Cupra Diesel Any Good?

Hindey

Clio 197
Nov 25, 2001
290
0
London
Does nobody else get a bit bored with the power delivery and lack of revs? Or is that just me...?

I suppose it is a diesel car so you know that when you enter in to it. I just found that early on in PD160 ownership I was blinded a little bit by the low-down grunt and shove but didn't realise how much fun it'd take out of thrashing the car.

It's fast all of the time, but not as fun as it should be imho.
 

killoran

Guest
I love diesels and as I said I had a Fabia Vrs. Would I really notice the extra 30 BHP/Torque and now (as I've just found out!) they don't make it anymore is the value going to colapse or is it going to hold up as a rare model.

I need to sell my car and make a little money. What do you think I'd get a 55 for(miles no object as long as not above 70k).

Ta
 

Ibiza 130 tdi

Black Magic
Jan 15, 2007
6,275
1
Somerset
I think you will find that the fuel computer goes wonky with a remap and gives optimistic readings

BTW they are optimistic anyway if you do the sums :D

I've never got it again since and tbh - I was driving like a saint! :lol:

Tend to get around 40-45 average going into work. So that's about right.
 

killoran

Guest
I've been looking at other diesels to replace my car but it seems that only the Tdi have that umph from the torque. Why are VAG getting rid of them?
 

DIFT

Torquing all the Torque
Oct 8, 2004
1,546
0
Kent/London
Does nobody else get a bit bored with the power delivery and lack of revs? Or is that just me...?
It's fast all of the time, but not as fun as it should be imho.

Mine happily revs to the redline, so am happy to take it to just under that.

Point and squirt is all you need. Non of this changing down to get in the power band namby pamby stuff. ;)
 

Hindey

Clio 197
Nov 25, 2001
290
0
London
Mine happily revs to the redline, so am happy to take it to just under that.

Point and squirt is all you need. Non of this changing down to get in the power band namby pamby stuff. ;)

I take it that's remapped? :confused: Both Cupra TDIs I've driven run out of steam at about 4,000 rpm.

Bah, changing gear is all part of the fun!

Petrol: blip the throttle for the downshift, slot in the lower gear as fast as you can move your hand and then scream off into the red line... :D

Diesel: depress throttle. Grimace at noise. Change gear. Repeat ;)
 

Tom B

Active Member
Apr 2, 2002
4,710
16
Northampton
Does nobody else get a bit bored with the power delivery and lack of revs? Or is that just me...?

I suppose it is a diesel car so you know that when you enter in to it. I just found that early on in PD160 ownership I was blinded a little bit by the low-down grunt and shove but didn't realise how much fun it'd take out of thrashing the car.

It's fast all of the time, but not as fun as it should be imho.

I get that too, I've had 16v's previously and I love the way they keep revving. The derv can get a bit boring but I bought it as the running costs were a lot less, so I suppose I can live with it :)

If your mates have valvers, drive them from time to time. You'll love the revs but you realise how much fun torque is when its not there!
 

DIFT

Torquing all the Torque
Oct 8, 2004
1,546
0
Kent/London
I take it that's remapped? :confused: Both Cupra TDIs I've driven run out of steam at about 4,000 rpm.

Bah, changing gear is all part of the fun!

Petrol: blip the throttle for the downshift, slot in the lower gear as fast as you can move your hand and then scream off into the red line... :D

Diesel: depress throttle. Grimace at noise. Change gear. Repeat ;)

I take it yours isnt remapped then ;)

Mines remapped. As standard there is a wall at 4000rpm, and the car seems to stop dead.

There's no doubt I'd love a similarly powered petrol, but since I do 30k ish a year, I'd prefer to run the diesel.

Plus I like the way mine sounds :D (not a patch on an R32 etc, but then again the 1.8t isnt a tuneful engine).
 
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Hindey

Clio 197
Nov 25, 2001
290
0
London
Nope, not remapped. Was tempted but was concerned about clutch and brakes, in my mind they'd both need uprating to utilise the power properly. Plus, 300 ft/lb going through the front wheels sounds a bit too much for the car. Under normal driving I'm sure it's fine, but when gunning it (I mean properly gunning it) I think it's probably more for the car than necessary. There is something nice about the exhaust note about 3,000 rpm, angry sounding :)

Tom, the Cupra is making way for a 2.0 16v Clio, so I'll get my fix of revs then! I will miss the torque, of course, but it'll more than make up for it when the chance to really enjoy driving properly arises, not just for hooning past slower moving cars.

Don't get me wrong, I do like the Cupra. Derv power just isn't for me when it comes to fun.
 

DIFT

Torquing all the Torque
Oct 8, 2004
1,546
0
Kent/London
Nope, not remapped. Was tempted but was concerned about clutch and brakes, in my mind they'd both need uprating to utilise the power properly. Plus, 300 ft/lb going through the front wheels sounds a bit too much for the car. Under normal driving I'm sure it's fine, but when gunning it (I mean properly gunning it) I think it's probably more for the car than necessary. There is something nice about the exhaust note about 3,000 rpm, angry sounding :)

Tom, the Cupra is making way for a 2.0 16v Clio, so I'll get my fix of revs then! I will miss the torque, of course, but it'll more than make up for it when the chance to really enjoy driving properly arises, not just for hooning past slower moving cars.

Don't get me wrong, I do like the Cupra. Derv power just isn't for me when it comes to fun.

Fair enough on getting the Clio.

Brakes were fine for me, I did several trackdays on standard discs and pads, and never missed a beat. Admittedly they can be improved upon, but if you cook (or even push) the cupra brakes on UK roads, then you need your head looked at. I have uprated discs and pads, and there is a big difference, but I dont think for general "hooning" on open roads they need to be uprated.
 

Trickthedick

Active Member
Nov 10, 2007
46
0
I completely agree with all of the above, 9 months of ownership have made me forget about some things. The remap does help the drought under 2k, but it'll spin the wheels a lot if you're heavy on the power. I've found feeding the power in keeps the TCS light off and saves the clutch.

Smooth has always been my style, (was taught smooth is fast and it always worked for me)

TCS and all that gubbins is still a bit new to me. Traction Control feels like clutch slip so I'm still getting used to it all....(Mazda is 4wd so no issue there) but the tyres on the Seat are absolute crap especially this weather, which doesn't help.

I'm interested to hear more about the EGR thing so educate me (it's not an abbreviation that appears in the Mazda system) I'm always open to new ideas.
 

DIFT

Torquing all the Torque
Oct 8, 2004
1,546
0
Kent/London
I'm interested to hear more about the EGR thing so educate me (it's not an abbreviation that appears in the Mazda system) I'm always open to new ideas.

Eagle F1's are spot on I feel for the Mk4. As for the EGR have a search for it. There is a massive thread on it. Ive used a golf tee and some insulating tape, and has made a big difference to 'my' car (more so than the remap, its alot smoother). Blanking off the EGR means no sooty exhaust gases are recuirculated back into the engine (to aid emissions alegedly), so its only getting lovely clean air.
 

Hindey

Clio 197
Nov 25, 2001
290
0
London
Fair enough on getting the Clio.

Brakes were fine for me, I did several trackdays on standard discs and pads, and never missed a beat. Admittedly they can be improved upon, but if you cook (or even push) the cupra brakes on UK roads, then you need your head looked at. I have uprated discs and pads, and there is a big difference, but I dont think for general "hooning" on open roads they need to be uprated.

Don't worry, I'm not screaming down the B2462 or whatever terrorising sheep / children / other motorists. I was just referring to having 200hp arguably in a car not built for it :redface: The brakes are good, but driving down a pretty demanding road on a big hill in France made my mind up there and then that a remap would be too much for the car. Tempting as it is (was?).

Oh, Mr Cellotape. You did send me that review, I read it. Interesting stuff, but I've bought a 197 though, not a 182.
 

Mr Cellotape

AKA Mr Ribbed
May 9, 2006
1,283
2
Warwickshire once.
Don't worry, I'm not screaming down the B2462 or whatever terrorising sheep / children / other motorists. I was just referring to having 200hp arguably in a car not built for it :redface: The brakes are good, but driving down a pretty demanding road on a big hill in France made my mind up there and then that a remap would be too much for the car. Tempting as it is (was?).

Oh, Mr Cellotape. You did send me that review, I read it. Interesting stuff, but I've bought a 197 though, not a 182.

Fair play. hope you have many fun hours in it. :D
 

Trickthedick

Active Member
Nov 10, 2007
46
0
Eagle F1's are spot on I feel for the Mk4. As for the EGR have a search for it. There is a massive thread on it. Ive used a golf tee and some insulating tape, and has made a big difference to 'my' car (more so than the remap, its alot smoother). Blanking off the EGR means no sooty exhaust gases are recuirculated back into the engine (to aid emissions alegedly), so its only getting lovely clean air.

Willdo...sounds interesting.

Try Falken ZE12s, used them for three years now on cars that are much more demanding on rubber than the Seat. Should give great cost benefits also.....

http://www.falkentyres.co.uk/default.asp?cookiecheck=yes&
 

Clark10

Full Member
Apr 13, 2005
205
0
Belfast
Eagle F1's are spot on I feel for the Mk4. As for the EGR have a search for it. There is a massive thread on it. Ive used a golf tee and some insulating tape, and has made a big difference to 'my' car (more so than the remap, its alot smoother). Blanking off the EGR means no sooty exhaust gases are recuirculated back into the engine (to aid emissions alegedly), so its only getting lovely clean air.

Did you have any trouble getting the pipe off? Mine won't budge.
 
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