What is the long-term reliability like on the V6 engine?

 

Is this an engine that could do, say, 250,000 miles like the straight 6 petrol BMW engines? (assumes it's looked after/well-maintained)

 

Or will there be issues at the 100k mark, etc?

 

Is there even enough data to get a view on this?

 

Love the car Leon, anyway.  

 

H

Just spotted this Leon! I'm quite surprised at the choice, but it looks a great bit of kit

 

Enjoy 

Excellent to read this story, was beginning to think I was mad considering one. Current Yeti 3 yr lease not far off ending, V6 Superb estate looking to be my next Skoda!

Excellent to read this story, was beginning to think I was mad considering one. Current Yeti 3 yr lease not far off ending, V6 Superb estate looking to be my next Skoda!

You won't regret it! I do quite a bit of travelling around cornwall and devon. It's perfect to cross country drives. I thought it might of been a bad idea when I had to drive down a really narrow lane, but the folding mirrors, and direct steering (I wouldn't say its as direct as an RS) makes it much more easier. For some reason I feel more confident in a narrow lane than driving my old Fabia's, maybe that its slightly higher seating position and the fact that if I did have to dive into a muddy side track to let on-coming cars through I would stand a better chance of not getting stuck!

 

Just spotted this Leon! I'm quite surprised at the choice, but it looks a great bit of kit

 

Enjoy 

Odd choice haha! Thanks Steve, it's loads of kit only thing I am worried about is the columbus because it froze today which made me a little frustrated. It was too busy loading and I just wanted it to work! I've been told it's got the latest software though. 

 

What is the long-term reliability like on the V6 engine?

 

Is this an engine that could do, say, 250,000 miles like the straight 6 petrol BMW engines? (assumes it's looked after/well-maintained)

 

Or will there be issues at the 100k mark, etc?

 

Is there even enough data to get a view on this?

 

Love the car Leon, anyway.  

 

H

A family friend has always had Mercedes Benz as his family/ fun cars and was really impressed with my Superb. He said his colleagues all (most) have Vectra's / Insignias Mondeo's and that the director owns a Superb  Elegance too

 

Reliability I have no doubt it will be a great car, solid engine thats also in VW and Porsche with more power - I think this engine will go on for quite some time! I've seen the 2.8 v6's go on for some fair few miles in the mk1 Superb. I'm more worried about the Twindoor setup failing, I never thought I'd use it as much as I do for lifting things out, but only the saloon boot for smaller daily shops etc. The reassuring motor noises make me smile!  

 

It's a bit weird where I work because my direct manager owns a R reg Rover 200. Nothing against their choice at all, but its where people put their money I guess? He smokes a lot, and I don't smoke so I bought a v6! 

Thought I'd share a small update with the car, I've had it for just over 5 weeks now, time seems to have flown by! 

 

Fuel economy seems to be fine and manageable on my day to day commute to work, and driving around the place. I like the fact I can do a 25 mile trip and use no fuel on the maxidot read out! I know this is a lie but it always makes me giggle...it's like driving on air in a gas guzzler!

 

It's comfortable... sometimes too comfy on a long run, I wake up early and try and get myself buzzed up for a busy day at work and by the time I get there It's like i've been calmed back down and could just go back to bed. I've made myself feel a little sea sick while pushing it a bit on some of the a/b roads!

 

MY god it's quick! I am looking into some sort of power increase though I feel that it does like to hold the lower gears - nothing wrong with the sound of the v6 but it just seems like it could do with not holding on to 2nd/3rd for such a long time through town when I know 4th will be fine.

 

Couple of niggles that some of you might know what I'm on about...

 

When I drive from a standstill ie off the lights, or out of a junction it seems to me that the drive train/ wheels move and then the body follows with a creaky / rubbery creak noise - I think this might be the door seals that have dried up?

 

Also when parking sometimes after its been raining the engine mounts sound like they're also creaking? The steering makes a very quick click like a switch when going from left full lock to right?  Something I'm not sure if it's normal for the 4x4 characteristics or its something I should look at? 

 

And the leather - I regularly wipe it down with simonize leather care lotion, and I'm not sure if its helping or not... I like the seats to look tight and new, which most of them do but the drivers seat, it's not got the matt finish like the rest of the seats :( would a new seat base set me back much? 

 

I'm still very happy with my fast luxury Skoda!  

 

right now its very muddy! 

Hey Leon, glad to hear you're still liking the motor

 

On the leather issue, that's a case of it being the wrong product really. With something like that, it's not conditioning the leather, which is what you need to 'feed' it and get into the leather itself. What that product is doing is just coating the top layer, hence the shininess. 

 

I swear by Poorboys Leather Stuff for leather seat care. First couple of times leave it to sit on the seat overnight, and have a microfibre in the car to wipe it down before driving off! Best done when you know the car will be sat for a day, if possible.

 

This will sort the conditioning aspect as well as deal with any grime that needs to come out of the seat - you'll see on the first couple of applications the microfibre you use will be a bit grubby after use! Here's a link but it's available from most detailing places. You also don't use much at all, I've had the same bottle for a few years now:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Poorboys-Leather-Stuff/dp/B004ODBDAA

 

Then once you're sorted and happy with how the seat has come up, you might want to look at a sealant. The nanotech coatings will be perfect for this. They will resist wear to the leather surface as well, which is how they come to be shiny. Also helping to prevent damage/spills etc. I've never used these two on leather, but the Nanolex stuff is superb for coating car mats and other interior surfaces.

 

Gtechniq - L1 Leather Guard: http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/interior/leather-care/gtechniq-l1-leather-guard/prod_1093.html

 

Nanolex Textile & Leather Sealant: http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog/nanolex-textile-and-leather-sealant-cat22.html

 

Hope this helps!

 

Cheers,
Steve

Thanks Steve, thats really helpful! I thought I might of been going wrong somewhere. Looks like thats something else to buy on pay day!  

 

This is what the rain has done to my car, I had to take a detour down a lane where a tractor had left mud all over the road. Grr!

 

No worries mate. Poorboys will sort you out

 

Also, try it on the steering wheel for cleaning - you'll be amazed what comes out of that! Just be sparing with it as you're cleaning, and make very sure it's all removed before driving anywhere

 

Love those country lane shots - least it looks properly dirty - nice and purposeful; looks like you've been competing in a rally

Rally sounds fun! I'm still yet to test the 4x4 out on it properly... it doesn't snow down here often but maybe I can find some more mud! 

If the snow doesn't come to you, go find the snow :P

 

Ski trip? 

Nice update Leon, seems you are having a ball

I've used the GTechniq L1 (and I1) on my seats and it works very well, any dirt just brushes or hoovers off. No experience of Nanolex.

If the snow doesn't come to you, go find the snow :p

 

Ski trip? 

Either that or a trip to the north! 

The wifes Octavia suffered from creaky door seals, it drove us nuts, to the point we took it into the dealers under warranty. They adjusted the doors which cured it for a few weeks but it came back as bad as ever so we just lived with it.

 

I then bought my Superb and it did exactly the same!

 

A little research on here recommended a product called Gummi Pflege so in desperation I gave it a try.

 

I'm glad I did, no more creaky door seals just silence - bliss!

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Einszett-Gummi-Pflege-Car-Rubber-Trim-Restorer-100ml-/200958099743?pt=UK_Car_Accessories_Car_Care_Cleaning&hash=item2eca09411f#ht_751wt_1018

 

Do you think its because we wash our cars so much that the soap dries the rubber out ever so slightly? I've been reading other posts in google and its not just Skoda that have this problem!

Very much so. The wifes Octavia got washed every weekend when it was new. This was when the problem was worst.

 

The car getting older and the arrival of kids meant it became more like once a month and the creaking subsided. Gummi Pfledge finished it off for good!

Id be a little miffed if i had spent 30k plus on a car that creaks after a wash!

Re: MY god it's quick! I am looking into some sort of power increase though I feel that it does like to hold the lower gears - nothing wrong with the sound of the v6 but it just seems like it could do with not holding on to 2nd/3rd for such a long time through town when I know 4th will be fine.

 

The issue is more to do with Torque than power.  If you compare the 170CR to the V6 theTorque of the diesel is far superior in the lower rev band and I have not found anyone yet that has a remap to drop the torque curve lower down the rev range.

 

I too find this a frustration even after 36K  miles. 

Id be a little miffed if i had spent 30k plus on a car that creaks after a wash!

 

It will be like my Jeans and jumpers when the wife's washed them, It's Shrunk

Re: MY god it's quick! I am looking into some sort of power increase though I feel that it does like to hold the lower gears - nothing wrong with the sound of the v6 but it just seems like it could do with not holding on to 2nd/3rd for such a long time through town when I know 4th will be fine.

 

The issue is more to do with Torque than power.  If you compare the 170CR to the V6 theTorque of the diesel is far superior in the lower rev band and I have not found anyone yet that has a remap to drop the torque curve lower down the rev range.

 

I too find this a frustration even after 36K  miles. 

ddyer, have you remapped yours? 

 

I heard a tuned Lexus v6 (I think it was a v6 at least, sounded like one!) drive past with a uprated exhaust and it sounded lovely! 

ddyer, have you remapped yours? 

 

I heard a tuned Lexus v6 (I think it was a v6 at least, sounded like one!) drive past with a uprated exhaust and it sounded lovely! 

I have looked into it a couple of times and due to the fact it is naturally aspirated there is little they can do to really hike power and, more importantly, torque.  Most reckon you can get 10% increase in power and marginal increase in torque, but I want a remap that pushed the torque down the rev range and that is not available as a remap - you need to do a lot more.

 

I think it would have been better if I had the steering wheel paddles giving me more control, but I keep putting it off now that I am used to it and having covered close to 36K miles in it now.  I am still astounded by the realtively good fuel figures it gives on my daily commute - nowhere near a diesel, but impressive for a petrol 3.6 litre engine.

I have looked into it a couple of times and due to the fact it is naturally aspirated there is little they can do to really hike power and, more importantly, torque.  Most reckon you can get 10% increase in power and marginal increase in torque, but I want a remap that pushed the torque down the rev range and that is not available as a remap - you need to do a lot more.

 

I think it would have been better if I had the steering wheel paddles giving me more control, but I keep putting it off now that I am used to it and having covered close to 36K miles in it now.  I am still astounded by the realtively good fuel figures it gives on my daily commute - nowhere near a diesel, but impressive for a petrol 3.6 litre engine.

Yeah, I've been pretty impressed on the fuel usage, I can drive quite far on £20 worth of fuel and still give it a few squirts when I want to go a little quicker. 

 

I haven't noticed too much difference to driving my 2.0 tsi in the way it drinks. It can sip when your following a steady flow of traffic. 

 

It's more to enhance the sound of the car with a new exhaust system I've seen a few on youtube. I'd like to lower it ever so slightly just for aesthetics as the car handles very well for the size. 

Another photo of my posh eastern european limo! :P 

 

Not sure whether I dream this but I am convinced the V6 engine runs smoother and better using Esso fuel.  I have tried all combinations but Esso seems to suit the car - interested if others have views on fuel/performance/smoothness.

Only just seen this, very nice car Leon!

Not sure whether I dream this but I am convinced the V6 engine runs smoother and better using Esso fuel.  I have tried all combinations but Esso seems to suit the car - interested if others have views on fuel/performance/smoothness.

Thats funny because in just over the 2 years I have had mine only used Esso twice, both times car felt less smooth especially at idle where it was a little lumpy.

Normally run on Shell and often Super unleaded, at first I could tell the difference, now no diff on reg or super, other then slightly better MPG on the Super.

Also runs fine on BP fuels, never tried Supermarket fuel.