A3 8v 1.8 or Seat Leon cupra 280

Stick to your a3. The interior of the leon as well as the dated infotainment will soon outweigh the want for the more power IMO. A3 is a much classier car.

I contemplated the Seat too, but the interior felt so inferior compared to my A3, so I just couldn't do it.

I’d go for the Seat. The 1.8 engine wasn’t enough for me personally.

I'd go Seat I think too

I have the a3 8v 1.8 14 plate with plenty of options, (B & O, side assist, winter pack, tech pack, comfort pack, front and rear sensors and more) and my brother picked up his 14 plate cupra 2 weeks ago. I had a 2014 leon 2L 184FR before my a3, so I knew what the difference in cabin quality was like. To be fair, he got an awesome deal on his as it had adaptive cruise, lane assist, full leathers, winter pack, seat sound, interior led, black pack- just about every extra apart from pano roof and it was at least a good £1500 cheaper that any other cupras listed at the time (was from main dealer too)

His interior is nicer than the Leon FR I had due to the black pack finishes (black headlining, black trim on the dials and heater controls), but for me the a3 cabin is still a far nicer place to be- the material quality just feels better and more premium. I'm thinking about remapping to get some extra oomph. It's a toss up between BHP and interior comfort which is down to personal preference. Exterior looks I'd say Cupra over the s-line but I'd always go for the audi if it was between the two due to the interior, although if someone offered the same spec cupra at the price my brother paid, I'd be having some serious thoughts about switching!