Hi All

 

I am new to the forum and new to Skoda / VW group. I was looking at opting out of my company car scheme ( BMW or Vauxhall) to buy a used Skoda superb estate. I want to spend around £16k and it looks like I can get a 2011/12 170bhp elegance for that kind of money. I want one with low mileage as I do quite a bit of travelling.

 

Can anyone tell me what to look out for, or what the weak points are? I am considering an auto (never had one before).

 

Are these cars as good as the reviews tend to suggest they are? difficult to tell on forums as most people tend to come on ant talk about issues rather than the general reliability.

 

Let me know your thoughts I would be interested on general feedback on superb estates.

Welcome along - you'll obviously get some slightly biased views from on here but in general yes they are as good as the reviews make out.

 

I've had mine for just over 2.5 years and completed 68k without any issues.

 

If you are buying used then it is probably best to stay clear of the DSG box - if they go wrong then it will be a big repair bill into £000s.

Thanks Coops. Do they go wrong often the DSG boxes? that was my biggest issue. I fancy an automatic as I have never had one before but I don't want to find myself landed with big repair bills as soon as I leave my company car scheme. I am used to all the bills being paid for so don't want to regret getting a Skoda instead of another 3 series estate.

I don't think they go wrong that often but there have been instances of failure.

 

I can't comment specifically but there are a couple of other members who have more knowledge on the DSG box.

Do they go wrong often the DSG boxes?

 

Hi!

 

As said before, yes it happens and they are quite expesive to repair BUT if you go for a low mileage diesel you will get a) a pretty proven version of the DSG, the 6 speed, and it has probably not had time to see a very hard life. Just make sure it has had the oil change(s) required! Most owners still seem to love their DSG's ...

 

Have a nice one!

They're great cars, you won't regret it ... Twice the space of a 3 series touring too (and you'll be let out at junctions..!  )

 

Best of luck,

 

Rob

Had mine for nearly two years (with DSG) wouldn't want manual and certainly won't be changing the car in the near or far future.

Thanks for your comments guys. I will be on the lookout for a DSG estate in the next fe weeks so wish me luck. I. Will update with photos once I have bought one.

Go for a low mileage well serviced 170 and you won't regret it.  They are as good as the reviews say and better!  On my second 170 and I'd find it very hard to look past a Superb (or any Skoda for that matter) and I've considered all the other 'premium badge' options before.  Can't comment on the DSG but there are lots more on here than will have opinions though, but mostly good.

 

The FL model came mid last year but the changes are not overly dramatic and are mainly cosmetic (front lights and tail end clusters really), so you won't feel too left out with a pre FL model.  All the 170s are CR as well. No major problems - of course you'll find all of us commenting on various issues but as you will see they are generally fairly minor which says a lot about the car.

I will be on the lookout for a DSG estate ...

 

Well, at least you don't have to run away if you find a car that you like BUT has a DSG6 fitted ... ;-)

I know it's pretty minor but try and get one with a heated front screen.

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That's not minor it's great on a frosty morning. I've got one on my mondeo a great invention

Are heated seats standard on an elegance or are they at option.

Are heated seats standard on an elegance or are they at option.

Sorry that should have said screen not seats

Look out for the characteristic air box rattle and heat shield rattle at 1500-2000rpm - both fixable.

Elegance is a very nice spec. Auto-dimming rear view mirror wasn't standard fit for some unknown reason. Some will say that you should look out for the spare wheel rather than the compressor and can of gunk. I carry both. In any case a spare wheel isn't prohibitively expensive and can be retro fitted.

You might find the standard speakers to be a bit bright and lacking in bass. I supplemented mine with an after-market subwoofer in the spare wheel.

But now I'm clutching at straws - just highlights how good the car is for the money.

To sum up

 

What you want in addition to the Elegance spec is

 

Auto dimming rear view mirror

Heated front screen

Parking sensors front and rear

Parking assist (car parks itself if the gap is big enough)

 

You probably won't get all of these in a low mileage Estate, but that is what I would look for (oh, and being aable to open the boot from INSIDE the car - but not sure if you can do this)

 

Good Luck

+1 on front sensors, I've only got rear ones and fronts will definitely be getting specced next time

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Just my opinion, but I wouldn't waste my money on park assist. You'll never use it ...

 

Rob

Just my opinion, but I wouldn't waste my money on park assist. You'll never use it ...

 

Rob

 

I have had it now for two years and have only used it about a dozen times and nearly all of those was "just to use it". If it was an option on a list I do not think I would spec it but it came with the spec I had.

 

Having said that I understand that the latest version reverses into a space as opposed to parallel parking in which case I would as I am crap at reversing.

I specced park assist and wife loves it. New version does reversing into a bay as well as parallel park and steers it out of parallel park if other cars have pulled up close. Also does one auto brake per parking which i tried with cardboard boxes and it does work .

I specced park assist and wife loves it. New version does reversing into a bay as well as parallel park and steers it out of parallel park if other cars have pulled up close. Also does one auto brake per parking which i tried with cardboard boxes and it does work .

My folks have park assist (parallel only) on their ford and after 18 months have only used it once - to see if it worked! Reversing into a bay sounds good a lot more useful though.

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I've never used park assist (apart from once to see if it works like most people do).  The bay parking does work on the FL but again I would never really use it.  Maybe its just me but I worry about becoming dependant on those assistant features and don't want to lose the driving skills I've acquired. Having said that I can see how it might be helpful if you were using the car in very compromised places and areas where parking is at an absolute premium.

Sorry that should have said screen not seats

On the Superb 3 Elegance, this is fitted as standard....EXCEPT for the Greenline!

 

Please, can someone actually explain the reasoning behind that?

Edited 9 April, 201412 yr by Mr Ree

^^ Presumably because the GL is marketed as being "green" and therefore efficient, perhaps they think the addition of a heated front screen on the 1.6 engine is too much?

Any car with an electric heated windscreen would most likely need an uprated alternator as well. This would detract from any green credentials.