' mpg at motorway speed and an engine that wont explode and destroy the world.
 

Randomman

Active Member
Jan 11, 2007
100
0
What sort of milage are they reliable to? I know of PD130s that are running in the 200k+ area.

Am I likely to have many years happy motoring if I get one on 60k? Or will the turbo need replacing (although a Ko3s may be a must anyway!) will the engine fall apart? Will my wheels drop off?
 

JimyFloyd

Full Member
Sep 13, 2004
234
0
At the end of the day it's a VAG car with a VAG engine - so anything catastrophic will be unlikely!

They do good mpg on the motorway and i find the ride on the motorway to be fine - done several long journeys in mine and no problem at the other end.

I pay £865 a year for fully comp insurance with no no claims - which i think reasonable for a 23/24 year old. But it could be cheaper seeing as my folks are insuring a brand new 911 for the same amount!

Seriously though mate - they are great cars and even in standard are very quick little cars - you'll keep up with higher power cars such as typre r no problem due to the extra punch of the turbo and 200ish bhp is only 399+vat away ;)
 

blackturbo

Full Member
Apr 3, 2006
1,008
0
Fleet, Hants
I have had 2 Cupras one with 50k and one with 130k, no major issues with either.

I think the mk4 lacks character against the mk3 especially the Cupra.
 

Tom B

Active Member
Apr 2, 2002
4,710
16
Northampton
How much are you MK3 Cupra guys paying on tax now? Is it over £100 for 6 months?

The diesels are around £120 for the year :)
 

Randomman

Active Member
Jan 11, 2007
100
0
How much are you MK3 Cupra guys paying on tax now? Is it over £100 for 6 months?

The diesels are around £120 for the year :)

I know.

Hi Tom btw. If I could afford a diesel cupra Mk4 I would get one in an instant, I loved yours.

But I cant, so I need to make an ajustment to what car will lever me back into VAGdom. I think the Ibiza is a good springboard for this.

Its just, economy against speed that is tearing me. Oh and Ptscchh but then thats best kept as a secret !
 

Sisson

Club member
Aug 18, 2005
1,662
0
Derbyshire
a remapped 130 will easily see 55mpg+ mine did. also with a few choice mods like:

Remap
FMIC
312mm brakes
Clutch

You will see 185bhp and over 300 lb/ft and will still get good mpg, cheap insurance, cheap tax and a sub 7 sec dash to 60 and a 1/4 mile of late 14's...

Have you driven either cars yet btw?
 

Randomman

Active Member
Jan 11, 2007
100
0
a remapped 130 will easily see 55mpg+ mine did. also with a few choice mods like:

Remap
FMIC
312mm brakes
Clutch

You will see 185bhp and over 300 lb/ft and will still get good mpg, cheap insurance, cheap tax and a sub 7 sec dash to 60 and a 1/4 mile of late 14's...

Have you driven either cars yet btw?

Been in a Cupra MK4 with map turned off. (pretty damn close to a remapped Sport) and I loved every minute of it.

I think the petrol is the more expensive, less torque kick but faster.

Its close IMO
 

Dan Cupra R

The Yellow Sub
May 2, 2006
1,514
0
Reading
You need to weigh up the pros and cons of each and decide for your self.

MPG is a big factor with the diesels, my petrol cupra averages 22mpg which is awful but then, I didnt by my car to be economical.

Diesels are very torquey, I went against one in the 1/4 mile at gti, he killed me off the lights but by the time he had got into 2nd I flew past. Downside is changing gear at 4k rpm. Sound of a diesel puts me off but, if I had to use my car everyday to get to work I think I would go diesel, simply for the money side of things and the performance side considering its diesel is very impressive.:)