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Advice on FR 1.8 order

Rob66

Full Member
Apr 25, 2004
1,620
93
UK
Hi guys

Well I think I have just about made my mind up to get a MK3. ;)

I was seriously considering a Golf GTi or even a GTD, as many others have but was looking at another 7k on top of the price and I`m not sure I can justify the extra.

So was at the dealer earlier in the week and am looking at the the following spec, advice and comments really welcome have I missed anything that I should really have? Did consider Alcantara.

SC 1.8 FR (Tech Pack)
Emocion Red
Titanium Pack
Sunroof (with the Titanium Pack really sets the red off imo)
Convenience Pack
Winter Pack (girlfriend wants this ;))
Spare Wheel
Adaptive Cruise (worth it?)

Just waiting for dealer to organise a test drive in a 1.8 now, as they don't seem to have one nearby. Also hoping he comes down a little on the list price.

Will be interested to see how it compares to my current MK2 FR performance wise, anyone changed from one to other?

Cheers.
 
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jcbmally

Started with nowt and still have most of it left.
Dec 26, 2013
1,279
553
Cybertron
Hi guys

Well I think I have just about made my mind up to get a MK3. ;)

I was seriously considering a Golf GTi or even a GTD, as many others have but was looking at another 7k on top of the price and I`m not sure I can justify the extra.

So was at the dealer earlier in the week and am looking at the the following spec, advice and comments really welcome have I missed anything that I should really have? Did consider Alcantara.

SC 1.8 FR (Tech Pack)
Emocion Red
Titanium Pack
Sunroof (with the Titanium Pack really sets the red off imo)
Convenience Pack
Winter Pack (girlfriend wants this ;))
Spare Wheel
Adaptive Cruise (worth it?)

Just waiting for dealer to organise a test drive in a 1.8 now, as they don't seem to have one nearby. Also hoping he comes down a little on the list price.

Will be interested to see how it compares to my current MK2 FR performance wise, anyone changed from one to other?

Cheers.
:D

Tech pack is a must. I have the 1.8tsi FR and its fantastic. 36-38 to gallon knocking about, comfortable even with 18's on. I think the adaptive is a bit of a gimmick but that's me (I like to control my braking/speed). Nothing wrong with normal cruise control. Had Mk2 and the Mk3 is in a different league
 
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Rob66

Full Member
Apr 25, 2004
1,620
93
UK
Thanks mate

Yes not sure about the Adaptive Cruise. How's the performance of the 1.8?
 

schofier

Active Member
Aug 16, 2014
78
7
Southampton
I really like the Adaptive Cruise and would spec. it again; much better in heavier traffic than normal cruise. On a motorway, basically turn it on and steer. It also gives you emergency brake assist. But it's very much personal preference. You should be able to get a significant discount off list price. DTD or CarWow should give you an idea of dealer discounts that are available.
 

Rob66

Full Member
Apr 25, 2004
1,620
93
UK
Thanks Schofier

I do a fare bit of motorway driving and use cruise all the time, so perhaps I should consider it, May be handy on the M27;)

Discount wise there are deals out there `car select` and other are doing a couple of thousand off, so will see how close they can get for me.
 

jcbmally

Started with nowt and still have most of it left.
Dec 26, 2013
1,279
553
Cybertron
Good torque, revs forever, goes like stink. Seen a couple of "hot hatches" off. I've no complaints with mine. Set it on Eco on a long trip and got 49 mpg
 
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marty_34

Active Member
Apr 21, 2012
1,183
2
TEESSIDE
see your point Rob, i ended up with a 184 as opposed to a golf gtd, for what mine was price at the same money would have only got a 12 plate gtd as opposed to a 63 plate what i bought

i too had a mk2 previously the 3 is much more refined engine wise, few niggly door rattles apart from that a decent reliable car, now done 7k miles in mine hasn't missed a beat
 

schofier

Active Member
Aug 16, 2014
78
7
Southampton
Also consider the DCC which is great when pootling around town and the M27 or M11 ;) I have mine set to comfort 95% of the time.

Just seen the picture of a red SC FR with Titanium pack in the brochure. Looks good. I particularly like those wheels.
 

bertandernie

Active Member
Apr 4, 2010
74
0
I was gonna go with red with the sunroof but went for Nevada white in end which looks fab with it too imo,also with 18" black alloys really sets it off.
The Seat Sound I glad I went with,was gonna go TDI but went 1.8 tfsi and absolutely love it,great car,sure you will love it
 

trebor

Active Member
Dec 13, 2014
231
30
Worcester
There aren't many 1.8's about. Lots of 1.4 and lots of diesels. I had to wait a week for my dealer to get hold of a 1.8 to test drive.

Had my white 1.8 FR 5-dr Tech Pack, Convenience Pack, Alcantara Seats, Winter Pack for 5 weeks now and just rolled over 1000 miles. Massively impressed with it.

I did a 50-mile round trip yesterday, much of which was 50 mph roadworks on the M3 - got 48.8 mpg for that trip!
So far around 40 on my daily commute (12 miles), and only drops to 35-37 if I add in a bit of spirited driving.
On longer runs i'm getting 40-42.

A great economical daily drive but I know there is some power there for safe overtakes etc when needed. It seems to have a really good chassis too, minimal body roll but not a harsh ride.

Engine is a peach. So much scope for tuning also, but I'm staying std as I have a weekend toy (Evo V) for a proper speed fix when needed.

I drive a lot of different hire cars on business and the dash and control layout in the Leon is right up there with the best of them.
 

Rob66

Full Member
Apr 25, 2004
1,620
93
UK
Also consider the DCC which is great when pootling around town and the M27 or M11 ;) I have mine set to comfort 95% of the time.

Just seen the picture of a red SC FR with Titanium pack in the brochure. Looks good. I particularly like those wheels.

The wheels look great don't they, especially good at night from videos I've seen.
 

Rob66

Full Member
Apr 25, 2004
1,620
93
UK
I was gonna go with red with the sunroof but went for Nevada white in end which looks fab with it too imo,also with 18" black alloys really sets it off.
The Seat Sound I glad I went with,was gonna go TDI but went 1.8 tfsi and absolutely love it,great car,sure you will love it

Cheers for reply.

Nevada is my second choice, bet that's looks good with black alloys.
 

Rob66

Full Member
Apr 25, 2004
1,620
93
UK
There aren't many 1.8's about. Lots of 1.4 and lots of diesels. I had to wait a week for my dealer to get hold of a 1.8 to test drive.

Had my white 1.8 FR 5-dr Tech Pack, Convenience Pack, Alcantara Seats, Winter Pack for 5 weeks now and just rolled over 1000 miles. Massively impressed with it.

I did a 50-mile round trip yesterday, much of which was 50 mph roadworks on the M3 - got 48.8 mpg for that trip!
So far around 40 on my daily commute (12 miles), and only drops to 35-37 if I add in a bit of spirited driving.
On longer runs i'm getting 40-42.

A great economical daily drive but I know there is some power there for safe overtakes etc when needed. It seems to have a really good chassis too, minimal body roll but not a harsh ride.

Engine is a peach. So much scope for tuning also, but I'm staying std as I have a weekend toy (Evo V) for a proper speed fix when needed.

I drive a lot of different hire cars on business and the dash and control layout in the Leon is right up there with the best of them.

Thanks trebor, great info really helpful,how do you find the alcantara?

I have an MR2 which comes out in the summer but not in the same league as your Evo;) was going to sell it but worth peanuts now so hanging on to it.
 

trebor

Active Member
Dec 13, 2014
231
30
Worcester
Thanks trebor, great info really helpful,how do you find the alcantara?

I have an MR2 which comes out in the summer but not in the same league as your Evo;) was going to sell it but worth peanuts now so hanging on to it.

Everybody that sees it says the alcantara seats look good. It was not an option that I was going to have to be honest. Spec I wanted would have meant waiting until Feb time to get the car, and in the meantime a service and MOT on existing car ... so we looked at what cars were available straight away close to my chosen spec.

Winter pack heated seats is a winner with the Mrs though :D (and actually quite useful for the first few minutes in the morning during this frosty weather if I'm honest)
 

leonlad

Full Member
Mar 28, 2004
1,163
54
london
Hi guys

Well I think I have just about made my mind up to get a MK3. ;)

I was seriously considering a Golf GTi or even a GTD, as many others have but was looking at another 7k on top of the price and I`m not sure I can justify the extra.

So was at the dealer earlier in the week and am looking at the the following spec, advice and comments really welcome have I missed anything that I should really have? Did consider Alcantara.

SC 1.8 FR (Tech Pack)
Emocion Red
Titanium Pack
Sunroof (with the Titanium Pack really sets the red off imo)
Convenience Pack
Winter Pack (girlfriend wants this ;))
Spare Wheel
Adaptive Cruise (worth it?)

Just waiting for dealer to organise a test drive in a 1.8 now, as they don't seem to have one nearby. Also hoping he comes down a little on the list price.

Will be interested to see how it compares to my current MK2 FR performance wise, anyone changed from one to other?

Cheers.

don`t buy a new one , i got one at 10 months old , and it lost 1k for every month !
 

phil750

Active Member
Jul 24, 2012
213
1
if want to save abit of money, you can always get rid of the sunroof and just wrap the roof in black, had it done to mine and from the outside gives you a good look
 

Toon

drives a Leon 1.8DSG
Mar 25, 2014
79
0
South East
Thanks trebor, great info really helpful,how do you find the alcantara?

I have an MR2 which comes out in the summer but not in the same league as your Evo;) was going to sell it but worth peanuts now so hanging on to it.

Love the alcantara in my 1.8, very comfy, looks and feels expensive and not at all sweaty in summer as someone had suggested on a previous thread.
 

Rob66

Full Member
Apr 25, 2004
1,620
93
UK
don`t buy a new one , i got one at 10 months old , and it lost 1k for every month !

Cheers that's a huge saving, thanks for heads up..liking the look of yours, will see what's around.
 
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