Leon FR - Petrol or Diesel??
Discussion
Dear PH Collective,
I'm in the market for a new comapny motor in the next few months (new job...) and the list, while not inspiring, does include the Leon FR in either Petrol or Diesel guise which is proving quite tempting - better looking and a lot rarer than the usual Golf fare, and better equiped than the golf tha I can "afford".
I'm wondering what people's thoughts are as to the relative merits of the 200bhp petrol versus the 170bhp diesel? I'm driving a 140bhp diesel right now, and love the torque, so would have no issues with the extra 30 bhp of the oil-burner. However, the lure of the magic 200bhp figure on the petrol is certainly strong.
Anyone have any experience of either, or views on which will be the better real-world driving car (that can still put a smile on my face?)
I'm in the market for a new comapny motor in the next few months (new job...) and the list, while not inspiring, does include the Leon FR in either Petrol or Diesel guise which is proving quite tempting - better looking and a lot rarer than the usual Golf fare, and better equiped than the golf tha I can "afford".
I'm wondering what people's thoughts are as to the relative merits of the 200bhp petrol versus the 170bhp diesel? I'm driving a 140bhp diesel right now, and love the torque, so would have no issues with the extra 30 bhp of the oil-burner. However, the lure of the magic 200bhp figure on the petrol is certainly strong.
Anyone have any experience of either, or views on which will be the better real-world driving car (that can still put a smile on my face?)
Hard choice!
Petrol got a good write up in Evo and the 170bhp oil burner seems good in the VW/Audi cars so dont know what to suggest!
When I brought my Leon I drove the 140 diesel and the 180? petrol. The petrol had the addictive rush towards the red-line
but I think the oil burner has a much more useable kick. The big downside for me is the noise - the diesel is not nearly as smooth as others on the market but at the end of the day it saves a load of £'s on the company car tax....
How about the gearbox? IIRC the petrol can be speced with the nifty DSG if that makes a difference?
Petrol got a good write up in Evo and the 170bhp oil burner seems good in the VW/Audi cars so dont know what to suggest!
When I brought my Leon I drove the 140 diesel and the 180? petrol. The petrol had the addictive rush towards the red-line
but I think the oil burner has a much more useable kick. The big downside for me is the noise - the diesel is not nearly as smooth as others on the market but at the end of the day it saves a load of £'s on the company car tax.... How about the gearbox? IIRC the petrol can be speced with the nifty DSG if that makes a difference?
Regardless of the engine, I found the new Leon to be far too plasticky and tacky inside. The dash is ultra cheap and nasty IMO. I was also put off by how far back the top of the windscreen rake begins, which in turn pushes the top of the A-pillars back too far making the car seem quite a bit more claustrophobic than it really ought to.
I think I'd be looking at what else is on your list before opting for a new Leon unfortunately.
I think I'd be looking at what else is on your list before opting for a new Leon unfortunately.
antony moxey said:
Regardless of the engine, I found the new Leon to be far too plasticky and tacky inside. The dash is ultra cheap and nasty IMO. I was also put off by how far back the top of the windscreen rake begins, which in turn pushes the top of the A-pillars back too far making the car seem quite a bit more claustrophobic than it really ought to.
I think I'd be looking at what else is on your list before opting for a new Leon unfortunately.
I think I'd be looking at what else is on your list before opting for a new Leon unfortunately.
True. But you get what you pay for! The VW Golf is just as poorly made but the A3 is fantasitc in terms of build quality.
antony moxey said:
Regardless of the engine, I found the new Leon to be far too plasticky and tacky inside. The dash is ultra cheap and nasty IMO. I was also put off by how far back the top of the windscreen rake begins, which in turn pushes the top of the A-pillars back too far making the car seem quite a bit more claustrophobic than it really ought to.
I think I'd be looking at what else is on your list before opting for a new Leon unfortunately.
I think I'd be looking at what else is on your list before opting for a new Leon unfortunately.
Test drove a new Leon in September and found it "scary" just how hard it was to see out of it. As said above, the windscreen slope means the rear-view mirror is very close to your face which limits visibility somewhat!
Can't say which of the two FRs is better though..but personal preference would be for the diesel.
If you adjust the seat properly it's fine.
2 clicks above the lowest setting, drop the wheel and pull it out as far as you can. Job done.
There is far too much height adjustment and the seats seem to be set too high from the factory.
If I set mine right up I still have loads of headroom but the LHS of the windscreen is obscured by mirror.
You get used to the A Pillars. If the seat is in the right place you can see past OK but I have to confess to dodging about a bit at junctions.
Goes well tho
2 clicks above the lowest setting, drop the wheel and pull it out as far as you can. Job done.
There is far too much height adjustment and the seats seem to be set too high from the factory.
If I set mine right up I still have loads of headroom but the LHS of the windscreen is obscured by mirror.
You get used to the A Pillars. If the seat is in the right place you can see past OK but I have to confess to dodging about a bit at junctions.
Goes well tho
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