Non-performance Leon ride quality

[Diamond Hell]

Hi, my parents have had a Leon2 for about a year. They moved up from a Leon1, which they were very happy with.

Since they've had the Leon2 it's started making my Dad's shoulders act up. He has arthritis in his shoulders, but didn't have any problems with driving before. Since they got the Leon2 if he does a long drive (over an hour) then he's sometimes in complete agony. I've driven the car and I can see why. It seems to have really quite violent kick-back through the wheel. In addition to this the ride quality is utterly dreadful. It's OK when you're really pushing on with the car, but if you're taking it easy then it feels like the dampers have really bad issues with what I'd refer to from mountain-biking as 'stiction' - they simply don't feel like they want to start moving, which gives the ride this terrible corrogated quality.

The car is on standard 50 section 16" tyres, on standard wheels. I did try swapping it on to my 15" Passat wheels, which run 55 section tyres, to see if a bigger section tyre would improve things, but it made no difference at all.

Has anyone else found this problem with the ride quality on the cooking Leons?

After five really good years with their first Leon they're considing replacing this one after only a year. Is there any way of improving the ride?

 

[DanGB]

which model do you have?

A good way is to change to the highly regarded Koni FSD dampers. app[erntly they improve the ride no end.

 

[Diamond Hell]

It's a 140bhp 2.0 TDI, specifically not a sport model.

What sort of money would a set of FSDs be? I know they're not going to be keen to spend out on new dampers, but it might be a way to resolve the problem.

 

[DanGB]

Is it the stylance model?

I think there about 400 plus fitting.

 

[Diamond Hell]

Yes, it'll be a Stylance model.

 

[wobblelino]

Maybe your dad could try adjusting the seat and/or the steering wheel??? Just a suggestion but maybe it may work? There's lots of different postiions etc so maybe one is better than another?

My leon is also a stylance but the drive is pretty good compared to other cars i;ve driven/been driven in. Was yours a newie or 2nd hand?

 

[Deev]

What model year is it? Sure it's not a Stylance with Sports pack?

 

[Diamond Hell]

It's a 56 plate. I don't think they would have chosen the Sports Pack - like I said it's only got 16" wheels and I suspect a sports specified model would have bigger hoops than that.

The car was bought new, so there's nothing happened to it prior to it falling into their hands.

I would have thought he's got the driving position right for himself - he's aware of how the wheel and the seat adjusts. I have to say when I've driven it I've been hugely underwhelmed with the ride.... until I've really pushed it, when it sort of made sense, but having to up the pace that far really isn't practical (or often legal), so it's not a solution.

Does anyone have any suggestions where it would be possible to get the Koni FSDs fitted?

 

[Tam]

Nope think the sports pack came with 16's

 

[adriaticman]

I have a 2007 mdl year 2.0 TDI DSG Stylance on 17" rims. The ride can be firm around town, but I find the driving position excellent. When I got it, it took me up to 10 days to get comfy. When it`s been into the stealers and the seat has been adjusted / moved it it takes me up to another week to get it back to normal. I always find that it takes a while to find the right set up and I am average height and slim. The only car I have ever owned that fitted like a glove straight away was a new 1990 Toyota Corolla GTI which had multi adjustable seats. Best i have ever found. Hope you find a solution, because it is a great car. I recently had a Leon 1.6 Stylance as a loan car and the ride was considerably better on 16" std rims.

 

[rpmleon]

I own a 57 plate TFSI DSG . Rough ride compensated by the brilliant seats!!!!

 

[Fl@pper]

does the leon2 have adjustabel steering like the beeza did ?

could be worth adjusting if so try take some kick out the wheel ? ill be honest not sure if its relevant at all but

http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?t=21610&highlight=vag-com+steering

*edit* in fact quick check shows its hydraulic anyway not electric so just ignore me rambling away ill leave it for reference

 

[adriaticman]

Everything is very adjustable ref driving position, so maybe you need to start from square one. I am fussy over driving position, because I will get back and leg pain otherwise.
That was a result of damage caused by poor ergonomics in older Fords circa 1997. Then i needed phsio, because the driving seat in a Fiesta Ghia with electric height adjustment, strained both my knees and I could do any sport for 1 year. (took me that long to fight with Ford warranty, as was poor desig IMO)) Eventually sold the car and problem went away in 2 weeks

There are web sites that show exactly how to find optimum driving position for most people.

I start by depressing clutch to find comfortable seat position / leg length
Then set seat height, backrest angle and finally steering wheel height.
Might sound obvious, but worth a try

 

[cupra fan]

Tyres, can make a huge difference! go with minimal sidewall stiffness, will glide along soaking up everything, but don't expect to go around corners at a high rate of knot's.

Michelin energy Will sort your problem

Were standard fit on altea 2.0 tdi, car just glided over everything, but don't expect to fly around corners- swopped them for toyo's and the harshness of ride doubled! but great fun on country roads

http://www.top-tread-tyres.co.uk/michelin-energy-e3a-16565-r14-79t-i329.html

 

[140SPORT]

Hi, my parents have had a Leon2 for about a year. They moved up from a Leon1, which they were very happy with.

Since they've had the Leon2 it's started making my Dad's shoulders act up. He has arthritis in his shoulders, but didn't have any problems with driving before. Since they got the Leon2 if he does a long drive (over an hour) then he's sometimes in complete agony. I've driven the car and I can see why. It seems to have really quite violent kick-back through the wheel. In addition to this the ride quality is utterly dreadful. It's OK when you're really pushing on with the car, but if you're taking it easy then it feels like the dampers have really bad issues with what I'd refer to from mountain-biking as 'stiction' - they simply don't feel like they want to start moving, which gives the ride this terrible corrogated quality.

The car is on standard 50 section 16" tyres, on standard wheels. I did try swapping it on to my 15" Passat wheels, which run 55 section tyres, to see if a bigger section tyre would improve things, but it made no difference at all.

Has anyone else found this problem with the ride quality on the cooking Leons?

After five really good years with their first Leon they're considing replacing this one after only a year. Is there any way of improving the ride?

I put Koni Fsds on my 2.o tdi sport with standard springs as i found the ride too harsh ,mine has the sport 17" rims with 225/45 dunlop 9090 tyres and that has sorted mine out,The dampers are about £350 plus fitting and well worth it compared to swopping the car.

 

[JUS CRU-ZN]

Check your original bump stops... these tend to wear very fast. Once they're replaced car is like wen new