'09 facelift - when did it come out?

[Alnitak]

I'm pretty much decided to get a Leon TDi FR to replace my Scooby WRX.

The plan is to get one in Lumina Orange, with black 18" wheels, and bluetooth, maybe a few other little extras.

I thought I'd just found a good deal on a stock 2009 model with the normal 17" wheels at £16.7k only registered last month with delivery mileage, but on closer examination it appears to be the pre-facelift model (no FR badge on the front, normal steering wheel, etc).

When exactly did facelift models start hitting the dealers and getting registered? It's slightly tricky for a Leon noob like me to identify the new model from online pictures, particularly when dealers say it's a "2009 model" but it's still the old shape

 

[coggie]

It might seem abit simple but if you find it hard to tell the difference why not go for the pre-facelift?

Or is it the revamped interior you want?

 

[YIN]

face lift on the right only seen them about for the last month or so

 

[Alnitak]

It might seem abit simple but if you find it hard to tell the difference why not go for the pre-facelift?

Or is it the revamped interior you want?

That, and the new engine, and not having a model that's devalued because the new shape is out, etc, etc...

 

[bizzaboy]

I'm pretty much decided to get a Leon TDi FR to replace my Scooby WRX.

The plan is to get one in Lumina Orange, with black 18" wheels, and bluetooth, maybe a few other little extras.

I thought I'd just found a good deal on a stock 2009 model with the normal 17" wheels at £16.7k only registered last month with delivery mileage, but on closer examination it appears to be the pre-facelift model (no FR badge on the front, normal steering wheel, etc).

When exactly did facelift models start hitting the dealers and getting registered? It's slightly tricky for a Leon noob like me to identify the new model from online pictures, particularly when dealers say it's a "2009 model" but it's still the old shape

A TDi FR would be a good deal of a performance drop, from your WRX ?

With the new facelift FR, some of the notable points being the front bumper, which is re-designed, sleeker, most would say less aggresive too (than the pre-facelift)!

Wing mirrors have also been re-designed, larger than the current FR.
Also the interior has been changed somewhat....

Take a look at the following thread that discusses the facelift in more detail:
http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?t=225308

I saw a Lime Green FR in a showroom recently with 18" Black alloys - looked aggresive, but the colour would take a little time to get used to. Not seen one in Orange yet.

Cheers.

 

[Alnitak]

A TDi FR would be a good deal of a performance drop, from your WRX ?

It would, yes, about 50 BHP. The WRX is real thirsty, though, and it's 5 years old now.

With the new facelift FR, some of the notable points being the front bumper, which is re-designed, sleeker, most would say less aggresive too (than the pre-facelift)!

Wing mirrors have also been re-designed, larger than the current FR.
Also the interior has been changed somewhat....

Take a look at the following thread that discusses the facelift in more detail:

Yeah, I already read that one. That's partly why I'd prefer the new one.

I saw a Lime Green FR in a showroom recently with 18" Black alloys - looked aggresive, but the colour would take a little time to get used to. Not seen one in Orange yet.

I'm slightly torn between the Lumina and the Candy White. It looks like the latter is most popular here, and long term there's resale value to think about too...

 

[P0LKR]

Don't forget about the MUCH more comfortable suspension on the new one.

 

[Leigh15]

I'm pretty much decided to get a Leon TDi FR to replace my Scooby WRX.

The plan is to get one in Lumina Orange, with black 18" wheels, and bluetooth, maybe a few other little extras.

I thought I'd just found a good deal on a stock 2009 model with the normal 17" wheels at £16.7k only registered last month with delivery mileage, but on closer examination it appears to be the pre-facelift model (no FR badge on the front, normal steering wheel, etc).

When exactly did facelift models start hitting the dealers and getting registered? It's slightly tricky for a Leon noob like me to identify the new model from online pictures, particularly when dealers say it's a "2009 model" but it's still the old shape

A bit naughty of the dealers because you obviously wanted a new one, but the new model is actually a MY 2010

 

[bizzaboy]

I'm slightly torn between the Lumina and the Candy White. It looks like the latter is most popular here, and long term there's resale value to thing about too...

A work colleague has the Impreza Blob-eye STi with Ecutek remap, which pushes out 60 in just over 4.5 seconds, whereas our 'conservative' FR TDi's get to 60 in a miss daisy 8 seconds - no comparison really! Have you considered the petrol FR?

Between the Two colours, the White would definately be easier to sell further down the line - also compliments the curves of the Mk2 Leon nicely. The Lumina would be a colour you either love or hate, not to alot of tastes, as it's such a unique/one off colour.

All the best in your hunt for your chosen FR.

Edit: When I purchased my FR no longer than a month ago now, they never said anything about a Facelift FR shortly becoming available!?

 

[Alnitak]

A bit naughty of the dealers because you obviously wanted a new one, but the new model is actually a MY 2010

When I said 'found' this was just an online listing at a nearby stealer. It never got as far as me seeing the car in the metal.

 

[Alnitak]

A work colleague has the Impreza Blob-eye STi with Ecutek remap, which pushes out 60 in just over 4.5 seconds, whereas our 'conservative' FR TDi's get to 60 in a miss daisy 8 seconds - no comparison really! Have you considered the petrol FR?

Mine is rated for 0-60 in 5.9s (stock, not remapped) although TBH I've never timed it. I rarely get any better than 25 mpg though

My previous car (MR2 Roadster) did 0-60 in 8s, and that's about the lowest performance I'd consider acceptable and in the meantime I'll still be getting decent economy

Edit: When I purchased my FR no longer than a month ago now, they never said anything about a Facelift FR shortly becoming available!?

I suspect there's a lot of people offloading MY09 stock "cheap" and not advertising that it's last year's model. I've seen Perry's offering "brand new" FR TDIs at £16695, but I suspect if I were to actually look at one it would be a MY09. They don't have any photos online so it's impossible to tell.

 

[bizzaboy]

Mine is rated for 0-60 in 5.9s (stock, not remapped) although TBH I've never timed it. I rarely get any better than 25 mpg though

My previous car (MR2 Roadster) did 0-60 in 8s, and that's about the lowest performance I'd consider acceptable and in the meantime I'll still be getting decent economy

That is very true, he averages around 22 - 25mpg in his Impreza.
Also the remap over-fuels the engine by around 10%, which does nothing for the fuel consumption either!

Mine is a TDi FR, 8 seconds is acceptable, as you say, returning decent fuel economy. I average around 44mpg in mine, upto mid 50's if I drive very carefully!

Even then, there's still more potential, with a remap and other subtle mods. So you do get the best of both worlds with the TDi FR.

I really like the MR2 Roadsters (the current shape?) - Infact might have bought one of those myself, however needed something a little more practical, when the family visit / 5 doors / seats in the back etc!

 

[Alnitak]

Mine is a TDi FR, 8 seconds is acceptable, as you say, returning decent fuel economy. I average around 44mpg in mine, upto mid 50's if I drive very carefully!

Even then, there's still more potential, with a remap and other subtle mods. So you do get the best of both worlds with the TDi FR.

Yeah, that's what I'm thinking too (warranty voiding issues notwithstanding).

I really like the MR2 Roadsters (the current shape?) - Infact might have bought one of those myself, however needed something a little more practical, when the family visit / 5 doors / seats in the back etc!

Toyota discontinued the MR2 a couple of years ago. I had to trade mine in back then because of a pending addition to the family. I don't think the WRX was what my wife had in mind when we agreed that I needed something a little more practical, though

 

[bizzaboy]

Toyota discontinued the MR2 a couple of years ago. I had to trade mine in back then because of a pending addition to the family. I don't think the WRX was what my wife had in mind when we agreed that I needed something a little more practical, though

...the whiplash every time she was a passenger in your WRX probably wasn't something she expected either!

I was given "strict instructions" that I should buy a Diesel for better fuel economy. Infact the car being "a diesel" - it was my only way I could buy a car with a decent sized engine that would return decent performance too!

Although, my previous car was a diesel Mk4 SEAT Ibiza, so the SEAT FR (TDi) was a 'logical' choice..

 

[Bedlam]

Don't forget about the MUCH more comfortable suspension on the new one.

Does anyone know how they have achieved this, what Seat have used and whether it might fit the Leon 1P?

 

[Alnitak]

Still looking for the right deal...

So, it turns out that my local stealer can't (or perhaps won't) supply an FR with black 18" alloys. I know it's not in the official option list but it's annoying given that so many of SEAT's own photos of the FR show them fitted. .

Also there don't seem to be any decent deals on the MY10 model yet - the only discounts or demonstrators are MY09, where pre-registered with delivery mileage seem to be going for about 2.5k - 3k below list. On top of that they tell me that the prices for new cars are going up by 500 quid tomorrow.

I think I might have to hold on a few months, unless any of the dealers on here fancy dropping me a PM... (apols if soliciting for quotes isn't allowed here, if so let me know and I'll edit it out!)

 

[eltawater]

Have you tried giving Irfan or Lee a call at M1 Autos? They've got a subforum in the list under seatcarsdirect.co.uk

See what they can do for you.

 

[Alnitak]

Have you tried giving Irfan or Lee a call at M1 Autos? They've got a subforum in the list under seatcarsdirect.co.uk.

Yeah, I called them at the weekend but someone put a deposit on the orange FR demonstrator they had the night before. I'm pretty sure that was a MY09 anyway.

 

[eltawater]

I think you might find it a bit difficult to get hold of an ex-demo MY10 for a bargain price right now, as they've only just started arriving in showrooms in the past month or so

There isn't any real incentive to clear stock as the only stuff that needs shifting is the MY09, so you might be better off just looking at a good deal on a brand new order. M1 Autos are likely to be your best bet there again.

 

[Alnitak]

I think you might find it a bit difficult to get hold of an ex-demo MY10 for a bargain price right now, as they've only just started arriving in showrooms in the past month or so

Yeah, that's why I was thinking of waiting two or three months so that the MY10 demonstrators start hitting the channel.

There isn't any real incentive to clear stock as the only stuff that needs shifting is the MY09, so you might be better off just looking at a good deal on a brand new order. M1 Autos are likely to be your best bet there again.

Yup, I'll give him another call.