JDM

As the family is growing it looks as if I'll need a small diesel car to go with the UK Impreza wagon I'm going to buy.
However I'll need to use the small car myself from time to time so I want a PD engined VAG car which I plan to get remapped at jabba.
Initial thoughts are IBIZA 130 sport as it has the most modern platform and hopefully better power/weight ratio than say a Leon. The question is though which offers the best handling of all the VAG cars? I'd consider a Skoda Octavia as well but they only seem to offer the low output diesels.
What are the standard mods people do to improve these VAG cars (drove a MKIV turbo petrol GTI and it had crap handling) and finally does anyone here own one?

All comments gratefully received except ones about slow diesels!

RS Grant

You can now get the PD130 engine in the Octavia mate...

However, if size of the car isnt an issue, I would go for the Ibiza 130 Sport and re-map it to around 180bhp with over 300lb/ft torque.

Cheers,
Grant

JDM

Ibiza has the best handling and I presume weighs less then?

The size of the car doesn't matter but the Octavias seem to be a bit too new for any bargains as well as handling like a barge if the old L&K car I drove was anything to go by. I want fun and enough practicality to fit a few things in the back with the rear seats down.

Like the idea of the remap but was wondering what suspension mods people do to get these to handle. Still I suppose if it's under warranty that will be best done a bit later on.

Vette_76

Don't Seat now do a Leon PD150?

You could probably re-map that to 200?

Too new for bargins though!!

JDM

Think the 130 engine offers the best bangs for buck if you look at the jabba remap options, upto 190 bhp and god knows how much torque. Plus it seems to have been around for a while meaning a yr old example is a distinct possibility. I like the idea of the 150 but I don't reckon it's worth the extra cash when you consider a remap.
I'm more or less set on the 130bhp, just don't know which platform to go for.

mik

150 remaps to only slightly higher numbers than the 130. Say 192 vs 184....ish.

Suggest you visit seatcupra.net and briskoda.net for more input from owners.

Leon PD150 gets good reviews but is a little underdamped (like most Leons).
Ibiza 130PD not reverred for either handling or ride. Bit lighter than Leon.
FabiavRS seems to get the nod over the Ibiza.

Leon much better "class" of materials / equip / ICE etc.

Why not go test drive some?

Cupramax

The Ibiza may weigh less but the Leon drives and handles a lot better than the new shape Ibiza. I drive a Leon and had an Ibiza courtesy car the other week. No comparison...

JDM

thanks for the info- am arranging test drives based on the info I get from here!

compshack

I test drove both the Skoda's (Fabiavrs & Octaviavrs) a few weeks ago. The dealer (Simpsons Colne) just gave me the keys. The octavia had better brakes and was possible more comfortable but after driving a scoob it did seem a bit perdestian. The performance reminded me of a Vecra SRi V6 I had a few years ago.
The Fabia VRS was so differant, what a hoot to drive, I didn't want to take it back and being a diesel fuel economy is upto about 40mpg. Stamp on the accelorator and it takes off really well, you keep having to tell yourself it's a diesel! It revs upto about 5.5k and unlike other diesels ive driven it pulls all the way up aswell.
Six speed gear box is really good and the handling is good also.
I think with a jabba re-map it would be a really good car.

16vmarc

Agree totally on the handling of the golf Turbo, there like blomanges.

Harry_Boy

Seat are introducing an Ibiza Cupra diesel with the 150ps engine - in Autocar the other week...

mik

160PS

JDM

160ps=150bhp or thereabouts?

In any case I read that VAG were conservative with their power ratings and many cars test higher than their declared BHP when RR'd.

Either way I'm going to look at the Fabia VRS, Ibiza 130 sport and not the Leon as the only Cupra's I could find were all nearly new. Only others were 130 SE which I presume have poor handling.
Decisions decisions.

mik

The 150 Leon is indeed relatively new.

The 130SE has the same "sports" suspension, but runs on 16"s with 205/55/16 as opposed to the 17" with 225/45/17 of the 150.

(Same set-up as the original 1.8T Cupra basically)

Essentially the same handling therefore, and if you do want to upgrade, a set of 17" 6-spokes from a TT are el-cheapo and easy to come by. (every TT owner in the world is uprating to the 18" 9-spokes). Look far better too (as they are ET32 as opposed to ET42 ~fill the arches much better!).

JDM

So a 130bhp Leon SE could be a real possibility then?

Interesting as I'd always assumed the lighter, newer platform Fabia VRS or Ibiza would have better handling. Looking at these comments maybe not.

LEON SE added to the list I think. Like the idea of those TT alloys as well. Must go and look at a LEON website for some pictures.

mik

Seatucupra.net mod Andy's early Leon 110TDi with said wheels.CLICK

He's subsequently fitted CupraR front & rear bumpers & skirts, but I think it looked more cohesive in this form!

TDI130SE has smoother bumpers than early cars..... no unpainted bits either from memory.

edit: and he's had nice SEAT centrecaps made for the alloys too (which he's offered to source for other peeps). CENTRES

Another pic for you - Leon with the 18" TT 9-spokes too.....also rather nice! 9-spokes

lightning101

Would have thought though that the golf, would be the best bet for re-sale, no matter how good or bad a car it is. Try finding a low mileage 2nd hand TDi for a reasonable price. Wouldn't think there was a huge 2nd hand market for octavias due to badge snobbery at the gold price bracket.


I agree that they are all practicaly the same angine and build quality, but I'd much rather have the gold to sell on at the end of the day.

Cupramax

*pedant mode*
Lol, not by my calculator its not. 160ps = 157.8hp

To calculate PS to HP Divide the PS figure by 1.0139

*/pedant mode off*

JDM

Took out a Fabia VRS last night, not a bad drive at all but just too small. Am lining up a Seat Leon/Ibiza test drive as soon as the dealer gets a demonstrator- tells me he keeps selling the demo cars! So they must be good I suppose.

greg.g

I must admit, after my recent car-jacking experience, i have thought about
changing the scooby. One car that could tempt me is the leon cupra TDI/150

JDM

Ibiza sport tested and very similar to the Fabia, although seemed a bit sharper handling wise, may be because it has 16" alloys as standard. Either way they are both good cars if a little small.
Insurance reasonable as well. Don't blame you for thinking of changing Greg, was bloody awful what happened to you. Hope you are mending well.