MK3 SEAT LEON CUPRA - WHY IT BEATS MK7 VW GOLF GTI PERFORMANCE PACK
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- čas přidán 31. 05. 2024
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In this video I share with you 10 reasons why I think the Mk3 Seat Leon Cupra 280 is better than the Mk7 Golf GTI (Performance Pack) which was the top GTI for sale when the Cupra 280 was available from 2014-2016. Most of this is fact but there is a small amount of opinion in there, mainly to do with the subject of looks and image.
This is far from a GTI bashing video as I could probably find 10 reasons why the Golf GTI is better than the Cupra 280 but as it happens there is just one very important one which I talk about at the end of the video.
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SIlls, you get them on the GTI. You can even get them light up on the GTE from 2k15..
LED lights, that is NOT the first compact car to get them.. GTE from the same year has them..
I stopped at 3m as the bullshit was not fun to listen to... I could go on, but seriously, get your facts straight before you go on about a comparaison..
I spend a lot of time researching facts in my videos if I am not completely sure about them from my 20 years experience of working with these cars.
I got the info about the Mk3 Leon being the first compact car to use LED headlights verified byf Seat's own website;
www.seat.co.uk/about-seat/news-events/cars/leon-advanced-illumination
The Mk3 Leon got them in 2012, for the UK it was only when the Mk7.5 Golf came out that any Golf including GTE got them. Even if the Mk7 GTE had them (I've never seen one) it was still 2-3 years after the Mk3 Leon.
As for the sill covers, you are confusing the ambient lighting in the plastic interior sill trim, this offers zero protection to the metal still on the outside of the door seal. No Mk7 Golf has illuminated sill covers on the metal exterior sill step.
If you are going to go correcting (and insulting) people, I suggest you get your facts right.
@@volkswizard Feeling insulted? Oh my...
Not sure who's insulting who, as I might not be a native english speaker, but i am sure as hell fluent. I have zero issues with anything from IT to mechanical technical jargon.
Going 42, and a petrolhead for most of my life, i think I can differentiate between door sills and a dashboard trim.
Maybe you should research some more and get your facts straight(er).
I own a 2015 mk7 GTE and it does have illuminated sill covers.
Also it does have the LED lights as they are standard (yes... standard) on this model.
You might have 20 years experience working on these cars, but apparently, it's not enough, as i also have them (actually more) and your remarks make no sense...
Comment sections are not supposed to be unicorns and rainbows, where everyone pats on your back.
When you're talking bullshit, and you get called on it, you have two chances. Either disprove it, or admit it was wrong.
I have a car on my garage that proves you wrong. What do you have? Wikipedia research?
MMkayy...
@Nuno I so agree with what you said . I just didn’t want to say it . He needs contents. It’s a pity you stop after 3 min. Because he yawn on his own video😂
@@nunofernandes8857 why do you actually care?
@@Takutak866 Because some people actually see the videos to get information, and not as "white noise". If information is not accurate, why should it be made available?
Oh, that's right... There's people like you that don't care about accuracy...
I love Seat as a brand. My main car is a BMW 5 Series but I have a second car which is a 2011 Leon 1.6tdi Ecomotive which I have had for 7 years and its been great. It’s done 100k, I’ve driven it all over Europe as far as Sicily and its never let me down. I’m not in the market for the Cupra but I wouldn’t hesitate to buy one. Yes, they haven’t quite got the quality of a VW or Audi but fundamentally, where it counts (Mechanically) they are the same car for less!
Yes seat leons offer VW tech fir cgeaper
Before I bought my current Golf R, I was set on DCC as on option, and tested two vehicles with this option and was very impressed. I then tested a vehicle with a passive suspension set up (as it had been reduced in price considerably from one week before) and was quite staggered at how much more it had in terms of steering feel and precision. It was on a whole different level. I have heard this is exactly the same scenario on the hot Cupra's (please check Jay Emm's Cupra R300 review as just one example). Have any guys out there tested Cupras with DCC and passive suspension systems back to back and noticed any difference in steering feel and response?.
Great video -really enjoying your videos - came to this one from the 1977 MK1 GTI one. The standardised DCC alone makes this a really attractive purchase as finding a Golf 7 GTI with DCC is like a needle in a haystack. No idea why, as it's such a good option.
The only question I have about this is that I believe unlike the Golf R, it is solely front wheel drive, so does it struggle a bit putting that much power through the front wheels?
This popped up as I was researching about the mk7 GTI. Stage one map sees 300ish bhp so a bit more then the 50bhp mentioned. Otherwise thank you for adding another car to the list of cars I am looking at.
Interesting comparison.Great car for the money. It’s hard to discount the badge though and generally speaking as you go up the VAG brands a bit more ‘star dust’ is added. Presumably you would swap it in a heart beat for your old MK 8 GTI?
Really great video Andrew! I am an owner of a 5dr Cupra 280, also Manual. This video is right up my street. However you could've mentioned that as an option with the Cupra you could get the Sub8 pack in UK or Performance pack here in Europe for which you get the Aero side skirts and of course the biggest upgrade, the 4 pot 370mm Brembo brakes with floating rotors (which no GTI, R or S3 ever got as standard, only Cupra got them and couldn't get into Brembo brakes on any MQB platform unless you went for the RS3 which is a different ball game altogether with 6 piston calipers) instead of the standard 1 piston 340mm TRW brakes, which are not bad considering they are standard on the Cupra, 7R & S3, and you had to pay extra for the PP GTI. Rear brakes are all the same 310mm ventilated discs, except on the non PP GTI where you get smaller 280mm non ventilated discs.
Besides these and DCC as standard equipment on the Cupra, and not standard on any GTI, R or S3, for the FWD competitors in the VAG group, the Cupra gets the front VAQ differential as standard, when with the GTI you can only get it with the PP. Not to mention any of the Haldex siblings the R and S3 don't get it on the front axle, only the Haldex AWD system in return which is a plus and a minus in the same time.
I believe these two are well important to be mentioned as well for the Cupra, as they are huge advantages. Keep it up mate!
Without the gti there would not be a seat cupra of old.
i forgot you drive on the wrong side of the road andn had a heart attack at 13:15 lol
I'm a convert to cupra and VRS .I drive 245 VRS and it's very muscular . I really like it
I bought one because I like a fast front wheel drive hatchback, the gti has 60hp less and then golf r is awd and theirs not much if the 20hp different but it’s the same engines as the golf r so If you remap them you get the same power out put with the golf r and the cupra
Recently got myself a Cupra 300 DSG on a 2018 (pre GPF). Love it! Far better value than the VW equivalents in my opinion!
Fantastic content as always Andrew. Keep going , we can't do without your videos. So much information and excitement 👍. Come on guys an girls. Give this channel some love.
I was surprised how nice these are, I was in a custom exhaust centre last year and I got talking to the owner of one , when it came out from having new custom tips he showed me around it and I was well impressed of the performance it has 👍
First of all Andrew I think that is fabulous news that we will be seeing a video around once a week, that would be my only feedback that we don’t see enough of you but I know you have had a lot on. Loved the video as always. Regarding the perceived Seat quality I have a 2016 golf mk7 that has been regularly serviced and maintained having only 45k on the clock and I am disappointed at the number of creaks that come mainly from the inside which for a VW I find disappointing especially going for a high spec R line. My next purchase is strongly leading to a Seat given the value for money. As I have just had a little one would you flag any concerns going for around a 2019 plate 300 cupra estate over the hatchback? Another thought for a video unrelated to this could be a comparison between the new and old golf r line given that might be a popular choice. I know you have look at the r line of the mk8 but given the mk7 is now very affordable it would be interesting to see how they have pushed this on. Thanks again, andrew b.
Car Focused gonna love this.
I’m here 😂💪🏻
Clap clap clap
Hello
I have plans for buying this masterpiece and this is your second video im watching. And still i have one question - engine distribution is made by belts or there is chain or its made with both? Is is cheap to replace or i need to prepare for robbing a bank ? :D Thanks
Great video as always. Clearly explained pro/cons.
Not sure about the baseball cap though!
Badge snobs; I ran from new a Skoda Fabia VRS with the Diesel turbo engine. Used it on my 80 mile daily commute for 6 years. Never missed a beat. Great car from the VAG family. My colleagues at work bought the same model after a ride in mine. The Seat is the perfect Q car. The wheels look good too.
Brilliant fun and shows how well specced a car is despite the badge on the grille makes these a performance bargain hot hatch. Great video as always - Volkswizard par excellence- hope business side of things panning out well too 🤘🙏
You’ve hit the nail on the head with these points. Mine got the bucket seats too. Make all the difference. Mines also remapped stage 1 to 350bhp which is perfect. Any more horses and I’d want a 4WD.
Another well balanced video (I couldn't help but notice that your fly is undone at 9.10).
Well done andrew another great video and I must confess I looked at the mk3 Leon and thought it was as good as the golf 7 back in the day and the seat and Volkswagen garages were next door the only difference was Volkswagen gave me an extra £500 on the trade in!
Both are an equally nice drive and I especially liked Seat gave metallic paint in the price not an option
I still like the cars seat make and would look at them if I couldn’t afford a Volkswagen in future
Great video keep it up👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾. We bought a Cupra Formentor VZ this year in May and are really enjoying it, before that we had Golf GTI 7,5 but my wife wanted a car that is a little higher to sit in and I did not want a typicall SUV, the Formentor meets our needs perfectly.
All true, I’m looking at an estate next year and once upon a time it would have been a VW for sure but the 280/290 is now top of the list however I do think VW missed a trick not doing a GTI estate.
Love the fact it has a handbrake !
How does the 280 compare to the 290 version and the 300 version?
Anything major in terms of differences.
Thank ou
there are a number of variations after the facelift but pre-facelift I wouldn’t be surprised if they were the same engine. OPF does seem to make the later cars a bit dull though. I had one of the last Mk3 estates and it was silent apart from fake noise while Golf R estate was a pop/bang fest!
@@volkswizard i have an OPF model 290 and it was quiet.... However after 30k miles its super loud now and Ive not even de-res'd it. Pops and bangs in sport and cupra modes.
Otherwise same engine and electronic LSD.
@*v.v* Ive driven both and own a 7 speed now, I wouldnt call it a major difference but thats my opinion.
Yes but you don't get the light up sills like in the Mk7 Golf....
Swings and roundabouts, I'd put protection over bling and with the Leon you get the former and a fair bit of the former.
My Leon sills light up
I'm with What Car? (May 2014 edition) in the twin test between BMW M135i auto and the Seat Leon SC Cupra 280 DSG. Although they reckon the M135i is the better car of the two, they reckon the VW Golf GTI Mk7 (217bhp or 227bhp PP) beats the Cupra because it's cheaper, just as much fun, yet has a far classier interior, and works out cheaper to own in the long run due to stronger resale values (their words not mine).
These days the chavs who can't afford Golf R's buy Cupras - leaving the Golf GTI to be enjoyed by those seeking fun without being classed as boyracers or chavs (obviously there are exceptions) 😂
I wouldn’t believe everything you read in a magazine😆Seriously though it’s all opinion and 8 years is a long time ago. 7.5 GTI with PP is a great all rounder but Cupra dynos at 300, every Cupra has DCC rather than it being a rare option, interior is similar quality to Golf 8 which is perfectly fine. Image of Golf is classier but if you are into driving (quite a rare thing these days), Cupra wins. Check out evo track test of Sub 8 model in 2015 by Jethro Bovingdon, never seen him as enthusiastic about a GTI
Never liked seat but after seeing this they don’t look a bad car . Just the look of it it puts me off personal opinion
I have a Mk7 GTI PP. I am 33 so a "young enthusiast". I wear a Panama hat and not a baseball cap. I guess I bought the right car🤣
🤠
Isn't the golf gti performance pack 245bhp or am I missing something, by the way I got my tcr up on a four poster ramp and smothered it in normfest protector, looking forward to more videos Andrew 😊
Mk7 gti pp is 230bhp. Mk7.5 gti pp is 245. Same engine same turbo different ecu software.👍🏻
@@lukeramsay2542 ye thanks mk7 mk7.5 stupid me thanks for that, I should of known.
Great video Andrew.
The cupra is a great looking car.. definitely a bit of a bargain compared to the golf. With those extras as standard it could well turn me to the cupra. I wish they had done a cupra mii with the up gti engine. 🤣🤣 tuned up 150 BHP..
Great material as always 😊
I had a 2015 Gti pp and sold it for my present car a Cupra 300ST . I have never regretted it for a moment . Loved the Golf but the Cupra just gives more . Your review is spot on . As usual ! Well done
Many thanks indeed for this video, the two cars I'm considering next! What a car this Seat really is! Brilliant content
You are welcome Rich 👍👍
I currently own a Mk8 Fiesta ST but previously owned a CUPRA 290 and afterwards a 3DR FR with the 180bhp engine. Absolutely loved both of them and with regards to the badge image, I genuinely felt good driving a SEAT, especially a SEAT that was not just a run of the mill model. Both felt like cars that would only be bought by car enthusiasts, which is what appealed to me. I honestly find the VW brand extremely Vanilla most of the time and as mentioned in the video anyone buys a Golf GTI, it's almost a default choice by people who are NOT petrolheads and its because of this I'd take a SEAT anyday over a VW. You drive a Leon CUPRA and it says "im a car enthusiast and I have bought this car for a very specific reason", you drive a Golf GTI and it says "I'm a sheep and I bought this car because someone I was speaking to says it's a good car but I don't really have any opinions on cars myself"
That is admittedly a pretty extreme example above but the general consensus is in line with that comment I believe
As a dyed in the wool Golf fan (excepting the Mk8), I'd struggle to disagree with much of that. It's an interesting & well thought out comparison (although not sure about the hat "props" though🤣).
Sill protection: absolutely a great point! I bought aftermarket stainless steel ones for my R, but yes, VW should have included that as standard. The Cupra ones are very nice indeed.
Headlights: 100% agree - the LED lights on my 7.5 R are far, far superior to the Bi Xenons on my 7 GTD, I didn't think they were much better than the lights on my old Passat B6 estate!
DCC: giving I had 19" wheels on passive dampers on the GTD, I made sure I got an R with DCC - it needs it on 19"s! The GTD handled brilliantly, but it was not relaxing at all - dreadful tyre noise too (which I don't get on the R, strangely, despite the wheels/tyres being the same size - probably down to different tyres, I'd think). Also I agree with you that the R springs aren't particularly hard - I don't use Comfort at all, it's horribly floaty & waffly (even on a motorway). Even on a long run, "normal" is best - I wonder if the Mk7 GTD/GTi had harder springs?
Screen: again, a great point. I had the "Pro" unit in the GTD which helped (a reasonably priced option as a "tech pack" with Dynaudio - it was a 66 plate, so near the end of the Mk7 run).
Not so sure about the bucket seats - they do look smart, but I find the standard VW seats to be fine, practical too - if you're hooking a dog hammock on the back of them for the back seats! Like the Alcantara though, a vastly underrated material - probably better than leather, imho.
You make a pretty good case for the Cupra - although I think there was an estate version with AWD?
Styling: the Cupra looks sharp, for sure (Seats have always had a youthfulness about them, not a bad thing), but the "classless" nature of the Golf is a good thing to me - I wasn't a fan of the Mk7 styling when it came out, but I love it now. It's "classic VW", sharp but understated - "Classy classlessness", if you like🤣.
If I was looking for a car, I wouldn't let the badge put me off - I got both my Golfs at the end of the model run (66 plate Mk7 & a 20 plate Mk7.5), so got a cracking deal on both of them - but used, the Cupra would be better value than a Mk7 GTi pp, for sure. Only quibbles is have is the 3 door body (I assume it was available as a 5dr too) & the power - for all that power, I'd rather have AWD, but that's just me.
Great points Thanks
👍
Andrew, great review as always. The Seat is a secondhand bargain to hang on to as long as possible and enjoy its dynamics, that way you can forget about the badge snobbery!
Well said!
Thanks Andrew very interesting, apologies if this has already been asked, I assume the same engine’s in the 290 and 300 models?
I bought a 3 door normal Leon FR 150 as a stopgap car nearly 7 years ago after a string of VWs and Audis. I've still got it! VWs just became so dull, both visually and to drive and couldn't bring myself to buy another.
The Leon is a masterclass in terms of instrumentation and ergonomics (I've a background in aviation testing), from unit placement down to access controls (Direct access buttons on Infotainment, best steering wheel control implementation in the group) there's nothing that beats it.
Not bad for a £17k car (2015 price), and yes it pinches a number of design elements from the VW bin that are more Lambo than Skoda, interior door pulls, honeycomb mesh used in various places and the best instrument Font since the 986 Boxster.
Great feedback thanks. I forgot to mention the ‘fighter plane’ door mirrors too
Dont know if it's mine but the damping feels od. It crushes a lot in comfort and it makes a big noise when go in big holes a bit fast, like it is heating the stopper of the damper. On the front axel
Front shocks are known to fail so might be that, hard to make it bottom out but it’s not impossible
@@volkswizard will check next servicing. Are they Monroe from factory?(dampers)
@@robinmarples5198 think they’re sachs, control arm bushes don’t last long either
Love the Leon cupra in white I think it's a sexier model than my mk7 performance gti are the later models as good? Great video, cheers
I prefer the pre-facelift cars myself as they seen a bit rawer, the later cars already seem to be going down the modern Cupra way of being a bit more refined and luxurious, who really needs bronze badging etc? I will make exceptions for the Mk3 Cupra R though
Back when i was looking for my car, there werent that many cupras for sale so i went with a gti. I never thought of the leon as a lesser car, actually id have prefered to get a cupra, for the engine alone.
Just the video I was waiting for cheers
👍
Does Cupra have plastic oilpan? I'll swap metal one to my 2019 GTI PP when next oil change.
Yes IIRC, engine is same as Mk7 Golf R. Mk8 is metal again so clearly plastic wasn't a good idea🤔
let me tell you the other side... with no lux pack you get the awfull seats with magazine pockets in the back just like in the old taxis. before face lift you get no fog lights. with all the lineup you get awfull back door handles. with pro face lift you get one cup holder under the armrest. with all the lineup you get hanging gas petal. with pre face lift you get one usb port without light so you cant see at night to put the cable in. with all the lineup you get down and no side front glass wipers to have nice marks when you use them. also you have no spray function in the front wipers, but you have spray function in the back wiper... dont forget that you get the wheel hop as well... ahh its ok you get alcantara and a nice back seats table and leds. i hope this seat designer is kicked out... all the above you have them in mk2 facelift from 2009.
But your comparing it to a Gti PP 🙈🤣
True comparison would be the Gti Ed40 Clubsport non S
Seat will be worth £3.50 in few more years unfortunately
My 2018 white 3 door leon fr 184 tdi looks so simular to the cupra it has sill skirts aswell. The interior is not as nice with standard seats and white headlining it has the sound pack with subwoofer which is not bad suspension is a little soft the best thing is the diesel engine it goes really well.
I had a golf 150 r-line and had a fr pushing me up the road . That's when I found out there was different versions of the fr ... lol
Great video again
Thanks Mikuel 🙌🏻
Recently got myself a cupra 290 lux. Came from a modified mini cooper s, so impressed with the cupra. Didn't even consider a gti due to the higher price, lower power output and lower spec. One small gripe is some of the interior plastics feel a bit of a step back from the mini. (BMW switchgear) otherwise its good step up.
Oh also the gpf, thats a downside 😂
Looks are a matter of personal opinion and very subjective. I could not agree with any of your points on this matter. I prefer the look of the Golf, I do not get excited by the odd crease, I do not like sloping rear quarter windows and the A6 has an elegant well proportioned design, imo. The Cupra is leaning towards the training shoe, or a 'cap backwards' design. VW Golf has the Cupra beat on looks.
Sorry for the abuse from certain sources!,some people dont know how to be respectful!
Love my 290 its fast once going and such a sleeper, get mercs and bmws on my tail all the time until the foot goes down and they're left behind
prefer my mk7 golf , far better looking and its the original hot hatch
Looks are subjective, I like more the looks of my Cupra and the extra horses (and IS38 turbo) are awesome
But did notice price cuts here and there, like no bonnet struts, peeing windshield wipers, etc
The Golf being the original hot hatch has always been the subject of a lot of debate - a Mk7 being better looking that a Mk3 Leon hasn't, it's not (but as Marton says it is subjective👍)
@@volkswizard seats look like girly cars , and tbh ive always been a sucker for a VW so i am biased lol
An all rounder. Brilliant !
Very nice spec for the Leon. Seat is a great brand that VAG is killing slowly.
AMEN - gone are the peoples' hot hatches, instead we are being given a budget Audi
Great cars mines a 2018 300 dsg and i love it stage 1 367 bhp so it's plenty fast enough for the uk I came from a rs3 8p and wouldn't go back lol
I'm going to pick one up next Saturday. How many miles does urs have and has it had any problems? Cheers
@@Insetta hi mines done just under 40k owned it about 9months and no problems I've had it serviced and the dsg and front diff serviced as well only slight problem is mine suffers from the creaking suspension when going below 30 mph its pretty common and nothing to worry about 👍
@@davidcollett6970 nice. Mines a dsg too with 36k on it. So will get the dsg service at 40k. Can't wait even got the virtual cockpit in mine. Wanted a sunroof but so hard to find one with a sunroof
I wish we got these cars in the US but everyone here buys SUV's and trucks.
Excellent video, this one looks tasty
Sold my GR Yaris as I was getting a bit bored.....and swapped it out for a Cupra 290. No regrets and I adore my Cupra....its ace 💓
In 2006 I bought an ex-demonstrator Leon TFSI, a car that Seat only made for one year before making changes and renaming it the FR. I called it my Golf GTI in a designer overcoat. I was a superb car. I later test-drove the FR and found my TFSI to feel the more enthusiastic of the two, despite a minor deficit in power on paper. I also thought it the better looking of the two.
I really like the mk3 Leon, to me it looks even better than the golf GTI.
Another great contender in the category is the Skoda Octavia vRS - basically the same platform but more practical as a daily driver, especially when you have a family and only able to maintain one car
Octavia vRS is good if you need space but tops out at 245 PS and isn't really that agile (I'd not want to track day one) - but as a good value spacious and reasonably entertaining car it makes a lot of sense
@@volkswizard
Agree.
I would take a Leon/Golf when single, Octavia for family.
What's the new laws on new cars regarding speed limiters?
Can't go wrong with either car to be honest
Amen 🙏
Didn't know that about the designer being from Lamborghini! That's a cool fact as I own a Leon, I shall bore my wife with that later 😆
I've bored mine with that already :)
No diff so no good.
No diff?
Way too subjective and way too personal. The only significant point was the last one about power and performance. So should be re-titled ONE reason why Seat is better etc..etc.
Living in a country with shit roads I can say that DCC is a must..
Strange thing is from reviews I have seen Seat clearly outdoes VW in the world of EVs too. So VW not living up to perceived quality.
Does the Cupra have an LSD?
It has the vaq system in the front axle. Similar to haldex. Clutch packs electronically controlled.
better interior than the mk 8. pretty nice car overall.
Love my Leon.Far nicer and exciting then the golf .So much I’m buying another.
It's a much more interesting design. And less rare than a Golf. Surprising that it isn't more popular.
resale value are crap especially the non xub 8 packs,everything you have is always better ive had both golf gti is loads better