S-spec taxi a year in.

[jointintell]

Hi everyone, these are my thoughts after a year and 24k miles with a 58-plate, S-spec, candy white, 1.9 tdi/105 running as a taxi in Kent.

It's the classiest taxi on the rank by far and I'm the scruffiest driver! A perfect match. Still get the 'nice car' comments a year in.

Interior is very impressive and looks great. The space and classy feel is often commented on. I like pulling away from the rank at night with daytime running lights on, give it a couple of minutes then flick the switch to Auto which brings on all the interior and dashboard lights. When it works I always get a chuckle. There are a few dashboard rattles and the door trim where I rest my right elbow has started to sag but in general it feels well screwed together. Driver's space is a bit tight but at least everything is in easy reach. Not that I have many toys in my S-spec. The lack of a right footrest or bottle holder in the door bin seem strange omissions. So does that little pocket in the seat by your right thigh. Why don't the coin-slots hold pound coins? Has anyone checked to see if they hold euros? Personally, I think my passengers get the most out of the interior. I cannot really fault the overall quality. It feels robust enough to withstand another year.

Looks great in candy white especially when you clean it. Don't think I'd want any other colour. Front end is nicely aggressive. Wraparound lights look great, even the fogs. Extra large mirrors do a good job. The twinboot is more useful than I thought. It was the second thing the dealer enthusiastically showed me and I was deeply unimpressed. It has grown on me though. I like loading up through the hatch, take my time getting out the other end, let them open the boot and get a good laugh demonstrating it. Always good for a laugh. I've heard the ugly rear-end arguments which don't really bother me being a taxi even if it is also my personal vehicle. Maybe the twinboot restricted Skoda's design.

Mid range torque is punchy making the car feel quick even if it is a bit flaky at the top end. 105 bhp is enough for me but sometimes I wish for more. This is rare as most of my work is around town where it feels nimble with nicely weighted steering. It's a large car but doesn't feel it to drive. Diesel consumption is difficult to assess especially with a brand new taxi but with a year and 24k on the clock I am seeing it improve. The car has been maintenance free apart from tyres and servicing. The supplied jack does not inspire confidence but at least the S-spec comes with a full size spare.

There have been a couple of electrical glitches. Nothing major and nothing to take me off the road but still requiring a call to my local dealer. Unfortunately, if the computer says no you have no chance. This is very frustrating especially as they have no problem selling me accessories. They'll even do free p&p but they'll claw that back with overpriced servicing.

The car's the star. It has road presence, feels robust and has been largely hassle-free. Fingers crossed for another year of dealerless motoring.

Not a very informative review but maybe it'll spark some interest.

[skippy41]

What fuel consumption are you getting????????

Or an average per tank

Edited 1 March, 2010 by skippy41

[Babs]

The VAG-supplied jacks are known as "widow makers"

Good review though, Superbs have always made good taxis.

[rosesteve]

Great Review - yes the Euro coin does fit , I've tried forcing £ coins into mine, but they just won't go in.

Like you, I'm very happy with my Candy White Superb, being the Greenline it came without a spare wheel, but thats now been remedied. Fuel consumption calculated by brim to brim fill ups is 56mpg average since I purchased it. This is over mixed trips locally and up to London a couple of times. (It's only a Taxi to my family!)

On a day to day basis I tend to use only the boot lid, however when taking out Daughter, Granddaughter, 3 wheeled buggy etc, the hatch is great. I even get to use the Isofix fittings on the back seat!

Having 'come down' from a PD130 spec to 105 I did initially notice a difference in performance, however having got used to the way the Greenline drives, I can honestly say it is enough for my daily needs. My previous Mk1 was a company car which I purchased on early retirement, I must admit if I was still working I would possibly have gone for the more powerful 170, but then I would have been haring around the country more than I do now.

The only annoying aspect I've found is that the second fuel computer resets itself more frequently than the manual says (every 99 hours) and is far more often than my previous Superb MK1.

Overall though, I agree, it is a great car in every aspect.

Steve

P.S - Where in Kent are you? I'm sure I've seen a white Superb II taxi in my area

[jointintell]

Hi everyone,

Glad you liked the review.

I'm from the north Kent coast which sounds rather nice when I put it like that.

I too noticed the second computer resetting itself. 99 hours is nowhere near enough.

My combined fuel consumption is probably somewhere around the 44 mpg mark. I know this sounds a bit vague but I tend not to put too much faith in dashboard readouts. Cold starts, short runs etc all contribute to negative consumption and fluctuating readings. It's easy for me to check based on mileages and fuel receipts but that's just way to much hassle for the purposes of this forum man.

I liked the widow-maker comment. It was the first time that wheel's come off and they tend to stick so giving it major amounts of welly with that jack fully extended increased the pulse rate considerably. Now I keep a proper jack in the boot just in case.

Other things that spring to mind include collecting the car with the daytime running light function switched on and not realising it. That led to a few head scratching moments when I got it home along with the grammar in the manual. Love the DRL's though. I've always switched on anyway. Just one of those things that some drivers do. Glad the EU are making them compulsory. Another thing that annoys me are the wipers that stop when you come to a standstill because of the delay before they kick in when you pull away again. That's one occasion when you need a clear windscreen.

Still loving the car. Can't really fault it or it's VW underpinnings. A friend of mine recently came back from several months in the middle east and said that every taxi there was an Octy. All those taxi drivers can't be wrong. Still very pleased I bought it. I'd considered a Mondeo estate but Ford's prices have rocketed and I don't think the fit and finish is the same as my car.

Any further comments gratefully received.

[veloplus]

Hi everyone,

Glad you liked the review.

I'm from the north Kent coast which sounds rather nice when I put it like that.

I too noticed the second computer resetting itself. 99 hours is nowhere near enough.

My combined fuel consumption is probably somewhere around the 44 mpg mark. I know this sounds a bit vague but I tend not to put too much faith in dashboard readouts. Cold starts, short runs etc all contribute to negative consumption and fluctuating readings. It's easy for me to check based on mileages and fuel receipts but that's just way to much hassle for the purposes of this forum man.

I liked the widow-maker comment. It was the first time that wheel's come off and they tend to stick so giving it major amounts of welly with that jack fully extended increased the pulse rate considerably. Now I keep a proper jack in the boot just in case.

Other things that spring to mind include collecting the car with the daytime running light function switched on and not realising it. That led to a few head scratching moments when I got it home along with the grammar in the manual. Love the DRL's though. I've always switched on anyway. Just one of those things that some drivers do. Glad the EU are making them compulsory. Another thing that annoys me are the wipers that stop when you come to a standstill because of the delay before they kick in when you pull away again. That's one occasion when you need a clear windscreen.

Still loving the car. Can't really fault it or it's VW underpinnings. A friend of mine recently came back from several months in the middle east and said that every taxi there was an Octy. All those taxi drivers can't be wrong. Still very pleased I bought it. I'd considered a Mondeo estate but Ford's prices have rocketed and I don't think the fit and finish is the same as my car.

Any further comments gratefully received.

I reset the second trip at the end of each month and have not noticed the second trip restting itself after 99 hours. Why would anyone possibly want a second trip which records more than 99 hours driving?

Ford prices are indeed OTT. The Focus even in basic trim is more expensive than an Octy.

I've used Skoda/VW jacks before and not found them inferior to the jacks provided by other manufacturers.

Edited 26 February, 2011 by veloplus

[Slinksuperb]

A good review and interesting that your car attracts positive comments from your customers.

I can honestly say that I'm not impressed by Fords and never have been. Pricing is ott and the base specs seem to lack many items I'd expect to see as standard.

In terms fit and finish, I'd say the Skoda is on a par with my previous BMW 320d, in fact the interiors are probably slightly better imho, the BMW always felt a bit spartan despite being a top spec model, albeit not loaded with all the options

[Guest]

I reset the second trip at the end of each month and have not noticed the second trip restting itself after 99 hours. Why would anyone possibly want a second trip which records more than 99 hours driving?

Ford prices are indeed OTT. The Focus even in basic trim is more expensive than an Octy.

I've used Skoda/VW jacks before and not found them inferior to the jacks provided by other manufacturers.

It is not only VAG jack's that have been refered to as widow makers. When I started ti the motor trade over 40 years ago scissor jack's were refered to as widow makers . The quality of them has not improved, they are of thinner metal, many with plastic threaded parts and the foot pad area is so small they will dig into the road. Carry a thick piece of wood about a foot square so that the foot pad can pivot correctly.

[Boynielaad]

I liked the widow-maker comment. It was the first time that wheel's come off and they tend to stick so giving it major amounts of welly with that jack fully extended increased the pulse rate considerably. Now I keep a proper jack in the boot just in case.

I was always taught to loosen the wheelnuts before raising the wheel off the road.

[AnotherGareth]

I was always taught to loosen the wheelnuts before raising the wheel off the road.

The main problem is that sometimes the wheels stick to the hubs. To counteract this I smear a thin layer of copper grease on the hub whenever I have a wheel off. The other 'method' is, after loosening the nuts/bolts, move the car a bit before jacking up.

Edited 1 March, 2011 by AnotherGareth

[Superbalicious]

Nice to see you're enjoying your Superb. I'd be made up if I ordered a taxi and it was a Superb! Nice "real world" review too