Hi folks, 

i am looking to change from my 2.0 150ps diesel to petrol due to the fact i now only travel short journeys.

However I'm a bit concerned about how it will perform in comparison. Unfortunately none of my local dealers have one in stock that I can test drive.

I was wondering what the general consensus is on this model.

Many Thanks

I took a test drive in the 1.4TSI and was quite impressed. Performance wise I don’t think you’ll be disappointed, I thought the whole package felt quite refined and the 7 speed DSG was generally very smooth, although it did dither/hesitate a little at junctions (I’ve been told this is quite common in demos because they are driven by so many people all with different driving styles?).

 

There is a fairly recent thread on this site which mentions a slight vibration when ACT is enabled, but I can’t say I noticed this during my road test…

 

Short journeys don’t suit modern diesels and therefore, IMO, I think you are right to consider a switch to petrol.

 

I’m sure you will get some far better feedback/advice from people who actually own this model but in any case, I really would recommend you take a decent test drive in the model you fancy, even if it means travelling outside your local area.

 

Terry

3 hours ago, davidj241 said:

Hi folks, 

i am looking to change from my 2.0 150ps diesel to petrol due to the fact i now only travel short journeys.

However I'm a bit concerned about how it will perform in comparison. Unfortunately none of my local dealers have one in stock that I can test drive.

I was wondering what the general consensus is on this model.

Many Thanks

 

If you have a play with the search function I think there was a lengthy and active thread debating the pros and cons of the 1.4 running only a couple of weeks ago...

I've gone from a 2.0 diesel (not a Superb) to the 1.4TSi and I'm enjoying it.

 

You have to drive it a little differently - typically the petrol needs a few more revs - but it's quiet and refined.  Plenty of power for overtaking and it's not found wanting when I've had a reasonable load to carry.

 

If you are regularly carrying 4 passengers and a full boot of luggage, the diesel might cope better, but this isn't a situation I find myself in very often.  My daily commute is 10 miles to work and 10 miles home, barely going over 30mph.

 

I've noticed the vibration with ACT enabled too, but it's a fairly minor gripe.

 

Perhaps try driving a 1.4TSi in another guise, such as a Golf or an Octavia.  I know they might not be identical engines but they'll display similar characteristics.

1 hour ago, Whaty said:

I’ve been told this is quite common in demos because they are driven by so many people all with different driving styles

This is pure sales bull****, the DSG only considers only last 5 seconds for behavior (eg: if you press hard the pedal then it stay in S mode for couple seconds). There is no "machine learning" built into the DSG software.

 

All DSG are like that (it's the same on the 280) - very aggressive upshifts. If you're not willing to switch to S before going into intersection/roundabout then perhaps you want engine with more torque at low rpm (like the 2.0 diesel or petrol).

I have a 1.4 dsg and I am very impressed by it. I had a Focus 1.6 diesel before and despite the larger body it is quicker than the Ford.

It's very quiet and refined and I have no vibration with the ACT. The hesitation on entering roundabouts is a peculiarity of the dsg,  although fitting a throttle response tuner goes some way towards eliminating it. I wouldn't say it cures it though.

I can understand people wanting the bigger engine for ultimate acceleration but I find the 1.4 satisfying for day to day driving. It is a quiet and serene drive.

Thanks everyone for your comments - I think that it might be suitable for me. Unfortunately none of my local dealers have one for a test drive - so not sure what to do next.

2 minutes ago, davidj241 said:

Thanks everyone for your comments - I think that it might be suitable for me. Unfortunately none of my local dealers have one for a test drive - so not sure what to do next.

Yes I had this as well. Ended up trying a second hand one, although even they were like hens teeth when I was looking.

Shame you're so far away from me, you could have tried mine.

Vindis in Bury St Edumnds have one. I'm sure you could ask them to get it over to Cambridge for you:

 

https://vindisgroup.com/vehicles/18521?condition[0]=used&condition[1]=demo&keywords=skoda%2Csuperb

 

EDIT: Sorry, that's a manual.  

Edited 3 May, 20179 yr by penguin17
Being a muppet

20 minutes ago, penguin17 said:

Vindis in Bury St Edumnds have one. I'm sure you could ask them to get it over to Cambridge for you:

 

https://vindisgroup.com/vehicles/18521?condition[0]=used&condition[1]=demo&keywords=skoda%2Csuperb

 

EDIT: Sorry, that's a manual.  

in fact Cambridge have a 1.4 dsg estate - i'm going to try and arrange a visit.

 

Whilst you're there ask them where my rear passenger scuff plate is and ask if anyone's coughed up to scratching the **** out of my windscreen? 

ionelmc, hopefully you noticed that I put a question mark at the end of that comment because I'm also sceptical about the ability for the gearbox to 'learn' your driving style. However, I have heard this from several different sources and based on my own (very limited) experience, I'll remain open minded....

 

Before choosing my car I test drove seven versions of the Superb at two 'reasonably' local dealers, Sportline, SEL, SE and SE Tech. as a consequence I also experienced driving the 1.4 petrol DSG, 2.0 TDI manual and 2.0 TDI DSG. All fairly low mileage (under 10k) and a couple of them had less than 1k on the clock. All the DSG's I drove suffered the dither/hesitation to some degree. I was aware of it, it wasn't bad and it obviously didn't put me off ordering one.

 

I went for the 2.0TDI SE Tech with the 6 speed DSG and I can tell you 100% that 'my car' does not suffer from this problem, it never has. Make of that what you will, is it my driving style or have I just been very lucky?

 

Sorry if we've gone a bit off-topic...

 

Terry

A good many replies here

 

Thanks all, test drive arranged for tomorrow - so will see how I get on with it.

5 hours ago, Whaty said:

I went for the 2.0TDI SE Tech with the 6 speed DSG and I can tell you 100% that 'my car' does not suffer from this problem, it never has. Make of that what you will, is it my driving style or have I just been very lucky?

 

Maybe it's just the heavier foot or maybe the low-rpm torque on the diesel compensates DSG's aggressive upshifting. And probably not all pedals are the same (eg: some might have worn out springs in the padal).

I have a Superb 1.4TSI DSG and have previously had a Passat Estate 2.0 TDI DSG. I am very happy with the car and I do not notice any major loss of performance in comparison. The 7 speed DSG changes imperceptibly, so any thoughts about less torque are covered by the gearbox changing gear. The car is ideally suited to long distance cruising rather than performance however. The engine is smoother and quieter than a diesel.

It is too early to say much about fuel consumption, but early days show it is not far behind the Passat.

Think about 17" tyres for more comfort.

The 18'' tyres ain't bad, if you don't put max load pressure (2.8) in them. Turns out pressure changes harshness a lot, don't consider only the wheel size.