So as my info states. Our family is a 2x superb II outfit.

The estate 1.6 greenline (but remapped and raised a bit)

The saloon 2.0 both manual

For the past 2 years we have used the estate to pull our small caravan all over Europe. But I am trying to decide if we should fit a towbar to the newer and more powerful 2.0

So far our thinking is as follows - can you think of anything else?

Estate 1.6 does the job well considering its size, still makes me tense up when we go over speed bumps (the 1st year before the height increase it was dreadful)

The 2.0 should return a bit more MPG, while towing the caravan, but we don't spend all that much time towing, we get where we get to and do a little driving without the caravan. So towing savings would never make up for the cost of the fitment of a towbar

Estate carries tons of gear in the back with the seats down - 2.0 will carry a lot, but seats don't fold flat. We don't really need to use all the space of course

The 2.0 is far more comfortable, seats and sun roof, better view

The estate is on 119k, 2.0 on 70k and I use the 2.0 for commuting - loads of time for it to catch up with the estate in mileage. Resale value is not part of my equation at all.

At the end of the day I can't really justify £500+ to the holiday cost when we already spent that on the estate - unless.......maybe you can think of something we havn't??

Thanks

Sell both and get the car you need: 2.0 Estate...

Just now, chimaera said:

Sell both and get the car you need: 2.0 Estate...

lol - sorry - selling is definitely out of the question. If they were the othe rway round I would be quite happy and it would have made sense but it's not going to happen.

Swap the towbar onto the 2.0?  (maybe that's stupidity - don't shoot me - I've never towed anything or fitted one!)

I think your last sentence sums it up - why spend £500 when you don't have to, the 1.6 does the job just fine as it has done for you for some time.

Despite the higher mileage on the 1.6 the lower mileage 2.0 could go wrong tomorrow, or it could keep going for another 100k without a problem - no one knows, so I'd stick with what you have and enjoy saving the £500 for something else.

9 hours ago, TheRobinK said:

Swap the towbar onto the 2.0?  (maybe that's stupidity - don't shoot me - I've never towed anything or fitted one!)

 

I was thinking the same. I would think they the same part, but you'd need to check.

 

Another option is to look out for a second hand towbar, which I have seen on eBay, etc.

Thanks for the thoughts

Strangely, the tow bar fitment requires the replacement of the whole metal part of the bumper. It may fit, may not.

But the main cost is labour and the wiring loom extention from the front of the car.

29 minutes ago, S00perb said:

But the main cost is labour and the wiring loom extention from the front of the car.

 

Again - keep in mind that I havent fitted a hitch and am ignorant but....

 

Your L&K is a 2014 as is my 2014 Elegance. On my car, option "1D7" was standard and this is trailer hitch preparation.  My understanding was that this means the wiring is already in place (factory installed during production). 

 

I did a quick googling and found the Briskoda post below: 

 

 

I called skoda and they say my L&K does not have the wiring for the hitch - I find that very odd. I could understand the greenline not having it, but the L&K should have had it.

I think we will take another trip in the estate and caravan and see how I can take the extra heavy clutch - really messed my knee up on the last holiday.

I wouldn't accept what Skoda has said just yet .... unless you have had a chance to check your wheel well sticker in the boot and/or your service manual. If "1D7" is there then you have trailer hitch prep no matter what someone on the phone says. If it isn't, fair enough and whoever you called is right.

3 hours ago, TheRobinK said:

I wouldn't accept what Skoda has said just yet .... unless you have had a chance to check your wheel well sticker in the boot and/or your service manual. If "1D7" is there then you have trailer hitch prep no matter what someone on the phone says. If it isn't, fair enough and whoever you called is right.

Ah, now that would be a game changer - no service book with my car but where do I look for the sticker?

The sticker should be in the spare wheel well.

 

The wiring kit you need will probably be a Skoda-only job. I've come across it before but I can't find the part number right now.

46 minutes ago, S00perb said:

where do I look for the sticker?

 

The picture below is from a Passat wagon, but it will give you the idea. It will be somewhere along the inside of the spare wheel well :

 

 

19 hours ago, chimaera said:

The sticker should be in the spare wheel well.

 

The wiring kit you need will probably be a Skoda-only job. I've come across it before but I can't find the part number right now.

I independently  sourced and purchased all the parts for my estate from information on this forum. Worked out a good buy at the time. Got it fitted by witter in Leicester and they upgraded the wiring loom a little - said the skoda one was not as good as it could be. When they showed me the parts they swapped out, I had to agree with them.

Looking for the sticker as soon as it stops tipping it down

On 28/09/2017 at 10:28, TheRobinK said:

I wouldn't accept what Skoda has said just yet .... unless you have had a chance to check your wheel well sticker in the boot and/or your service manual. If "1D7" is there then you have trailer hitch prep no matter what someone on the phone says. If it isn't, fair enough and whoever you called is right.

Blast - doesn't look like it:

From http://prsearch.planetvag.com/:

 

Quote

PRCode: 1AT = Electronic stabilization program (ESP)
PRCode: 1D0 = Without trailer hitch
PRCode: 1KJ = Disc brakes rear
PRCode: 1N3 = Speed-related variable steering assist (Servotronic)
PRCode: 1NL = Covers for alloy wheels
PRCode: 2VA = Nameplate set GTI 16V Edition (without model designation)
PRCode: 3FE = Electric slide/tilt sunroof with sun screen/sunblind
PRCode: 3GD = Plane rear cargo area
PRCode: 3L6 = Electric seat adjustment for both front seats driver's seat with memory system
PRCode: 3QT = 3-point seat belts with tensioner and height adjustment front
PRCode: 3S4 = Preparation for roof load rack
PRCode: 4A4 = Seat heater for front and rear seats separately controlled
PRCode: 4F2 = Central locking system Keyless Entry
PRCode: 4UP = Driver's and front passenger air bag with knee air bag and front passenger air bag deactivation
PRCode: 4X3 = Side air bag front with curtain air bag
PRCode: 5RV = Right exterior mirror: aspherical
PRCode: 5SJ = Left exterior mirror: convex
PRCode: 6FB = Body-colored exterior mirror housings
PRCode: 6Y0 = Without cruise control warning system
PRCode: 7A0 = Without CD changer/CD player
PRCode: 7AL = Anti-theft alarm system passenger compartment control backup horn and towing protection
PRCode: 7MJ = Emission standard EU5 plus
PRCode: 7P1 = Power adjustable lumbar support in frontseats
PRCode: 7T6 = Navigation system (MID)
PRCode: 7X5 = Parallel parking assistant
PRCode: 8AY = Radio/navigation system
PRCode: 8GV = Alternator 180 A
PRCode: 8L5 = Roof antenna and diversity window antenna
PRCode: 8QL = Key for locking system with remote control
PRCode: 8WD = Integrated front fog light
PRCode: 8X1 = Headlight washer system
PRCode: 9AK = Climatronic with impact pressure control free of cfc
PRCode: 9P3 = Seat belt reminder electric contact in buckle
PRCode: 9VJ = Sound package
PRCode: 9ZG = Mobile phone preparation with hands-freespeaking system
PRCode: B09 = Type approval Great Britain and NorthernIreland
PRCode: E7L = Highline
PRCode: F0A = No special purpose vehicle standard equipment
PRCode: G15 = Front shock absorption
PRCode: H7D = Tires 225/40 R18 92Y xl
PRCode: J2D = Battery 380 A (68 Ah)
PRCode: L03 = Suspension range 03 installation control only no requirement forecast
PRCode: Q2J = Comfort front seats
PRCode: QI6 = Without service indicator
PRCode: QN0 = Without drawers under front seats

 

Do you ever feel uncomfortable about the speed or acceleration with the 1.6? I tow a fairly big van with our 2.0 TDi 4x4 and its a 170, and I have to say I would never go back to towing with something less capable. I have the confidence to pull out at junctions, overtake slow traffic, and generally know I'm making good progress without inconveniencing other drivers (other than those that don't accept speed limits). It kind of makes me wonder if you have the concern, if you are asking the question.

3 hours ago, lowedb said:

Do you ever feel uncomfortable about the speed or acceleration with the 1.6? I tow a fairly big van with our 2.0 TDi 4x4 and its a 170, and I have to say I would never go back to towing with something less capable. I have the confidence to pull out at junctions, overtake slow traffic, and generally know I'm making good progress without inconveniencing other drivers (other than those that don't accept speed limits). It kind of makes me wonder if you have the concern, if you are asking the question.

No concern about the speed or power of the 1.6 at all. Pulled our little caravan all over the alps.

Acceleration? Can't say I accelerate more in the 2.0 than the 1.6. I could, of course, but don't. I'd rather save the fuel money for other things. Wouldn't be overtaking with the caravan anyway.

Concerned about inconveniencing other drivers? Yep, I had that one big time when I first got the caravan with the 1.6. With some good planning I found it wasn't the issue I expected. In 3 years (3 months touring) our record was a massive queue of cars to the total of ..............5. The key is to choose the route and time of travel. All our trips start in the UK (Home to Dover) in the dead of night. In Europe the roads are far less crowded and when you pick the right route you rarely see traffic. We often travel with the caravan at night anyway, kip up in car parks in the day; till we get to where we're going, which means with 2 people taking it in turns you can get virtually anywhere in 3 days.

One of the reasons we chose these cars is the amazing adaptive front xenon lighting. You don't feel you are driving at night, just lit up like day - and no one else about. You should see those lights taking the curves in the Alps at night!

Take a caravan out with any vehicle in daylight in the UK, keep to the legal caravan speed limit and you will have a bigger queue than we have ever had.

Rent a villa, fly down

Just now, lichfielddriver said:

Rent a villa, fly down

Not sure I can bring 8 crates of Belgium beer back on the plane

 

3 minutes ago, S00perb said:

Not sure I can bring 8 crates of Belgium beer back on the plane

 

 

 

 

the only stuff worth having is GENUINE Stella (500ml/embossed cans) and speaking as an "ex importer" i can say the markets dead....

 

lol

 

 

 

 

HMRC liked mine so much they tried to keep my car to take the beer home in

Just now, lichfielddriver said:

 

 

 

the only stuff worth having is GENUINE Stella (500ml/embossed cans) and speaking as an "ex importer" i can say the markets dead....

 

lol

 

 

 

 

 

Stella - thats not beer!!

Talking to a Belgium beer expert last year, I took the p1ss out of him about Belgium making cheep larger like stella. He said it was not made for the Belgians, but for the French

They have a special brewing method, he said. It involves collecting all the slops from the pub drip trays, feeding them, to donkeys and collecting the stella at the other end

They don't like the French

 

3 hours ago, S00perb said:

 

Stella - thats not beer!!

Talking to a Belgium beer expert last year, I took the p1ss out of him about Belgium making cheep larger like stella. He said it was not made for the Belgians, but for the French

They have a special brewing method, he said. It involves collecting all the slops from the pub drip trays, feeding them, to donkeys and collecting the stella at the other end

They don't like the French

 

 

Stella sold best..........lol 100% mark up

 

 

14 hours ago, lichfielddriver said:

 

Stella sold best..........lol 100% mark up

 

 

Watch out for the customs guy who is on these boards!