I finally collected my Superb last Wednesday (8th June); I'd ordered at the beginning of February, so not as long a wait as some have had to endure.

My Combi Elegance 1.8 TSI DSG with heated windscreen and rear seats, spare wheel, dimming RVM and wood decor, in Rossello Brunello with full Ivory interior, replaced a Mk1 Superb Elegance V6 TDI auto purchased new in 2007 (which had in turn replaced a top of range Mercedes E-Class..).

I thought members migt be interested in my perception of the comparison between the two, albeit after just three days.

In a nutshell, I think Skoda just keep getting better in terms of overall refinement and VFM. My Mk1 was a better car in just about every way compared to the Merc I had before, and the Mk2 seems set to trump that.

These are what I think are improvements over my Mk1:

* Engine noise is considerably less - perhaps not surprisingly; and I do slightly miss that V6 growl!

* Rear legroom is noticeably greater - and completely blew away a colleague who's just ordered an Audi A6 Avant at humungous expense....

* In spite of other comments on this forum, I think the Columbus IFE system is great and a huge improvement over the Mk1 system. Loading my MP3 files onto the HDD has been straightforward and the sound quality, once I got it balanced properly, is as good as Mk1.

* The DSG gearbox seems more responsive than the Mk1, and in doing so is making up somewhat for the reduction in low level torque of the petrol engine.

* Fuel consumption, in so far as I can tell after only a few short journeys, is coming out about 10% better than the V6 diesel.

* Handling, in so far as it relates to my reasonably sedate (!) style, seems crisper, perhaps because of the lower mass of the 1.8 engine.

* Road noise seems about the same, in spite of the 18" tyres vs. 17" on Mk1. Overall, the ride is a major improvement in terms of refinement.

* Once I'd got my head round the various pincodes, my Blackberry paired effortlessly with the car and is working perfectly; I wasn't expecting to be able to read my text messages on the maxidot midflight!

* I haven't yet had the chance to try out the car on an unlit street at night, but in highly illuminated suburbia the adaptive bi-xenons seem pretty good and I've already noticed pedstrian surprise as they get flashed by cornering foglights!

And here, in the interests of balance, are the things that are not, IMHO, so good:

* The carpets are indeed an insult to the word! They seem now to be just moulded felt, and as such seem hardly fit for purpose. I have invested in some black Skoda mats (the Mk1 came with these as standard, but not the Mk2)but they are also fairly insubstantial and I will be looking out for something better soon.

* The front seats are narrower than the Mk1; the difference seems to be in the angled seat sides rather than the main part, so it remains to be seen whether they will be as comfortable on a long drive as the excellent ones in the Mk1. The leather surface (be it real or Alcantara - hard to tell which is which...)seems less grained than before, which might just make them easier to keep clean. And I've found that the controls are now more exposed and quite easy to knock as one is getting in and out of the car.

* The bonnet feels worryingly flimsy by comparison with Mk1, and doesn't always close from a gentle drop like its predecessor. I guess this may be due to the fact that the grille, which presumably provided stiffness, is no longer part of it.

* As per another thread in this forum, I think the DRLs as fitted are too dim for purpose (being no brighter than sidelights) so I have already replaced them with LEDs; this was very easy and highly effective.

* The glovebox no longer locks; I'm not sure wuite how much of a security benefit this was on the Mk1, but I certainly used to use it as an additional barrier - fortunately one that was never tested.

* I have yet to find the warning triangle, and suspect that one has not been provided - I need to check with dealer. The Mk1 had it neatly built into the underside of the bootlid.

* And finally, to by far the most important item: the UMBRELLA! Well, the good news is that I did find one in the nearside rear door pocket. The bad news is that it is a folding one and rather inferior to the very substantial beast provided with the Mk1.

In conclusion though, I think this is one fabulous car and I, like so many others on this forum who have recently got their Superbs, am still driving round with a major grin on my face.

Congratulations. An honest account. As a hoped for recipient of the same colour combi Elegance next month, I'd appreciate a photo. Good driving.

I am due to pick up my steel gray 1.8tsi dsg elegance estate in the next few weeks, ordered 27 January. Thanks a lot for the comprehensive run down on yours, puts my mind at rest on some negatives that have been reported recently. Most seem to comment on the carpet quality, odd when you think Skoda are supplying things like umbrella's and torches but won't spend a bit extra on carpets! My BMW is 9 years old and carpets and seats are still good, I hope the Superb interior lasts.

I am due to pick up my steel gray 1.8tsi dsg elegance estate in the next few weeks, ordered 27 January. Thanks a lot for the comprehensive run down on yours, puts my mind at rest on some negatives that have been reported recently. Most seem to comment on the carpet quality, odd when you think Skoda are supplying things like umbrella's and torches but won't spend a bit extra on carpets! My BMW is 9 years old and carpets and seats are still good, I hope the Superb interior lasts.

Good review. Thanks for taking the time.

* Once I'd got my head round the various pincodes, my Blackberry paired effortlessly with the car and is working perfectly; I wasn't expecting to be able to read my text messages on the maxidot midflight!

I won't have expected the ability to read text messages whilst driving.

* I haven't yet had the chance to try out the car on an unlit street at night, but in highly illuminated suburbia the adaptive bi-xenons seem pretty good and I've already noticed pedstrian surprise as they get flashed by cornering foglights!

These are a consideration on my next Superb.

* The carpets are indeed an insult to the word! They seem now to be just moulded felt, and as such seem hardly fit for purpose. I have invested in some black Skoda mats (the Mk1 came with these as standard, but not the Mk2)but they are also fairly

insubstantial and I will be looking out for something better soon.

The carpets may be average, however, my factory supplied mats has proved hardwearing, especially the drivers mat which has seen 83,000 miles and has not yet become holed.

* The front seats are narrower than the Mk1; the difference seems to be in the angled seat sides rather than the main part, so it remains to be seen whether they will be as comfortable on a long drive as the excellent ones in the Mk1. The leather surface (be it real or Alcantara - hard to tell which is which...)seems less grained than before, which might just make them easier to keep clean. And I've found that the controls are now more exposed and quite easy to knock as one is getting in and out of the car.

I believe the SE has alcantara (synthetic suede)seat centres, while the outer trim is synthetic leather. Yes, the seat bases are quite small, even for someone with a compact derriere. I think the Octy II seats are better in this respect.

* The bonnet feels worryingly flimsy by comparison with Mk1, and doesn't always close from a gentle drop like its predecessor. I guess this may be due to the fact that the grille, which presumably provided stiffness, is no longer part of it.

From new, my Superb's bonnet was a little reluctant to secure, however, it now closes first time if dropped from a height of approx 20cms.

* I have yet to find the warning triangle, and suspect that one has not been provided - I need to check with dealer. The Mk1 had it neatly built into the underside of the bootlid.

My Superb hatch came with a warning triangle, however, I couldn't find one fitted to the Superb Estate I had on demo earlier this week. Perhaps another cost cutting measure?

Edited 12 June, 201115 yr by veloplus

Malazan 2 wrote

As a hoped for recipient of the same colour combi Elegance next month, I'd appreciate a photo.

Unfortunately the weather has not really been suitable for shiny new car photography since I collected it. I have however been able now to test the wipers under every conceivable condition!

If the sun emerges over the coming days I will dust off the trusty Brownie and try a few snaps. After that the challenge will be to work out how to get them on here, but I'm sure I'll manage.

BTW I ordered Rosso Brunello "sight unseen" apart from the brochure and a dealer's colour sample which turned out in the end to be nothing like the car. In fact I had still not seen a RossoB Superb by the time I collected mine. Fortunately it was love at first sight and just what I had hoped it to be be - the colour of a really fine Burgundy!

And here, in the interests of balance, are the things that are not, IMHO, so good:

* As per another thread in this forum, I think the DRLs as fitted are too dim for purpose (being no brighter than sidelights) so I have already replaced them with LEDs; this was very easy and highly effective.

+1 mine were also changed the day after I got the car

* The glovebox no longer locks; I'm not sure wuite how much of a security benefit this was on the Mk1, but I certainly used to use it as an additional barrier - fortunately one that was never tested.

You would of thought this would of been present in the Elegance wouldn't you?

* I have yet to find the warning triangle, and suspect that one has not been provided - I need to check with dealer. The Mk1 had it neatly built into the underside of the bootlid.

These are not part of the std spec in the UK - mine onlt came with one because Broad##### listed in their spec list so I requested for it to be supplied (when it wasn't in the car)

* And finally, to by far the most important item: the UMBRELLA! Well, the good news is that I did find one in the nearside rear door pocket. The bad news is that it is a folding one and rather inferior to the very substantial beast provided with the Mk1.

These are now std spec again

The Rosso Brunello and Ivory leather (with black carpets tho') is IMO one of the best visual combinations for the Superb ..... it's a pity that I could not practically live with either colour though