A Few Upgrades: 2008 Leon FR

[MaxLionz]

Hi guys and girls my name is Max and i just got me a Seat Leon FR and I am very happy with it. It's a great car.


However, there are a few things that I wanted advice on regarding upgrading or changing to bring this 2008 model car up to 2019 standard.

1) It came with the RNS 510 sat nav unit which has bluetooth phone capability but strangely no bluetooth audio playback. I have looked online for driver updates and 5 CDs later still no joy. Can this be done? Also the maps and navigation interface could do with some tweaking.

2) Rear parking sensors or integrated inline reverse camera. Can this be done? Can it be incorporated into the original HU or do I need to go for an aftermarket android/apple car play unit? If so what's a good one as the interweb seems awash with them

3) xenon headlight upgrade? Can this be done? Not hid conversion but actual original factory Seat Leon xenons fitted with no issues ?



I plan to keep the car so I would like to personalise it and make the driving experience better.


Any advice ?

 

[R3k1355]

1) Not sure the 510 supports it, think the 315 does though.

2) Yes you can retrofit OPS, not cheap though and if you rip the headunit out no guarantee it will work

3) Yes, later models did come with Xenon's so you can retrofit, another pricey mod though.

 

[Legojon]

3) Yes, later models did come with Xenon's so you can retrofit, another pricey mod though.

True that! Cost me £1200 for a new passenger side xenon... and I already have all the wiring for it and reused some of the motors!

 

[MaxLionz]

True that! Cost me £1200 for a new passenger side xenon... and I already have all the wiring for it and reused some of the motors!

Thats pricey maybe it's best to scrap the lights. I thought maybe it could be bought from a breakers off an original FR but maybe thats a pipe dream.



However the bluetooth playback is a must as is the rear parking sensor or camera. I like messing about with car electrics but am nowhere near an expert. The internet shows many upgrades for the rn510 but my one doesn't work


I want to keep the original unit but if it cant be upgraded then I'm going to have to explore aftermarket avenues. After enjoying the benefits of rear parking sensors in my precious 2 cars, i forgot what its like to park without them! Lazy I know considering i come from an era of tape players and parking by eye

 

[R3k1355]

Thats pricey maybe it's best to scrap the lights. I thought maybe it could be bought from a breakers off an original FR but maybe thats a pipe dream.

I want to keep the original unit but if it cant be upgraded then I'm going to have to explore aftermarket avenues. After enjoying the benefits of rear parking sensors in my precious 2 cars, i forgot what its like to park without them! Lazy I know considering i come from an era of tape players and parking by eye

Your best bet is to find someone breaking a late model FR+ and strip the bits off you need.
Xenons, parking sensors, wiring and control modules.

Don't expect it to come cheap though.

 

[PaulusB]

Bluetooth music for rns510 is controlled by the Bluetooth module under the car seat check part number and check your part number on this site for a2dp compatibility.

Otherwise upgrade your module.

http://wiki.ross-tech.com/wiki/index.php/Telephone_Retrofitting

Verstuurd vanaf mijn SM-G970F met Tapatalk

 

[MaxLionz]

Bluetooth music for rns510 is controlled by the Bluetooth module under the car seat check part number and check your part number on this site for a2dp compatibility.

Otherwise upgrade your module.

http://wiki.ross-tech.com/wiki/index.php/Telephone_Retrofitting

Verstuurd vanaf mijn SM-G970F met Tapatalk

Thanks mate the table reads ??? For the module serial number ebay has a few modules for sale

I ordered an ipod converter cable in a bid to keep the dash looking original. (panic/impulse buy If sound quality with the cable is compromised then I'll have to find a way to get a fully functional bluetooth connection. I have taken a photo of the module under the driver seat


I've scrapped the cosmetic plans but ideally some reverse parking sensors would be fab.
What would be the best way to do this?


Also in my quest for good music & easy parking I've completely overlooked the mechanical essentials. What are the common issues I should look out for in a 2008 model fr?


Max

 

[BigK]

This thread has answered a few questions I had as I pick up my FR in a week.

I think I will be going for an aftermarket double DIN with reversing camera function which will also do bluetooth streaming

And I'll just put some Nightbreakers in the headlights judging by the costs of them

 

[R3k1355]

Yep, added bonus of going aftermarket stereo is you're less likely to have your window put through and the stereo robbed (OEM VW ones are big business for thieves).

 

[BigK]

Yep, added bonus of going aftermarket stereo is you're less likely to have your window put through and the stereo robbed (OEM VW ones are big business for thieves).

not sure if being serious or sarcastic...

 

[R3k1355]

not sure if being serious or sarcastic...

Unfortunately it's a more serious comment, there's still people out there robbing the RNS units, my mate got done not long ago.

 

[saveoursouls]

In regards to headlights, might be worth checking out my post as I recently fit LED lighting to mine:

https://forums.seatcupra.net/index....&share_tid=455822&share_fid=1220&share_type=t

There may be a better way but I have learnt that LED conversions are never going to be perfect. I have them running error free and I haven't had people flashing me and beam level looks ok.

 

[saveoursouls]

Common problems to look out for, I've had my fair share:

- Turbo overboost causing car to go into limp mode. If it happens it happens, the best thing is prevention, keeping the car serviced and long drives.

- Worn clutch, with the torque on TDI's. Might be worth checking any documents with he car to see if its been done.

- Choked up EGR valve, generally impacts performance of the car and can cause it to smoke. Easy to strip and clean if you are handy.

- Clutch master cylinder failure, pain in the arse of a job. Symptoms are difficulty changing gears, gears crunching. Possibly a loose clutch pedal.

- Timing belts, service service service! If there's one item to keep serviced this is it. If a timing belt goes...say goodbye engine. First thing to check...has it been done recently?

 

[MaxLionz]

The friend that i bought the car from kept the car very clean , full Seat service history 1 owner etc. He said he had the RN510 fitted later so its a 2010 RN510 fit into a 2008 FR.

I've checked the bluetooth module under the driver seat and turns out its not a2dp compatible does this mean that the bluetooth audio will work if I swap the bluetooth module to an a2dp compatible one? Also will i still need to burn a new driver CD and update the brain of the machine?


My main aim is to leave the car as stock looking as possible and with the oem head unit in there, ideally i aim to keep it that way.


As for the engine: its a 2.0L T DSG which i believe can suffer from piston rings issue and possibly a DSG gearbox issue if you are really unlucky. What preventative work needs doing on the car?

Also, its a bit juicy is there anyway to make it more efficient when driving it sensibly. I onky ever drive sensibly but i still only get 37mpg on the motorway. Is that normal for what is essentially a 2 litre?

Max

 

[MaxLionz]

Update: Had the car for over 3 years with no issues until recently with the traction control light coming on. Took it to a known seat specialist who changed the abs pump and bled the brakes. He noted that the abs pump had already been changed before. He then took it for a test drive only to find out that the replacement abs was also faulty. Back to square one with the xmas and new years break in-between.

Lesson learned: just go to your local garage not a "specialist"

Hope you all have a heath & happiness filled new year. Good luck in 2023

Max

P.s the driver door makes a click click noise and wont unlock from the remote key