Cupra Leon VZ1 ride

[LaughingGravy]

I’ve recently got a new Cupra Leon VZ1 245ps 2.0. It’s on 18” wheels and recommended tyre pressures are 39psi all round. It doesn’t have the adaptive dampers of the VZ2/3 and the ride is very hard! I used to have a 184ps diesel Leon and that was much more comfortable… If I lowered the pressures to say 33 front 30 rear would the ride be smoother? Any suggestions welcome…

 

[Seastormer]

I would not change from the recommended pressures, nearly all the Cupra's I have had over the years were hard but I got used to it. The handling would also not be so good with lower pressures.

 

[LaughingGravy]

Thanks for your comment, I did try lowering the pressures a bit, didn’t seem to make much difference to be honest…

 

[andylong]

Like the other thread, you have low profile tyres on large rims it's going to be a hard ride.

 

[LaughingGravy]

Like the other thread, you have low profile tyres on large rims it's going to be a hard ride.

Thanks Andy. TBH I think the ride in my wife’s MiniCooper is harder (if you hit a pothole in that your teeth nearly fall out!) This VZ1 just seems unsettled on all but the smoothest surfaces. It’s nice in all other respects and the DSG box is good…

 

[SRGTD]

Thanks Andy. TBH I think the ride in my wife’s MiniCooper is harder (if you hit a pothole in that your teeth nearly fall out!) This VZ1 just seems unsettled on all but the smoothest surfaces. It’s nice in all other respects and the DSG box is good…

I seem to remember that Mini’s have run flat tyres. If so, then run flats have heavily reinforced sidewalls which are presumably very stiff to stop the tyre collapsing and coming off the wheel, as the tyres are designed so they can be driven on at speeds of up to 50 mph after getting a puncture. Generally speaking, low profile run flats as fitted to a Mini Cooper won’t result in a ride quality that could be described as very comfortable (BMW’s fitted with run flats have tended to be be criticised on their ride quality).

You confirmed in the other discussion thread you started that the tyres on your Cupra are Bridgestones. All five of the VW’s I’ve owned came from the factory fitted with low profile Bridgestone tyres, and when I’ve had new tyres fitted - either by choice or out of necessity - I switched to an alternative brand (Goodyear, Continental or Michelin) and there’s been an improvement in ride quality over the Bridgestones. Historically, Bridgestone have tended to use quite a hard compound for their performance tyres, and when they’re low profile and are rated ‘XL’ (extra load = reinforced sidewalls) as yours are - see picture below from the other discussion thread - the ride will be firm to bordering on very firm.

It’s a shame we don’t get to choose which brand of tyres are fitted when buying a new car……..

 

[LaughingGravy]

Thanks for your comments… my old Seat Leon FR was on 225/45R17 which was a much smoother ride. What also surprised me was that with a full cabin it suggests 46psi on the rear. I’ve never seen such a high pressure!