1.6 Handling

[Dub_Style]

Hi all,

im looking at buying either a 1.6 se or 1.6 sx leon however after going through the specs have realised the sx doesnt have the sports suspension fitted but has more of the gadgets. I dont want the handling to be too much like a family car and therefore was thinking about going for the sx and then upgrading the suspension to hopefully get a set up more like the fr and cupras if this would be possible. Just wondering if anyone has any recomendations in relation to how much i could improve the suspension set up and brakes and if so, would it be worth it ??

Thanks in advance,

Paul.

 

[Jimski]

Evening! I had Koni STRT springs and shocks on my 1.6 S Leon, about a 30mm drop so wasnt really noticeable as 'lowered' but gave it a nice look. Excellent ride, firm but comfy and stiff through the corners.

I also bought the upper strut brace (£56ish from audi) and had the lower strut brace made, again improved things greatly.

I think i paid about £280 for my suspension, but shop and around and use the site sponsors.


Jimski

 

[Gordz]

Hmmm, I test drove both SE and SX versions of the 1.9 tdi 110 before settling on my SX, and there seemed to be no difference in suspension at all

EDIT: Just had a look through Parkers website and you're right, it does state the SE version had 'sports suspension' odd how it seems to be exactly same as 'normal suspension' - unless it was the 'sport suspension' too on the SX just wasn't stated? Or the 'sport suspension' was just another one of those SEAT lies! lol.

 

[Alexis27]

I thought they all just had the same suspension ie. same as the Golf Mk IV, but stiffer.

I've driven the SE and S and there seems no difference.

 

[Muttley]

Just from looking at the option codes (that bunch of 3-character codes at the bottom of the build data sticker) "sports suspension" is different from standard, comfort or rough-road (in general terms. not all of these may apply to the Leon). So in simple terms, these cars leave the factory with a different suspension setup (probably just different springs and dampers, but you never know)