MK3 SEAT LEON CUPRA BUYING GUIDE 2014-2020 - 10 TOP BUYING TIPS + MODEL HISTORY
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- čas přidán 16. 05. 2024
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More info on VAQ diff failures here;
www.haldexrepairs.co.uk/guide...
In this video I look at the complicated model history of the Mk3/3.5 Seat Leon Cupra and furnish you with 10 top tips so you can bag yourself a good one.
It was pretty tough to work out exactly what came out when in the model history section but the only thing I am not too sure about having watched the video back is when the Estate went AWD - I assumed it was when the badges went copper in around 2019 but it might have been a touch earlier.
This video can be divided into the following chapters;
00:00 Quick preview
00:13 Introduction
01:00 Why you should subscribe
02:12 Model History 2014-2020
07:30 Top tip 10 - seats
08:42 Top tip 9 - modifications
09:59 Top tip 8 - silica bag
12:48 Top tip 7 - wheels and tyres
15:40 Top tip 6 - DCC problems
16:49 Top tip 5 - brakes
18:39 Top tip 4 - service history
22:38 Top tip 3 - bodywork inspection
25:14 Top tip 2 - coolant leaks
27:15 Top tip 1 - clutch
29:52 Sign off
My Mk3 Leon Cupra R 310 video review (1 of just 24 cars in the UK);
• MEGA RARE 2018 SEAT LE... - Auta a dopravní prostředky
No more Volkswizzard. An upsetting thought.
For me too! It’s so frustrating but some people won’t lend me cars because they think I’ll be biased and now other from within VWG won’t do it because they don’t need to subject their cars to fair and balanced criticism. VW and Audi have been pretty good but they aren’t releasing enough new cars that are of interest to my audience
Why wait for VW to release cars, im sure subscribers who have just got new or recent or even older VWs or cars in VW group would be willing to contact and meet you for you to give their own car your honest appraisal to their car... All would benefit from your knowledge about VW group
VERY Upsetting... i prefer these video's to watching TV now. I watch a lot on CZcams nowadays. I must have over 20 channels which I love watching.. Please don't go🙏Definitely worth exploring older cars in vw/seat/audi/skoda range etc... i.e g40s/60s or I would like to see vw polo gt's or GTI's through the years.. or the s3 through the years etc. Stuff like this would make contents.
I'm sure people will lend you cars to review..
@@mickspsmith my t roc is there waiting
@@volkswizard why do you limit yourself to VAG cars
Solid advice and in line with what I read in the Cupra Owners groups.
Bought myself a 2016 290 black edition DSG three weeks ago. Only 33,000 miles.
The trim on the bucket seats has been replaced with leather so won't crack again.
I've had a Scorpion exhaust installed already which sounds amazing.
Also had the dogbone mount insert which is a must on these cars to reduce the wheel hop they suffer with.
Will be getting a stage 1 remap at Devil Developments soon and a couple of other bits plus a machine polish and ceramic coating and it'll be all good.
Great tip about the silicone tea bag i learnt the hard way and my heating isnt hot enough maybe cos of this issue and not sure how to fix it
I got myself a Cupra 290 DSG (5dr) earlier this year, it's a cracking car. Anyone looking for a fast hot hatch should consider one of these along with watching this video before pulling the trigger. Massive thumbs up from me! :)
I have a cupra 300 auto 5 door. It's honestly the perfect daily driver!
Front wheel drive 300bhp = wank
@@claudespeed672 dogbone and ps4s will eliminate most of that
Watched the video and very useful information and very descriptive
Thank you so much for that excellent report. I've got a 245 vrs on 32k miles and i never knew the diff needed a oil change. Know snout the water pump issue and that an expensive fix. But really love my 245 vrs. Thought snout remap but decided not to as car is so we balanced and fast enough.
this was extremely informative, thank you
Yes yes yes start the collection.... Looking forward to the revamp 😁
Excellent video thank you so much. Although it has scared me with the coolant leak, I'm comming from a 1.6tdi cayc, so I cant take any more mechanical faults haha. I'm guessing most of these apply too the Skoda Octavia 245 vrs 19plate. :) Thanks again!
Re the cracking on the white bucket seats:- I had the driver’s seat cover replaced twice under warranty as it was a known issue.
Once again top class advice Andrew. After watching this I went straight out to my GTI PP and pulled the silica bag out straight away. 👍🏼
Brilliant video. I'm in the market for a ST, which of the ST290, 300 and 4drive is the sweet spot for British weather and roads in your opinion volksy?
Would you pick the Cupra 300 estate 2018 2WD over the Skoda 2018 VRS 245 estate? Great as always thank you.
Just bought a Cupra 290. Looking forward to handover day tomorrow! 🚀
Wow this is a great review / buying guide
Great channel with good honest reviews. I watched all your videos on the UP GTI before i bought mine a few weeks back.
Never knew they put Silicone bags in the header tank , you learn something everyday.
Jenny
Had mine from new since 2015, done 90k now and never had an issue other than an AC compressor at 80k. I service it every six months myself, to keep it good. Its my 4th Leon Cupra, done well over 350k in them, and apart from wear n tear, never had any trouble, loved em all but the 280 SC has been just perfect.
This video was incredibly helpful checking out my new car. Today, I put my deposit down for a black 2018 Cupra ST 300 manual with 47k. Amazing car, but it seems quite muted in noise compared to my face lift mk2 Cupra.
This proves the value of this channel and your expert advice. Thanks for these helpful videos you make.
Glad to have been able to help you make an informed buying choice, enjoy your new car 🙌🏻
@volkswizard disregard that. Just discovered it's clocked! I am working on retrieving my deposit
And so ... there are so many dodgy Cupra STs out there that are clocked or have finance owed still. Loads also have NO SERVICE HISTORY! What is wrong with people these days??? So I gave up on the estate. Picking up a SEAT dealer approved used 2018 Cupra 300 hatch tomorrow. Nice, clean, and honest. And I know my German Shepherd Dog will fit, as she fits in my current mk2 Cupra.
@@alivekicking6247how did you find out it was clocked?
@Janeshcw HPI check came up with huge mileage discrepancies. Now own a very, very nice Cupra 300 hatch which I bought as an approved low mileage SEAT car with 2 year warranty.
Thank you, I picked my cupra st 4drive up last Thursday, absolute animal love it, it’s replaced my Leon fr st tdi that I owned for over 4 years, brilliant cars for a family. Also had the dreaded heater matrix problem a couple of winters ago. Flushing the system didn’t work so ended up flushing out the cooling system and replacing the matrix. Love your channel 👍🏼
From my research, the silica bag split was common only on diesel engines
What worries me more, is crank walk, in manuals, I heard rumours of
Have you done a review on a Skoda vrs 4x4 ? Thanks
Amazing channel! Thank you for bringing so much expert content on the VAG range.
My pleasure Ade👍
Great video as usual.
I’m got my eye on a couple of 2019/2020 Leon Cupras on Autotrader but I’m all at sea when it comes to checking and looking at the details of a potential new car but these videos really help.
Do you think pre-purchase checks by the AA/RAC or similar are worthwhile even if buying from a franchised Seat dealer?
Many thanks.
Thank you so much🙏 this is invaluable info and I’ve been looking at buying one. I’d prefer the Golf R merely as it’s 4 wheel drive. How is the handling in the cupra with so much power only going through the front wheel drive???
i drive a cupra 300, and i gotta be honest, the handling is absolute amazing. i dont even have good tires on them and i can almost take every corner Really hard without even hearing any noices from the tires!
Does anyone have any advice on choosing between the Cupra 300 dsg and the newer 290 dsg?
Hi Andrew a brilliant video as ever and so much useful advice I have also found the bag in my t roc and removed it! I have been a sub for a long time and always valued your balanced view knowledge and advice and my favourite has got to be the two you did on Graham’s lovely mk1s and project corrado as well I hope volkswizard makes it and I am always here with a comment or feedback when I can here’s to the next one hope you and Kate are both well Daniel
Very informative, balanced and interesting as always, Andrew. I'd heard about the silica t bag but certainly the front haldex was news to me.
Thanks Rory! It's funny isn't it that the silica bag we should never really know about is well known and a routine service item isn't - on plus side, both easily sorted:)
What’s the difference in engine between 265 and 280?
Post 2016 or so cars moved to single direct injectors (whereas the earlier gen 3s had dual injectors, ie one in the inlet and one in the cylinders). Single injector types gen 3s often suffer from excessive carbkn build up on the inlet valves and this is difficult to prevent. Regular oil changes (do one between intervals) and use of 99 fuel can help,.so can a quality catch can. If the car misses at I'll idle it xould be this, and it is a specilist job to put right.
2nd half of 2018 is the exact date of the transition from dual injection to only direct injection. I have an early 2018 car, engine code cjxc dual injection, no gpf, dsg6.
Single injection cars are dnue engine code, gpf, and dsg7.
That's an excellent buying guide. A mine of good, knowledgeable information - that's one of the reasons I first subscribed to the channel (sure I'm not the only one). Your content is always interesting, even if I don't always agree with you🤣.
I've always been a VW, rather than a Seat, but I've had a shot of a friend's 19 plate DSG Cupra which was impressive. Certainly didn't feel that it had a "cheaper" interior to my (then) Mk7 GTD.
It's also good to hear about the Haldex issues - I'm due to get an oil change on my R Estate next year (3 years/30k). I was under the impression that the front system was a purely electronic system (VQA diff, I think)? Had no idea it was similar to the rear one, or if it's specific to the Cupra?
If I was buying used (which is a distinct possibility in the future), I'd definitely fancy the later 4drive Estate with the Abt tuning pack - I say that as a 7.5r estate owner too! Remember that Cupra coming out & thought it was a great alternative - although I'd definitely have to upgrade the ICE.
Incidentally, I was in a people carrier taxi for work recently - was convinced it was a VW, only noticed it was a Seat Alhambra after about 30mins. That's how little difference in interior quality there is.
Only thing that harms the Cupra (which you mentioned) was the "young driver" image - a lot of the Seats I see are cruising round the local retail park at night! However, I'm too old to care about image now!
Cracking video Andrew
Very informative 👍
Great video as always Andrew, thank you. As you know I have just purchased a Cupra 290 Lux and following your original video and further advice had the car checked by a specialist for buckling of the 19's and to no surprise two of the wheels one front and one back (with the front being more severe) had a buckle on the inside. Seat dealer has agreed to either fix or replace but I would have not normally checked this until a much later date (all clean on the outside), when I would have not been able to argue it was sold in that condition, so I will be forever grateful. I know they are lightweight 19's with 235/35 low profile tyres so our roads don't help but do you think there is a fundamental manufacturing fault also? You have to keep going and we will support in all ways we can.
Very interesting video which has made me aware of some of the common problems I've not yet experienced on mine, but now know to keep an eye out for. For the next video I'd love to see you line up this car against my late-model (still factory standard) 300 4drive ST and an ST 'R' so you could give your opinion of the different specs and what you can get for your money. Is the 'R' worth 10k more than mine for example?
Great video and thank you for sharing your knowledge and expertise.
My pleasure Bill!
Great video Andrew.
Thank you
Thanks again Rasher :)
Great stuff! Love these guides thanks Andrew! Jim@CAL
Thank you Jim👍👍
Hi Andrew, great video. Any information to suggest that cars were being fitted with stronger oem clutches since the 7.5 Golf R? I have a manual R on 85k miles now. It's clutch and flywheel was replaced by its original owner at 55k miles in a VW dealership. I've had no issues in my ownership and the car has been stage 1 tuned for 3k miles now with no problems which would suggest stronger clutches are being fitted by VW from the 7.5 model onwards.
Great video. Liked and subscribed! I’ve got the 2019 Mk 3.5 cupra 7 speed DSG. Did you say the front diff service only needs to be done every 30k miles? Also, the tea bag thing in the cooler, should i pick it out and throw it away?? Thanks
Which year last seat Leon cupra before becoming cupra
Great video, I wish this existed when I bought mine, both the clutch issue and water pump leak have issues at 4 years old and 40k miles. Fortunately the water pump is covered by extended warranty but was told by the dealer it would have been £495 to replace. Overall a cracking car, made all the better with michelin p4s tyres to help keep the fwd power in check.
Amazing video again, mate. Learnt a lot on these, very underrated cars and such good value for money it’s almost too good to be true.
Thanks Josh, reckon they'll get cheaper now as they are a lot higher than they were a couple of years ago which can't last
Yup, as I said on Instagram, really really useful and interesting these ones. Bring on other models with the Top 10 I say. 👍👏
Will do Graeme!
Thanks for the guide Andrew, great impartial advice.
Just bought a 2020 290 Cupra DSG. The header tank is the later hexagon head and does not say 'Mit Silikat', would it still have a bag?
Interesting - I'd expect it to say Mit Silikat if it had it in it. I think the coolant has changed from G13 to something else so it doesn't need the bag, they probably realised it was a bad idea :)
Thank you very much for this guide! I'm currently looking for a replacement of my MK7 GTD and Cupra seems to be the most sensible one (price/value) in comparison with GTI, R or even Octavia VRS in EU.
It's also much faster than all of those and on par with the R
Glad I could help Ken😎
It will be slower than R in a drag race but in-gear acceleration should be faster as less weight and this is what matters in the real world
Very informative video mate. After a few months with my 2018 Cupra 300 - I now have a rubbing sound coming from the OS rear - I suspect it’s either a wheel bearing or a defective tyre. I also have a rattle from the front suspension going over bumps. And finally I have the most annoying rattle on the instrument cluster binnacle - the trim around the warning lights needs some foam placing beneath it to cure the sound. Luckily I bought from Marshall SEAT and it has a 2 year warranty - so it’ll be going back soon to be rectified. Other than that the car is superb, and great value for the performance you get from it. I don’t plan on selling it anytime soon 😃
Would you recommend getting a 2015-2018 Leon Cupra with manual or automatic gearbox? In terms of both reliability and drivability
This is a good but tricky question! A lot depends on how you drive, I rarely sit in traffic jams but by their very nature a lot of people and if one of those people is you, then I'd go DSG. Otherwise go manual, if that Cupra had the seven speed box of Golf 7.5 GTI Performance and R then I'd say DSG but they don't so other than jams, I'd go manual. Reliability wise the manuals do eat clutches but this is a lot cheaper to sort than any DSG issues that may crop up (though it's quite reliable).
Thanks for pointing out all that can go wrong. It's easy to have those rose tinted glasses on. The reality is be warned. Get the knowledge. Thanks again Andrew.
My pleasure Philip, thank you for watching and commenting 👍
Very informative! Getting a mk3 Cupra ST to replace my "mk2.5" Cupra at some point. Mental note made to re-watch this video.
Also, have used car prices sorted themselves out yet?
Another impartial informative video which has been a continuous theme throughout. That's why anyone with serious intent to buy/learn watch them VW UK!
Not specific to this model here, but your videos about the Mk8 GTI taught me more than any other information platform during my first 2 years or ownership.
Hope they see sense and keep letting you review products; if they are good, what's the problem VW UK?
Thanks Tony.
VW UK are perfectly fine about lending me cars as 3 recent videos confirm which is to be applauded as the Mk8 videos of mine were not 100% positive but did reflect the reality of ownership fairly and accurately.
It’s upsetting that car brands would rather get a glowing review by an influencer than to revive and act upon constructive criticism. To that point, I only follow smaller channels because they are usually honest and down to earth and relatable as well. A while back I was watching a larger channels comparison review and noticed that in the first part of the video they had traction control disabled and in the second part they did not to show the first product as inferior and I was appalled! Not only that they had to lie about the product (probably sponsored by the second product) but that they made it so obvious by including the same camera views in each section like someone wouldn’t notice!
I enjoy your ‘buyers guides’ and ‘garage’ videos the most Andrew, so the unwillingness of manufacturers to supply new cars for testing to channels such as yours wouldnt put me off subscribing or enjoying your content 😉👍
I would like to add that this video shouldn't put someone off, generally, they are pretty reliable and you'd have to be unlucky to have anything catastrophic go wrong but clutches and coolant leaks are quite common (coolant leak more than clutches) as mentioned in the video. Great video as always though Andrew and very informative!
your videos are always very factual , balanced and interesting . not a load of influencer shite. keep up the good work ! 👍
"you get the drift..." or hopefully not....
Thanks - the way CZcams is going isn't good, I've seen it change over the last couple of years and unless you don't criticise or are too big to say no to (like some bigger channels and most traditional media (mags etc)) then manufacturers don't want to know. Particularly an issue with one brand that has split into two, is launching weak cars and heading for oblivion if they don't do the numbers...
Great channel great reviews luv from Australia 🇦🇺 👍
Thank you kindly Lee, awesome to be sharing this with you guys down under 🌏🦘
Great video
Thanks!
What DSG to choose the 2018 6 speed or the 2019 7 speed?
7 all day long
@@volkswizard thanks! Can you tell me why?
Can someone tell me pleas is there any different between seat Leon 2013 and 2019 I mean the body
different bumpers, and headlights mainly
Just got the coolant issue on my 2018 Leon Cupra... SEAT inspected it and said it was a common issue with these engines. There is a crack in the thermostat housing. In for replacement this week, for some reason they aren't charging me for it, even though its out of warranty.
i would never buy a used one ive seen soo many around that are battered but a excellent video
Very envious of the model choice in the UK as these cars are gems - Cupra just launched here and yet to see any on the roads as supply still an issue and most Aussies recovering from some sticker shock as prices for new cars hit by supply and a weak AUD. Quite the fleet Andrew as you now give Harry some competition as you have quite the curated fleet however no suggestion you need to start farming 😂 but I’m sure any videos off topic would be equally informative 👏🎯👍
Mines a manual and has done 90k on the original.clutch,.so much about reliability is about how the cars are treated
Great video I hope you get more subscribers that enable you to get cars from manufacturers
i had the identical coolant leak problem on my 184 tdi FR as well.. I assume this problem also occurs on the mk3 Skoda VRS as well seeing as its the same engine as the GTI/R/Cupra?
I’ve not experienced the leak on a TDI but a neighbour lost coolant in his 2019 Tiguan and I suggested he go sort it under warranty. He never found out what it was. Yep Octavia vr6 2014-2019 similarly afflicted. Even 1.8 TSI gets it
This video came right on time as I made a down payment on my new Cupra 300 today. Thanks, Volkswizard!
My pleasure, enjoy it 👍
When I was 17 my boss had a mk1 golf, he would drive me home in, at the time, it was crazy fast and nimble...
Fast forward, I've had brand new 04 Honda type r... now on leaner times , I had an 05 mk5 golf gt, 140 bhp tdi.. bought as second car, loved it, main car was a golf bluemotion 2012 family eco car 1.6... i preferred my old mk5 gt... paid 3k with 104,000 had it for over 3 years.. looked for a gtd, crazy money for over 100k miles... now for same price, I have a seat leon fr+ 12 plate 170 2 litre tdi... love it, only 65k FSH, absolutelymint. Now, if I had to buy a new car, I would take the cupra over a golf R
They do make a lot of sense if you can see beyond the badge
How do the FWD ST compare to the hatch, Is it noticeably slower?
I want the practicality of the estate, but I don't want to compromise the performance the hatch is known for.
It's about 50kg difference between hatch and estate so not much performance difference
I am looking to buy a 2014 mk7 GTI Performance Pack and has around 63 k miles. I don't think the oil in the diff has been changed until now. what would be the symptoms that something is not ok?
More wheelspin that expected, lots of understeer on exit of corners, fault code stored in VAQ diff ECU - READ THIS >> www.haldexrepairs.co.uk/guide-to-front-e-diff-lock-lsd-on-golf-gti-autobahn-seat-leon-skoda-octavia/
Great video as usual, but I've become uninterested in the Leon's after the mk2. The styling as with most of the VW group has become bland & not very special looking, especially with the performance models. Don't understand this Cupra as a model on its own now. The only one's I've seen look like SUV's. Just wrong.
car looks great ! wheels look cool ! 👍
Good but you forget the biggest problem of them all, the Turbo. On Golf 7 R as well as Cupra’s there’s a big problem with their turbo. Make sure you get it under warranty or you will have a bit of a problem if it ever goes wrong.
I’ve just ordered my new Hybrid Leon Cupra and there’s a year lead time on it. I’m thinking about buying my 2019 290hp for tracking instead of giving it back. The Cupra is the best & most fun car hands down I’ve had.
If you do track a car the 290 will be brilliant out the box, just get some sticky tyres and maybe uprate the brakes. And when you get bored, loads of parts available to make it even better 🏁
They have got rid of the service book completely. I have a 69 plate 290 and it has no service book.
I planned for maintanence on my hot hatch though and keep my receipts. I got the car at 12k miles and its now at 33k miles after 19 months of ownership. 10k of that was motorway miles though. And its had 2 full services and 1 minor along with a DSG oil change as well (I want that unit to last the life of the car... lol).
However quite worryingly I have never thought to change the diff oil, nor told/warned until now and I've already passed that 30k mark and I've just had the mrs car die so its going to have to last a couple more thousand miles until I'm less skint....
I think this era of seat design was spot on. they will age well
Indeed, I think they've got better with age
really sad that the algerian used car market doesn't play in our favor here 😢
Sorry- after I wrote that I learned there is a 4wheel cupra version:)
the most underrated hot hatch of the last 9 years.
Just had the water pump done on my 7.5 gti - someone at VW wants a rocket (that's the polite version) for fitting effectively a plastic pump on that engine. Ridiculous
Just to add - 38k on that engine 🤦♂️
That's not good. Did it leak?
It did, checked the fluid levels after washing the car - coolant was just above min. Started car next day and low coolant warning came up on dash. Checked to find header tank empty and puddle under car.
30 min of my life i will not get back. maybe interesting for newbies
🤔 Kenan D ................. 🤡
Shame you’re not getting lent the cars from manufacturers. A bit shortsighted as most viewers can see thru the BS. I don’t recall you ever completely slagging off a car - your reviews are balanced and all cars have pros and cons. Maybe some of your subscribers would be happy to have their cars featured! Don’t normally like white cars but have to admit yours looks tidy!
Thanks Sean. I think when a manufacturer is putting out weak products and sales figures aren't great, they don't want any criticism as they can't afford to lose any sales. VW are doing really well right now so they are OK about lending cars as recent videos confirm.
If you were starting a business, you'd have to use social media to promote your product and if the first versions of whatever you sold weren't all that great you'd choose influencers you pay (or free influencers who are just starting out) to spread the word instead of critical reviewers as much as you possibly could do.
I get that but as someone who specialises in the sister brands and owns a car from the same brand I'd maybe expect emails to be answered at least. Instead I see weak 'reviews' from influencers, some who don't even have channels and don't even have more followers than me on Instagram - this makes it easier to unpick the brand's strategy and why I'm not welcome. If the car market was bit more stable I'd be buying the cars, reviewing them and flipping them on - one for 2023👍
Interesting. Hope things pick up next year. One of my fave channels.
Nice vid, terrible grill and mirrors tho.