My Superb 1.8TSI is going back to the dealers. I will need a new set of wheels and have seen a 77k mile vRS TDI on Autotrader. Well priced and well specced. 

 

However, is 77k miles a sensible choice? What age does the cambelt need doing? What things would I need to be weary of?
 

Car is over 200 miles away so want to check out a load of stuff before I even think about going to look at it. 

 

Would be a nice change from 3 years of Superb Ownership.

Get them to do the cambelt (if it hasn't been done already) before you buy it. 77k miles isn't, in itself, an issue; so long as it's been regularly serviced and looked after. I think the dual mass flywheels can be dodgy if not looked after on those, so listen for knocking noises it might make if it's gone/going. See what wear and tear stuff's already been replaced, or not; e.g. brakes, clutch etc. 

 

Given that it's done that mileage in a short space of time, it's probably likely that most of it's been long distance cruising probably on motorways; which I would imagine is better in terms of minimising wear and tear. 

I recently traded in my 13 plate 150CR Elegance with 73k, it was pretty reliable, no breakdowns but as noted above, it had unscheduled service/warranty work as follows..

-Dual mass flywheel, ticking noise started around 50k

-Gear selector mechanism, had trouble disengaging reverse gear, noticed from about 10k but got worse and eventually cause car to reverse even though had selected 1st!

-Various attempts to remedy water retention in front doors, never resolved.

-Plenty of interior rattles.

Also, coming from a Superb, which I did, make sure you are prepared for a firmer ride, the vRS is better than the standard set up but still very firm, my new car has 19" rims with M Sport suspension and it is like floating on air compared to the O3!

IMO its better to buy a new car with lots of mileage than an old one with hardly any miles on it. Generally if its done that milage its been a motorway cruiser so you would hope wear and tear on the engine, suspension and interior should be minimal compared to the equivalent motor that has done normal commuting and runs to the shops.

 

The only problem is your potentially doing a 400 mile round trip and when you get there it could have been a taxi. I've driven a long way before and its bitten me in the ass so I would't do it again unless it was a real bargain, you really can't judge a car just from pictures, you need to look at it and piece the clues together to make an overall assessment of whether its going to be a good buy or a total lemon

Cbelt hasn't been done. It's overdue a service as well. Good bargaining chip. The car is dsg so is that any easier on the dmf?

It's al ways a toss up with mileage. To little and it's done short runs. To much and bills may be coming

My last O3 vRS went back at 55k miles and I was just starting to get a juddering from the clutch

I wouldnt touch it.

To date I have lots of problems and niggles (and they still continue) that to buy one which is used with plenty of miles and and potentially out of warranty is a major gamble.

As much as my car is a love hate relationship I'm glad it has a warranty otherwise it would be costing me thousands already and that is with minor technical problems.

Cbelt hasn't been done. It's overdue a service as well. 

 

The car is dsg so is that any easier on the dmf?

 

How overdue are they?

 

Don't think the DSG has a DMF, although I might be wrong...  :peek:

Comes down to the price really. If it's cheap, drives ok on test drive, snap it up.

How overdue are they?

 

Don't think the DSG has a DMF, although I might be wrong...  :peek:

DSG does require a DMF, I think torque converter autos do without.

IMO sounds like a downgrade ( unless its a lot older Superb), the only reason would be mpg I can see

1.8Tsi is a fantastic engine, not quite vRS ( well its the old vRS isn't it). Why are you parting the Superb just get newer ? Superbs a great car too.

I know its a big car but just looks so stylish.

 

Edit; sorry I can't read, yes your profile confirms a mkII Superb 2010 so I guess age is part of your reasoning.

In my experience newish car and highish miles has been pretty good, but not quite as high as that ( almost half when I got mine) - but I do have the safety net of some remain of warranty and hope you have too.

Edited 19 August, 20169 yr by vRSAnt

See

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/408995-who-to-warn-about-car-thats-not-fit-for-purpose/#entry4693857

Only had it just under 3mths. Perfect spec but just wasnt meant to be

Ah damn, sorry to hear that.

 

I guess you gotta do what you gotta do. Dunno what you talking on figures here but wouldn't rule out a skoda dealer, thats what I got and was far cheaper than anything elsewhere and since that I've seen in the last 12 months, but may have been lucky.

 

Where you are buying it from is equally as important as what the car proports to be imo - its the former point that can help if the latter point turns out to not be quite right - if anything if the first part is okay chances are the seconds less likely to be dodgy.

So don't be focussed on just price, plenty of cars out there.

This the car ?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201607035492943

If so not as "well specced" as they making it out to be.

This the car ?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201607035492943

If so not as "well specced" as they making it out to be.

 

I was looking at that one...do you have some information that may be of benefit to a potential buyer? Very curious...

goodness - the pictures plainly dont match the description

 

just a cursory glance shows

 

no heated screen

no adaptive cruise

no black design pack

Edited 20 August, 20169 yr by johnrowley

I was looking at that one...do you have some information that may be of benefit to a potential buyer? Very curious...

Someone else on here also has been looking at it

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/408883-thoughts-on-potential-mk3-vrs-octavia-estate/#entry4693756

We've both come to the conclusion to walk away! Things just don't add up

Ah damn, sorry to hear that.

I guess you gotta do what you gotta do. Dunno what you talking on figures here but wouldn't rule out a skoda dealer, thats what I got and was far cheaper than anything elsewhere and since that I've seen in the last 12 months, but may have been lucky.

Where you are buying it from is equally as important as what the car proports to be imo - its the former point that can help if the latter point turns out to not be quite right - if anything if the first part is okay chances are the seconds less likely to be dodgy.

So don't be focussed on just price, plenty of cars out there.

Thanks. I'll be going to reputable places from now on. Got the feelers out with a few local dealers.

goodness - the pictures plainly dont match the description

 

just a cursory glance shows

 

no heated screen

no adaptive cruise

no black design pack

Sorry to be naive, if it's a trade seller, how do trade bodies or trade descriptions allow this.

Amazed they offer credit cards, I wonder how many charge backs they get when people realise they have been sold a dud

It is shocking he is getting away with it, I asked him about the lack of heated seats despite claiming it had the winter pack and front sensor for ACC but he didn't answer, all he cared about was if I was interested in buying the car. I'm not.

Good call - sounds like you are in sync with my rule of thumb, who you buying the car from is more important than price etc ?

 

At this price range anyway, its not a £2k motor.....I'd expect to buy from a high end motor place with reputation to match.....unless you were risking private sale at massive discount with lots of history and background and theres not a lot of those about as they tend to go back in the trade.

Good call - sounds like you are in sync with my rule of thumb, who you buying the car from is more important than price etc ?

 

At this price range anyway, its not a £2k motor.....I'd expect to buy from a high end motor place with reputation to match.....unless you were risking private sale at massive discount with lots of history and background and theres not a lot of those about as they tend to go back in the trade.

Completely agree you absolutely need to have faith and trust the individual you are buying a car from especially at this price range. Buying a car can be a complete mine field if you don't have your wits about you.

I was looking at that one...do you have some information that may be of benefit to a potential buyer? Very curious...

It's a a misrepresentation of an advert.

goodness - the pictures plainly dont match the description

 

just a cursory glance shows

 

no heated screen

no adaptive cruise

no black design pack

 

and is the orange engine management light on too,

 

broad daylight but headlights on .....

 

one is left to wonder

and is the orange engine management light on too,

broad daylight but headlights on .....

one is left to wonder

No engine management lights on. But the headlights are switched to on.