I'm looking to change my 2005 1.9 PD Octavia hatch and an 2009 ish Superb Combi CR170 looks like it might fit the bill as a replacement as well as a very nice upgrade.

The only other options would be older models of the A6 3.0 TDI or the BMW 530D (No point in paying for a premium brand name unless you're getting a lot more engine than the Skodas have), but they're so rare in Ireland that even finding a test drive is a serious quest in itself.

My main worry though is that while the Octy II has just enough ground clearance to not touch down on forest roads and the ridiculous speed bumps around here, the longer wheelbase (175 mm extra I believe) and 1-2 mm less ground clearance on the Superb may cause problems.

I had an Mark I Octy before this and it touched down on everything while the 25 mm higher Octy II is just high enough. With 5 people, their biking gear and a trailer it touches down between the wheels on one speed bump I have to go over. The part that touches is a plastic cover hanging below the rest of the bottom of the car thankfully - nothing structural, but I don't want worse than this.

Has anyone had experience of whether the Superb touches down more than the Octy on back roads and speed bumps?

Also will the 15" alloys I use for winter tyres on the Octavia fit the Superb or will it only take 16"s? The tyre diameter is the same on the Octy and Superb.

Is the rear suspension on the combi stiffer than the hatchback by any chance? That would help with the laden ride height. Apologies for the long post...

Don't get a Greenline, mine regularly grounds out on the humps near me. Its the first car I have had that does this.

Can't help with the ride height other that I have never had mine bottom out (not much help I know)

Unfortunately you are going to need 16" wheels to clear the breaks on a 170, I Stanton to be corrected but I thought they started building RHD combi's is early 2010.

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Don't get a Greenline, mine regularly grounds out on the humps near me. Its the first car I have had that does this.

The green line package includes lowered suspension.

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There is an option on some European/Asian markets for bad roads making clearance 158 mm instead of standard 138 (at least in my country we have a choice between these 2).

Lifted car looks uglier though, I have to admit having one. Just make a query if "bad road" option is available in your location.

If I was buying the car new I'd be definitely looking at this, but my budget only stretches to something a couple of years old, so the only way I'd get this is by having the good fortune to find one with this spec for sale. If it's a matter of changing the springs then it might be something to do after buying though.

 

There's one section of road locally that the Octy I touched down all over the place on even at Idle in 1st, while the Octy II just drives through at normal speed without touching anywhere, so if the Superb makes it down this road cleanly I'll know it's high enough. I just need to find a dealer locally who'll let me try this - it's a bit out of town ...

Edited 9 October, 201312 yr by psycholist

Is the rear suspension on the combi stiffer than the hatchback by any chance? That would help with the laden ride height. Apologies for the long post...

I'm fairly certain that they use the same springs.

I've always been surprised at how low my Combi sits at the back versus the front, even with the boot empty. I've put this down to the spare wheel and detachable towbar (which is not light). However, four up to France with about 70kg of luggage, a 16kg mobility scooter and 75kg of bikes/bike rack hanging off the towbar, and it cleared the middle underside on some very vicious speed bumps but did scuff the bottom of the towbar if I went to fast. I hope that's of some help.

get the 4x4, it is 2cm higher

On the Superb? Really? I always thought they were the same height.

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