Few Questions Before A Purchase

[DiddlyDonker]

Not sure if this is in the right section so I apologise in advance if it isn't.

Hi guys,

I'm seriously considering buying a Leon mk2 tdi fr but I have a few questions if you would be able to help me please

I currently drive a Honda Civic Type R. I love the car but it's too expensive to run which is why I'm considering the diesel Leon. In the type R I get on average 31mpg, what would I be looking at in a 2.0L tdi fr?

I've found one at my local garage for £5,350. It's a 56 plate with 76,000 miles on the clock in black. Couple of marks on some of the alloys and a few scratches on the body. Boot has water in it so I'm assuming there's a leak? The garage selling it I've known for over 15 years and they know me well so I know they won't con me and will fix any problems before they hand the car over to me but do you think this is a good buy?

Also are the mk 2 Leon fr's reliable? Any common problems etc?

And finally do they have a trip computer that shows Avg Mpg etc?

Thanks.
All help is greatly appreciated!

 

[Daniel M]

Hi, on the Leon you would get on average 40-44mpg, depending on what sort of driving you do you may get more. Due to the MK2's DPF it isn't advised you get one if you only do short journeys as the DPF is likely to get clogged up and will perform a regen very often.

If the boot has water in it could be few things, leaky aerial base or the rear washer jet pipe has come loose in the boot is the more likely case.

Generally they are reliable but they did have a recall on the injectors, however a call to Seat UK with the VIN number will confirm whether this has been done or not. I'd make sure it has had the cambelt done and that it has a decent service history.

They do have a trip computer but, there are two different versions. One has a small MFD(display) and cars with Bluetooth have a large one. Haven't had one with a small MFD so don't know if they show less info than the larger ones.

 

[DiddlyDonker]

Thanks for the reply.

About the milage, I do roughly 10/12,000 miles a year. Is this enough?

Thanks.

 

[Daniel M]

Yeah, though it depends how far your commute is etc. How many miles a day do you do and on what type of roads?

 

[DiddlyDonker]

I live in North Wales so a lot of country roads and I travel 30miles a day to work and back down a dual carriageway. Also as for the trip computer when you say there are two different sizes, do you mean the bigger one that shows when the doors are open etc and the smaller one? This has the smaller one. I only really want average mpg.

Thanks

 

[mike0105]

I live in North Wales so a lot of country roads and I travel 30miles a day to work and back down a dual carriageway. Also as for the trip computer when you say there are two different sizes, do you mean the bigger one that shows when the doors are open etc and the smaller one? This has the smaller one. I only really want average mpg.

Thanks

Smaller one shows instant and average mpg, distance to empty, trip distance, average speed, time, temperature outside and allows you to set a warning to go off when you exceed a certain speed.

 

[Daniel M]

You should be ok if doing 30 miles a day.

 

[DiddlyDonker]

Just heard back off the garage. The car only has 2 stamps in the service book, one at 16,000 miles and another at 56,000 miles. It's had 5 previous owners and they're trying to get a hold of SEAT to see if it's had the injectors replaced and a new cam belt. What do you reckon? What price should I try and haggle here?

 

[Daniel M]

Service history seems to be a bit vague, but a lot of people tend to do their own servicing these days as its far cheaper. Does it come with any warranty? Though I would hope it'll have been serviced since the last one as 20k is a lot without a service.

I'd ask them to service it before purchasing too.

 

[DiddlyDonker]

I know the garage very well so I'm sure if I asked they would throw in a service they will also mot it and put either a 3 or 6 month warranty on it. I've asked what the best price they could do is considering the service history, the state of he alloy wheels and the body work marks and they said they'd get back to me. Also on a side note, about the injector recall, I found a thread about it and apparently it's a recognised fault by seat and VOSA now, does this mean I would be able to have the problem fixed through seat if it ever occurred?

 

[Daniel M]

If it hadn't been done previously then I would think you could get it done yes.

 

[DiddlyDonker]

That's put my mind at ease slightly. I saw your post on your signature. I like what you've done with your car. Have you had any problems with your Leon and would you personally recommend one?

 

[Daniel M]

The only problem I've had (touches wood) is a split hose causing the car to go into limp mode. New hose sorted everything.

Personally I really like mine, as they have almost everything I need bar bluetooth audio streaming. Though I have got bored of the power and would like a bit more umph!!

 

[DiddlyDonker]

Sounds good. I know they have an AUX port to the left of the driver in the middle of the car but do they also come with a USB port?

 

[Daniel M]

Sounds good. I know they have an AUX port to the left of the driver in the middle of the car but do they also come with a USB port?

The facelifts came with Aux and USB but the pre-facelift (05-09) either came with an Aux input on the centre console or an iPod dock under the drivers seat. Mine has the iPod dock.

 

[DiddlyDonker]

Just heard back off the garage. They got hold of seat and the car has had no recalls. Reckon I should give seat a ring to see if it's covered? They've also offered me a price of £4950 and they'll throw in a new cambelt. Any good?

 

[Joshkcupra]

I'd say get them to change the injectors aswell and call it £5k

 

[MATTCR]

I'd go for a FL if I was you - but it depends on your budget doesn't it.

Mine's an 09 FL FR, 2.0 TDI (CR) - I do 60 miles every day and average 51mpg. 550 to a tank and it is very reliable. The CR is much more smooth and quieter than the PD.

Nearly £5k for a pre-FL, if you can get another couple of grand you can have mine

 

[DiddlyDonker]

I'd go for a FL if I was you - but it depends on your budget doesn't it.

Mine's an 09 FL FR, 2.0 TDI (CR) - I do 60 miles every day and average 51mpg. 550 to a tank and it is very reliable. The CR is much more smooth and quieter than the PD.

Nearly £5k for a pre-FL, if you can get another couple of grand you can have mine

Would be way out of my budget :/ having to finance part of the price of this one as is. Would love your one otherwise!

 

[MATTCR]

Choose a good one then mate easier said than done I suppose but with your budget and the age of the cars now there are some dogs about. Good luck