Maybe an end in sight for Kangaroo jerking...
- Thread starter ReddStripe
- Start date
Hi Jimbo,
I hope you enjoy it, as I said overall it’s a good car, but the early response from the dealership / brand really killed it for me, I reported issues with the car within 4 days but was told it was me and I’d need to get just to the clutch bite, then it was the way I was driving it, then it was a characteristic of the car.... everything except listening to me, everytime they drove the car it was warm so of course it never kangarooed. In hindsight I wish I had rejected it in the first 30 days, but this was Nov ‘18 and the 1.5 engine was very new, especially in 130ps - all reviews were about the 1.5 150 and the the reviews praised it.
So I gave the dealership and brand the benefit of the doubt, at that point there was little or no reports on the forums about the engine and it’s issues.
However lots of reports on the 1.5 150 having kangaroo problems in the VW t roc, Golf and the Skoda Octavia/Karoq models.
But Seat have only used my engine in the Leon, Vw only in the golf and Tiguan, but quickly dropped it in the Tiguan and it felt as a customer than for a long time those of us with the 130ps were thrown under the bus whilst VW searched for a fix on the 150ps models and left us waiting.... 15 months until the first software fix and it still has not fixed it.
But as I said overall it’s a good car, slightly firm ride (but I’m on the 18’s with Bridgestone tyres) good technology and safety kit, a lot for your money.
It’s just that even after 18mths of ownership, I drove it yesterday and bounced out of our street - and for me that’s enough to feel that it’s gotta go, Out of the last 4 cars I have owned 3 have been Seat, one Skoda in that time I have only had one turbo failure everything else has been standard service items so I can’t fault reliability, but I don’t want another mk3 as that would be my 3rd, don’t like the Ibiza or the arona, ant the ateca is too large for what we need and I doubt there would be significant discounts for the new Leon to make it worth my while, nothing in the Skoda range that takes my fancy & Audi prices are shocking when you add extras that would be standard in Seat and why would you consider the ugliest golf there has even been - when you can by a BMW series or a A class merc for less ?
Lived with mine for almost 2 years.
Same story from SEAT, theres no issues it’s your driving.
I have had enough so it is time for it to go and will never buy a 1.5tsi in my lifetime again. Lemon of an engine.
I had my injectors replaced under warranty two weeks before lock down on my 1.5 130bhp 68 plate Leon.
it drove perfect for a week and around 250 miles. And then it all came back, so demoralising. I finally thought Seat cracked it. But no.
they did do a re-learn to, maybe when that settles down the issues return.
my main issues were when coming off the accelerator and going back on the car kicks and jerks before going again. Also when going round roundabouts and accelerating away the car kicks and jerks and then goes. Only when the car is warming up it does it.
Depends really, mine kangaroos quite badly sometimes but my commute is all country roads and I rarely drive in stop/start traffic so it doesn't bother me. However if I had the choice between 1.4 150 and 1.5 150 I'd certainly keep the 1.4!
What makes you go from a 2018 to a new Leon when the Mk4 is coming very shortly if you don't mind me asking?
Money really. I’m on PCH, I’ve gone over the miles, I need a full service imminently, three new tyres, and picked up some damage after hitting a deer!! Dealer agreed to buy it at the price VWFS want for their Preferential Early Termination figure so it’s not cost to me to change it (apart from £10pm).
I considered waiting out for the new Leon but honestly, I don’t like it. Hoped it would grow on me but it looks like a Focus/Mazda 3/1 Series/Giulietta. I think the Mk3 is much better looking hence the slight upgrade to the FR Black Edition. Also, the fact we have a baby due any day so not having to cough up for all the above charges and knowing what I’m going to be paying each month for the new one, rather than waiting for new pricing is a bit of piece of mind.
Hi Dan. Interesting to read that you've had your injectors done to no avail. Has the garage suggested any other repair is required?
Ah, certainly not an ideal situation to say the least! The new Leon is slowly growing on me, but I feel the price hike is going to be quite significant. It seems the 1.5 150 has been getting more support from VW and us with the 130 have been left in the dark, and even then it will only really affect you if you drive a lot in stop/start or crawling traffic. If not, and yours does kangaroo, VW might have remembered how to make a working engine by the time this next lease runs out lol
Other than silly engine issues, FR BE is a brilliant looking spec but it does miss out on some goodies unless you option them! (i.e ACC, lane assist, blind spot monitoring, etc)
I posted some quotes I’ve had HERE mate
Dare I say, hopefully they have sorted the engine issues on newer ones!?
Honestly unless you really want a Mk4 and can scrape the extra £50 (!!!) a month together then I'd just go with the Black Edition - after all it'll be the same wonky 1.5 going into both of them. You could always get a Cupra and avoid the 1.5 engine issues completely
Kangaroo or not, it's a lovely car!
A bit like @Luke_bank i am also getting a 1.5 FR BE in a couple months time when my current lease ends. I've got a 300 (Great car) at the moment but priorities have changed and i wanted something cheaper on the monthlys but still a bit fun, but this engine issue is a bit concerning. In hindsight i should have done a bit more research but i guess i was blinded by the fact i've had a great experience with SEAT so far.
I'd have a look into getting a well optioned FR Sport nearly new with the 2.0 190 - might strike a better balance between fun and cheap?
Edit: Also plenty of tuning potential - can very easily get those up to Golf GTI power afaik!
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I think you will be sorely disappointed with the power from the 1.5 TSI. Fun is not one of the words i would choose to describe it. Functional maybe but not fun.
my average over 13k miles is 37mpg so still not brilliant on that front either.
The 1.5 is an awful slow engine. The worst car I have ever purchased, but what’s worse has been the treatment by SEAT dealers and hq customer service.
You're probably right and will be a big change to the current but to be fair, I needed something of that size to lug football kit around a few times a week as well as my parents deciding to move and live in the backend of nowhere. Without that i could have probably got away with a push bike for the next two years (Stupid house deposit)
CV-19 hasn't really helped with choosing alternatives and this was a cheap deal (Can probably see why now) 
so played safe (or so i thought, bloody hindsight again) with what i know.
You're probably right and will be a big change to the current but to be fair, I needed something of that size to lug football kit around a few times a week as well as my parents deciding to move and live in the backend of nowhere. Without that i could have probably got away with a push bike for the next two years (Stupid house deposit)
I’m also worried mate. I’m coming from a 1.4 TSI 150 which is economical and fun when you want it to me (although nowhere near as fun as your 300!). By the sounds of it the engine is flat and boring, god knows why!
I went from a 3 door Civic Type R to a 5 door Leon 1.5 FR a house and a baby. So i know all about sacrifice on the car frontYou're probably right and will be a big change to the current but to be fair, I needed something of that size to lug football kit around a few times a week as well as my parents deciding to move and live in the backend of nowhere. Without that i could have probably got away with a push bike for the next two years (Stupid house deposit)
