Considering buying a Leon mk 3 estate.

[Sam Wainwright]

Afternoon all!

Completely new to the forum but wanted to get in touch as I'm pretty much set on buying a Seat Leon estate to replace my unreliable Volvo v50. I have approx £8-10k to spend, looking for something less than 5 years old. I do about 15k miles per year and am torn between whether to go for the 2.0TDI (my current car is a diesel) or go back to petrol and get the 1.4TSI 150. I'm edging towards the TSI due to an imminent clean air zone/ diesel vehicle charge coming in Leeds where i live and working close to the centre of town, but haven't totally ruled out going for another diesel on the basis of this. I know the TSI is a nice engine after having one in a Seat Leon as a hire car and also it looks really good on paper, good mpg and cheap tax etc. Really i just wanted to know what peoples experiences owning a Leon with this engine have been like, is it reliable? Are there any typical faults to look out for and also is it up to the job of carrying quite a large car around, also are the claimed Mpg figures anywhere near realistic?

Thanks in advance and look forward to hearing from you all.
Sam.

 

[BillyCool]

Hi Sam,

Welcome to the forum.

I can't comment much on the TSI engine, other than it's pretty good and 150BHP is plentiful.

I have the 2.0 TDI ST - it's a `sports tourer` darling, not an estate!

Mine is 2014 FR 184 with 98,000 miles on it. If I had my time again, I'd get the TSI. I do about 20,000 miles a year, so diesel makes sense, but this is my first oil burner with DPF filter and I find it a real bind. I don't do many motorway miles anymore and although I drive 20 miles each way to work and other journeys, a lot of it is A roads in 30/40/50 limits and the car doesn't get worked that hard (so much so that I don't use 5th or 6th on the back roads). I have quite regular DPF regens and change the oil every 5000 miles. I think that my next one will be petrol, maybe a Cupra.

I love the car, as it's the hatchback wheelbase (and drives like a car) but with an extra 30cm on the back end giving that `estate` extra space. Lovely looking and not back spec. I've got the Tech Pack (LED lights etc) - essential IMO and the convenience pack (nice to have).

MPG will usually be 50-55mpg on my commute due to steady pace. Even putting your foot down gets 45mpg. My best was 66mpg through nearly 20 miles of roadworks on the M6 @ 50mph.

I paid £10k for mine 2 years ago with 38,000 miles on it. I found a big difference in what you could get for £7k and £10k. I guess for your budget you'd be looking at a 2016/17 model?

Only issues I've had are rear shocks @ 96,000 (ex-reps car) and it's currently in the garage for cam belt and water pump and thermostat. It's had an overheat issue so brought forward the belt/pump change to try and sort it. Across the VAG range they had an issue with the heater matrix getting blocked and needing replacing (£1000+ by dealer) or £90 for the part and some DIY effort.

Believe it or not but the ST isn't actually that much of a big lump compared to a v50. It's not a real estate in that sense.

Sorry I can't be more help on the TSI side of things.

Happy shopping.

 

[Mr Pig]

1.6tdi gets minimum of 50mpg, averages about 55 going up to 60 or more on a run. 2.0tdi gets a bit less. 1.4tsi gets a minimum of 38mpg with 10 more at best.

All pull the ST fine as it's not that much heavier than the hatch.

 

[Sam Wainwright]

Hi Sam,

Welcome to the forum.

I can't comment much on the TSI engine, other than it's pretty good and 150BHP is plentiful.

I have the 2.0 TDI ST - it's a `sports tourer` darling, not an estate!

Mine is 2014 FR 184 with 98,000 miles on it. If I had my time again, I'd get the TSI. I do about 20,000 miles a year, so diesel makes sense, but this is my first oil burner with DPF filter and I find it a real bind. I don't do many motorway miles anymore and although I drive 20 miles each way to work and other journeys, a lot of it is A roads in 30/40/50 limits and the car doesn't get worked that hard (so much so that I don't use 5th or 6th on the back roads). I have quite regular DPF regens and change the oil every 5000 miles. I think that my next one will be petrol, maybe a Cupra.

I love the car, as it's the hatchback wheelbase (and drives like a car) but with an extra 30cm on the back end giving that `estate` extra space. Lovely looking and not back spec. I've got the Tech Pack (LED lights etc) - essential IMO and the convenience pack (nice to have).

MPG will usually be 50-55mpg on my commute due to steady pace. Even putting your foot down gets 45mpg. My best was 66mpg through nearly 20 miles of roadworks on the M6 @ 50mph.

I paid £10k for mine 2 years ago with 38,000 miles on it. I found a big difference in what you could get for £7k and £10k. I guess for your budget you'd be looking at a 2016/17 model?

Only issues I've had are rear shocks @ 96,000 (ex-reps car) and it's currently in the garage for cam belt and water pump and thermostat. It's had an overheat issue so brought forward the belt/pump change to try and sort it. Across the VAG range they had an issue with the heater matrix getting blocked and needing replacing (£1000+ by dealer) or £90 for the part and some DIY effort.

Believe it or not but the ST isn't actually that much of a big lump compared to a v50. It's not a real estate in that sense.

Sorry I can't be more help on the TSI side of things.

Happy shopping.

Thanks Brian, that's really helpful. I like the sound of a "Sport Tourer" too

I've had similar experiences with my current car which is a 1.6 diesel Volvo v50. Likewise my commute is very mixed with a good dual carriageway stretch but then a lot of stop start urban driving. I have had some DPF issues from using it for short journeys but I try and completely avoid using it for short urban journeys now and haven't had any DPF issues since, so yeah, I wouldn't completely rule out another diesel as we do a lot of trips up to Scotland, Devon and Norfolk visiting family so my cars do get plenty of long runs too. Also my dad has had a 2.0TDI 2011 model Golf since new (I'm assuming it will just be an updated variant of that engine) and the only time its let him down was when the EGR went last year. It sounds like you've had a pretty good experience overall and mostly wear and tear things going which is a good sign

I've found a few nice 16-17 plate models within my budget and hoping to go for some test drives this weekend. I'm planning to get a decent test drive in on both the TSI and TDI and will see how things are after the test drive/ what sort of part ex i can get for the Volvo and make my mind up.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

 

[Sam Wainwright]

1.6tdi gets minimum of 50mpg, averages about 55 going up to 60 or more on a run. 2.0tdi gets a bit less. 1.4tsi gets a minimum of 38mpg with 10 more at best.

All pull the ST fine as it's not that much heavier than the hatch.

That's good to know. Ideally I'd like something with a bit more OOMPH than a 1.6 (my current car is a 1.6 diesel) and while it's perfectly ok it struggles a bit when fully laden). Those figures for the TSI sound better than I was expecting, I've found a few of both the 2.0TDI & 150TSI for sale near me and am contacting the dealers to get some test drives booked in and will take it from there.

 

[BillyCool]

Thanks Brian, that's really helpful. I like the sound of a "Sport Tourer" too

I've had similar experiences with my current car which is a 1.6 diesel Volvo v50. Likewise my commute is very mixed with a good dual carriageway stretch but then a lot of stop start urban driving. I have had some DPF issues from using it for short journeys but I try and completely avoid using it for short urban journeys now and haven't had any DPF issues since, so yeah, I wouldn't completely rule out another diesel as we do a lot of trips up to Scotland, Devon and Norfolk visiting family so my cars do get plenty of long runs too. Also my dad has had a 2.0TDI 2011 model Golf since new (I'm assuming it will just be an updated variant of that engine) and the only time its let him down was when the EGR went last year. It sounds like you've had a pretty good experience overall and mostly wear and tear things going which is a good sign

I've found a few nice 16-17 plate models within my budget and hoping to go for some test drives this weekend. I'm planning to get a decent test drive in on both the TSI and TDI and will see how things are after the test drive/ what sort of part ex i can get for the Volvo and make my mind up.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

No problem. You sound like you are well on top of things. My car can regen every 200 or so miles (or less) and can be once a week at times. No real drama. I bought a Carista dongle and VAG DPF app and that helps me monitor it and know when a regen is due. I'm less likely to drive it like Miss Daisy or switch off halfway through a regen now. Regular oil changes seem to help.

FYI - my car has the EA288 diesel engine - CUPA engine code.

Now that the Mk4 Leon is out, it might/should get more Mk3's on the market as well, which might push prices down.

The TDI comes in 150 or 184 flavour, although it took me a while and I had to travel to get my 184. Having been in both, there isn't a lot in it and the 150 TDI has plenty of torque low down. I do like mine though!

Let us know how you get on.

 

[Rooster]

Hi, i have had my pre facelift FR ST with the ACT engine now for three years. The ST is a nice looker for an estate and not too large, i have done some long trips to Poland and Italy and it's a nice car to spend the day in. The engine is a peach, quiet, punchy for a 1.4 and economical too. My long term fuel consumption is 48mpg and on longer drives in warm weather will see it mid 50's. A lot of people who ride in it say "is this only a 1.4" even travelling loaded over the Alps it's performed with gusto. I have had this engine in three cars now without issue.

There are some daft little niggles that might occur with the ST, like the rear load cover catches break or fall out of their location (fixed back in location with gorilla tape!) and the pins can fail but can be replaced. In the end i chose a petrol engine for the above reasons, it was a difficult choice between the 1.4 ACT and 1.8, the larger engine is definitely quicker however fuel consumption is greater as is the road tax. I would definitely recommend you try a few different variants (Petrol/Diesel FR/non FR) as well as the FR can ride a bit hard for some people especially on 18" wheels, me i like it. Overall it's one of the best cars i have ever bought, and at 63 i have had a few! Good luck with your search.

 

[Mr Pig]

If you load the car up regularly I'd probably go for the 2.0 TDi 150 bhp. In general, the petrol is nicer to drive, feels more responsive and had a wider power band, but the diesel has more torque. Pulls hard between two and four K. On paper the petrol is a little quicker but, if you can keep in the sweet spot, it's the diesel that pushes you into the seat.

 

[jf_cole]

I have a 184bhp FR ST and love it. Loads of torque, but still averaging 40mpg and up to 60 on a long run. Cant fault it.

 

[Alorjosh]

Again, 184 2.0 tdi. I love it, first seat. Won’t be last


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Sam Wainwright]

Thanks Brian, that's really helpful. I like the sound of a "Sport Tourer" too

I've had similar experiences with my current car which is a 1.6 diesel Volvo v50. Likewise my commute is very mixed with a good dual carriageway stretch but then a lot of stop start urban driving. I have had some DPF issues from using it for short journeys but I try and completely avoid using it for short urban journeys now and haven't had any DPF issues since, so yeah, I wouldn't completely rule out another diesel as we do a lot of trips up to Scotland, Devon and Norfolk visiting family so my cars do get plenty of long runs too. Also my dad has had a 2.0TDI 2011 model Golf since new (I'm assuming it will just be an updated variant of that engine) and the only time its let him down was when the EGR went last year. It sounds like you've had a pretty good experience overall and mostly wear and tear things going which is a good sign

I've found a few nice 16-17 plate models within my budget and hoping to go for some test drives this weekend. I'm planning to get a decent test drive in on both the TSI and TDI and will see how things are after the test drive/ what sort of part ex i can get for the Volvo and make my mind up.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

HI

No problem. You sound like you are well on top of things. My car can regen every 200 or so miles (or less) and can be once a week at times. No real drama. I bought a Carista dongle and VAG DPF app and that helps me monitor it and know when a regen is due. I'm less likely to drive it like Miss Daisy or switch off halfway through a regen now. Regular oil changes seem to help.

FYI - my car has the EA288 diesel engine - CUPA engine code.

Now that the Mk4 Leon is out, it might/should get more Mk3's on the market as well, which might push prices down.

The TDI comes in 150 or 184 flavour, although it took me a while and I had to travel to get my 184. Having been in both, there isn't a lot in it and the 150 TDI has plenty of torque low down. I do like mine though!

Let us know how you get on.

Hi Brian, APologies for the delayed response, I've had a bit of a nighmare week with the Volvo in and out of the garage with a duff fuel injector (making me want to speed up the process of getting rid of it! I am booked in to have a look at this '17 plate 2.0TDI on sunday. Price seems great considering it's only 3 years old and mileage is impressively low too! There seem to be a lot of diesels for sale but the TSI is more of a rarity and i've only spotted an automatic one for sale near me, and I would prefer to have a manual.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classi...l=LEON&price-to=11000&body-type=Estate&page=2

That's good to know re the VAG dpf app, if I go for a Diesel I will certainly invest in that I think.

 

[Sam Wainwright]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I am booked in to have a look at this '17 plate 2.0 TDI on Sunday.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classi...l=LEON&price-to=11000&body-type=Estate&page=2

Also have just found a TSI for sale up in North Yorkshire so am going to call the seller and arrange a test drive for that and see which one i prefer. Complete coincidence they are both exactly the same colour!

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classi...l=LEON&price-to=11000&body-type=Estate&page=2

Will let you know how I get on. I'm pretty set that I would like the FR spec as I've got used to all the toys on my current Volvo Rdesign!

 

[Sam Wainwright]

Hi, i have had my pre facelift FR ST with the ACT engine now for three years. The ST is a nice looker for an estate and not too large, i have done some long trips to Poland and Italy and it's a nice car to spend the day in. The engine is a peach, quiet, punchy for a 1.4 and economical too. My long term fuel consumption is 48mpg and on longer drives in warm weather will see it mid 50's. A lot of people who ride in it say "is this only a 1.4" even travelling loaded over the Alps it's performed with gusto. I have had this engine in three cars now without issue.

There are some daft little niggles that might occur with the ST, like the rear load cover catches break or fall out of their location (fixed back in location with gorilla tape!) and the pins can fail but can be replaced. In the end i chose a petrol engine for the above reasons, it was a difficult choice between the 1.4 ACT and 1.8, the larger engine is definitely quicker however fuel consumption is greater as is the road tax. I would definitely recommend you try a few different variants (Petrol/Diesel FR/non FR) as well as the FR can ride a bit hard for some people especially on 18" wheels, me i like it. Overall it's one of the best cars i have ever bought, and at 63 i have had a few! Good luck with your search.

That's great to know that it handles long trips as we drive over to France and Belgium quite a lot and so I'm looking for something with enough OOMPH to handle the auto-routes nicely! Much that i like diesels having had a couple now, the idea of the 1.4 ACT TSI is definitely appealing (I've also driven one in a hire car but it was a lower spec model, but still drove very nicely indeed!

 

[BillyCool]

HI


Hi Brian, APologies for the delayed response, I've had a bit of a nighmare week with the Volvo in and out of the garage with a duff fuel injector (making me want to speed up the process of getting rid of it! I am booked in to have a look at this '17 plate 2.0TDI on sunday. Price seems great considering it's only 3 years old and mileage is impressively low too! There seem to be a lot of diesels for sale but the TSI is more of a rarity and i've only spotted an automatic one for sale near me, and I would prefer to have a manual.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202001286668268?make=SEAT&radius=60&postcode=ls123rp&sort=relevance&advertising-location=at_cars&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly New&onesearchad=New&model=LEON&price-to=11000&body-type=Estate&page=2

That's good to know re the VAG dpf app, if I go for a Diesel I will certainly invest in that I think.

No worries - mine has been in the garage for 2 weeks and still waiting for parts on backorder.

Both cars look pretty good for the money. Mine is the same colour and I love it.

The TSI is an `older` spec. It has the older alloys (mine are the same) and a manual handbrake. The TDI has newer alloys and electronic handbrake. No big deal but something to be aware of. The TDI may well have some other subtle upgrades as well.

Diesel is less popular right now so I expect to see more on the market.

Be interesting to see what you think if them both!

 

[Sam Wainwright]

No worries - mine has been in the garage for 2 weeks and still waiting for parts on backorder.

Both cars look pretty good for the money. Mine is the same colour and I love it.

The TSI is an `older` spec. It has the older alloys (mine are the same) and a manual handbrake. The TDI has newer alloys and electronic handbrake. No big deal but something to be aware of. The TDI may well have some other subtle upgrades as well.

Diesel is less popular right now so I expect to see more on the market.

Be interesting to see what you think if them both!

Yeah I noticed a few subtle differences, and that most of the post '16 models seem to have an electronic handbrake. The majority of models for sale seem to be diesel so it's clear the petrol models are more desirable, what with the introduction of the clean air/ low emission zones, even though I've checked on line and all of the 2.0 diesels are compliant with these...

Hope your car is sorted soon, it's a right pain being without.

 

[Sam Wainwright]

Afternoon folks. Hope everyone is having a good weekend! I managed a test drive in the 2.0tdi 2017 Leon this weekend. Lovely car to drive and the TDI pulls like a train. It really is rapid in comparison to my 1.6d Volvo. Aesthetically it is a very pleasant interior and I liked the touch screen info system too. Unfortunately the car itself was very tatty and lacking service history and generally in poor condition si I walked away from this one but pleased nonetheless that j got a decent test drive including a sting on the motorway. I will definitely keep the 2.0tdi in mind and am looking forward to seeing how the 1.4TSI compares when I test drive one next week.

 

[BillyCool]

Afternoon folks. Hope everyone is having a good weekend! I managed a test drive in the 2.0tdi 2017 Leon this weekend. Lovely car to drive and the TDI pulls like a train. It really is rapid in comparison to my 1.6d Volvo. Aesthetically it is a very pleasant interior and I liked the touch screen info system too. Unfortunately the car itself was very tatty and lacking service history and generally in poor condition si I walked away from this one but pleased nonetheless that j got a decent test drive including a sting on the motorway. I will definitely keep the 2.0tdi in mind and am looking forward to seeing how the 1.4TSI compares when I test drive one next week.

Glad you liked the car but well done for walking away. Tatty and no service history is a big red flag for me. When I first started looking the first Leon I saw and test drove was equally quick and enjoyable. It was higher than usual milege (hence a lower price) and had loads of stonechips. Just felt it was quite right and walked away. Waited about 4 months to finally get one that I liked.

There will be plenty of other TDI's to look at.

Let us know how you get on with the TSI.

 

[GeoffGeoff]

I recently bought an ST and went for the 1.5 TSI as I needed one a year old for work purposes although I hear the 1.4 is probably a slightly better option based on the comments on here.

I’m happy to be back in petrol as it suits my current situation (similar annual mileage to you...shortish daily journey but once a week on motorway) and it’s quick enough for me but having had a 2.0 diesel, a 1.9 twin turbo diesel and a 2.2 diesel for my last 3 cars I have noticed, and slightly miss, the low down grunt. However, drive it like a petrol should be (ie don’t expect to be pinned into your seat from 1,300 rpm) and it’s more than capable.

Long journey, thanks to the 6th gear, still keeps the car at a reasonable 2,500 ish rpm at motorway speeds, which is great as long as you remember to drop a gear or two if you need to take off for any particular reason.

Outside the engines I’m happy with my FR Sport with most of the trimmings and it’s proving to be a comfortable car to drive and the tech inside is a joy.

Good luck with the hunt.

 

[KXL]

it's the diesel that pushes you into the seat.

Oh yea, that feeling...had that when I had the 2.0TDI 150 DSG. I tell people it's like being in a plane taking off...and they agree. Since then I had a 1.0TSI 110, and now a Volvo V40 1.5T 152, neither pushes me into my seat, though in the V40, once the tubo kicks in, it does for a bit....
My highway journies in the 2.0TDI DSG is usually around 55-58mpg, London city mpg, depending on traffic, between 35 - 50 mpg (early Sunday AM) possible. 40-60mph roads, i can get about 60+ish mpg.

 

[SuperV8]

I'm coming up-to 10 months on my 2014 184 FR ST and I love it. Pulls like a train, big boot but not to big on the outside, looks good with full LED lights, great mpg and £30 tax!
The 184 has better suspension and bigger brakes than the 150TDI or 150TSI - same as Golf GTD - so independent rear axle vs beam, and also alloy front uprights vs iron which people often don't realise.
For me insurance quotes where all similar if I went 1.6 or 2.0 184 so it was a no brainier - and judging by realmpg sites the mpg can be similar (obviously not if you use all the 184ps) I get an easy 55-58 on my daily commute including A roads, 70+mph dual carriageways and a little traffic.
If its not regenerating the DPF I get low 60's mpg at motorway speeds, and have got 70mpg a couple times when cruising on an eco run at 60mph due to traffic. I find the on board trip very accurate within 1 mpg or so. Seems to regenerate around once a tank full although i'm not 100% sure and which there would be some indication letting me know it was trying to regenerate - when it does I usually get low 50's mpg.
Only problem I've had is the heater matrix which seems quite common on MQB based cars - I have cleaned it out twice now (quite an easy DIY job) - we'll see how long it lasts until it blocks up again? hoping it will last longer before blocking up again. Route cause is (according to VW master tech) down to poor/difficult cleaning of the block coolant passageways and the heater matrix has the smallest passageways in the (complicated) coolant system which block up. You can see this as I collect a small pile of silica when cleaning out the heater matrix.
Oh and when I first drown it I felt the steering is very numb/digital/lacking feel - which is much improved by putting it in sport - however I don't like the none linear throttle map in sport so have the throttle in normal and steering in sport.
The sound system actually sounds pretty good (for a standard system) - just a shame the sound deadening is rather lacking, so one upgrade I may do is take the door cards of and install some sort of dynamat sound insulation.
I would like to upgrade to the later 8" screen but I believe this is rather difficult/expensive.

There is nothing else I could find which comes close to tick as meany boxes (for me) as this car - very happy.

(edit - I should add 2nd problem I have just noticed is my PTC heater seems to be melting it's wiring! not sure on the fix for this one yet - but it gets warm in a couple of miles so doesn't really need an electric heater, so PTC heater currently turned off)


Tom.