SEAT Leon FR (5F) 2.0 TSi

[Mike1990]

Afternoon fellow PH’ers

Picked up the Astra’s replacement on Friday. It’s the Leon FR but with the potent EA888 2.0 TSi engine with 190bhp coupled with the DSG ‘box.

I’ve been looking at replacing the Astra for a good 6 months or so, but nothing really (and seriously) tickled me. I looked at all it’s rivals, 308 GT, Focus ST-Line, A250 AMG’s & 125i M-Sports just to name a few! (The 180-200bhp warm hatch segment is quite packed & the values are all over the place!)

But I’ve always liked this generation or Leon FR, and especially coupled with the DSG ‘box, I originally I was dead set on getting the 1.8 TSi, but after doing some research the one I had to have is the fairly ‘rare’ 2.0 TSi version which was only on sale from ‘68 to ‘19 plates.

Anyways,








Lovely Desire Red with the Dynamic 30/2 Alloys.

So far I’m really enjoying it!

Will update in due course…

[paulw123]

Very nice. Good engine choice.

I have the 2020 150 1.5TSI. These were the best gen of Leon IMO. Decent looks and kit for a sensible price.

[Mike1990]

Few mile’s covered since I picked it up, and I’m really enjoying it. Considering it’s got similar power and torque that the Astra had, it’s definitely a tad more potent and certainly feels quicker, but that’s probably down to the DSG doing its thing. I think I’d struggle to go back to a Manual now if I’m honest…

I’ve not really had a chance to chuck the car down a decent road yet as it’s wearing some cheap budgets on the front and the rears look to be the original Bridgestone Turanza T001’s that are probably only a few MM until they are illegal! So they’ll be all be getting changed soon.

But a few things I’ve done,

From this,



To this,

[url]
|https://thumbsnap.com/BJNwce3S[/url]

Much better!

Also some new interior mats and some better looking pedals from a Cupra/GTi’s etc…



I’ll be sourcing the foot rest next, to really finish the interior off.

Thanks.

[Mr Tidy]

That looks good, especially in that colour.

I've always had a bit of a soft spot for Leons since I bought a 2000 Cupra 180 in 2003. Back then it felt seriously quick!

[Quhet]

I've got a 1.4tsi FR and have been really pleased with it. Did 1500 miles a couple of weeks ago on a trip round Ireland and our averaged 53mpg.

Economy, reasonable performance (150hp),decent kit and it looks pretty good too. Just a pity I didn't get the ST as we'll need to replace it soon as we need a bigger car.

[Mike1990]

Afternoon. Nothing much has happened with the Leon, the winter and autumn has seen a lot of personal challenges, but I’ve managed to do a few little bits and bobs regardless.

Firstly I’ve always liked the little mud/splash guards that you sometimes see fitted the Leon’s and Golfs - expensive but worth it, I feel it fills something that’s missing by not having side-skirts,








Quite hard to photograph from a distance!

Next up the paddle extensions, I do use the paddles with a lot when in Sport mode and in Manual mode, but the factory ones are quite small and I have big hands! Find them a little awkward, so bigger ones needed,







Nothing fancy, just eBay stick on one’s and I’ll admit, they have been great and really transformed the experience and I think, look better too, also decent quality.

Fresh set of Avon ZV7 tires were fitted around Easter time too, just to sharpen the handling up a notch and some fresh number plates.

Lastly managed to give it a good ‘detail’ the other week.













Future plans - Awesome GTi for a full service and DSG ‘box service.

Mileage is not far from 55k. Still performing lovely.

Thanks.

[Tractor Driver]

Looks lovely. What sort of MPG do you get from it pottering about town, a gentle motorway run, really hammering it etc?

[Max M4X WW]

I've only just spotted this and have had a couple of these shape Leon's myself. The first was a company car, a 1.6 TDi Ecomotive ST, which at the time (2015-2017) I absolutely loved. in 2020, we needed a family car, so I thought a 1.8 TSi would be the perfect car. After a few months, I found it a bit boring and flat to drive, as I'd come from a company called Golf GTi Estate, and whilst hoping it would be the Golf GTi estate that they never made, it wasn't quite there.

I'm sure the 2.0 TSi is the missing link, so I'm now trying to convince my brother to get one. I'd also be interested in MPG figures as, realistically, he doesn't need the extra performance and would probably go with the 1.4 or 1.5 (it's handy not needing a cambelt change on the 2.0, though).

[Mike1990]

Tractor Driver said:

Looks lovely. What sort of MPG do you get from it pottering about town, a gentle motorway run, really hammering it etc?

Thanks. Desire Red is the paint name, and really does look good when cleaned up.

I’m averaging between 38 & 40mpg on my commute to work and back, which can be a mixture of nice A/B-Roads and motorways. That’s in ‘normal’ mode to, I’ve tried Eco mode but didn’t notice anything to a MPG.

[Mike1990]

Max M4X WW said:

I've only just spotted this and have had a couple of these shape Leon's myself. The first was a company car, a 1.6 TDi Ecomotive ST, which at the time (2015-2017) I absolutely loved. in 2020, we needed a family car, so I thought a 1.8 TSi would be the perfect car. After a few months, I found it a bit boring and flat to drive, as I'd come from a company called Golf GTi Estate, and whilst hoping it would be the Golf GTi estate that they never made, it wasn't quite there.

I'm sure the 2.0 TSi is the missing link, so I'm now trying to convince my brother to get one. I'd also be interested in MPG figures as, realistically, he doesn't need the extra performance and would probably go with the 1.4 or 1.5 (it's handy not needing a cambelt change on the 2.0, though).

I'd certainly try and test drive the 2.0 TSi though, even with the on-paper extra performance over the 1.8 TSi it still might feel abit flat. I think its fine, but i've not experienced the higher powered 2.0 TSi's so can't compare - a simple remap takes them to about 240-245bhp though! which is GTi performance.

[Max M4X WW]

Mike1990 said:

Max M4X WW said:

I've only just spotted this and have had a couple of these shape Leon's myself. The first was a company car, a 1.6 TDi Ecomotive ST, which at the time (2015-2017) I absolutely loved. in 2020, we needed a family car, so I thought a 1.8 TSi would be the perfect car. After a few months, I found it a bit boring and flat to drive, as I'd come from a company called Golf GTi Estate, and whilst hoping it would be the Golf GTi estate that they never made, it wasn't quite there.

I'm sure the 2.0 TSi is the missing link, so I'm now trying to convince my brother to get one. I'd also be interested in MPG figures as, realistically, he doesn't need the extra performance and would probably go with the 1.4 or 1.5 (it's handy not needing a cambelt change on the 2.0, though).

I'd certainly try and test drive the 2.0 TSi though, even with the on-paper extra performance over the 1.8 TSi it still might feel abit flat. I think its fine, but i've not experienced the higher powered 2.0 TSi's so can't compare - a simple remap takes them to about 240-245bhp though! which is GTi performance.

To be honest I had a Superb 280 for a coupe of years as well, it was quick, but again flat low down (to me). I think the Golf R / S3 map probably has more grunt low down but I've not tried one.

I bet the performance is more than enough, the torque figure appears to be 236b/ft vs the 1.8's 184b/ft, which is a big jump.

[Athlon]

Nice car! I bought the same, 19 plate 2.0 Tsi 7spd dsg. only difference is ours is metallic white,

It's a great car, we got 50 mpg on the run to Cornwall! Sport mode is a hoot, sounds better, blips on downshift and the gear change is so quick!

I have done a major service on it, I have not done the 'box as it has 31K on it at the moment, one thing I did do is fish the silicone bag out of the header tank for the coolant as if it leaks it causes all manor of issues, I will change the coolant to EVO when I get a few mins.

Cupra.Net is a brilliant resource for help, hints and tips.

[Mike1990]

Athlon said:

Nice car! I bought the same, 19 plate 2.0 Tsi 7spd dsg. only difference is ours is metallic white,

It's a great car, we got 50 mpg on the run to Cornwall! Sport mode is a hoot, sounds better, blips on downshift and the gear change is so quick!

I have done a major service on it, I have not done the 'box as it has 31K on it at the moment, one thing I did do is fish the silicone bag out of the header tank for the coolant as if it leaks it causes all manor of issues, I will change the coolant to EVO when I get a few mins.

Cupra.Net is a brilliant resource for help, hints and tips.

You don't see many in White! (well i don't anyways) Glad your enjoying it, they're a really great package - Performance & Running costs point of view.

I've read about the silicone bag and either mines already been taken out or its already made its way into coolant! - But I'm thinking its been already taken out as touch wood, so far all is well.

[harrymark14]

I'm currently looking at buying a Leon Fr, same age as yours. I've been looking at the 1.8TSI manual and 2.0TSI DSG. What was it that made you set on the 2.0? Looking at the adverts I've seen it's about £1.5k - £2k extra for the 2.0L for similar age and mileage, but looking at the specs they're relatively similar (except the 2.0 has a fair bit more torque). Do you reckon it's worth it?

[Athlon]

I bought on miles, colour and condition to be honest, initially we looked at a 1.8 but this was too good to pass up. It's a great car, loads of power and the box is brilliant, hardly used sport mode as it goes well enough for me.

[jezhumphrey75]

love the colour.

[Glosphil]

When I bought my 2018 Leon FR in 2019 I spent 4 months looking for a 1.4TSi (150) in that colour (Desire Red). Every car I found was black, white, silver, blue or grey. My wife said no to the blue as it was identical colour to her Clio. I ended up with metallic grey.

Still wish I had a red one.

[Mike1990]

harrymark14 said:

I'm currently looking at buying a Leon Fr, same age as yours. I've been looking at the 1.8TSI manual and 2.0TSI DSG. What was it that made you set on the 2.0? Looking at the adverts I've seen it's about £1.5k - £2k extra for the 2.0L for similar age and mileage, but looking at the specs they're relatively similar (except the 2.0 has a fair bit more torque). Do you reckon it's worth it?

TBH - I was looking at the 1.8TSI's as i didn't want DSG, but when i was looking the 2.0TSI's didn't appear that much difference in price IMO, and this one i got was local to me, so made sense, had a test drive and was impressed with DSG so decided to bite the bullet. I have been impressed ever since. Sometimes i put it in Manual mode and use the paddles, car always feels more potent that way and is pretty fun.

The 2.0TSI has 236ft/lb which is the same as a Manual 1.8TSI i believe.

Edited by Mike1990 on Friday 2nd August 12:13

[Max M4X WW]

Mike1990 said:

The 2.0TSI has 236ft/lb which is the same as a Manual 1.8TSI i believe.

AutoTrader says 184.00 lbs/ft for the 1.8 which is certainly what mine felt like a few years back!

[Mike1990]

Max M4X WW said:

Mike1990 said:

The 2.0TSI has 236ft/lb which is the same as a Manual 1.8TSI i believe.

AutoTrader says 184.00 lbs/ft for the 1.8 which is certainly what mine felt like a few years back!

I think your correct - It could be the 1.8 TSi Polo GTi and Ibiza Cupra that are rated at 236 Ibs/ft, I’m sure I’ve that figure for 1.8 TSi somewhere!