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.

You will certainly notice some difference in comfort and refinement but if you are not doing a lot of motorway cruising maybe its not such a big issue. Not that the Octavia 3 isn't good it is just not in the same league as the Superb.  The ride on the vRS can be a bit on the harsh side at times as mentioned by a few on here that have moved between the two models.  I've briefly driven the vRS myself and you will have certainly have some fun with it alright and I wouldn't be worried about your age

 

There is a 1.4tsi but I doubt if many buy that one.  Of course there is the 3.6 V6 petrol with 260bhp which might not be a sensible buy but you'd certainly have the performance.....!

I'm only 63, and have a 1.8TSi manual. I can frighten myself sh*tless if I try to use all the performance. It doesn't have as much torque as the diesel, but it's incredibly smooth and delivers the peak torque over a wide rev range. it's also incredibly quiet. Try one if you can find one!

 

If you like the smoothness of the Superb, a VRs Octovia will have a hard ride by comparison!

Hi Superb170,

Thanks for the feedback which is most welcome.

The thing that concerns me with your thoughts are related to comfort and harshness.

I mentioned in my posting that my mileage is very low at 14,500 in nearly 3 years but I didn't say that 6,000 came on just two trips to Spain which IS mostly motorway driving at speed (legal, of course !!). I must say that the Superb is at it's best on such journeys so this may be a negative for the vRS.

I have read some reports that the 19" optional wheels do give a harsh and noisy ride but I haven't seen anything really bad with the 18" wheels but I do take your point.

Lastly, I think a little bit of fun on some of our twisty West Sussex roads may be interesting even for a 71 year old who would be 72 before the car would be delivered. I have checked on car insurance which is even quite good for an old'un.

I'm 37, love my cars and adore driving but i have just decided to get rid of my Octavia TDI Vrs Dsg because personally I am tired of the poor, noisy ride, lack of comfort and the dsg box. Looks nice but I just do not enjoy driving it, hence getting rid after just 6 months :(

I have infact just bought a Superb 170 elegance estate with manual box (growing family and dog) I haven't driven the Mk 3 Vrs but certainly based on my own experience I'd stick with a Superb

Hi 100andthirty,

If the 1.8 TSi is fast what does this mean for the 2.0 TSi with 220 PS ?

I would hope that the 2.0 TSi 220 PS would be more than capable of keeping ahead of my Superb with a 2.0 diesel 170 PS

particularly on some of those steep motorway climbs in France and Spain.

It was good to hear that you state that the vRS is quiet even if it gives a hard ride by comparison.

I have just had a test drive in the VRS but twenty minutes at rush hour was hardly enough time to change gears although it did seem to hold the bends quite well with no roll.

19s would certainly be hard. I even find the 18s on my Superb a little on the hard side at times but on an Octavia they are noticeable alright although they might be useful cornering on those twisty roads! The 1.8tsi does sound like a good option, you'll still have the relaxing ride and as 100andthirty says there's a decent rev range on the petrol. I assume you're buying new ?

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They are very different cars so it's difficult to compare one against the other IMO. A decent test drive will help you decide which one suits your needs best. I can get 2 full sets of clubs plus trollies in my mk2 boot without any trouble so from that perspective either estate car would suit your needs I guess. Doing so few miles you could always try the superb v6........

Hi Sliceman,

Thanks for your frank view of the vRS.

I have read a number of reviews of the Mk3 and have not come across these comments so far. Could it be that the Mk3 has taken the points into account as it's specification seems quite different including being a bigger car and not far short of the Superb in size.

The front seats in the vRS look as if they should be comfortable on a long ride and particularly on bends so I don't know how they compare against your Mk2.

I have been used to the DSG box on my diesel Superb with my only grouse being that it wants to get into 6th gear too early which can cause some drumming at lowish revs. The professional reviews I have read suggest that the DSG box is well suited to the vRS.

Sussexvet, I'm sure a new petrol Vrs DSG would be a great motor and probably does address the issues I didn't like. Good luck with whatever you decide.

just go test drive one and you'll immediately feel the difference!  I really wanted the Vrs when I ordered my new one recently but you will feel EVERY ripple in the road despite those lovely seats, and thats from someone coming from a Merc with AMG low profile 20 inch wheels and sports suspension!  Much as I wanted to I just couldnt live with the ride and the Superb is a totally different ball game.

 

Go test one on the roads you'll drive on and see what you think....

Hi Superb170,

I can't say that I have noticed a harsh ride with the 18" wheels on my Superb but I do try to miss the holes in the roads which tests how good the seats hold you which I don't think is great in the Superb.

In terms of engine size I have been thinking of the 2.0 TSi 220 PS which may give a few more benefits over the 1.8TSi.

Lastly, yes I am looking to buy a new card.

Hi Littleade,

Thanks for your comments.

My test drive in the vRS lasted about 20 minutes and that was in rush hour. I couldn't get the Skoda salesman to let me have the car for any longer, on my own, as he had to return the car to another dealer. I guess the car is in short supply at the moment.

Good to hear that 2 sets of golf clubs and trolleys are OK. Was that with the rear seats down ?.

I did look briefly at the V6 petrol but the initial and ongoing costs of road tax are significantly higher which may also be the same with insurance. I suspect that depreciation will be astronomic particularly in the early years.

The reason I was asking if you were buying new was, as you pointed out, the level of depreciation on the V6!  I believe the waiting list can be up to six months (or at least over here anyway) on the vRS so maybe another consideration if that is the case?

Hi 100andthirty,

If the 1.8 TSi is fast what does this mean for the 2.0 TSi with 220 PS ?

I would hope that the 2.0 TSi 220 PS would be more than capable of keeping ahead of my Superb with a 2.0 diesel 170 PS

particularly on some of those steep motorway climbs in France and Spain.

It was good to hear that you state that the vRS is quiet even if it gives a hard ride by comparison.

I have just had a test drive in the VRS but twenty minutes at rush hour was hardly enough time to change gears although it did seem to hold the bends quite well with no roll.

Just to be absolutely clear, I'm talking about a 1.8TSi Superb. And I just put it in cruise on the French autoroutes. and even with a roof box, it just goes up and down with no trouble. There are no 2.0TSi estates on the used Skoda web site right now

Well I cant say for the specific models you are talking about but I think you will be disappointed if you switch to an Octavia from a Superb.

I am running a Superb Greenline at the moment and I was looking to go back to an Octavia.

I test drove a an Octavia a few weeks ago and it was no where near as quiet and the ride was poor in comparison.

Forget about the performance aspect just go and drive a new Octavia on a long road test.

 

My last Octavia was a 1.8 TSi and it is a superb engine and should be very capable in a Superb.

 

Just my opinion.

Hi Littleade,

Thanks for your comments.

My test drive in the vRS lasted about 20 minutes and that was in rush hour. I couldn't get the Skoda salesman to let me have the car for any longer, on my own, as he had to return the car to another dealer. I guess the car is in short supply at the moment.

Good to hear that 2 sets of golf clubs and trolleys are OK. Was that with the rear seats down ?.

I did look briefly at the V6 petrol but the initial and ongoing costs of road tax are significantly higher which may also be the same with insurance. I suspect that depreciation will be astronomic particularly in the early years.

Is there another dealer by you as this one doesn't seem that interested in what for most people is a very important decision to make.

My mk2 hatch takes 2 power caddy classic legend trollies and his and hers ping trolly bags, both with a full set of clubs with the seats up a d parcel shelf in place mate, so no one looking imto the car would have a clue they were there. By putting the bags at the rear of the boot mine goes in 1st with the club heads sitting nicely in the gap between the rear ns wheelarch and the rear light, hers goes on top the otherway round without having to take and clubs out. The trollies go betwen tne clubs and back seat witb enough room to put other stuff in too.

The v6 will probably depreciate quite heavily, but I suspect the petrol vRS will suffer more than the diesel equivelent if it's anything like the mk2, but I suspect the v6 would be a peach to drive. If you've not had any problems with the dpf on your superb I can't see you having problems with a mk3 octy. If you don't need the rear passenger space the Octy might float your boat, the cr150 elegance would be worth considering if you find the vRS ride not to your liking. Good luck.

I'm in a similar quandary, in that although I'm only just turned 67, I'm not sure if a petrol vRS Octy is going to be a sensible replacement for my 2.0TSi Superb.

(A car I'd recommend for you as a sensible replace for your diesel Superb, but they don't sell it anymore!)

 

SWMBO has a  very nice Octy 2 FL vRS TSi,  nice equipment, DSG & remapped to 250+ bhp, but I'd not choose it for a continental vacation, the ride is just too harsh, even though it's much quicker than my Superb around corners & in a straight line!

 

We've probably tried all the variants of the Octy3 vRS, & would have to agree that they are very capable vehicles, albeit a little bland looking & not great value for money.

 

Since it's unlikely that Skoda will ever sell any more 2.0TSi Superbs & my May 2012 car has only covered 14.5K miles, we decided to postpone the purchasing decision for at least another year.   

 

I've now spent the £13K that was set-aside for a new car on a 4-year old VW EOS, again 2.0TSi / DSG, as a summer "plaything", just 'cos we like to have a t least one silly car to play with & the nice weather we are enjoying is a good excuse to tuck the roof away into the boot & let our hair blow away. 

Perhaps this is our 2nd childhood, or maybe we haven't grown up just yet?

 

Enjoy your searching, but please get an extended test drive on roads you know well before choosing your next car.

 

 

HTH, DC. 

I am with a couple of the contributors here. Gone from a Mk2 VRS to a Superb for reasons of comfort, road noise and ride. Absolutely love the Superb. I cannot comment on the Mk3 Octavia drive as I have never got behind the wheel.

Hi ruffday,

 

Thanks for your thoughts which are welcome.

 

I have not been able to find a local Mk3  vRS 2.0ltr DSG car for a longer test drive so perhaps the 1.8 if available will be a good test particularly with regard to the ride.

 

I know this is cheeky but does anybody living in the West Sussex area have a vRS and be prepared to take me out for a spin.  Thanks in hope !!

Hi littleade,

 

I thought I found another Skoda dealer in Chichester which had a ex demo Mk3 vRS 2.0 ltr DSG so I had one of those "can I help you" chats online to arrange a longer test drive.

 

I received a call back from a Skoda salesman to find to my displeasure that it was the same guy from my local Skoda showroom advising that the car was no longer available as a deposit has been paid on it. Whether that is true or not I can only speculate. I think the reason I had the call from this person is because I was asked at the time of my "chat" for my post code and the garage in Chichester is part of the same group with a different name !!

 

Thanks for advising how you fit your clubs into your boot which is almost exactly the same as me with my Superb hatch. I can, with a bit of juggling and taking out the removable panels on either side at the rear, lay two sets of clubs straight across without removing the drivers. This leaves plenty of space behind the rear seats for our two electric trolleys. 

 

In terms of  spec. I think I may as well look at alternatives but when you have set your mind on one already it is difficult to compromise.

Hi Old newbie2,

 

Thanks for providing your thoughts on our joint dilemmas. 

 

Has the remap on your wife's car had anything to do with the harshness you describe for a long Continental drive ?

 

It would seem that the remap has made a significant improvement in performance but are you concerned about warranty infringement ?

Hi Old newbie2,

 

Thanks for providing your thoughts on our joint dilemmas. 

 

Has the remap on your wife's car had anything to do with the harshness you describe for a long Continental drive ?

 

It would seem that the remap has made a significant improvement in performance but are you concerned about warranty infringement ?

Hi.

 

The AmD remap has made the car much nicer to drive, more responsive, quicker & more economical, & I'd thoroughly recommend it.

The harshness I refer to is in the ride quality, I.E. normal for a Series 2 vRS, but a little too hard / firm for my liking.

 

I suffer from limited mobility in my head / neck movement & find that the Superb's softer ride is much more comfortable to live with, but still not as nice as my old Mk 3 Mondeo.....

 

Maybe the latest VW group products are better, but I  think that Ford cars have the best handling / ride compromise in their price bracket.   

 

Her car is now out of manufacturer warranty, but she has purchased an aftermarket used car warranty, at a reasonable price, with the supplier fully aware that the car has been remapped.  

 

DC

Hi susexvet,

 

I am only a few years behind you and bought the 2.0 petrol 200 ps (when they made it) and am very pleased with the performance. I do around 5k a year, so low like you. looking back now I wish I had bought the 3.6 V6.

 

After all, you are only 71 once !

Hi susexvet,

 

I am only a few years behind you and bought the 2.0 petrol 200 ps (when they made it) and am very pleased with the performance. I do around 5k a year, so low like you. looking back now I wish I had bought the 3.6 V6.

 

After all, you are only 71 once !

I'd think that with a sensible remap, the 2.0 TSi could be persuaded to produce around 250 PS without too much stress + maybe 350+ Nm torques as well........

 

Not much lower than the V6, & much more economical too.

 

For comparison purposes, please assume that Skoda always quote accurate engine figures................, albeit they just might be a little conservative at times!

 

Not much help for sussexvet, unless he is willing to search out a nice low-mileage 2.0 from the interweb. (& no, my car is not for sale!).

 

 

 

DC