Good evening everyone!

Apologies for not having posted here for a while, however, I've been busy selling the Elise (sob, sob), buying a cheap (apart from running costs!!) track toy (Impreza Turbo PPP) and racking my company owned Octy2 1.9Tdi to 107,000 miles.

Back in June I posted seeking comments regarding my choice of replacement company car. I received some helpful advice and duly submitted a request for a Octy2 2.0Tdi Elegance to my Fleet Manager. Unfortunately, the order was never processed as our board had decided to review our fleet provision.

This week, I received confirmation our new provider is Leasedrive Velo and that I could choose (again!) a new car. The list (mid range) is similiar to that of our previous provider, HSBC, however, there are a few changes, most notably, the addition of the new Superb.

I dismissed the old Superb as it was a saloon, however, the new version with its 'Twindoor' is worthy of consideration. I've visited Central Skoda, B'ham and sat in a Superb SE and was impressed with the room and quality of finish.

A 24 hour test drive has been booked with my local dealer (Startin Skoda, Worceter), however, their test car is a 170 DSG and not one of the lower powered versions.

My new dilemma will be whether to go for either a Superb 1.9Tdi 105 or 2.0Tdi 140, both in 'S' spec, or to stick with my original choice of a Octy2 2.0Tdi 140 Elegance. If I opt for a 105 Superb S I can add about £1,500 worth of extras, however, with the 140 S I can only add cruise and metallic paint to remain within my monthly leasing budget of £365.

I guess, it depends how I get on with the Superb on the test drive, but I am very fond of my Octy2 given that it is the first car in which I've driven over 100,000 miles. What opinions do others have on the subject?

Edited 18 October, 200817 yr by veloplus
To afford greater clarity

I'm also currently choosing a new company car and also suffering delays at the hands of my fleet department.

Have you thought about the TSI 160 DSG, it is very good in terms of company car tax, or would it take you over your lease limit?

Edited 18 October, 200817 yr by dan123

I'm also currently choosing a new company car and also suffering delays at the hands of my fleet department.

Have you thought about the TSI 160 DSG, it is very good in terms of company car tax, or would it take you over your lease limit?

I am restricted to a diesel car only, hence, a 1.8TSI 160 is not up for consideration.

Seems odd that all you can get for £365 is an S. While Skoda-Fleet are offering an Elegance 2.0TDI-140hp for £275. Might be your mileage as the Skoda-Fleet deal was only 10k per annum... Yet I'd like to believe £3,240.00 would buy you a few!

Seems odd that all you can get for £365 is an S. While Skoda-Fleet are offering an Elegance 2.0TDI-140hp for £275. Might be your mileage as the Skoda-Fleet deal was only 10k per annum... Yet I'd like to believe £3,240.00 would buy you a few!

Yes, I agree. On the list of cars I'm entitled to is also a Ford Focus (hatch/estate), but in the most basic 'Studio' spec with the 1.6Tdci 90 engine!

Our cars are leased for 3.5 years (42 months) and 120,000 miles which may explain the fairly miserly choice available.

Yeah must be your mileage @ nearly 35k per year, it appears your lease company is giving the equivalent of a £500 token PX offer dealers like to low-ball potential customers with...

As I learned when ordering my new company car, lease prices can often be very difficult to fathom.

I got quotes from four different lease companies for my Elegance, and all of them came in at around £400/month. However, the car within my company scheme (supplied via one of the four lease companies I spoke to) was £521/month.

A lot of this was due to loading added on by my company for insurance and the cost of administering the scheme, but that still left nearly £50/month unaccounted for. As it turns out, the company also have a banding scheme based on P11D values. They jack up the lease cost so that certain prices of car can only be driven by employees at certain grades. Basically, they don't want a grunt (like me) driving around in an Audi RS4, even if they could afford it (we can contribute up to 35% from our own salary to get a better car).

By the sounds of it, your scheme limits you to a maximum of £365/month and you can't contribute any more. It also sounds like you have some kind of banding going on as well, with certain 'target' vehicles being approved for your car grade.

If you are doing a lot of miles, especially motorway, then I think I'd opt for the 1.9TDi engine, and spec. it up with your £1500 of options. I don't think anyone here has driven the 1.9, as it's not something that dealers will be ordering as a demonstator. I guess that might change, once the greenline is available.

If you don't need the extra space of the Superb, then the Octy Elegance is still a fine car (I'm driving an L+K Octy at the moment). Given that you've had an Octy though, I'd be inclined to try something different.

Bagpuss.

Unfortunately, our company car scheme does not allow employees to upgrade at their own expense. I think they don't want the hassle of deducting contributions every month.

The 1.9Tdi 105 gives adequate everyday performace and is very flexible. I'm slightly puzzled why the 0-60mph time for the New Superb is slower than the (marginally heavier) Octavia with the same engine. Likewise, why are the Co2 emissions of the New Superb 1.9Tdi higher than the similiarly engined Octy?

While the Octy have been a fine car, I am of the opinion that to repeat a good thing often leads to disappointment. I'm sure the New Superb is not perfect, but I do fancy a change.

TBH, if I could select a MY2009 facelifted Octy with a common rail diesel engine I wouldn't hesitate to choose another Octy. Perhaps in another 3.5 years time.

The 1.9Tdi 105 gives adequate everyday performance and is very flexible. I'm slightly puzzled why the 0-60mph time for the New Superb is slower than the (marginally heavier) Octavia with the same engine. Likewise, why are the Co2 emissions of the New Superb 1.9Tdi higher than the similarly engined Octy?

Well for starters the OctaviaII weighs 1310kg as opposed to the 1456kg kerb weight for the SuperbII. That makes the SuperbII heavier by 146kg. So it's not surprising that the SuperbII takes .7seconds longer to 100kph 12.5seconds as opposed to 11.8seconds for the OctaviaII... The OctaviaII emits 135g/km of Co2 as opposed to the 155g/km of Co2 from the SuperbII. Interestingly the OctaviaII without the DPF produces just 130g/km of Co2. So it would reason to believe that the SuperbII would decrease by a similar amount if one opted out of the DPF!!!

Well for starters the OctaviaII weighs 1310kg as opposed to the 1456kg kerb weight for the SuperbII. That makes the SuperbII heavier by 146kg. So it's not surprising that the SuperbII takes .7seconds longer to 100kph 12.5seconds as opposed to 11.8seconds for the OctaviaII... The OctaviaII emits 135g/km of Co2 as opposed to the 155g/km of Co2 from the SuperbII. Interestingly the OctaviaII without the DPF produces just 130g/km of Co2. So it would reason to believe that the SuperbII would decrease by a similar amount if one opted out of the DPF!!!

My Octy II brochure dated 08/04 states the kerb weight of the 1.9Tdi as 1,510kg, while the Superb II 08/08 brochure states the weight of the 1.9Tdi as 1,456kg. From where did you obtain your Octy II weight of 1,310kg?

Likewise, the same brochure states the Co2 emission for the Superb II as 151 g/km, while the 2.0Tdi emits 155 g/km. My 2004 Octy II 1.9Tdi emits 143 g/km, although, I appreciate the emissions have since fallen slightly to 135 g/km.

Straight from the horses mouth "Skoda-Auto"...

http://new.skoda-auto.com/SiteCollectionDocuments/Octavia/Octavia_Catalogue_ENG.pdf

http://new.skoda-auto.com/SiteCollectionDocuments/NewSuperb/NewSuperb_Catalogue_ENG.pdf

Yeah it looks like my eyes jumped a column on the 155 instead of 151g/km of Co2...

After having a Superb II Elegance 170CR DSG for a 24hr test drive I've decided as good as the car is on motorways, for everyday driving it is too large and less agile than my Octavia. I am not surprised as the Superb II has more weight and a longer wheelbase.

I'm now waiting for my leasing company to confirm prices/spec for the MY09 Octavia in order that I can order either a Ambiente or Elegance 2.0Tdi 140 hatchback. The only downside is that I'll have to wait until March 2009 to take delivery, although, I'm sure it'll be worth the wait.

i am surprised as i found the superb very agile. yes its a big car but it doesnt drive like one - try driving an e-class or a volvo S80 - they are the same size as the superb but are like driving boats !!!

each to their own i suppose. enjoy the new octy !

Might see if they'd be willing to let you take one of those Special Edition vRS's they'll be running out the pre-facelift OctaviaII's with...

Possibly wishful thinking! Yet never hurts to ask!!!

I agree with your choice - if you're gonna be spending a lot of time in that car you want it to be comfortable and pleasant, with all the equipment you can get in for the money (better sound system, better air condition, more comfortable seats etc).

I have a Roomster and bought it with this in mind

Octavia is already a big car with really plenty of space for passengers and luggage.

Superb is a bit too "presidential" for my taste - however if I was feeling like a really big car I would surely give it a shot.

That being said, I would probably choose the same as you did.

Good luck!

Possible change of plan necessary as my fleet manager has told me I cannot wait for a MY09 Octavia as my current Octy II is already 2 months over its 42month contract. I'm now back to first base and thinking of either of the following vehicles:-

Octavia II 2.0Tdi Elegance (met paint)

Superb II 1.9Tdi (met paint, cruise, 3 spoke leather wheel, Bolero CD/radio, headlight washers & TPM)

My current Octy is the 1.9tdi which has given sterling service, however, i am tempted by the 2.0tdi having driven a Golf estate with the same engine. That said, the Superb II would be a rarer sight and probably a slightly more comfortable cruiser. So, which car would others choose? BTW, I could select a 2.0Tdi Superb II, however, I could then add metallic paint and cruise control only.

What model Superb is in your budget?

What model Superb is in your budget?

Sorry, I should have stated that I can select either a 1.9/2.0Tdi Superb II S, or a 1.9/2.0Tdi Octy II Elegance.

Having driven both recently (got a loan Octy II whilst waiting for my Superb II to be delivered), would have to say the Superb is a more "comfortable" ride (which I suppose is to be expected given it's Limo like size, and probable target market). Did about 1,500 miles in the Octy, a lot of it motorway. The Octy does handle brilliantly if hustled, but on uneven road surfaces I found it just a little rough.

Guess it depends on where you drive the most. If Motorways, then I'd probably choose the Octy, as you'll get more gizmo's for the money

if you need a car soon dont go for a factory order superb II -see my other posting re production delays

if you need a car soon dont go for a factory order superb II -see my other posting re production delays

My firms new leasing company identified a choice of two Octy II 2.0tdi elegance hatchbacks, advising delivery within 3-4 weeks as they were awaiting shipping to the UK.

Interestingly though, when I received their quote the monthly rental had increased from around £361 to £374. the only option was metallic paint. When I queried the difference I was informed that as of 01/11/08 the Octavia rental had increased to reflect predicted lower reisidual values, presumably due to the forthcoming facelifted version.

By way of contrast, my alternative choice of a Superb II 1.9tdi S with optional metallic paint, cruise, 3 spoke leather wheel, Maxidot, Bolero CD/radio, headlight washers, floor mats and manual rear side blinds came in a few pennies below my £365 monthly allowance. I informed our fleet manager delivery would be sometime in January 2009 (well, thereabouts give or take 4-8 weeks!).

The fleet manager was then given the final decision on which car to authorise choice as my current Octy II is already two months overdue and has racked up 108,500 miles. She told me to order the Superb, however, I think she is unaware of the current build backlog. Perhaps the penalties payable to our leasing company will be less than the extra tenner over four years had the Octy been selected? I get the distinct impression our company are penny pinching.

BTW, I've chosen my Superb in Rosso Brunello metallic.

My firms new leasing company identified a choice of two Octy II 2.0tdi elegance hatchbacks, advising delivery within 3-4 weeks as they were awaiting shipping to the UK.

Interestingly though, when I received their quote the monthly rental had increased from around £361 to £374. the only option was metallic paint. When I queried the difference I was informed that as of 01/11/08 the Octavia rental had increased to reflect predicted lower reisidual values, presumably due to the forthcoming facelifted version.

By way of contrast, my alternative choice of a Superb II 1.9tdi S with optional metallic paint, cruise, 3 spoke leather wheel, Maxidot, Bolero CD/radio, headlight washers, floor mats and manual rear side blinds came in a few pennies below my £365 monthly allowance. I informed our fleet manager delivery would be sometime in January 2009 (well, thereabouts give or take 4-8 weeks!).

The fleet manager was then given the final decision on which car to authorise choice as my current Octy II is already two months overdue and has racked up 108,500 miles. She told me to order the Superb, however, I think she is unaware of the current build backlog. Perhaps the penalties payable to our leasing company will be less than the extra tenner over four years had the Octy been selected? I get the distinct impression our company are penny pinching.

BTW, I've chosen my Superb in Rosso Brunello metallic.

Very nice choice if I may say so!!

I'm looking at getting a Superb 1.9TDI S (or Greenline) with cruise, Bolero, leather wheel and Park Assist in a Blue of some sorts