To change or not to change?

mk2 cupra r

Active Member
Aug 14, 2013
90
0
Northern Ireland Portglenone
Hi all have been very quite on the forum as past few months. New job and buying a house took over my time.
Main reason of this thread is I recently have got the notion for a cupra 280. Took one a short test drive and thought it was a lovely car.
However ive been off the scene a while and would love to know what people really think of the new cupra, especially those who made the change from the mk2 leon cupra r.
I currently have a 2011 lcr with a shade under 40k on the clock.
 

JACUPRA280

Active Member
Jun 18, 2015
932
55
Somewhere
Hi all have been very quite on the forum as past few months. New job and buying a house took over my time.
Main reason of this thread is I recently have got the notion for a cupra 280. Took one a short test drive and thought it was a lovely car.
However ive been off the scene a while and would love to know what people really think of the new cupra, especially those who made the change from the mk2 leon cupra r.
I currently have a 2011 lcr with a shade under 40k on the clock.

I've had my 280 DSG for 2 months now. I didn't own a LCR before but my brother did, and I drove it every now and again. The LCR was stage 1, but the stock 280 is a lot quicker in every gear at all revs on any road.

It's the quality that's the biggest step up though. The interior quality and the ride quality is much nicer. Looks wise, I like the LCR, but the understated looks of the 280 push me to favour the latter. It looks fantastic in white as a 5dr (like mine) :D.

Get a 280. Much better all rounder.
 
Last edited:

kazand

Is powered by Medtronics
Jun 6, 2010
4,138
73
Brum
We went from a 62 plate LCR to Cupra, right from the off the Mrs preferred it to the LCR, (it's her daily driver) both to drive and looks wise, as it attracts far less attention from people want ing to 'race' ..... she also liked the switchable modes , although she tends to leave it in Cupra now for some strange reason :D
Me? I didn't like it at first. Really struggled to feel the love, as I had enjoyed many miles in the LCR ( was on 35k when we sold it) over some demanding roads. However after some solo blats round Welsh roads I'm starting to feel better about it. From A to B over a twisty route the 280 is faster. No question. Which is the most enjoyable? Depends if you like taming wild dogs. The R always felt like it wanted to bite your leg off and beat you to death with the wet end. The 280 feels like it'd do the same , but say please, thank you and use a napkin.
Dislikes compared to R?
1. Sat nav is not as good imho as the one in the R. Its too slow and the graphics are not as good.
2. Headlights - intially felt the LED's where not as good as the Xenon's, however it is possible they are incorrectly adjusted from the factory, a slight (1/4 turn) seemed to improve things, but juries out till winter.
3. Sound system ( we have the plus system) can be a bit slow but have found its only with certain iPods, the touch the wife has works fine.
4. Noise - I disconnected the sound thingy on the R and it still sounded good, I feel the 280 is too quiet tbh!
5. Axle tramp - seem to experience this more than in the R, usually when it's wet. Its easily controllable, and I am reserving judgement until new tyres are fitted. There is also a cheapish mod (£50 or so) that can improve things apparently.
6. Tyres - I do not rate the oem Bridgestone's at all. The fronts are down to 3mm after 8.5k so I'll be looking at either Goodyear assys or Mich's . Certainly on the R the oem Pirelli's ( when not committing hari kari in potholes [:@] ) showed every sign of doing 10k plus, and the subsequent Good years possibly more.
7. Economy......... IF you are really interested....... (buy a fkn diesel!!!) tank slightly smaller, currently average 300 per tank ( 30mpg) on super unleaded, mix of driving, weekly commute plus weekend blasts.
8. Warranty issues - touch wood only one so far, external temp sensor went potty.
9. Lastly ... fan jets. Should be standard, an easy cheap mod to do though.

Would I change spec if I ordered now? Not really, although I wish I'd pushed a little bit harder for the bucket seats...... standard are comfy, don't get me wrong, but when pressing on a little more support would be nice....

Plus points?
1. Its quicker
2. The diff is better than the R once you get used to it
3. Insurance is cheaper for some weird reason
4. Its quicker²
5. Wife likes it
6. Its understated.
7. Ride is better (even in Cupra)
8 . Looks better than the Golf imo.
9. It's ..... quicker .... !

To some up - yes a big leap, and at first you may wonder If you have done the right thing, but after some time together you will realise you have.
I still miss the R, but it's starting to become a pleasant memory......... :D
Ours is a manual 5 door btw.
 
Last edited:

zondaff

Active Member
Mar 8, 2015
381
0
Surrey
My only criticism is the 6 speed DSG, when doing motorway speeds, I find it just a little on the loud side in terms of engine drone.
 

mk2 cupra r

Active Member
Aug 14, 2013
90
0
Northern Ireland Portglenone
Hi all, thanks for the in depth feed back its been a great help.
In my test drive I did notice a few of the points you have mentioned kazand. Noise being 1 I was a little disappointed with, however cupra mode made it slightly more to my taste.
the road was a little damp and I felt that the cars new diff dealt well with the conditions, though I can defo vouch for the improvement a good set of tyres makes, currently have pilot super sports and there good for 10k on the front which I was surprised about :)
car im looking at is a white sc manual. don't think ill miss the extra doors as I rarely have more than 1 passenger at a time.
Also has the bucket cloth seats which I really like.
Just have to persuade the mrs its the right choice and jobs a good one
 

Kernow

Active Member
Jul 13, 2015
20
0
Congratulations in advance! Looking forward to hearing how you rate in in comparison :)
 

golf gti dude

Lottery win needed.
Sep 2, 2012
512
0
Chester/Shanghai
We went from a 62 plate LCR to Cupra, right from the off the Mrs preferred it to the LCR, (it's her daily driver) both to drive and looks wise, as it attracts far less attention from people want ing to 'race' ..... she also liked the switchable modes , although she tends to leave it in Cupra now for some strange reason :D
Me? I didn't like it at first. Really struggled to feel the love, as I had enjoyed many miles in the LCR ( was on 35k when we sold it) over some demanding roads. However after some solo blats round Welsh roads I'm starting to feel better about it. From A to B over a twisty route the 280 is faster. No question. Which is the most enjoyable? Depends if you like taming wild dogs. The R always felt like it wanted to bite your leg off and beat you to death with the wet end. The 280 feels like it'd do the same , but say please, thank you and use a napkin.
Dislikes compared to R?
1. Sat nav is not as good imho as the one in the R. Its too slow and the graphics are not as good.
2. Headlights - intially felt the LED's where not as good as the Xenon's, however it is possible they are incorrectly adjusted from the factory, a slight (1/4 turn) seemed to improve things, but juries out till winter.
3. Sound system ( we have the plus system) can be a bit slow but have found its only with certain iPods, the touch the wife has works fine.
4. Noise - I disconnected the sound thingy on the R and it still sounded good, I feel the 280 is too quiet tbh!
5. Axle tramp - seem to experience this more than in the R, usually when it's wet. Its easily controllable, and I am reserving judgement until new tyres are fitted. There is also a cheapish mod (£50 or so) that can improve things apparently.
6. Tyres - I do not rate the oem Bridgestone's at all. The fronts are down to 3mm after 8.5k so I'll be looking at either Goodyear assys or Mich's . Certainly on the R the oem Pirelli's ( when not committing hari kari in potholes [:@] ) showed every sign of doing 10k plus, and the subsequent Good years possibly more.
7. Economy......... IF you are really interested....... (buy a fkn diesel!!!) tank slightly smaller, currently average 300 per tank ( 30mpg) on super unleaded, mix of driving, weekly commute plus weekend blasts.
8. Warranty issues - touch wood only one so far, external temp sensor went potty.
9. Lastly ... fan jets. Should be standard, an easy cheap mod to do though.

Would I change spec if I ordered now? Not really, although I wish I'd pushed a little bit harder for the bucket seats...... standard are comfy, don't get me wrong, but when pressing on a little more support would be nice....

Plus points?
1. Its quicker
2. The diff is better than the R once you get used to it
3. Insurance is cheaper for some weird reason
4. Its quicker²
5. Wife likes it
6. Its understated.
7. Ride is better (even in Cupra)
8 . Looks better than the Golf imo.
9. It's ..... quicker .... !

To some up - yes a big leap, and at first you may wonder If you have done the right thing, but after some time together you will realise you have.
I still miss the R, but it's starting to become a pleasant memory......... :D
Ours is a manual 5 door btw.


I got 1k out of my bridgestones.. track day which destroyed the shoulders on the tyres so had to change... expensive
 

perkman1969

Active Member
Feb 25, 2015
298
1
NE England
just an update on my status I put a deposit down on the cupra 280 so when I get paid next week ill be taking delivery of my new beast :)
will miss the lcr but deep down I know its the right move.
thanks for your help

I think you'll love it. I always fancied the Mk 2 LCR but couldn't bring myself to buy one because I felt the interior let it down (and that's the bit you look at most after all!) Loved the look from the outside mind you.
My 280 has brought enjoyment back into motoring - suddenly find myself taking the long way home after work for some entertainment but it still stays under the radar to most other road users. Enjoy mate and show us some pics when you have her.
 

mk2 cupra r

Active Member
Aug 14, 2013
90
0
Northern Ireland Portglenone
I think you'll love it. I always fancied the Mk 2 LCR but couldn't bring myself to buy one because I felt the interior let it down (and that's the bit you look at most after all!) Loved the look from the outside mind you.
My 280 has brought enjoyment back into motoring - suddenly find myself taking the long way home after work for some entertainment but it still stays under the radar to most other road users. Enjoy mate and show us some pics when you have her.

Thanks and yea ill have to stick up a readers ride or something when I get the car :) I didn't mind the interior of the lcr as I came from an 07 stylance which was worse again. plus my last few cars have been red so was desperate to get a change. really wanted a grey 280 but beggars cant be choosers and white will have to do :p
 
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