Hello, potential new owner here.

I am thinking of getting a facelift Superb estate, elegance, used, 140 diesel, manual.

I have an old a6 avant at the moment and would really appreciate any thoughts/pointers/things to consider etc.

Thanks

Welcome

I think you will get more answers in the superb section

I'll move this thread there for you

Here you'll get a totally biased view as the general tone is love for the model! However many forums complain about this common failure or that common failure. There isn't much of that on here which is a good sign for the overall quality of the car.

 

I would strongly recommend getting along to a dealer and trying one for yourself.

 

To sign off, mine is the best car I've ever had. (but the only Audi I've driven was a 1972 Audi 100!)

Welcome! Can't comment specifically on the combi but like 100andthirty I would highly recommend one.  I am on my second Superb (last was elegance) and you won't go far wrong in terms of comfort spec and space - there is lots of it!!! Speaking of spec I think you will be pleasantly surprised by the standard kit on the elegance model.  Bi-xenons, leather, heated seats, sat nav etc etc.  No real underlying issues to speak of - no brand will ever be 100% faultless of course.  I compared Audi to Skoda a lot before I purchased my last Superb, as I very nearly switched to Audi and the build quality is every bit as equal and I would say better! Go for the 170bhp if you can - fuel economy is similar and the extra power is worth it, especially for the combi I'd imagine.  All the newer engines are common rail as some early 140s were PD.  Elegance or L&K have all you need really.  I average 50+mpg (mixed driving).  Good luck with your search!

You will be surprised how good the spec in the elegance model is, compared to your old A6 Avant, and at how much of the last gen Avant has been borrowed into the Superb estate.

Love mine, spent ages working out a short. List and chose Superb over the A6 - and no regrets.

Agree with sentiment already expressed. Drive and you'll buy.

 

I was introduced to Skoda by a friend who has had many cars including the German top 3, he has kept his Superb Estate longer than any other car and says that in his opinion it is better than any car he has owned !!

 

I have 170 L&K and on a run back from Wales (246 miles last night non stop) back seats down, load space full of building tools, roof rack on with bikes I averaged 55.2 mpg which I was very pleased with. 

 

Not only the car but this forum is great also  if ever you have query there will always be someone around who can help you out.

Yes, if you want a big car. Had mine for 18 months and every time I drive it, it puts a smile on my face.

Brilliant car ...

 

Good luck with the hunt,

 

Rob

Brilliant car, easy answer - yes. When I bought mine I went to work and my boss who is one of the ever increasing Audi A4 brigade rolled out all the old stereotypes and had a good day of mocking. He ate humble pie when it arrived a few weeks later and we went to a meeting together in it though. Kept on about how he can't believe how VAG can cram so much standard kit into the Elegance and still sell it at such a good price. I said that you must get less kit in an Audi for more money because Audi badges are so expensive to make.

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Think the answer is yes!

I'm just mid hunt depending on price. Not sure if I can stretch to the estate, but I'll see how I do.

of course, completely unbiased, go for the Superb

I had an A6, auto, 140bhp diesel reasonably specced which cost an arm and a leg. now a Skoda at the top trim for less than the old A6.

Anyway, in the Superb you'll recognise a lot of the old A6.

Just get a test drive and you'll forget why ever you considered an Audi

You'd be making the perfect choice - apart from manual gearbox! - go for the DSG, it's got Tiptronic & Sport modes if you get bored.

Edited 24 February, 201412 yr by Camberley_Chris

Just be careful of mpg expectations - my 170 estate (DSG) does 45.5 mpg - brim to brim, so real figures, used on motorways (steady 75 indicated, on cruise A/C in auto), and A roads - 500 miles / week. Trip computer though always shows 53 mpg. As ever, the truth is less than the maker would have you believe!

 

But it's a great car if you need the space. To be honest, in 15 months of ownership I have only filled the boot to full capacity once. The load bay is enormous, make sure you have the load divider as if stuff slides to the front of the area (up against the rear seats, getting it out is a pain! Especially if the car is mucky, like it is this time of year!

 

Build quality is the best I have ever come across, Elegance spec is all you would ever need, but the panoramic sunroof (as fitted to mine) does add an extra lift (it's also ivory leather inside, which is lovely!)

 

But a brilliant, wonderful, exceptional car. Just do it, you will not be disappointed!

You know some people say 'I stepped out after 500 miles and felt as fresh as when I started'? Well, they were talking about my car. Love it as you'll love yours.

Thanks to everyone for taking the time to reply. I just wish you could be more positive !

I think I am pretty much mind made up, but I would like to find one that's used (like someone else to pay the Vat!)

Given the car is so good and so new, I know I might have to look around or wait a bit but it sounds like its worth it.

Thanks.

Got 30% of the cost of brand-new by buying a 6k mile 6 mo slightly up-speced Elegance estate from Mitchells in Cheshire - and a fair trade-in price for my Mercedes.  It is a great car and much better built than my two previous Mercs.

Thanks to everyone for taking the time to reply. I just wish you could be more positive !

I think I am pretty much mind made up, but I would like to find one that's used (like someone else to pay the Vat!)

Given the car is so good and so new, I know I might have to look around or wait a bit but it sounds like its worth it.

Thanks.

 

Your Skoda dealer should be able to tap into the Skoda UK used stock list - I got a great deal on a barely used 6 month Elegance. Again about 30% off new list price.

Your Skoda dealer should be able to tap into the Skoda UK used stock list - I got a great deal on a barely used 6 month Elegance. Again about 30% off new list price.

Me too, 7 months old 7k on the clock £8000 off just price, only the odometer gave it away - looked like new

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Me too - Around December last year a whole boat load seemed to appear.

 

I got a March 2013 with 8k miles - lots of toys and a huge discount

You'd be making the perfect choice - apart from manual gearbox! - go for the DSG, it's got Tiptronic & Sport modes if you get bored.

Errr perfect choice including the manual gearbox. (sorry Camberley chris)

 

Had a dsg for over six months now and rather than getting used to it I am starting to dislike it greatly.

I accept that the dsg is probably the best auto box that there is but I hate the delay between pressing the accelerator and actually moving.

 

I hate the jerk that accompanies every reverse up my steep road and into my drive, ( unless you press down on the accelerator so so slowly that anyone waiting for you to complete the maneuverer is irritated at best.)

 

the sport mode is unfathomable to me, same delay, no change to suspension but revs the guts out of the engine to keep it in the torque band and uses fewer gears.

The 170 engine is so powerful that in normal drive and after the delay there is more than enough power to get you going fast.

 

Personal opinion of course from someone who has never had an auto before.

 

That all said, the superb is quite superb, the estate is so much better looking than the saloon (another opinion)

There seem to be very few niggles,

Just go and buy one and good luck finding an L&K in manual!

 

 

On the plus side the gear selection change (forward) is almost undetectable .

Errr perfect choice including the manual gearbox. (sorry Camberley chris)

 

Had a dsg for over six months now and rather than getting used to it I am starting to dislike it greatly.

I accept that the dsg is probably the best auto box that there is but I hate the delay between pressing the accelerator and actually moving.

 

I hate the jerk that accompanies every reverse up my steep road and into my drive, ( unless you press down on the accelerator so so slowly that anyone waiting for you to complete the maneuverer is irritated at best.)

 

the sport mode is unfathomable to me, same delay, no change to suspension but revs the guts out of the engine to keep it in the torque band and uses fewer gears.

The 170 engine is so powerful that in normal drive and after the delay there is more than enough power to get you going fast.

 

Personal opinion of course from someone who has never had an auto before.

 

That all said, the superb is quite superb, the estate is so much better looking than the saloon (another opinion)

There seem to be very few niggles,

Just go and buy one and good luck finding an L&K in manual!

 

 

On the plus side the gear selection change (forward) is almost undetectable .

 

Interesting observations. 

I was driving manual gearboxes for 20 years, and last 6 years it was rather powerful FWD estates (260 Hp / 380 Nm and 225 Hp / 460 Nm). So moving to 170 Hp / 350 Nm AWD car with DSG box was king of shock to me The feeling is absolutely different from what I was used to. AWD car feels different on the road, and DSG also gives a 'distant' feeling to the driving. 

 

But as the days pass - I am getting used to it. On the good side is that the car feels more dynamic (maybe not on paper, but in real life) comparing with previous ones. If you want to get good acceleration with manual FWD you have to be quick in gear change and also in avoiding wheel spin and torque steer. With DSG and AWD you just kick down and wait Gear changes are instant. 

 

One thing which I do not like - DSG chooses to high gear. At 55 km/h its already 6th and the engine vibrates and struggles. But DSG is adaptive box and I am still in run-in period. So after I will start to drive my way (rather dynamic) I believe the gear change pattern will change a bit. Also I like to use shift paddles on the steering.

 

However the biggest surprise for me was suspension. On the reviews and comments it was said that is is comfortable, but to me it is not. Of course the roads here are bad (in towns, country roads are good because of EU money), but suspension is on stiffer side and handles potholes with significant sound. 

In my mind, there's no argument against getting a Superb.

 

We bought a twindoor just over 3 years ago.  After looking at the A6, 5 series and E class.

 

We just couldn't see where the Superb fell down against these others (only in the eyes of our friends (who drive 5 series or E classes!))

 

After 3 years of ownership we needed to swap our second car - a Ford C Max.

 

We chose a 170hp combi Elegance.  Even better than the twindoor.

 

A simply brilliant car.  And out friends agree.

See if any of the dealers are willing to give you an extended test drive. I managed to get a weekends use of one, collected Friday closing time and dropped off Monday morning first thing. This will give you a far better idea of whether it fits your needs. I have no regrets coming from SUV and MPVs and full size 4x4 over last decade, the superb ticks all boxes for me.