I thought I'd post this in a more relevant section and see what transpires.

I've been pricing up insurance for my lightly modified Octavia Elegance and prices seem to have doubled since last year. No idea why, but I'm finding it really hard to justify paying the new rates.

The Superb listed below however, comes in about £300 a year cheaper and £100 cheaper on tax, and with a new baby due in April, the extra room wouldn't go amiss.

Would I be mad swapping a much-loved and reliable petrol Octavia for an unknown diesel Superb? :S

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201040370025631/sort/priceasc/usedcars/seller-type/trade_adverts/transmission/manual/maximum-mileage/up_to_60000_miles/model/superb/make/skoda/postcode/e174sw/page/1/radius/20?logcode=p

My neighbour sold his with the 2.5 diesel DSG and leather and metalic blue for that money, ( bought M2) so would look a little further

Superb is better car than octavia,that all know.I think you sould buy.

My neighbour sold his with the 2.5 diesel DSG and leather and metalic blue for that money, ( bought M2) so would look a little further

But how many miles had it done and how old was it?

Parkers, which isn't the Oracle in these matters but still…, has an idependent dealer price of £5,785 for a 50,000 mile Superb Comfort PD130??? That's a grand more than the one I'm looking at :S

I've also seen a couple of similar models on flea-bay for £5,500 with higher milage so I thought the price was OK. Even more :S now

It was a 55 plate 67,000 miles mint ( I would pay 500 more and get a better specced one) don't forget a dealer has 1000 profit in that

Edited 18 February, 201115 yr by bluvrs2

It was a 55 plate 67,000 miles mint ( I would pay 500 more and get a better specced one) don't forget a dealer has 1000 profit in that

Cheers mate

TBH the screen price is not bad providing the car has had the cambelt changed recently (don't forget Skoda UK recommend every 4 years / 60K) personally I would make sure all the electrics/lights work 100%, ANY problems which point towards water ingress of the pollen filter then I would walk away.

I would pay 500 more and get a better specced one

Have you actually seen the spec of a Superb Comfort ? they are better equipped than a similar aged Elegance spec Octavia.

TBH the screen price is not bad providing the car has had the cambelt changed recently (don't forget Skoda UK recommend every 4 years / 60K) personally I would make sure all the electrics/lights work 100%, ANY problems which point towards water ingress of the pollen filter then I would walk away.

Have you actually seen the spec of a Superb Comfort ? they are better equipped than a similar aged Elegance spec Octavia.

I agree with you on the spec Gizmo68, it looks fine for my needs.

I rang the dealer yesterday and he checked the service book and said the cambelt was done at 55k

And I've done a bit of research on water ingress so I'll be checking all lights/electrics and looking for damp carpets. I'm going to see if I can give it a quick scan with my handheld error scanner as well.

Regarding the water ingress, can a garage easily, i.e. cheaply, fit a new pollen filter and seal, and remove the plugs, or is it a major job? And is there a quick way to check the CV boots? Can you spy any rotten boots just by getting under the car?

Ta

The pollen filter seal can be done in less than 2hrs - even by a competent DIY'er.

Check the inside of the front wheels for black CV grease, it goes everywhere when the boots have gone, mine went 90K without needing any, others don't seem to be able to go 12 months between needing them changing.

The pollen filter seal can be done in less than 2hrs - even by a competent DIY'er.

Check the inside of the front wheels for black CV grease, it goes everywhere when the boots have gone, mine went 90K without needing any, others don't seem to be able to go 12 months between needing them changing.

Thank you that man. Really useful and appreciated

Looking forward to testing it tomorrow

TBH the screen price is not bad providing the car has had the cambelt changed recently (don't forget Skoda UK recommend every 4 years / 60K) personally I would make sure all the electrics/lights work 100%, ANY problems which point towards water ingress of the pollen filter then I would walk away.

Have you actually seen the spec of a Superb Comfort ? they are better equipped than a similar aged Elegance spec Octavia.

Yes neighbour is a very good friend of mine and lovely car, so is his M2 Supurb Elegance

I think if the car can be proven genuine you should buy it, however, it's not 60k for a belt, it's 4 yrs or 80k, so I would be looking into that or simply just get it done to be safe, dealers will give you all sorts of horse to sell you the car, so his word ain't worth jack unless there is paperwork to back it up, on the price aim to get it for 4k and 4.25k at the worst, he will take it, Sups just don't sell, my old one hung around for 7 mths before it sold, and I'm not sure if it did selkl or simply got blocked, anyway it went from 4.5 to 3.5k on the site, and i'd imagine if someone did buy it they bid it down, so remember you have the uppers here.

I think if the car can be proven genuine you should buy it, however, it's not 60k for a belt, it's 4 yrs or 80k, so I would be looking into that or simply just get it done to be safe, dealers will give you all sorts of horse to sell you the car, so his word ain't worth jack unless there is paperwork to back it up, on the price aim to get it for 4k and 4.25k at the worst, he will take it, Sups just don't sell, my old one hung around for 7 mths before it sold, and I'm not sure if it did selkl or simply got blocked, anyway it went from 4.5 to 3.5k on the site, and i'd imagine if someone did buy it they bid it down, so remember you have the uppers here.

More sound advice

The service book says the cambelt was done at 55k so seems safe enough. Depends when it was done of course. If it was done in 2008 as per the 4 year advisory, then it'll need doing again next year. I'll wait and see.

This all depends on whether I can sell my Octavia, either part ex or private. I'll see what the dealer says and have a think about it.

Looks like a good buy, and the best engine too

Looks like a good buy, and the best engine too

This is all adding up nicely :yes:

Well, I've just been to see the car in question and it looks OK.

Couldn't drive it though due to it being wedged behind a dozen other cars.

But on first spec it looks good. There's a couple of tatty bits on the velour seats but mainly down the sides so not really noticeable.

The other thing was the ashtray. It didn't seem to sit flush with the rest of the dash and doesn't close very well. Might drive me mad if it keeps coming open. I've asked the garage to have a look at it. Does anyone else have this problem and is it easy to fix?

Also, I noticed that the passenger side panel around the headlight doesn't sit flush with the bumper panel? Seems to have some give when you press it too. The other side was flush and solid. It's HPI clear and there's no scratches to suggest it's had a knock. I've posted a couple of pics to see if anyone has any comments.

He said the cambelt was done by the Skoda dealer who's serviced it for the last 4 years but they didn't put it in the book :no:

The garage guy's given me the dealer name and number so I can phone to confirm but would a dealer make it up, or would that be too risky for them? If they're willing to stamp the book with a confirmation it's been done, is that going to be legit? I'll give them a ring tomorrow but it's a slight worry. It was done at 37k miles in 2008 so I guess it'll need doing again next year.

I checked all lights, windows, heater, stereo etc., and all the electrics seem to be working well. I tried to feel for damp in the seat wells but exactly how damp would it be if it's suffering water ingress? Will it be sodden, or do you have to get under the carpet to tell?

Anyway, I'll have a drive next Saturday and see what's what.

Any further advice more than welcome. Cheers

He said the cambelt was done by the Skoda dealer who's serviced it for the last 4 years but they didn't put it in the book :no:

The garage guy's given me the dealer name and number so I can phone to confirm but would a dealer make it up, or would that be too risky for them? If they're willing to stamp the book with a confirmation it's been done, is that going to be legit? I'll give them a ring tomorrow but it's a slight worry. It was done at 37k miles in 2008 so I guess it'll need doing again next year.

I checked all lights, windows, heater, stereo etc., and all the electrics seem to be working well. I tried to feel for damp in the seat wells but exactly how damp would it be if it's suffering water ingress? Will it be sodden, or do you have to get under the carpet to tell?

My car didn't have the service book ticked regards the cambelt either, but a quick phone call to the dealer asking what was done on such and such date revealed it had been changed, better than asking 'has the belt been changed?' as they may just say erm, yes!

With regards to the carpet there is quite a void under the carpet that will hold a few gallons of water without the water being visible.

ANY dampness AT ALL should be taken that it has leaked.

Pull the rubber seal off the plenum chamber cover under the bonnet (the plastic trim that covers the battery) lift the trim up and see if there are ANY traces of water collecting - there should not be any!

My car didn't have the service book ticked regards the cambelt either, but a quick phone call to the dealer asking what was done on such and such date revealed it had been changed, better than asking 'has the belt been changed?' as they may just say erm, yes!

With regards to the carpet there is quite a void under the carpet that will hold a few gallons of water without the water being visible.

ANY dampness AT ALL should be taken that it has leaked.

Pull the rubber seal off the plenum chamber cover under the bonnet (the plastic trim that covers the battery) lift the trim up and see if there are ANY traces of water collecting - there should not be any!

Thanks Gizmo. I couldn't feel any dampness, but it might only just be happening so not visible through the carpet yet. I can't pull the carpet right up because it's obviously fixed in with the seats.

I had a look at the battery (there's a little plastic cover) but do you mean look under the whole plastic trim that stretches across the width of the bonnet? That looks like a spanner job to get off and I can't see Mr Salesman being happy about that

Anyway, I'll give the servicing dealer a ring and see what they say about all these things. On the plus side it's been serviced every year/10,000 miles rather than every 20,000 or 2 years. I'm hoping the seal was upgraded and the drains cleaned out as they're supposed to be on an inspection service. We'll see.

No tools required to take the plastic plenum cover off. You just pull off the thick rubber trim strip that the bonnet closes down on to and lift the plastic cover off. It takes less than 10 seconds to get the plenum cover off.

You say its a comfort spec...at least they specced the better 17" Solid alloys. very sought after! I fitted some to my old superb and it makes the car look so much better!

I never experienced the water ingress problem in 140k miles. I did however check the places mentioned frequently. The Superb is a pretty good car if it is looked after. Find a good local independant to look after it, or do it yourself if your comfortable! The forums are a great help too, helped me out no end of times. I wish I had kept mine now!!

Chris

No tools required to take the plastic plenum cover off. You just pull off the thick rubber trim strip that the bonnet closes down on to and lift the plastic cover off. It takes less than 10 seconds to get the plenum cover off.

That's what I wanted to hear

You say its a comfort spec...at least they specced the better 17" Solid alloys. very sought after! I fitted some to my old superb and it makes the car look so much better!

I never experienced the water ingress problem in 140k miles. I did however check the places mentioned frequently. The Superb is a pretty good car if it is looked after. Find a good local independant to look after it, or do it yourself if your comfortable! The forums are a great help too, helped me out no end of times. I wish I had kept mine now!!

Chris

It deffo looks better on 17" wheels. It's too big a car for 16".

Thanks for the confidence boost on the water ingress too

I just need to see how it drives now. I bet it's going to be a massive change from the Octy :S

You say its a comfort spec...at least they specced the better 17" Solid alloys. very sought after! I fitted some to my old superb and it makes the car look so much better!

I never experienced the water ingress problem in 140k miles. I did however check the places mentioned frequently. The Superb is a pretty good car if it is looked after. Find a good local independant to look after it, or do it yourself if your comfortable! The forums are a great help too, helped me out no end of times. I wish I had kept mine now!!

Chris

As long as the self destructing 2.0TDi engine is avoided, then yes, I think you're right. For the money it is one heck of a nice luxury motor car. My 2.5TDi Elegance is a treat on the long journeys I do Mondays and Fridays.

Indeed, my 1.8T was excellent.

Thanks to everyone for the advice so far – I love this site :yes:

But does anyone think the bumper/side panel fit (or lack of) is a problem on the passenger side? On my earlier post it's the last three pics, with the drivers side being the first two pics. It's the only thing worrying me now as it's quite a difference in fit between the two sides :S

Just spoke to the servicing dealer and he confirmed that cambelt had been done at 39,639k in Feb 2009 as a separate job, and I can send the book in for the official stamp, so I guess that's legit then.

I also asked about water ingress and whether it had been fixed. He worringly said that water damage had been fixed, but this was the door seals replaced and electrics sorted

He said the pollen filter seal hadn't been done. I also asked if the plenum chamber had been cleaned and bungs cleared on each inspection and he just said that everything that should have been done on a service schedule, had been done. I think the plenum should be cleared on each inspection, but you never know :S

Does the door seals/water damage thing sound good or bad? It's a bit worrying that the electrics needed doing

Cheers