8 weeks lead seems unlikely. I've spoken to 3 or 4 dealers in the last couple of weeks and the best I have been promised is late March. One said may.

A thought on maxidot for you, I specced my order with colour maxidot on the basis that it costs the same as a tank and a bit of fuel and you're going to wish you had gone for colour each time you looked at the instrument pack every time you drive it. Particularly if like me you've had a test drive in one that has this extra.

So don't be cheapskate for the sake of £85 or thereabouts. Although really should have been standard!

I had it on my octavia and wish my superb had it. I got it ex demo so no choice but I would apex it every single time, given the option.

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Thanks very much guys. The more I think about it the more I really want the Superb. Thanks also for the kind offer of a look around your Mondeo Dan, but Essex is the best part of four hours away. Even I'm not that die-hard! One thing I did just notice on the S3 configurator is that on the SE L Executive the 17" Helios wheels come as standard, but the option to change to 18" Modus wheels is FOC. Does anyone know how much (and how) the different wheel size (and slimmer tyres on the 18s) affect the drive? I imagine the standard 17s are a bit more refined and comfortable but that the 18s might give a slightly firmer and - dare I suggest - engaging drive? I'll do a forum search to see if it's already been covered, but since I was here anyway...

I picked modus a dim really pleased with them. The ride on the 18's is fine.

One thing I did just notice on the S3 configurator is that on the SE L Executive the 17" Helios wheels come as standard, but the option to change to 18" Modus wheels is FOC. Does anyone know how much (and how) the different wheel size (and slimmer tyres on the 18s) affect the drive? I imagine the standard 17s are a bit more refined and comfortable but that the 18s might give a slightly firmer and - dare I suggest - engaging drive? I'll do a forum search to see if it's already been covered, but since I was here anyway...

The SE-L comes with 18s across the board - the 'standard' ones just look like the Helios.  It only comes with 17s if you get a Greenline version as far as I'm aware.  I was tempted by the 19s - they look great but I think it might just be a step too far!

I picked modus a dim really pleased with them. The ride on the 18's is fine.

`a dim really pleased`.mmmmmmmmmmm.

`a dim really pleased`.mmmmmmmmmmm.

 

Yeah its a colloquialism in Yorkshire that means I'am or I am.... Don't you know owt ??????

 

Of course I would expect you Lincs heathens not to know that .... ;-)

Edited 6 December, 201510 yr by Nick_H

   

Derv, if you happen to be in or around Essex over the next month or so drop me a note. You're welcome to look over our Mondeo.

Hi Dan.

 

Could we take a peek at your Mondy, we've driven a couple of the Mk5 's at a Ford Pensioners driving day earlier this year & I've had my trundle around Bishops 

Stortford in a 2.0 petrol, but we are still undecided as wht to have next!

 

It would be good to talk with someone who uses the car in the real world too.

 

Perhaps we "should" be loyal to the brand & utilize our valuable privilege discount........... 

 

 

David C.

David - shouldn't be a problem at all though given everything on will have to be after Christmas! Get in touch when that's out the way as am sure we can get that sorted - wife is actually getting a new (and identical other than colour) one tomorrow.  Cheers, Dan

David - shouldn't be a problem at all though given everything on will have to be after Christmas! Get in touch when that's out the way as am sure we can get that sorted - wife is actually getting a new (and identical other than colour) one tomorrow.  Cheers, Dan

Thanks Dan.

 

I'll PM you next month when life gets back to normal.

 

Does your wife like having to change her car so often?   My wife used to get comments from her management that they'ed get used to a car then have it replaced, probably to give Ford Direct

something to sell?

 

Happy Holidays, David C.

Changing car frequently (usually twice a year, sometimes more) sounds great on the face of it but is actually a nuisance. I'm the one who gets to clean it inside and out each time and you're forever shifting things between them. With the diesels in particular they're doing a third less mpg than quoted and by the time you've run them in and they've loosened up you're giving the car back again. That said there's never any concern about tyres or servicing! She's just picked her new 240PS Mondeo up today. I've already had a text saying it has a heated steering wheel this time apparently :-)

And you're totally right about Ford Direct. All the main manufacturers play a similar game to generate good condition nearly new cars on the forecourts. They certainly get well looked after as a rule-there are stiff penalties for returning them with any damage.

Just an update for those who kindly took time to answer all my questions.

 

We found another Ford dealer, who was actually friendly and helpful, unlike the rest. But they 'couldn't get a petrol to test drive, even an ST', either... This despite them being listed as an approved ST/Vignale/Mustang supplier by Ford. For those who don't know Vignale and Mustangs etc are only available at certain approved Ford dealerships so one would naturally assume they had them available for testing if they want to sell any?! God knows how that's supposed to work lol. I'm actually going to email my experiences to Ford as maybe it'll give them a poke.

 

Today I test drove the BMW 3 series touring (320d with ZF 8 speed auto), and then the Superb 150 diesel DSG as that's the only one the dealer had available. The latter was just to see how the standard suspension feels, as I can't realistically base my opinion on an Octy VRS test drive. 

 

Long story short we have now placed an order for a Superb 2.0 TSI (220hp) SE-L Executive DSG hatch, in quartz grey with black alcantara/leather, colour maxidot and DSG paddles. They reckon it'll probably get to May or even June before it's built and delivered though! We saw the petrol blue in person and didn't like it (or perhaps more accurately, it wasn't how we envisaged from pictures) so we changed our minds. My wife likes moon white, and I liked the rosso red so we compromised lol.

 

If I have one concern/regret it's that Superbs are FWD. A massive 'exec saloon' like this with power in the 200s, and it's squealing around on the TC with FWD. How much better it'd have been with RWD, especially since it has that big transmission tunnel inside already anyway. Shame I couldn't get the 280 4x4 really. I managed to spin the wheels just pulling out of a junction in the 150 diesel... I think it was as much to do with my unfamiliarity with DSG as anything though as I'd sharply braked then quickly hit the gas. It was fine for the rest of the 30/40 minute test drive.

 

Being honest I'm pleasantly surprised at the perceived cabin quality, NVH and outright comfort of the S3 compared to the Beamer. The BMW was very nicely finished, and more ergonomically laid out than the S3 in some ways. However after just 10 minutes its sports seats were really starting to annoy. The alcantara/leather in the S3 on the other hand were 'invisible' and fully supportive throughout, which is a bit of a necessity when you have spinal arthritis. We went alcantara in the end as it's so much grippier on the old backside, feels more comfortable and won't be hot in summer/cold in winter compared to full leather. For some (no doubt imaginary) reason, I found the alcantara seats felt bigger but yet more supportive than the full leather ones we tried previously. Maybe it's just how they 'feel' because of being softer/grippier. *shrug*

 

As an aside, I didn't get much of a real test drive from BMW. They literally 'allowed' me to drive in a square, around the block twice. We didn't get past 30mph at all, and spent most of it at <20mph in traffic. I'd have given the money to Skoda for that alone. They took me out for as long as I wanted this afternoon, covering town, rural B roads, dual carriageways and motorway to ensure I 'experienced the DSG gearbox and suspension in all conditions to enable sir to make up his mind properly'. As if I'd be happy signing away >£32,000 to BMW on the back of a five minute test drive at 20mph lol

 

That said the BMW ZF gearbox is a bloody peach and I have to say was a bit nicer than the DSG (sorry!). Having 8 speeds it was more flexible and was cruising at 1,200rpm once you'd chosen a speed to stick at, but even a hint of nudging the gas dropped several gears and acceleration was instant. The DSG in today's diesel S3 felt a bit slow and dim-witted in comparison, but I have to say it was in eco mode. The Octy VRS I tried recently was every bit as responsive as the BMW, so I'm hoping that's a 'driving mode' thing more than a gearbox thing.

 

Anyway... Looking forward to being back in the Skoda stable, and having a forced induction car to play with again. Thanks so much again for all your patience, time and experiences.  :clap:

Nice read, thank you.

 

But....

Para 4, `TC`?

Para 4, `gas`, bloody Americanisms!

Para 5, `NVH`?

 

Long wait but I'm sure you'll love it once it arrives.

TC : Traction Control

NVH : Noise Vibration Harshness

TC : Traction Control

NVH : Noise Vibration Harshness

Thank you.