Initial Thoughts on My New Superb 1.8TSI SE

A little over a week has passed since I took delivery of my new Superb from FH Winter & Son on the Isle of Wight. It had already felt like a long day as SWMBO and I had visited Allams of Epsom to look at a second-hand Roomster 3 1.6 Auto, 10 months old and 8000 miles on the clock. Apart from a few minor things (which James at Allams agreed to get fixed) we were both happy with the car and hope to pick it up on the 18th April.

By the time I'd got to Winters I was flagging a little (we'd been up since 5am.) However, the sight of my Rosso Brunello chariot pepped me up somewhat! I was greeted by Ray Winter who took us through all of the usual paperwork before showing me around the car. He explained the differences between the Superb and the Roomster I was trading in, did his best to explain the Park Assist while stationary and what and what not to do with the twindoor boot - press this button for this, another button for that and most important of all: don't slam it as this may damage the soft-close motors.

Prior to this encounter I had only sat in a new Superb in another dealer for a short time and I hadn't taken one for a test drive so in essence I'd bought it blind. There's confidence (or stupidity) for you! In reality though I'd read the Briskoda forums to death and there were far more happy than unhappy owners so I thought it was a pretty safe bet.

As I am unused to driving such a large vehicle I let Ray get it out of the showroom ready for me to take the wheel. After getting myself comfy, setting mirrors, etc. I gingerly drove off the forecourt and headed for Tesco where I knew I could park it easily. One thing I was instantly impressed with (and still am) is the fantastic petrol engine. I have never driven such a flexible petrol and as I've mentioned before on another thread on Briskoda it's like driving a diesel with loads of grunt at the bottom of the rev range but has the high-revving ability of a petrol. It's a truly wonderful thing so well done VW, I'm very impressed.

I spent the rest of long weekend driving it around the island, getting used to it's size and capabilities. It never feels like a large car and is surprisingly good at taking bends. What I never got a real chance to do was give it some welly (which isn't a good idea during the running-in period.) What I did do a lot of (which reduced over the coming days) was stall it. I think this was a combination of driving a petrol again after five years of diesels (a Furby vRS and Roomy Scout 105PD) coupled with a very quiet engine.

The journey home up the A3 and around the M25 was an effortless and uneventful affair which was what I was expecting in a mile muncher like the Superb. Almost a week has gone by since then and the clock is now over 600 miles. So what do I like, dislike and neutral about? Without further ado...

Like

• The car is beautifully made and looks and feels much more expensive than it really is.
  
• Like the fact it's understated and classy looking with a great mean-looking front.
  
• It's also rattle-free (at the moment!)
  
• The engine is great being punchy, willing and quiet.
  
• Very impressed with the handling especially considering the car's size.
  
• Twindoor boot is very useful and not just a gimmick.
  
• Bolero stereo is very easy to use and has a lovely display.
  
• It also sounds good (from all types of sources.)
  
• Like the way it scans the radio frequencies in the background ready for you to choose when necessary.
  
• Love how the air blower controls show on the Bolero screen when pressed or adjusted.
  
• The radio and MFD controls on the steering wheel are great.
  

Neutral

• The colour is darker than I expected, although it is greatly dependent on the light. In the sun it looks red but rather brown out of it.
  
• The seats are better than the Roomster's but not brilliant.
  
• The current MPG is 30.75 but I expect it to improve a little as time goes on.
  

Dislike

• The brightness on the Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) are almost the same as dipped beam (92% of maximum) so what's the point? I've turned them off.
  
• Big SD cards are slow to read, even when they're Class 6 SDHC ones.
  
• On the same topic why does it need to completely re-scan it every time the Bolero is turned on?
  
• Navigation around big SD cards is also slow.
  
• Kept stalling it but I haven't done it for days now - clearly a problem with the driver and not the car
  

Once I've done 10,000 miles in it I'll post another update to see if the honeymoon period is over and I'm now finding fault - I certainly hope not!

In summary, the car is, without doubt, the best car I've ever owned. The only other car that I really wanted to drive for no reason was my 1.6 Focus. It was hardly a speed demon but the handling was so sweet and a pleasure to drive. The Furby vRS had the speed but couldn't match the handling of the Focus.

Finally and before anyone asks, here's some pictures of the beast taken on a bright but totally overcast day. It has made the car look non-metallic - what a waste of £400 It had less than 50 miles on the clock at this point...

Edited 13 April, 200917 yr by darrenm2001

Glad you are liking it, looks nice enough.

Like the interior, I dont rate the seats in the Octy 2 are these bigger?

Like the interior, I dont rate the seats in the Octy 2 are these bigger?

The seats in the Superb 2 are physically smaller. The padding is also thinner and less supportive.

I bet you will be cringing every time you have to fill up though, 2 to 1 over the diesel

The seats in the Superb 2 are physically smaller. The padding is also thinner and less supportive.

Bugger, thats the first minus for when the estate comes out against purchasing one.

I bet you will be cringing every time you have to fill up though, 2 to 1 over the diesel

Nah, it's not quite as bad as that! I only got 43mpg in the Roomster so my annual bill (at the current prices from my local supermarket) for diesel would have been £2,112 and for petrol £2,776. This equates to £12.77 extra a week in fuel. Not bad considering how much bigger (and faster!) the Superb is over the Roomy.

Don't get me wrong, the Roomy was nice enough but the Superb is streets ahead in quality and driveability. To quote McDonalds, "I'm lovin' it!"

Initial Thoughts on My New Superb 1.8TSI SE

Dislike

• The brightness on the Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) are almost the same as dipped beam (92% of maximum) so what's the point? I've turned them off.
  
• Big SD cards are slow to read, even when they're Class 6 SDHC ones.
  
• On the same topic why does it need to completely re-scan it every time the Bolero is turned on?
  
• Navigation around big SD cards is also slow.
  
• Kept stalling it but I haven't done it for days now - clearly a problem with the driver and not the car
  

How big are big SD cards? Have you tried less Big cards and which have an acceptable speed? Just getting ready for the delivery of my SE

How big are big SD cards? Have you tried less Big cards and which have an acceptable speed? Just getting ready for the delivery of my SE

I'm talking biiiiiig SDHC cards, of the 16GB variety! Even at 256Kb-encoded MP3 files you can have absolutely stacks of albums. To give you an idea of how many...

Transcend 16GB SDHC card (formats to just under 15GB.)

My card contains 114 albums consisting of 1,855 tracks, 12.9GB in total.

That's one hell of a lot of listening pleasure! Seriously though, that is a lot of files and perhaps explains why the Bolero takes a while to initially search through it, and slouchy performance when you're navigating the folders.

BTW, you're gonna love your new car - I know I'm loving mine! I can see it from where I'm sitting, freshly washed with my own fair hands and now I'm itching to drive it again!

Initial Thoughts on My New Superb 1.8TSI SE

Like

• The car is beautifully made and looks and feels much more expensive than it really is.
  
• Like the fact it's understated and classy looking with a great mean-looking front.
  
• It's also rattle-free (at the moment!)
  
• The engine is great being punchy, willing and quiet.
  
• Very impressed with the handling especially considering the car's size.
  
• Twindoor boot is very useful and not just a gimmick.
  
• Bolero stereo is very easy to use and has a lovely display.
  
• It also sounds good (from all types of sources.)
  
• Like the way it scans the radio frequencies in the background ready for you to choose when necessary.
  
• Love how the air blower controls show on the Bolero screen when pressed or adjusted.
  
• The radio and MFD controls on the steering wheel are great.
  

Darren, what exactly do the MFD controls do? Was that functonality an extra on the SE or standrad? Is it anything to do with iPod plug-in etc? :confused:

Thanks for such a good write up and the pictures, a good read, and I'm sure very informative for those considering a new Superb

Darren, what exactly do the MFD controls do? Was that functonality an extra on the SE or standrad? Is it anything to do with iPod plug-in etc? :confused:

The MFD (multi function display) was standard in the SE. It's a posh term for I'm sure we used to call the trip computer! It shows stuff like MPG for trip, miles travelled, miles in tank - that sorta stuff.

The other part of the MFD is to setup or change things on the Superb, e.g. turning the daytime running lights (DRLs) on and off, changing whether the indicators flash three times when you briefly move (but don't click) the indicator stalk. It also shows the diagram for the Park Assist (which is an option on all trim levels of Superb.)

It doesn't do anything for the Bolero stereo though, including the Aux-In socket located in the front armrest - that's all controlled through the Bolero's screen (and some of it via the controls on the steering wheel.)

Going back to your other question about SD cards, the only other one I've tried was a standard 1GB SD card. This was quick enough but only had six albums on it!

Couple of things I forgot to mention in the original post:

The manual gearbox and clutch are excellent and although the DSG would have been lovely I'm quite happy with the manual.

I don't like the amount of road noise entering the cabin, although this varies enormously by road surface and obviously, speed. I know tyres can make a huge difference too (mine is currently fitted with Pirelli P-Zero Rossos.)

Filling the petrol tank is a real pain in the **** as it's constantly shutting off even without full handle pressure. I've tried Argee's 9 o'clock position (ooh, err, missus) which worked at one set of pumps but not at another. I'll have to keep fiddling about to find the 'sweet spot', although I'm always filling up at different garages which will make finding that spot difficult.

Couple of things I forgot to mention in the original post:

The manual gearbox and clutch are excellent and although the DSG would have been lovely I'm quite happy with the manual.

I don't like the amount of road noise entering the cabin, although this varies enormously by road surface and obviously, speed. I know tyres can make a huge difference too (mine is currently fitted with Pirelli P-Zero Rossos.)

Filling the petrol tank is a real pain in the **** as it's constantly shutting off even without full handle pressure. I've tried Argee's 9 o'clock position (ooh, err, missus) which worked at one set of pumps but not at another. I'll have to keep fiddling about to find the 'sweet spot', although I'm always filling up at different garages which will make finding that spot difficult.

Makes me think it's more to do with modern pumps than the Superb as that happens alot withmy current Astra TwinTop. Maybe you notice the road noise more because there's less of every other noise (with this spin I should be a politician!). Anyway, are you less pleased with the car than you were then? How do you find the spcae in the car? It's somethingI am really looking forward too after the cramped conditions of the TTop and with a family I think it will be useful

Maybe you notice the road noise more because there's less of every other noise

I've been an owner of a Superb for 36 hours now, and I think you are right. As there is no noise from the engine and no wind noise you will notice the road noise as the most dominant factor. I also agree with darrenm2001 so far as road noise depends a lot on the quality of the roads. Compared to my earlier Volvo V70 road noise is about the same level or a little less but with less noise from the engine and wind. And of cause the Superb is much, much more powerful:D. There is also much more room for my 3 big or grown-up children.

Makes me think it's more to do with modern pumps than the Superb as that happens alot withmy current Astra TwinTop. Maybe you notice the road noise more because there's less of every other noise (with this spin I should be a politician!). Anyway, are you less pleased with the car than you were then? How do you find the spcae in the car? It's somethingI am really looking forward too after the cramped conditions of the TTop and with a family I think it will be useful

I think you might be right, the car is very quiet in every other respect so perhaps it does unintentionally enhance the louder sounds. And no, I'm still extremely pleased with it and wouldn't want to go back to anything I owned previously (although I wouldn't mind giving my old Focus another spin for old times sake!)

As for the space, there's more than enough at the front, stupidly large amounts in the back (although the headroom in the back isn't stunning if you're well over six foot) and the boot is cavernous with plenty of space to carry dead bodies (if you're into that line of work of course! ) Annoying mother-in-laws could also be threatened with the boot option too! My mother-in-law talks for England but thinking about it, she'll be a lot further away on the back seats in my Superb than my Roomster - and the stereo's better so I could drown out her incessant hot air with a quick tweak of the volume control...

i notice the road noise. even on the 16" conti tyres (which were very quiet in the audi and passat) there is more road noise than I would have expected. I agree that the absence of other noise highlights this but then our outgoing A6 was quiet and didnt have as much road noise in the cabin.

I have had my Superb Superb (yes, it is), since 9.00 yesterday morning. The handover at the dealers should be one day, not one hour, as I expect to still be reading that 270 page manual for months. Only surprise was asking to purchase a kit of bi-xenon bulbs as described in the brochure, and being told the kit does not contain a bi-xenon bulb - due to the cost!! Also, been out shopping today and amazed at number of people coming over and wanting to talk about the car. It has great road presence, even BMW drivers giving way because they can't recognise the car. I am looking forward to driving pleasure for years to come.

Initial Thoughts on My New Superb 1.8TSI SE

Neutral

• The colour is darker than I expected, although it is greatly dependent on the light. In the sun it looks red but rather brown out of it.
  
• The seats are better than the Roomster's but not brilliant.
  
• The current MPG is 30.75 but I expect it to improve a little as time goes on.
  

How's that average MPG looking now?

Just for future reference a 4 gig SD card can be got from Aldi for £6.50

How's that average MPG looking now?

Now has over 1,300 miles on the clock but the MPG is about the same - approximately 30 in mixed driving. A run gets me about 38-39 but short runs are about 25.

Still fighting with the filling up, by the way :(

We took our Superb to Kirton-in-Lindsay and back today. 260 miles round trip from WGC - up the A1.

Went at the speed limit most of the way. average speed about 60MPH - and according to the trip computer, we got 58.0 miles per gallon overall. Which I think was the best we're ever achieved.

We are well happy with this!

1.8t petrol. done over 3000 miles now and averages 35mpg on the trip computer for last 800 miles