That's it, I am selling the 280.

 

Today I was picking up my kids when a lady shouted in the parking lot:

 

"Am I blocking your  Vauxhall  ? !!!" 

 

That will teach me to de-badge my cars ... 

 

 

There's a joke in there somewhere about how bad your marque must be if Skoda drivers look down on it...

 

Edited to add: In fairness, and I should have added this originally, the newer Vauxhalls are meant to be very good indeed. The new Astra has shed 200KG, is smaller than ever outside, yet bigger than ever inside. It also has a 200+ BHP turbo inline four pot and not only goes like stink but gets good MPG too. I also most definitely wouldn't kick the new VXR8 out of bed given half a chance... Just to make clear I wasn't picking on Vauxhalls or people who drive them. 

Edited 22 September, 20169 yr by Rainmaker

Brands, their badges/logos and perceptions of them are a funny thing, as we Skoda owners know only too well.

 

To be fair, for people less conscious of or interested in every of the many brands out there, the Vauxhall ‘griffin’ and Skoda’s ‘winged arrow’ could look very similar; especially on only a passing glance.

 

While Skoda may have considered this when redesigning their badge/logo a few years ago, it must be remembered that Vauxhall is pretty much a UK-only label. Elsewhere, GM Opel’s (much simpler and therefore more distinctive / easily recognised) ‘lightning bolt’ will leave no room for confusion.

 

When it comes to badges and their identifiability, the Mercedes ‘star’ is of course the gold standard. All others are comparative failures in that respect; especially the often dismal efforts from Asia. Some come a little closer; VW probably and maybe BMW (how many know that’s a ‘propeller’?). Audi’s Auto Union rings are very distinctive, too. To me, the messy ‘griffin’ logo belongs in the ‘Asia pile’ and the ‘winged arrow’ ain’t no masterpiece of design either.

 

So, how to get back on topic? Well, to me fast Opel/Vauxhall cars have always looked and still do look rather ‘boy racer’ or even ‘medallion man’. Or have I missed something? One of the Superb 280’s big draws for me – as clearly for many here – is the complete absence of pretensions. It just does the job without shouting about it.

Brands, their badges/logos and perceptions of them are a funny thing, as we Skoda owners know only too well.

 

To be fair, for people less conscious of or interested in every of the many brands out there, the Vauxhall ‘griffin’ and Skoda’s ‘winged arrow’ could look very similar; especially on only a passing glance.

 

While Skoda may have considered this when redesigning their badge/logo a few years ago, it must be remembered that Vauxhall is pretty much a UK-only label. Elsewhere, GM Opel’s (much simpler and therefore more distinctive / easily recognised) ‘lightning bolt’ will leave no room for confusion.

 

When it comes to badges and their identifiability, the Mercedes ‘star’ is of course the gold standard. All others are comparative failures in that respect; especially the often dismal efforts from Asia. Some come a little closer; VW probably and maybe BMW (how many know that’s a ‘propeller’?). Audi’s Auto Union rings are very distinctive, too. To me, the messy ‘griffin’ logo belongs in the ‘Asia pile’ and the ‘winged arrow’ ain’t no masterpiece of design either.

 

So, how to get back on topic? Well, to me fast Opel/Vauxhall cars have always looked and still do look rather ‘boy racer’ or even ‘medallion man’. Or have I missed something? One of the Superb 280’s big draws for me – as clearly for many here – is the complete absence of pretensions. It just does the job without shouting about it.

 

All very true mate. Yes, I knew the Bavarian Motor Works' (Bayerische Motoren Werke) logo was a propellar from when it used to build aircraft engines, but the wars put paid to that... Not many do, however, you're right. As for boy racer, the new VXR8 says:

 

 

The new VXR8 GTS features a supercharged LSA V8 delivering 576bhp and 545lb ft of torque, MG9 spec 6-speed manual transmission, brake torque vectoring technology to reduce under-steer and much, much more.

6.2 LSA Supercharged V8 petrol (6162cc)

Maximum power: 585PS @ 6150rpm

Maximum torque: 740Nm @ 3850rpm

Bore/stroke: 103.9mm x 92.0mm

Maximum speed (mph): 155

Acceleration 0-60mph (secs): 4.2

Acceleration 50-70mph (secs) (3rd gear): 2.1

 

 

Is it ostentatious? Maybe. Would I care as I made the supercharger scream down the road and let the full LSD help me round the corners? Hell no!

Whoo Hoo! Just had an email asking where and when I would like delivery.

Whoo Hoo! Just had an email asking where and when I would like delivery.

Congratulations.....finally get there after a good 7 months in total, hopefully will all be good for you from now on!

       

Congratulations.....finally get there after a good 7 months in total, hopefully will all be good for you from now on!

Thanks buddy. I'll not really believe it until it's on my drive.

Thanks buddy. I'll not really believe it until it's on my drive.

This is true, anything can happen last minute as we both well know....when I was asked when I wanted to pick my car up, I said..now!...don't think he was expecting that, 90 miles away as well, but I did it!

This is true, anything can happen last minute as we both well know....when I was asked when I wanted to pick my car up, I said..now!...don't think he was expecting that, 90 miles away as well, but I did it!

Delivery slot now booked and 66 plate about to be allocated. It's been a long journey.

Delivery slot now booked and 66 plate about to be allocated. It's been a long journey.

Thank God for that mate! I'm looking forward to the pics.

 

There's a joke in there somewhere about how bad your marque must be if Skoda drivers look down on it...

 

Edited to add: In fairness, and I should have added this originally, the newer Vauxhalls are meant to be very good indeed. The new Astra has shed 200KG, is smaller than ever outside, yet bigger than ever inside. It also has a 200+ BHP turbo inline four pot and not only goes like stink but gets good MPG too. I also most definitely wouldn't kick the new VXR8 out of bed given half a chance... Just to make clear I wasn't picking on Vauxhalls or people who drive them. 

 

I think that Vauxhall make some nice looking cars (they have come along way from the days when the production line was sped up so they could come off the line in one piece instead of falling in half with rust!) and the VXR8 is mental, what I don't like about them is how their value falls off a cliff as soon as you drive one out of the showroom.

 

Years ago I had a 2300 Magnum (A Viva HC with half a V8 stuffed in the engine bay) it was very fast for its day 0-60 in 10sec and 110 mph plus pure brute force

I think that Vauxhall make some nice looking cars (they have come along way from the days when the production line was sped up so they could come off the line in one piece instead of falling in half with rust!) and the VXR8 is mental, what I don't like about them is how their value falls off a cliff as soon as you drive one out of the showroom.

 

Years ago I had a 2300 Magnum (A Viva HC with half a V8 stuffed in the engine bay) it was very fast for its day 0-60 in 10sec and 110 mph plus pure brute force

I remember the fast Vauxhalls, especially the straight 6 Ventora, but a Magnum must have been "interesting" experience.......

 

DC

I remember the fast Vauxhalls, especially the straight 6 Ventora, but a Magnum must have been "interesting" experience.......

DC

It certainly was DC, no finesse involved at all lol

Is this now the Vauxhall forum?

Is this now the Vauxhall forum?

Depends on whether you ask the lady who mistook micloi's car for one.

Depends on whether you ask the lady who mistook micloi's car for one.

  :beer:

I've just had a giggle with a guy in an F-Type. We both pull upto the lights. It's a 60 limit. He has the top down and I have the windows down. I say to him that sounds lovely fancy a go to 60 ? He says thanks and yes then has a good laugh :-D I snick into Sport. Lights change Jag half heartedly goes for it then realises he's been left behind !!

 

I hit 60 and start slowing for next lights. Jag pulls up alongside and has a WTF moment with a what the hell have you got under the bonnet ?

 

We both have a laugh, lights change and Jag really goes for it while I pootle off..... What a sound ....

I've just had a giggle with a guy in an F-Type. We both pull upto the lights. It's a 60 limit. He has the top down and I have the windows down. I say to him that sounds lovely fancy a go to 60 ? He says thanks and yes then has a good laugh :-D I snick into Sport. Lights change Jag half heartedly goes for it then realises he's been left behind !!

 

I hit 60 and start slowing for next lights. Jag pulls up alongside and has a WTF moment with a what the hell have you got under the bonnet ?

 

We both have a laugh, lights change and Jag really goes for it while I pootle off..... What a sound ....

I really like Q-cars.............

Love it Hepp  :clap:

Yeah :-) it was great to meet another petrol head for a change.

Yeah :-) it was great to meet another petrol head for a change.

We're out there Nick, just not too obvious,especially when driving a

Superb......

 

Cheers from DC, proud to be an irresponsible pensioner...

We're out there Nick, just not too obvious,especially when driving a

Superb......

 

Cheers from DC, proud to be an irresponsible pensioner...

+1

I've just had a giggle with a guy in an F-Type. We both pull upto the lights. It's a 60 limit. He has the top down and I have the windows down. I say to him that sounds lovely fancy a go to 60 ? He says thanks and yes then has a good laugh :-D I snick into Sport. Lights change Jag half heartedly goes for it then realises he's been left behind !!

 

I hit 60 and start slowing for next lights. Jag pulls up alongside and has a WTF moment with a what the hell have you got under the bonnet ?

 

We both have a laugh, lights change and Jag really goes for it while I pootle off..... What a sound ....

 

Awesome, that's what this car is all about isn't it. 

I am not happy with the noise from the tyres on my 280 Estate, Pirelli P7 235/40-19. Way noisier than my Superb II Estate on 225/40-18 Nokians on course tarmac. 

Saw my local friendly dealer today, they will change to another brand tomorrow, and keep on changing until I am happy.  :clap:

Anyone else having this problem with Pirellis? What tyres are you guys on, experience?

I'll post the test results, eventually.

Per

 

Hmm, just realised, must update my profile.

Edited 27 September, 20169 yr by Ancient Mariner

I am not happy with the noise from the tyres on my 280 Estate, Pirelli P7 235/40-19. Way noisier than my Superb II Estate on 225/40-18 Nokians on course tarmac. 

Saw my local friendly dealer today, they will change to another brand tomorrow, and keep on changing until I am happy.  :clap:

Anyone else having this problem with Pirellis? What tyres are you guys on, experience?

I'll post the test results, eventually.

Per

 

Hmm, just realised, must update my profile.

 

I found the P7s noisy too, and a few others have said the same on various threads. I switched the fronts to Michelin Primacy 3 and they're quite a bit quieter. I'm sure others will be quieter again, but as with any tyre it's always a trade off. Better dry and wet grip and lower noise results from a softer silica compound (usually), which means lower EU fuel economy ratings on the label and faster wear compared to a harder compound. The P7s are a harder more 'plasticky' material, with lower rolling resistance, slightly better economy and better durability, but more noise. Bear in mind the A - E fuel ratings are only a few MPG apart between either extreme. Personally I want the softest, stickiest and grippiest tyre going. Sod the 2mpg.