Heckler

The days when I could afford to have 2 cars ended almost 10yrs ago... I had a little diesel runabout for winter and running around, and a nice V6 coupe for summer and weekends which would get garaged from Oct 1st to April 1st. Fuel cost jumping as they did put paid to that.

Cheers, I have considered an MPV... but it's far too big for my daily use. I use it once or twice a week taking the folks out and about... but the rest of the time it's just me in it pootling about town running errands and so forth. I'm gonna have to compromise somewhere... I'll know when I find the right car.

A couple of questions... if I can find a lower spec model with the right engine/mileage How easy would it be to retrofit leather and get the heated seats functional (front & rear)... I can live without satnav because I have a smart phone and a tablet I can use. Hooking those up in the car wouldn't be too big a deal, just pull the dash to hide wiring and mount a bracket sticking out above the vents. But would still like it to have phone connectivity for obvious reasons.

I very nearly bought one back in 2012, that was a 1.9PD but with an auto box... and as I discovered after leaving a deposit... the autobox was knackered and had been bodged. I refused to buy it and the seller got shirty about returning the deposit. Had to get trading standards involved and threaten them with legal action. I didn't want to get a car as old as 2005 or more... was really looking at late 06 and 07 models... But as you say, these are all 2lt versions. I looked at an Avensis estate today... that particular one wasn't good enough but I do like them, and they have acres of space in the boot... and decent amount of legroom. Tomorrow we're looking at a Honda accord estate. Unless I can find a Superb in the right spec/price/engine I'm going to be compromising on one point or another. Slightly less leg room for easier access and more room in the boot for example. I've even considered an mpv with sliding rear doors as that would be very easy for him to get in and out of. But a car that big is pointless for my daily use. I'd be happy with an Estate or large hatchback... but the only saloon I'd consider is the superb because of the leg room, and it really needs to be an elegance model as I'm not giving up my leather seats.

Cheers for the blunt facts. Can't find a 1.9TDi Elegance at the moment, still searching and now I'm better informed, am eliminating anything with the 2lt PD engine and now the V6. Got a max of 3 grand to spend and that's pushing it. I can get £500 trade in for the Mondeo but that's already included in the budget.

Well I have to say thank you to everyone who advised me about the engines... I've litterally spent the last 2 hours reading thread after thread on multiple forums all slating this particular engine. It's safe to say that I will not be making the 160m roun trip to see it, as it was almost certain (if it was as good as advertised) that I'd purchase it. The superb has that extra wide door opening and leg room that I need... My dad is disabled you see. So instead of going to see that, I'll be going to look at either a Totota Avensis hatchback or a Honda Accord estate... both top of the line diesel models with leather, satnav and all the trimmings... I can't find a single Superb Elegance within my price bracket, that's not far to old, to high mileage or is an auto. Once again... thanks for making me aware of the issue. P.S. What's the problem with the 2.5 VS TDi engine? Does that have a similar issue or is it just economy that's the problem? I do a lot of shorter journeys... 25-30 miles at a time, with occasional 5-10 mile shopping tripes each week and the odd trip out for the day which can be anywhere from 40-200 miles. Once a year I take the foilks away for a week, so can easily do 500-1000 in a week. My current Mondeo 53, 2lt Ghia X TDi gives me about 43-45mpg around town, 48-50mpg combined and anything up to 60mpg on a long cruise up the motorway at a stead 65mph... Onboard computer over reads by 3mpg so I've adjust my figures for that. Anything that can get close to that, or at least hit 50mpg on a long cruise would be fine. I only average around 5000 miles a year anyway (I do some work from home).

Posted about the engine number just as you posted this... It's a BSS engine number. You ever have that feeling that something seems to good to be true.... That's why I love places like this... Used to run an owners club myself many years ago.

Found this post in another thread (by user Minimoke) when I was searching google about the 2lt PD oil pump issue. I have the engine number that the car is supposed to have according to the report I got... but can't check it against the car until I go to see it... and if it's everyones advise to avoid the 2lt PD version... It seems daft making a 160 mile round trip to see it.

Is there a fix to this? Did VAG fix the problem that could be resolved by replacing the oil pump as a precaution?.. and how easy is it to replace before it fails and does any damage?

Can you expand on that please.... what's so wrong with the engine... I assume that's why because the rest of the car seems to be the same.

My mistake... I took it as a 1.9 TDi because Engine capacity is listed as 1968cc. I've done a reg check on the vehicle and everything came back clean... No recorded accident damage, never reported stolen or insurance claims, original colour and plates... and the report is listing it as a 2lt with 1968cc. So my error, not the dealers. The only thing the report threw up was that it's ona SORN and the MoT expired 17th June 2015... Both of which the dealer had already informed me... 1: Because it's getting a new MoT for purchase (inc any advisories) and 2: Road Tax is new buyers responsibility... and as I have to change the car to Disabled use, I can't do anything about it before purchase (if I buy it). All solid advice, it is a 6spd Manual Diesel (2lt not 1.9 as I first though). Tyres are all Bridgestone from the pics I've seen Thanks for that... I have noticed a couple of cars with rust on the bootlid, this car is coming from a VAG specialist who also carry out insurance repairs, body work and so forth... So I'll be looking closely for any signs of repairs that were never recorded. After speaking to the dealer for about half an hour yesterday, and he walked around the car for me and seemed honest and straight... For example he told me that the rear passenger window regulator is faulty and they had bought a new one, but hadn't yet fitted it... They could have done that and I'd never be the wiser it was broken in the first place. I'm a cynica when it comes to car purchases... I look for the bad.. but I'm quietly optomistic at the moment. Will know more on Tuesday. How do I check the auto light adjustment? Few more questions... Any downsides to the remap and DPF removal? I read a guide on burning of the soot in the filter... With no DPF I assume no need for DPF fluid or does that still get used even though filter is removed? How easy to remap back to standard? How to check the map disc version, and where (how much) for updated ones. Car is a 56 plate registered Feb 2007. Car has optional coolbox in glovebox.. how does this work, how do I check it's working aside from sticking something room temp in there and waiting for it to get cold. Few details I left out... it's the Elegance model, so that means satnav, heated front and rear seats, dual zone climate control (I think).

I've tried searching for an answer without luck... So I'm hoping you can help with this. I'm going to look at a Superb on Tuesday, 150k on the clock but only 2 owners, maintained by a guy who works for a vw/audi/skoda/seat specialist. Aside from the water ingress around the filter... what else wshould I be looking for. I've bought plenty of cars over the years and out of 12 purchases have only ended with 2 lemons... According to the dealer, car has had DMF and clutch done, DPF was removed and engine remapped for better economy, full service history, much of which has been done by them over the last few years. Cambelt and water pump done at 80k, so will need doing in about 10k. Any other specifics I should be looking for... 1.9 TDi manual... so no autobox problems to worry about. Any advice and help welcomed. Cheers

Hi ladies and gents... Kinda new and kinda old. I created an account on here a few years ago when I was hoping to buy a Superb... Sadly I got ripped off conned, but was able to minimize the cost to myself to £200. Back then I was in urgent need of a family sized diesel.. and after the Suberb purchase fell through I ended up with a Mondeo Ghia X with all the bells and whistles. But that car is now getting long in the tooth and costing more than it's worth in repairs that need doing now. So back on the hunt for a Superb Mk I... and think I've found one. Dealer is willing to give me £500 on the Mondeo (which is fine by me given that it has some rust on a wheel arch and a failing DMF). Going to see it (and maybe buy it) on Tuesday.... and was looking for a buyers guide to take with me. I know about the water ingress around the filter, and to check the passenger footwell for signs of damp.. and I've seen a guide on how to repair it. But what else should I look out for... It's a 1.9 TDI Elegance Manual, with 150k on it... all the trimmings inc glovebox cooler. Where is the drive for the satnav, how do I check what map version I have, and how easy is it to update them, or find newer map discs. Hope you can oint me in the right direction on a few things before I see it. Cheers.

Well, as time was against me now... I've just bought a 2004 Mondeo on ebay. It's a Ghia X model with full colour touchscreen satnav system, heated seats, black leather, cruise, climate control and the 2lt TDCi 130bhp Diesel... and only 92000 on the clock. Got that for £2023 squidlies. Thanks to everyone who offered advice on the Superb, when I come to change my car next time... I'll definitely be looking at them again.

Seller was going to deliver the car to me, has just called to say the autobox isn't working right. He's going to have his mechanic look at it, and if it's gonna cost more than a few hundred to fix he'll break the car and return my deposit. To be honest, having received that info I would pull out of the purchase anyway. I can't afford to risk buying a car with problems like that. So the hunt begins again, and I may not even end up in a Superb at all... it all depends on what the markets brings me at the right price point.... I'm standing by my requirements though, either a sporty diesel that's quick, handles great and is reliable or a luxury car with all the toys.