Advice - considering 2016 Leon FR 184 TDI

[bastley]

Hi all, new member here. I need to replace my mk4 Golf TDI for ULEZ reasons (and rust reasons ), the mk3 Leons look pretty much ideal for me. I'd really appreciate some advice on a few things...

I've test driven an FR 148 TDI but it was the facelift model, so I'm not sure how different that will be to a pre-facelift. I really liked it, but can't justify the price of it (£13k for a 2018 with 40k on the clock). I've seen a 2016 184 with tech pack at 65k listed for £10.5k - is this a ridiculous price? It looks to be in very clean condition apart from a few stone chips at the front. Both stock levels and prices are silly at the minute, so I can't find much locally. The '16 184 is miles away from me so I'd be buying remotely without a test drive, obviously getting a mechanic's inspection on it before committing.

It looks like it has the MIB2 system with nav (USB under air con controls) - is this easy to update to android auto, and is the user experience good or full of bugs etc? I want to use Google maps for sat nav.

I fancy the idea of adaptive cruise control, but I'm pretty sure this car has the standard cruise control... Any opinions on how much of a game changer adaptive is, and if it's possible or worthwhile to upgrade to it?

It hasn't had cambelt or waterpump done, which I read is due at 5 years - should I be worried about a big bill?

Finally, anything else I should be aware of? I originally fancied a Golf GTD, but it seems the same £10k would get me a car a few years older with almost twice the mileage as the Leon.

Thanks for reading, I really appreciate any advice!

 

[Woody_72]

Regarding the cam belt and water pump, do a bit of research and try and find a good independent. Seat charge £500 for just the belt or £600 with the water pump. I recently paid £462 to get both done with OEM parts. Seat do offer a 5 year warranty with their prices but if you can successfully drive home after a cam belt change, you're probably going to be fine anyway.

 

[bastley]

Thanks for the info, that's good to know.

Can I ask how you get on with your 184, and if you have any opinions on the price of the one I mentioned?

 

[TripleBob]

Thanks for the info, that's good to know.

Can I ask how you get on with your 184, and if you have any opinions on the price of the one I mentioned?

I'd suggest giving this recent thread a read matey

Should I buy a Diesel Leon?

Hey guys, I'm seriously considering a 2016-2107 Leon FR ST. I currently drive a 65 plate civic with the 1.6 diesel lump in it, it's worth more than what I owe on it so thinking of getting something with a bit more punch. My only concern is how one of the 2.0 litre tdis will fare on my 14 mile...

www.seatcupra.net

Absolutely love mine

 

[Big Col]

I fancy the idea of adaptive cruise control, but I'm pretty sure this car has the standard cruise control... Any opinions on how much of a game changer adaptive is, and if it's possible or worthwhile to upgrade to it?

I went from a 184 FR-standard cruise to a Golf GTD-adaptive cruise

I dont like the adaptive cruise. Too many times now it has braked when I wasn't expecting it to. I used to use the cruise all the time on the Leon, I use it a lot less on the Golf unless the road is completely empty.

Just today for example 60mph on a 3 lane dual carriageway. I'm in L1 and the radar sensor must have picked up the car parked in the layby so it braked. Not what you want. Have drove past cars in laybys hundreds of times but this time the car decides it's braking.

 

[Big Col]

and the prices of everything has gone silly recently.

I was looking at 3 year old Golf GTI's, everywhere asking £26K for a 3 year old example is bonkers

 

[Hawkers]

The 184 is a good engine with a nice amount of power. Reliable if looked after, had mine for a few years now. 2015 on 66k miles.

I wouldn't say 10.5k is a ridiculous price, probably the going rate at the moment. There isn't lots of them about and the used car market has gone up in price.

The MIB2 is good and will work with android auto, the full link may need activation though as it isn't on by standard.

 

[bastley]

I'd suggest giving this recent thread a read matey

Should I buy a Diesel Leon?

Hey guys, I'm seriously considering a 2016-2107 Leon FR ST. I currently drive a 65 plate civic with the 1.6 diesel lump in it, it's worth more than what I owe on it so thinking of getting something with a bit more punch. My only concern is how one of the 2.0 litre tdis will fare on my 14 mile...

www.seatcupra.net

Absolutely love mine

Thanks, yep I gave that a read and it pretty much cemented my choice that this is the car I want, ideally in 184 flavour

 

[bastley]

I went from a 184 FR-standard cruise to a Golf GTD-adaptive cruise

I dont like the adaptive cruise. Too many times now it has braked when I wasn't expecting it to. I used to use the cruise all the time on the Leon, I use it a lot less on the Golf unless the road is completely empty.

Just today for example 60mph on a 3 lane dual carriageway. I'm in L1 and the radar sensor must have picked up the car parked in the layby so it braked. Not what you want. Have drove past cars in laybys hundreds of times but this time the car decides it's braking.

That's interesting to hear, I hadn't considered nuisance issues with adaptive. To be honest standard cruise will be a nice upgrade from my 20 year old mid-spec Golf

The idea I had was that it'd be a nice safety feature for when driving in fairly heavy traffic, but from what you say maybe that's not the case. In any case I've survived this far without it...

I'm guessing it can't be switched to non-adaptive.

 

[bastley]

The 184 is a good engine with a nice amount of power. Reliable if looked after, had mine for a few years now. 2015 on 66k miles.

I wouldn't say 10.5k is a ridiculous price, probably the going rate at the moment. There isn't lots of them about and the used car market has gone up in price.

The MIB2 is good and will work with android auto, the full link may need activation though as it isn't on by standard.

Reading around, it seems a common theme that the 184 is a nice engine. The 148 that I test drove was also pleasing to me - in truth, the other goodies that come with the 184 are probably the bigger selling point to me.

Thanks for the info on full link, it looks like this will be another £100-150 to activate, plus potentially a trip to Yorkshire.

On prices, the dilemma is I'd originally set £10k as my budget and had hoped for a facelifted model, but not much I can do to change the market I have also seen a 2017 with an extra 14k on the clock for around the same price, or another 2017 with 42k on it for a grand more - which simultaneously seems worth the extra cash and also more than I really want to spend I've got some deciding to do!

 

[TripleBob]

Prices have gone absolutely mental lately - I bought my MY18 facelift 184 estate, with only 11k miles on the clock in May this year...
I paid £13k for it, and that was from a dealership!

 

[SuperV8]

I would rather buy a newer higher mileage diesel than an older lower millage one - low millage's and diesels don't go well together.

 

[bastley]

Thanks for all the info and opinions guys, I appreciate it! Except @TripleBob - I didn't need to hear how much better the deal you got was

I've had a little search but couldn't find much on the subject of differences between facelift and pre-facelift mk3s... Anyone have a link or list of what changed? I'm aware of the exterior styling differences, the entertainment system update and the parking brake becoming electronic, any other differences between them?

I heard something about the gear stick throw being shorter but I'm not sure if that was from mk2 to mk3...

 

[TripleBob]

Sorry!

Afaik the facelifts notable improvements included;
Full led headlights
Full rear led lights
All interior lights led
Multi colour Interior ambient lighting
Better & bigger nav screen (6.5 to 8 inch)
Interior is a bit nicer

 

[Woody_72]

Get the 184, you won't regret it. 0-60 in 7.5 seconds and 60+ MPG on long motorway runs. Handles brilliantly around corners whilst still being smooth and comfortable, no brainer really .