Changing to a used CUPRA what to look out for?

DaveysFR

Active Member
May 28, 2008
526
5
Northern Ireland: Limavady
Hi, I currently have a 2007 FR TDI Leon in Red with the following spec:

-18inch Andromedas
-Bluetooth
-BTCC Skirts and Spoiler
-CUPRA Grill and Mirrors
-Bluetooth
-Convenience Pack and Winter Pack (Auto lights, wipers, headlamp washer and heated seats)

The car has 39k on the clock, but has NO scratches or dents at all on it only a couple of small stone chips on the bonnet and bumper. Alloys are immaculate also.

I spotted a Crono Yellow 2007 Leon CUPRA in a SEAT dealer near me, it was registered on the exact same day as my car (31st of May 2007) but has only 16k miles. The spec is as follows:

-Bluetooth
-BTCC Skirts and Spoiler
-Xenons

They are looking £13,995 for the car, but I am going to offer them £3,000 plus my car at the most.

Is there anything to look out for on the CUPRA in particular when I go to view it on Saturday?

If the car is not in the same condition as mine I will not be purchasing it.

Sorry for the long post :doh:
 
Jul 10, 2007
1,267
0
Leeds
I take it if it's registered May 2007 then its the older model year with the Chrome Grill surround rather than black?

Xenons were standard then, the bluetooth is a nice to have but doesn't add anything to the value. The BTCC is a love it or hate it thing.

I would thoroughly examine the car, mine had several funny smells one from the aircon and one from the cat. I would start the car from cold and give it a good test drive.

Rusty hubs are normal, keep and eye out for any rattles and get those sorted but I'm sure you know this from the FR.

At 16K miles it should have probably had a new set of front tyres. Mine hd about 3 mm left when I sold it and the car was sliding all over the place in the wet.
 

Al

Active Member
Aug 29, 2005
7,331
9
Brakes, exhaust, clicking from CV joints, clutch bite point, flat spot at 5200rpm, mirrors not folding in all the way, tyres, colour match on body kit, accident damage etc.
 

shaunymac

Auto Emocion
Jul 30, 2007
122
0
Basildon, Essex
Brakes, exhaust, clicking from CV joints, clutch bite point, flat spot at 5200rpm, mirrors not folding in all the way, tyres, colour match on body kit, accident damage etc.

Sorry dont mean to hijack the thread but are these two things you have highlighted common problems? Or do u mean clutch bite point as in to see if its been abused? and what causes the flat spot? i thought the flat spot was meant to be in the mid range?
 

DaveysFR

Active Member
May 28, 2008
526
5
Northern Ireland: Limavady
Cheers guys, my car has the condensation in the headlamps. Do cars with factory fit Xenons also suffer from this?

I also have the rusty hubs so I will check for that, also I will check for the delaminating windscreen.

I will be keeping my Black Cupra Grill from my FR to put onto the CUPRA.

I'll update this thread when I see and drive the car on Saturday.
 

Al

Active Member
Aug 29, 2005
7,331
9
Clutch bite point will indicate if the previous owner has used up 60,000 miles of clutch in 20,000 miles so to speak.

The flat spot is something that seems to be on a few Cupras I know of, including mine. I understand there are several possibilities for why this happens.
 

shaunymac

Auto Emocion
Jul 30, 2007
122
0
Basildon, Essex
Clutch bite point will indicate if the previous owner has used up 60,000 miles of clutch in 20,000 miles so to speak.

The flat spot is something that seems to be on a few Cupras I know of, including mine. I understand there are several possibilities for why this happens.

cheers for clearing that up mate had me worried for a second there! haha. I get a noticeable surge after 5k I always assumed it was to with the fuel leaning off slightly.
 

RickyD1975

Audi A6 2.0TDI 170 S-Line
Jan 2, 2008
572
0
North East
Check that the exhaust is not blowing. A lot of people have commented that the box back changes sound over time.

Mine was annoying me so changed it for a Milltek Cat-Back Non-Resonated and it's much better.
 

shaunymac

Auto Emocion
Jul 30, 2007
122
0
Basildon, Essex
Cheers guys, my car has the condensation in the headlamps. Do cars with factory fit Xenons also suffer from this?

I also have the rusty hubs so I will check for that, also I will check for the delaminating windscreen.

I will be keeping my Black Cupra Grill from my FR to put onto the CUPRA.

I'll update this thread when I see and drive the car on Saturday.

I get a bit of condensation in my xenons occasionally mate. I also have rusty hubs and my winscreen is lookin ropey as well haha. But seriously I love my cupra I doubt you would regret changing!
 

Al

Active Member
Aug 29, 2005
7,331
9
I have a little condenstation on my xenons too now and again. I will know tomorrow if my OEM turbo back exhaust is in sound nick when it goes back on the car but I am sure it was starting to sound like it was going the same way as others seem to have gone before the Milltek went on.
 

DaveysFR

Active Member
May 28, 2008
526
5
Northern Ireland: Limavady
Cheers lads, so does the condensation clear in the Xenons after a whle? My standard headlamps never clear and I have to resort to the hair dryer in the back of the lamp units [:@]

Ill check the exhaust lads and if it sounds odd Ill hopefully get it replaced under warranty.

Thanks for the help and advice.
 

RickyD1975

Audi A6 2.0TDI 170 S-Line
Jan 2, 2008
572
0
North East
I have a little condenstation on my xenons too now and again. I will know tomorrow if my OEM turbo back exhaust is in sound nick when it goes back on the car but I am sure it was starting to sound like it was going the same way as others seem to have gone before the Milltek went on.

So are you selling up DJ??? and moving on to the Cosworth idea???
 

Al

Active Member
Aug 29, 2005
7,331
9
Car will be more or less completely back to stock completely by tomorrow. I have a pile of bits sitting in my place waiting to get all shined up.

Watch this space regarding the replacement if I can get this one sold for the money I am aiming for ;)
 

RickyD1975

Audi A6 2.0TDI 170 S-Line
Jan 2, 2008
572
0
North East
Car will be more or less completely back to stock completely by tomorrow. I have a pile of bits sitting in my place waiting to get all shined up.

Watch this space regarding the replacement if I can get this one sold for the money I am aiming for ;)

Good luck with the sale & I look forward to seeing your replacement car;)
 

Al

Active Member
Aug 29, 2005
7,331
9
Cheers lad. If all goes to plan, you will laugh at the interim car I am aiming for :lol:
 

Al

Active Member
Aug 29, 2005
7,331
9
There are no parts I will be looking to sell on immediately sadly as I am planning to polish them and hang them up on the wall as decorations :lol:
 
Last edited:
Progressive Parts, performance parts and tuning specialists