Thats a shame.... :(

I might come round yet. It wasn't the best test drive I've ever been on but I 'm going to find another to drive to make sure

I need to get out of London to look at one so I can try it on proper roads

I've dabbled with many of the alternatives that have been mentioned so speak from experience which has resulted in my coming back to a Superb II as nothing else gives the same kind of quality mixed with VFM and low running costs.

My suggestions would be:

Superb I V6 Tdi Elegance

Any Superb II

Or if fuel consumption is now less of an issue for you, go Superb I Elegance 2.8 V6 as long as it's mint and extra extra cheap so you can easily afford to get the suspension modded to do justice to the lovely engine. But do buy so cheaply that there's no depreciation, which will offset your higher fuel costs.

I would love a V6 Superb but the tax and insurance are a bit of a stumbling block. I'm starting to seriously think about just modding mine a bit – remap, suspension, get the wheels refurbed and treat it to some new tyres, maybe a built in Sat Nav/audio unit…?

Decisions, decisions…

All the car you'll ever need...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SKODA-OCTAVIA-2-OL-FSI-6-SPEED-4X4-ESTATE-VERY-RARE-CAR-ONE-FORMER-KEEPER-/160704305260?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item256ab9186c

Stick to what you know. 4x4 petrol estate. Reliable, perfect for the family, good on fuel.

All the car you'll ever need...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SKODA-OCTAVIA-2-OL-FSI-6-SPEED-4X4-ESTATE-VERY-RARE-CAR-ONE-FORMER-KEEPER-/160704305260?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item256ab9186c

Stick to what you know. 4x4 petrol estate. Reliable, perfect for the family, good on fuel.

Looks good

Shame it's in Yorkshire and I'm in London

It's got me thinking though

I would love a V6 Superb but the tax and insurance are a bit of a stumbling block. I'm starting to seriously think about just modding mine a bit – remap, suspension, get the wheels refurbed and treat it to some new tyres, maybe a built in Sat Nav/audio unit…?

Decisions, decisions…

Yup, that's why the V6s are so cheap.

The mechanical mods may be a good way to go. Note though that mine has sat nav and I prefer to use tomtom on my iPhone 'cos it's a way better system.

Yup, that's why the V6s are so cheap.

The mechanical mods may be a good way to go. Note though that mine has sat nav and I prefer to use tomtom on my iPhone 'cos it's a way better system.

How does it ride with the 4-poster bed in there?

It wont cost as much to mod your car as you would lose by changing cars.

I know they will be a little cramped but 2002-2005 330Ci aren't that high on insurance and the road tax is the same as my 1.6ltr Felly.

Jigger i assume you have researched road tax on cars before 2006. mostly they are £260 or less per year.

or a 330i touring even 325i tourings are okay.

and you won't get much snow in London anyway. i think people on this forum sometimes foreget about the south of England.

How does it ride with the 4-poster bed in there?

Probably less well than it does with just the mattress.

I know they will be a little cramped but 2002-2005 330Ci aren't that high on insurance and the road tax is the same as my 1.6ltr Felly.

Oh yes, the E46 is pretty cramped in the back! (don't be tempted by a 320D before a 2003 plate as they suffer with turbo failures frequently)

and you won't get much snow in London anyway. i think people on this forum sometimes foreget about the south of England.

This was taken during last years snow on the A20 coming out of London (normally a dual carriageway - just about to go under the M25).

We may not get as much snow down south, but we can certainly get enough to park a BMW up in.

I know they will be a little cramped but 2002-2005 330Ci aren't that high on insurance and the road tax is the same as my 1.6ltr Felly.

Jigger i assume you have researched road tax on cars before 2006. mostly they are £260 or less per year.

or a 330i touring even 325i tourings are okay.

Nice idea but a 330ci ain't too practical with the kids. How come you pay £260 tax on a 1.6lt Felly?

Nice idea but a 330ci ain't too practical with the kids. How come you pay £260 tax on a 1.6lt Felly?

An early Mark 2 Octavia is hard, if not impossible to beat for space, value.

Had a Superb 1.9D 130 hp and the engine is/was a cracker. 55 mpg and sparkling performance.

The handling on the mark one Superb I felt was poor but the Mk 5 Golf Octavia is well good and space close to the mark one Superb.

With the current price of diesel fuel and the higher buy price then 1.8T engine is still a good mix of performance and economy I feel ie approx 40 mpg and approx 8 second 0-60 mph.

Had several other makes of cars but Skoda, as they have for the last 15 years, IMO offer the best value new and second hand for small, medium and large family cars and that does not look changing anytime soon.

Edited 31 January, 201214 yr by lol

and you won't get much snow in London anyway. i think people on this forum sometimes foreget about the south of England.

This is taken in Oxted, just south of the M25 near Godstone, december 2010

Hi, the garage I use regularly told me he had to repair lots of Mondeos shock absorbers

Yup, that's why the V6s are so cheap.

The mechanical mods may be a good way to go. Note though that mine has sat nav and I prefer to use tomtom on my iPhone 'cos it's a way better system.

Timing belt change is huge money on that engine.

So, after a not-so-good experience with a Mondeo ST (and a recent look at Baker21's Superb :p ) I've had a rethink. I'll be keeping the Superb but want to throw some money at it – suspension, remap, possible SMF conversion. Does anyone have any sound advice on the best bits and pieces?

I'm looking at the Bilstein B6 and Eibach spring option, but not sure about the SMF. Any advice appreciated

So, after a not-so-good experience with a Mondeo ST (and a recent look at Baker21's Superb :p ) I've had a rethink. I'll be keeping the Superb but want to throw some money at it – suspension, remap, possible SMF conversion. Does anyone have any sound advice on the best bits and pieces?

I'm looking at the Bilstein B6 and Eibach spring option, but not sure about the SMF. Any advice appreciated

However I set it up for a corner it used to be very difficult to stop my remapped V6 Tdi putting what felt like 75% of its weight on the outside front wheel. A quick trip home from work down country roads would make the front shockers very floppy by the time I got home. This may have been partly because of the heavier V6 but might also suggest that roll bar changes might be part of the solution.