Hi,

I am currently trying to decide on a new Superb. Maybe you can help me out with my decission.

I have looked at 3 Superbs, 2 of them Comfort and 1 a Classic Model. All are 05 models and costing about the same. I will use the car for more or less pure Motorway driving (around 25K miles a year), and plan to keep the car for at least 2 years.

Car1) 68K miles, Comfort Spec, Beige Interior, Spotless inside and out, FSH

Car2) 60K miles, Comfort Spec, Black Interior, Has a few small Marks and Dents, FSH

Car3) 45k miles, Classic Spec, Black Interior, Outside in good condition, better then Car2, but not as impressive as Car1

So I am just trying to decide if I should go for Car1, which is in abolute immaculate condition, and which has the spec that I initially wanted.

Or should I go for the lower mileage on Car3, but will loose some of the gadgets that drew me to the Superb in the first place.

So the question I am asking myself at the moment:

- Is 68k miles alreadt too much for the Superb?

- Is it worth getting the car with 23k miles less, but loose the immaculate condition and the gadgets?

Any input welcome.

Best Regards,

dsab

Edited 27 October, 200817 yr by dsab

Welcome to briskoda,

I would go for car 1, has it had a cam belt change?

if you did go for the Classic you would always have that little niggle in the back of your mind saying "should have got the comfort"

68,000mile should not be a problem.

I would go for the lowest mileage car and get money off due to the lower spec. The only useful thing the base model lacks is a cruise control and this is a cheap retrofit.

Experience has taught me that the less time a vehicle is in the hands of the dealers for "maintenance" the better shape it's likely to be in. The beige velour seats in the "Comfort" models don't wear very well and look shabby after hard use. The black cloth in the base model is pretty tough.

The B5.5 Superb is a pretty poor car in terms of its dynamics - throwing the parts bin at it doesn't make it handle or go any better and drives up the cost. If you're using it on a motorway all you need is a decent radio (which none of them have) and a cruise control. Then it does this very well.

rotodiesel.

I would go for the lowest mileage car and get money off due to the lower spec. The only useful thing the base model lacks is a cruise control and this is a cheap retrofit.

Experience has taught me that the less time a vehicle is in the hands of the dealers for "maintenance" the better shape it's likely to be in. The beige velour seats in the "Comfort" models don't wear very well and look shabby after hard use. The black cloth in the base model is pretty tough.

The B5.5 Superb is a pretty poor car in terms of its dynamics - throwing the parts bin at it doesn't make it handle or go any better and drives up the cost. If you're using it on a motorway all you need is a decent radio (which none of them have) and a cruise control. Then it does this very well.

rotodiesel.

Agree with all the above.

I'm still waiting to fit cruise to mine, but once it's done it doesn't really need anything else

I'm assuming both cars 1, 2 and 3 have the same engine? If any of them are a petrol (perhaps other than the 20vT) that might make the difference.

As others have said the loss of a few gadgets is not a major issue.

I have a classic, looked at a few motors and the gadgets that came with the comfort were, in all honesty, stuff I'd use once or twice when the car was new .... then never use again. Heated seats? Is your **** really ever that cold?

68k on a Superb is only just about run-in. If you can try and figure out what type of miles they've done that helps. Motorway miles are far less strenuous on a car as opposed to town miles. Check the car's computer using the controls on the indicator stalk. Check the average speed and average MPG. Gives you an idea of the type of miles it's done. When you're looking at the readout you'll see a "1" or "2" in the top right hand corner, "1" refers to the readings for that particular journey, "2" refers to the accumulated readings since the computer was last reset. (you're looking for the "2" readings to give you a good idea of usage)

The engine type is of far greater importance. Deisel or petrol? Also check the the bhp. I test drove three Superbs. The 130 bhp 1.9TDi model was just a different car to drive and it's the one I plummed for in the end. Really happy with my choice.

The classic interior tends to wear a lot better with age rather than leather too and in all fairness I reckon looks better, but that's my opinion .... just wait, loads of folks with the leather will be on here slating me annnnnny second. The leather can last well, but needs regular attention.

Take a browse around the forum here to see major trouble spots to look out for. Check all the carpets in the footwells for signs of damp. Make sure the cambelt has been done if it's around the 60k mark. Check the inside of the tyres and wheel arches for grease from the CV joint, often the gaitors perish and pee grease everywhere. Not a major problem if caught early but can be expensive if left untreated. Drive them and feel the clutch, does it judder when engaging?

Other than that have a drive in them all and just see how it feels.

Oh and argue like a demon on price. The Superbs are notorious for not holding their residual value. Why? I don't know they're a better car in my opinion than the Octavia .... bah cheap common rubbish.

Alternatively let the Mrs choose, then when it all goes horribly wrong you have none share in the blame.

I agree, the Classic is fine as a spec, but I really would be holding out for a Comfort or Elegance though. I love the beige velour in the Comfort, and I've been in atleast one forum members Comfort with beige interior at over 140k miles and the only thing that doesn't look "as new" is the peeling door handles - which are a weak point throughout the range. Velour feels so much nicer, and is perfectly durable.

My Passat (almost identical car) was still a peach at 135k too, mileage really isn't a problem with these.

I'd go for car 1.

Id go for #1 as that parking radar is really useful, and the cruise control is a nice bonus. whats a few more miles if your doing 25k a year.

"Take a browse around the forum here to see major trouble spots to look out for. Check all the carpets in the footwells for signs of damp. Make sure the cambelt has been done if it's around the 60k mark. Check the inside of the tyres and wheel arches for grease from the CV joint, often the gaitors perish and pee grease everywhere"

I'd go for car 1 as well, as this is what I did 6 months ago, sounds Identical too mine except mines got the black interior, I rang Skoda about the cambelt and was told by them its 80k before it needs changing, Mines actually in today for the cambelt change, its done 73k but as I tow a caravan I thought better safe than sorry, they even confirmed when booking it in I could still got to 80k, only thing is if you take it too a main dealer as I have be prepared for a shock as its a £430 bill ( a mate at work has the 1.9TDi Passat and VW claim 60k for a cambelt change on them!!!!)

Make sure you get the 130bhp too, I had the 1.8T 150bhp superb before this and beleive me theres not much difference in performance surprisingly!

Good point on the CV gatter, I had 1 split 2 weeks ago, had a local garage do it as I was going away 2 days later and it cost £90

For me the 1.9TDi 130 bhp Comfort was a no brainer, I regulary get around 60mpg doing my 10mile trip to work and when towing my caravan always manage over 30mpg which is frankly amazing.

Also if you dont go for the comfort trim you will always regret it, A mate at work has a top spec Mondeo and all he has extra to my car is leather interior and heated front window, The Comfort spec is impressive for a cheap middle of the road car.

Happy buying

Good point on the CV gatter, I had 1 split 2 weeks ago, had a local garage do it as I was going away 2 days later and it cost £90

If I remember correctly the gaitor itself is around £30 and fitting is relatively simple, so if it needs doing get the garage to do it and don't let them fob you off by telling you it'll cost a few hundred. Simple job, small price tag.

Personally i would go with car 2, but get them to repair any marks and put a cambelt on it before you collect it.

My Octavia had the beige interior and IMO it looked awful when it got grubby and was hard to keep clean.

If I remember correctly the gaitor itself is around £30

£30 for a gaitor? FFS!

£30 for a gaitor? FFS!

Full retail from a dealer, yeah...

Obviously GSF are cheaper...

Anyway, I've just spotted my mistake in my first post relating to the engine so apologies for that... and as for car's I'm with Roto. Stick to the Classic.

Without any of the engine specs to go on, a recommendation isn't going to be worth much. I'd take a 130bhp Classic over a 100 Comfort any day.

Get it sorted DSAB

Edited 29 October, 200817 yr by allclownsareevi

Thanks for all of your recommendations.

All 3 cars have the same engine. The 1.9 TDI with 130 BHP.

All 3 cars have the same engine. The 1.9 TDI with 130 BHP.

Fair enough, for me it'd be car 3, arguing the price down with the dealer about the fact it doesn't have extra toys etc etc ..... but that's just me I guess. Like I said before, most toys are stuff I'd use once when the car was new to check they worked, and probably never again. The Classic gets better mpg and slight performance increase too ..... lack of excess weight I imagine.

Failing that, if the options are your thing I'd probably do as someone else suggested and get the dealer to clean up the few marks and go for Car 2. Black cabin interior just sounds lik a nicer place to be.

Good luck man.

Thanks for all you advice.

I have one more question. I have asked the Dealer from Car1 if the Cambelt has been done. He said it hasn't been done yet. He states it is due at 80K miles.

On this board it is often mentioned that it is due at 60K miles. What is the correct Info?

It is a 1.9 TDI on a 05 plate. It is the newer model (afaik), as it has the folding rear seats already.

Best Regards,

dsab

Thanks for all you advice.

I have one more question. I have asked the Dealer from Car1 if the Cambelt has been done. He said it hasn't been done yet. He states it is due at 80K miles.

On this board it is often mentioned that it is due at 60K miles. What is the correct Info?

It is a 1.9 TDI on a 05 plate. It is the newer model (afaik), as it has the folding rear seats already.

Best Regards,

dsab

As I said earlier I rang Skoda before buying mine and they told me 80k, I tow a caravan so decided to have mine done at 73k but when I booked it in Skoda did again tell me I was OK to got to 80k and was having it done a bit premature but could understand why I was having it done due to towing.

I think the confusion comes from the fact VW recommend the passat with exactly the same engine needs doing at 60k, a friend at work has a Passat and when I told him what Skoda quotes he said he felt like VW were fleecing him!

Personally I was quite happy to wait to almost the quoted 80k by Skoda especially as it costs £430 for Skoda to do it(this is what VW charge for the passat also), normally the whole of the front end has to come of and is held by a jig which is why it cost so much!

Ha! The "jig" is a couple of bits of M8 studding - about 60p in B&Q.

rotodiesel.