wooyay

I was very surprised at how quiet my 280 is. In normal traffic it's pretty quiet but it'll let out a reassuring growl when you start to push it. It's by no means a loud sports exhaust sound but fits the car nicely IMHO.

For non-280PS engines, only the Sportline has the chrome rear diffuser (unless retrofitted). All other models have a plain black diffuser with non-visible turned down exhausts.

Mine, built in December 2016, has the mode button and pressing it alternates between ACC and the speed limiter as shown in the most recent manual.

After exactly 16 weeks of waiting my MY17 Superb Estate L&K 280 arrived on the back of a trailer this morning. Corrida red with black leather with the following options: Rear side airbags (PE2) Ventilated front seats (PHB) Temporary steel spare wheel (PJB) Heated 3 spoke leather multifunction steering wheel with DSG paddles (PLD) Smart light assist with Lane assist and Blind spot detection (PNG) Integrated tow bar (1D4) Crew protection assist (7W2) Rear-view parking camera (KA2) Variable boot floor (3GN) Sunblinds for rear side windows (3Y4) Rear backrest release from boot (UK3) As it's a car I'm planning to keep for many years I decided to throw options at it, just because. The one option I considered for a long time was the panoramic sunroof bur I decided against it in the end. Only been out in it briefly but it's already a huge step up over the outgoing MY09 Octavia VRS. At least it doesn't rattle (yet)!

Two heated steering wheel options appeared on the UK configurator a week or so ago - one with and one without DSG paddles - for an extra £130 over the standard wheels (appears to be SE upwards). Since my order hadn't been allocated a build week so I was able to modify my order to add it (because I could).

Yes, you are correct but polarising lenses can show both. When I first started wearing them I found it strange how some cars driving towards me had pinky-purple coloured screens over their entire area whereas other cars (including from the same manufacturers, both vehicle and glass) didn't - at least to the same extent. The difference turned out to be those with the coloured screens were fitted with heat reflecting glass. It may be the case that the metal film used for heating also reflects heat and therefore no additional coating is needed - certainly the brochure only makes reference to heat reflecting properties in combination with the heated screen.

The colours that you see on the windscreen are the indication of the heat reflective coating so if you don't see these colours then there is no coating. The effect is even more visible if you wear polarising sunglasses. Looking at the UK specs, this coating is only mentioned as part of the heated windscreen ("This also reflects heat when warm outside to help keep the interior cool.") so I would expect a standard non-heated windscreen would not have the coating. I'm not sure how well the coating works. I had a heat reflecting screen 13 years ago on a Peugeot 307 and it didn't seem to make any noticeable difference when comparing to cars without. Technology might've improved since then however. I would certainly get the option for the heated part and if the coating helps to reduce interior temperatures then that would be a bonus. Personally, from my experience (albeit many years ago) I'd not pay for it purely for the heat reflecting coating.

The order was placed yesterday but I don't know exactly when I'll get it yet. Given the length of time I keep cars, and their mileage by the time I move on, I'm not too fussed about residuals as their value has dropped so much anyway. If I changed cars every 2-3 years then I can see how this could make a difference. What was important to me was to get the order in so I can then forget all about it instead of spending every night changing my mind on engine/colour/options etc.

Again, thanks to all who've replied - there's been a good amount of information and experience shared. Assuming everything goes to plan my order for a 280 estate should be placed tomorrow and then I'll get to join the Skoda build week lottery. Fingers crossed for this side of Christmas but I'm not holding my breath...

I guess the question I should've asked is whether the noise caused by the extra RPMs is noticeable between the two but that's a very subjective question. I know that the 280 will be the right choice but it'll be the first time I've ever bought without having driven (or even seen) the engine so I'm trying to rid those last minute niggles before I settle on a car I intend to keep for many years.

Thank you to everyone who's replied. I've now test driven a 220 DSG (in a Octy VRS) and it was a much more pleasurable experience than the 190 DSG diesel Superb I'd originally tried. Given the comments, and my gut feeling, I'm leaning towards ordering the 280 despite my head telling me the 220 would be perfectly adequate. I know I've read somewhere on here but can't find it, could those who have either the 220 or 280 tell me roughly what RPM the engine is doing at 70MPH in top gear? Whilst I don't spend all day every day on the motoway, whenever I do it's usually for fairly long trips and the shorter gearing of the 280 is niggling at me... Thanks!

Thanks to everyone who replied. Many useful points and comments made, and now many hours lost to YouTube 280 clips. That's pretty much the same as I was thinking, but even though the 4x4 might not be as good as the Quattro system it'll still be an improvement over FWD. Losing traction is an easy thing to do in the VRS especially in cold damp conditions before the tyres get to up working temperature (I found the factory fit Dunlops awful for this) but I've managed perfectly well with it for the last 8 years! I think the next step will be to test drive the 220 DSG Octavia VRS that the dealer has available because unless the engine/gearbox combination is better than the diesel 190 DSG I might be stuck.

Hello Briskodians. I'm looking at replacing my Octavia VRS with a the Superb in order to get more space both in the cabin and boot and to have a more comfortable ride as the Octavia's suspension isn't very forgiving over our wonderfully maintained roads. Whilst the outgoing VRS is diesel it will be replaced with a petrol Superb which has got me agonising between the 220 and 280PS engines. Unfortunately my local dealer has neither available in a Superb for testing although I have been offered the 220 engine in a Octavia VRS which I'm planning to try later this month. I was able to test drive a Superb with the 190 diesel engine coupled with the DSG box and whilst it seemed a nice car wafting on main roads I was disappointed with it on more twisty roads. I realise it'll never compete against the VRS but it seemed very hesitant and reluctant to make progress unless it was pushed reasonably hard. I wouldn't say the 190 engine felt under powered but I wouldn't want to have any less power. Having the DSG box in sport mode helped but it always seemed to be playing catch up. So for those with the 220 and 280 engines how do your cars compare in normal everyday driving - is the extra 60PS and extra weight of the 4x4 drive really a cut above the 220? Do they pair with the DSG box better than the 190 diesel? I'm coming from an entire history of manual gearboxes so I realise there may be a learning curve to reach the full potential. Cheers!

When I got mine about a month ago, my dealer (ALS Lock near Ely) had been told by SUK to remove the LE badge after reports of their poor quality (it was already peeling when the car was in the showroom). They'd even pre-arranged warranty work to fix the slight damage to the paintwork where the badge was before I'd collected the car. I'm expecting a replacement (and I've been told a redesigned) badge sometime next month. I doubt it'll ever go on the car but it's odd how other dealers haven't followed suit.