[W36 EJO]

Just wondering if any of you guys have any knowledge on this one as I'm doing my research into my next car...which I'm taking very seriously!! Like the look of the Sean Leon Cupra 1.8T but not sure about a few things...

- The stereo doesnt seem to be DIN size, is this an easy fix? Don't look like it on the pics I have seen anyway.
- Whats the difference between the Cupra 1.8T 20v and the Cupra R?
- Does it have any type of computer like the golf/bora/A3 does anywhere (again cant see on pics)
- Are the leather seats any good?

They seem to be based on the A3/S3 inside which is a good thing, but if someone could clarify the above, especially the difference between the R and the 1.8T I would be grateful. I take it these can be remapped just as easily.

Cheers
Graham.

 

[sonnys_sdi]

You can get a facia plate for the stereo, so you can fit a single din
unit in, they normally cost around ?20. I don't really know about the
rest.

Sonny

 

[binlinerVR6]

I dont know what engine the 1.8T is but the cupra R has the 225bhp 1.8T, 18" wheels and brembo 4 pots.... theyre based on the mkiv golf but are more powerful, better spec and less money (he says getting his coat and running!)

 

[Chris]

- The stereo doesnt seem to be DIN size, is this an easy fix? Don't look like it on the pics I have seen anyway.

Behind the standard stereo is the standard sized DIN slot.... you need a fascia kit which adds the plastic panels down the side where the OEM radio overhangs.

- Whats the difference between the Cupra 1.8T 20v and the Cupra R?

Quite a bit. Cupra 1.8T is essentially a 180 1.8T Golf or Anni 1.8T.... albeit with slightly firmer suspension. R sits on 18" wheels with 323mm Brembos, either 210 or 225 bhp, much stiffer, firmer, more direct setup, better seats/interior, and different more aggressive styling. Cupra has 17" wheels as standard with 312mm front brakes with 180bhp.Running costs are higher though, insurance for my Cupra was ?940, for an R it wouldve been almost ?1300. In real world i dont think it is significantly thirstier on fuel.... but things like brakes and tyres will cost you more.

- Does it have any type of computer like the golf/bora/A3 does anywhere (again cant see on pics)

Yes, there isnt a central readout like on the Golf, but instead it scrolls through the time display on the left using buttons on the wiper stalk. All the same readouts as the Golf including a fuel range one.

- Are the leather seats any good?

Leather only available as an option on the Cupra 1.8T, not the R. Is worth it on the Cupra as the standard seats are a bit flat (compared to the Recaros on my old GTI). The R comes with standard seats that are almost the same as the 'Sport' seats in the GT models of the Golf. An optional extra was Recaros which are identical in shape to the early GTI 1.8T ones...... go for these if you can.

Cupra will chip probably to 210-220bhp, R upto 270bhp. Both lovely cars, drive them both, quite different to drive. I took my time deciding, but the cheaper costs of the Cupra won over for me.

 

[W36 EJO]

Cheers Chris, extremely helpful!

That's car number 4 on my definate list then which I have windled down from about 12 cars!!

Can't wait to go actual shopping in about 4 months time!!

 

[stickymango]

My previous car was a Cupra R and I'd highly recommend it, absolute flying machine!

Yes it does have a computer, similar setup to the the vw's.

I didn't have leather seats but the standard seats were very comfortable.

Not sure on the difference between the two but I imagine 45bhp makes quite a difference through the gears, I think top speed increased from 140mph to 150mph+.

From the manufacturers specs fuel economy was pretty much identical and I found mine pretty good anyway, caning it obviously drinks its way through a bit of fuel.

Insurance and parts (tyres especially ?125 each minimum) are things to watch, my insurance was ?600 fully comp at the time, not too bad but bit of a postcode lottery...

hope that helps you...

Sticky.

 

[W36 EJO]

So why are the tyres expensive, what are they? 245's?

I run 225/40/18's at the moment anyway. I can get a Cupra 1.8T 02 plate for ?7999 in yellow with heated electric leather seats, 42k on the clock for ?7999 at the moment. So in all reality, could chip that. The Cupra R sounds nice, but seems more expensive.

 

[Chris]

They run 225/40s too, so if your not bothered about that then its okay... Cupra runs 225/45 so not THAT much cheaper really.

A 2002 Cupra hasnt got the MY2003 and later styling changes... heres pics for comparison.

2002 Cupra

2003-05 Cupra

Cupra R

 

[stickymango]

the tryes are 235/45/18 I think, I searched on MyTyres.com for some replacements and the cheapest they came up with was about ?125 without fitting. It can go through them quickly because its quite heavy on the front end. To drive it puts a massive smile on your face, there's not much on the road that can challenge it really but I'm sure the Cupra is just as much fun.

Sticky.

 

[W36 EJO]

Cheers people. Chris, thanks for the pics. Might be better to go for an 03 on then, with the price that the cars are, it can be done. Will certainly look into the cupra R, will have to add up the costs.

 

[BeezerDiesel]

There were quite a few spec changes. The early Leon Cupras had loads of toys. About a year later most of those toys had disappeared, such as the fuel computer etc. but it kept the neat electric folding mirrors. I had a 51 plater which had no MFA computer but the folding mirrors.

The later bodykitted 03 models also had slightly nicer interiors, on top of the 17 inch wheels; and the fuel computer came back!

Cupra Rs have their front end based on the Audi TT, including suspension, faster steering (like the R32) and obviously the 210 and 225 bhp engines (both produce similar torque figures BTW) and actually sound quite sporty unlike most 1.8ts!!!! Also feature all black interiors a bit like the old Golf GTIs. They are outright sporting cars though and cost quite a bit more for parts as well as increased insurance over the regular Cupra.

Only downside I found with the Leon was the rear visibility was a lot worse than with the mk4 Golf. Nit picking I know but you need to keep an eye on who's following you sometimes!

 

[W36 EJO]

So if your going for a Cupra R, you really don't want to be doing up to 20k a year in it then? Probably best that I just found the standard Cupra 1.8T with the leather in to make it a bit special then re-map it. It's certainly a head start over the 150bhp golf anyway!

Only 3 cars on me list now! Golf/Bora V5, Golf/Bora PD130-150 and the Seat Leon Cupra!

 

[marriedblonde]

I considered swapping my R32 out for one of these as I needed to raise some cash to buy a second buy to rent house.

I test drove the Cupra and the Cupra R and thought the standard Cupra offered better value for money, especially second hand!

My impressions of them where that they offered good value for money but you can see why they are cheaper than VW's they don;t have the build quality. All the cars I drove, brand new Cupra and R and a 18month old R, squeaked and rattled. The dash is of a poor quality plastic, the seats are quite flimsy - not a problem if you can find a recaro trimmmed car. The leather seats are ok but I wouldn;t expect them to look good for that long.

Don't get me wrong they are good cars just not in the same league as the Golf IMHO, plus you can buy a 12month old Cupra for next to nothing. The other thing that put me off is that in the end I couldn't live with a seat on my drive.

But then again I spent my money on a new A3 in the end...

 

[W36 EJO]

Just the kind of feedback I need cheers. I will have to get in one and test drive it. Could possibly give a test drive on a Seat Leon 1.9 90 this weekend as the local garage has one and I know one of the sales blokes. Plus I have bought 2 cars from them, so they let me test drive pretty much anything as they know I will buy again from them. That will at least give m an indication of the build quality etc.

 

[Chris]

Build quality is a personal thing. People keep ranting on about how bad Seats seem to be, but i havent had a problem at all. I got a car which is quicker, handles better, and looks 1000x sportier than the equivalent Golf, and mine was ?2k cheaper.... so its down to where your priorities lie for cars.

I personally couldnt really give a toss what the dash is like, i dont spend my life staring at it so it doesnt bother me.... its the old A3 dash anyway, with some cheaper plastics here and there.... and i didnt hear many Audi drivers complaining about their cars which were considerably dearer.

Lets put it this way...... having had 2 Golfs before the Cupra, i dont think ill ever return to VW.... whats the point when i can get the same car practically but in a quicker/sportier makeup for less money? Its still light years ahead of any Ford or Vauxhall on the planet. Having been around the VAG brand for a few years now, the Golf suffered more niggles and faults than the Leon ever has.

All a matter of taste and opinion!

 

[W36 EJO]

Not to bothered about the dash, as like I said in my first post, it looks the same as the A3 dash which can only be a good thing as when I sat in an S3 I loved it in there, which is why I'm looking for the leather seats.

The only thing that would let me down about build quality is things like plastic door triggers, plastic steering wheels, plastic gearknobs, plastic universe....bit like a vauxhall actually!

The one thing I know I will miss dearly is my computer in the golf if I went for a Leon. I love the way it sits there in red to contrast the dash and tells me to fill my washer fluid...your handbrake is on sir etc etc.

 

[BeezerDiesel]

I lived with a Leon for a year and have owned about four SEATs now and have driven VAG cars for the best part of eighteen years, and have had no quality issues with the more recent SEATs. My Leon had 77k on it when I sold it and it had less rattles than my mk4 Golf which has a good few less miles. Some of the interior plastics are arguably cheaper, but at least the door panels in the Leon weren't bendy like a mk4 Golfs and the door pulls have the same rubbery plastic that scratches in the Leon, but the SEAT ones are cheaper to replace! Other than that much of the spec is quite similar, if not better in the Spanish car (not to say that all of them are made in Spain anyway!)

 

[W36 EJO]

I'm sorry but that post above just smacks of badge snobbery. Maybe it's just the way it was written but it sounds as though it was typed by someone who didn't think a SEAT was good enough to grace his driveway but test drove one anyway so he could nit pick and justify spending several thousand pounds more on a similar car.

I lived with a Leon for a year and have owned about four SEATs now and have driven VAG cars for the best part of eighteen years, and have had no quality issues with the more recent SEATs. My Leon had 77k on it when I sold it and it had less rattles than my mk4 Golf which has a good few less miles. Some of the interior plastics are arguably cheaper, but at least the door panels in the Leon weren't bendy like a mk4 Golfs and the door pulls have the same rubbery plastic that scratches in the Leon, but the SEAT ones are cheaper to replace! Other than that much of the spec is quite similar, if not better in the Spanish car (not to say that all of them are made in Spain anyway!)

Doubt it was sposed to come across like that, I asked for advice and that's what he gave me, what he thought which was useful, as are all your replies.

 

[BeezerDiesel]

.

 

[W36 EJO]

Yer, but what I'm saying is he probably didnt mean it to come across like that.