After 2 months in an S3 I've got my CUPRA back :) :|

[Lmbarrett83]

A couple of months back I was involved in a smash. Some guy decided to cut me up at a junction.


The CUPRA suffered a lot of damage. Up until that point I was mightily impressed with the car.


Whilst it was being repaired I was given an S3 sport back as a courtesy car. At first when I got inside I was slightly under whelmed. That was until I started her up

The S3 was an auto and the exhaust sound was awesome. Took me about a month to prefer the auto gear box and the Quattro. The pops on upshifts were great and people knew when I was coming . I preferred how the CUPRA did corners you notice the weight difference. That said I was still able to push the S3 in the wet confidently.

It wasn't until I picked up the CUPRA yesterday and took it for a test drive that I realized the difference in cabin quality and sound. The CUPRA was so quiet. Never really noticed it before Granted it's a manual without the sports exhaust, but I didn't realize how quiet it was both inside and outside until now.

I have a 300 on order due in the next 5 months. I was looking forward to it but after sitting in another one yesterday, I've got to say I fear I'm still going to be disappointed. It seemed quiet too. Think I've been well and truly spoiled this past couple of months.

The 300 is on lease, not much I can do about the cabin, but is there anything I can do re exhaust note? Obviously it needs to go back as stock, so I wouldn't want the changes to be too extensive.

 

[MEZ44]

You can always take out the mid silencers, gives it abit more noise for a few quid and I doubt very much on return inspection they will lift the car and check how many silencers you have (if they even know what that is)


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[hepstar7]

A couple of months back I was involved in a smash. Some guy decided to cut me up at a junction.


The CUPRA suffered a lot of damage. Up until that point I was mightily impressed with the car.


Whilst it was being repaired I was given an S3 sport back as a courtesy car. At first when I got inside I was slightly under whelmed. That was until I started her up

The S3 was an auto and the exhaust sound was awesome. Took me about a month to prefer the auto gear box and the Quattro. The pops on upshifts were great and people knew when I was coming . I preferred how the CUPRA did corners you notice the weight difference. That said I was still able to push the S3 in the wet confidently.

It wasn't until I picked up the CUPRA yesterday and took it for a test drive that I realized the difference in cabin quality and sound. The CUPRA was so quiet. Never really noticed it before Granted it's a manual without the sports exhaust, but I didn't realize how quiet it was both inside and outside until now.

I have a 300 on order due in the next 5 months. I was looking forward to it but after sitting in another one yesterday, I've got to say I fear I'm still going to be disappointed. It seemed quiet too. Think I've been well and truly spoiled this past couple of months.

The 300 is on lease, not much I can do about the cabin, but is there anything I can do re exhaust note? Obviously it needs to go back as stock, so I wouldn't want the changes to be too extensive.

Tbh I think the Cupra cabin looks better. Just my opinion tho


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[Lmbarrett83]

You can always take out the mid silencers, gives it abit more noise for a few quid and I doubt very much on return inspection they will lift the car and check how many silencers you have (if they even know what that is)


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Hmm.. not had to face an inspection just yet, but not sure it's worth the risk unless its easily reversible.

 

[Lmbarrett83]

Tbh I think the Cupra cabin looks better. Just my opinion tho


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No I get it.. as I said originally I wasn't overly impressed. Tbh my camera skills haven't done it justice either.

It had the supersport seats (leather quilted integrated head restraints).
The driving position felt lower and it had the whole cockpit feel.
It even had led lighting in the *adjustable* cupholders and the drivers side door handle. Most importantly no rattles.

Obviously it's the reason you pay more for them.

 

[hepstar7]

No I get it.. as I said originally I wasn't overly impressed. Tbh my camera skills haven't done it justice either.



It had the supersport seats (leather quilted integrated head restraints).

The driving position felt lower and it had the whole cockpit feel.

It even had led lighting in the *adjustable* cupholders and the drivers side door handle. Most importantly no rattles.



Obviously it's the reason you pay more for them.

Yeah fair point. Those seats look sweet. I think it’s the pop up screen that doesn’t look as good as the built in one


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[Lmbarrett83]

Yeah fair point. Those seats look sweet. I think it’s the pop up screen that doesn’t look as good as the built in one


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Yes mate, apart from the cool pop up action when turning the car on I wasn't too fussed either. Never really used it tbh, only when selecting driving modes.

I preferred the touch screen on the seat albeit less safe.

 

[Deleted member 103408]

S3 and Golf both have rattle issues, not as bad as Leon but they do have them.

Noise is a very personal choice but what you are highlighting is its important to try these different cars at the same time so you can see what is good and bad vs other models.

 

[hepstar7]

It’s still cheaper to get a custom exhaust put on the Leon to get the sound you want. Prob something I’ll do


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[Lmbarrett83]

S3 and Golf both have rattle issues, not as bad as Leon but they do have them.

Noise is a very personal choice but what you are highlighting is its important to try these different cars at the same time so you can see what is good and bad vs other models.

Yeah I imagine they do.
My car is on a 65 plate with less than 9k on the clock. Where as the S3 was a 16 plate with close to 16k on the clock. It hadn't been looked after either as you can imagine being a courtesy car, but felt far more solid.


Oh I agree on the sound being personal. The difference I found was that I could go on a run in the S3 and forget to put on music when I was in a rush and it had B&O. The sound of the engine and the sound acktor felt great enough. I drove in comfort most of the time. Could never really do that in the seat and I had to work the seat to get any sound from it.. Always remembered to put the stereo on


I test drove the golf and Audi before I got the seat and preferred them both originally. It's the fact that I got use to it for 2 months solid so I could appreciate it far more than any test drive.

End of the day it came down to cost. I currently can't justify the spend on either of the others.

It's just taken the shine off the 300 I was waiting for.

 

[Lmbarrett83]

It’s still cheaper to get a custom exhaust put on the Leon to get the sound you want. Prob something I’ll do


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And revert back to stock after the lease is up?

 

[jezyg]

I think the digital dash, auto brake and other minor changes will make the Cupra 300 feel more special.

Many of the rattles on many makes of car, come from door seals getting dirty. Ever since I had issues with a one series years ago, first thing I do is clean all the door seals and more often than not the rattle will disappear or become much less of an issue.

Not saying is always is the issue but may cure many a suspected rattle... Simple and easy initial fix

 

[hepstar7]

And revert back to stock after the lease is up?

Ahh fair point. I forgot about that


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[Lmbarrett83]

I think the digital dash, auto brake and other minor changes will make the Cupra 300 feel more special.

Here's to hoping. I've revised my order several times to ensure I get these features to make it feel that much more special. I'm now waiting until April to get mine.

Many of the rattles on many makes of car, come from door seals getting dirty. Ever since I had issues with a one series years ago, first thing I do is clean all the door seals and more often than not the rattle will disappear or become much less of an issue.

Not saying is always is the issue but may cure many a suspected rattle... Simple and easy initial fix

That's a top bit of advice (if it works). I put up with a creak in my driver door for months. I could reproduce it by pressing the glass in the window when stationary. It's only taken an accident to have it put right .

If it comes back I'll try that. Thanks.

 

[Lmbarrett83]

Ahh fair point. I forgot about that


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No worries. If I'd have taken a courtesy car from my insurance company instead using the seat ensurance I wouldn't be in this situation

 

[Proby]

I had an S3 for 4 days and a Cupra 300 for 4 days back to back on test whilst deciding on new lease. Loved the exhaust note on the S3, so so much better. But, I loved the Cupra drive (Yes, traction was better off the mark on S3), the Cupra was much more fun.

You can get a stainless 'resonator delete' for about £160, comes complete with the clamps to return to standard. This is what I'm considering when the Cupra arrives next year.

Check this out here: (I'm not connected in any way)


https://progressiveparts.com/vagsport-seat-leon-cupra-300-resonator-delete-pipe-kit-vagsp10006

 

[Matt]

I had a leon 184fr for two years then moved on to a Audi S3 2016 which i have had for 20 months now which were both standed no extras on them, both on lease, My mate has just got a brand new cupra 300 which I sat in the other day, which I would say looks nicer inside aswell, like others have said traction of the line in the S3 is great but when above 15mph and going around corners the cupra wins, you can get a brand new Cupra 300 DSG 5dr for under £23k, cheapest S3 I have seen is around £29k big differences. Im ordering a Cupra in Jan

 

[Lmbarrett83]

I had an S3 for 4 days and a Cupra 300 for 4 days back to back on test whilst deciding on new lease. Loved the exhaust note on the S3, so so much better. But, I loved the Cupra drive (Yes, traction was better off the mark on S3), the Cupra was much more fun.

You can get a stainless 'resonator delete' for about £160, comes complete with the clamps to return to standard. This is what I'm considering when the Cupra arrives next year.

Check this out here: (I'm not connected in any way)


https://progressiveparts.com/vagsport-seat-leon-cupra-300-resonator-delete-pipe-kit-vagsp10006

I think you may be onto something! Thanks Proby.
When are you expecting yours?

 

[Lmbarrett83]

I had a leon 184fr for two years then moved on to a Audi S3 2016 which i have had for 20 months now which were both standed no extras on them, both on lease, My mate has just got a brand new cupra 300 which I sat in the other day, which I would say looks nicer inside aswell, like others have said traction of the line in the S3 is great but when above 15mph and going around corners the cupra wins, you can get a brand new Cupra 300 DSG 5dr for under £23k, cheapest S3 I have seen is around £29k big differences. Im ordering a Cupra in Jan

To be fair I'm not sure of the full spec on this. It had the upgraded seats, B&O system, sunroof but only rear sensors.

A better shot of the cabin

I've spec'd up my CUPRA 300 quite well and it's still coming in at just over £250 per month with just over 2k deposit.

I was adding an £100-150 for the golf R deals and they were standard. Dread to think about the cost of this.

Weird thing was after upgrading the spec on the CUPRA the price difference between that and the golf was negligible.

The lease price however was very high on the Golf.

 

[Proby]

I think you may be onto something! Thanks Proby.
When are you expecting yours?

Unfortunately not expected until mid April 2018.