Opinions sought on which Exeo ST

[Mr Bigglesworth]

Hi all

I'm thinking that I might need to upgrade my car soon. Although I hold my Leon cupra dear, the extra stuff we now need to carry around now we have a little one means we could do with more space. Now I'm not a people carrier type person so it's going to be an estate and the Exeo ST looks like it will be just the ticket. Basically I'm thinking I'll take the plunge over the next six to twelve months but as I'm looking second hand, I want to be ready if something good comes up, so I have a few questions. I will get myself down for a test drive an no doubt form my own view, but I really appreciate the views of those here on the board too.

As mentioned I have a Leon cupra, it's a 2002 1.8T 180bhp. Have really enjoyed it and it's ticking along great. I enjoy being able to put my foot down when on motorways and in national speed limit areas and when I need to overtaking,but otherwise drive relatively calmly. The fuel economy can be sucky when really going for it say round MK roundabouts but it's a good bit of fun with enjoyable handling, but it's good enough for me on motorways in sixth gear. I generally do c.6000 miles, mixture of short and long runs so the choice of Diesel over Petrol isn't that major as I reckon the Diesel will only be a touch cheaper to run annually than a petrol. My budget means I'm looking at a 2010 model, or waiting a bit and getting a 2011 model.

So the first question is am I right in thinking that there isn't much difference between the Diesel 2010 or 2011 model, but there is between the petrol in that the 2011 is more fuel efficient and a touch faster?

Trim wise, would like to go top end, so looks like the sport trom, but a little concerned by some reviews which say it is overly firm bearing in mind I have a very little passenger. Any opinions?

If going diesel, I anticipate that he 143bhp will feel too slow but the 170bhp model will prob be ok compared to what I am used to. Question - have others switched from a petrol cupra to a diesel Exeo and have you noticed it as slower? If you razz a diesel does mpg drop off as badly as with my cupra?

If looking at the petrol, I assume that the engine will behave similarly to my cupra in that as it's razzed, the Turbo will gulp the petrol and mpg falls badly?

Also what is the service intervals for Exeos now and when are cambelt changes due?

Is there anything else you peops would tell me to look out for in my decision, whether its diesel v petrol, 2011 vs 2010 or trim etc etc?7

Thanks for advice and opinions in advance!!

 

[MasterKey]

I've got a 2010 SE Lux on 19" rims and the ride is rather firm, but I wouldn't say it was harsh and shouldn't be an issue IMO. Certainly there hasn't ever been an issue with my own little one (though they're a few years older than yours).

As for the engine, the diesel engines have a fair bit of grunt and while I can imagine the 143 will feel (and be) less nippy than what you're used to, it can fairly shift. Certainly it is a lot snappier than my previous 2.0l petrol estate (which was a decade older though). That said, you should find a few threads in the Exeo forum discussing switching Leon to Exeo.

Service interval is variable according to how you drive. My driving mix and style means that it looks like I'll be having services every other year. I can get 50+ MPG driving sensibly, and even thrashing it I haven't managed to get it to drop below about 35 MPG.

My understanding is that the 2011 facelift brought a little more passenger space by some changes to the seats and trims. While it isn't cramped in the back, that little extra space may be worth holding out for. For the rest of it, HID headlamps are really nice if you do any meaningful amount of night driving and in winter heated seats (the Winter pack) are fantastic. Finally, keep in mind that it's a "Sports Tourer", not really an estate. This means that the boot isn't quite as big as you might expect.

 

[Dark Andrew]

As the above post has already pointed out, from about March 2011 the Exeo featured revised seats and door trim to improve rear leg room and access. If you are thinking of using a car seat in the back then this extra leg room is quite useful. As for Petrol Vs Diesel, this may be a choice when buying new but since the petrols are so rare, you'll probably find it quite difficult getting hold of a good used one - according to the UK vehicle licensing stats on howmanyleft.co.uk, of the 6143 Exeos registered by March 2012 only 131 have petrol engines (with a total of only 13 being registered in the last 12 months).

 

[Larfinboy]

I have the 170 ST and dont find the ride too firm. I used to hate the A4 S-Lines which I think were hasher ride. SEAT did a good job on the suspension in my opinion. As for space I have two teenage girls who are fine in the back. As mentioned by others the Boot on the estate isnt massive but ok enough. Bought roof bars from Lidl so ready for eldest to go to uni with half a ton of clobber.

 

[exeo]

We had a baby 2 weeks ago, as a result of that I've been off work and constantly using the wife's X5 (its a sport on 20" wheels) I've always found the ride fine on the X5 but when I jumped in my sport tech ST today, it felt like a luxury limo compared to the X5 !

The Exeo can feel a bit "skittish" on broken surfaces at speed but it doesn't crash and bang over sudden bumps the may most modern BMW, Audi cars do, it feels very well damped with little corner roll for the type of car it is.

My 143 felt fine around town and definately loosened up after a few thousand miles but it was lacking at motorway speeds in 6th, even at 60mph it needed to drop down a gear to accelerate at any pace. I had mine remapped at TDI performance and it really is a much better car now.

 

[DWaldie]

I traded in a Mazda 6 diesel I had owned from nearly new for a one year old Exeo 170 Sport Tech about three months ago. No one could argue that the ride is anything but firm, and speed bumps are no fun what-so-ever. The Mazda had a firm ride and the Exeo is noticeably firmer. That said, for the most part, the ride is pliant enough not to be intrusive but it can feel a little unsettled on uneven surfaces.

For me, the payback for the firm ride is superb grip, especially when you floor it out of a bend. It just makes me grin. I'm an enthusiastic driver and the car has settled down to 45mpg, which is better than the Mazda even with an extra 30BHP. Even with the extra BHP, the Exeo doesn't feel as if it accelerates as quick as the Mazda as the power is much more uniform. The Mazda used to kick you in the arse and then die until you changed up. The power delivery of the Exeo is more "petrol-like" with smoother power delivery. The thing I still haven't got used to is how very easy it is to find yourself going very fast before you realise. This car (and the Audi underneath) was clearly made to go quickly as a routine. My licence might pay the price.

Aside from the adolescent fun, the car is incredibly well made. This is my first Seat, so I don't know how well they are put together usually, but this one (which is really an Audi) is superbly made and very up-market. For the price I paid, it was an absolute steal, and the equipment level is very high (except the limitations of the short postcode Sat-Nav:-()

As for Petrol Vs Diesel, that's a matter of personal opinion. My last five cars have been modern diesels and I couldn't go back to a Petrol. I prefer to be able to put my foot down in any gear and get the woosh when the torque kicks in. All that thrashing of engines and gear changes spoils the drive for me. My Wife drives a 2.0 petrol Focus and it is like driving a slow shopping cart around.

I still looked forward to driving the Mazda after 4 years of ownership. I hope the Seat is the same.

 

[Dark Andrew]

I would agree with everything DWaldie has said above - the power delivery is very "petrol like" and although the idle is a little louder, when the car gets going you probably wouldn't be able to tell the difference. I've got a non-sport SE Tech and the ride is comparable with the Toyota Avensis that it replaced although the handling and road noise are much improved. The only issue I've noticed with the diesel is an intermittent judder from the clutch (a trait which it has inherited from its Audi A4 origins, apparently caused by either condensation on the clutch plates or the longitudinal mounting of the engine - depending on who you ask) and an eagerness to stall at anything if the revs drop below 1000 rpm, although this seems to be less so as the engine has worn in (either that or I've adjusted my driving style to accomodate it).

Anytime I have doubts as to whether I made the right choice in buying the Exeo I look at what I could have got instead for the same money: A Skoda Superb 1.4 petrol with no toys and infact not even a spare-wheel it's so basic! Compare that to my Exeo 2.0 TDI with leather interior, colour sat-nav, Bose audio system, 17" alloys (and a spare wheel!), dual zone climate control, auto headlights, cruise control, etc, and even after all that I'd still have over £500 change in my pocket!

 

[Mr Bigglesworth]

Thanks all, great set of responses and lots of very welcomed advice and opinions. Really useful to understand that there are only limited petrol versions around. Think will try and test drive a 170tdi and see if I feel the power loss. The information about the extra legroom in the 2011+ is also something to watch out for and confirming that the boot is big enough, although I'm sure it's got to be a step up from my Leon.

For those that mapped, has your insurance gone up?

 

[Tony Lawrence]

Which ST

Interesting to see I am one of a few with a petrol ST.
The earlier model was 'only' 200 bhp with a high CO content so as a company car it is expensive. The later model was increased to 211 bhp and the CO was reduced. I did not notice a difference in performance having driven both. The earlier 200 brake is supposed to be the stronger engine.
Average fuel consumption is 30mpg, 35 on a run and low 20's when having fun. Mine is on 18 in wheels with the proper sports suspension and it is firm but not harsh. (both my previous Alteas were much firmer).

Grin factor. 10 out of 10. The petrol engine power delivery is so manageable. You have economical, quick and then 'get out of the way I'm coming though'.

At least try to drive a petrol before you get a diesel. I'm very often in MK if you want a go.

 

[M7R]

I went for a 12 model year ST with the 170bhp engine, the tax is a little cheaper I thinik as the emissions are a smidge lower, and the fuel econ is better (on paper)... also the gearing is longer I believe.

it all depends how you drive and what you do...my comute to work is 30 miles with 2/3rd being dual carriage way or twisty A roads, and the rest town style driving, I get between 28 and 52mpg driving pretty sedate (but not granny slow and at the speed limits).. I could have had a 143 which in theory drinks less... but having drove one I wasnt impressed, not enough punch for the over take of the tractors on the country lanes (my daily is a mk4 golf tdi running 170bhp which is quicker, and does way more mpg! as the seat is the wifes toy I got her... but I do use it a couple of times aweek to split my millage between the 2 cars)

The ride is firm... but its not that bad! if you want silky smooth dont get a sport model... dont get the 18s... and buy something french! then wobble as you go round every corner!... the ride is not quite as firm as my old A4 (the Exeo with a Audi badge) as the seat engineers changed the tyre size (Audi was on 235 40 18s vs 225 40 18s, (no real differance but it helped the ride as its less weight) and changed the spring rates.

I love mine, the boots not massive... but its big enough, and a tech model give a nice lot of kit, we had the choice of either a B8 A4 that was 3-4 years old and 30-40k on the clock... or a top of the range Exeo that was 3 months old and 7k on the clock with all the toys, bells and whistles, yes its not quite as nice in side (my dad has a new A4 s line) but its pretty close!