Goblin

Makes you realise how good these things are on fuel for their size. My 150 TDI Manual SEL Exec averaged low 50s not being too careful with it, and I'd see over 60 on a run. My new Volvo V90 D4 auto (190bhp 8 speed) gives me low to mid 50s on a run, and averages out in the mid to high 40s tank average!

Having gone from a Superb to a V90, I can waffle on about the differences between the two cars... I'm going to make it simple though. Do it. It's in a class of its own ahead of the Superb. It drinks a bit more, but it drives so effortlessly and the quality is much more noticeable. Oh, and then the comfort. That is something else! The only thing I can see wrong with the one you're looking at is the wheels are a bit big for my liking. They look nice but I imagine they'll spoil the ride a bit, I went for 18s on mine and it's just spot on. They're not so wide (245) that they get screaming tyre roar, they're not so high profile that handling is a bit floppy, but they're just right. The car doesn't crash over bumps and pot holes in the same way the Superb did. Like we said with the dog thing too, take them down to your local dealer (Clive Brook Huddersfield are very dog friendly) and see if they'll fit.

I went from my Superb (2016 SE-L Exec) to a Volvo V90 Inscription. 2 litre diesel, 190 BHP and 8 speed auto. Absolutely flies but VERY comfortable to drive, and much more refined and well put together. Installing my dash cam yesterday was a lot harder as it just didn't want to come apart. Can't really complain at that...

That's fair, I was pretty lucky with the one I found. Didn't want to go brand new as it would've easily been £45 with the options I wanted. I ended up with a D4 Inscription with the Winter pack and a couple of other bits on it, like upgraded nappa leather and such. I didn't want the Xenium pack as I can get the reverse camera put on at a later date if required, but in summer, I found the glass roof on my Avensis unbearable with black leather. Mine's also got the aluminium trim inserts too rather than wood, on a silver car it's just a bit nicer.

Ahh that's a shame, they were absolutely great with me. I'm pretty sure the saleswoman clocked me as soon as I pulled into the car park, gave me a couple of moments and then asked me if I needed any help. Answered all my questions, showed me around each model, sorted out test drives and numbers etc. She was even willing to let me take it out on a longer test drive than just up and down the road, as I'll spend a lot of my time in it, I have to know it's right. I think the test drive must have been getting on for an hour.

I've just signed the dotted line for a Volvo V90 this last week (delivery due on Saturday), again I need a big car for moving large amounts of equipment about with my job. Current car is a 66 plate Superb hatch, and yes the boot's massive. I had some of my gear in the boot anyway, so the dealership (Clive Brook Huddersfield) were more than happy for me to try it out, and with your last question, I did ask what's the weirdest thing they've ever seen tested in the boot of the car, and she said she'd seen all sorts, and it's not uncommon (or an issue) for dog owners to see how well their dogs fit. Ultimately, if you're buying a car fit for purpose, you need to check in the most realistic way possible, and having had to shift my gear in numerous different cars, you realise that the numbers are just numbers. Yeah, the Superb has a deeper boot for example, but I'm also recovering from a smashed finger after I trapped it between a PA speaker and the boot lip whilst hauling it out. The showroom had their demonstrator V90 and V60 in the showroom next to each other, boots open. Looking at it, I reckon height wise, the V60 has more to it by looking at it, but you can tell it's definitely smaller. I don't know if you've driven one yet, but if you haven't, I seriously recommend it. If you're used to DSG, you might not get along with the gearbox. 8 speed but not dual clutch, so it's not the quickest of things, but the 190bhp D4 had enough poke when I took it on the motorway and it was fine for me. It's a very relaxing drive, the quality is so much higher than my Superb and has tonnes more kit (Superb is SEL Executive, Volvo is in Inscription spec). The best thing you can do is take your dogs over to a Volvo dealer, and have a look and see if it's for you.

Traded it in for a Volvo V90

I had this with mine. Went in for service at 19k and a year and a half old, and the rear brakes discs were heavily scored and required replacing with pads, to the tune of £350. No ifs, no buts - not a happy customer. They tried doing me for my front brakes too, which were fine. I took it 5 months later down to National Tyres (the red and yellow place) to have my winter tyres put on, and I asked about it. They had a look and said there's easily a few thousand left in them, but the front discs were starting to go as well. They said they can do it with decent brand (Pagid / Brembo) for £250, and they'll do the tyre swap for free.

Haha very true! That said, given the nature of my job (musician) and the miles I drive, Business Grey is perfect as it doesn't need much of a wash. This was a festival gig after lots of rain on a very muddy festival site... didn't get stuck driving into the artist area, but let's say the guy in the car in front crawling along wasn't my favourite person. I found the big weakness of wide tyres that day

All these clean Superbs... puts mine to shame! Untitled by Dave Butterworth, on Flickr It's been cleaned since (though it's currently well overdue again!), but this brings things back down

SEL Exec are factory tint... going to need to speak to a local glass supplier or find an SE or below (not sure if the tech is tinted) at a breaker

Having picked up my dad's new Prius last week (seriously good car!), the new Corolla estate has caught my eye! Excel spec with the 2 litre hybrid giving around 180bhp should be lovely! Failing that, new Rav 4 or Volvo XC60 I reckon.

I have to agree, the value of the Superb is so good! I had a 2012 Avensis D4d Tourer, I loved it, but it was slow, thirsty and the interior was dated, even though I had a top spec one with the big glass roof, perforated heated leather etc. When I was due to change (December 2017), I looked at all sorts. BMW, Mercedes, Audi, VW, Ford, Jaguar, Toyota and so on. None of them were screaming "buy me". I drive over 50k a year as I'm a touring musician, admittedly I've only done 24k in mine in the year, and a fair amount of that is social milage, but I share with one of my band members who drives an 09 Passat Highline. In the end, I found a 66 reg MY17 SEL Executive (With options too), 2.0 TDI 150 manual. And it's the best of the lot I'd driven. The Merc couldn't really handle it's own power, was a bit skittish in the damp (okay I run winter tyres and it had summers on, but it was mild!), the interior felt cheap and it didn't really shout quality. The infotainment system was obtrusive, it felt cramped (C Class estate), and it rode very harshly. BMW 5 series I drove on a 65 plate, the interior was lovely, definitely above the Superb, but it wasn't as big as I expected (I need a BIG boot), and I knew all about the engine timing chain problems. Turned up at Skoda dealer initially looking at an Octavia L&K DSG estate, and whilst the salesman was just wrapping up a job (Darryl at RRG Rochdale - top guy!), he suggested I looked at Superbs too. Sat in one in the showroom as was immediately sold. The size, the comfort, the equipment, and it looks great. He took me out in a 16 plate Silver one, SEL Exec, no options, and as a passenger first (me and band mate share the driving so it had to be good as passenger too), I was sold pretty quick. Drove it, and it the ride comfort was fantastic. The Mondeo and XF estate were probably a little sharper to drive, but when I'm getting into a car at 11pm to drive 3 - 4 hours plus, the last thing I want a car to do is to 'excite' me. The Superb fit the bill perfect. The power delivery was great, the gearbox is great (admittedly, my only regret is not splashing out for the DSG). Got back to the showroom, we'd roughly talked numbers on the test drive and it was around £100 a month more than I was initially looking to spend, and £140 a month more than I was paying on my '12 Avensis! But, I was sold and I've never looked back. Darryl was actually kind enough to do the numbers on a brand new one with everything I wanted (was way over budget and my insurance was more - I'm only 26 and anyone in the entertainment industry gets majorly shafted on insurance), so he did the numbers on the Business Grey '66 model. I didn't drive that one, but it was same engine and gearbox. I sat in it, and noticed it had loads more on it such as park assist, which I never use but the 360 sensors are handy!), phonebox, tri-zone aircon (keeps drinks in the armrest ice cold), rain sensor (I don't use it, I just LOVE the frameless mirror design) and a couple of other things I can't remember off the top of my head. It had only done 4k miles and was owned by Skoda before me as one of their manager cars, so registered in Oxford to Skoda UK. Also the colour was better, as I took a page out of my band leader's book who drove a BMW 318d in grey, and it got washed only when it was serviced, and you wouldn't tell. I have a guy who properly sealed it and safe washes it, and it did 10k between it's last wash and I didn't even know! So after a year with it, am I still happy? Definitely. Like any car that does the mileage, it's going to have things that need doing. In 12 months it's had two services (variable). Expenditure on it includes three Pirelli Sottozero tyres - lost one to a screw and then it had run flat damage, and then I lost TWO to pot holes. Luckily paid for by local council, meaning a brand new pair for this winter! Expenditure which I wasn't expecting, the air con needing a service at two years - my dad's 16 reg Toyota from new has never been suggested it had this, so was a bit surprised. Was £150 when the dealer first offered it, decided to wait as air con was performing fine, and just had it done at the last service, this time for £100, so I imagine lots of people complained and the price came down! The one I wasn't expecting was the rear discs and pads needing to be replaced at 18k due to scoring. Could happen to any car, but I've never had to do that! Front discs were also done at 27k, but I had them done by the garage that put my winter tyres on and saved £100 or so! Another issue which is a pain is I've got a creak from the front suspension over bumps, especially when cold. Already searched and it looks ARB related. Last service a couple of weeks ago, they greased around it... hasn't worked. Got it back in and they removed the bushes and greased them properly, kept it overnight and checked it out. Was fine for them, I've been out and it's just as bad, so it's going back in ASAP to be rectified. Luckily, it's under warranty, and I get that these things happen. The technician said 9 times out of 10 the greasing sorts it... looks like I've got the unlucky 1. But, top marks to RRG Rochdale again. Yeah it's a pain having to take it back, but they keep me informed, I request they don't wash it (don't want my ceramic coat stripping off!) and they make sure they stick to that and they insist if it's not right, get it back in. With regards to that BMW reliability though, credit where credit is due, my bandleader had a 60 reg 318d. SE spec, nothing fancy, but he drove it all over the place. Full BM history, serviced 3 times a year on the nose... the timing chain got as far as 250 - 270k before it let go, and that was the first (and last) major issue the car had. Fair play to it! He's got an Astra now... let's see how that fares! So, in a year's time, what am I going to change to? Skoda's still high on the list! I wouldn't even entertain BMW now.

I'd go with the lower mileage. I had a choice of pretty much the same, and I just couldn't justify the extra for 19" wheels over 18" (I've already lost three tyres to potholes anyway!), a higher insurance premium, slightly harsher ride, all for the sake of having some some stitching on the leather. I'm lucky though as my SEL had options put on it new, then covered 4k miles over a year.

Yep, mine does that! Something I'm having checked when it's in for a service next week!

Yep! I abandoned mine three times last winter. Nothing to do with being stuck, I just realised it was quicker to dump the car, walk and then collect it later when people have some how managed to disperse / abandon their cars. I managed to get stuck once with the Sottozeros, and it was on a very steep slope which the car front on summers shouldn't have even attempted but did, got stuck all over the road and polished the ice, so I couldn't get any grip at all either... typically, on an even steeper slope with some fresh snow on it - no problem!

You could go down to 18" wheels, my SEL Executive is on 18s, tyre size is 235/45/18, and I found loads of winter tyre choice. I've got Pirelli Sottozero on mine. If you go to 17" which would give better snow performance due to the narrower tyre, it'll be 215/55/17.

I've always preferred estates due to the nature of my job - last three cars before this one were load luggers. Hatch I have now easily has the biggest boot of the lot of them, and also is bigger than my mate's B6 Passat Estate as far as what we can get in with seats up and shelf in place. I still reckon I'd prefer an estate, and will probably do that in the future... I just reckon I prefer the looks of them too!

The coats make washing easier and protect the lacquer. Mine's been done and the paint is silky smooth with a deeper shine than when I picked it up (Business Grey, so a dull colour anyway)... It's hardly snake oil... the Lifeshine which dealers offer is, but a decent protective coat that's been applied well is anything but...

Another tip on the sealant on top of the general don't do it, the kit costs £80 and they charge silly money for it, and it's never applied properly as they forget the 24 hours to cure. My mum just took delivery of a brand new car from Toyota, and we didn't get it, and I just spent a few hours on Detailing World, chose what product I wanted to use and spent two days doing it myself. Best thing I did, was I asked the dealer NOT TO WASH THE CAR before delivery. It may confuse them, but if their valeters haven't been anywhere near the paint, there'll be a hell of a lot less swirling, and whatever protective coat is applied, will bond to the paint much better. Did my mum's Yaris this way, picked it up and it had only been hot jet washed (which is fine by me), I got it home and safe washed, decontaminated and clayed the car, then applied two coats of Fusso Coat and left to cure with at least 12 hours between coats. The beading and shine is insane, and she said yesterday a bird has crapped on the paint work... raining today (not heavily either), I went out with some quick detailer, couldn't even find where the bird had left it's mark as the light rain has just washed it off! That's the kind of sealant you want on it!

Bizarre thoughts on the hybrids there, but everyone will always have differing views on them. My old man drives a 16 plate Auris Hybrid, and I drive it a lot. Now, due to the nature of my job, I do a lot of motorway miles with a lot of weight in the car all the time, and I can still see 60mpg. I can't get that in the same situation in the Auris. That said, on his commute (70 mile round trip, mostly motorway), he's seen into the 70s mpg wise, and not exactly driving like Miss Daisy. There's a technique to driving them - I've not mastered it yet to be fair. But, I've godda say, I don't really find it that sluggish, especially compared to other cars in it's class (Golf 1.6 TDI, similar spec Focus etc), and it feels absolutely fine on the motorway. If anything, in heavy rain with a lot of surface water, it's very similar kerb weight to the Superb, but with narrower tyres, it actually feels more planted on the road than my Superb does on it's 235s. They excel around town really, or in slow commuter traffic. I can get 60mpg doing 70mph on the motorway without too much effort, but the Superb does that too and it's more civilised... and then like I said, add weight, and the Toyota is the one which suffers on the economy front as it's already a heavy car for it's size. Ultimately, some love them, others don't. He's on his second one at the moment, probably getting a third in March. He loves them, and my mum has just gone fro ma 14 plate to a 68 plate Yaris Hybrid - now there's a massive difference in those 4 and a half years in refinement and build quality there. Feels as good as the Auris, but economy isn't as good as it's the smaller 1.5 unit from the earlier Prius and comes with a smaller battery pack. But, still feels like a very solid car on the road. Would I have one? Not of this generation... but there's a new hybrid Corolla (replacing the Auris) due next year, which is giving 180 - 190 bhp, rather than the 136 of the Auris... that one might tempt me!

Exactly this. I could tell that my rear discs were shot as they were heavily scored. How it came about on a car with 20k on the clock at the time, I cant only assume grit in winter or something like that. It's just one of those costs you've got to suck up. With regards to the fronts, they came up as ambler, so I checked them when I got it back, and they were absolutely fine, and I asked the guys at the dealer that given the sort of driving I'm doing, I'm not particularly heavy on brakes, would they last until next service, and they said yes. Aircon performs fine, that'll probably be done next service just to keep them happy regarding warranty and such as well. The dealer did admit to be surprised themselves by the cost thing, as with it being such a new change, it was a bit unexpected, and it's only manifesting now as the first cars due are coming in for it. Apparently I wasn't the first customer to not exactly be overly pleased about it.

I had this when mine went in for it's 20k service. They told me it needed four new discs and pads (over £600 the lot), and then the aircon was initially £50, then they came back with £150. I knew the back discs were shot, but the fronts were (and still are!) fine. I told them to just do the rear discs. I'll probably get the air con done at next service, and I'll have the front discs looked at again when it goes to have it's winter tyres put on in mid November. Personally though, I think the regularity of it is *******s. My old man drives a 16 reg Toyota Auris Hybrid, so under the new gas, and it's just had it's 30k mile service, and they haven't suggested doing the air con (still RRG Group), and the air con works fine. So why on earth mine wants doing at 20k, on a 66 reg car, when it's flawlessly kept the car cool through a pretty hot summer, baffles me to be honest.

It's amazing how it adds up... as for the international tours, tour busses and drivers exist for that So far in my gig career I've never had to drive myself outside of the UK

I can easily (and often do) rack up 1000 miles in a weekend in mine. Comes with the job as gigs can be anywhere and everywhere. Had a mad weekend recently having done: Manchester - Sheffield - Manchester - Glasgow - Manchester - Colchester - Lincoln - Millport (Isle of Cumbrae - Scotland) - Manchester - Wolverhampton - Manchester... All back to back, then two days off followed by Manchester to Swindon, back to Manchester, down to Peterborough and back to Manchester again. Luckily the big run was split over a couple of cars, but it gives an idea of how silly my mileage can be. I've not done anything long distance as in driving to South of France or anything, but the UK tours I end up on don't half add up! Can't fault the comfort and economy though, I've sat in it for six hours straight with no stop and had no issue at all. My only gripe is going for the manual and not auto model.