Upgrading to a Cupra 300

[BlueLeonFR]

Looking to pull the trigger soon on getting a Cupra 300. I originally wanted to get one 9 months ago before I ended up with my FR because insurance was ridiculous for the Cupra so decided against it. Now I'm looking at some good quotes I think it might be time to jump. Any thoughts or things to consider before making the leap?

 

[Pinky]

I'm in the process of doing the same. Apart from the usual history checks, condition and stuff, I couldn't find any specific issues to look for. I'm buying Seat approved so there is decent cover.

 

[DEAN0]

The main items to look for are :
Leaking water pump / thermostat housing - well known issue and not a cheap fix ( £350 parts or £700 ish independent vw specialist or £1400 dealer )
Seat bolsters wearing
Clutch if manual
Clunks & squeeks from suspension
Any pixelation or dead spots in the virtual cockpit
Map card is present & working

 

[BlueLeonFR]

The main items to look for are :
Leaking water pump / thermostat housing - well known issue and not a cheap fix ( £350 parts or £700 ish independent vw specialist or £1400 dealer )
Seat bolsters wearing
Clutch if manual
Clunks & squeeks from suspension
Any pixelation or dead spots in the virtual cockpit
Map card is present & working

I plan to get the car with DSG so nothing to worry about clutch wise, I have heard about the leaky water pumps, seems to be a common issue. You wouldnt happen to know much about the cars exhaust would you. Mainly wanted the 300 model for the power and noise so dont want the exhaust to be restricted by any GPF filters or such.

 

[mjj4]

I plan to get the car with DSG so nothing to worry about clutch wise, I have heard about the leaky water pumps, seems to be a common issue. You wouldnt happen to know much about the cars exhaust would you. Mainly wanted the 300 model for the power and noise so dont want the exhaust to be restricted by any GPF filters or such.

Most of the common issues have been covered already, you could check the mileage on the DSG just to make sure the odometer hasn't been clocked - not saying this is 100% fool proof as the DSG mileage can be manipulated too but often isn't.

By the way, plenty of Cupra 300's have GPF fitted. They started fitting GPF's in September 2018 - I'm not 100% on the spec differences and there may be a few unicorn cars out there but generally:

GPF cars:
- DQ381 7 speed
- Newer virtual cockpit with central rev counter (rev B)
- Copper badges
- DI injection only

Non GPF cars:
- DQ250 6 speed
- silver badges
- MPI and DI injection

I'm sure I read somewhere that there are a few 7 speed non GPF cars out there that were made right around September 2018 when the rules changed.

 

[DEAN0]

As mjj4 says - the biggest give away on the 300 is the gearbox - 6 speed = no gpf, 7 speed = gpf

Be careful using the copper badges as the tell tale - I know of a couple of silver badge 300's with gpf.
There are also quite a few 300's where the owners have moved to copper badges.

Mine is an April 2018 300 3 door manual
Deffo no gpf, silver badges, virtual cockpit

 

[BlueLeonFR]

Most of the common issues have been covered already, you could check the mileage on the DSG just to make sure the odometer hasn't been clocked - not saying this is 100% fool proof as the DSG mileage can be manipulated too but often isn't.

By the way, plenty of Cupra 300's have GPF fitted. They started fitting GPF's in September 2018 - I'm not 100% on the spec differences and there may be a few unicorn cars out there but generally:

GPF cars:
- DQ381 7 speed
- Newer virtual cockpit with central rev counter (rev B)
- Copper badges
- DI injection only

Non GPF cars:
- DQ250 6 speed
- silver badges
- MPI and DI injection

I'm sure I read somewhere that there are a few 7 speed non GPF cars out there that were made right around September 2018 when the rules changed.

Most cars I am looking at do have the 6 speed DSG, haven't come across a 7 speed whilst i've been browsing. I did also see someone say something similar about the testing changes that introduced the GPF and that anything 68 plate onwards will most likely be GPF so ive been trying to find ones that are 18 plate and back.

 

[BlueLeonFR]

As mjj4 says - the biggest give away on the 300 is the gearbox - 6 speed = no gpf, 7 speed = gpf

Be careful using the copper badges as the tell tale - I know of a couple of silver badge 300's with gpf.
There are also quite a few 300's where the owners have moved to copper badges.

Mine is an April 2018 300 3 door manual
Deffo no gpf, silver badges, virtual cockpit

Your car sounds like the spec I want only I want 5 door DSG. Have you had any work done on the exhaust or is as standard?

 

[DEAN0]

Your car sounds like the spec I want only I want 5 door DSG. Have you had any work done on the exhaust or is as standard?

Not touched the exhaust.
The pre face lift 290 and facelift 300 have one less silencer as standard than the 280 - and no gpf like the facelift 290

 

[BlueLeonFR]

Not touched the exhaust.
The pre face lift 290 and facelift 300 have one less silencer as standard than the 280 - and no gpf like the facelift 290

View attachment 44285

Ah nice one, just been trying to get as much information as possible before the time to buy comes around. Didn't want to get the car and be disappointed by an extra silencer in the exhaust.

 

[BlueLeonFR]

Thinking about it now I may have to go with the 290. Even though it has the GPF filter in and it wont have the sound that the 300 has I feel like it will be the better daily driver, I've been looking around at specs and options for the car and the 290 Lux seems to be a solid option. Again even with the GPF being there I've seem a few that have had a resonator delete done to them and they don't sound too bad, not quite the 300. Just feel like I need to meet in the middle of having a decent sounding car and good mileage for day to day driving.

 

[The-Cupra]

The main items to look for are :
Leaking water pump / thermostat housing - well known issue and not a cheap fix ( £350 parts or £700 ish independent vw specialist or £1400 dealer )
Seat bolsters wearing
Clutch if manual
Clunks & squeeks from suspension
Any pixelation or dead spots in the virtual cockpit
Map card is present & working

Isnt the suspension squeeks quiet common on these. Mine makes a noise over large speed bumps only. Tried to silicone all the bushings and still the same. Heard its common and dealers say its "Normal"

 

[DEAN0]

Isnt the suspension squeeks quiet common on these. Mine makes a noise over large speed bumps only. Tried to silicone all the bushings and still the same. Heard its common and dealers say its "Normal"

Touch wood - 40k in to 300 ownership and not a squeek out of the suspension so far.