bigjohn

Your 220 version of this cam chain engine is a cracker. At this age it doesn't have a particulate filter but it does have both direct and port fuel injection, meaning petrol still sometimes runs past the inlet valves. This is a good thing as it mitigates carbon build up around inlet valves that direct injection petrol engines can be prone to.

The early 1.9 pd Greenline mk II had a DPF. The pd engine was never a good bed fellow with a DPF because of the camshaft lobe driven unit injectors design.

Re MK II Superb:- The CR 2.0 diesel in the mkII Superb is pretty well regarded although was subject to an emissions recall after the VAG dieselgate scandal. Some people had issues with some components such as EGR valves afterwards. VW then gave a warranty (3 yerars??) for emissions components after the recall work was done. Note - in the Superb mkII the CR 2.0 was never Euro 6 so would be subject to a ULEZ charge etc. Re 1.8tsi:- Re mk I Superb:- The 1.9 pd engine was very well regarded but there were a couple of later versions that were prone to mechanical issues. The pd 2.0 diesel in the mk I Superb had major issues as it was fitted with a poor implementation of a DPF and was fitted with a "balancer module" that also compromised the main oil pump drive as things wore that then could cause engine failure.

Everything else on the dash working ok? Anything changed or other work been done?

Agreed after checking a circuit diagram

Re 2 - I'd start with hazard switch /relay (Is it in one unit as per some other Skoda's?) . This failed in a strange way a few years ago on my mkI Octavia. Also could this be an earthing issue?

Which is illegal to drive - and an MOT fail

Steering right at speed rolls extra weight to the left - to me the extra noise doing this indicates left wheel bearing. When my son had a tyre hum issue on his 2016 mkIII turning left/right didn't really affect it.

I doubt it - I had a 1.4 16v classic that had some extras fitted new eg rear speakers - that needed additional wiring to support. I think looms vary spec to spec

Do the reverse lights work?

For the original query re badges - ebay seems to have a few listed

If all done then that should be ok. The 1.8tsi is a lovely engine to drive with when sorted - and it sounds like all the dodgy design "issues" have been addressed. To keep it that way make sure you have regular servicing - if it's on long life servicing get it changed to fixed miles/interval. When you get the car back keep an eye on oil consumption for a while It will take a little while to run the new rings in - don't thrash the living daylights out of it but vary your driving including a bit of giving it some jip. - Being tooooo gentle can be a mistake. Even my poverty spec 1.4tsi is sublime on a run. It's extremely refined all round but fitting Michelin Cross Climates tyres made a difference to road noise - not that it was bad beforehand!

The Superb is a lovely car but I'm afraid this engine has form - you may have just bought someone else's problem. Myself I'd try and reject it and get my money back . If sorted with the revised rings/pistons/rods + new timing chain / tensioner then that'd be ok but I doubt you'd manage that as part of the purchase. https://www.theaa.com/car-buying/legal-rights

I'm afraid there have been a huge number of posts about the 1.8tsi engine of that era. Two major issues:- Oil control ring of poor design and gums up causing oil burning - modified rings/piston/rods available Timing chain/tensioner failure causing severe engine damage.

A brief rattle is normal on the EA111 as oil pressure builds on the chain tensioner. I have this engine in a 1.4 tsi Superb and it has always done this if left for a while. I've owned from a 14months old /14k miles - it's now 7 years old/ 96k miles and sounds just the same as when I bought it.

Battery?

I had a slight problem with the main lights being a bit dim but map lights fine. Squirted a bit of switch cleaner into the overhead light switch which resolved the issue.

I thought the early 1.9 and all 1.4 versions came with Spectrum 16" alloys as standard

The mk I 1.4 8v mpi does have a version of the Felicia pushrod engine whereas the 1.416v has the VAG DOHC engine as does the VW fox. One thing I've noticed though is most VW engines that can't have E10 are the fsi engines. This was also fitted to the Octavia up to about 2008 but is not listed as an E10 incompatible engine.

One of the big issues with some 1.8 tsi engines was burning oil. Obviously check oil level but I'd be looking for evidence of oil near the exhaust tail pipe - oil yellowing on bumper nearby or oil that shows when you wipe a tissue around the area at the back. Anyway of taking on a long test drive? I have a friend with a 1.8tsi Yeti (same engine I believe ) that has had no trouble

I'd say that sounds normal then.

You can possibly get Recaro subframes but a major complication will be related to seat airbags etc https://www.sportseats4u.co.uk/product/recaro-seats-skoda-superb-direct-fit-sub-frames/ I'm not sure re compatibility with sportier / bolstered seats from Skoda eg Octavia vrs etc

It is normal for the high pressure tsi injection to "tick away" somewhat. On my Superb 1.4tsi I only hear with the bonnet up, I don't hear inside the car with the bonnet down and the doors shut. Does the Karoq petrol still have the under bonnet sound insulation?

All I know is my previous Superb (2003 pd100) now has over 100k miles more than yours and the turbo is still going strong - It's had a meticulous service regime though and was taken off long life servicing as I bought it at 18 months old

I think it's the angle I took the photo / daylight - the rear LED sidelights are on when the rear foglight is on:-