Seat Leon SE / FR Suspension differences

[anonymous-user]

I am interested in a Leon 1.5 SE Dynamic and went to the dealer today to test drive one. The only car they had was a 1.4 FR with 4k miles on the clock, and on the motorway I was surprised at the amount of road noise.

Having investigated the spec a bit more it appears the FR has lowered sports suspension fitted, is this why the road noise was higher than i would have liked?

Personally I am not part of the "low profile tyre, low ride, sports suspension" brigade as I find it pointless for driving on the shocking UK roads. Give me decent tyre profile and comfortable suspension any day.

So can I order an SE Dynamic, safe in the knowledge it will be quieter and have a softer ride?

[Drive Blind]

I own a Leon FR and the level of road noise is largely dependent on tyres in my experience.
The factory fit Bridgestones were very noisy. These were replaced with goodyears which when new were silent in comparison but have gained a bit of road noise volume as they have worn down.

I recently spent a few days in a base spec Leon and the ride wasn't noticably softer or smoother.

[Glosphil]

With its higher profile tyres, softer springs and higher ride height I would expect an SE to have a less firm ride than a FR.

[anonymous-user]

From what I understand the tyre size on the SE Dynamic and FR is the same, 225/45/17. The difference is the FR has 15 mm lowered sports suspension.

I am actually a bit annoyed that they didn't have the engine and trim level I wanted to drive, but I guess most people wouldn't even by able to spot the difference. Apparently the SE Dynamic doesn't have any build dates left next quarter, hence why the dealer was trying to pursuade me to get the FR and didn't understand why I didn't want to pay an additional £1500 for different bumpers, seats, a flat bottom steering wheel and harder suspension.

When I mentioned the road noise and asked if the FR had different suspension the salesman told me they were same.

Oh, and they thought I was some sort of weirdo when I told them I would only have an Urban Silver car.

Do most people walk in, take any car available in any colour and pay full list price with Gap, tyre insurance, dent insurance and superguard added in? Am I a pain by actually being fussy about the car I want to buy?

Edited by anonymous-user on Sunday 24th March 19:17

[Jonno02]

Joey Deacon said:

I didn't want to pay an additional £1500 for different bumpers, seats, a flat bottom steering wheel and harder suspension.

Full LED lights.
Electronically fold-able mirrors with reverse parking position.
Interior LED illumination pack.
Upgraded seats.
Auto wipers and lights.
Dual zone climate control.
Shift paddles on DSG.

There's a lot more than just different bumpers. The headlights alone are worth the £1500 upgrade.

[Griff74]

You get a lot of extra kit on an FR, esp if you go for an FR Sport. I don't find the ride in my FR to be too hard but I am used to and prefer cars with sporty suspension.