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penguin17

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Posts posted by penguin17

  1. I currently have a 7.5 R estate. Previously had the 280 Sportline hatch and a 150 TDI Sportline hatch before that. 

     

    The 280 is a great car, comfy, capacious and I factory ordered mine so I spec’d it up. It was a nice place to soak up the miles and straight line performance was a hoot for such a barge.  As a family car it’s more than practical and I would actually say it probably provides more room than 90% of 2+2 families need but that doesn’t mean you don’t fill it up every now and again.  If you have babies and/or young children and family trips/holidays still mean you are lugging around high chairs, fold up cots, buggies etc then the Superb is hard to beat. 

     

    I stopped commuting to work in 2018 so the 280 was a replacement for the 150 TDI, seeing as I no longer had to worry about fuel costs. Initially I was over the moon with the car but as my usage reduced I started ‘going out for drives’ rather than using the car out of necessity. Living on the edge of the NY moors I’m spoiled for choice and I quickly got bored with the 280. Even with 15mm lowered (vs standard) suspension (and DCC would have made zero difference), the car was crashy and unsettled, the rebound on the suspension was so lazy that you could hit an undulation and you’d wince and wait for the cars mass to catch up, worrying that you’d bottom out. My wife even picked up on this from the passenger seat.  The handling is also pretty vague when pushing on and you are quickly reminded you’re driving an almost 5 meter long limo that’s set up with a bias towards soaking up miles without fuss and easily overtaking a line of slow moving traffic when the need arises.  

     

    I thought of remaps, modifying suspension, anti roll bars etc but I was just bored with the whole package and it was a car that no longer suited my requirements/usage. 

     

    I looked at 2 cars as a replacement; the Volvo V60 Polestar and the Golf R estate.  I loved the V60 to bits but it’s rather cramped (it’s no old school Volvo estate) and the cabin is also very outdated but the performance and refinement is spot on.  I driven an S4 Avant a few years ago and the Volvo is a much better car.  So yes it ticked the right boxes it was still not ticking all, as I still need a car that covers family duties, transporting bikes, the dog etc. 

     

    The Golf R estate just suits my needs perfectly.  It’s more refined than the Superb (which I was surprised by) and quality is a step up in some areas and equal in others. Just remember that VW hierarchy dictates that the Golf can’t be compared to an Octavia or Leon; it’s much better. Comparing the Golf with a Superb is actually more realistic.   Mine is 2.5 years old and still feels tight and drives like a new car.  I've had to fix one rattle in the drivers door, which was a harness that had come lose from it's fixing. 

     

    The Golf in estate form is also very practical, yes a step down from the Superb in terms of outright space/capacity but most cars would be but it’s still not cramped, my growing 12 and 9 year old boys have enough room and I have a Travall boot divider so our dog has his own space in the boot and we have space for luggage etc (50:50 split). I haven’t yet thought “oh that would have fitted in the Superb..”

     

    Now the trump card of the R is that when you’re not carting your family round it’s a more than capable hot hatch, widely regarded as one of the best all-rounders. I’d have to agree. It’s an absolute pleasure to drive whether on a motorway or a B road but it’s on a B road where it comes alive. The 280 is quick. The R is quicker. It’s also much more agile and direct. It doesn’t crash over bumps or feel like it’s leaning in corners and despite having a firmer setup it’s not harsh. The R is also more comfortable. If you haven’t guessed already, I love mine. I do not regret swapping the 280 at all.  If I had to chose either car all over again then I’d pick the R every time.  That’s not to say the Superb is a bad car, far from it. It’s a great car. It does exactly what it’s designed to do and then some, it’s just for my needs and fancies, at this moment in time, it’s not the car for me. 

     

    I’ve now made a few mods to the R such as upgraded brakes, stiffer rear ARB, res-delete, upgraded intake and turbo inlet and stage 1 remap and its transformed the car again. Now running just under 3.7 secs to 60 and made everything feel a bit more polished without sacrificing OEM comfort. I’m getting the DSG remapped in a few weeks and it will also be going stage 2 in the not too distant future. I chosen to do those things because I got bored in lockdown and I realised life’s to short. As standard the R has more than enough performance and unless you really want to, you don’t need to modify it to be a capable car.  For me, it really is the perfect all-rounder.

     

    Running costs are the same for fuel and tax. I get low 20’s MPG from both cars but they can and will get closer to 40 with little effort, on a long run.  It’s subjective but my insurance went up a little on the R; when I swapped cars mid way through my policy I was charged £45 more for the R without mods, no admin fee. I’ve now changed provider and it’s gone up £100 but that’s on a modified car.  Servicing and maintenance is exactly the same. 

     

    PM me if you want any specific info. Happy to help 👍🏻

     

     

     

     

     

  2. Just now, newbie69 said:

    From an objective point of view right??

    Of course 😃 

     

    Just now, ZacDaMan72 said:

    DCC - all NZ Sportlines have it.  I'm talking stock cars, no point comparing modified ones. 

     

    So far the current sorta "pathway" I have for the garage are getting an M340i Touring or C43 Estate then probably replacing the Kodiaq with a facelift mid-2022, or getting a 7.5R wagon then upgrading the Kodiaq to an X5 30D. Problem with the first option is that there's too many niggles with the 3 Series (crap underfloor boot space as I use it often, run flats) and the C43 (crap RHD conversion as driver footwell is tiny and the footrest is probably an inch wide, unreasonable fuel economy compared to the BMW, don't like the rear end much), so I'm leaning towards getting the 7.5R to be honest.

     

    I already have the Kodiaq, so I don't need the extra space of the Superb. I never really have more than two people in the car at a time, but I do a lot of sporting and weekend trips with mates, so the boot space is more important to me than rear passenger space. 

    Having had a SEAT Leon ST for a few years previous to the Superb, I know the Golf estate/wagon is more than practical enough.  It's still a practical family car and not exactly cramped.  It's just the Superb is the size of a small moon! 

     

     

     

  3. 2 minutes ago, newbie69 said:

      

     

    Cheers. Opening up the front of the stock duct and removing the snow guard does provide some small but more importantly free gains on these cars!

     


    Yes, the intake + inlet combo seems to be pushing like 25-30bhp extra on these stage 1 engines, and my preliminary times definitely seem to back this up. The combined effect of the extra boost + air flow is definitely more than the sum of its parts. I had the turbo elbow since stock (carried over from the CS) and can't say I had noticed or measured any noticeable gains. With the JB4, maybe a couple tenths off on average on the 100-200 run, but after the REVO map (btw, it's a really strong one, full report to follow in the coming days/weeks) and the R600 went on it seems as if everything has woken up.

    On last night's Autobahn test, ECU was showing 297kw (crank) whereas before it was maxing out at 200kw. It's a funny video that, will be shared soon.

    Screenshot_20200518_155116.jpg.dbddcce5c8f8b922183d4b0448e22e60.jpg

    Nice work :clap:  

    Numbers are only half the story though, right?  I bet it just feels so much more responsive and willing.  Looking forward to more updates 😀

  4. 30 minutes ago, newbie69 said:

    I have to say the two seem to work pretty well on a strong stage 1

    Speaking to a tuner last week about the inlet pipe/elbow upgrade and he sees a consistent 12-15 bhp/Nm mark up on stage ones and slightly lower on stock cars but response and pick up is also a meant to be noticeably improved.   This backs up what I've seen via other online blogs/posts by some well regarded UK tuners. 

     

    You could be nudging 400bhp with those mods + stage 1 + 99 RON 👏

    • Like 1
  5. 21 minutes ago, newbie69 said:

    Removed some factory restrictions whatever...  

    IMG_20200515_172938.thumb.jpg.cd51d14a6611f6d7ed4ecf7af32403a0.jpg


    This went on too https://www.racingline.com/vwr12g7r600itinlet     but I don't usually take photos of pipes  :D

    I have to say the two seem to work pretty well on a strong stage 1, need to go out and validate some data first and I'll be able to report fully on them.
     

    Any plans to replace the turbo inlet pipe and elbow?  Racing line do a two piece setup and Turbo Technics have a single piece offering.  My separate elbow and pipe are arriving tomorrow 😀

     

    EDIT: 🤦‍♂️ Disregard, I didn't see/read the text under the photograph 😂

    • Like 1
  6. 28 minutes ago, shyVRS245 said:

    Is it the proper 306bhp Golf R or the slower 296bhp version. Looks good in white even with the standard 18" alloys.

    Meant to be 306 but most are 320+ (With 99 RON) according to the tuners I’ve been speaking to this week. 

     

    It’s f’ing quick though. Even coming from the 280. Total different animal. 

    • Like 1
  7. 34 minutes ago, vrskeith said:

    I'm still not warming to those headlights which is a shame as the rest of the front end looks very nice indeed.  Also not sure about the new VC being merged with the central infotainment, it's something I've never liked on MB cars too.  I'd prefer a cowled binnacle as it looks driver focussed  (if that makes sense!?!)

     

    I also can't help but feel the rear end is very i30N.  One of the first GTI's since the mk5 that instantly just doesn't look 'right'. 

     

    It's also a shame they used the blue Clark tartan in the GTE as those seats, in blue would look epic in the R.

  8. 1 hour ago, freelunch said:

    Any plans to "hot rod" it? I've always liked a Golf. I'm still curious about the colour: your choice, or what was available? 

    Went to look at a grey one. Seen the white and preferred it, I don’t ordinarily like white cars but it suited the trim and body style. 

     

    They usually leave the factory with ~320bhp, plenty of poke for now. I’ll remap it after I know it’s mechanically sound. The Golf Clubsport brake discs and pads, rear anti roll bar and bigger turbo inlet (adds 10-15bhp) will be fitted next Friday. I have my pedal box too so it should be plenty of fun 😊

    • Like 1
    • Thanks 1
  9. Can't comment on the eligibility of reduced lease rates etc but I will say the faulty engine stop/start button has been reported on here a few times and a replacement button should be all that is required.  TBF whilst the replacement car isn't as plush as your Sportline it still keeps you mobile and they seem to have at least provided you with a good level of service thus far.  

     

    Give Skoda UK CS a call and ask them to put you in touch with a local dealership with an operational service department.  I've had emails over the last week from various VW, SEAT and Skoda dealers who have stated they are running reduced maintenance/servicing with the priority on keeping key workers mobile.   If you have some joy with this then it would be worth phoning ahead and asking them if they'd get a new button in ready and if they diagnose the fault then you should be back on your way without having to go back again when the part is in stock etc. 

     

    Good luck. 

  10. 25 minutes ago, Iain123 said:

    Anyone know where I can buy a gloss black front splitter for Mk3 Superb Sportline, prefer a UK company, but open to anywhere, as long as the lead-time is not 6 weeks and the quality is good. Thanks

    Not a UK company but don't let put you off, I've never had an issue with any orders and can't recall seeing any issues being reported on here: 

    http://www.superskoda.com/Skoda/SUPERB-III/Front/

     

    There's Maxton too: 

     

    https://www.maxtondesign.co.uk/body-kits/skoda/Skoda Superb/skoda-superb-mk3/skoda-superb-mk3-prefacelift

     

    Maxton are a bit cheaper and appear to be very similar to the Superskoda ones (same...maybe?).  Maxton stuff is well regarded and used across a lot of modified VW group cars.  I've just ordered some rear side skirts from them. 

     

    Triple R Composites, which are just outside Huntingdon,  are a nice bunch and make some lovely stuff but they don't list anything for the Superb3.  If you're in that area then you could contact them and offer your car for fitting and they will discount a completed splitter (or they did that with me on a previous car)

     

    HTH

     

     

    • Thanks 1
  11. 20 hours ago, BriskodaJeff said:

    Booked a service and first MOT .

     

    Got an email a couple of days ago saying my local dealer would be open for servicing from next week. Booked this morning for a variable service next Wednesday (it's literally thousands of miles early due to lockdown, but I like to have new oil each year), together with DSG service (4k miles early but within warranty period so anything they find is Skoda's problem, not mine) plus MOT.

     

    The dealer has full social distancing measures in place, set drop-off time, no horrible free coffee or hanging around while they do the work - looks like they are making a decent fist of it. I hope the experience on the day is better than last year but so far I'm pleased with them. 

     

    I think you know I will have a full write-up on how it turns out...

    Is that with Heritage, Jeff? 

  12. @newbie69 We can compare notes on pre-GPF Vs GPF equipped cars 😀  I'm going to be going Revo stage 1 with the Revo or Turbo Technics turbo inlet pipe swap too.  According to the Revo agent that would usually give around 490Nm and 380-85BHP.  I did look at Racingline OEM+ stage 1 but there's not enough info and real world reviews out there.   I'm sure the R&D is good as Racingline have a good rep and background with VW group cars, but having used Revo a few times in the past I shall stick to what I know and trust. 

     

    I was looking at the Revo and Racingline air intake upgrades too but general consensus is that the limited benefit is at high revs where you will likely spend very little time.  The one piece turbo inlet pipes have been proven to give 10-14bhp and Nm increase. 

     

     

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