Cupra - sadness - is it just a diesel thing..!!!

[toppa33]

In fact no way near!!!!!

A little background -
Having had my 2001 Leon Cupra 180BHP (ex) for 3 years and been more than happy with it, time arrose that a new car was required, as I am now doing more miles (about 60miles a day commuting), I started looking at diesels.
Long story short - spotted a silver 54 plate cupra diesel, and got offered a great partx, so snapped it up pretty quick.

Little things started bothering me very soon -

1. Where had my dashboard read out gone (for the cd and radio), do I have to keep looking at the radio - The dealer put me right - Seat took this feature out of the cars to save money.

2. Door mirrors are not remote anymore - again the dealer informed me Seat took this feature out to save money.

3. Braking is just horrible, gone is the confidence of hitting the brakes last thing going into a corner. Same size discs?? so what has happened

4. Suspension (maybe linked to 3.) washy washy washy - I didn't want an American car.

5. The clutch - doh what's happened. It's so light and you feel everything going through it, basically feels like it's going to explode on every fast start.

I know, I'm painting quite a black picture here. But there are some good points - mpg 35-55 (Sterling Moss to Vicar), saving me a bomb in cash. The looks of the car are much improved with the big 17" wheels and new cut front end, it certainly looks the part.

But is it worth the cupra name - After running both cars - nope the diesel should have kept the FR badge only, this model has only de-valued the 'CUPRA' name. Yes it's a nice car and it is nice to drive against other models, but the feedback and driving pleasure just isn't there absolutley no comparison, how do I say it - it ain't a CUPRA and never will be.

I'd love to hear other thoughts from drivers that have gone for the Cupra Diesel!!!!!! after the petrol version.

 

[matt_s]

For a start

3. The discs are smaller, 288mm vs 312mm on the petrol cupra/fr

If you want do a search, it is an easy upgrade.

 

[olaf]

1 - Not a diesel related issues. Same for all newer Leons. And not something I consider to be a major issue.

2 - Same again I believe this is common through out the later Leons (petrol or diesel). Can be sorted with an AutoWindow module. Assuming you mean reflex mirrors?

3 - Petrols (newer ones at least) have 312mm fronts, diesel has 288mm.

4 - Wouldnt argue with that I find the stock suspension a little 'wallowy' I guess would be a way to describe it.

Obviously not driven a petrol version so can't compare. Hopefully the above is of some use to you though.

 

[Leigh15]

The FR model replaced the Cupra - not the other way around

 

[jonjay]

1 - Not a diesel related issues. Same for all newer Leons. And not something I consider to be a major issue.

2 - Same again I believe this is common through out the later Leons (petrol or diesel). Can be sorted with an AutoWindow module. Assuming you mean reflex mirrors?

3 - Petrols (newer ones at least) have 312mm fronts, diesel has 288mm.

4 - Wouldnt argue with that I find the stock suspension a little 'wallowy' I guess would be a way to describe it.

Obviously not driven a petrol version so can't compare. Hopefully the above is of some use to you though.

I wouldn't say the standard suspension is wollowy by any means although compared to standard cupra r one it is not as good. For a hothatch with great standard performance the handling was pretty good compared to other standard similar cars. Stick on ARBs and problem solved!

 

[traumapat]

i think you were spoilt by your lc. at some point in 01/02 lots of goodies were removed from the lc. garages comment on the level of trim often saying theyve not seen one as loaded as mine.

if i bought another id expect less goodies wise.

just think of the money your saving

 

[RobDon]

Bottom line ... petrol Cupra was better than the diesel!!!

 

[andycupra]

i had the radio read out on the dash in my original leon, never used it and dont miss it one bit in my current LCR.

early leons cupras had lots of toys, esp, dimming rear view mirror, cruise, auto wipers electric memory seats, leather etc. but were not the best lookers.
they then removed most of the standards bits, reduced the price and made them options.
then they added a better looking body.

i think most points have been covered above, however refering to the suspension, i assume the diesel engine is heavier? this could effect handling, suspension braking...

was the cupra on the original shocks? id be 'shocked' to hear that they were and were still ok... not the strongest part of seats.. if they were changed are you comparing new shocks on the cupra to worn on the diesel/

as for the clutch, it being light isnt a bad thing. probably more that the cupra clutch was old?

 

[traumapat]

but were not the best lookers.
they then removed most of the standards bits, reduced the price and made them options.
then they added a better looking body.

calling my car ugly mister?

 

[chase06]

Just think of the fuel economy though.

If your doing more than 15k miles a year then stop whinging

 

[andycupra]

calling my car ugly mister?

not ugly no.. you said that

 

[traumapat]

andy your saying she has a frumpy body!

the face lift did make a much sportier difference to the look. more hairdressy

 

[Romeoisgraham]

Bottom line ... petrol Cupra was better than the diesel!!!

I agree....... not that I worship every given word you say because of the sick cupra you have.

 

[andycupra]

andy your saying she has a frumpy body!

the face lift did make a much sportier difference to the look. more hairdressy

your putting words in my mouth again..

i just said the facelift was better looking...
now kylie or danni monogue may be better looking than the other, thats not to say the other is ugly...
but then again we are not talking monogues are we....

 

[UncleFester]

As far as handling goes, you have a heavier diesel engine up front - if you want to tighten it up then bushes replaced and ARB will help a lot. You might also want to check the tyre pressures. Brakes as far as i'm concerned are awful for anything else but 'normal' driving.

I'd not change from mine to a Petrol Similar performance and worse economy. The only downpoint to the diesel for me is the engine sound, however an LCR on start up from cold doesn't exactly sound refined

 

[JamesL]

at the end of the day the cupra badge on the petrol denotes that it is better than the other petrols.

for the dervs, the cupra badge represented the top of the range diesel (at the time)

The cupra badge therefore gives you an inidication to its quality compared to other cars in that fuel range. To try and compare the petrol engine to the diesel purely because it has the same name is ludicrous imo. go and drive a petrol non-cupra and compare that to the petrol cupra, and compare the 130 se to the 150 cupra tdi. of course the cupras are going to be different. thats why it is a petrol cupra or a cupra tdi