My new Leon fr 1.4 act................

[shaunw]

Seems a bit of a curates egg at the moment, really good in parts but quite a few irritations, some of which I'm sure will become less noticeable as I get used to it.


Good points: Ride - better than the MK 2 - feels more sophisitcated even in FR trim

Power - I havent been above 3.5 k yet and have been taking it easy until its run in but the power and torque available is astonishing for a little 1.4 engine. Feels more torquey than my 1.9 TDI

Interior quality - much improved over MK2

The tech stuff is good and seems intuative

I think the sunroof will be great if it ever stops raining

Not so good points: Seats seem narrower and less comfortable

Doesnt recognise my ipod - old one did

the clutch biting point seems 'vague' - partly due to the engine management I think? Hard to explain but I find it quite hard to make smooth 1st to second gear changes - may just be acclimatisation

It somehow doesnt feel as 'satisfying' to drive as my MK2

At two weeks old it's developed a fault with the parking sensors - getting a message that says fault with rear parking sensor.

17" wheels look tiny - my fault, I should have got 18s but as its the family car I wanted a good ride. I keep looking at the 18s now and kicking myself I may get some VAG wheel spacers as although the 17s are the same width they look like they are tucked under the arch too much, especially at the rear. Any thoughts on this anyone?

I'm sure there's a good car in there somewhere, maybe I just need to give it time !

Anyone identify with any of this or is it just me?


PS just realised that I have fallen foul of the blanking out your number plate rule. Not sure how to do this can someone tell be how? Or do it for for me please?

 

[FamilyGuy]

Wait until the wheels get mucky. Probably some time tomorrow afternoon. They seem smaller the dirtier they get. The engine's nothing special at high revs, I find it better to make use of the close ratio box when pressing on. It's not perfect but then what is? The amount of car you get for the money is outstanding. Only other thing I'd say is the ride on the 17s is great but starts to suffer when the car is loaded, at least in the ST.

Sent from my D5803 using Tapatalk

 

[KenTT]

Congrats on your new FR, I think the wheels look fine without spacers.

The engine does pull well for it's size, I find there's nothing to be gained past 5,500rpm. It's reminds me in many respects of my old Audi A3 1.8T sports of many years ago.

 

[100andthirty]

Try and reprogram your head not to worry about wheel size,!!!!!!!!!!!! Think of the car from the inside out, and when you look at it, loot at front three quarter view. If it goes round corners well enough then the wheels are big enough!! Personally, I hate the jarring one gets from big wheels!

As to biting point, if it really does vary from time to time (and this would probably only be noticeable for starting in 1st or reverse), perhaps this is part of the hill hold control in action?

 

[shaunw]

Thanks for the comments guys, l'm sure given time I'll love it, its funny though how some cars you jump in and immediately feel at home and others take time. My 'toy' car is a 1990 Lotus Excel with no adjustments available beyond moving the seat back and forth but the driving position just feels right. There's so much adjustment available on modern cars I think it actually makes it harder to get comfy!

Anyway, the rain has stopped and the suns out for the first time since I picked it up so I think I'll go for a drive in the Leon and do some bonding with it

Shaun

 

[Dr.Dash]

...PS just realised that I have fallen foul of the blanking out your number plate rule. Not sure how to do this can someone tell be how? Or do it for for me please?

Photobucket has a basic editor facility, so use that to modify the photo in your photobucket a/c, it should then be updated on the forum page. If it doesn't show the edits then replace the original photos with your edited version.

Just use the Drawing Tool, the circles show the size of the brush, select a colour and draw over the number plate.

 

[shaunw]

Thanks Dr Dash, simple once you know how

Started from scratch with the driving postion by getting the seat height right first, then the back rest, lumber, then distance from pedals then finally steering height and reach before taking the Leon for a run and I'm much happier.

Pic of my two babies:

 

[kiddo]

Lovely pic shaun

 

[blind37]

That's a lovely blue

 

[shaunw]

That's a lovely blue

Thanks It's a pearlescent colour and really pops in the sunshine.

If I didnt think that nearly £700 for Alor Blue was a rip off I'd have chosen that for the Leon, its a great colour. Happy with the red though, especially as it was free when I ordered mine, apparently there is a charge for it now.

 

[C_ED_99]

Yes it's £250, the new free colour is Mediterranean Blue apparently.

 

[2Stevo2]

Hello m8, congrats on the new FR! looks rly good in red.

I purchased my new 1.4 ACT FR back in September and I can sympathise straight away with the points you raised BUT i have some good news.

I have done about 1500 miles so far and in that time the cars driveability has continually improved. The engines overall power has steadily increased, the gearbox has got smoother and clutch engagement a lot lot better......and upon speaking with others that will continue for some time yet. Their really is a significsnt breaking in period with this car by the sounds of it.

I was pulling my hair out trying to get the seat position right!! Weirdly i felt that the clutch pedal was too far away or that I was too close to the accelerator pedal...really weird. But finally settled on the best position I could find.

Stick with it m8

 

[Rob66]

Hi Shaun

Car looks great, wheels look okay too, keep them clean and they look bigger. I wouldn't get any spacers.

Love the Excel too.

Will pop and say hi next time I am you way.

Rob

 

[fabiavrs2004]

Would agree, got mine in September and you could feel the engine was a bit tight, now on 1800 and it's loosened up so I can now give it some beans. It's about as quick as my old Fabia vrs diesel, you just need a few more revs. Fuel consumption is on about 47mpg brim to brim whereas the vrs did about 50.

 

[scarletian]

Got my Leon ST 1.4 FR last week so only just done 160 miles. I identify with the 1st to 2nd change. The gear changes are perfect but there is a lurch in the transmission. I can mask it by using the clutch and accelerator a certain way. I hope the driveability improves. Coming from a Passat where the powertrain was so smooth the Leon needs a bit more deliberate action to drive smoothly.

The handling is really light and agile which is great. The engine so quiet, quick and with surprising pulling power. I have always had diesel till now so was a leap of faith and do far really pleased with the car overall.

The interior and infotainment is top notch with high def graphics, intuitive controls and cool led lighting. The steering wheel feels brilliant too.

Negatives include a ride not able to smoother transverse ridges well, rear screen reflection, window switches mounted too far forward and I wish there was a cover for the central cup holders. Oh and road noise could be better too.

I tested lots of cars in this category and the Leon really was the best all rounder and brilliant in most aspects. So far so good. The mpg is the next thing to see...

 

[scarletian]

After 500 miles my FR ST 1.4 is driving better. Two key things make a difference.

Firstly the ride is improved by lowering the tyre pressures to the comfort level, from 36 to 32 psi. This take the edge off the ridges it doesn't like.

Then the driving off in 1st and transmission lurch to 2nd is sorted by changing the driving profile to Individual to use Eco for the engine. I have sport for the steering. Never thought that eco would make the driveability much better but it really does. So in stop start town traffic or motorways its eco but for country driving I switch to sport for more fun in the mid range...

So now, I feel much more at one with car and enjoying it a lot now.