Buying advice Cupra 290

[CRNeo]

After nearly 8yrs with my trusty mk2 Leon 1.6 tdi I'm considering moving up to a mk3 cupra 290 and am looking around to buy now (I'm doing much less mileage now maybe 6-8k per year so derv is starting to make less sense).

Not sure if there's a general "buying" guide thread or a "common issues" did have a quick search but was just wondering aside from the usual car buying checks one does if there's any specific mk3 or cupra things to look out for or any particular models.

I know the lux came pre-speced with heated seats? most seem to be leather which I'm not a fan of though, the buckets seem even less common as does the seat sound option (not sure if that's really worth looking out for?)

Otherwise I've seen a few regular spec 290, ideally I'd fancy one with ACC which most seem to have and and the virtual cockpit (is this really worth it?)

Was also wondering about maintenance and the interval/cost involved in cambelt and I know the thermostats can be problematic/costly too right? Water pump is electric on these? And I heard maybe a few things about the shocks can leak too?

Anything to worry about with the DSG? Are these 6 or 7speed?

TIA and if this is covered elsewhere already apologies and feel free to link me to somewhere else

 

[Mr Mustard]

No cam belt to be replaced, the engine has a cam chain. Personally I thought the virtual cockpit was fantastic. 7 speed wet clutch DSG, oil change (officially) at 80k miles I believe.

 

[SuperV8]

No cam belt to be replaced, the engine has a cam chain. Personally I thought the virtual cockpit was fantastic. 7 speed wet clutch DSG, oil change (officially) at 80k miles I believe.

Depends which 290. The earlier ones had 6 speed wet DSG.

 

[CRNeo]

Depends which 290. The earlier ones had 6 speed wet DSG.

Mostly 2018+ I've been looking at with the digi dash... which I think is the dq381 if my googling skills are working ok.

I guess that's a reason maybe to look at those over slightly older dry 6pd dsg?

 

[DEAN0]

Basically -
Pre face Lift 290 is 6 speed and VC was an option.

Facelift 300 is 6 speed - VC was an option at first - then became std

Facelift 290 is 7 speed and VC became std

Just be aware that the facelift 290 with 7 speed get the GPF in the exhaust.

 

[ViperSlider]

Basically -
Pre face Lift 290 is 6 speed and VC was an option.

Facelift 300 is 6 speed - VC was an option at first - then became std

Facelift 290 is 7 speed and VC became std

Just be aware that the facelift 290 with 7 speed get the GPF in the exhaust.

VC was never an option on any PFL , just to add an FYI