Collected a Leon FR few weeks ago :)

[spacedmonkeys]

Picked up an 07 TDi 2.0 FR on December 11th, just thought I'd say hi and some initial comments on the new motor

Previous car was a Ford Racing Puma. Still in the garage waiting to transfer private plate to my new FR before I try to sell it. Loved the Puma but after almost 8 years of driving it's starting to fall apart Needed something a bit more economical and spacey due to 50 miles commute per day and a long distance relationship with someone who has 2 kids. Spent ages looking at Golfs and waiting for a full-spec one to turn up but then something clicked and I noticed the Leon with a high spec as standard and costing less than the Golf, and in my opinion looks better.

Anyway done a few hundred miles now and some niggles:

- the annoying "extra wipe" that the wipers do after activating the washer jet. It always leaves the screen covered in dry salt/spray.

- I thought the washer jets were froze, but after a 100 mile journey and them not "thawing" it seems they had actually run out...and there is no indicator to inform of this...is this correct?

- I've been driving with the climate control on 23, auto-econ. Doesnt seem to be much air coming out of the vents (to warm my hands initially and to defrost the side windows) although the temperature is fine after a while.

- rear windows steam up like mad, because no airvents in back and the front ones dont reach maybe?

- back window covered in spray in less than 10 seconds

- not really getting the fuel economy I was hoping for ~36mpg ??

And now for the good points -

- loving the cruise control

- acceleration in 2nd and 3rd pushes me back in my seat which I'm also loving

- seats are great combination of sporty and comfy

- firm but comfortable ride (nowhere near as harsh as the racing puma)

- I can talk to my gf when driving above 60

Ok more negatives that positives but really I'm dead pleased with the car and it was the right purchase and the negatives are only minor niggles...

Only thing I'm missing is the feedback and firmness through the steering wheel from the racing puma. I haven't been able to tell how good the handling is on the Leon due to this bad weather but I used to push the puma really hard through the bends and it gripped like mad. I think I'm not used to the light steering yet and I'm afraid its going to topple over - looking forward to some dry roads to give it a proper thrash. Any comments on what the car grips like?

Also any tips or anything I should be aware of? I've read the FAQ and thinking of putting the Golf pedals on but apart from that... HELLO

 

[WeeG]

Hey mate cracking choice of car, more grown up than your puma in a lot of respects. Handling is very good on the leon fr, but i doubt will be quite as good as your puma, fuel consumption isn't the best for a diesel, but on a long journey low to mid 40's is achievable, as standard as a quite a bit of poke, but for a few hundred quid you can get it remapped to 200+ and get slightly better economy, or go down my route and get it DPF deleted for short of £1000 will stop any dpf issues and will see 230-240 bhp. I have found it a quite unbelievable mod power wise but it has came with it's glitches e.g EML on!!!
Overall cracking cars for the money, and a bit of a move unique choice from the golf's.

Hope your happy with it. WHat colour is it and mileage if you dont mind me asking?

 

[jrsmooth]

Picked up an 07 TDi 2.0 FR on December 11th, just thought I'd say hi and some initial comments on the new motor

Previous car was a Ford Racing Puma. Still in the garage waiting to transfer private plate to my new FR before I try to sell it. Loved the Puma but after almost 8 years of driving it's starting to fall apart Needed something a bit more economical and spacey due to 50 miles commute per day and a long distance relationship with someone who has 2 kids. Spent ages looking at Golfs and waiting for a full-spec one to turn up but then something clicked and I noticed the Leon with a high spec as standard and costing less than the Golf, and in my opinion looks better.

Anyway done a few hundred miles now and some niggles:

- the annoying "extra wipe" that the wipers do after activating the washer jet. It always leaves the screen covered in dry salt/spray.

- I thought the washer jets were froze, but after a 100 mile journey and them not "thawing" it seems they had actually run out...and there is no indicator to inform of this...is this correct?

I find that when i held the stalk back for 2 wipes, let go and when they are coming back down for the wipe, pull the stalk all the way back, but dont hold it for very long. It cuts the number of wipes before the extra one, and leaves enough water on the screen to stop the extra wipe from smearing the screen.

I got caught out by the lack of an indicator for the washer fluid level, shame they left it out really.

- not really getting the fuel economy I was hoping for ~36mpg ??

Check your engine oil level, when i notice a drop in MPG on a run, my oil is usually closer to empty than max.

Congrats on your new purchase!!

 

[GunnerCP]

Picked up an 07 TDi 2.0 FR on December 11th, just thought I'd say hi and some initial comments on the new motor

Previous car was a Ford Racing Puma. Still in the garage waiting to transfer private plate to my new FR before I try to sell it. Loved the Puma but after almost 8 years of driving it's starting to fall apart Needed something a bit more economical and spacey due to 50 miles commute per day and a long distance relationship with someone who has 2 kids. Spent ages looking at Golfs and waiting for a full-spec one to turn up but then something clicked and I noticed the Leon with a high spec as standard and costing less than the Golf, and in my opinion looks better.

Anyway done a few hundred miles now and some niggles:

- the annoying "extra wipe" that the wipers do after activating the washer jet. It always leaves the screen covered in dry salt/spray.

- I thought the washer jets were froze, but after a 100 mile journey and them not "thawing" it seems they had actually run out...and there is no indicator to inform of this...is this correct?

- I've been driving with the climate control on 23, auto-econ. Doesnt seem to be much air coming out of the vents (to warm my hands initially and to defrost the side windows) although the temperature is fine after a while.

- rear windows steam up like mad, because no airvents in back and the front ones dont reach maybe?

- back window covered in spray in less than 10 seconds

- not really getting the fuel economy I was hoping for ~36mpg ??

And now for the good points -

- loving the cruise control

- acceleration in 2nd and 3rd pushes me back in my seat which I'm also loving

- seats are great combination of sporty and comfy

- firm but comfortable ride (nowhere near as harsh as the racing puma)

- I can talk to my gf when driving above 60

Ok more negatives that positives but really I'm dead pleased with the car and it was the right purchase and the negatives are only minor niggles...

Only thing I'm missing is the feedback and firmness through the steering wheel from the racing puma. I haven't been able to tell how good the handling is on the Leon due to this bad weather but I used to push the puma really hard through the bends and it gripped like mad. I think I'm not used to the light steering yet and I'm afraid its going to topple over - looking forward to some dry roads to give it a proper thrash. Any comments on what the car grips like?

Also any tips or anything I should be aware of? I've read the FAQ and thinking of putting the Golf pedals on but apart from that... HELLO

you can turn the extra wipe off using vcds... think it's called teardrop or something? I'll be turning it off when I remember to.

Think you can also change the steering weight although I havent changed it to see any difference.

 

[chrisboyle999]

- I thought the washer jets were froze, but after a 100 mile journey and them not "thawing" it seems they had actually run out...and there is no indicator to inform of this...is this correct? some cars have one, depends on the spec.

- I've been driving with the climate control on 23, auto-econ. Doesnt seem to be much air coming out of the vents (to warm my hands initially and to defrost the side windows) although the temperature is fine after a while. it waits till the engine temp has risen before blowing the selected temp air

- back window covered in spray in less than 10 seconds its a hatch back

- not really getting the fuel economy I was hoping for ~36mpg ?? if you want this....

- acceleration in 2nd and 3rd pushes me back in my seat which I'm also loving ...you cant have this


Also any tips or anything I should be aware of? I've read the FAQ and thinking of putting the Golf pedals on but apart from that... HELLO

hello, and welcome.

 

[eltawater]

Welcome!

- I thought the washer jets were froze, but after a 100 mile journey and them not "thawing" it seems they had actually run out...and there is no indicator to inform of this...is this correct?

There is if you have the big graphical display between your fuel gauge and temp guage.
It flashes a washer fluid warning with associated graphic when the levels get low.
Gets really bloody annoying too

- I've been driving with the climate control on 23, auto-econ. Doesnt seem to be much air coming out of the vents (to warm my hands initially and to defrost the side windows) although the temperature is fine after a while.

You don't want it in econ mode, just auto will do fine. I think econ turns the air con off but keeps the blowers on, although the compressor is turned off below about 4 degrees anyway.

If it's cold in the mornings, you *really* don't want to point the blowers onto your hands first thing, as you'll just freeze. Give it a little bit of time to heat up first.
Auto/econ mode keeps most of the air circulating away from the side vents until it really needs to. If you're feeling particularly frosty around the wheel press the forward direction button on the climate control (middle one I think).

- rear windows steam up like mad, because no airvents in back and the front ones dont reach maybe?

See above

- not really getting the fuel economy I was hoping for ~36mpg ??

Stop booting it like a petrol, and learn to predict and ride the boost of the diesel. You'll get the fun AND the mpg then.

- I can talk to my gf when driving above 60

Or she can whinge at you above 60..

 

[froilburner]

Welcome!



There is if you have the big graphical display between your fuel gauge and temp guage.
It flashes a washer fluid warning with associated graphic when the levels get low.
Gets really bloody annoying too
..

My FR does not display the low water level either. Really miss this from my previous Tolly

 

[Nath.]

My FR does not display the low water level either. Really miss this from my previous Tolly

I've got bluetooth, winter pack, comfort pack and still no sensor to tell me my washer bottle is empty. No bloody glove box light either.

 

[chrisboyle999]

I've got bluetooth, winter pack, comfort pack and still no sensor to tell me my washer bottle is empty. No bloody glove box light either.

xenons & bluetooth

 

[robin cur]

I am also going in for a leon tdi fr 550 picking it up on monday, its on a 08 plate, part exchanged my 09 ibiza sc 19tdi as I found it to small at times and needded something bigger, lost a lot of money on the ibiza was only 9 month old with less than 5000 miles, best p/x price was 9500 cost 12000 never mind going to love the leon.