The Skoda name and badge are still regarded by many as a joke (blame Jasper Carrott) some VAG group customers who aspire but can't afford an Audi go the VW route rather than checking out what Skoda are now producing. Badge snobbery still exists.

My Merc owner neighbour said that my Skoda was a great car but he couldn't arrive at his golf club in one.

Can't wait for my new S3

 

Badge snobbery is alive and kicking. Just look at all the bottom of the range and woefully under specced Audi/Mercs/BMW on all those driveways thinking they have premium luxury when actually it is nothing but envy of  high end versions in the ranges.

 

Don't get me wrong - the top end and specced out Audi/BMW/Merc are truly fantastic cars. But the majority don't drive these £60k+ cars.

 

Skoda is making quite a shift in perception in the market place and getting rave reviews across all countries. Even in germany it is mirroring the uk and coming top in the Superb vs Passat vs Mondeo tests. What is clever, is the shift is to dramatically grow 'those in the know' group of people out there. That group of people who have been around for years and know that Skodas are outstanding cars at a fraction of their cousins from the VAG group. 

 

Audi faced a similar challenge 15 years ago. Sure they were a lot higher up the pecking order than Skoda to start with, but they were seem poor third to BMW and Mercedes. However they built on their engineering heritage and developed the 'people in the know' who knew Audi were excellent cars. Took Audi to an equal with BMW and Mercedes at the golf club. Resulted in a lot of BWM middle-aged boy racers switching from BMW to Audi (and taking their reputation with them).

 

I've joked with my neighbour that they best get their house on the market soon as i'll have  a Skoda on the drive in 2 months and drag the local house prices down. 

Buddy of mine just took delivery of a brand new Passat Highline will full R-Line kit, heated steering wheel (I want that!) & park assist to name a few extras on it. He's delighted with it but que endless debates with me over which car is better... this one could run & run...

it's a fine bus though

Buddy of mine just took delivery of a brand new Passat Highline will full R-Line kit, heated steering wheel (I want that!) & park assist to name a few extras on it. He's delighted with it but que endless debates with me over which car is better... this one could run & run...

it's a fine bus though

Yeah, it's close alright [emoji848]. I'm going to try get an extended test in a Passat over the next while. Would really like the heated steering wheel too [emoji106]

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There isn't much between them alright,both are fine cars, the thing that swings it for the Superb in my opinion is the Leather Seats & Sat Nav are standard in it as opposed to an option on the Passat.

There isn't much between them alright,both are fine cars, the thing that swings it for the Superb in my opinion is the Leather Seats & Sat Nav are standard in it as opposed to an option on the Passat.

Coupled with the fact that there is no petrol version and in my opinion the Passat is downright ugly and boring looking.

Right lets put this to bed.

Been driving a Passat 2015 R-line 190tdi for 3 Weeks up till I got my S3 Today

And the S3 SE-L Tdi 150 wipes the floor with it , so much quieter smoother and much more of a present environment to drive in.

Right lets put this to bed.

Been driving a Passat 2015 R-line 190tdi for 3 Weeks up till I got my S3 Today

And the S3 SE-L Tdi 150 wipes the floor with it , so much quieter smoother and much more of a present environment to drive in.

Interesting, that's the Passat that I was thinking of looking at actually.

Coupled with the fact that there is no petrol version and in my opinion the Passat is downright ugly and boring looking.

We do get petrols in Ireland - 1.4 125bhp and 1.4 150bhp ACT. VW Must have lost a few customers in the UK though - Skoda probably picked these up so VAG doesn't lose out I suppose!

Interesting, that's the Passat that I was thinking of looking at actually.

If you decide to go with a Superb you'd wanna be putting your order in now , that way you may get it before the end of 2017!!

Im very surprised that there is that much difference in driving & refinement seeing as they are basically the same cars under the skin...

Edited 28 March, 201610 yr by Rebelred

If you decide to go with a Superb you'd wanna be putting your order in now , that way you may get it before the end of 2017!!

Im very surprised that there is that much difference in driving & refinement seeing as they are basically the same cars under the skin...

Yes, I was just thinking the same thing myself today. I'm getting married early next year and if I was getting a new car I'd like to have in time for that and use it as the wedding car - every bit as good as hiring an S-Class or an A8!!I reckon I'll need to be ordering around June or July anyway if I'm going to change it.

Edited 28 March, 201610 yr by Superb170

If you decide to go with a Superb you'd wanna be putting your order in now , that way you may get it before the end of 2017!!

Im very surprised that there is that much difference in driving & refinement seeing as they are basically the same cars under the skin...

That soon, now that is a bit optimistic! ha ha

Yes, I was just thinking the same thing myself today. I'm getting married early next year and if I was getting a new car I'd like to have in time for that and use it as the wedding car - every bit as good as hiring an S-Class or an A8!!I reckon I'll need to be ordering around June or July anyway if I'm going to change it.

Arrive in 'Style'.... or L&K !!!! ;-)

I'm getting married early next year and if I was getting a new car I'd like to have in time for that and use it as the wedding car - every bit as good as hiring an S-Class or an A8!!I

Firstly congratulations - great news.

 

Secondly don't forget to send us all invites - you could have a 'Superb' guard of honour if you choose the Skoda over the VW. 

Firstly congratulations - great news.

 

Secondly don't forget to send us all invites - you could have a 'Superb' guard of honour if you choose the Skoda over the VW. 

Cheers!  I'm (unsurprisingly) leaning towards the Superb of course and it will probably be another one again I reckon.  It was a no-brainer before as the gap was so wide between Skoda and the competition.  It has definitely narrowed these days so no harm in looking around.