I’m considering spending about £5,000 (UK pounds) on a Skoda Superb Series 1 manual petrol 1.8 or 2.0 litre model.

Can you advise me as to which petrol engine to go for – the 1.8 or 2.0 litre?

The car needs to be reliable enough for commuting 10 miles each way, and to be comfortable at fast UK motorway speed for regular weekend family trips 200 miles each way.

The 2010 May Parker’s guide says

the 1.8 litre does 29 mpg, produces 150 bhp and has a top speed of 134 mph

and

the 2.0 litre does 32 mpg, produces 115 bhp and has a top speed of 122 mph.

Is this correct?

Your knowledgeable advice will be appreciated.

Steve

East London.

The 2.0 is a dog.

The 1.8 has a turbo (more or a problem for reliablility at age?) but is much nicer to drive. Most turbos last in excess of 150K miles.

And I note it's your first post - welcome

Edited 17 May, 201016 yr by TKW

I have an Octavia with the 2.0 engine. I also would advise against this engine. It is totally reliable but thirsty and underpowered. They are known for using oil, which mine does but probably will run forever. It isn't particularly refined at higher revs either, mine has done 68k and is no worse or better than when new.

Try the 130 PS diesel (AWX engine). In real life terms it goes just as well as the 1.8T and uses about half the fuel if driven sensibly. Due to the higher thermal efficiency of the diesel engine, the exhaust gas temperatures are lower and so turbochargers have a longer life.

Petrol engines need water cooled turbochargers to achieve acceptable life.

rotodiesel.