eurotraveller

Well, thanks all for the feedback. So it seems these systems have improved substantially in recent years and now actually do something useful – good point above about poor light conditions. Now I just have to remember to try it sometime...

So the system is there, but it never occurs to me to try it when the opportunity arises. I tried it on a VW a few years ago and found it to be a joke: a) it took an eternity (very embarrassing) and b ) it wanted a space so large I could have parked in it blind-folded. My question therefore is: has it improved in either or both of those respects, or would it still annoy me just as much? Of course parking is where automatic transmissions really fall down versus manual anyway .... it takes so loooong to switch between forward and reverse.

Off topic again: I had one of those!! – in blue. Just loved it (mainly for the look) … until I took it onto the autobahn and found its performance was distinctly average. At one point I just couldn’t shake a Merc 200E.

Good point. I wonder whether I’ll still agree with that once my 280 has arrived in a couple weeks (sitting in Emden – still driving the 190 in the meantime). Having said that, I don’t find the mileage even the 190 does that brilliant; certainly poorer than my previous 170. Oh well, the 280 is and was meant to be an indulgence.

Yes and oh yes indeed that was a beautiful line on the S2 system

So it seems; it took me a while to accept that and I asked my dealer several times "what have I not got (that I could have had)". Given the car is indeed maxed out on options, I do find it rather annoying that there are nevertheless blanks. It would be nice to be able to configure some quick-links to personal preferences. For instance, I would just love to have a quick mute button for the sat nav (my default setting is sound off - can't stand the constant yakking that tells me the bleeding obvious - but sporadically it can be helpful). Incidentally, has anyone noticed S3 sat nav says "please" whereas S2 didn't?

If you ‘need’ / want the badge, then I guess it’s no contest. You’ll take the MB no matter what. I have plenty of friends and family like that. Personally, I have no ‘executive’ pretentions and am therefore not bound by such constraints. One important aspect not mentioned above when comparing prices: cost of servicing. It’s at least double every time you visit a Merc garage compared with visiting a Skoda garage! Plus, more – and more expensive – things tend to go wrong on a Merc. I should know; we've had one of each for years.

Why would you even consider cancelling? This car is a no-brainer in my book. As others suggested, it’s unbeatable value. Comparison with A4, really? Spacious in the extreme vs. rather compact? Apples and oranges. Besides, any and all Audis are poor value in contrast. My profile says ‘280’, but I haven’t actually got that yet. Due in 2-3 weeks. Meanwhile, I’m driving a 190 L&K 4x4. At first, I found the 190 a bit disappointing on performance – compared also with a previously owned Superb II 170 (manual) in which I did over 100k miles. But that proved to be an unfair comparison. 5000 miles on, the engine has loosened up very nicely and is now a pleasure to drive. The power and performance is ample for any and all real-world situations. The additional I will nevertheless be getting is just an indulgence. Above all, it’s simply an absolutely great car to live with, no matter which engine (I suspect).

I also agree the green looks absolutely great. I was talked out of choosing it by a) wife “too country” and b ) salesman “not popular in the UK”, apparently also to do with some sort of superstition? Rubbish. In retrospect, I think neither is a valid argument. As for de-badging: I would do this as a matter of course with Mercs and BMWs we’ve owned before, but don't feel the need with the Superb. First, there are no silly references to engine type or size (these days totally misleading on the aforementioned brands anyway). Second, there’s the pleasure of reverse snobbery as in “who’s the fool now?" – the aforementioned like-for-like A6 comparison being a favourite of mine, too.

Correct me if I’m wrong, someone please, but I believe 18s on the S2 are not equivalent to 18s on the S3 because the latter uses a higher profile tyre on 18s, i.e. with a greater rolling circumference – thereby also providing more 'cushioning' on a wheel of the same diameter. Yes, the S2 can all too often give a pretty poor ride on 18s, but I believe the S3 is far better also for the above reason. I drove an S3 demo with 19s, now have 18s and think the latter is definitely the better way to go. Sure, lower profile can 'look better', but in every other way it just makes far less sense. Think of the time you spend in the car versus the time you spend standing outside admiring it. Generally speaking, low profile is a complete and utter nonsense serving only our vanity and the wheel refurb trade.

I’m also among the old-fashioned in the sense that I like to buy (pay for) and therefore actually own my cars. But of course that isn’t really the way anymore in this world of virtually zero interest rates. And so the market seems to be flooded with brand new cars: I cannot believe the number of 65 plates everywhere. Mix into that the next, inevitable economic downturn and manufacturers even more desperate to keep up the numbers (I’m very reliably informed from within the trade that some surprising brands are already struggling to do so now) and all this points in only one direction: I would expect depreciation to be savage across the market. The only answer is as said above – plan to keep your car for a long time. It ain’t fashionable, but makes sense. Who can reliably forecast how the 280’s very much niche nature might fit into all this? I’d budget for disappointment, but it may even turn out to be a relative winner. Also on the upside, by even being on this forum you're by definition already a relative winner as you're not being taken in by the dubious benefits of ‘premium’ brands and the 10s of thousands they charge more for the badge to begin with. For instance, it will be interesting in a year or two to compare the 280’s depreciation against that of its closest Audi comparable – in terms not of percentages, which is favoured by those wanting to cast the best possible light, but of actual money lost.

Thanks, l4wrence. One of us will eventually have to establish how far that gap widens as you go a lot faster than that, although I just found this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-grAzcKQjoc Here’s a review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5756qGHZnJw He likes it mainly for travelling in comfort and reckons the car doesn’t encourage fast driving! Well, that’s his view, maybe I should comment no further on that. Actually, he talks quite a bit of bovine excrement. For instance, he ‘accuses’ the car of being quite thirsty in virtually the same sentence as saying “when driving quite a lot of autobahn at high speeds.” Well, we can all imagine what a journalist does when given a free ride in a powerful car. He furthermore says the gear ratios are too short with 3000 rpm at 130 km/h. He’d go for a diesel … but that was early August, of course. Otherwise he recommends the 220PS – maybe also because he laments the absence of a manual gearbox option. The rest is the usual praise for the car generally.

“If only skoda would fit a 6cyl diesel into the range....” Why? The reasons for choosing diesel are diminishing by the day anyway, but, also having a 6-cylinder diesel car (C350CDI “AMG”), I know they're just too thirsty to make any sense when looking ahead. VW’s own 240PS diesel as offered in the Passat is / would be in a Skoda the far more contemporary option. Yes, 6 cylinders will always sound nicer than 4, but is that reason enough? Overall, I find modernity more appealing. Furthermore, in comparison with otherwise similar 4-cylinder C-class cars I've driven, I find the handling of the 6-cylinder diesel car very much compromised by the huge amount of additional weight sitting over the front end. Weight is always the enemy of good handling.

I recommend that potential buyers do not specify both the “Partition Net Screen” and the “Rear Backrest Release From Boot” offered on the estate – the two do not really work in conjunction. This is because on the new Superb estate – unlike Mercedes and others – the partition screen is not incorporated in the unit that contains the retractable, horizontal boot cover, but is rather a very heavy/bulky separate unit bolted to the back of the 2/3 rear seat. There is no way the “Rear Backrest Release From Boot” can overcome that weight and is hence useless. Only on the 1/3 side will it work … just about. I consider this a design flaw and have already pointed it out to my dealer. Whether ‘the word gets around’ remains to be seen.

Doesn't it just! Good report, thanks. We have much in common, except my travels include regular visits to family in Hamburg rather than Hanover (Hannover). I, too, previously "hammered" a Superb II 170 (manual, which I still miss sometimes) on these journeys – plenty of full throttle where conditions permitted. How much larger exactly is the S III’s tank? I’m surprised – but very encouraged – that the 280 will go as far even with the extra tank capacity, given how relatively more forgiving diesels are of being hammered, fuel consumption-wise.

I’m interested: what would be the appeal of a ‘sportline’ spec? Would I choose it over L&K spec? Highly unlikely. Why? Two main reasons: First, it’s a big barge that’s overwhelming about comfort; especially while cruising long distances. ‘Sport’ is about as far removed from the car’s DNA as it’s possible to be. Second, I find the stealthiness of car’s performance potential –which few people would ever expect – a major selling point. Any ‘sport’ seats in a ‘sportline’ model would have to be extraordinarily good to make me want to switch. Meanwhile, I'll rather do my racing on a track in a vehicle designed and built for the purpose.

Interesting: thanks for that. How annoying with the clock; one would think that would be sorted nowadays. Also, I wonder what that 225 km/h reading was in actual speed, given how much speedos still exaggerate. Probably 210-215 at the most? I keep meaning to take a separate GPS speedo on journeys to find out.

It’s all relative and very much also depends on how spoiled you are. I test drove a new SIII with the standard system and found it quite disappointing, so expected a big improvement with the Canton. Yes, it's better, but still no match for the Harman Kardon-branded system on our 6/7-year old C-class Mercedes, and that really bugs me – especially since I rarely tire of preaching that paying for ‘premium’ car brands is foolish (the Merc is my wife's car). Okay, maybe the acoustics are naturally better in a saloon car that an estate, but still. Of course I’d rather have it than not and as it comes with the L&K package, fine, but would I pay a lot extra for it? No.

I have one – no problems. It’s a joy.

Interesting indeed, thanks. I too look forward to your feedback as my next trip will likely not be until the spring. On the one hand it’s perhaps not so relevant because of the autobahn driving scenario I described above – I cannot see ACC being of much use in that situation anyway. Then again, it’s brilliant especially in busy roadworks situations, and there are certainly plenty of those, too. Besides, you have to pass through Belgium and/or Holland first…

Who’s that? BillyJim: incidentally, what size of winter tyre do you have, and what type of rims? I presume Skoda Germany run some good package offers – especially when taking the euro into account.

Ah, then do please pardon my assumption, which would probably match most people. I did consider adding a disclaimer like “just in case you didn’t know that already”. Very true about roadworks and other restrictions on autobahns, and the unlimited thing is usually a real pain, actually. As you will know only too well, the inside lane(s) are full of trucks most of the time, so to ‘keep your place’ in the outside lane and not be blocked in between trucks and other ‘slow’ traffic you have to play this accordion game: hit the throttle hard as soon as the road ahead clears a bit and then slam on the brakes again a few moments later; again, and again, and again. It’s a complete nonsense. Having no limit makes it impossible for traffic to flow nicely. I just love the new adaptive cruise when travelling and am not quite sure why I ordered the 280 now... It must be these winter months away from the track. VVankel – that’s good! Or how about UUankel? I've been totally hooked on them ever since my first drive decades ago. They’re the most addictive engines! And my present toy (very much track only) is far, far more ‘hard-core’ than an RX8. Pat Symonds once came up to me, looked at the engine and said: "Why have all those bits bashing up and down when you don’t have to.” Yes, I meant the portable compressed air tanks.

Couldn’t agree more, except maybe that for really sweet sound none of the above can cut it in comparison with a ****el/rotary anyway (that’s what I use for my track fix ). Be aware of this re driving in Germany this time of year: you’ll find many people driving their fast cars more slowly than they would at other times because they’re on speed-limited winter tyres (often on plain steel rims – not a nice sight). I understand that’s because, while not actually mandatory, winter tyres effectively are as not having them might well go against you if/when there's an insurance claim. Winter tyres are typically limited to 180 km/h, although you can buy ones that are rated up to 270 km/h – a tad ridiculous, in my view. Furthermore, does the 280 supplied in the UK even come with summer tyres that are rated for the speed of which the car is capable - but which is of course not legally possible here. Do they make that saving because they can? I was meaning to ask the dealer. They would need to be at least ZR-rated. Also for high-speed driving: make sure your tyre pressures are spot on, allowing for the fact that high speed will generate more heat/pressure. The good news is that the system provided for checking / changing tyre pressure at all service stations in Germany is simply brilliant (and many decades old).

On the subject of the SatNav and post codes: unlike the previous-generation Columbus system, this new one is annoyingly geared to the (very weak) German postal code system. So you have to select ‘city’, then ‘postcode’ and then switch from numeric (German system) to ‘ABC’. Where’s the progress here? – but it’s a minor nuisance… Also, for a swift traffic-light getaway I would certainly recommend ‘sport’ mode. Even the 190 – no slouch either – then bogs down / lifts its nose quite a lot and generally feels rather wallowing in normal mode.

Well, it’s nice to know that media predictions of zero 280 sales were not quite correct. Mind you, are the owners posting on here perhaps the sum total UK customer base? Not to worry; mine arrives late January (I’m temporarily driving a 190 PS – also estate, L&K and 4x4). It’s the 280’s stealthiness that attracted me: plenty of go without showing off about it. I get my motorsport on race circuits and do not believe there is any such thing as a 'sports car' – no matter what shape or specification – unless it's used for actual sport on tracks. So why pretend? Report to follow; especially also on the many miles (kilometres) I cover on German autobahns – that’ll probably suck the tank dry in less than 200 miles. After 17 years of diesel – from the rather dismal ones way back then to the very good ones these days – it was time for a change, and if you’re going to go petrol you might as well go all the way.