My Superb Diesel 170Ps  DSG Elegance Hatchback with decent extras is nearing three years of age with just 14,500 miles and I am considering changing it for an Octavia Estate 2.0 TSI vRS Dsg where I would have similar extras, if not standard.

 

1) My mileage is, as you can see, very low so I doubt if I am getting any financial benefit with a diesel car.

 

2) I am concerned that because of my low mileage whether I could be building up a problem with the DPF regeneration which has activated quite recently after yet another short journey. My local Skoda dealer advises that this process is quite normal so no need to be concerned.

 

3) My only criticism with my Superb diesel is the droning noise at around the 1300-1450 revs as the car moves into 6th gear as quickly a possible but does not change down to avoid this issue. I have to break or accelerate for the change of gear to take place or put into sport mode or semi manual.

 

4) I have decided that my next car will be an estate although I cannot really complain at all about the boot space in the Hatch but sometimes I would prefer a flat entrance to the boot when lifting quite heavy golf gear into the car.

 

5) I think I right in thinking that the Superb estate in petrol form only has a 1.8 engine with DSG with 160PS  so performance will not be as good as my current car.

 

6) When looking at the spec for the Octy vRS estate it is not really much different in terms of physical size and boot space than my Superb but in petrol form with the 220 BHP it is significantly quicker, not that I should be racing around at my age but I guess there is always a small boy in all of us.

 

I'd appreciate observations about my choices and in particular what sort of a driving experience would I get in the Octy compared to my current Superb.

 

Thanks to all.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Be a good choice.

Petrol is probably a better call full stop so long as you dont mind high 20's/low 30's average consumption. No DPF issues to worry about (shouldnt be a concern really as the new CR motors work properly with the tech), smoother and quite a margin faster than the car you drive currently.

DSG in the vRS will be more or less the same box,will be eco focused in D so will still change up early...however with the smoother motor and high torque doubt you'll experience this issue...more a diesel trait.

You can get a flat boot floor (variable boot floor) as an option.

1.8 TSi Superb is probably as quick if not slightly quicker than a 170 CR version despite what it says on paper, wider power band and less weight the main reasons.

Octavia is vast but not as wide as a Superb, bear this in mind if you use the Superb to lug anything particularly wide as the Octavia arguably will be a little less useful in this regard.

Hope this helps.

Pipsyp,

Thanks for a quick reasoned reply although I am not sure I like the idea of high 20's low 30's consumption which seem to be well below brochure numbers !

I think that is one up for vRS.

I'd  go with caution. The ride is far harsher in the VRS and in my opinion, the quality of fit and fittings is just not up to the standards of the superb.

 

It's simply not as comfortable, well equipped or bolted together. Having driven the petrol version, I was quite underwhelmed performance wise as I missed  the nice torque of diesel. Of course, posing in an Octavia forum invites bias and lots of people will point to new technology but personally, I'd wait for the new superb as despite its age, it really is a much better car in almost every respect. The new version will probably be incredible. I'll be getting one and I really can't see me missing the vrs.

 

Wishing you happy times choosing your new motor.

My father is 73 and always asks to drive my VRS TSI whenever we visit eachother. He loves the smoothness of the engine,how easy it is to drive, the space (he used to race pigeons and comments on how many baskets he could have fitted within the boot), and the overall quality. My fathers only concern was the slightly bumpy ride, especially with the number of speed bumps we have locally.

If you want a spacious, refined and nippy car then go for one, but have a long test drive first.

I agree with above comments (Orville). I have the dsg estate. Just leave it in D and away it goes, pull stick back to S and AWAY it goes,but much quicker, just need to keep an eye on the mph. I had the L&K before, and it is harsher over bumps,but not too bad on the standard alloys.

Hi Skovirg,

Your comments are quite blunt which I will take into account in my deliberations. I am assuming that your comments relate specifically to the Mk 3 version.

I wasn't aware that a new Superb was on the horizon. Any ideas when ?

Hi Orville,

Interesting comments.

As a matter of interest did the pigeons get home before your father !!!

Speed bumps raise another point and that is that the vRS has lower suspension so have you ever scraped the car on the bumps ?

Hi decuk,

I guess you like the vRS based upon your response.

Do you find that you use the DSG paddles on the steering wheel ?

Lastly, I bet you feel the cat's whiskers in that Rallye green colour. I had a short test drive in the same colour and am convinced that other drivers were looking at me at the wheel thinking what the hell is that old fart driving a car like that !!! My wife said "no way Jose"

Something to consider is the diesel is only about £200 more than the petrol, so you could have a more file fuel efficient option for not much more.

Hi Skovirg,

Your comments are quite blunt which I will take into account in my deliberations. I am assuming that your comments relate specifically to the Mk 3 version.

I wasn't aware that a new Superb was on the horizon. Any ideas when ?

 

My dealer think a new superb will be with us next year. Auto Express ran a piece on it a few months back.

 

It's difficult to explain the differences in words and the Octavia is a fine car so whatever you decide, you should be ok.

 

I had an Octavia and Superb parked next to each other and spend lots of time exploring both from a driver's and a passenger's position.  I think that even after a few long test drives I underestimated how harsh the ride can be.

 

I decided on an Octavia because the superb, as good as it was, just felt a little sterile.  9000 miles in, I think I should've gone for comfort and the better build quality. The vrs is undoubtedly fun and handles well so ultimately it comes down to a choice of comfort and quality or better styling and handling.

Interesting debate.

 

I have a VRS TSI DSG, currently on 11k miles, so will try and give you an honest response. I have also spent a lot of time in a superb and just can't agree on the mk2 superb being so much better bolted together, no way. Everyone who drives in my car has commented on how well it's bolted together after 11k miles with no rattles or noises, perhaps I'm the lucky one.

 

I have the hatch so not quite as much room as the estate although still capable of fitting in 590 litres with the seats up, which is 80 litres more than the new C Class estate!

 

Yes the car can be a little harsh on some surfaces, however overcall I find the car well balanced and able to carry speeds exceptionally well through corners.

 

I'm not sure how people can say they were underwhelmed by the performance of a TSI VRS, I run my car on 99 ron fuel and have a GPS verified 0-60 dash of 5.6 seconds and much quicker in gear acceleration times than the diesel by quite some margin and the car is still stock, no remap. I do use my car as you can see from the mileage, however my best tank has returned 48.7mpg and even with me driving the car, like the boy inside me wants to, I still manage to achieve 34mpg.

 

Don't get me wrong, the mk2 Superb is just that, Superb, although not quite as massively better in build as some may lead you to believe. As for the MK3 Superb, well rumours are that will come with the new hybrid 1.4tsi and electric power combo, which might give you the balance you seek, although prepare to pay handsomely for the privilege.

 

This of course is just my opinion. It's a nice problem to have as both cars are great, one a lot sportier than the other!

10k miles in and (as i'd expect) the car feels good as new inside, no issues at all. I'm not the biggest fan of the material on the top half of the doors inside but aside from that i've very happy with the build quality of the car, having had Mazdas and Audis before.

 

P

Edited 16 July, 201411 yr by paulobrien

I didn't realise 99 ron fuel could shave over a second off a 0 to 60 sprint, jeez that's incredible.

Hi Orville,

Interesting comments.

As a matter of interest did the pigeons get home before your father !!!

Speed bumps raise another point and that is that the vRS has lower suspension so have you ever scraped the car on the bumps ?

'vRS lower' is still pretty high relative to other sportier cars!

P

I did have a Superb and went for (Elegance) Octavia this time. I preferred the firmer ride and handling of the Octavia.

Don't get me wrong, I loved my Superb but driving it is a bit like piloting a barge at times. Especially when fully laden.

 

You may miss the extra leg room in the back which also translates into a longer load platform

and the twin door. It's much easier to put one bag into the Superb than lift the tailgate of the estate.

I do love my level load compartment.

I didn't realise 99 ron fuel could shave over a second off a 0 to 60 sprint, jeez that's incredible.

He's not saying that... Skoda quoted performance figures tend to be on the conservative side maybe to preserve VW's image at the top of the family tree...

He's not saying that... Skoda quoted performance figures tend to be on the conservative side maybe to preserve VW's image at the top of the family tree...

Bit like consumption figures I guess.

I would go and test drive one on a long test as I find the ride quality in my vrs excellent. Its smooth and doesn't shudder or jar over bumps. Its easily as smooth as my old mans current gen Honda accord executive model. Speed bump wise it can zip over them fine without scraping or banging.

Everyone has a different opinion and tolerance when it comes to ride comfort so its best to try it out yourself.

You can get the DSG remapped, I had it done on my R36, as you say they are in 6th gear at 30mph! Revo do it , it then changes at a sensible rev point 

I will add that I don't think the TSI is that fast. Maybe as its so smooth but there is no way mine would hit 60 in under 6 second its slower than my previous e46 330i (0-60 in 6.5) however feels more usable

A point that no-one else has made:-

 

If you choose a DSG vRS there have been changes in the overall gearing, (much-much taller, probably a numerically lower final drive ratio rather than a new set of cogs in the 'box), which IMVHO result in the car feeling quite flat at legal motorway speeds & a bit sluggish around town too.

 

In urban areas it will hardly ever get beyond 4th in "D" & 6th gives approx 65 mph @ 2000 rpm. All good for the official economy & CO figures, but the sparkle / great pickup from 50 / 60 mph in the old vRS & my current Superb just isn't there.

 

If you want to leave it in "S" mode, or shift manually then it's possible to make good progress but in normal "D" the "big lazy engine feeling even though I'm only a 2.0 litre) just isn't there.

 

FYI, we have done quite a few miles in OCTY 3 vRS DSG cars, so I feel that my opinions are valid!

 

Also, FWIW, my new to me 4 year old 2.0TSi DSG EOS has the same problem, & probably the same / or very similar gearing set-up, great for refined motorway cruising, (3k rpm = 94 mph according to our Tom-Tom), but requiring paddling back to 4th if needing to overtake at 60 mph!

 

Just a few thought................

 

DC

I will add that I don't think the TSI is that fast. Maybe as its so smooth but there is no way mine would hit 60 in under 6 second its slower than my previous e46 330i (0-60 in 6.5) however feels more usable

 

Is it run-in Jules? My Golf GTI TSI didn't really get going until I'd done about 15k miles. 

 

Got my VRS TSI today, and it certainly feels as quick as the golf used to, but does need running in.

Don't get me wrong its not slow but its not what I would call a rocket. It is however a superb all round package of space, performance and practicality.

By the time I've done 15k it will be a few months away from chopping it back in unless I decide to keep it at the end of the PCP. I agree with you on the running in though as I had a lot of 106 gtis when I was younger and the higher mileage ones that were a bit looser felt far more rev happy

...requiring paddling back to 4th if needing to overtake at 60 mph!

 

And that's why I like diesels.  I'm far too lazy, and in 6th gear @ 65mph my 120d is doing just about 1750rpm... which just happens to be right at the start of max torque.  So no need to change gear, just shove the accelerator through the carpet and it goes off like a rocket.