Golf TDi GT140 vs Leon TDI FR

[UltraViolet]

I already have a weekend toy for fun, so this car will be to replace my daily commuter tool (a '53 Passat 1.9 TDI 130 Sport) and the journey is 20 mins on country road followed by an hour on the motorway.

I get circa 50mpg from the Passat.

Both the Golf and the Leon come with my pre-requisite of cruise control. Both have sports suspension (I like good handling cars). Both have 6 speed box.
I have got used to having the auto dipping rear view mirror and rain sensor - so would spec the convenience pack which costs more on the Leon.

I used to have an 05 Mk5 Golf TDi but it was only the 110 and I didn't like it. Really poor suspension, wallowed something rotten, really cheap inside and the engine was inflexible.

However I have driven the Mk6 GT Golf and it is so vastly improved over the Mk5 that it is currently top runner in the cars I have driven. I like it and can see me living with one (I don't really need all the space of the Passat)

However a friend recommended I try the Leon FR as well. I see on paper that it is quicker, but that it seems to be circa 10mpg worse than the Golf.

Has anyone compared the 2 directly and also what real world fuel economy are people getting. I do at least 600 miles a week, so if the Leon is going to be worse than the Passat on fuel, it is a consideration.

All views welcome, whatever I go for, I shall be driving for the next 3 years so I want to make sure I don't regret my choice. (I will get a test drive of the Leon as well - just thought worth asking views as I've never owned a Seat and don't know if they hold together as well as the VWs)

[Nick SR]

Personal thought would be the golf with be worth a bit more when you come to sell, EVERYONE knows what a golf gti is

[UltraViolet]

It is the diesel not the GTi, and TBH I shall put circa 100,000 miles on it in 3 years, so neither car will be worth much at that time.

It is more the driving experience, reliability, bits not breaking or rattling, and fuel economy.

If anyone owns or has experience of either, I'd appreciate views. Anyone who has owned/evaluated both - even better!!

[paul b]

I think in terms of quality they'd be pretty 6 on one half a dozen on the other.

But the Leon TDI FR would have the 170bhp diesel version wouldn't it? The Golf would be 140 as you know. My mate had the 170 TDI in an A3 Sportback, and he wishes he hadn't changed from the 140 TDI due to the drop in fuel economy. He was getting late 40s, early 50s from his 140 TDI which dropped to low 40s in the 170.

Just my 2p.

[UltraViolet]

Yep, would be 170ps vs 140 (or roughly 166 vs 138 in old money )

I have looked at the torque curve and most of the extra power is high up in the powerband, the 170 actually looks quite peaky and so a lot of the extra is only actually available if pressing on at higher revs. Hardly any difference at all at the more midrange revs.

So the performance gain real world may be quite small.

Your mate's experience follows the suggested 10mpg worse from comparing the 'combined' quoted fuel economy.

I guess when I drive the Leon tomorrow, unless I am really bowled over by the styling/interior/drive - then I am leaning toward the Golf.

[paul b]

My mate found the 170 TDI fuel economy bad enough that he part ex'd it, for another A3 Sportback, an 09 2.0 TFSI, which he gets just over 40mpg from due to the new range of engines introduced by Audi.

But yes, drive it, who knows, you might fall in love with it.

[UltraViolet]

Well, had the test drive.........

My verdict:

The Golf feels familiar and sooooo much better than the Mk5 from a driver's point of view. The handling is transformed and the engine is stronger. I was impressed and it certainly was far better than the A3 Sportback 2.0TDI I checked out and the 120D sport I also considered.

Plus economy looks like will be better than the Passat I currently drive.

The Leon - I drove the 09 model with the prefacelift interior etc and of course the old engine. Very good. Pulled much stronger despite the peakyness of the torque curve, also sounded great when opened up which is unusual with diesels. And the handling was better again than the Golf. Only 1 prob ...... I was showing 39mpg at the end of my 15 miles test route.
Anyway, the new cr engine is the same that goes into the GTD, the old FR combined economy was quoted at 47mpg, the new engine is at 53.3mpg ....... 4mpg worse than the 140 in the GT, but not 10mpg as was the old engine.

So, once the dealer has registered one of the 2010 model year Leon FRs, I shall check it out. So long as it gets above 46mpg on my test route - then I know I shall get over 50mpg on the motorway commute. If so, then I shall be ordering the Leon as it looks much nicer, the seats are better, and it is pretty quick.

Don't get me wrong, the Golf is nice - but after I got out of the Golf, I never looked back and if you asked me to describe some of the detailed, I can't - it is quite forgettable in some ways as it has played it safe in the styling. The Leon is more flamboyant and you look back as it does look good. Generally, I don't think there are many hot hatches that are especially attractive. I like sports cars and always feel that the hot hatch is a bit of a 'wannabee'. But if you need practical - its a good compromise. And this little car quite impressed me today.

Sam

[paul b]

There we have it, moral of the story, have a test drive.

Seat have always made attractive looking cars IMHO. Well, since the turn of the millenium anyway.

[UltraViolet]

Absolutly - I'd never buy a car without a test drive - amazes me how people sometimes choose on the basis of what the mags or brochures say without taking a test drive themselves.

Gaining alternative opinions is useful, but you are the one that knows your own likes/wants best.

[elvismiggell]

How did the interiors compare? I always thought the Leon much weaker, have they spruced it up that much?