Superb Company Car

[goonybird]

I have a little problem, and need some advice.

I have received our Company car list. I am due to change in May 09.

I asked for a Superb SE 1.8 DSG metallic and promptly got told I can't have it coz it ain't on the list. :(

Note that I had been able to pay extra for what I required in the past with the same leasing company.

So not impressed...

However on the list are three Superbs. I can't decide, if I go Superb, which one to go for?

they are:

1) Superb S 2.0 140tdi DSG

2) Superb S 1.8 DSG

3) Superb SE 1.9 105tdi manual.

Ideally I wanted auto this time, and had actually decided on the new T*y*ta Avensis TR 1.8Auto. which compares well with the Superb but at £1.5k less. To be told it ain't the list...

So I have virtually discounted the 140tdi. But cant really decide whether to go ease of driving with 1.8 DSG, or nice bits to play with and put up with the manual box and 105BHP.

So, any advice on this dilemma????

[sjharley]

I haven't driven one but my fear would be the 105tdi would be underpowered. Toys or performance...difficult call but if you want the auto then I think its clearly the 1.8 I can live without cruise control but if the engine isn't up to the job I'd regret it for length of the lease.

[veloplus]

Hi, Nice dilemma! I had a similiar decision to make when my current Octy II Ambiente 1.9Tdi came up for renewal recently.

Initially, I wanted a facelifted Octy Elegance 2.0Tdi, however, the fleet manager said it was too long to wait as my current car was already overdue.

The company I work for has a diesel only policy which rules out petrol. In any case, I live 45 miles from the office and pay around £100-£130 per month in commuting/private mileage. Your choice of fuel would really depend on your mileage and whether you are having to pay for private mileage. My yearly mileage is in the region of 30,000.

The 1.8TSi engine is apparently very smooth and refined and a good match with the DSG. I drove a Superb 170CR DSG, but would have much preferred a manual 'box.

I also test drove a Golf Estate with the 2.0Tdi engine which impressed me, however, in the end, I decided to choose a Superb S 1.9Tdi 105 with £1,500 of desirable options (metallic paint, Bolero CD, cruise, Maxidot, three spoke leather wheel, headlamp washers, mats and manual rear sunblinds). I could have chosen a Superb 2.0 S 2.0Tdi, however, I would only have been able to add metallic paint and cruise.

In everyday driving conditions, particularly one-up, the 1.9Tdi 105 is perfectly brisk and the lack of an extra cog is not missed. Read the Octy II section of this forum if you need convincing that the 1.9Tdi 105 is a much underrated engine. In addition, the lack of a DPF is a bonus in my mind. If you think you need more power, the 1.9TDI 105 can be remapped by many specialists with good results.

I've completed 114,780 miles in my Octy today, during which time she has never let me down. I shall be sad to see her go tomorrow, when my Superb arrives.

[goonybird]

I do have an allowance up to to £480 for extras so just about covers metallic and cruise control.

My concern with the S trim is how crappy it really is having not seen one for real, or the pictures. I can just about live with 16" rims. (Or pay extra for 17")

I don't think the 105 tdi would be good enough as my previous car to the last one, was Superb 130tdi Comfort.

[veloplus]

I do have an allowance up to to £480 for extras so just about covers metallic an cruise control.

My concern with the S trim is how crappy it really is having not seen one for real, or the pictures. I can just about live with 16" rims. (Or pay extra for 17")

The 'S' spec in any metallic colour looks fine with the 16" wheels, whatever others might say. The upside of having sensibly sized wheels is a good quality ride and reduced likelihood of pothole damage (due to higher profile tyres).

Edited 28 January, 2009 by veloplus

[jcblincs]

goony

the interior of the S is not that crappy. Yes its got cloth seats but i saw one in the flesh the otherday (it was the greenline but same interior) and it was comparable with many other cars but bear in mind you will get a nicer layout and better quality than a mondeo or insignia (in my opinion)

I have the 1.8DSG and its great, but then I am a private buyer and was able to afford the elegance spec.

I guess it depends on your useage. It seems silly that you can have a 1.8 low spec car rather than a diesel higher spec. the 1.8 is not great on economy. you will struggle to get an overall average over about 32-34. I am jsut getting nearly 30mpg after 800miles. alot of that has been in town though which does not help. it depends on who pays for the fuel in your case !

you might struggle to find an S spec model to look at. Also I dont think you will be short changed if you go for 16" wheels. I know they dont look as nice as the larger ones but they certainly give a more pleasant ride on rough roads (in fact i might be able to offer you my 17" wheels in exhange for the 16" if you are allowed to do that !!!)

the cruise is really good. i woudl not be without it. why not compromise on paint colour and go for a solid colour and use the money to buy some other extras. The white is not a bad colour. I have seen one and was pleasantly surprised. The pacific blue is OK as well, if you like dark colours. you cant see the paint much when you are driving so better to invest in interior features if you ask me !!

good luck !

[jcblincs]

The 'S' spec in any metallic colour looks fine with the 16" wheels, whatever others might say. The upside of having sensibly sized wheels is a good quality ride.

i agree. I am still looking at the possibility of getting 16" wheels so i can get 205/55/16 tyres.

wat tyres have you got ? are they continentals ? are they extra load - probably marked as 94 load index or XL.

[Chris Westy]

I had a chat with a taxi driver the other day. He had been running the 105tdi, manual, for 8 weeks and had found he was getting a sore arm due to the gear change. His last three cars were Octys. He said he regretted not getting the DSG.

[pauljmuk]

?? I do find these comments about gear changes funny.

We;'ve been driving for decades and decades. I personally have been driving for 20 years, and in my job do a hell of a lot of miles per year. I have NEVER had a sore arm from gear changes..

How on earth did we cope before DSG??

[dan123]

I think the new Superb looks ridiculous and comical with 16" wheels....don't do it.

All IMHO of course.

Dan

[Supurbia]

?? I do find these comments about gear changes funny.

We;'ve been driving for decades and decades. I personally have been driving for 20 years, and in my job do a hell of a lot of miles per year. I have NEVER had a sore arm from gear changes..

How on earth did we cope before DSG??

Try doing those miles in a jammed up city, you'll know why

[jcblincs]

I think the new Superb looks ridiculous and comical with 16" wheels....don't do it.

All IMHO of course.

Dan

but you cant see the outside when you are driving it !

[Auto Door Man]

I was also told it was not on the list and simply asked them to add it and got a quote back within a day saying a dealer had been able to offer it to the lease company. Now have the option for a fully speced superb with all the toys and 18s try asking them !! worked for me .get mine in 10 weeks

[dan123]

but you cant see the outside when you are driving it !

Maybe, but you can see the people laughing:)

[xmy]

FWIW I'm with jcblincs preferring a better ride to overly large wheels. Judging by the wheels specified on Superb's in other parts of Europe they feel much the same.

10 years ago I bought an Impreza turbo. That was a great sports car, the ride was ok and surprise - surprise, it had 16" wheels. Hopefully if and when I get my new Superb Elegance that will have 16" wheels too although I'm not sure if SUK will go with that idea... :(

[jcblincs]

FWIW I'm with jcblincs preferring a better ride to overly large wheels. Judging by the wheels specified on Superb's in other parts of Europe they feel much the same.

10 years ago I bought an Impreza turbo. That was a great sports car, the ride was ok and surprise - surprise, it had 16" wheels. Hopefully if and when I get my new Superb Elegance that will have 16" wheels too although I'm not sure if SUK will go with that idea... :(

getting an elegance with 16" wheels is tricky - i know as I tried. I ended up with 17" in the end as my supllying dealer swapped the wheels for his showroom SE car. They woudl have swapped with 16" wheels if they had an S model in but they didnt. I am still considering 16" wheels , at my expense, I am also looking at getting non XL tyres. (i am consulting skoda CZ over this at the moment). I am not so shallow and vain that I care what other people think of my wheels. when the car is moving you cant tell anyway and sure the neighbours are not peeking behind the curtains and laughing at my rims !!! they are probably admiring the nice new car i have bought instead !!

[veloplus]

FWIW I'm with jcblincs preferring a better ride to overly large wheels. Judging by the wheels specified on Superb's in other parts of Europe they feel much the same.

10 years ago I bought an Impreza turbo. That was a great sports car, the ride was ok and surprise - surprise, it had 16" wheels. Hopefully if and when I get my new Superb Elegance that will have 16" wheels too although I'm not sure if SUK will go with that idea... :(

Many motorists in this country have an obsession with wheel size; thinking bigger is better. I currently own a MY00 Impreza Turbo with the standard 16" wheels shod with 50 section tyres and can confirm that the ride quality is perfectly acceptable, on all bar very bumpy B-roads.

My Octy II with 16" wheels and 55 section tyres had a very good ride, only supassed by my Superb II shod with...yes, you've guessed correctly...16" wheels and 55 section tyres.

[veloplus]

i agree. I am still looking at the possibility of getting 16" wheels so i can get 205/55/16 tyres.

wat tyres have you got ? are they continentals ? are they extra load - probably marked as 94 load index or XL.

Jonathan, my Superb was delivered yesterday afternoon and I can confirm it is in fact shod with Michelin Energy 205/55/R16 V speed rated and 94 (XL) sidewall index.

I understand the same tyre is fitted to Superb Greenline's, so I might benefit from a few extra mpg due to the harder silica compound. Having read reviews of this tyre some say it is too hard and gives poor grip, while others say the dry and wet grip levels are acceptable. A long life appears to be experienced by all users.

Unlike most Superb drivers, I also have a spare steel wheel shod with the same size/type of Michelin tyre, rather than a space saver.

[jcblincs]

Jonathan, my Superb was delivered yesterday afternoon and I can confirm it is in fact shod with Michelin Energy 205/55/R16 V speed rated and 94 (XL) sidewall index.

I understand the same tyre is fitted to Superb Greenline's, so I might benefit from a few extra mpg due to the harder silica compound. Having read reviews of this tyre some say it is too hard and gives poor grip, while others say the dry and wet grip levels are acceptable. A long life appears to be experienced by all users.

Unlike most Superb drivers, I also have a spare steel wheel shod with the same size/type of Michelin tyre, rather than a space saver.

thats odd - when i looked at the greenline in the dealers I was sure it had 91V not 94V. They were michelin energy , I will check again

most superb drivers dont have a "space saver" as such. Its poor wording in the brochure - what they have it what I have got...a 16" sttel wheel with a 205/55/16 tyre on it. Now if you have an S model this is the same as the rest of the car. If you have an SE or Elgance it could be mis-interpretted as a "space saver". Its not one of those silly things - its a perfectly normal 16" wheel and tyre !!

even more motication for me to put 16" wheels on as they will then match the spare !!

where can i get some nice 16" wheels that dont cost a fortune and have skoda centre caps ?

[xmy]

FWIW You can get the standard 16" wheels from Skoda - see Skoda Accessories

[KenONeill]

Of those, I'd have the 140TDi; it's got the torqueiest engine, and I don't care about (or particularly for, the cars I've been in that had them) leather seats.

[jcblincs]

FWIW You can get the standard 16" wheels from Skoda - see Skoda Accessories

problem is that with tyres that will cost me about £900 !!:eek:

also the wheels are similar to my passat and old A6 - i would prefer something different. I actually like the look of the 17" Trifid wheels - shame they dont come in 16"

[xmy]

problem is that with tyres that will cost me about £900 !!:eek:

I did wonder if £900 would be too much!

Whatever wheels you buy there's always going to be the "fixed" cost of tyres to add on. By going for cheaper wheels (say £75) you might get the total cost down to ~£670 saving £230. That's not a lot considering how much you paid for the car plus options.

Have you considered the other wheels that Skoda have in their accessories list? Skoda Parts and Accessories Catalogue Search - At least you'll get the Skoda centre caps but no idea if they will fit though.

[Chris_55]

How much are four steels to match the spare?

[jcblincs]

How much are four steels to match the spare?