Mk 2 VRS TDi to Superb 170...what's your experience?

[Biffo]

Folks,

         As above I was about to trade my Mk 2 VRS FL TDI (17" wheels) for a new VRS until I drove one and was totally underwhelmed... came away preferring my own car. However I am now turning to the idea of a Superb 170 Combi.  If you have gone this road (I will probably get a manual version with 17" wheels) can you tell me how you got on with the Superb? Any regrets compared to the VRS? Has the experience been good?  Thanks.

[Superb170]

Folks,

         As above I was about to trade my Mk 2 VRS FL TDI (17" wheels) for a new VRS until I drove one and was totally underwhelmed... came away preferring my own car. However I am now turning to the idea of a Superb 170 Combi.  If you have gone this road (I will probably get a manual version with 17" wheels) can you tell me how you got on with the Superb? Any regrets compared to the VRS? Has the experience been good?  Thanks.

 

I remember this topic coming up before and here are some threads that might be of some help

 

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/320369-octavia-vrs-estate-to-superb-lauren-klement-worth-it/

 

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/261135-whos-moved-from-octavia-vrs-to-superb/

 

Have you drive a Superb yet?  I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by the difference although I haven't owned a vRS so I'll let others comment on the actual like for like comparisons.  Bear in mind the Irish spec Superbs will differ slightly from the UK specs so you will be able to get an elegance here with 17" wheels as standard.  The L&K is the only model which comes with the 18s as standard and on balance I'd think carefully before getting those give the state of our roads!  Good luck with the decision!

Edited 27 January, 2015 by Superb170

[Richf]

We went from a pd Vrs Mk2 Octy go the superb. The handling of the Superb isn't a patch on the Octy due to the wheelbase , the drive is less dynamic but more relaxing, more of a motorway cruiser than back road bruiser

The mirrors on the Superb are a good improvement over the smaller Octy ones and obviously equipment levels are much better

[silver1011]

I went from a MkII vRS (18" wheels) to a Superb (SE on 17" alloys), although only the CR140.

 

I loved the vRS but was getting tired of the harsh ride.

 

Covering 30,000 miles a year is so relaxing in the Superb, my commute takes the same length of time so as far as I'm concerned I'm as fast in the Superb as I was in the vRS, except I'm now doing over 50mpg.

[Matty70]

Biffo,

I am returning to the superb at Easter. In black Elegance spec 170 hp engine and a load of extras to boot, talking of boot it's the combi. As you can see my current car is a mk3 VRS reason I'm returning to the Superb it is a better place to be simple as that much more comfy, quiter better leg room in the rear and the mpg will be better I used to get mid fifties regular as you like it my first Superb, mid forties at best in the VRS never ever seen 50 or 60 mpg (even when driving like a saint).The performance isn't much different. Cruise control standard on the Berb is it fitted yet on the VRS.

When I used to drive home from Germany in the Superb's it's pain free all the way home to Nottingham. In the VRS I'm in pain before I hit the French Auto routes. Due to the VRS being lighter it does tend to move about abit on the motorways, no such problem for the Superb it loves being on the motorways and autobahns.

On the tech front obviously the VRS wins here as its a new car kit in the Superb is now getting on a bit but this can be upgraded/swapped out(infotainment system).

So in summary if you want comfort get a Superb. If you want low ownership costs get the Superb. If you want to hoon around (when the mood arises) get a Superb and get it DTUK chipped.

Hope this has helped.

[Biffo]

Thanks for the replies.  Great info. The question now is whether to buy now or wait for the new model. Is it ever a good idea to buy the last of the old model?

[LS108]

Depends on how good will be new model :-)

Usually benefits of old model is price and majority of bugs are solved.

But I would wait for superb III, because of the engines. Engines in current Superb are too old to be continued.

[peterposh]

Always a risk having the first of any new model , teething problems will be found by the owners

Edited 29 January, 2015 by peterposh

[Superb170]

Always a risk having the first of any new model , teething problems will be found by the owners

I agree.  I'd wait until there has been decent feedback on issues with a new model, which there invariably will be.  They did this with the Rapid where a number of improvements were made from the earlier versions.  Also, some earlier models can be missing some equipment, for example, earlier 2008 Superbs were missing some items of spec

[muunster19]

I have superb 170cr elegance on 18" rims the ride is awful , I have changed them to 17" with winter tyres for winter and the ride is greatly improved , I still prefer the wifes mk2 Octavia .   

[Biffo]

I have superb 170cr elegance on 18" rims the ride is awful , I have changed them to 17" with winter tyres for winter and the ride is greatly improved , I still prefer the wifes mk2 Octavia .   

Very interesting...why do you prefer her MK2 Octavia? Thanks.

[kevberlin]

I went from FL Mk2 VRS to Superb Greenline!

I absolutely love the Superb. Quieter, more comfortable, more relaxed, better build with no awfully harsh ride and intrusive tyre noise.

I don't miss the ooooomph, but I am sure others may not share my views.

[D-Cunningham]

I moved from a Mk2 vRS Octavia petrol to a Superb Elegance DSG 140 diesel. I really enjoyed the speed and handling in the Octavia but I didn't enjoy paying the fuel bills and I didn't enjoy the ride. The Superb is a joy to drive if you want comfort and a sense of security. The build quality is better and the DSG box is wonderfully smooth and effortless. I don't really miss the excitement of zipping along in the Octavia. I prefer fewer trips to the petrol station and being cosseted in the comfy leather seats as a I glide along in the Superb. My car came with front and rear sensors so it's a breeze to get in and out of tight spaces. I also love the dual boot/hatch which I understand is being dropped from the Mark 3 due to the cost of producing it. So if I were you, I'd look for a tried and tested technology in a Mark 2. People on this site rave about the 170 engine, which I've not driven. I get by very nicely in the 140. It goes especially well on long motorway runs. I live in Kent and have family in Cumbria. The Superb makes that journey of almost 400 miles a lot less of a burden than it was in the Octavia.

[silver1011]

My vRS was magnetically drawn to defects in the road.

 

The Superb on 17's eats these potholes for breakfast!

 

This was a far too common occurance, always hit at night when all you can see is what is covered by the headlights....

 

Grrr...

[pleasure]

I had Octavia VRS cr estate & now a supurb 170 elegance estate.

 

Not much difference really , superb a bit softer sprung, a bit roomier. I had xenons on the vrs so the lights similar.

 

I have also activated XDS on the superb so it pulls away/powers out of bends like the VRS

 

Brakes a bit mushy on the superb, but that could just need a fluid change.

 

Never towed with the VRS, but the superb pulls a caravan very well.

 

Both were geared about the same & ate motorway miles.

 

Superb interior feels posher (very subjective I know) has more toys as standard, just missing the vrs badge on the steering wheel.

 

There are so many common components - surprisingly enough they are pretty much the same & its the details that set them apart.

 

Enjoy whatever you go for.

[Richf]

My vRS was magnetically drawn to defects in the road.

The Superb on 17's eats these potholes for breakfast!

This was a far too common occurance, always hit at night when all you can see is what is covered by the headlights....

Grrr...

We killed two sets of alloys and at least 4 tyres in 2 years on our Superb , stepping down to 17"s give a lot more compliance and has saved the rims so far

[Biffo]

Thanks to everybody for the replies. Please keep them coming.

[Colin170CR]

I came from an 03 Audi A6 SE 1.9TDI estate. Bought it in 2005 & fitted with a DTUK  tuning box (160hp) it was very quick & economical - 56mpg average. At 160k miles over 9 years the Audi served me well on the daily commute & family camping  holidays (I still have it on my drive if anyone's interested -SORN off road & in good condition).

 

No contest compared to the Superb though. Bought a 2010 170 DSG Elegance Combi two & a bit years ago with 25k on the clock. It's currently averaging 56mpg & touching 60mpg on occasions on the 84 mile daily M1 commute with a stock motor with no mods - yet.The Superb is far more pleasing to drive, more luxurious & the DSG wafts you along in a relaxing manor. Having said that, drop it into sport mode or override with the flappy paddles & it will give many a hot hatch a big surprise. 

However, my boy racer days are over & I much prefer the Superb experience. Back in the day (1970's) I  used to have a  1968 2.0 litre Viva GT with stage III race tuned head & cam, Twin Webers, full flow exhaust via 2 x straight through thrush side exhausts, negative camber front end, adjustable Koni's all round on Wolface alloys. It was quite quick & very very loud, so much so that I was regularly pulled by the plod. The record for which was 3 times in one night. I had company cars for the next 30 years - boring Escorts, Cavaliers, Rovers, Renault's, Citroens etc. The only car of note was an Alfa 156 Twin spark in Black with red leather seats. Nice. Nothing competes with the Superb's quality & value for money or relaxed driving experience - or maybe that's because I'm older now? 

 

However, I do have a problem with my Superb. After two years of ownership the steering wheel controls have just packed up - have posted a separate thread on this. That said it's still a great car.

Really liking the lines of the new MkIII which is wider & more A6 like - actually I think it looks better than the Passat & the A6.. I will will probably wait until they are 3 years old & buy a MKIII to replace my current MkII. However, next time it will be a hatch as by then the kids will have left home (I hope) & I am already way too old for camping under canvas which was the reason I started buying estates.

[exFiesta]

I switch from a pre-fl Octavia II Diesel vrs to a superb II 170td elegance, both combi in March.

I enjoy the superb a lot, it cruises well and is more comfortable on long journeys. It has many more bits and bobs, I love the heated seats and pano roof.

The cr engine is very different in power delivery to the PD, but I doubt much different to the cr you would currently have.

I had manual in the vrs, and DSG in the superb. It's great, but needs some getting used to. I think paddles would be a good option for any spirited driving.

Speaking of which, the superb definitely doesn't handle anything like the vrs.

I've also found there to be a noticeable amount more room for the driver (and passengers) in the superb, but boot is about the same. There are better cubby/storage holes in the vrs mkii I think.

I had 18 inch rims on both, so not much difference there, suspension in superb definitely translates to more comfort though at the expense of handling.

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