Back in the fold

[cliveseat]

Hello, all.
After a year away, I'm buying another SEAT and I'm very much looking forward to getting reacquainted with the marque. It's a 64-reg 150 FR in white, only 9k miles, with the tech pack. It's replacing 12-reg VW CC GT BMT (great looks, amazing economy, superb refinement and ride quality - ruined by a creaky interior) which succeeded an Exeo Sport diesel (very under-rated, but cramped rear seats and borderline ride comfort).
I've really enjoyed my last two cars from the VW stable, especially the CC, which has all the kit, alongside looks to swoon over. That said, is it just me, or is quality on the slide in the VW camp? The Exeo - probably because of its unyielding ride - had the most jittery interior of any car I've owned. I've also got an 11-year-old TT V6 which has a damn sight fewer creaks and squeaks. As for the VW, I've actually had the dash trim and sat-nav housing off and put felt pads on all the contact points, to no avail. Now the centre console has joined in. Of course, none of this showed up on the initial test run and VW have a cure, which involves double-sided tape, but the dealer I complained to was reluctant to do it under warranty. Perhaps I'm being a bit OCD here, but this is a £32k car, so I don't think I'm being too picky in expecting such quality issues to be addressed. Such a shame because the rest of the car is fantastic. However, it's also very big and I just don't need the space anymore. And the blindspots and parking such a large car are a bit of an issue in town.
Plus, it's subject to the emissions recall, and I'm getting fed up of waiting.
I'm no stranger to the Mk 3 Leon, having driven a Tsi ACT ST and FR184 before eventually plumping for the CC. I'd have been quite happy with either of them but the VW represented better value for money at the time.
So on today's test drive it didn't take long to recall what a well-sorted package the Leon is.
OK, I'm obviously losing the luxury, adjustable dampers, heated leather and space of the CC. But in return, the Leon scores highly for a more involving drive, more power, better handling and its compactness. Great seats too, and in FR spec it's hardly a poverty special. The interior's a bit bland compared to the VW but it's all neat and functional. I've read reports on here and elsewhere of suspect build issues, which probably brings me back to what I was saying earlier, but we'll see. Does anyone build creak-free interiors anymore?
Anyway, roll on Friday when I pick up the Leon. First thing will be a machine polish and cleaning up those brake calipers.
After that, it'll be in daily use, so I'm really looking forward to seeking out some good roads on the way home - a pointless exercise in the CC!

 

[robin cur]

Hello, all.
After a year away, I'm buying another SEAT and I'm very much looking forward to getting reacquainted with the marque. It's a 64-reg 150 FR in white, only 9k miles, with the tech pack. It's replacing 12-reg VW CC GT BMT (great looks, amazing economy, superb refinement and ride quality - ruined by a creaky interior) which succeeded an Exeo Sport diesel (very under-rated, but cramped rear seats and borderline ride comfort).
I've really enjoyed my last two cars from the VW stable, especially the CC, which has all the kit, alongside looks to swoon over. That said, is it just me, or is quality on the slide in the VW camp? The Exeo - probably because of its unyielding ride - had the most jittery interior of any car I've owned. I've also got an 11-year-old TT V6 which has a damn sight fewer creaks and squeaks. As for the VW, I've actually had the dash trim and sat-nav housing off and put felt pads on all the contact points, to no avail. Now the centre console has joined in. Of course, none of this showed up on the initial test run and VW have a cure, which involves double-sided tape, but the dealer I complained to was reluctant to do it under warranty. Perhaps I'm being a bit OCD here, but this is a £32k car, so I don't think I'm being too picky in expecting such quality issues to be addressed. Such a shame because the rest of the car is fantastic. However, it's also very big and I just don't need the space anymore. And the blindspots and parking such a large car are a bit of an issue in town.
Plus, it's subject to the emissions recall, and I'm getting fed up of waiting.
I'm no stranger to the Mk 3 Leon, having driven a Tsi ACT ST and FR184 before eventually plumping for the CC. I'd have been quite happy with either of them but the VW represented better value for money at the time.
So on today's test drive it didn't take long to recall what a well-sorted package the Leon is.
OK, I'm obviously losing the luxury, adjustable dampers, heated leather and space of the CC. But in return, the Leon scores highly for a more involving drive, more power, better handling and its compactness. Great seats too, and in FR spec it's hardly a poverty special. The interior's a bit bland compared to the VW but it's all neat and functional. I've read reports on here and elsewhere of suspect build issues, which probably brings me back to what I was saying earlier, but we'll see. Does anyone build creak-free interiors anymore?
Anyway, roll on Friday when I pick up the Leon. First thing will be a machine polish and cleaning up those brake calipers.
After that, it'll be in daily use, so I'm really looking forward to seeking out some good roads on the way home - a pointless exercise in the CC!

You will have plenty of cracking from your new seat I have 2012 VW dose not rattle at all but my Merc slk 2012 is full cracking and rattles just think it all the kit thats put into new cars these days.

 

[niggle]

Hello, all.
After a year away, I'm buying another SEAT and I'm very much looking forward to getting reacquainted with the marque. It's a 64-reg 150 FR in white, only 9k miles, with the tech pack. It's replacing 12-reg VW CC GT BMT (great looks, amazing economy, superb refinement and ride quality - ruined by a creaky interior)

How ironic! Infuriating creaking door seals on all four doors is one of the reasons why I am now giving serious thought to chopping in my Leon before it is even two years old.

The other reasons are truly awful customer service from SEAT UK and their hopeless dealers and the imminent decimation of used prices by the forthcoming Leon facelift model.

We had originally planned to keep this one for five years (replacing a Golf Mk5 that we had for seven years since new) but SEAT couldn't even perform a simple task such as registering the 5 year extended warranty.

Hopefully the new Skoda-built Ateca will help turn around SEAT's fortunes. We also have a Skoda Citigo and the product quality and customer service from Skoda and their representatives are poles apart to the SEAT experience.

 

[Houghsx]

Yet the Skoda garage round my parts is useless. Luck of the draw like any shop or garage you go to.

Sent from my XT1580 using Tapatalk

 

[kazand]

.
I've really enjoyed my last two cars from the VW stable, especially the CC, which has all the kit, alongside looks to swoon over. That said, is it just me, or is quality on the slide in the VW camp? The Exeo - probably because of its unyielding ride - had the most jittery interior of any car I've owned. I've also got an 11-year-old TT V6 which has a damn sight fewer creaks and squeaks. As for the VW, I've actually had the dash trim and sat-nav housing off and put felt pads on all the contact points, to no avail. Now the centre console has joined in. Of course, none of this showed up on the initial test run and VW have a cure, which involves double-sided tape, but the dealer I complained to was reluctant to do it under warranty. Perhaps I'm being a bit OCD here, but this is a £32k car, so I don't think I'm being too picky in expecting such quality issues to be addressed. Such a shame because the rest of the car is fantastic. However, it's also very big and I just don't need the space anymore. And the blindspots and parking such a large car are a bit of an issue in town.

Got a 62 plate Passat diesel, done 90k now but no rattles that I can hear anyway. Not the most interesting of cars but for work does exactly what I want, will sit on mway at 70 whistle: ) all day , huge boot , boringly reliable. Which are the main reasons why it is being replaced with another . As for the Leon, it's done 20k and not noticed any rattles nor has t'wife. Maybe it's just us......

 

[Pinky]

Only quality issue I have is the internals of my door which doesn't always rattle. I have nothing from the dash, console or rear. Once spring is here I will sort the doors myself.

I suspect most mass produced vehicles are going to have squeaks and groans unless they are very basic models.

And if anyone is worried by used prices due to new or facelift models....buy a classic or an old banger. Depreciation is part of being a consumer of technology and goods from profit seeking companies !!

 

[Villers]

I'm sure you will be ok, I personally have a bad one and all of thge things you have mentioned are the reasons Im jumping ship before 2 years of ownership!

I wont go into the full list, but rattles are apparently not a reason to complain round here! Oh and my SEAT dealer is useless also, Im sure there are good ones out there!

 

[JACUPRA280]

I used to have door rattles in my MK3 Cupra, solved them by adding soundproofing.

The only quality issues I have now are the boot badge opening (it gets stuck, probably needs some WD-40) and occasional clunking from the rear suspension, which is a common issue.

Truth be told, I love my car. Luckily I have no rattles now.

 

[cliveseat]

Thanks for the replies everyone - seems livelier here than on the Exeo forum (probably because very littles goes wrong with them).
Yes, I've been reading a lot here about door panels so I'll sort that if it it rattles.
Point taken about the dealers too, so I'll be giving them a wide berth again and plan on getting the Leon serviced at the same VW indy as the TT. They use genuine parts so that shouldn't invalidate what's left of the warranty, should it?
And so far as depreciation goes, from bitter experience that's all part-and-parcel of Seat ownership.
Will post again once Friday comes. Fingers crossed. Always excited about getting a new motor, even if it's only a humble diesel hatch....

 

[cliveseat]

One other point - this is the first white car I've owned in ages. What polish/wax combo do people use?

 

[Villers]

Best of luck Clive, hope you have a happy time together with your new SEAT!

 

[Gib83]

How ironic! Infuriating creaking door seals on all four doors is one of the reasons why I am now giving serious thought to chopping in my Leon before it is even two years old.

The other reasons are truly awful customer service from SEAT UK and their hopeless dealers and the imminent decimation of used prices by the forthcoming Leon facelift model.

We had originally planned to keep this one for five years (replacing a Golf Mk5 that we had for seven years since new) but SEAT couldn't even perform a simple task such as registering the 5 year extended warranty.

Hopefully the new Skoda-built Ateca will help turn around SEAT's fortunes. We also have a Skoda Citigo and the product quality and customer service from Skoda and their representatives are poles apart to the SEAT experience.

I solved my creaking door seals by putting some car shampoo on the end of my finger, wiping on the inside of the door opening along the top and wiping with a clean, dry cloth. Before that my doors would creak like mad when going on and off my drive over the dropped kerb at an angle, now it's silent as a mouse.

 

[Villers]

Thats a positive outcome! Just for balance heres a bit of negativity, having driven for over 16 years and several different manufacturers cxars, from brand new to 15 years old, Spanish, german, french, english, japanese... Ive never had to carry out any door seal maintenance to stop a car from squeeking over bumps. Its a good fix, just like sound proofing the door cards, but not one that should be required on a nearly new car with an rrp of over 20k

 

[Gib83]

Thats a positive outcome! Just for balance heres a bit of negativity, having driven for over 16 years and several different manufacturers cxars, from brand new to 15 years old, Spanish, german, french, english, japanese... Ive never had to carry out any door seal maintenance to stop a car from squeeking over bumps. Its a good fix, just like sound proofing the door cards, but not one that should be required on a nearly new car with an rrp of over 20k

I completely agree with you mate, surely these issues should get picked up at the design stage or before they leave the factory. Even then if they can't they should come up with a fix rather than fob owners off.

 

[Villers]

It is a pain I agree, if it can be easily sorted its not a big deal on its own. Nithing can ever be perfect and the response to it by the manufacturer and dealer network is a true test of their attitude towards customers. For me its an accumulation of numerous 'small issues' that seemingly can't be sorted that eventually broke the camels back. The idea of owning one of these beyond the warranty period is quite scary indeed!