After 3yrs Leon ownership I've just got rid of my Leon ST FR 184.
The overall ownership experience has been very odd...
For the last 12 years I've had VAG cars as my daily drivers; all of them have had their merits but the Leon is the only one that has never let me down, not even warning light to replace a sensor costing a few quid. I've never had a single electrical or mechanical fault with the car.
It was fully loaded, with only a panoramic roof short of every option being ticked. The amount of tech in the car wold cost £k's on the options list on an equivalent Golf or Octavia. In 2013 Audi were still charging almost £2k for LED's. The spec was envied by friends and colleagues who had spent tens of thousands more on A4's and A6's.
The ST boot is deceptively big, bigger than an A6 avant (yes really!). It's swallowed all my bikes and kit, been rammed for family holidays and with Winter tyres fitted the car devoured a 1500 mile, snow filled holiday in the Highlands recently. It's really been the perfect family car.
Yes, I've had the same dash and door rattles as everyone else but I just hit Google and Youtube and worked out how to take the interior apart and soundproofed everything that was practical to do so. Made it a slightly more refined car but with the 18", 'Summer' wheels fitted it was still like being inside a transit van (ok refinement isn't a strongpoint of the Leon)
Initial experience with the supplying dealer were good but after they snapped some boot trim on the PDI, which was a nightmare to get rectified and then showed appalling attitude and customer service when carrying out the first service, I quickly made friends with my local independent specialist. I'm glad I had a good 'un as if I had to deal with the main dealer network for warranty issues I think I would have just cut my own head off (judging by some feedback on this forum).
Despite the largely positive ownership experience, I've just never 'loved' the car which is why I started looking at replacing it from quite early on (I know, I can't explain why either!?!). Then the single biggest issue with the Leon reared it's head - DEPRECIATION!
Every other VAG car I've had in the past has held it's value quite well, I ran an Octavia MkII for two years and it lost £3k in buying price vs p/x price. That's pretty good. I tend to buy new cars every 3-4 years and I'm fully aware that depreciation is the single biggest expense of car ownership but I've had dealers offering me as low £6k as a p/x, which was £1K less than it's GMFV. The car was immaculate too. I've sold 14 year old Mk1 MX5 for only a little less.
Anyway. I'm collecting my new car on Friday and I hope I 'click' with it this time. This really is a great forum and always a great source of info and advice. Thanks everyone!
FWIW. I have some 16" Winter wheels and tyres (will fit everything barring a Cupra), ST bootliner (raised position only) and roof rack up for sale. Will be going on eBay shortly. Please let me know if you're interested.
Happy motoring
The overall ownership experience has been very odd...
For the last 12 years I've had VAG cars as my daily drivers; all of them have had their merits but the Leon is the only one that has never let me down, not even warning light to replace a sensor costing a few quid. I've never had a single electrical or mechanical fault with the car.
It was fully loaded, with only a panoramic roof short of every option being ticked. The amount of tech in the car wold cost £k's on the options list on an equivalent Golf or Octavia. In 2013 Audi were still charging almost £2k for LED's. The spec was envied by friends and colleagues who had spent tens of thousands more on A4's and A6's.
The ST boot is deceptively big, bigger than an A6 avant (yes really!). It's swallowed all my bikes and kit, been rammed for family holidays and with Winter tyres fitted the car devoured a 1500 mile, snow filled holiday in the Highlands recently. It's really been the perfect family car.
Yes, I've had the same dash and door rattles as everyone else but I just hit Google and Youtube and worked out how to take the interior apart and soundproofed everything that was practical to do so. Made it a slightly more refined car but with the 18", 'Summer' wheels fitted it was still like being inside a transit van (ok refinement isn't a strongpoint of the Leon)
Initial experience with the supplying dealer were good but after they snapped some boot trim on the PDI, which was a nightmare to get rectified and then showed appalling attitude and customer service when carrying out the first service, I quickly made friends with my local independent specialist. I'm glad I had a good 'un as if I had to deal with the main dealer network for warranty issues I think I would have just cut my own head off (judging by some feedback on this forum).
Despite the largely positive ownership experience, I've just never 'loved' the car which is why I started looking at replacing it from quite early on (I know, I can't explain why either!?!). Then the single biggest issue with the Leon reared it's head - DEPRECIATION!
Every other VAG car I've had in the past has held it's value quite well, I ran an Octavia MkII for two years and it lost £3k in buying price vs p/x price. That's pretty good. I tend to buy new cars every 3-4 years and I'm fully aware that depreciation is the single biggest expense of car ownership but I've had dealers offering me as low £6k as a p/x, which was £1K less than it's GMFV. The car was immaculate too. I've sold 14 year old Mk1 MX5 for only a little less.
Anyway. I'm collecting my new car on Friday and I hope I 'click' with it this time. This really is a great forum and always a great source of info and advice. Thanks everyone!
FWIW. I have some 16" Winter wheels and tyres (will fit everything barring a Cupra), ST bootliner (raised position only) and roof rack up for sale. Will be going on eBay shortly. Please let me know if you're interested.
Happy motoring
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