Looks like this will be the death nell for our '05 Superb Elegance with a mere 65k on the clock. Just been outside to find that the front driver side suspension spring has sheared about half way down. The two halves are resting on each other and by all accounts has been like this for the last 20-30 miles or so. I can't tell in the dark, but I'm guessing that that side is now sat a few inches lower than normal.

 

It feels like the car is falling apart due to old age and I'm really doubting if it's worth perservering with this one - shame, we quite like it.

 

I'm assuming that we should replace both fronts as a pair? What kind of cost should I expect?

Its good practice to replace springs in pairs,i wouldnt of thought a 2005 car with only 65,000miles on it would be falling to pieces/worn out,i wouldnt be getting rid of it just because it has a broken spring. 

Well maybe somewhat overstated, but we've had a spate of bits breaking in quick succession (and I do understand that some of these are consumables) including alternator pulley, alternator itself, battery, leaking door card, along with a passenger wing mirror with a life of its own and "brake light warning" both when damp outside.

Had to do the same to SWMBO Seat earlier this year. That cost £200 for both sides inc parts & labour and vat. The RAC had to tow us in as the suspension had dropped quite a bit and he recommended getting both sides done as the remaining spring wouldn't be as stiff as a new one so it could affect ride height and handling.

A spring is only £35 or so, easy enough to change too DIY and not expensive to pay someone to do it - assuming your pinch bolt is not seized otherwise it might get expensive. What an older Superb needs is a handy DIY owner, as parts are usually not expensive, and it is the labour element of the cost that is a killer on a car only worth a couple of grand really, unless a very late very desirable spec of course. Good news is that most procedures are directly related to B5 and B5.5 Passat and there is a lot of info in the DUY community on the worldwide web!