Leon cupra service intervals dilema

[Valentin75]

Hi guys, i am new to this group, and want to buy this leon cupra 290 from 11/2016 dsg from germany, i asked the seller to show me the service book, and i find that the service book is quite a disaster, long oil change intervals, no diff oil change, etc what do you think, is this a good deal assuming that it has 167.000 km and the seller wants 15000 euros for it

 

[SkiTTbicepS]

Hi!..

Ahh yess the long life oil (that is my only guess why the intervals are so long).. I drive a Leon FR with cupra bodykit, 1.8 TSi, (same engine only the pistons and crankshaft are different) it now has 310 HP. I change oil every 8000-10000 km. When it comes to this small 4 cyl engine, the oil and the timing chain are the most important thing to take care of. I would give this a pass, maybe it won't last long, and that is why the price is so low. These engines 1.8/2.0 tsi may last 400k kms. With the proper maintenance of course. Another thing to look for is the water pump housing and a small pipe that connect to it may leak. The longevity of it is around 120k km. And the another thing to look out for is the cam adjuster magnet. Ask for these things also.

You should also get a great VW specialist and together you should check the car. Maybe he will notice something wrong.

Good luck

 

[Valentin75]

Hi!..

Ahh yess the long life oil (that is my only guess why the intervals are so long).. I drive a Leon FR with cupra bodykit, 1.8 TSi, (same engine only the pistons and crankshaft are different) it now has 310 HP. I change oil every 8000-10000 km. When it comes to this small 4 cyl engine, the oil and the timing chain are the most important thing to take care of. I would give this a pass, maybe it won't last long, and that is why the price is so low. These engines 1.8/2.0 tsi may last 400k kms. With the proper maintenance of course. Another thing to look for is the water pump housing and a small pipe that connect to it may leak. The longevity of it is around 120k km. And the another thing to look out for is the cam adjuster magnet. Ask for these things also.

You should also get a great VW specialist and together you should check the car. Maybe he will notice something wrong.

Good luck

thank you, one more thing is that i asked him about the diff oil because it didnt appear as changed in service book and said it was changed in 2023, but i know it needs to be changed every 3 years , so i think the diff is fried

 

[SkiTTbicepS]

thank you, one more thing is that i asked him about the diff oil because it didnt appear as changed in service book and said it was changed in 2023, but i know it needs to be changed every 3 years , so i think the diff is fried

Could be easily. The thing is diff oil can hold even 5 years. Or even more if you are lucky. But this car seems to be a true "pig in a poke" situation. which can lead to unpleasant surprises..

 

[H Rafiq]

I bought my Leon Cupra 280 DSG 2 years ago for ~£15,000, when it had ~80,000 miles on it. It was advertised with full Seat service history. It had been serviced by Seat every year but, upon closer inspection, the work carried out was minimal. It had never had a DSG service or diff service in its entire 6 year and ~80,000 mile life. I have had numerous issues since I bought it.

 

[adam davies]

Hi guys, i am new to this group, and want to buy this leon cupra 290 from 11/2016 dsg from germany, i asked the seller to show me the service book, and i find that the service book is quite a disaster, long oil change intervals, no diff oil change, etc what do you think, is this a good deal assuming that it has 167.000 km and the seller wants 15000 euros for it

Yea thats a perfect example of how not to service a car. My car get new oil and filter every 6000 miles or yearly. If it hasnt had dsg and haldex service i would deffo skip on that.

 

[Valentin75]

I bought my Leon Cupra 280 DSG 2 years ago for ~£15,000, when it had ~80,000 miles on it. It was advertised with full Seat service history. It had been serviced by Seat every year but, upon closer inspection, the work carried out was minimal. It had never had a DSG service or diff service in its entire 6 year and ~80,000 mile life. I have had numerous issues since I bought it.

what issues did you have?

 

[Valentin75]

Yea thats a perfect example of how not to service a car. My car get new oil and filter every 6000 miles or yearly. If it hasnt had dsg and haldex service i would deffo skip on that.

the dsg was not that bad, it got an oil change at 80k and one at 130k but the diff saw his first oil change in 2023, and the engine had long intervals

 

[H Rafiq]

what issues did you have?

New battery, timing chain, radiator, 3 OEM shock absorbers, brake vacuum pressure sensor wiring, suspension level sensor and bracket, boot handle, vanos control gaskets and seals, and oil cap, alternator belt, camshaft position sensor, front wishbone bushes and fuel lock actuator. The car is on 108k and has full Seat service history too.

 

[Valentin75]

New battery, timing chain, radiator, 3 OEM shock absorbers, brake vacuum pressure sensor wiring, suspension level sensor and bracket, boot handle, vanos control gaskets and seals, and oil cap, alternator belt, camshaft position sensor, front wishbone bushes and fuel lock actuator. The car is on 108k and has full Seat service history too.

but you didnt have problems with the dsg and the diff since they were never serviced till 80k? i bet that the engine had long oil change intervals like at 2 years/ 20-30k km since you got these problems )))

 

[H Rafiq]

but you didnt have problems with the dsg and the diff since they were never serviced till 80k? i bet that the engine had long oil change intervals like at 2 years/ 20-30k km since you got these problems )))

Engine oil was serviced every year, along with filter and spark plugs etc. I had no issues with the DSG or diff, no. Despite them not being serviced in ~80,000 miles! I’ve had the diff and DSG serviced last year and, in my opinion, I can’t tell any difference…

 

[Valentin75]

Engine oil was serviced every year, along with filter and spark plugs etc. I had no issues with the DSG or diff, no. Despite them not being serviced in ~80,000 miles! I’ve had the diff and DSG serviced last year and, in my opinion, I can’t tell any difference

do you know if your airfilter had been changed at every oil change, because i already found 2 leons in which the service book indicates that air filter is changed around 100k, is it just a mistake or doesnt make any sense..

 

[H Rafiq]

do you know if your airfilter had been changed at every oil change, because i already found 2 leons in which the service book indicates that air filter is changed around 100k, is it just a mistake or doesnt make any sense..

I think mine was done every other year, so every main service. But I’ve a aftermarket APR air filter now which require regular changing.

 

[meeka]

Hi guys, i am new to this group, and want to buy this leon cupra 290 from 11/2016 dsg from germany, i asked the seller to show me the service book, and i find that the service book is quite a disaster, long oil change intervals, no diff oil change, etc what do you think as in gb whatsapp download images, is this a good deal assuming that it has 167.000 km and the seller wants 15000 euros for it

The service history of a vehicle is crucial in assessing its maintenance and overall condition. If the service book indicates irregular or inadequate maintenance, it could be a red flag. Neglected maintenance could lead to potential issues or higher costs in the future.
The mileage of the car is an important factor to consider. A car with 167,000 km already has significant wear and tear, which may increase the likelihood of repairs or maintenance expenses in the near future. It's important to have a thorough inspection by a qualified mechanic to assess the overall condition of the vehicle.
Research the market value of similar vehicles in your area to determine if the seller's asking price is reasonable. Take into account factors such as the car's age, condition, mileage, service history, and any additional features or modifications. If the price seems too high given the car's condition and mileage, you may want to negotiate or consider other options.

 

[mussseh]

I bought my Leon Cupra 280 DSG 2 years ago for ~£15,000, when it had ~80,000 miles on it. It was advertised with full Seat service history. It had been serviced by Seat every year but, upon closer inspection, the work carried out was minimal. It had never had a DSG service or diff service in its entire 6 year and ~80,000 mile life. I have had numerous issues since I bought it.

how long do you reckon these engines can go for without a waterpump and thermostat being replaced? I’ve been looking at a 280 with 95k miles from a dealer, however in the service history there’s no record of the waterpump being changed or the thermostat, however the dsg was serviced at 65k along with the diff,

 

[TheSwede]

@ Mussseh

In our family we have had four cars with the engine EA888 gen 3 (4 cyl Tsi). Two of them we ave replaced the waterpump/ thermostat unit. The first my sons Golf 7 R 2014 300hp after about 50000 km/5 years and the second one Leon Cupra 300hp 2019 also about 50000 km/3 years (also my sons). Both if them used up north 1200km north of Copenhagen.

My own Leon Cupra R 2018 310hp (now 30000 km) and my Golf 7 Alltrack 2018 180hp (now 52000 km) we havent so far any problems regarding waterpump. These two cars are used in South of Sweden.

My guess- Its not possible to say when you will get a pump/thermostat breakdown.

 

[fuzzylogic]

how long do you reckon these engines can go for without a waterpump and thermostat being replaced? I’ve been looking at a 280 with 95k miles from a dealer, however in the service history there’s no record of the waterpump being changed or the thermostat, however the dsg was serviced at 65k along with the diff,

Had a 2019 Cupra ST lux go at 26000 miles. Now got a 2020 Cupra ST R ABT on 16000 miles, no problem so far but I keep a close eye on it.
The first clue I had with the Lux was the smell of coolant under the bonnet

 

[tracktoy]

My 280 had the water pump changed at 37,000, but only because the garage noted a leak when they were doing a service for me. It a very common fail on these engines based on this forum and my local VAG Specialist.