Should I buy this 03 Leon SX 110?

[Ptar64]

Hello All,

Im looking to upgrade from my current 1.4 ibiza to a more powerful engine.

Currently on a 06 Ibiza Sport and looking for a car under £5k with a bit more bhp and more modding capabilities to it.

I have a found a leon sx 110 tdi on a 03 with 78000 on the clock for £4200.
Looks in good condition and enjoyed the test drive. Would you recommend me going for this car or is there some alternatives.
I cannot seem to find much information on the SX version, only the SE version.

Your advice would be greatly appreciated .

Pete.

 

[markmeus]

Seems a bit expensive to me.

Know I know these cars aren't diesel and are both sold, but look what you can get for same or less money with less miles!!!

http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?t=222782
http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?t=204620

Diesel mk4 Ibizas
http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?t=215232
http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?t=213572

Now I'm not saying you should buy any of those cars, but I think they help put the price of that Leon in perspective.

 

[downrodeo]

Yeah but 70k on a petrol is very different from 70k on a diesel in terms of engine life. Although I agree that 03 plate sounds a bit expensive.

 

[Ptar64]

Thanks for your replies.
Maybe its expensive due to being advertised a known garage?

Is this car a good model to go for? Should I be looking at the SE range? Or should I go for the newer PD range if money allows?

 

[downrodeo]

I have a 110 SE and I think it's great - however if you can I think you are better off going for the 130 as it has six gears as opposed to five and will give you similar economy for more power. Should you opt for a remap later it will also reward you more. Then again I went for the 110 non-pd engine as I felt simpler technology would have less likelihood of something going wrong - you have to be very careful about using the correct oil when servicing the PD engine etc.

The only difference as far as I'm aware between SE and SX is aircon, and possibly the factory alloys. Someone correct me if I'm wrong? So it depends how much you value aircon in the summer. I have to say there have been times recently when I don't know how I'd manage without it!

 

[Ptar64]

Have you got different alloys on from standard *looking at your profile pic*? Is yours remapped?

I certainly am looking to remap it at some point, any ideas of what gains could be had?

Got 15" Alloys on this one along with Climate control, TCS, Alarm.

Very nice metallic black. The interior is extremely well looked after. Im so tempted, just looked on ebay and only found one that is better for its money, except its miles away from myself.

 

[SalterTDI]

Bought my mk1 130tdi se for £4500, with upgraded front discs and 70k on the clock and a full service history. I was a happy boy

 

[downrodeo]

Afraid my alloys aren't standard - the previous owner put them on. Mines isn't remapped yet, only got it around a month ago. Hoping to get an upsolute remap done in August when i have a bit more ££. I believe it will take a standard 110 to around 140-145, and a 130 will go to around 160-165.

Whichever one you choose I'm sure you'll love it, but it is definetly worth considering the 130.

 

[Ptar64]

Bought my mk1 130tdi se for £4500, with upgraded front discs and 70k on the clock and a full service history. I was a happy boy

Thats an awesome price. No wonder you were so happy .

Thats a fantastic looking car there downrodeo. Very well looked after. May I ask what reg yours is?

I shall see if I can find a 130 version close by for a good price. Ive got some time to decide on the other Leon. Any possible faults I need to look for?

 

[richellis]

I paid £4000 for mine, from seat with Full Seat history, new cambelt, full service and 60k in jan

 

[Downing17]

Hey,
I bought a leon 1.6 sx in march for £3500 with 29000 miles was a good price, it's a 2004 model... So I think you could find it for slighty cheaper if you keep looking! But they are popular cars, I was looking for mine for over 5 months

 

[downrodeo]

Thats an awesome price. No wonder you were so happy .

Thats a fantastic looking car there downrodeo. Very well looked after. May I ask what reg yours is?

I shall see if I can find a 130 version close by for a good price. Ive got some time to decide on the other Leon. Any possible faults I need to look for?

Thanks but sadly the paint on mine is terrible when you see it in real life. Little scratches, dints and fading everywhere! Just don't have the time to work on it at the moment. Mines is a 51 plate, December 2001.

I haven't had the car long enough to really know what the common faults are, but I heard that the wing mirror motors for retracting go quite often, which isn't a big thing in my book. The paintwork is quite weak also - I find it picking up scratches all over the place - and it's not my driving!

I think its just important to make sure it has a good service history and the timing belt has been changed on time.

 

[LPG-over-diesel]

I just brought the 1.8 20v petrol with 80k on the clock and I paid £1700 for her. They come standard 125 BHP. Mines the SE model so I have alloys, climate control and front fogs.
The added bonus with mine is that it is converted to LPG too, that means I get the same power but less than half price to run her around. 40 litres cost me £16.
I would certainly consider changing to LPG if you buy petrol yo can get a conversion for under a grand now!!!

 

[downrodeo]

Sorry about the digression but just out of curiosity, how many miles do you get out of 40 litres of LPG? Where do they fit the LPG tank on a Leon?