My new (boring) car..Leon FR

[_Tom]

Well with the sale of the 330 and not knowing what to buy i ended up with this - Leon FR 150 tdi. Now its very boring and plain to look at but i know this. I've bought it with my head and not my heart. I budget to keep it 6 months maybe a little longer but we will see. For the money i paid all other diesels seem to be in poor condition or poor service history etc but not knowing what i wanted it seemed pointless to keep searching not knowing what i wanted. I ended up looking at it as it was only 4 miles down the road. One owner from new, new MOT, cambelt, FSSH etc. He even put four brand new tyres on just for the sale? Madness. The car is immaculate and drives like new. It honestly does. It smells new inside without even a mark or looking like its been sat in. The history is silly. All MOT's, FSH up to 500 miles ago and all invoices for all work done. Always at the dealership that it was bought. He even paid them for simple jobs like brake pads.. I couldnt really walk away knowing for what i prepaired to spend i'd get a car in this condition or being looked after as it has.

I'll bore you with some pics -

I may map it as they map to over 200bhp but then i dont want to kill the clutch. The plan is too keep it tidy, that is all. Its actually a really nice drive and im shocked how quick the 150 can be in certain scenario's. Also, on my way to work not even taking care it averaged 62.5 mpg..madness.

With my car history im not sure how long it'll actually last but i think the plan is to start another isa for a S2000 as the house deposit fund is looking good and no doubt this should help..

 

[Christopher]

It does the job and looks smart enough. Rather you than me though.

 

[imprezaworks]

I like it

 

[.GAZ.]

Nice Tom. Perfect for munching the miles.

 

[_Tom]

Oh and what do people think to the Leon Cupra R splitter on the FR?

I think it looks better but then i dont want to effect resale much or look like i actually like the car to passers by..haha

 

[Scrooge]

Nice car Tom.

A map will never take it over 200bhp in a million years. You'll get around 190bhp/310lbft. The maps however do make the power much more usueable instead of in one massive lump. The clutch will be fine for a while after a map too, it just depends on how far gone it is now.

If it were mine the first thing i'd do is buy an EGR delete as they build up quickly and get properly restrictive. I'd also get a decat and maybe back box delete before mapping to get the most out of it (sound f**cking mad too). Once mapped you'll probably notice the intercooler joints weeping if they aren't already, this is sorted out by the number of limited boost hose kits you can buy. Handeling wise, rear ARB, Eibachs and poly bush kit (fitted mine last night, they're properly good) and also the 318mm brake pgrade (all you need is carriers and disks) makes a massive difference.

If you start hunting more power you have a choice of hybrid turbo, which make it drive alot like a petrol turbo, and can be fetteled for around 260/280bhp withi the right mods.

Or a GTB turbo kit, which can see you breaking the 300bhp mark.

Obviously injectors and clutches with have to be coupled with the above.

See. www.darksidedevelopments.co.uk

 

[.Stevo.C.]

Looks immaculate. I would really consider mapping it. Guy at my work had his done and it honestly left me for dead in my 172.

 

[Brookie.]

I like it! Looks really well kept.

I personally like the look of the Curpra R splitter on the front too. It doesn't look like an add-on on the Leon and I can't see if affecting re-sale in any way!

 

[Sir_Dave]

Looks very sensible. Enjoy the mpg figures

 

[_Tom]

Nice car Tom.

A map will never take it over 200bhp in a million years. You'll get around 190bhp/310lbft. The maps however do make the power much more usueable instead of in one massive lump. The clutch will be fine for a while after a map too, it just depends on how far gone it is now.

If it were mine the first thing i'd do is buy an EGR delete as they build up quickly and get properly restrictive. I'd also get a decat and maybe back box delete before mapping to get the most out of it (sound f**cking mad too). Once mapped you'll probably notice the intercooler joints weeping if they aren't already, this is sorted out by the number of limited boost hose kits you can buy. Handeling wise, rear ARB, Eibachs and poly bush kit (fitted mine last night, they're properly good) and also the 318mm brake pgrade (all you need is carriers and disks) makes a massive difference.

If you start hunting more power you have a choice of hybrid turbo, which make it drive alot like a petrol turbo, and can be fetteled for around 260/280bhp withi the right mods.

Or a GTB turbo kit, which can see you breaking the 300bhp mark.

Obviously injectors and clutches with have to be coupled with the above.

See. www.darksidedevelopments.co.uk

Thanks for the info mate but to be honest it wont happen. A map would and panel filter would be the most this would see. Knowing the MK4 platform well i know poly bushes make a massive improvement as does a rarb to to be honest i'd rather save the money towards a car i'd enjoy like a S2000.

As for the maps everyone advertises 200+ bhp and the local chap at swict also said he mapped one to over 200 recently. But to be honest i couldnt care less. I'm just tempted for a bit more pace being impressed by whats already there.

Do the clutches dmf not instanly break then? That's what i've been led to beleive? Its done about 60k. The bite is very sharp and low. Also, from a map i'm not looking at top figures, just a nice smooth map releasing some power.

 

[_Tom]

Looks immaculate. I would really consider mapping it. Guy at my work had his done and it honestly left me for dead in my 172.

Yeah in gear even as standard they're quite nippy.

I like it! Looks really well kept.

I personally like the look of the Curpra R splitter on the front too. It doesn't look like an add-on on the Leon and I can't see if affecting re-sale in any way!

Yeah i am tempted and theyre cheap.

Looks very sensible. Enjoy the mpg figures

The first part is what worries me. I dont normally do sensible. Or thinking with my head when it comes to cars.

 

[Cueball]

Looks dated

 

[Sir_Dave]

Well if you are going 100% sensible, dont for the love of god waste your money modifying it.

That money would have been better spent on petrol imho.

 

[Scrooge]

Fair point dude

The maps are 100% worthwhile as it make it much more driveable, as you've probably noticed as standard you get a great surge of boos then nothing. With a map it levels it out greatly making it drive so much nicer. They're surprisingly quick once moving and properly punch above their weight.

Mine lasted over a year before the dmf started rattling and when I took it off the clutch was still fine and it took some proper abuse. As yours is on 60k yours will be fine. You will be seriously be impressed after a map, but go to a specialist VAG tuner imo and also try not go for a Revo map as they just don't feel as smooth imo and can be a little aggressive.

 

[Gally]

Bit of a strange buy no? Surely there were better sensible cars than that? Just seems a strange bus.

 

[_Tom]

Looks dated

Thats because it is.

Well if you are going 100% sensible, dont for the love of god waste your money modifying it.

That money would have been better spent on petrol imho.

I agree. A map isnt much though. About 2 weeks worth of fuel savings from this. Other than setting an alarm i have find some way of staying awake.

Bit of a strange buy no? Surely there were better sensible cars than that? Just seems a strange bus.

Yeah it is really. I bought it on condition and fact it'll be easy to sell for what i paid/condition. Also the fact when doing 300+ miles a week this is cheeeeap to run. In terms of more sensible? I dont think you can be other than a prius. For 3.5k you cant find much.

 

[Eliganza]

I really want one of these

 

[Gally]

Ah missed the 300 miles a week mate. Decent bus then for that kind of mileage! Any nice A3's at that price?

 

[jon_r]

I'd enjoy it for the 6 months you want to keep it and leave it totally as it is, standard.

Soon as you start fiddling with it, the sooner you'll start putting off buyers.

 

[_Tom]

Ah missed the 300 miles a week mate. Decent bus then for that kind of mileage! Any nice A3's at that price?

No only the 8L shape. Anything newer was on 160k+ and poverty spec. This has everything. Climate, sunroof, electric folding mirrors etc. Of course more power being the 150. Yeah £400 a month on fuel was pissing me off. Even to the point i didnt want to take it on road trips to see my mates etc.

I'd enjoy it for the 6 months you want to keep it and leave it totally as it is, standard.

Soon as you start fiddling with it, the sooner you'll start putting off buyers.

Yeah i tend to agree. Will someone notice a map though? haha

 

[VeinAST]

Very nice condition

 

[alex-avfc]

Nice car, fits the brief perfectly.

 

[Ian_182]

I actually like that.

Good luck with it.PM me price and milles if you dont mind.?

 

[Lal B3N]

I like these, looked at them before the Clio but I didn't think there would be much point coming from one 1.9 diesel to another. What will they do to a tank? Go very well off a map and dont handle too bad either.

I do over 300 a week in the Clio, but at least in your 300 a week you are surrounded by better build quality and a better ride lol.

 

[_Tom]

I'm really not sure what it'll do to a tank. I'm going to brim it tonight and see what she does.

 

[Scrooge]

Brimming mine it does just over 500 miles and I don't do slow tbh It did roughly the same mpg standard too.

 

[_Tom]

Brimming mine it does just over 500 miles and I don't do slow tbh It did roughly the same mpg standard too.

Is your's mapped?

 

[Scrooge]

Mines running 250bhp mate.

 

[_Tom]

Mines running 250bhp mate.

Woah! Blimey. Any specs etc of yours on the net? Do the 312mm front brakes go straight on these with the discs and carriers?

 

[Scrooge]

Nope, I just bore people I meet with the specs and let them drive it instead lol You only need the discs and carriers, the caliper and pads are exactly the same. They make a really good difference imo for the money.

 

[_Tom]

Nope, I just bore people I meet with the specs and let them drive it instead lol You only need the discs and carriers, the caliper and pads are exactly the same. They make a really good difference imo for the money.

Haha fair do's mate. Yeah that's what i said.. The same as my Bora.

 

[Scrooge]

Epic Q car. I like people thinking it's a rubbish diesel, it's fun.

 

[Keyser Soze]

I had this engine in a Golf. Mine was 198bhp 307ibft. You'll find the clutch will start slipping under load in 5th and 6th gear once mapped. The real weak point is the dual mass flywheel though. My new one lasted 10k before starting to rattle.

 

[Keyser Soze]

Also google 150 TDI camshaft problems. Prepare for a £1000 bill when it happens.

 

[_Tom]

Also google 150 TDI camshaft problems. Prepare for a £1000 bill when it happens.

Its more so a problem with the golfs as they were on the long life service schedule. This has been done every 10k or less with PD oil. Apparently it only takes one oil change with the incorrect spec and your asking for trouble. I'm not sure if mine has been done but wouldnt be supprised if it had. I'm going to whip the rocker cover off this weekend for a look anyway.

 

[Scrooge]

Yours is 2004 Tom, I highly doubt you'll have problems mate on response to your PM go for it!

 

[_Tom]

Yours is 2004 Tom, I highly doubt you'll have problems mate on response to your PM go for it!

Remap booked for the weekend after next. I'm a little worried about the flywheel going "boom" though. Whats a sensible power to have it mapped too? 180? I guess its the torque that kills them..

I havent done many miles but since i filled it i've done 320 miles and its half way between 3/4 and 1/2. Seems mental compared to the 330 as i've not exactly been driving slow. Far from it. I think with a map it'll scare a few cars with its tiny power band..haha

 

[Scrooge]

Just map it to what its capable of, mine last over a year with aggressive driving before the flywheel went. If the clutch is in good nick then you shouldn't have a problem
It also depends on what map you go for, a revo one I find is too aggressive tbh my custom map was very smooth and stretched out the narrow power band really well..

With just a map mine pushed standard tt 225s, meganes etc out the way etc

 

[_Tom]

Its booked for a custom map mate. He swears he can get about 205bhp out of them and maps them on his rollers. A few mates have used him and i had some work on my Bora there. He's a decent chap too. He was saying the clutch and dmf are the weak point so can map it whatever i want really.

http://www.southwestincartech.co.uk/

I dont drive like a man on speed anymore so i'm hoping it should be ok. I'm really intrigued to see what it goes like. My mates PD130 is mapped with a revo map and on 180k and the standard clutch and dmf.

 

[Scrooge]

It dyno lottery mate tbh
They go brilliantly but you crave more and more power lol