Just brought a l&k combi

[halflife1973]

Hi all,

I have been driving around in a 2009 170 twin door elegance for the last 3 years 50k miles and decided that it was time to replace.

I have looked over the last 3 months at BMW 5 and 3 series, C and E class, A4's Passats, Mondeo's etc etc. every time I looked I found something I didn't like. 3 series and C classes did not have enough room in them. Spec for my budget too low on E class and 5 series. Closest I came to what I wanted was the Passat sport estate to be honest but in the end I decided I like my superb so much I should just get another one and just spec it differently.

Missed out on a 6 month old l&k combi at Alex Lauri in Liverpool a couple of weeks ago but finally found a replacement, 6 months old 9k miles, DSG 170 black which I collect on Thursday. Sure I will get some comments about the brown interior on here but I love the brown leather, not 100% convinced on the brown dash and steering wheel but love the spec of the car and excited about picking it up.

One question I have is have Skoda got rid of the hard drive in the Columbus. Playing around with the car yesterday and I could not seem to find it?

Will upload some pics when I have collected.

[mannyo]

The HDD is still in the columbus, it shows as grey until some music is copied on.

[Brockysuperb]

The book says it's a 50Gb HDD. But if the maps are up to date 32Gb of this is SatNav data. Still 18 GB is good for a couple of thousand tracks. I'm sure you know this as a previous owner, but Columbus uses folders and file names to list the files, not metadata. So to save yourself doing it twice if you like to be tidy, name all music files with the same convention such as folder for album and then artist name-track name before loading. Esp as it takes an hour plus to load a few hundred tracks.

[halflife1973]

Well I picked her up today. Very pleased.

Seems quieter and smoother than my 170 elegance manual but that might just be down to the lower mileage. Cannot find anywhere to set the aspect ratio of the Tv but not had chance to play yet, the picture fills the screen but the top and bottom area if the picture is cropped. Also, it would have been good to be able to display the DAB radio channels while driving, you can see them on the dash but not on the main Columbus screen because it thinks you are watching TV I guess and does not want you playing while driving.

Comes with foot rests for the back that Velcro to the mats, not sure I will ever use them to be honest, my twin door never had them.

My favourite thing though that I never had in my Elegance is be sun roof with electric blind, it's really nice turning the AC off and letting a bit of light and air through the roof.

[adamal]

Nice one mate, I've longingly looked at the l&k superb for a while, they are serious bit of luxury kit and the estate is a cracking looking car. I even really like the brown. Don't forget some pictures and to update the car in your signature!!

Adam

[smiffy64]

Yep, I am also very pleased with my brown L&K with brown interior, despite what people on forums and others say without actually sitting in it.

I also think the panoramic sunroof is great. The electric tailgate I have on mine is also being appreciated.

What do you think of the upgraded hi-fi. Can you compare it favourably with other cars or even your last Superb?

For me, the TV is a 'nice to have'

Park Assist...I have not used it yet.

As with all Superb Combi, I suspect that the most used and appreciated bit of kit is the parking sensor system. I do not think I could live with the car if it did not have it.

Hope you enjoy your car.

[Always time for a car]

Saw my first brown L&K a couple of days ago and looked fantastic in the flesh. Pictures put me off , wish I has seen one when ordering but they had just been announced then. Enjoy your new car, Love the toys!

[halflife1973]

What do you think of the upgraded hi-fi. Can you compare it favourably with other cars or even your last Superb?

Hifi is an improvement. I am not one for playing music really loud in the car so cannot comment on what it is like when you ramp the volume up really loud.

I only had a couple of complaints on my twin door (they must have been fairly minor as I went and purchased another superb), the Bluetooth that would only connect on rsap, fixed that with new Bluetooth module, rattle from parcel shelf which I never fully fixed and the stereo which always sounded a little flat. There is an amp in the back ofmthe L&K and a couple of extra speakers in the doors, subtle improvement but I am no longer unhappy with the stereo so it gets a thumbs up from me.

Edited 5 April, 2013 by halflife1973

[ashfan]

I'm still looking to replace my Honda Accord and paid a visit to Alex Lawrie myself today looking for a Superb. Have to say that I was mightily impressed with the efficiency and politeness of the staff there.

Unfortunately they didn't have the car I'm looking for at the moment, just a manual maroon Elegance, nice car though. I'm after a DSG Elegance with as many toys as possible, but I did have a drive of an Octavia with DSG box and very impressed with the box. The salesman tempted me with an L&K Octavia estate with the possibility of fitting the Kenwood head unit that he had coming in soon. I might have a look at it when he gets back in touch.

[milesunder]

Pick up my L&K 4x4 170 estate today at 4pm and I can't wait. Getting it used from Startin Skoda. They have been brilliant. Mine is brown with a brown interior and a lot of people when I show them the exterior pictures think its black .

I hope the 10 speaker ss will be better than the standard setup. In my Octy I went from a Stream to Bolero and then to a Columbus and I must admit I found the sound quality from the Bolero to be the best out of the three of them. I think this might of been because that was its primary role as opposed to the Columbus being a jack of all trades device. So with the Columbus outsourcing to the extra Amp I am hoping for a better sound Quailty. I have my CD collection on standby.

[smiffy64]

as opposed to the Columbus being a jack of all trades device.

I think you may have a point there. A bit like hi-fi in general where a dedicated cd player and amp separates combo most always out performs an all in one.

I am not sure about the quality of the Columbus. Depending on the source CD it can sound a bit too bass heavy with some songs rattling the speakers in the doors. Other times it sounds a bit lifeless and flat.

Generally for a car HI-FI it is fine. Especially when you can stuff a hard drive and a SD card with thousands of songs and no CDs clogging up the cubby holes.

The only problem I have with metallic brown is that it starts to look dirty very soon after washing. Also I picked up two paint chips in the first week of ownership and the base paint is brilliant white. I shudder to think how the car will look in thee years time. Glad I bought the extra large bottle of touch up paint.

[Huwcymru]

I was surprised to see a musician on this forum say he had the bass turned up & the treble turned down as it was the only way to get a good sound. As an audiophile most of my gear has no tone controls i.e. it is set flat & should sound the way the engineers intended.

I must admit in my L & K I have reduced treble and increased bass - a first for me - but the system then sounds pretty good - my iPod is set flat on the equalizer - this setting seems OK for radio, CD, Sd et al.

[halflife1973]

I'm still looking to replace my Honda Accord and paid a visit to Alex Lawrie myself today looking for a Superb. Have to say that I was mightily impressed with the efficiency and politeness of the staff there.

Unfortunately they didn't have the car I'm looking for at the moment, just a manual maroon Elegance, nice car though. I'm after a DSG Elegance with as many toys as possible, but I did have a drive of an Octavia with DSG box and very impressed with the box. The salesman tempted me with an L&K Octavia estate with the possibility of fitting the Kenwood head unit that he had coming in soon. I might have a look at it when he gets back in touch.

Which salesman were you dealing with? I went to look at a 170 l&k there about 3 weeks ago but they sold it 20 mins before I got there. Still they were good enough to give me a go in it, (hope if the current owner is on here that they don't mind, I was very careful honest) they got hold of a 140 l&k 4x4 for me that I was supposed to go and see last weekend, but then I found the 2wd version with the 170 motor which was what was really after at Simpsons in Preston.

I am yet to find an unhelpful Skoda dealer to be honest, sure, they all have people of differing levels of professionalism in them but on the whole I have been very pleased with every Skoda dealer I have been to. I would very much liked to have brought the car from Mitchell Skoda in Elsemsere Port who sold me my last Superb, and have been brilliant and have a Great shown room, free drinks, food, Internet etc and they will wash the car for free for you every Saturday that you own the car, but unfortunately they never had the car I was looking for. I still have a service plan with them for my last car and would like them to service this one so I am going to see about getting it swapped over.

[ashfan]

The first person I spoke to was the main man himself Alex Lawrie, but I think the salesmans name was Paul but a young lad whose desk was by the front window took me out in the Octavia, can`t remember his name though.

I told him my absolute maximum budget was £13000 but he`s managed to talk me into going back in soon to see a £14500 car when it comes in. He told me to bring my cheque book with me because I will love the car and he`s probably right. Got any haggling tips?

[rolifantje]

The first person I spoke to was the main man himself Alex Lawrie, but I think the salesmans name was Paul but a young lad whose desk was by the front window took me out in the Octavia, can`t remember his name though.

I told him my absolute maximum budget was £13000 but he`s managed to talk me into going back in soon to see a £14500 car when it comes in. He told me to bring my cheque book with me because I will love the car and he`s probably right. Got any haggling tips?

Tell him you will sign before you leave if he knocks down the price by £500.

[halflife1973]

The first person I spoke to was the main man himself Alex Lawrie, but I think the salesmans name was Paul but a young lad whose desk was by the front window took me out in the Octavia, can`t remember his name though.

I told him my absolute maximum budget was £13000 but he`s managed to talk me into going back in soon to see a £14500 car when it comes in. He told me to bring my cheque book with me because I will love the car and he`s probably right. Got any haggling tips?

I was always taught that when negotiating both parties need to feel they have won something. I got £500 off the car but I agreed to collect it before the end of their financial month. Also agreed to take spare wheel out of my car along with brolly from door. collecting before the end of their financial month Makes no real difference to me but made their figures better for March. So my only tip would be that you don't have to win everything just get the things that are most important to you.

My other tip would be, it's only money, I am sure you worked hard for it so try and have what will still make you feel good about your purchase in 6 months time.

Edited 6 April, 2013 by halflife1973

[halflife1973]

Tell him you will sign before you leave if he knocks down the price by £500.

Good tip, they know that as soon as you leave you are likely to find another car.

[ashfan]

Only £500? I was hoping for a bit more lol

[milesunder]

Only £500? I was hoping for a bit more lol

I only managed to get £750 off my L&K. This was pretty much the most any dealer would reduce their screen price by and I tried four different dealers.

Btw got my L&K yesterday. Drove it back from Worcester and I have to say the ride quality was brilliant and the sound system was excellant. Glad I bought it.

[ashfan]

Thats all good to know thanks. I suppose a lot will depend on what he offers me for my Accord although it doesn`t really matter as I`ll just sell it privately if the offer isn`t that good.

BTW, Halflife is that your car for sale at Simpsons in Preston?

[Noddy90]

As an audiophile most of my gear has no tone controls i.e. it is set flat & should sound the way the engineers intended.

Good point. BUT the mastering engineers have no conception of the acoustic environment the music will be played in, nor the equipment it will be played on. All they can do is provide the highest quality baseline which will work most of the time for most people in most situations. I find that a little (or a lot of) equalisation is usually essential to making music sound "sweet", and I equalise differently in the car to in the house etc. Plus: my ears and tastes are different to the mastering engineer's; I would hate to be limited to what his priorities are.

[halflife1973]

Ashfan, yes its for sale. Currently with my private plate but it is in the process of being transfered. Top car band been well looked after if anyone is interested in it

[ashfan]

I would be tempted but I'm ideally looking for car with DSG otherwise I would be on my way to Preston to have a look

[darwinjake]

I was looking for a 170 l&k estate as an ex demonstrator budget was around 25k but I managed to get a new one for 21 plus vat which is to my spec (storm blue, elec tailgate etc).

Glad I didn't go for an ex demonstrator as it would be in that horrid brown.

Why can't do the same coo

[darwinjake]

Sorry fat fingers

Why can't skoda do the same colours throughout the range