Cupra 280 owner here, for better sound I did a backbox delete, then soundproofed the rear of the car to get rid of the drone, changed windshield sprinklers, added bonnet strut, better brake pads and seats (mine was not Sub8), love it to bits now! Manuals have a weak clutch though, I've been told, mine still ok, but prepared for it in case it goes.
i have a cupra 300 dsg (6 speed), now its stage 1 so 380bhp, its a ecu & tcu map so the dsg in manual mode is truly manual(doesn't auto change up or down), it is bloody rapid now
Had my three door 280 cupra from new. Done 85k and I still love it, it's my third cupra, had a new one in 2001 and then a cupra r in 2005. Did 156k in my first n 128k in my second, with no issues and same clutch, great cars
The prices of these Leon cupra's have shot up in the last year or so. I was looking at getting a decent one, 20-25k miles, dsg, 5 door and red or blue (hate plain colours) for around £16-£17k. Now you can't get one for less than around £19k, wtf happened? Is it because Officially Gassed bought one and modded it and made the car popular? It's around the same time. Don't know, I'm pushing a bit more and getting an m140i anyway so I'm happy. I have the rest of my life to buy quick front wheel drive cars, the BM has to be done whilst you can still pick up low milage ones
It's a combination of supply chain issues in the new car market and the fact that for the second year running the holiday/travel sector has been hammered. So people with spare cash/credit looking to treat themselves are diving into the used market for the instant gratification they want. All adding to the overall inflation we're currently witnessing.
@@dreamcrusher112 i was going to say I bought my mk3.5 cupra in march for £21.9k and I've now done/added 12k miles in it since then and its gone up in value by a grand lol. Similar story
I had a 280 Cupra and though it was a great car in many ways it wasn’t a patch on my mk7.5 GTi PP. Though it was meant to have less power the golf didn’t feel slower as it got its power down cleanly, the diff felt less aggressive and the ride (passive dampers in golf, dynamic in Leon) better in the golf. Wish I hadn’t sold the golf now as it looks to have shot up in value since I traded it in early this year.
I came to the realisation that rwd and awd cars are so much better than fwd cars. I had a go in my mates M240i and my god rwd feels insane, you really feel the pull, unlike in a fwd car. You can race up to 60 mph in a fwd car and it will feel like nothing, you can do the same in a rwd car and you feel all the g force and it feels so good, I get the same feeling from my mk6 Golf R, the pull is insane.
Problem with AWD is that once you've got over the initial kick, you are carrying a lot of weight around for nothing which blunts acceleration, handling, mpg etc. RWD is great (I own a 981 Boxster) but for me it's because the driver gets a lot more say in what the chassis does than FWD which just pushes on in corners at the limit with very little a driver can do
Have this car, manual, red, since many years now. Great yep! Such a good daily... And about the badge? I m a badge snob, and for me this badge is higher than the vw badge... More of a ruff daily thing, a rocket for those who know. The community of Leon cupra is more about passion than the vw golf gti community. Here in France. Coming from Renault sport megane's, it was few years ago the only vw product coming near to the Renault products in driving qualities
I have a 2015 Cupra with stage 2 and I love it. So fast, practical and cheap to run compared to the performance you get. Mine does 100-200 in 8.2 valid dragy time, it’s posted and currently the 151th fastest Cupra in Europe (for all the non believers and haters) I have a really hard time even thinking about selling it.
Unless you are a VAG nut you wont know the difference between a Clubsport and a Standard GTI. Even some VW fans couldn't tell the difference. This is the exact reason I went for a Cupra ST 280. If you are going to drive a car with the extra power and not get recognised for it, the badge matters not!
I’ve got a 2020 Cupra 290 that I got on an insanely cheap lease deal. It’s a brilliant car and the equivalent performance Seat’s have always been that bit more better to drive and engaging. However, as plain as they do look on the outside, this is the only car I’ve ever had that seems to attract a fair bit of negative attention, I’ve noticed. I just seem to get tailgated left, right and centre. No idea why really. Doesn’t look especially outrageous.
It’s because people don’t know what it is, and think it’s some insipid engined car, or a diesel…..i am forever getting tailgated by 18 year olds in 1.2 corsas when im in my MK1 golf Gti Not for long like 😂
Nice review. Thinking about moving on to a Cupra from my 5 year old Fiesta ST. I would likely end up remapping it though lol they go to around 360bhp from a stage 1 remap. My ST is stage 2 so I'd probably want the extra power haha.
I’ve had VW & Audi but the most enjoyable car I’ve owned by far is my current my 2019 Leon Cupra which I took delivery of in March 2019. I’m not a badge snob. I could have had VW, BMW, Mercedes but chose the Cupra because visually to me it’s the best looking car and bags of fun to drive. It has all the mod cons including Apple car play & virtual cockpit as standard. I put the pan roof option on it which I’m so glad I did. Really enjoyed this video & a great review of both cars. I love the MK8 GTI & seriously considering that or the new Leon Cupra Hybrid for my next car. It’s a shame VW won’t produce a hybrid GTI as the GTE is just so watered down to fit it’s eco friendly credentials.
@@danI43541 I believe so! It’s a shame VW doesn’t follow suite with the GTI. Leon Cupra is the same car in petrol 300hp or hybrid style wise & interior the only distinguishable features are under to hood. GTE looks completely different style wise to the GTI.
@@everythingtechnew7400 oh really? I always thought they just remove the red stripe from the GTI and use a silver one for GTE. But I also somehow prefer the Cupra, looks cooler
@@danI43541 Yeah I love the styling of my Cupra. I think Seat were ahead of the game when they launched the MK3 Leon but VW caught up with the Golf MK7. The GTI deserves a hybrid that is indistinguishable to the petrol only variant. There’s no need to brand the hybrid as a GTE. I get the GTD as it’s diesel. But the GTE has a fuel injected petrol engine. Also the GTE wheels really let it down. I’m sure a GTI hybrid would sell far more units than the outgoing GTE.
I tell people that if 1) it was available at the time, and 2) there wasn't a shortage of supply and I needed a car right away, I would have gotten the Leon CUPRA
@@SteezyG The Mk8 Clubsport, in metallic silver. I love it. But I had to wait 4 months for it to arrive. At least I had the CHOICE to get it at the time. ;)
I bought a 5 door manual cupra 18 plate (so it’s got the digital dash) for £18k in oct20 with 22k on the clock, they are now around £3-4K more expensive!
Mental I just commented above I paid 18k for a newer one with like 6k miles on the clock nearly 3 year ago with the dsg box still got it love it. Can't believe how much cars are going up how are people supposed to afford them lol
I agree. I had a 2018 300 hatchback and it was fantastic to drive. The FWD was a handful in the wet, and losing your licence is a consideration, but the way it handled and the mid-range power from 30-70 was awesome. I'll be buying another in the future.
Bought a 3.5 Lux with 9k miles for the same as a performance pack GTI with 40k. At the end of production level of quality, nothing MK8 beats the Seat interior-wise, and imo the Cupra R is the best-looking VAG hatch. If I were a badge snob, I'd be in a BMW - not a VW. You were surprised by metal sill covers, wait until you see my illuminated metal ones, from standard!
When looking for a performance car this spring my choices where a Cupra 290, Golf R or Audi S3, the cupra was matches to them at the time despite the drive train difference. I got a 69 plate cupra 290 black and bronze edition with 12k miles and 19" for £21.9k. Golf R and S3 were a good 4k above that for similar age and more milage, but also running costs/services/insurance was higher. 0-60 is worse, so I'm going to lose at the traffic lights but on the motorway the weight advantage really kicks in. You're right about it being understated. Get quite a few looks from people shocked at the 286bhp lol
@@liamrichards7527 i love the look of the cupra compared to the others, that and the price did it for me. I wasn't a huge fan of the estate look personally, but do wish I got the cupra R estate or Cupra ST haha.
@@JP_RS6 just makes complete sense. Okay you forgo .2 seconds but you get all you need and more in the back and still are quicker than most Golf GTIs on the road.
Sorry I can't see how a manual gearbox and handbrake would be a throwback. I see this as an absolut win, if it is FWD at LEAST let me have a manual handbrake.
Been considering one of these as a daily (currently running a 2015 184tdi sc) but have read about a lot of issues with traction and wheel hop which you didn't really mention. I don't have a heavy right foot (not had any issues with my 184 which has same/more torque) so Is this an issue and how bad does it get?
I didn't experience any particular unruliness but I do remember giving it full throttle and it squirmed a bit in a way which VW chassis engineers would have found unsatisfactory but I quite liked, Clubsport S does similar. I think good tyres are crucial on this car and suspect a lot of owners fit the cheapest possible being expensive 19s. PS4S or F1 Supersport and I bet it's fine.
Nice review. Would you have rather had these cars parked slightly away from each other - the opening and closing of the doors was something I couldn’t ignore at all, throughout the video. Just a suggestion.
There's no risk of damage as they aren't that close where the doors open. I'd prefer more room but they were positioned for the intro bit close together and didn't see a point in moving them. It's only me that's going to open them so very little risk especially if not windy :)
Nice video Andrew. It's very interesting that seat were making this car 6/7 years ago and it has lots of similarities to your mk8 clubsport. Like you state in the video certain areas of the seat are a better quality. I am looking forward to seat ownership the badge doesn't bother me. It's a good looking car with plenty of power. Keep up the good work with your channel.
I have a mark 3 Leon fr titanium in white 3door black wheels with dsg and I love it ....couldn’t stretch to a Cupra or gti golf but they definitely are a good looking car and the spec is excellent and when u want the power it’s there great cars....love your videos keep up the great work👍🏻
@@volkswizard I love it it’s understated in my mind plus I got it last January with just 25,000 on the clock one owner ....thank u for replying...keep up the great work
Seat are coming back down under. I hope the Leon Supra is a good price. $65k for a base Golf GTI is unacceptable. Not even the TCR was that high. Not that you can buy one. It's look only. But in this never ending lockdown 6 in Melbourne. Does it matter. No.
Given price difference is the Cupra you featured with a 0-60 time of 6s really that much, i.e noticeably faster than the manual 1.8 FR with a 0-60 time of 7.3s. On paper 1.3s or so does not sound much.
0-60 means absolutely nothing when it comes to FWD cars because wheelspin will always limit your launch, in gear performance will be night and day in a cupra
@@Rookiereece Thanks for that! Yes FWD isn't great for launching. So taking that Cupra against a Golf R, is it 2x night and day or do we just gain AWD?
I had a mk3 Leon FR 1.8 180hp DSG and tbf it was a very quick car. It’s how it puts its power down. The 1.8 was also the only Leon model other than the Cupra that benefited from independent rear suspension I believe.
Seat Leon Cupra such a find for some bargain fun and I do like its stealthy approach yet I’m starting to think the mk8 is making everything in this class look dated due to its wide stance - in Clubsport trim in silver with the vossen wheels you have just looks so modern yet for 50% off the Seat makes more sense than a late 7.5 👍 Great driving Andrew :)
Thanks Malcolm. For me the Mk3 Cupra was a great car that I missed, today I'd rather have the Clubsport. Maybe the same things apply today, the Cupra isn't cheap enough?
It came with Goodyear Eagle F1 Supersports but I've effectively downgraded them to the F1 Assymetric 5 for better wet weather performance (still great in the dry)
Seats are shit.Build quality is terrible.Just shabby plastic fittings that break so easily,just crap.Its got plastic clips underneath the shitty cars that hold up other plastic bits.Even the engines are crap.Mine barely did much over 70k miles had i had to fork out repair for two oil leaks.
Don't read too much into the power claim differences between cupra and vw products. I had mk3 cupra 290 and got an APR remap. The stock power it made on dyno that warm day was 317hp. I take the figure with a pinch of salt and just used as a reference for the power after map but there was a mk7 golf R in for remap same day. It made 309hp stock on the dyno. After APR stage 1 map it was making 379hp and 409lbft torque according to the dyno that day. A bit too much torque for fwd if i'm honest. Very quick in 3rd gear and above on dry day when it would hook up though.
If you happen to own a house and a garden you'll need a tow bar for your trailer and the Cupra does not allow this option. In this regard it's not as practical as a GTI
*please note, having a house and a garden doesn't not automatically mean you need to tow a trailer (and if you have to, please fit a tow bar that's invisible when not in use)
@@volkswizard I can't see myself living without a trailer since I really don't want branches grass and weeds along with soil inside my car. Thought I do have a detachable tow bar fitted to my Golf
i love seat's the exterior and permormance are fantastic but whats up with interior? it looks so outdated and ugly, its the 1 thing thats stopping me getting one. they need to up their interior design
Good video. It's always sad to see the bean-counters sucking the quality out of cars as the years go by. In my world there would be a law against it. Liked the ingredients and chefs analogy!
Thanks again 964tractorboy - one car is pre-dieselgate and one car is post and you can really tell. VW need to be careful as other brands don't have this baggage to contend with and it's only a matter of time before buyers realise things have slipped. Thank god the Mk8 drives so well so hats off to the engineers as that rights a lot of wrongs
Enjoyed the review and compare. Was looking at a cupra 300 last year but prices have gone bananas following the general increases on used. Will they cool off?
Prices are mad. I sold my FR184 to WBAC in June for £2k more than offered in Feb. Made up for the gravitational depreciation in year 1/2/3. Because of timing I saved at the front and made at the back end. 50% deprecation in 5y8m. It was advertised on a car supermarket for £3k more.
I had a right giggle towards the end of your video where you said about taking so long to discover the Cupra 290. Mine goes back in January, only got it on a 2-year lease and I am gutted. It has been tremendous fun and not many cars can keep up once it hooks up. 1st gear is unruly but with PS4S tyres and being smart with the throttle, the Cupra takes off 👍
@@volkswizard I didn't want to take the chance. The PS4S have got brilliant reviews and I must admit they are superior to the Conti's the vehicle came with. I had a VXR try to bait me the other day but I politely refused as 290 bhp running through the front wheels in the wet was asking for trouble even with the premium tyres. Your Clubsport may have stood a better chance 🤷♂️
A good review thank you . I’ve got same car same Royal Mail red but dsg . Had it four years and loved it. Only thing to say is that some of the ea888 engines drink coolant I think? Had to have mine topped up regularly but now seems ok for last year or so. Had it pressure tested at the seat garage no leaks not fuel pump. So dunno
This car has just had it's thermostat and water pump module replaced, very common fault on all EA888 so it will be this. You need to look up from below and look for pink staining. Takes effort including undertray off which a lot of garage won't be bothered enough to do as they don't charge for it.
I could never understand why VW didn't make the GTi performance the same as the Leon from the start of the Mk7. That's what I wanted, a GTi with the performance of the Leon.
They wanted to keep clear air for the R I suppose, they don't see the Leon as trampling on the VW model range as much and to be fair, it wasn't really cheap enough at just 10% cheaper than a Golf R and that's without considering the lease deals on the R. On the plus side it's kept the Cupras relatively exclusive unlike the R
@@volkswizard yea that's what they must have been there thinking, yet for the mk8 they've not done the same, which I think is be better. Normal GTi, fast GTi or R gives more choice at different price points and needs.
Like the real world comparison between current and older VAG cars, far more interesting than the drag strip warriors. . . the Leon Cupra seems to be a pretty impressive hot hatch and well worth a look if you're not a badge snob, what stood out for me though was the seat-like build quality of the Mk8 Clubsport, definitely a step backwards. . . .maybe things will improve with the Mk8.5
Let's not confuse material quality with build quality, both cars are hard to fault when it comes to build, neither rattle or squeak at all which is commendable considering the firm ride. Material quality in Golf 8 is overall better than the Leon (inc. new Leon). The dash moulding in Golf 8 is actually quite impressive but I'd say the gap between Mk3 and Mk7 Golf has halved with Mk3 Leon to Mk8. The big question is whether the new Leon interior has gone up or down and I'll have to watch my video review of one from last autumn but I much prefer Mk8 interior materials and it has the shortcut pad missing from new Octavia and new Leon
my dad went through 3 of the mk3 leons because of the goverment allowed us to have a new car for 3 years then we have to switch and everyone was great to be in
Would love to do a Mk3 VR6 video as this was the car I always kept hold of rather than selling in the early says of Volkswizard. Sadly most of them have succumbed to corrosion and owners who have run them into the ground. I've done Corrado VR6 though and currently own one as a project car
@@volkswizard look forward to seeing the corrado being done, I've been looking to purchase a decent MK3 vr6 for a while now but nothing has caught my eye.......I've also seen your MK1 s3 Audi video and even thinking on getting one instead of the vr6?
Hi Andrew as you said towards the end of this film "why has it taken me so long to realize " that the seat cupra 290 is/was the car you should've considered before you bought into the GTI brand of the VAG empire. It might be prudent then you try the cupra 300 or the cupra ABT 350 as a balanced overview and then decide whether you were right(owning Golf GTI 's) or you've made a mistake by not considering the cupra brand all along.
Been looking at getting a Cupra 290 black edition for a while now, used to see them easily around 14-16k but now the cheapest are 18k, seen a sudden jump up in prices all across the used car market recently
I chuckled at the badge snob comment, I drive my seat with pride knowing that on the engine underneath that SEAT badge, there is a VW badge and I paid alot less for it!
@@volkswizard If it were available I would. Our choices of makes and models in North America have always limited compared to Europe. I plan to hold onto my 2016 MK7 for several more years since the MK8 isn't that interesting to me, besides my Mk7 is a 2 door.
come on andrew you have to admit the mk8 controls are naff compared to the golf 7 and 7.5, i like that seat too. ahh vw what have you done with this mk8 golf.
Sorry to burst your bubble but VW no longer has any premium thought in the average punters minds, BWM Mercedes Audi yes, VW , no more premium than a ford
I beg to differ, I guess it depends how old you and what influenced your car buying early in life. I do think, like Merc in the 00s, VW are trading on their quality past too much right now thanks to dieselgate, though new A3 is the biggest victim yet nobody seems to go on about that which just shows they know where to cut costs and get away with it with an Audi.
@@volkswizard yes you maybe right. Im 29 now. I just dont get the alleged quality . Compare a golf to a 1series or a class and they are wayyyy behind. Now more so than ever. And the prices now are extortionate however that can be said for all new cars. Prices seem to have gone up 40% in the last 6-7 years
Compared to what? Facelift cars with virtual dash look a lot better if in a good spec (FR plus or above) but honestly it's not bad and build quality is hard to fault even if material quality is not the best
Cupra 280 owner here, for better sound I did a backbox delete, then soundproofed the rear of the car to get rid of the drone, changed windshield sprinklers, added bonnet strut, better brake pads and seats (mine was not Sub8), love it to bits now!
Manuals have a weak clutch though, I've been told, mine still ok, but prepared for it in case it goes.
Thanks Marton, great owner feedback. I like the sound of the soundproofing (excuse pun) 😁
i have a cupra 300 dsg (6 speed), now its stage 1 so 380bhp, its a ecu & tcu map so the dsg in manual mode is truly manual(doesn't auto change up or down), it is bloody rapid now
I have a 65, 280 cupra st manual mapped to 380. Most fun i've ever had, can't bring myself to swap it for a newer one.
Had my three door 280 cupra from new. Done 85k and I still love it, it's my third cupra, had a new one in 2001 and then a cupra r in 2005. Did 156k in my first n 128k in my second, with no issues and same clutch, great cars
Great to hear Jonny!
Done some fuckin driving you lad😂
The prices of these Leon cupra's have shot up in the last year or so. I was looking at getting a decent one, 20-25k miles, dsg, 5 door and red or blue (hate plain colours) for around £16-£17k. Now you can't get one for less than around £19k, wtf happened?
Is it because Officially Gassed bought one and modded it and made the car popular? It's around the same time. Don't know, I'm pushing a bit more and getting an m140i anyway so I'm happy. I have the rest of my life to buy quick front wheel drive cars, the BM has to be done whilst you can still pick up low milage ones
It's happened with all used cars in the past year. They seem to have all increased in value.
It's a combination of supply chain issues in the new car market and the fact that for the second year running the holiday/travel sector has been hammered. So people with spare cash/credit looking to treat themselves are diving into the used market for the instant gratification they want. All adding to the overall inflation we're currently witnessing.
My 3.5 Cupra has appreciated by about 3k retail. 12k miles and lux. microchip shortage is a big impact.
Brexit. All new European Union cars will have soon tariffs so inflation is coming soon.
@@dreamcrusher112 i was going to say I bought my mk3.5 cupra in march for £21.9k and I've now done/added 12k miles in it since then and its gone up in value by a grand lol. Similar story
had mk4 gti 1.8t , s3 , mk5 gti mk2 cupra and purchased 280 4 years ago, and it is my favourite of them all.it is a joy to drive
I prefer the cupra over any modern Golf Gti or any octavia Vrs
I had a 280 Cupra and though it was a great car in many ways it wasn’t a patch on my mk7.5 GTi PP. Though it was meant to have less power the golf didn’t feel slower as it got its power down cleanly, the diff felt less aggressive and the ride (passive dampers in golf, dynamic in Leon) better in the golf. Wish I hadn’t sold the golf now as it looks to have shot up in value since I traded it in early this year.
Remap them both and different story haha.
I came to the realisation that rwd and awd cars are so much better than fwd cars. I had a go in my mates M240i and my god rwd feels insane, you really feel the pull, unlike in a fwd car. You can race up to 60 mph in a fwd car and it will feel like nothing, you can do the same in a rwd car and you feel all the g force and it feels so good, I get the same feeling from my mk6 Golf R, the pull is insane.
Problem with AWD is that once you've got over the initial kick, you are carrying a lot of weight around for nothing which blunts acceleration, handling, mpg etc. RWD is great (I own a 981 Boxster) but for me it's because the driver gets a lot more say in what the chassis does than FWD which just pushes on in corners at the limit with very little a driver can do
Have this car, manual, red, since many years now. Great yep!
Such a good daily... And about the badge? I m a badge snob, and for me this badge is higher than the vw badge... More of a ruff daily thing, a rocket for those who know. The community of Leon cupra is more about passion than the vw golf gti community. Here in France. Coming from Renault sport megane's, it was few years ago the only vw product coming near to the Renault products in driving qualities
Thanks for the international viewpoint Robin! Agreed perception of Seat and VW is very different outside the UK.
Gear change is a bit crap if you're trying to shift quickly, clutch position doesn't match clutch pedal position
Is the diff used in the Cupra 280/290 the same as the MK7 PP?
Yes
I have a 2015 Cupra with stage 2 and I love it. So fast, practical and cheap to run compared to the performance you get. Mine does 100-200 in 8.2 valid dragy time, it’s posted and currently the 151th fastest Cupra in Europe (for all the non believers and haters) I have a really hard time even thinking about selling it.
Unless you are a VAG nut you wont know the difference between a Clubsport and a Standard GTI. Even some VW fans couldn't tell the difference. This is the exact reason I went for a Cupra ST 280. If you are going to drive a car with the extra power and not get recognised for it, the badge matters not!
Excellent point. Nobody else really knows either unless they are a car nut.
Makes for some shocked faces :)
I’ve got a 2020 Cupra 290 that I got on an insanely cheap lease deal. It’s a brilliant car and the equivalent performance Seat’s have always been that bit more better to drive and engaging. However, as plain as they do look on the outside, this is the only car I’ve ever had that seems to attract a fair bit of negative attention, I’ve noticed. I just seem to get tailgated left, right and centre. No idea why really. Doesn’t look especially outrageous.
It’s because people don’t know what it is, and think it’s some insipid engined car, or a diesel…..i am forever getting tailgated by 18 year olds in 1.2 corsas when im in my MK1 golf Gti
Not for long like 😂
I'd love to lease one of these to see if I get bored with it so a 2 year deal does seem good. What did you put down and pay a month?
@@SteezyG mine was 1+23, 8k, non-maintained, £245 pm. Can’t get the new ones anywhere near that though.
@@samculpan891 stonking deal mate. Hope you enjoy it.
@@samculpan891 that is an unbelievable deal you got. Mine is on a 1+23 deal but I pay £290 a month. £1 for every bhp and I thought I got a good deal.
Nice review. Thinking about moving on to a Cupra from my 5 year old Fiesta ST. I would likely end up remapping it though lol they go to around 360bhp from a stage 1 remap. My ST is stage 2 so I'd probably want the extra power haha.
Did you go ahead and do this?
@@anthonymeek4248Not yet. Very nearly did back in June and regretting that now as I can't find another one that ticks my boxes!
16:35 who spotted the camouflage Range Rover lol
See one every time I leave the house now, even at weekends. This was filmed just outside Gaydon so no surprise I guess
Nobody !... its camouflaged!!
I’ve had VW & Audi but the most enjoyable car I’ve owned by far is my current my 2019 Leon Cupra which I took delivery of in March 2019. I’m not a badge snob. I could have had VW, BMW, Mercedes but chose the Cupra because visually to me it’s the best looking car and bags of fun to drive. It has all the mod cons including Apple car play & virtual cockpit as standard. I put the pan roof option on it which I’m so glad I did. Really enjoyed this video & a great review of both cars. I love the MK8 GTI & seriously considering that or the new Leon Cupra Hybrid for my next car. It’s a shame VW won’t produce a hybrid GTI as the GTE is just so watered down to fit it’s eco friendly credentials.
Isn’t the Cupra Leon PHEV basically a GTE? Or have they really changed some things?
@@danI43541 I believe so! It’s a shame VW doesn’t follow suite with the GTI. Leon Cupra is the same car in petrol 300hp or hybrid style wise & interior the only distinguishable features are under to hood. GTE looks completely different style wise to the GTI.
@@everythingtechnew7400 oh really? I always thought they just remove the red stripe from the GTI and use a silver one for GTE. But I also somehow prefer the Cupra, looks cooler
@@danI43541 Yeah I love the styling of my Cupra. I think Seat were ahead of the game when they launched the MK3 Leon but VW caught up with the Golf MK7. The GTI deserves a hybrid that is indistinguishable to the petrol only variant. There’s no need to brand the hybrid as a GTE. I get the GTD as it’s diesel. But the GTE has a fuel injected petrol engine. Also the GTE wheels really let it down. I’m sure a GTI hybrid would sell far more units than the outgoing GTE.
Thought it was a old video for a second haha. Still love the cupra brilliant car for the money
I admit I am a bit late to the party!
I tell people that if 1) it was available at the time, and 2) there wasn't a shortage of supply and I needed a car right away, I would have gotten the Leon CUPRA
What did you get instead?
@@SteezyG The Mk8 Clubsport, in metallic silver. I love it. But I had to wait 4 months for it to arrive. At least I had the CHOICE to get it at the time. ;)
In this video we compare a new car costing 32k and a 5 year old used for one third of the price…! 👀
Looked at buying this exact car twice. First in lockdown 1 18 months ago for about 2 grand less. Hope the new owner enjoys it!
Not 100% sure but I think this is a North Wales registered Leon. Possibly supplied by Junction Seat??
Yeah I did the same pal, this car was around the 15k for a used one , now it’s closer to 20k
I bought a 5 door manual cupra 18 plate (so it’s got the digital dash) for £18k in oct20 with 22k on the clock, they are now around £3-4K more expensive!
Mental I just commented above I paid 18k for a newer one with like 6k miles on the clock nearly 3 year ago with the dsg box still got it love it. Can't believe how much cars are going up how are people supposed to afford them lol
I agree. I had a 2018 300 hatchback and it was fantastic to drive. The FWD was a handful in the wet, and losing your licence is a consideration, but the way it handled and the mid-range power from 30-70 was awesome. I'll be buying another in the future.
Thanks for the ownership perspective, it's cetainly a wild one!
Bought a 3.5 Lux with 9k miles for the same as a performance pack GTI with 40k. At the end of production level of quality, nothing MK8 beats the Seat interior-wise, and imo the Cupra R is the best-looking VAG hatch. If I were a badge snob, I'd be in a BMW - not a VW. You were surprised by metal sill covers, wait until you see my illuminated metal ones, from standard!
Fiesta ST got the illuminated sill covers 😎
When looking for a performance car this spring my choices where a Cupra 290, Golf R or Audi S3, the cupra was matches to them at the time despite the drive train difference.
I got a 69 plate cupra 290 black and bronze edition with 12k miles and 19" for £21.9k. Golf R and S3 were a good 4k above that for similar age and more milage, but also running costs/services/insurance was higher.
0-60 is worse, so I'm going to lose at the traffic lights but on the motorway the weight advantage really kicks in.
You're right about it being understated. Get quite a few looks from people shocked at the 286bhp lol
Unpopular opinion - Cupras look better, especially the estate version!
@@liamrichards7527 i love the look of the cupra compared to the others, that and the price did it for me.
I wasn't a huge fan of the estate look personally, but do wish I got the cupra R estate or Cupra ST haha.
@@JP_RS6 just makes complete sense. Okay you forgo .2 seconds but you get all you need and more in the back and still are quicker than most Golf GTIs on the road.
Shock them even more and remap it 😂
Sorry I can't see how a manual gearbox and handbrake would be a throwback. I see this as an absolut win, if it is FWD at LEAST let me have a manual handbrake.
Is the engine and turbo the same as the mk7 r or the gti?
It’s basically a detuned R engine
They say it’s detuned but in reality they put a sticker on it
Dont quote me but i think evo3 vs evo4 is better airflow in the head ? ...but same iron block
Nice video ! Obviously I’m a die hard vw snob 😂
So am I...
Why not get the cupra 300? More similar to the golf than the 290
There cutting corners left right n centre on the new Golfs. The shape of the Cupra looks so nice.
Been considering one of these as a daily (currently running a 2015 184tdi sc) but have read about a lot of issues with traction and wheel hop which you didn't really mention. I don't have a heavy right foot (not had any issues with my 184 which has same/more torque) so Is this an issue and how bad does it get?
I didn't experience any particular unruliness but I do remember giving it full throttle and it squirmed a bit in a way which VW chassis engineers would have found unsatisfactory but I quite liked, Clubsport S does similar. I think good tyres are crucial on this car and suspect a lot of owners fit the cheapest possible being expensive 19s. PS4S or F1 Supersport and I bet it's fine.
Nice review.
Would you have rather had these cars parked slightly away from each other - the opening and closing of the doors was something I couldn’t ignore at all, throughout the video. Just a suggestion.
There's no risk of damage as they aren't that close where the doors open. I'd prefer more room but they were positioned for the intro bit close together and didn't see a point in moving them. It's only me that's going to open them so very little risk especially if not windy :)
Nice video Andrew. It's very interesting that seat were making this car 6/7 years ago and it has lots of similarities to your mk8 clubsport. Like you state in the video certain areas of the seat are a better quality. I am looking forward to seat ownership the badge doesn't bother me. It's a good looking car with plenty of power. Keep up the good work with your channel.
I have a mark 3 Leon fr titanium in white 3door black wheels with dsg and I love it ....couldn’t stretch to a Cupra or gti golf but they definitely are a good looking car and the spec is excellent and when u want the power it’s there great cars....love your videos keep up the great work👍🏻
Sounds like a great car bend1100, enjoyed my FR too last year👍
@@volkswizard I love it it’s understated in my mind plus I got it last January with just 25,000 on the clock one owner ....thank u for replying...keep up the great work
could you do a review on a mk1 seat leon cupra
Hey johnboy1105, if I come across a decent one I will for sure. Mk2 already done and also the new Cupra Leon so Mk1 would complete the set :)
Seat are coming back down under. I hope the Leon Supra is a good price. $65k for a base Golf GTI is unacceptable. Not even the TCR was that high. Not that you can buy one. It's look only. But in this never ending lockdown 6 in Melbourne. Does it matter. No.
Good to hear as SEAT are a worthy brand
bloody hell damon, you`ve morphed into the 21st century, you`ve FINALLY got a cordless mic ..............😲😲😲😲😲
Cuppa or gti pp!,still don't know!,cuppa seems better value,though gti 7.5 pp seems the one to go for + a stage 1 remap!🤔
Given price difference is the Cupra you featured with a 0-60 time of 6s really that much, i.e noticeably faster than the manual 1.8 FR with a 0-60 time of 7.3s. On paper 1.3s or so does not sound much.
0-60 means absolutely nothing when it comes to FWD cars because wheelspin will always limit your launch, in gear performance will be night and day in a cupra
@@Rookiereece Thanks for that! Yes FWD isn't great for launching. So taking that Cupra against a Golf R, is it 2x night and day or do we just gain AWD?
@@IansMusical Again the Launch will be so much better in the Golf R
1.8 FR MK3 Nürburgring Nordschleife 8:15.00
I had a mk3 Leon FR 1.8 180hp DSG and tbf it was a very quick car. It’s how it puts its power down. The 1.8 was also the only Leon model other than the Cupra that benefited from independent rear suspension I believe.
Great video. Really considered and balanced. Good to hear what someone thinks with plenty of reference points.
Glad it was helpful Steven and thank you👍
Only the 265ps Cupra came with 18" alloys
That is interesting, so for £27k new you got DCC and 19s which on a VW would have been £1800 extra so approx £5k less than a Golf R (rrp vs rrp)
The 300hp cupra mk3.5 with PP is much bettwr and cheaper than the mk8 gti CS.
He really liked that cupra !! I just got octavia 245 and it's good as well!
Octavia 245 is OK (I have reviewed one already) but it's nowhere as exciting to drive as a Cupra with 290 PS
@@volkswizard thank you for reply! I'll check out your review on 245... I also drive a dc5 as weekend car . Roadholding is top
I looked at cupra 300 but interior much better in skoda 245
You choose a terrible color for your GTI my friend.
Colours are subjective, next question..
@@volkswizard lol didn’t mean to hurt your feelings my good man.
18 thousand pound ? Your joking I bought mine nearly 3 year ago for that price lol and mines newer
Seat Leon Cupra such a find for some bargain fun and I do like its stealthy approach yet I’m starting to think the mk8 is making everything in this class look dated due to its wide stance - in Clubsport trim in silver with the vossen wheels you have just looks so modern yet for 50% off the Seat makes more sense than a late 7.5 👍 Great driving Andrew :)
Thanks Malcolm. For me the Mk3 Cupra was a great car that I missed, today I'd rather have the Clubsport. Maybe the same things apply today, the Cupra isn't cheap enough?
What tyres does the club sport wear. The grip seems very impressive despite it having a diff
It came with Goodyear Eagle F1 Supersports but I've effectively downgraded them to the F1 Assymetric 5 for better wet weather performance (still great in the dry)
Seats are shit.Build quality is terrible.Just shabby plastic fittings that break so easily,just crap.Its got plastic clips underneath the shitty cars that hold up other plastic bits.Even the engines are crap.Mine barely did much over 70k miles had i had to fork out repair for two oil leaks.
Hi. Would love to see a review comparing Golf8 R and S3. Thanks
Good point David, I'll give it a go
Love your car comparing content
Thanks DM, glad you enjoy it!
Don't read too much into the power claim differences between cupra and vw products. I had mk3 cupra 290 and got an APR remap. The stock power it made on dyno that warm day was 317hp. I take the figure with a pinch of salt and just used as a reference for the power after map but there was a mk7 golf R in for remap same day. It made 309hp stock on the dyno. After APR stage 1 map it was making 379hp and 409lbft torque according to the dyno that day. A bit too much torque for fwd if i'm honest. Very quick in 3rd gear and above on dry day when it would hook up though.
Does your golf still have the 44mph issue?
I had mine updated to the latest software and has started doing it (was fine before the update)
If you happen to own a house and a garden you'll need a tow bar for your trailer and the Cupra does not allow this option. In this regard it's not as practical as a GTI
*please note, having a house and a garden doesn't not automatically mean you need to tow a trailer (and if you have to, please fit a tow bar that's invisible when not in use)
@@volkswizard I can't see myself living without a trailer since I really don't want branches grass and weeds along with soil inside my car. Thought I do have a detachable tow bar fitted to my Golf
Golfs used to be quality but the average buying just wants the badge nowadays.
i love seat's the exterior and permormance are fantastic but whats up with interior? it looks so outdated and ugly, its the 1 thing thats stopping me getting one. they need to up their interior design
The new Leon is more modern inside but it's got no climate buttons and doesn't have the Golf's shortcut pad either but it's OK.
@@volkswizard yeah I guess, I think comparing it to the golfs interior it’s never going to be a match, in my opinion!
@@volkswizard but it has actual physical hardware buttons on the wheel which are far superior to the golfs
I wouldn’t say that the manual handbrake is a throw back my Polo GTI has a manual hand break and it’s DSG
With torsion beam rear suspension Polo is very much a throwback car
Good video. It's always sad to see the bean-counters sucking the quality out of cars as the years go by. In my world there would be a law against it. Liked the ingredients and chefs analogy!
Thanks again 964tractorboy - one car is pre-dieselgate and one car is post and you can really tell. VW need to be careful as other brands don't have this baggage to contend with and it's only a matter of time before buyers realise things have slipped. Thank god the Mk8 drives so well so hats off to the engineers as that rights a lot of wrongs
Water pump I meant !
Enjoyed the review and compare. Was looking at a cupra 300 last year but prices have gone bananas following the general increases on used. Will they cool off?
They will cool off when new car supply comes on stream again in Q3 and Q4.
Prices are mad. I sold my FR184 to WBAC in June for £2k more than offered in Feb. Made up for the gravitational depreciation in year 1/2/3. Because of timing I saved at the front and made at the back end. 50% deprecation in 5y8m. It was advertised on a car supermarket for £3k more.
I had a right giggle towards the end of your video where you said about taking so long to discover the Cupra 290. Mine goes back in January, only got it on a 2-year lease and I am gutted. It has been tremendous fun and not many cars can keep up once it hooks up. 1st gear is unruly but with PS4S tyres and being smart with the throttle, the Cupra takes off 👍
Tyres are definitely key, sadly I bet a load of people fit the cheapest 19s they can get. Then crash :)
@@volkswizard I didn't want to take the chance. The PS4S have got brilliant reviews and I must admit they are superior to the Conti's the vehicle came with. I had a VXR try to bait me the other day but I politely refused as 290 bhp running through the front wheels in the wet was asking for trouble even with the premium tyres. Your Clubsport may have stood a better chance 🤷♂️
Am I right in thinking there was a 300 version of this too? What differences apart from 10bhp?
I think the 300 was the facelift from 2017
A good review thank you . I’ve got same car same Royal Mail red but dsg . Had it four years and loved it. Only thing to say is that some of the ea888 engines drink coolant I think? Had to have mine topped up regularly but now seems ok for last year or so. Had it pressure tested at the seat garage no leaks not fuel pump. So dunno
This car has just had it's thermostat and water pump module replaced, very common fault on all EA888 so it will be this. You need to look up from below and look for pink staining. Takes effort including undertray off which a lot of garage won't be bothered enough to do as they don't charge for it.
Yup mine does that too
@@volkswizard If any of your cars have to have this done could you possibly do a video on it??
I could never understand why VW didn't make the GTi performance the same as the Leon from the start of the Mk7. That's what I wanted, a GTi with the performance of the Leon.
They wanted to keep clear air for the R I suppose, they don't see the Leon as trampling on the VW model range as much and to be fair, it wasn't really cheap enough at just 10% cheaper than a Golf R and that's without considering the lease deals on the R. On the plus side it's kept the Cupras relatively exclusive unlike the R
@@volkswizard yea that's what they must have been there thinking, yet for the mk8 they've not done the same, which I think is be better. Normal GTi, fast GTi or R gives more choice at different price points and needs.
Like the real world comparison between current and older VAG cars, far more interesting than the drag strip warriors. . . the Leon Cupra seems to be a pretty impressive hot hatch and well worth a look if you're not a badge snob, what stood out for me though was the seat-like build quality of the Mk8 Clubsport, definitely a step backwards. . . .maybe things will improve with the Mk8.5
Let's not confuse material quality with build quality, both cars are hard to fault when it comes to build, neither rattle or squeak at all which is commendable considering the firm ride. Material quality in Golf 8 is overall better than the Leon (inc. new Leon). The dash moulding in Golf 8 is actually quite impressive but I'd say the gap between Mk3 and Mk7 Golf has halved with Mk3 Leon to Mk8. The big question is whether the new Leon interior has gone up or down and I'll have to watch my video review of one from last autumn but I much prefer Mk8 interior materials and it has the shortcut pad missing from new Octavia and new Leon
@@volkswizard Take your point about build quality, and agree materials quality has gone down in the latest golf generation, which is a real shame 😳
I've love my 290 mk 3.5, I drove a golf r mk 7 and 7.5 before and just fell in love with the cupra a year later and I don't regret it at all
my dad went through 3 of the mk3 leons because of the goverment allowed us to have a new car for 3 years then we have to switch and everyone was great to be in
Disability benefit? 🙄
@@lukem4580 yes is from a disability benefit
Have you done a video review on a MK3 vr6 golf??
And what's your opinion on one, cheers
Great vids👍🏻
Would love to do a Mk3 VR6 video as this was the car I always kept hold of rather than selling in the early says of Volkswizard. Sadly most of them have succumbed to corrosion and owners who have run them into the ground. I've done Corrado VR6 though and currently own one as a project car
@@volkswizard look forward to seeing the corrado being done, I've been looking to purchase a decent MK3 vr6 for a while now but nothing has caught my eye.......I've also seen your MK1 s3 Audi video and even thinking on getting one instead of the vr6?
Hi Andrew as you said towards the end of this film "why has it taken me so long to realize " that the seat cupra 290 is/was the car you should've considered before you bought into the GTI brand of the VAG empire. It might be prudent then you try the cupra 300 or the cupra ABT 350 as a balanced overview and then decide whether you were right(owning Golf GTI 's) or you've made a mistake by not considering the cupra brand all along.
Why wouldn’t you just get a golf R?
In the words of the Red Hot Chilli Peppers "If you have to ask...." ua-cam.com/video/80y5k35sx3w/v-deo.html
Been looking at getting a Cupra 290 black edition for a while now, used to see them easily around 14-16k but now the cheapest are 18k, seen a sudden jump up in prices all across the used car market recently
I chuckled at the badge snob comment, I drive my seat with pride knowing that on the engine underneath that SEAT badge, there is a VW badge and I paid alot less for it!
I wouldn't have one at today's prices but when they get below 10k I think they'll be a real performance bargain.
Sure would like to see Seat available in the states.
Maybe you will get Cupra?
@@volkswizard If it were available I would. Our choices of makes and models in North America have always limited compared to Europe. I plan to hold onto my 2016 MK7 for several more years since the MK8 isn't that interesting to me, besides my Mk7 is a 2 door.
come on andrew you have to admit the mk8 controls are naff compared to the golf 7 and 7.5, i like that seat too. ahh vw what have you done with this mk8 golf.
Great vid, I have an FR but will be looking at a mk3 cupra st when prices calm down.
Me too David
I bought a cupra because I can appreciate a golf but didn't want to be a sheep like everyone else 😂😂
Love your videos
Sorry to burst your bubble but VW no longer has any premium thought in the average punters minds, BWM Mercedes Audi yes, VW , no more premium than a ford
I beg to differ, I guess it depends how old you and what influenced your car buying early in life. I do think, like Merc in the 00s, VW are trading on their quality past too much right now thanks to dieselgate, though new A3 is the biggest victim yet nobody seems to go on about that which just shows they know where to cut costs and get away with it with an Audi.
@@volkswizard yes you maybe right. Im 29 now. I just dont get the alleged quality . Compare a golf to a 1series or a class and they are wayyyy behind. Now more so than ever. And the prices now are extortionate however that can be said for all new cars. Prices seem to have gone up 40% in the last 6-7 years
The interior on the Seat, just looks bland and cheap👎
I have the full leather in mine, with no white stripes! Looks miles better imo
Compared to what? Facelift cars with virtual dash look a lot better if in a good spec (FR plus or above) but honestly it's not bad and build quality is hard to fault even if material quality is not the best
Bmw 128ti
To be honest I’ve been to a Marco Pierre White restaurant and I wish I’d gone to McDonald’s
I've not been to one but I have been to a McDonalds
No, but my MK7 is.
There is no way I'd buy any gti so a cupra is completely out of the question.
Another good video BTW
Golf is so boring and that interior is so old man.
Seats have come a long way, vw have gone backwards. I would choose the seat over the ugly one for sure.