Just bought a 2003 1.6S

[swissrebel]

Just picked up my (pretty much brand new) Leon 1.6S

I know it's no cupra - and I wanted one desperately, but the insurance quotation on me was a nightmare, and at twice the price (for a decent one) I figured i'll just go for a sensible alternative

She's only got 22,000 on the clock and has only had one previous owner ('sensible female driver' too - so she's definitely not been abused)

Rather smart silver colour, but she's completely standard. Thought i'd lower her a couple of cm and put some cupra r alloys on it (just because the standard ones are a bit plain).

Anyone else driving the 1.6S? Anyone driven them before getting their cupra?

Anyway, first post thought i'd say hi

 

[RobM]

Hi

Sounds like you've picked up a mint one there!

 

[swissrebel]

She was only 5 grand too!

Literally, immaculate condition.

It's my third car - but the first one i've had with a) power steering b) ABS c) remote central locking and d) a CUP HOLDER!

It's awesome.

I did want it in yellow, but I figured i'll wait till I pick up the cupra R before I go for a snazzy colour

 

[RobM]

What car did you have before this then? Are you pleased with the Leon so far?

 

[swissrebel]

I've had "learners" cars for a couple of years - An ancient Clio, which managed to explode - and a Fiat Punto which was, for all intensive purposes - a girls car, but was in mint condition also before I got my hands on it.

All my mates are into BMWs for some reason, but I prefer the size and weight of the Leon - plus they're just so damn sweet to look at!

The old shape obviously being the best - the way the boot goes up at the back... it's the car equivilant of J-lo's arse.

 

[ElasticTangent]

Having driven an ancient Clio many years ago I can appreciate the difference between that and the Leon.

Welcome to SCN!!

 

[RobM]

Leon should be quite a nice step up then.

As for this BMW business... pah... they can keep them!

 

[swissrebel]

Yeah, I totally agree - BMW is scum anyway

Any suggestions of things to tweak on a standard Leon then? It doesn't particularly need any work, and i'm already uneasy at how quiet, responsive and generally excellent she is considering what I usually drive

 

[RobM]

The first thing you have to do is fit a Skoda Fabia rear wiper. The standard one is poor, the Fabia wiper is much more effective and looks much nicer! Do a search for info on that. Part numbers are in the Part Numbers sticky thread at the top of the forum.

Then, either de-badge the boot or fit new, clean, shiny badges if yours have seen better days.

Sunglasses holder from the Golf MK4 is another good mod. Comes in very handy and the Honda sport aerial is a must too

Other than that, it depends what you want to improve or what you want from the car. Just enjoy it first though and worry about changing bits later... other than the above, of course

 

[swissrebel]

Yeah, all the cupras I looked at had the Honda aerial change - to be fair, the standard one is massive so it's a fair change.

Checked out the ol' ebay for the sunglasses holder, so will pick one of them up at some point. Where exactly does it fit?

The badges on this car are in mint condition - like everything else, but i'll debadge her when they go downhill

Cheers on the heads-up on the rear wiper, it's been pouring with rain for the past few days anyway so i've been using mine - in fairness it works better than my old one - are the fabia ones flat blades then?

I'm never going to abuse my car, so it doesn't particularly need modding for increased speed (in fairness - it's dead silent, and I actually prefer it that way)

But yeah, all those little tips are fantastic! All are now on my shopping list - cheers!

 

[RobM]

The sunglasses holder replaces the grab handle above the door. Keeps your glasses nice and hidden out of sight, very stealth

 

[swissrebel]

No way :O

That's dangerously awesome.

Then again, i'd expect something that cool from a Leon. Makes me wonder why people even bother with other cars

 

[RobM]

You'll fit in well around here!

 

[swissrebel]

Well we Leon owners gotta stick together - I mean, how else are we gonna make everyone look bad?

Yeah, I guess we could drive next to them

I'm also shocked at the boot space - I'm a cameraman by trade, and there's enough space in there for all my cameras, tripods AND a whole Pugeot 106.

How do they do it, and still have room for rear passengers?

 

[Leon.SJ]

Wa-hey, another non-turbo owner! We're most certainly in the minority here!!

Enjoy the car, RobM's got all the basic mods sorted for you there, the only other thing I'd recommend is the Cupra R front splitter, it really sets off the front end, and is a cheap and easy addition to the standard bumper.

 

[swissrebel]

Watching what appears to be the only front splitter on ebay uk at the moment, but since i've just forked out a load of cash for the car - don't think i'll be picking this one up yet (ends in under a day )

Question, possible to change the standard gearknob? It's nice, but not amazing

 

[RobM]

Don't get the splitter from eBay, they always go for silly money! They are about £20 new from a Seat dealer

 

[Leon.SJ]

Unless its significantly cheaper than £20 then don't worry about the ebay one, you can always pop into a dealer and they'll order one for you if its not in stock, I paid about £17 for mine I think.

The gear knob can be changed, have a search, I think there's a guide somewhere for it

 

[RobM]

The guide is on the main website - www.seatcupra.net

Look in the Info Base section at Pabs' guides from LeonCupra.co.uk and it's all in there.

 

[swissrebel]

Also, i've been wandering my eyes through the incredible Leon FAQ on this site and (quite literally bowled over by all this awesome information)

1) CD changer in the glove box? Is this only the older models, cos my glovebox is bloody tiny and the only weakspot about my little car is that it's got something called a "cassette player" which will need changing.

2) Short shift. Anyone give me some details on this? I've read about it, and i'm curious