iamdrew

My 150PS petrol estate has just had its first variable service at 15,000 miles - it is nearly 2 years old. On the service report, it shows pad thicknesses of 9mm front and 7mm rear, but what surprised me was a note to say that the rear discs were worn and that replacement should be considered. That seemed odd so I queried it but didn't really get a conclusive answer - just that they were worn. It's under 2 years old, has done 15,000 miles, I don't live near the sea (or any other potentially corrosive environment) and the pads still have 3mm of life in them - it's hard to see how the discs have become worn - I would expect the pads to wear out long before this discs need replacing - and I should add that these are the original pads. Any ideas?

Just happened to me today. All working fine. Parked for 10 minutes for a quick errand and on return all presets gone and 5A message on radio display. Re-programmed the resets and all is well again. Irritating though...

I've got a 1.4 TSi SE L Estate in Quartz Grey - on dull days it can look a bit drab, but when it's clean and the sun is out it looks pretty sharp. Performance is amazing considering the engine capacity. Standard SE L spec I think, so a bit miffed I haven't got lane assist and traffic sign reading, but I love the adaptive cruise control. (oh - and I live near Chester as well!)

I drive a 1.4 TSi manual which I bought without a road test. The dealer only had the 150PS TDi when I was looking so that was what I road tested. Having driven both, I would say that the trade-offs between them are pretty marginal. The diesel was noisier, had poorer turn-in than the petrol, but had more low down 'grunt'. In normal driving, I felt that the diesel was better at pulling away from low speeds. You have to make sure you are in the right gear in the petrol to accelerate smartly - and in small country lanes with steep hills this often means 1st gear - 2nd is quite long and the engine can bog down below 1500rpm. Having said that, you soon get used to making sure you are in the right gear. For overtaking the petrol is much better than the diesel (lighter and more speed in-gear from higher rpm). In terms of absolute performance I would say there is little to choose between them - they both have the same power output. If I were you, given your mileage, I would go for the petrol.

The lower door detail looks like it's pressed into the panels rather than bolted on!

I have a 1.4Ti 150 SEL Estate and am absolutely delighted with it. I would recommend you test drive the petrol one. The performance is excellent - I still find it hard to believe that the engine has only 1.4l capacity. I'm not sure how you arrived at £1000/yr premium for 20k miles. I worked it out to be approx £480 which given the cost difference of the initial purchase of just over £900 gives you almost two years at no cost differential. The calculation was based on real world fuel consumption from honestjohn.co.uk - 2.0TDI 150 was 55.6mpg and 1.4TSI 150 I assessed as 44mpg (being 80% of the median of the official mpg - nobody has submitted real mpg for the 1.4TSi yet, although mine is doing approx 46mpg) So... 2.0TDI 150: 20000/55.6*4.5 = 1619 litres/yr : Fuel cost: 1619 * 118.9 = £1924.99/yr 1.4TSI 150: 20000/44*4.5 = 2045 litres/yr : Fuel cost: 2045 * 117.9 = £2411.05/yr Difference = £481.06/yr I know that these are estimates and that your local fuel prices will vary, but I hope it gives a reasonable indication. Oh! And the 1.4TSi attracts an extra 20 quid for the first year road tax.

Good to know - thanks for the info

Nice write-up. I am in a similar position - just under 1000 miles in on my 1.4TSi manual estate. Like you, also delighted with the car, but a couple of really picky gripes. I love the dipping nearside mirror when you put the car into reverse, but why does it angle outwards as well? It overdoes it and you can't see the kerb properly - just down would be fine. I know it won't be relevant to those with DSG boxes, but the one time the gear indicator in the maxi dot would be useful is when you are stationary at traffic lights (so I don't try and pull away in 3rd ). But for some inexplicable reason it's hidden.

I bought a 1.4 TSi estate 'blind' - the dealer only had a 2.0 TDi Technology that I could test drive, but I figured that if the power output was the same there shouldn't be much in it. I'm very pleased with the purchase. I'm actually quite surprised at how much torque is available from the small capacity petrol engine, and the car can pull away strongly. Certainly as quick as I would need.

New microphone arrived at the dealers, has now been installed and everything working as designed!

Thanks all for the suggestions. The dealer took a look at the car this morning and has confirmed a non functioning microphone which they will replace as soon as the replacement arrives.

Hello I just picked up today my new Superb III estate 1.4TSi SE L. I am delighted with it - it seems really well put together, feels like a nice place to be and is such staggering value for money. I am an ex BMW and Audi driver having owned both A6 Avant and 5 series touring, and so far, I'm struggling to see how Skoda do it for the money. Just one minor niggle and a question: The in-car microphone isn't working - I can't use the speech control nor make phone calls on my connected phone :-( Under the boot floor, there is a plastic hook on a long piece of elastic running from front to rear. What's it for? Thanks Drew