Since the car is in for its first service I thought it might be useful to put down a few thoughts about my first six weeks of ownership, in case anyone is thinking about buying. In the middle of January I collected a June 2017 2.0TDI 190 DSG L&K, trading in my much-loved 2013 SII 2.0TDI SE+ CR140 manual, so I already knew the new car would be a step up in technology and equipment.

The good:

1.      DSG + ACC, Lane Assist and ALG. For many this might be a seldom-used “toy” but for me it’s been a game-changer. I do a lot of stop start during my commute (motorway slip roads and dual carriageway merging to single in rush hour mainly), and going from a manual to DSG was always going to be a huge improvement. But when you add in the LA and ALG, it has made my 150 mile round trip commute 75%+ “autonomous”. I can’t speak highly enough of the system.

2.      Canton. The best sound system I’ve ever had in a car. I’ve never burned CDs to FLAC because of course that’s not allowed here, but if I had, I’m sure they would sound wonderful.

3.      Ride quality – this was another concern since I was moving from 17” to 18” wheels and we all know the state of the roads in the UK. But the ride is actually better in the new car, thanks I guess to the DCC.

4.      Reliability. One we all take for granted I suspect, but always a concern for me when changing cars (the SE+ was utterly reliable during my ownership, as was my previous SII Greenline). I know we have warranty, but if I don’t turn up for work I don’t get paid and I can’t see Skoda forking out for that. I’m delighted to say it has started first time every time so far, and I haven’t had any of the problems mentioned on these boards (yet - touch wood).

5.      Value for money. This one is completely subjective, but to get this kind of spec for the money I paid is nothing short of astonishing to me. Maybe that’s because I’m wrongly comparing it with “premium” brands and the Dacia / Kia owners are laughing up their sleeves. But I’ve had Range Rover and Audi (yes you heard it right!) drivers compliment me on the car.

6.      Blind spot monitor. Not sure if this should get a mention or not really. The system is great, but I can’t help thinking it was created because the wing mirrors are just too small!

 The not so good (aka first world problems):

1.      Sensors. My biggest disappointment on the car so far. I had front sensors on my SII Greenline and they were great – it’s a big car after all and I do a lot of multi-storey car park manoeuvring . I really missed them on the SE+ and was looking forward to getting them back. But the new ones are (IMHO) awful. The side sensors are far too sensitive (full blare when at least 6-8 inches away from anything), making the whole thing effectively useless. If I could find a way to turn off the side sensors I would.

2.      Satnav (until recently). The way mine was set up was super annoying. The woman would just not shut up! It got to the point where I was going to turn the announcements off altogether and just use the map / maxi-dot directions. Then by accident I found a setting in the nav settings that adjusts nav announcements from “comprehensive” to “brief”. I also reduced the amount by which the radio / media is damped when announcements are being made. Together this has been a great compromise for me – enough info without annoying interruptions every 5 seconds.

3.      Start-stop. Had it and hated it on the Greenline. Very happy not to have had it on the SE+. Now have it back and hate it just as much. I don’t have the “early shut-off” problems mentioned elsewhere by people – I just hate the system and turn it off before I set off.

 

 The “not sure yet”

1.      KESSY – I worried a lot about this as I often park the car remotely from where I am and had read the reports on boot lids opening randomly etc. I’ve managed to trigger the boot lid a couple of times with inadvertent pushes of the button, but never really had a problem with it. But TBH I haven’t found it to be anything special, and wouldn’t recommend buying it as an extra (it’s standard on mine).

2.      Auto parking. This was always going to be a toy for me. I’ve used it once to impress my grandson – can’t really envisage using it again TBH. Wouldn’t pay for it as an extra.

3.      Tyres. There’s lots on here about the P7s. I can’t put them in the not good category as they have been reliable and sure-footed on both the SE+ and the new L&K. But I’m sure the road noise is louder than it needs to be. Why can’t manufacturers (not just Skoda) put better tyres on their flagship models?

4.      Fuel economy. Going from a 140 manual to a 190 DSG was always going to hit the fuel economy, but I’m currently (on a maxi-dot basis so not even going to mention the numbers as they are likely not accurate) 10MPG down. I’m hoping as we move into spring that I will get 5MPG back as that is where I guessed I would get to. We’ll have to see.

5.      Adblue. This is still on my worry list, but hasn’t caused me any trouble yet (it still shows 6k miles to top-up). I suppose I have to get used to it since even the 150s have it now.

Overall: it’s a fantastic car and I would (and have) recommend it to others. It’s the perfect motorway muncher and I look forward to getting into it every day.  Sorry for the ramble, but when I was lurking before buying this one I found owner reports really helpful.

100% agree on Canton.  First thing I spec'd on the 280.  

 

I don't think you can change the sensitivity of the parking sensors but you can opt to enable them manually via the button near the gear lever, rather than automatically when below a certain speed an approaching an object, e.g low speed manoeuvre's. 

 

The stop/start prematurely kicking in is not something I've experienced on a manual but I'm soon to change to DSG and I must admit, based on the numerous posts I've read on here, it concerns me a little.  Time will tell. 

Stop/start on the DSG can be finessed with the brake pedal. It doesn't kick in until 2(?) mph, so do 99.5% of your braking as hard as you like, but let off and feather the brake pedal at the very end of the stop. Obviously, I'm not talking about an emergency stop. Anyway, it works for me. The only time I switch it off is at rush hour roundabouts.

 

 

Don't worry about the adblue.  It's as easy as filling up your windscreen washers.

 

And your fuel economy will go up dramatically when the weather warms up - I got mine (same spec as you) in January last year and the mpg really goes up as it gets milder.

 

I agree about the sensors- mine come on at weird times in traffic jams - usually in the middle of a good song too ! 

 

I always turn off voices on satnavs - so annoying.  Rather just look at the guidance and follow that.

2 hours ago, BriskodaJeff said:

"the wing mirrors are just too small!"

     I noticed that on my Test Drive :(

 The not so good (aka first world problems):

1.      Sensors. My biggest disappointment on the car so far. I had front sensors on my SII Greenline and they were great – it’s a big car after all and I do a lot of multi-storey car park manoeuvring . I really missed them on the SE+ and was looking forward to getting them back. But the new ones are (IMHO) awful. The side sensors are far too sensitive (full blare when at least 6-8 inches away from anything), making the whole thing effectively useless. If I could find a way to turn off the side sensors I would.

 

Thank god I didn't spec them

     

2.      Satnav (until recently). The way mine was set up was super annoying. The woman would just not shut up! It got to the point where I was going to turn the announcements off altogether and just use the map / maxi-dot directions. Then by accident I found a setting in the nav settings that adjusts nav announcements from “comprehensive” to “brief”. I also reduced the amount by which the radio / media is damped when announcements are being made. Together this has been a great compromise for me – enough info without annoying interruptions every 5 seconds.

 

3.      Start-stop. Had it and hated it on the Greenline. Very happy not to have had it on the SE+. Now have it back and hate it just as much. I don’t have the “early shut-off” problems mentioned elsewhere by people – I just hate the system and turn it off before I set off.

 

The "Early Shut-off" isn't a problem, it's a feature, and if you switch off "Auto Hold" it does somewhat to prevent the early-shutoff

 

 The “not sure yet”

1.      KESSY – I worried a lot about this as I often park the car remotely from where I am and had read the reports on boot lids opening randomly etc. I’ve managed to trigger the boot lid a couple of times with inadvertent pushes of the button, but never really had a problem with it. But TBH I haven’t found it to be anything special, and wouldn’t recommend buying it as an extra (it’s standard on mine).

 

Wanted it - thanks for putting me off :-)

 

5.      Adblue. This is still on my worry list, but hasn’t caused me any trouble yet (it still shows 6k miles to top-up). I suppose I have to get used to it since even the 150s have it now.

I've just ordered my 150 - and it still doesn't come with SCR according to the dealer, though I asked the question as I saw the Kodiaq's 150 engine does require it.

 

2 hours ago, BriskodaJeff said:

The not so good (aka first world problems):

1.      Sensors. My biggest disappointment ... (full blare when at least 6-8 inches away from anything), making the whole thing effectively useless. If I could find a way to turn off the side sensors I would.

You don't need full blare. You can adjust the volume, tone and entertainment fading in the menu Car -> Settings -> Parking and Manoeuvring.

19 minutes ago, BillyJim said:

You don't need full blare. You can adjust the volume, tone and entertainment fading in the menu Car -> Settings -> Parking and Manoeuvring.

Thanks BillyJim. Bad wording on my part I'm afraid (though I'm not sure you can vary the volume on the side sensors - happy to be corrected though). My gripe is that the side sensors are way too sensitive, triggering a full "you're about to hit something" warning when still 6-8 inches away from the wall. Going round a multi-storey this way makes the whole system pretty much unusable.

 

2 hours ago, penguin17 said:

The stop/start prematurely kicking in is not something I've experienced on a manual but I'm soon to change to DSG and I must admit, based on the numerous posts I've read on here, it concerns me a little.  Time will tell. 

I've never had it kick in early on my DSG either Penguin. There's actually nothing wrong with the Start/Stop system - I just don't like it and never have. I suspect it may hark back to my early driving days, where if the 1970's BL or Citroen product I was driving at the time cut out at a junction, it meant pushing it round the corner and waiting for the AA! My problem, not the car's I guess.

 

1 hour ago, Mickey43 said:

Don't worry about the adblue.  It's as easy as filling up your windscreen washers.

 

And your fuel economy will go up dramatically when the weather warms up - I got mine (same spec as you) in January last year and the mpg really goes up as it gets milder.

Thanks for the reassurances on both points Mickey. I'm hoping the early issues on adblue were ironed out before mine was built. The MPG isn't a life-changer, but good to hear I could get toward the MPG I would be hoping for.

 

@hwr1983 you may be right about the 150 and adblue, though I seem to remember reading on here that the new ones will use Adblue. The good news (as Mickey above says) is that the early problems seem to have been resolved. Might be worth checking with your dealer, though to be honest it's the way the diesel world is going so I just go with it. At 30k miles pa I don't get a lot of choice!

 

1 hour ago, Mickey43 said:

I always turn off voices on satnavs - so annoying.  Rather just look at the guidance and follow that.

Fair one Mickey - I think a few have done that. But with the changes I've made I'm now really happy with it - it's like a more accurate version of the one in my SII! I did turn off the 3 route choice after reading on here it will send you halfway around the county to save 2p in fuel if you choose the green option. Fastest all the way for me.

 

2 hours ago, penguin17 said:

100% agree on Canton.  First thing I spec'd on the 280.  

 

Oh yes! The P7 noise cancelling unit as I call it. I've had mine up to "uncomfortable to be around" volume levels and not heard any distortion - fantastic bit of kit.

I've just ordered a 150 and it looks like it'll need AdBlue

I thought I'd post an update with a more considered view based on seven months of ownership, for anyone considering buying.

 

I'm delighted to say that all of the "good" items in my opening post are still just as good, or even better than I thought them after six weeks.

 

I've moved fuel economy from "not sure yet" to "good" - I'm averaging 55+mpg over the period of ownership and currently getting 58-62mpg, which is pretty good for a 190ps I think. I put it down to warmer weather, summer diesel and the car not having been driven for a month before I picked it up in January.

 

I've removed Adblue from my "not sure yet" list. It was a big worry for me as this is my first car that uses it, but it's a complete non-issue and should not put anyone off buying a TDI. The first time it does an active regeneration can be a bit of a shock as the fans go crazy and the car smells like it's burning, even with everything turned off. This is completely normal, but caught me very much by surprise the first time it happened.

 

I've added some new ones to my "good" list:

1. The pick-up of the 190 when overtaking is fantastic. Obviously not in 280 territory, but always enough to get me out of trouble and paint a big stupid grin across my face. I love the way the front end lifts when you floor it.

2. Having an SD card for music - so much better than CDs. (I don't do the streaming thing).

3. Map updates. They may seem a bit of a pain since they take so long and don't always work first time, but it's a whole lot better than being told it will cost £x00.00 a time and can only be done at the dealer's, as was the case for my previous mk2. I don't use Waze etc, so the Columbus is my only satnav.

4. Styling. I was a bit unsure about this to start with, since the Mk2 was more limo-like and I worried I would look like a gangster in the new one. But it's really grown on me.

5. Comfort. It always takes me a few months to find the "right" seat position in a Superb, and this one was no exception. I spend a lot of hours in the car, and I'm getting out of it as fresh as when I got in.

6. Voice control. This works way better than it did on the Mk2, and means I'm not fiddling with the infotainment system or control wheels while driving.

 

I've only moved one thing from "not sure yet" to "not so good" - the tyres (Pirelli P7). They are awful and if you can get one with different tyres, do it. It won't be as quiet as an E Class, but it will be a whole lot quieter than with P7s on it. I still hate the stop-start and the side sensors, and I still can't get excited one way or the other about KESSY. The only new "bad" thing I've found (and we really are talking about first world problems here) are the headlight washers. They are utterly pointless (but legally required, frustratingly). It's so annoying to watch a stream of wasted screen-wash spurt all over your freshly cleaned bonnet. The frequency with which it happens can be changed, but (AFAIK) only by VCDS. Why not on the infotainment screen where you change light settings etc?

 

There are a few things to be aware of. They don't rank as being bad, and many will apply to other cars as well as the Superb, but they are worth considering:

1. Windscreen. This is a sore point for me at the moment as I'm waiting for a chip repair later this week. The bit to be aware of is that if you have the A5 camera for lane assist etc, replacing the windscreen becomes a whole new level of horrible. That includes the cost and the time it takes, since they have to recalibrate the camera, and not everywhere can do it. I'm dreading the Autoglass technician telling me they can't repair mine.

2. Throttle lag. This is real, and can be a problem. There are some fixes (Audi throttle mod activated by VCDS or OBDeleven, or an after-market pedal box for example). Personally I've found flicking the DSG lever to Sport when I want a quick getaway to be adequate, but I'm not a racing driver by any stretch of the imagination.

3. Unheated windscreen washers. Don't use cheap forecourt screen-wash in winter - it will freeze at barely below zero. Ask me how I know...

4. I haven't had the rattle problems some others have, but the doors can creak like a creaky thing, more so in the hot weather in my experience. There is an easy fix - rubber care (gummi pfleger), but it needs liberal and regular application to keep the creaks away.

5. If test driving a Superb without the blind spot monitoring system, make sure you are happy the door mirrors are ok for you. I find them too small and have to move in my seat to get a decent view when changing lane on the motorway. BSM helps a lot, and I wouldn't want to be without it. 

6. Depending on spec, you are buying a whole lot of computerisation. It's not a car you can repair easily yourself, so I'd recommend regular maintenance and a budget for gizmology-repair if keeping it beyond the warranty period.

 

Happily, the summary after seven months is the same as it was after six weeks. I love the car and can heartily recommend it. It's safe, comfortable, frugal and great fun to drive for such a barge. It more than holds its own in the Merc, BMW and Audi-filled corporate car park, and the value for money is IMHO astounding. Hope this helps anyone looking at the Superb as a potential next car.

2 minutes ago, BriskodaJeff said:

I thought I'd post an update with a more considered view based on seven months of ownership, for anyone considering buying.

 

I'm delighted to say that all of the "good" items in my opening post are still just as good, or even better than I thought them after six weeks.

 

I've moved fuel economy from "not sure yet" to "good" - I'm averaging 55+mpg over the period of ownership and currently getting 58-62mpg, which is pretty good for a 190ps I think. I put it down to warmer weather, summer diesel and the car not having been driven for a month before I picked it up in January.

 

I've removed Adblue from my "not sure yet" list. It was a big worry for me as this is my first car that uses it, but it's a complete non-issue and should not put anyone off buying a TDI. The first time it does an active regeneration can be a bit of a shock as the fans go crazy and the car smells like it's burning, even with everything turned off. This is completely normal, but caught me very much by surprise the first time it happened.

 

I've added some new ones to my "good" list:

1. The pick-up of the 190 when overtaking is fantastic. Obviously not in 280 territory, but always enough to get me out of trouble and paint a big stupid grin across my face. I love the way the front end lifts when you floor it.

2. Having an SD card for music - so much better than CDs. (I don't do the streaming thing).

3. Map updates. They may seem a bit of a pain since they take so long and don't always work first time, but it's a whole lot better than being told it will cost £x00.00 a time and can only be done at the dealer's, as was the case for my previous mk2. I don't use Waze etc, so the Columbus is my only satnav.

4. Styling. I was a bit unsure about this to start with, since the Mk2 was more limo-like and I worried I would look like a gangster in the new one. But it's really grown on me.

5. Comfort. It always takes me a few months to find the "right" seat position in a Superb, and this one was no exception. I spend a lot of hours in the car, and I'm getting out of it as fresh as when I got in.

6. Voice control. This works way better than it did on the Mk2, and means I'm not fiddling with the infotainment system or control wheels while driving.

 

I've only moved one thing from "not sure yet" to "not so good" - the tyres (Pirelli P7). They are awful and if you can get one with different tyres, do it. It won't be as quiet as an E Class, but it will be a whole lot quieter than with P7s on it. I still hate the stop-start and the side sensors, and I still can't get excited one way or the other about KESSY. The only new "bad" thing I've found (and we really are talking about first world problems here) are the headlight washers. They are utterly pointless (but legally required, frustratingly). It's so annoying to watch a stream of wasted screen-wash spurt all over your freshly cleaned bonnet. The frequency with which it happens can be changed, but (AFAIK) only by VCDS. Why not on the infotainment screen where you change light settings etc?

 

There are a few things to be aware of. They don't rank as being bad, and many will apply to other cars as well as the Superb, but they are worth considering:

1. Windscreen. This is a sore point for me at the moment as I'm waiting for a chip repair later this week. The bit to be aware of is that if you have the A5 camera for lane assist etc, replacing the windscreen becomes a whole new level of horrible. That includes the cost and the time it takes, since they have to recalibrate the camera, and not everywhere can do it. I'm dreading the Autoglass technician telling me they can't repair mine.

2. Throttle lag. This is real, and can be a problem. There are some fixes (Audi throttle mod activated by VCDS or OBDeleven, or an after-market pedal box for example). Personally I've found flicking the DSG lever to Sport when I want a quick getaway to be adequate, but I'm not a racing driver by any stretch of the imagination.

3. Unheated windscreen washers. Don't use cheap forecourt screen-wash in winter - it will freeze at barely below zero. Ask me how I know...

4. I haven't had the rattle problems some others have, but the doors can creak like a creaky thing, more so in the hot weather in my experience. There is an easy fix - rubber care (gummi pfleger), but it needs liberal and regular application to keep the creaks away.

5. If test driving a Superb without the blind spot monitoring system, make sure you are happy the door mirrors are ok for you. I find them too small and have to move in my seat to get a decent view when changing lane on the motorway. BSM helps a lot, and I wouldn't want to be without it. 

6. Depending on spec, you are buying a whole lot of computerisation. It's not a car you can repair easily yourself, so I'd recommend regular maintenance and a budget for gizmology-repair if keeping it beyond the warranty period.

 

Happily, the summary after seven months is the same as it was after six weeks. I love the car and can heartily recommend it. It's safe, comfortable, frugal and great fun to drive for such a barge. It more than holds its own in the Merc, BMW and Audi-filled corporate car park, and the value for money is IMHO astounding. Hope this helps anyone looking at the Superb as a potential next car.

 

 

Great post Jeff and I agree with most of what you say - I am 20 months in.

On 13/08/2018 at 13:24, Mickey43 said:

 

 

Great post Jeff and I agree with most of what you say - I am 20 months in.

Me too - I'm 14 months in.

 

The only point I disagree with is stop/start.  If I'm in a queue of stationary traffic or waiting at traffic lights, then I'm happy with it.  The only time I disable it is if I'm pulling out into a busy road and I need the car to go when I want it to go.

Autoglass can replace the windscreen if you have the A5 camera and recalibrate it. I had this done last year on my Octavia.

On 14/08/2018 at 13:38, Penpusher said:

Me too - I'm 14 months in.

 

The only point I disagree with is stop/start.  If I'm in a queue of stationary traffic or waiting at traffic lights, then I'm happy with it.  The only time I disable it is if I'm pulling out into a busy road and I need the car to go when I want it to go.

I don't bother to disable it. If the engine stops I just tap the accelerator and it starts again.

3 minutes ago, facet edge said:

I don't bother to disable it. If the engine stops I just tap the accelerator and it starts again.

or you can wiggle the steering wheel.

1 minute ago, Penpusher said:

or you can wiggle the steering wheel.

My stop start sometimes cuts in as I am slowing to turn into my driveway. It takes a hell of a wrench to turn the steering wheel and get the engine started.

4 minutes ago, facet edge said:

My stop start sometimes cuts in as I am slowing to turn into my driveway. It takes a hell of a wrench to turn the steering wheel and get the engine started.

If I'm waiting at traffic lights, for instance, and stop-start has activated, I find a gentle wheel wiggle will start it again.  I sometimes do this if I don't want to touch the accelerator and risk moving forwards.

 

My driveway is on a very quiet road and I can nearly always stop, immediately select reverse and stop-start doesn't activate.

12 hours ago, facet edge said:

My stop start sometimes cuts in as I am slowing to turn into my driveway. It takes a hell of a wrench to turn the steering wheel and get the engine started.

+1.

it turns off the engine before i'm actually stopped, and like u mentioned, its fight/tug to get the steering wheel to move.

far from gentle on mine.

farkin annoying!!!

 

i don't want to b disable the start-stop permanently by modifying the voltage parameters (using OBDEleven or VCDS), because there are times when i want to activate the start-stop manually - when i'm stuck in traffic, or at long traffic signal stops.

 

hence my daily start-up routine is:-

1. press Start button

2. press start-stop button