Hi, I'm new here.

Just stopped in to say hello, and ask a couple of questions. It probably sounds strange to say I ordered a car, and NOW I have questions, but bear with me. I'm on Motability and was looking around for my next motor. I'm 6'5" tall, a big lad, my fiancee has three children and I have dogs. I automatically restrict my car buying accordingly and can't remember the last time I drove something smaller than a Mondeo or a van.

Initially I was looking at a Mondeo 2.0 163PS Titanium spec. Most people think I'm insane turning down one of those for "a bloody Skoda", but that's their loss. My brother actually recommended I test drive a Superb, but I was rather sceptical to say the least. I'm very glad he convinced me though, as I fell in love with a Greenline 1.9TDI PD, in deep metallic green no less, almost immediately. I test drove the Mondeo again afterwards, and although the latter was much more 'fun' and could be thrown about a bit, I much preferred the composure and style (the 'experience' if you will) of the Superb.

After going back for a 'decider' test drive of the Superb, I placed my order yesterday and can collect in a couple of weeks. I'm still double-guessing myself on the deep green, but I figured it had that 'executive' and 'different' vibe about it - I'm sick to death of looking at greys, blues and blacks! At any rate although I'm "only" 28 I've always loved diesels and I'm the type of saddo who not only loves the sound of a grumpy diesel engine, but who gets more long-term enjoyment from trying to beat my last trip's economy record, rather than flying around on two wheels. It's what you get growing up with a taxi driver for a father I suppose LOL

So anyway, on to my questions if that's OK:

1) The dealer says the car doesn't come with an umbrella as standard, it's an optional extra. Reviews all seem to list the umbrella as present on the Greenline however. Since I'm buying the 1.9TDI PD (which is now being phased out) - and in actual fact I'm buying the very car that stood on the dealer's forecourt - I'm wondering if the brolly on the car has been (mis)appropriated somewhere along the line. Can any Greenline owners confirm or deny? A pedantic question, but I'm just curious.

2) I test drove the Superb twice, and was very happy. In fact the car showed '0 miles' until I took it out, and it now has 18 on the clock. I was literally shocked when I realised 70mph uphill on a motorway means the revs sit at under 2,000. My last drive was a 1.6 HDi which was almost 3,000rpm at that speed, and really felt and sounded like it! But during real-world, long term ownership how well exactly does the 1.9TDI cope? I know I can't expect blistering acceleration and that this is a cruiser rather than a bruiser (which I like), but what's it actually like to live with? It definitely feels poky enough, and I was able to accelerate INTO gaps on the motorway on the test drives - where in the Citroen I was left with my foot off the gas waiting to slow down enough to take a gap behind me further down the line (i.e. no power/punch when it was wanted). Do you find it decent or do you always wish you had more power on tap?

Given the fact the engine sits at under 2,000rpm at 70mph I'm guessing there's quite a bit of oomph left it in when you need to stick your right foot down (only on the autobahn obviously). I look forward to hearing from anyone who owns one. Just to pre-empt any "why buy until you knew absolutely everything" type questions; as I said it's a Motability car and as such with the deal I was presented I would have said yes even if it was a 1.0 diesel never mind the venerable 1.9 PD unit. Thanks in advance.

Welcome to Briskoda

The umbrella was indeed removed from the std spec from May 25th (MY11).

I have driven a greenline Combi and I was pretty impressed with the power available considering it only has 105hp in such a large car, not enough to buy one with my own money but if I was being 'given' one it would not be the end of the world. I opened it up going up the A20 out of Dover and it went respectively well.

Thanks Gizmo, that's very helpful on both fronts. Motability still costs me over 7 grand of my own money over the three year lease, so it's definitely not 'given', but I'm still confident the 1.9 will be ample for my needs. I was just curious. To be honest I think I'm going to be strongly inclined to actually buy the vehicle outright at the end of the lease, I absolutely loved it. I've got to live with it for three years first though, so maybe I'll change my mind by then. Based on what I've seen so far though, I doubt it.

I have to say as well, Lightcliffe Skoda in Warrington were absolutely amazing. The service level, and the non-pushy sales ethos was a breath of fresh air. I've never felt more valued and cared for in a showroom, ever - and believe me I've tried a lot!

Well i have to point out my wife ordered a motability car from skoda, and our preffered choice was the octavia 1.2 est with dsg...then we was told the car was a 5mth wait !...naturally my wife who needed the car made her usual off the cuff remark about the waiting times beinging with the letter F...and in order to calm the situation, i asked the salesman what car was available, and he came up with the superb greenline, and also said it was the last one available. Now whether it was a sales patter , i dont know, but we got it in 2 weeks , and to be honest, its a gorgeous car. Its very nimble and has quite a hard suspension, but above all my wife loves it.Yes the car is more of a mile cruncher rather than a performance beast, but with the added rear spoiler and lowered look, it does indeed look rather sporty looking, and above all, very ecconomincal.

Our superb greenline came with its umbrella, but with no spare wheel, but i got over that problem using the spare from my partially dead superb mk1 for the time being...so its possible that the umbrella in your case has been either misplaced or someone took a liking to it....as for the power delivery, well its only 105 bhp ( i think )...and it is more than capable of high speed motorway driving, but forget the 0-62 times...it will take a while to get there, especially compared to my superb mk1 140 tdi, which was rather noticeably quicker, but the main thing i find, is that its quite nice to overtake slowly past someone, and it gives them an idea what it is thats over taking them The makers state it will do over a ton, well i have to admit, its very easy to forget the that its only a smallish engine under the bonnet, and it will propel you to more than the speeds you will want to do. Gear changing is a tad awkward, but given its only a 5speed box, i stay in 3rd for doing the 30mph round town palava, and then drop into 4th in order to lower the revs, and then once on the motorway into 5th and switch on cruise control, and thats where it comes in on its own.

Brilliant stuff skodanut, just the type of thing I was wanting to hear. It sounds like I'm going to be more than happy with it, I just can't wait to take delivery now! As for 0-60 times, I'm more concerned with 50-70mph times myself as they're more 'real world' useful for a diesel. The Greenline certainly didn't seem to struggle at it, so all's well.

The hardest bit tho derv, is handing it back in 3yrs times doh...although it being a motability vehicle, and my wife wanting an auto, i did say to her that i'll be your auto box and you just take it easy in the passenger seat...and that way it made it easier for her...but it is avery nice car to drive and looks almost like a bmw...so enjoy your purchase when it arrives, and hope that there will be more superbs in the motability list in 3yrs time

The hardest bit tho derv, is handing it back in 3yrs times doh...although it being a motability vehicle, and my wife wanting an auto, i did say to her that i'll be your auto box and you just take it easy in the passenger seat...and that way it made it easier for her...but it is avery nice car to drive and looks almost like a bmw...so enjoy your purchase when it arrives, and hope that there will be more superbs in the motability list in 3yrs time

Tell me about it. As I said, personally I'll strongly consider buying it off Motability at the end of the lease (they do provide that option, and you can even use your NEXT three years' DLA payments to pay it off!). Just so you know.

Brilliant stuff skodanut, just the type of thing I was wanting to hear. It sounds like I'm going to be more than happy with it, I just can't wait to take delivery now! As for 0-60 times, I'm more concerned with 50-70mph times myself as they're more 'real world' useful for a diesel. The Greenline certainly didn't seem to struggle at it, so all's well.

My Superb 1.9Tdi felt very reluctant to accelerate from a standstill from new, unlike my previous Octy with the same PD engine. At around 3k miles I had the Superb remappped and it was a revelation! It now can overtake without any concern for a lack of power, yet when cruising at 60-65mph it returns over 56mpg (actual) and a range of well over 700 miles.

The fact the car will pull in any gear and from very low revs makes it very relaxing to drive.

Yes the engine is less refined than a CR diesel, however, up to 70mph there is only modest engine intrusion. The Superb also has less wind noise than the Octy.

Good to know velo, thanks. I highly doubt I'll be paying to get it remapped since it's a Motability car (and hence not 'mine'), but it's definitely something to bear in mind if I buy it off them at the end of the lease! Cheers.

Come to think of it, it will be interesting to see what the final price will be in order to purchase it off of motability....and like you say, if my wife is agreeable..use the dla component to purchase it........then again there's the new car option with nothing to pay except fuel

Come to think of it, it will be interesting to see what the final price will be in order to purchase it off of motability....and like you say, if my wife is agreeable..use the dla component to purchase it........then again there's the new car option with nothing to pay except fuel

The way they are holding their money right now, probably £15k

Derv,

You will not be disappointed with your chose. I have been running a Greenline since March 10 and done 19k miles so far. Its a dream to drive, perhaps not as rapid 0-60 as other popular models, but easily holds it own in the outside lane of the motorway with the Audi's and BMW's, even with 4 adults on board and a boot full of luggage. In fact one of my favourite pastimes is overtaking the badge worshipers, they almost always want to get back in front of you because they have just been passed by a Skoda!

On a more serious note though, I would seriously consider getting a spare wheel for your Greenline. I had a couple of punctures in the first few months of ownership and it was no fun waiting to be recovered to a tyre centre. I ended up buying the spare tyre kit from my dealer, it was about £110 and you get a full sized spare, foam model insert, jack and wheel brace.

Regards

Daveconst

Thanks Gizmo, that's very helpful on both fronts. Motability still costs me over 7 grand of my own money over the three year lease, so it's definitely not 'given', but I'm still confident the 1.9 will be ample for my needs. I was just curious. To be honest I think I'm going to be strongly inclined to actually buy the vehicle outright at the end of the lease, I absolutely loved it. I've got to live with it for three years first though, so maybe I'll change my mind by then. Based on what I've seen so far though, I doubt it.

I have to say as well, Lightcliffe Skoda in Warrington were absolutely amazing. The service level, and the non-pushy sales ethos was a breath of fresh air. I've never felt more valued and cared for in a showroom, ever - and believe me I've tried a lot!

Got my Superb a few weeks ago from Lightcliffe and they even phoned me yesterday to see if I was still happy. Would well recommend them .

Hi Derv

I've been a Greenline owner since January, mine was an ex demo on an 09 plate and came with the umbrella as standard, it also came with factory fitted rear sensors which mute the radio (Swing) and puts a nice reversing display on the screen

You won't be disappointed when you get the car, mine has now done 24,000, is just coming up for its first service and has averaged 58 to the gallon since its purchase (brim to brim method of calculation). You will find the fuel computer is a tad optimistic, about 10% on average. It is an extremely economic vehicle, you may find the need to drop into 4th for speedy overtaking on the motorway, but overall 5th is fine for 70+ cruising.

My only problem? - found it a bit low on some of the speed humps in Maidstone! I have already scraped a part of the plastic undertray off on a gate entry that had a metal runner buried slightly proud of the driveway i was entering. I have just changed the front tyres at 24k.

Great car - you will love it - the PD engine may be a bit gruff, but its got loads of low down torque that lets you pootle along in traffic much like an auto without using the accelerator.

Steve

Yes PD is the right choice

As I have driven my GreenLine 20 000 Miles in one year and can tell something as well.

First I will start what I do not like or bad points:

1) DPF (it is need to look after him I mean on generation process)

2) GreenLine come lowered suspension I do not know does it suspension different from other superbs As I prefer relax driving I mean soft drive But positives for hard suspension more stability on the road not limp drive on the corners So it fine as it is now.

THE PLUSES:

1) Lowered suspension make little better on stability + Fuel saving

2) PD engine “Yes it is more tractor sound from outside” BUT You will have engine which has been fixed from all problems in the past You will have finished product. Not something new like CR and live with new problems.

3) 105 Bhp Does it lot of power THE answer No IT IS NOT FAST but it is provide 250 Nm which is for me more then I need for general drive in the town or cruising in motorways

4) 105 Bhp so Cheap Insurance ( 170 Bhp CR for this engine I will be need to pay I think Extra 200 Pound on insurance I will better spend on my holiday these money)

5) Cheap TAX 110 Pounds

6) Dimed glass in the back

7) Coming home light or how they call

8) Spoiler

9) Leather in gear box + other

10) Longer gear I don’t know does it plus but it is mean that less changing gear:

a. Clutch will be used less

b. Does not need to change gear so quick from 1-3 I mean from start driving as with 6 gear the first gear then quick second and etc ….

c. But minus as on 5 Gear and 50-60 MPH to drive fast or take someone you will need to change to 4 Gear or wait for proper revs

11) FUEL IM GETTING about 55-65 MPG I have previously 1.8 PETROL car old car none turbo I filled up each week full tank NOW IN TO WEEK I NEED

Just all i think

Regards

Modified post below

Edited 14 October, 201015 yr by veloplus

I have just changed the front tyres at 24k.

Great car - you will love it - the PD engine may be a bit gruff, but its got loads of low down torque that lets you pootle along in traffic much like an auto without using the accelerator.

Was your Greenline fitted with Michelin Energy tyres from new? My 'S' had these tyres and I got an almost identical mileage, however, when it cam the time to replace them the leasing company wouldn't authorise Energys, but strangely did authorise Michelin Primacys.

Have you stayed with the same make/model of tyre, or have you switched to a competitor?

I agree, the PD is great pootling through traffic, often on a trailing throttle, with occasional blips to maintain a specific speed.

Wow, thanks again for all the insights folks. I spoke to the dealer before, and it turns out I can have the car sooner than I anticipated. I may even be able to collect it next week. I can't wait now!

Dont forget the brolly

Was your Greenline fitted with Michelin Energy tyres from new? My 'S' had these tyres and I got an almost identical mileage, however, when it cam the time to replace them the leasing company wouldn't authorise Energys, but strangely did authorise Michelin Primacys.

Have you stayed with the same make/model of tyre, or have you switched to a competitor?

I agree, the PD is great pootling through traffic, often on a trailing throttle, with occasional blips to maintain a specific speed.

No, my Greenline came with Conti EcoContact tyres, however these have just been replaced with Barum Bravaris 2's on the front so will be interested to see what effect (if any) they have on the economy. I had these on my old Superb PD130 and was very pleased with them. (they're owned by Continental anyway!)

Well after a couple of small delays (not Skoda's fault), I'm finally collecting the car tomorrow morning. It's gonna be a long night. I can't wait to have wheels again. lol First order of the day will be a trip to Blackpool lights with the kids, give the engine a bit of a blast down the M6 and M55 to bed everything in a bit. Woot.