Downside to 4x4?

[woodworm]

Hi everyone

 

I'm currently looking at Superb's.  I'm after 170hp Elegance estate with DSG, probably around a 2012 plate.

 

I have seen a handful of cars on Autotrader that I may be interested in, though a couple are 4x4.  This isn't something I really need as I don't plan to tow anything so should I discard these cars and stick to the front wheel drive vehicles?

 

More to go wrong perhaps?  Additional servicing - haldex service every 40k - not sure how expensive this is?  Fuel economy?

 

I do around 30k a year - mostly motorway miles.

 

Thanks for reading.

Edited 27 July, 2016 by woodworm

[ColinD]

Two daily hits with the haldex. Economy and overall performance, both down on the same engine FWD only vehicle. I'd say between 10and 20% umph, economy harder to say, but definitely a hit as you want to hoof it out of junctions more

 

The advantage then is traction. So for the snowy days that block the A5 but not the A55, 4x4 might be better. A set of winter boots would be better overall.

 

I used to own a 4x4 Superb. Simply there is more to go wrong. Unless you desire the traction/0-60/winter bonus, then I'd stick to FWD and a set of winter tyres

 

Although the freelander in front might be on summers - true story on M5 had to drive around him; in winter on snow, most preturbed he was to join the stationary traffic in lane 1&2

[woodworm]

Thanks Colin.  Mostly A55 and only occassional snowy day on the way to work so sounds like FWD may be the more sensible option.

[chimaera]

As said, economy will be a little worse, and also CO2 emissions. In Ireland the difference in CO2 emissions puts it into a higher motor tax bracket which means it's an extra €180 per year to tax it.

 

On the plus side, you'll have more traction in poor conditions - if you're that sort of driver it will get you down a twisty road a good deal faster than the FWD version.

[Bristolf2b]

Having owned and driven seven 4wd cars in the past 20 years, i'd not go back to FWD. I accept the reduced mileage. Since most have had slightly lower gearing than the FWD equivalent, the "oomph " is not lacking, indeed the quoted 0-60 times have been, on the whole, identical.

I have yet to have any part of the 4wd system on any of them fail.

Edited 27 July, 2016 by Bristolf2b

[Skoda4x4man]

Not sure if this is any use to you ?

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/406633-what-is-my-car-worth/

 

 

Mileage - I can get up to 60mpg on a long run - currently averaging 47mpg

 

 

 

 

Chris

Edited 27 July, 2016 by Skoda4x4man

[woodworm]

Thanks for the replies everyone. 

 

Skoda4x4man - I did see that very post but I really would like a DSG and his is a manual, otherwise it would already be sold ...

[lowedb]

My 4x4 must have a problem then as oomph is something that it isn't lacking. Putting the power down via 4 wheels rather than 2 isn't only useful in snow. Yes its most significant when towing but It just goes where you point it even under power without a trailer. If 4x4 was no advantage how come Audi put it on TTs and so on?

 

That said on mostly motorway miles, probably has little positive and there is an effect on fuel economy. I also find I have to replace all four tyres together, the rears don't last much longer than the fronts.

[Helipilot]

I am under the impression that he 4x4 is in reality a FWD car only switching for 4 wheel drive when driving off then switching to FWD and there it stays until the computer registers wheel spin whereupon it will go into 4 wheel drive for as long as required then changing back again to FWD.

[jafo]

I am under the impression that he 4x4 is in reality a FWD car only switching for 4 wheel drive when driving off then switching to FWD and there it stays until the computer registers wheel spin whereupon it will go into 4 wheel drive for as long as required then changing back again to FWD.

Yes, when you don't push it too hard - and/or wheels don't spin - Haldex transfers about 95% of power to front so it's most of the time FWD.

[john999boy]

As said above, the only real downside is a reduced mpg.

The definite plus side is that I've yet to notice the wheels scrabbling for grip which either a FWD or RWD will invariably do at some point.

[silver1011]

If you were doing average mileage I'd recommend the 4x4.

 

However at 30,000 miles a year the 2 or 3 mpg you'll loose over FWD with the extra weight will be felt in the pocket.

 

4x4 on motorways is where you'll see the least benefit too.

[lowedb]

I am under the impression that he 4x4 is in reality a FWD car only switching for 4 wheel drive when driving off then switching to FWD and there it stays until the computer registers wheel spin whereupon it will go into 4 wheel drive for as long as required then changing back again to FWD.

 

Not sure how true that is. But I've driven FWD cars for years and on occasion had wheel slip. Mostly when pulling away but also on some corners. My 4x4 has never slipped on pull away even with a 1500kg 'van on the back, or in regularly driving horrible country roads. My FWD cars just never feel so 'planted'.

[chimaera]

Haldex can sort of be thought of as a sophisticated traction control system. Instead of dialing back engine power to control front wheel slip, it diverts power to the rear axle.

[wokwon]

Haldex can sort of be thought of as a sophisticated traction control system. Instead of dialing back engine power to control front wheel slip, it diverts power to the rear axle.

 

Yep which means the ASR doesn't cut torque which means all the torque all the time.

 

Downsides are around 40kg heavier, slight loss of economy and the haldex service every 60,000km (I think).  There is also the occasional 'clunk' when reversing around sharp corners while the haldex sorts itself out.  I also had a bugger of a time getting the 4-wheel alignment right to stop it from munching the front tyres.

 

But I couldn't go back to the scrabbling, wheel hopping, boost cutting FWD any more (had a BKD-PD FWD engine in last car). I was going to upgrade to the superb 3 this year when my lease was up, but the dumb arses in Skoda AU aren't bringing the 4WD diesel here, only the 4WD petrol so I just re-leased the same car for another 3 years.  After having 4wd, FWD is now a deal-killer for me.

[jafo]

Yep Me too only 4x4 and at least 2.0 tdi dsg 170ps+ maybe petrol - but also at least 2.0l - I don't like revving engine to have full power.

[terrytowelling]

I'd stick to 2 wd , you're rarely if ever going to need 4wd on British roads. The 4wd is lower geared so revs are higher for a given speed and economy is worse.its also quite a bit slower than the 2wd so I got it remapped I couldn't get a definitive answer on when the haldex oil needed changing on my 2014 model either not even from dealer. So as it's just out of warranty at 70 k I'm starting to fret about it

Edited 28 July, 2016 by terrytowelling

[Huskoda]

The only downside is cost (purchase, fuel, maintenance). But for that you get a car with very stable handling and sure footing. Since I got my first four wheel drive I have no intention of going back to a hobbled car. You get loads out of it in the UK with our wet climate and hills, where it really shines. For snow, the tyres are key anyway.

[peterposh]

I bought my 4x4 in winter 2014 with a view to driving in the snow :-) , of course there hasn't been a flake since :-(

[terrytowelling]

Of course mine's started rattling in a ominous DMFesque  manner

[terrytowelling]

After driving it around for a few hundred miles the noise has stopped. It tends to make a rattle when it hits a pothole I used a rubber mallet and tapped various suspension bits I think it's the disk shield as that makes a similar sound when hit

Edited 14 August, 2016 by terrytowelling

[DEL80Y]

 I couldn't get a definitive answer on when the haldex oil needed changing on my 2014 model either not even from dealer. So as it's just out of warranty at 70 k I'm starting to fret about it

40000 miles its in the service book   

And was confirmed to me from Skoda UK 

[terrytowelling]

Ok ta. Has anyone done their own oil change or is it probably best to leave it to someone who knows what they are doing

[DEL80Y]

Oil / DSG or Haldex ??

DSG would get a specialist to do it as you need to reset with VCDS after oil change about £150 

Oil change pretty easy even easier with a suction pump
http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/346425-oil-and-air-filter-change-skoda-superb-cr140-cffb/

Haldex is easy ..
http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/384716-haldex-pump-fault-0448-and-a-fix-also-changing-the-haldex-clutch-oil/

Edited 15 August, 2016 by DEL80Y

[terrytowelling]

I can't get any sense out of dealers , they haven't even got it down as 4x4 or haldex. I said it's a tour de france special edition 4x4 etc. Anyway I've booked it in for an oil and filter change for £75 which seems to be surprisingly cheap