Buying a Leon Cupra R

[Mac270]

Guys, hello all,

I am just changing from my Mk2 Mr2 280bhp to a more versatile car.

The leon fits all the requirements. At least it might try to stay on the road when its wet or snowy.

I am looking at spending under 10K and obviously wanting the best for my money.

Seeing as you guys are in the know, what should I be paying for one with around or under 50,000 miles on it.

The dealers really seem to be pushing the prices high on these, with no real cause. There are some out there for 7k with 50,000, and others with 100,000 for 8k. I am a bit perplexed. At least with the MR2 there was a fair range in what you get for your money.


Also did they come standard with 17 or 18 wheels.

The running costs are not too bad eh?? provided you keep off the pedal. Cant be worse than my tubby.

Also great to meet you all, hopefully I get my car and we can discuss the finer points of ownership together.

Mac

 

[andycupra]

18" in the UK. (brembo brakes require 18" wheels).
17" elsewhere unless they had the optional Brembos. (standard in UK).

Running costs they are ok. Given they are pretty quick cars, brakes, tyres and fuel being the issues.
Servicing wise not much more than other Vws seats etc.
(cambelt change aside, but thats the same for most cars).

Most people appear to get around 26mpg on here. But this appears to vary masively. but as a general rule not many get far past 30mpg even with fuel friendly driving.


Your right that prices vary alot.
But then you can get a LCR thats 5 years old or 2 years old.
Early models are 210bhp variants.
later 225bhp.
both appear to remap to same levels.

You can search on here for the differences, lots of little things but fundamentally the same.
210 models have AMK engine code. 225 BAM.

and welcome to the site.

where are you from?
there are many meets arranged you could pop along and see the differences for yourself and chat to current owners.
I would drive a few before commiting so you know how they should and shouldnt feel.

 

[Mitchy]

LCR prices are stagnating at around £7000-7500 for the older models (02/52 etc). They aren't depreciating any further really as you then come into the 180bhp LC model price range. I wouldn't expect to pick up ANY LCR for a penny under £7000.

Running costs on mine....

57 litres/£1.09ppl = £62 fill up. (Range of around 300miles so 24mpg)

Road tax £205
Servicing £150-200
Tyres £600
Discs £250
Pads £120

Not the cheapest car to run to be honest, munches through front tyres/discs and pads like there's no tomorrow with remapped FWD power levels.

 

[davet175]

agreed biggest thing is tyres and brakes.

bloody good car though effectivly an S3 without 4wd

 

[dan__smith]

If your after an LCR, I know of 2 within the Poole/Bournemouth area which will be going up for sale soon.

 

[Mac270]

Thank a lot guys.

I am based up in Glasgow, but spend a lot of time up in Aberdeen for work.

I am willing to travel to find a good car.

At mo my MR2 is off the road due to a Vectra pushing me into the snow. It looks like its going to be too expensive to fix. I am looking for a quick car that I can replace it with and have always loved the styling and handling of the LCR. However, I will be in a rush to buy, and will have to travel down with a mind to buy.

I understand the limitations of break and tyre lasting. A little bit dissapointed at the fuel economy figures tho. I thought we would be able to get at least 30 on the open road.

Its still an idea tho, to be honest I cant think of a car other than it that I want. My MR2 was the one for me until the 80mph quadruple spin really scared me off her.

Its a long slippy road up to aBERDEEN

 

[si-mate]

For the money and performance you can't get better than a LCR (in my opinion) On a motorway run you can get 32 - 35, but as an average I used to get around 28mpg.

 

[Mac270]

Cheers mate. I was hoping at least to get up and down the road in one fill. The MR2 was getting me up in one fill. Very pricy.

But I can handle the figures you are talking about, just need to learn to take it easier, and save some tyres and money.

I understand you cant get better, a well built fantastic handling car, that still looks mint. Unbeaten by the new model, in my eyes.

My mates got the old Ibiza Cupra, a nice car.

I suppose buying, I just have to see whats about for the price I can afford and go for it. Unless something else suddenly takes my eye, but I doubt it.

Cheers ya'al

 

[gb]

mac if your intersted there is a few of us going to a rolling road day on the 17th of feb your more than welcome to tag along if you wont

 

[dan__smith]

That'll be a good eye opener

 

[Mitchy]

Mac...I am soon to be selling my LCR.

I live half way between Dundee and Aberdeen. You would actually have to pass my house driving on the way upto Aberdeen.

Car is highly modified though, day to day about 300bhp/310lbft. Can be made to 360bhp with a little persuasion

300 miles to a tank on average.
325-350miles if driving gently.
Can go as low as 200 if driven hard.

Im still not sure if im definitely selling but pop me a mail if interested.

 

[lc_allan]

What you looking for next Mitchy?

 

[Mitchy]

Going down the sensible route i think and give the fast cars a break for just now until i hit my mid life crisis

Hopefully the A3 Quattro S-Line 170 TDI

 

[lc_allan]

Going down the sensible route i think and give the fast cars a break for just now until i hit my mid life crisis

Hopefully the A3 Quattro S-Line 170 TDI

Nice choice but your gonna miss the power. The TDI should map nice you know you will

 

[Stu_pot]

18" in the UK. (brembo brakes require 18" wheels)

Nah, The Brembos easily fit under 17" wheels but depending on spoke design they may need spacers, as with some designs of 18" wheels.
They were put on for styling and handling purposes.

Hopefully getting an LCR tomorrow and as someone else has said they are pretty much an S3 without 4WD. Pitch them sat squarely in between a mildly tuned golf Mk4 and an S3.

Over almost 3 years of ownership of the S3 my average mpg is 26.4, hardly ever changes and thats with 80% urban and quite well tuned.
I am expecting to get slightly more than that in the LCR but not much, would be great to get 27-28 but i'm not expecting miracles from another remapped car.

Having plugs a range colder also helped long term mpg as it had a slightly more efficient 'burn' when pushing on (on remapped cars)

I would never have considered a Seat, never mind an LCR but the Mk1 is pretty unique and almost niche in it's desirability, S3 front suspension and drivetrain, Golf Mk4'esque interior build and general VAG build quality make it a good choice for a family hot hatch.
It's taken me a while to get around the badge, yes I'm a badge snob but the other features won over in the end.

Look out for the usual problems :-
Worn front drop links (almost random knocking over bumps and rough surfaces)
Worn track rod ends
Worn front bushes
Worn rear beam bushes
Diesel like rattle on cold startup (worn cam chain sensor)
AS mentioned, make sure timing belt and water pump have been changed anywhere near 60k miles (someone said VAG have dropped it to 40k but thats bollocks) or 4 years
Engine running should be smooth as, any hesitancy or fluttery throttle may indicate MAF or coolant temp sensor problems

There are obviously other things and the above list usually starts to come into effect after roughly 40k miles depending on how hard a paper round it's had.

And finally, always always get it checked out with VAG-COM, you dont want any nasty surprises lurking beneath the surface.

 

[lordgibbness]

Also, to note that the 210 and 225 aren't really that much different as the 210 is actually 210bhp and and 225 is actually 222bhp, and as said before they can remap to the same power (same turbo, intercooler etc.). I bought a two year old Cupra R 225 privately with 20k miles on the clock from http://www.pistonheads.com for £12k, so finding one for £10k now should be do-able.

 

[Mac270]

Mitchy that looks very nice indeed. Very nice. You probably live very near to where my MR2 met its very near end last week.

gb thanks for the invite, it would be a pretty good thing to come along to see. I may have needed to buy a car by then, and as I work away a lot I will need to get back to you nearer the time. Will that be down in PG??

Lordgibbness, I really cant be pushing my price higher than about 8 or so, dont tell Mitchy in case he pitches in at around that. Ha. Due to my love of mileage I will be putting a few miles on the clock so maybe dont want to take the hit of putting so many miles on a car as new.

Cheers again lads,

But going on experience, I figure you will be charging more for that than I am willing to spend. It seems the closer up north you go go the more the price rises.

Let me know if your selling, bearing in mind I am looking now.

Can they be reduced in BHP if required (you are all thinking why), and how much is it generally cost.

By the by, you lot are much more helpfull than my MR2 forum buds.

 

[gb]

mac the rr day is at star in kirkalday just post up on the scotish meets section if you up for it

 

[Mitchy]

But going on experience, I figure you will be charging more for that than I am willing to spend. It seems the closer up north you go go the more the price rises.

Let me know if your selling, bearing in mind I am looking now.

Can they be reduced in BHP if required (you are all thinking why), and how much is it generally cost.

By the by, you lot are much more helpfull than my MR2 forum buds.

The only way i'd sell it at around £8k would be for me to strip all the mods off. Recaros/FMIC+ W.O.N Kit /225 Steering wheel/Hoses/Gauges/DV/Pipework/Filter etc. You'd still however be left with the exhaust/uprated turbo, remap and uprated clutch as i wouldn't be taking them off obviously.

Prefer to keep it as it is though and in the ballpark of £9500-10k

I will be selling but not in a hurry if prices are not what im after

 

[mikeruss]

If your after an LCR, I know of 2 within the Poole/Bournemouth area which will be going up for sale soon.

I test drove the LCR in the showroom on Ringwood road. It had been remapped. but in 3rd gear the turbo would cut off/on. Scary, bunny hopping at 80mph. Best avoided even though the price and mileage are good.