Hello,

 

I am planning to buy Skoda Superb since I first saw it back in 2008 and now after FL is present I just love it J and the best part is that I can afford buying it J. My questions are here related more to 1.8 TSI 160PS motor (eventually 4x4), but any information related to 2.0 TDI 170 PS (in comparison) will be much appreciated. I saw some threads here where for 1.8 TSI are very positive things mentioned and If I double some thread/s, I apologies.

So, my questions/concerns are:

1.    How punchy is the Superb with 1.8 TSI motor (sedan 1,496 kg or estate 1,518 kg) when fully loaded (5 people and trunk) and most important AC ON (someone told me that AC could take up to 30 % of your power when ON)? Will I be able to take over without hustle?

2.    What if the car is 1.8 TSI 4x4  (fully loaded plus AC ON, sedan or estate)?

3.    How is estate holding on highway vs sedan in high speed?

4.    How is estate holding in mountain roads vs sedan (is there any difference in suspension by default. I know that for different countries it differ)?

5.    If the Superb is fully loaded and I have uphill’s and downhill’s (and I am on six speed) will cruise control hold the speed (around 120 – 140 km/h) without any issue?

 

Any other information will be appreciated. Of course any comparison between (TDI 170ps  and TSI 160 ps ) in the above context will be highly appreciated as well.

Thank you in advance for all input.

 

Best Regards,
George

Hi George, 

 

I brought a 1.8TSI twindoor earlier this year. I came from a 2.0 TDI 140 Octavia estate. Earlier this year I took my twindoor on a small holiday; 3 of us but with a boot full of heavy stuff as had been to a cash and carry. Still pulled well but needed a little more gearbox stirring when off boost. 

 

I have found it to be a much more flexible engine; it is happier in the lower rev range and the power holds on till right the end of the rev ranges. Third gear is good from 25-85MPH and pulls hard from around 38-40MPH. I find I need to stir the gearbox slightly more at motorway speeds if the speed drops and I need to overtake. However, I generally find myself using 1st, 3rd and 6th gear the most for 90% of the conditions.

 

I find the 1.8TSi is a nicer handler and once locked onto a line it holds it. There is no minimal understeer as the engine mass is significantly lower and so doesn't want to pull the nose out. 

 

Test drive both and see how they work out for you.

Hi, I recently test drove both the TDI 170 with DSG-6 4x4 and the 1.8TSI 160PS DSG-7 and my choice was the silk smooth and quite 1.8TSI all day long ... as it also was a lot cheaper to start of with in the Drivers Edition package we have here in Sweden. Our first longer drive was this weekend and we ran 135-140 km/h on the Danish highways and it was just a joy, good torque that make the engine pull strongly in any gear ...

As Nathanio say, try them both before making your mind up ...

 

Have a nice evening!

Hi George, 

 

I brought a 1.8TSI twindoor earlier this year. I came from a 2.0 TDI 140 Octavia estate. Earlier this year I took my twindoor on a small holiday; 3 of us but with a boot full of heavy stuff as had been to a cash and carry. Still pulled well but needed a little more gearbox stirring when off boost. 

 

I have found it to be a much more flexible engine; it is happier in the lower rev range and the power holds on till right the end of the rev ranges. Third gear is good from 25-85MPH and pulls hard from around 38-40MPH. I find I need to stir the gearbox slightly more at motorway speeds if the speed drops and I need to overtake. However, I generally find myself using 1st, 3rd and 6th gear the most for 90% of the conditions.

 

I find the 1.8TSi is a nicer handler and once locked onto a line it holds it. There is no minimal understeer as the engine mass is significantly lower and so doesn't want to pull the nose out. 

 

Test drive both and see how they work out for you.

Thanks for the info Nathanio. What about the AC? Was your switched ON when you were fully loaded. I am asking because of the memo i done in my initial post i.e. this could take 20-30% from the engine power. 

Edited 29 October, 201312 yr by rendeto

Hi, I recently test drove both the TDI 170 with DSG-6 4x4 and the 1.8TSI 160PS DSG-7 and my choice was the silk smooth and quite 1.8TSI all day long ... as it also was a lot cheaper to start of with in the Drivers Edition package we have here in Sweden. Our first longer drive was this weekend and we ran 135-140 km/h on the Danish highways and it was just a joy, good torque that make the engine pull strongly in any gear ...

As Nathanio say, try them both before making your mind up ...

 

Have a nice evening!

Hello AndersNordh. Thank you for the information provided as well. Yes, we have some mixed package here as well (called Business) and we have 2200 euro difference petrol/diesel. Since i am doing max 10 000 km per year i would say 1.8 TSI is my engine but i will try them both.

When you had that journey was you fully loaded? What about AC ON/OFF?

How is the overtake then (loaded and AC ON)? 

I have to say that driving 170 HP 4x4 turbo diesel with DSG and 1.8tsi 4x4 with manual gearbox will give slightly different impressions. In the reviews 1.8tsi is praised when combined with DSG 7 (and 7 gears gives possibility to compensate relatively low torque, which is 250 Nm. From other hand - range is impressive 1500-4500 rpm). So if I would go for 1.8tsi, I would take it only with DSG. With manual transmission you will need to shift though gears quite often if driving with full load. 

 

All in all - I would go for a diesel. Additional 100 Nm worth trying. 

 

Also what you could do - to compare elasticity figures. I wonder if it is big difference or not. 

 

My dealer send me for 170 4x4 DSG version:

 

Elasticity 60-100 kph 5/6    9,0/13,6 s

Elasticity 80-120 kph 5/6    9,1/11,9 s

 

Also I am not sure if really AC takes 30% of power. I would say 5-10%?

Hello AndersNordh. Thank you for the information provided as well. Yes, we have some mixed package here as well (called Business) and we have 2200 euro difference petrol/diesel. Since i am doing max 10 000 km per year i would say 1.8 TSI is my engine but i will try them both.

When you had that journey was you fully loaded? What about AC ON/OFF?

How is the overtake then (loaded and AC ON)? 

 

Hi "rendeto"!

 

Well, with the weight of three adults in the car and the climate control in auto mode I had plenty of torque to play with. During some overtaking it changed from 7th to 6th gear but the turbo kicks in immediately and at least give me every bit of power I ask for. Doubt that the AC pump was really working since the weather gave us all the cool air we need ... but as I said, it was on auto ...

 

Have a nice day!

I have to say that driving 170 HP 4x4 turbo diesel with DSG and 1.8tsi 4x4 with manual gearbox will give slightly different impressions. In the reviews 1.8tsi is praised when combined with DSG 7 (and 7 gears gives possibility to compensate relatively low torque, which is 250 Nm. From other hand - range is impressive 1500-4500 rpm). So if I would go for 1.8tsi, I would take it only with DSG. With manual transmission you will need to shift though gears quite often if driving with full load. 

 

All in all - I would go for a diesel. Additional 100 Nm worth trying. 

 

Also what you could do - to compare elasticity figures. I wonder if it is big difference or not. 

 

My dealer send me for 170 4x4 DSG version:

 

Elasticity 60-100 kph 5/6    9,0/13,6 s

Elasticity 80-120 kph 5/6    9,1/11,9 s

 

Also I am not sure if really AC takes 30% of power. I would say 5-10%?

Hello,

 

Thanks for the input. Unfortunately the low mileage, high initial cost and high maintenance for the diesel put me off . I am aware of the more Nm ( drove diesel for 6 years) but mentioned everything so far it does not make sense for me even though i am going to drive 170 PS diesel as sell as my last final option if I do not feel that TSI is my engine.

Regarding the 0-60:

(sedan) is: 8.2 (1.8 TSI)

(estate) is: 8.3 (1.8 TSI)

 

Strange here is that if i add 4x4 to both from above, according official documentation, i will have to add only 0.2s to the acceleration from 0-60 which is strange for me (with estate and 4x4 you add more than 100 kg additional weight here).

I am also not sure how the manufactures measure those figures (special tires, less fuel, in lab not i normal road, etc)

Hi "rendeto"!

 

Well, with the weight of three adults in the car and the climate control in auto mode I had plenty of torque to play with. During some overtaking it changed from 7th to 6th gear but the turbo kicks in immediately and at least give me every bit of power I ask for. Doubt that the AC pump was really working since the weather gave us all the cool air we need ... but as I said, it was on auto ...

 

Have a nice day!

Hi Anders,

 

Appreciate the info.  What about uphill's  with load on it. How the TSI performs then? Have you tested it?

 

Thanks.

George

Something i noticed in other thread in this forum that some people compared new Octavia III Estate with Superb Estate and stated that Octavia lags only in leg room space compared to Superb. Rear passenger space (shoulder to shoulder) for two or three adults is with no difference. Also the boot of the new Octy is 610 which bigger than Superb twin-door and with marginal difference with Superb Estate 610L against 633L.

Is there anyone who tested both and can compare.

Also i was looking on 1.8 TSI (on Octavia) 180 PS - how much is different this engine compared to 1.8 160PS on Superb?

 

Regards,

George

rendeto - I would not pay so much attention to 0-60 times. You can have pretty decent acceleration to 60 with good transmission ratios...but the car will not perform in elasticity. 

 

Before Volvo I've had Saab 9-5 Aero with 260 HP / 380 Nm. It was doing below 0-60 below 7 sec. My current Volvo has 225 HP / 460 Nm and does around 8 sec. But it is and feels so much faster in normal driving conditions, when you are not drag racing, but overtaking trucks on country roads or accelerating in highway from 60 to 160 (km/h ). 

 

+0.2sec for 4x4 weight looks normal to me. Better traction compensates the weight. In cars with stronger engines 0-60 times are better with AWD despite of weight gain.

 

If you considering Octavia III - go for Rs. Looks stunning, has to offer 220 HP (why it is so difficult to find torque numbers these days???) and IS fast. 

 

By the way - if you will go for turbo-petrol - do not forget to cool down turbo after periods of sporty driving. It prolong its life.

Edited 29 October, 201312 yr by LS108

Something i noticed in other thread in this forum that some people compared new Octavia III Estate with Superb Estate and stated that Octavia lags only in leg room space compared to Superb. Rear passenger space (shoulder to shoulder) for two or three adults is with no difference. Also the boot of the new Octy is 610 which bigger than Superb twin-door and with marginal difference with Superb Estate 610L against 633L.

Is there anyone who tested both and can compare.

Also i was looking on 1.8 TSI (on Octavia) 180 PS - how much is different this engine compared to 1.8 160PS on Superb?

 

Regards,

George

 

The 160ps engine usually makes closer to 175 on the dyno. Remap it and you have over 210ps and close to 350nm of torque.

The 160ps engine usually makes closer to 175 on the dyno. Remap it and you have over 210ps and close to 350nm of torque.

 

... would be careful with remapping if connected to a DSG though ...

Hi Anders,

 

Appreciate the info.  What about uphill's  with load on it. How the TSI performs then? Have you tested it?

 

Thanks.

George

 

Hmmm, can't really say ... we do not have much hills where I come from, not any worth mentioning as hills anyway ... ;-)

rendeto - I would not pay so much attention to 0-60 times. You can have pretty decent acceleration to 60 with good transmission ratios...but the car will not perform in elasticity. 

 

Before Volvo I've had Saab 9-5 Aero with 260 HP / 380 Nm. It was doing below 0-60 below 7 sec. My current Volvo has 225 HP / 460 Nm and does around 8 sec. But it is and feels so much faster in normal driving conditions, when you are not drag racing, but overtaking trucks on country roads or accelerating in highway from 60 to 160 (km/h ). 

 

+0.2sec for 4x4 weight looks normal to me. Better traction compensates the weight. In cars with stronger engines 0-60 times are better with AWD despite of weight gain.

 

If you considering Octavia III - go for Rs. Looks stunning, has to offer 220 HP (why it is so difficult to find torque numbers these days???) and IS fast. 

 

By the way - if you will go for turbo-petrol - do not forget to cool down turbo after periods of sporty driving. It prolong its life.

Valid point about overtaking trucks on country roads or accelerating in highway from 60 to 160 and elasticity. If the TSI 160PS is very close to 170 PS TDI on the DYNO (as micloi said )is there a test for the elasticity comparing both engines? Does anyone know?

Regarding RS - i looked on this one as well, but the suspension will be too hard for the roads here and i am pretty sure my wife will not trade the more comfort for the speed and elasticity .

So, i would rather searching for the equilibrium here good elasticity and enough power when needed.

So, if i decide for petrol 160 TSI would it be then 4x4 better (except fuel consumption). What about elasticity and heavier car?

Edited 29 October, 201312 yr by rendeto

Valid point about overtaking trucks on country roads or accelerating in highway from 60 to 160 and elasticity. If the TSI 160PS is very close to 170 PS TDI on the DYNO (as micloi said )is there a test for the elasticity comparing both engines? Does anyone know?

 

So, if i decide for petrol 160 TSI would it be then 4x4 better (except fuel consumption). What about elasticity and heavier car?

 

Usually elasticity is measured in acceleration 60-100 and 80-120 in 5/6 gears. But from other hand - if you go for DSG box - then 80-120 acceleration in auto mode will be though more gears than just staying at 5th and waiting

 

Regarding 4x4 - at least in our market it comes ONLY with manual gearbox. So it is up to you to decide - if it is ok for you. I personally have chosen 4x4 almost without thinking (on 170 HP tdi) - 5-6 months on snow/ice is a good argument.

Thanks for the info Nathanio. What about the AC? Was your switched ON when you were fully loaded. I am asking because of the memo i done in my initial post i.e. this could take 20-30% from the engine power. 

 

Yes it was, it was raining (temperature was in the high teens 17-18°c) but with the AC on set to 20°c or so to keep the screen clear of condensation. 

 

I find the overtaking easier in the TSI than in my TDI due to the fact you can hang on to the gears for longer. This really makes life easier. You still need to be in the appropriate gear for the conditions regardless of engine. 

 

As I said; try both (with same type of transmission; DSG or manual) and see how you get on. 

 

In the UK they have removed the 1.8TSi option from the Octavia III :-( You also can't get the 1.8TSi in the Superb without DSG :-(

Yes it was, it was raining (temperature was in the high teens 17-18°c) but with the AC on set to 20°c or so to keep the screen clear of condensation. 

 

I find the overtaking easier in the TSI than in my TDI due to the fact you can hang on to the gears for longer. This really makes life easier. You still need to be in the appropriate gear for the conditions regardless of engine. 

 

As I said; try both (with same type of transmission; DSG or manual) and see how you get on. 

 

In the UK they have removed the 1.8TSi option from the Octavia III :-( You also can't get the 1.8TSi in the Superb without DSG :-(

Here i can get Octavia 1.8 TSI 180PS 4x4 DSG6 and manual (FW) and I can get Superb with 1.8 160PS FW (manual or DSG) and 4x4 only manual.

I will test it for sure. Does the 1.8 TSI on Superb has any difference with same 1.8 TSI on previous Octavia, because i think that my local dealer does not have (at the moment) Superb 1.8 to test?

The 160ps engine usually makes closer to 175 on the dyno. Remap it and you have over 210ps and close to 350nm of torque.

I've had mine (completely standard) on the Dyno at a Dutch Skoda meeting. It had 186 PS    and 258 Nm torque (limited to save the DSG).

I've had mine (completely standard) on the Dyno at a Dutch Skoda meeting. It had 186 PS    and 258 Nm torque (limited to save the DSG).

A 186PS from standard 1.8 TSI and 258 Nm? I thought that standard values are 160PS and 250 Nm for this engine, If i am not mistaken? 

Edited 31 October, 201312 yr by rendeto

They always come out more powerful than the standard rating for some reason. That's also usually the case for the 1.2 and 1.4 tsi engines

They always come out more powerful than the standard rating for some reason. That's also usually the case for the 1.2 and 1.4 tsi engines

Hm, interesting. Did not know that. Thanks for the info.

I have the 1.8 TSI and I have to say the engine is brilliant, quiet, smooth, very flexible and economical. Generally once I get to 40mph I stick it in 6th and leave it there unless I need to overtake. On the motorway, even with the family on board, a full boot and a roof box it still pulls well in sixth, but when you need to shift it really flies. 

I have the 1.8 TSI and I have to say the engine is brilliant, quiet, smooth, very flexible and economical. Generally once I get to 40mph I stick it in 6th and leave it there unless I need to overtake. On the motorway, even with the family on board, a full boot and a roof box it still pulls well in sixth, but when you need to shift it really flies. 

Thank for the info man. I generally will be doing more miles on the Highway, but just wondering if it is fully loaded and i have to overtake how it is going to perform especially if AC is ON in parallel. If only downshifting is fine with this engine i think that this is no issue at all.

Who the he.. told you that AC would eat up that much HP?

I would say 2, maybe 3%.....ABSOLUTELY MAX!

(although i have no facts to back this up, and i can't be bothered to google it)

Edited 5 November, 201312 yr by mureren