Hi, 

 

I'm not yet an owner but I'm looking to buy a Superb in the next month or so. I was planning to look at one today but after reading some horror stories it seems I should avoid the Mk 1 2.0 140 TDI like the plague. I know there's a general rule that more people complain than say they are happy but I've come across this before and ignored it to my peril (Had a Saab 9-5 with the notorious oil strainer problem, didn't bother with the sump drop to fix it in time, and it died from oil starvation.) So the question is - how scared of this problem should I be?

 

Also it seems the only problems I can find are the one above and the cars filling up with water because of the pollen filter which doesn't bother me if it can be prevented (I've learnt my lesson about preventative measures!) so are there any other problems I should be looking for?

They are the two biggest issues TBH, you are right to avoid the 140 like the plague… no matter how cheap it may be.

 

As for the water ingress ask the question if the filter housing has been sealed up… then check ALL the electrics work for yourself, if they don’t may cause you a headache later on and spoil the ownership of what is otherwise a good car.

The water ingress problem requires two modifications - the removal of the bungs under the battery tray and brake servo and the replacement of the open cell foam outer pollen filter holder seal with mastic strip (see VAG Technical Service Bulletin). The seal which needs replacing is not the one you can see when you remove the pollen filter element.

 

Unless both changes are made, there will be trouble. Many cars are modified after ingress but this is useless as the damage to the wiring connectors, loom nodes and CCM will already be done. A car which has ever been wet will never be a reliable long term proposition - water based electrolytic corrosion can take years to develop to the point of component failure. Fixing the random faults is infuriating and will cause an otherwise good vehicle to be scrapped.

 

Never, ever consider a 2.0PD - simple as that. The 1.9 with a 5 speed manual transmission is the only Superb worth having now. All of the others either have serious potential problems or stupidly high taxation and running costs. These cars are bangers now - so bangernomic rules apply.

 

Find a really good 1.9PD (AWX engine is the best) and fully address the design c o c k ups and you potentially have a comfortable cruiser which will run for starship miles and cost peanuts in fuel. Avoid dealers at all costs - if you can't fix it, use a good Independent.

 

rotodiesel.

Edited 14 September, 201312 yr by rotodiesel