Having covered 22k and owned it for 12 months I thought it time to write up my experiences on this car, some of the logic behind my choices and then some of the good, bad & ugly!

 

The car:-

 

~~Skoda Superb Laurin & Klement 2.0 TSI 280ps 4x4 DSG estate~~

 

Extras/Options:-

 

• Panoramic sunroof
• Cooled front seats
• Space saver spare wheel
• Heated steering wheel
• Retractable parcel shelf
• Rear view camera

 

What I've done to it:-

 

• K&N air filter - something I always do to my VAG vehicles!
• Enabled High Beam Assist - amazing that this £300 extra can be enabled with coding, it's pretty awesome too
• Fogs on with High Beam - more light on country lanes please
• Enable KESSY to lock the vehicle with the engine running - ace for frosty mornings (although not strictly essential with a heated front screen)
• Enabled teardrop wipe front + rear - can't think why this isn't standard
• Enabled undertaking with Adaptive Cruise Control - this one bugged me like mad, 2 motorways merging or a filter lane off at a junction were always a PITA
• Disabled Start/Stop - thank goodness.
• Turned off boot closing 'beeps' - not sure if this is sensible or not, can't make my mind up!
• Enabled refuel qty in Maxidot - just because I could!
• Enabled fan (blower) speed in AUTO mode - again just because I could!

 

(As you can see, mostly coding/VCDS tweaks)

 

So, firstly let's deal with some of the justifications of the Options! 

 

Pano sunroof:- having had this as standard on my Hyundai i40 Tourer I couldn't (and still can't) see myself owning another car without one - I agree, this will be a totally personal thing but I absolutely love the airiness & light that it brings to the vehicle and is worth the £1k to me (obviously not to all!)

 

Cooled Seats:- SWMBO is always freezing & I'm always boiling! If she can dictate heated seats & steering wheel, then I'll have cooled ones thanks!!!

 

Spare Wheel:- a bag of jungle juice & a compressor on the side of the M4 yesterday wouldn't have sorted my shredded tyre............. Best £100 you can spend IMHO

 

Heated Steering Wheel:- SWMBO's orders.

 

Retractable Parcel Shelf:- think I got diddled here - fairly sure this is standard on L&K, but it appeared as a £100 extra on the invoice from the dealer.............. perhaps someone will be able to clarify!

 

Rear View Camera:- partly SWMBO and partly because it was standard on my old i40 and found it jolly useful!

 

Secondly, let's deal with the actual vehicle justification!

 

L&K (nearly) had all the things on my must have and nice to have list... As the title suggests, I'll be having this car for a long time and will be doing 22k+ per year in it so it had to be something decent. My other car is a Leon Cupra 290 so the 280 Superb seemed a logical choice! It was a tried & tested engine as far as I was concerned and the DSG box is just awesome every time I've ever driven a car with it. The 4x4 was partly because it 'was there' but also because I decided my next car was going to be 4x4 as the Leon Cupra just has far too much power to be delivered efficiently to 2 wheels - burning through tyres isn't my idea of fun! The KESSY was also pretty crucial as it was on my i40 & I found it incredibly useful.

 

Thirdly. the Good, the Bad & the Ugly!

 

The good:- find me a 4x4 300bhp estate car with this amount of room for passengers & luggage alike, with this build quality, with this spec for this money and I'll say you've got a Superb. No other car can come match it as far as I'm concerned.

 

The bad:- An annoying subtle clonking has crept up on me - seems suspension related... intermittent and elusive so far!!

 

The ugly:- It's 'only' a Skoda... 

 

So, what now. Well it appears I have an itch I need to scratch! @superbtte's absolutely stunning work to his (now sold) Superb is really, really winking at me! To justify another £x,000's on this car will be difficult, but it still winks! I'd probably do something like:- new exhaust, lower it by 30mm, new turbo, remap & leave everything else stock!

You are a champ for doing 22k miles on a petrol. Good thing the 280 isn't particularly thirsty for its power. 

The remap will turn it into a totally different car! 

Just now, john999boy said:

The remap will turn it into a totally different car! 

OK - what would you recommend? It doesn't have the 'off-the-grid' fizz that my Leon has that's for certain!

 

It's more tuned like my dad's old Superb Mk2 V6 3.6 Elegance which had power like a train but off the mark wasn't that spectacular!

Ok I'll ask, why the k&n filter with vags?

6 minutes ago, Baggins said:

Ok I'll ask, why the k&n filter with vags?

Just seems a cheap way to help it breathe a bit better - £60 or so and it just seems to help those 2.0 TSI engines!

Just really by way of update to this, a few 'extras' and mods done:-

 

Ordered & fitted 4 of these:- https://www.aliexpress.com/item/33011088058.html

 

 

 

Ordered & fitted 2 of these for the boot:- www.aliexpress.com/item/32789695507.html

 

Difference is phenomenal!!!

 

 

Fitted a removable swan neck towbar:- https://www.towbarsandtowing.co.uk/product/skoda-superb-hatchback-and-estate-2015-to-present-detachable-swan-neck-towbar/

 

Fitted chrome pedal covers - come on Skoda, the L&K at the very least needs these as standard, if not the whole Superb range......

 

Still loving the car, 34k miles now

 

Here's to the next 34k!!!

Edited 7 November, 20196 yr by z1ts

Little mod this morning as inspired by @SashaGrace (incidentally I've read your entire Octavia thread & am totally blown away by it!!!)

 

I hate advertising on numberplates! Plus we ain't gonna be part of the EU for many more days (so say!) so bye bye stealer supplied plate!

 

 

 

Wee clean up required:-

 

 

 

Tada!

 

No wretched messy writing all over it, no flags/symbols, just sweet little Skoda logos 👌

 

Good to hear you love it, I have a 220 and love that, but I would definitely consider upgrading to the 4x4 next time simply because, as you say, it's such good value for money compared with other similar options.

 

I've done similar things to you really, seems you can improve the Superb even more with a bit of coding. None of my mates with other cars can do the same amount of software modding!

I also have the puddle lights in all doors, the 'Superb' logo from superskoda. Not long after I bought them, the facelift came out with the same lights from the factory 😂

 

I haven't enabled fogs on with high beam (off out into the work car park when I've written this to see if Carista can do it!)

The KESSY thing you mentioned; I have a Pandora system with remote start / heating / cooling etc, which also lets you lock & alarm the car whilst running

Teardrop wipe - how do you do this? This bugs me...

I haven't changed the cruise control but my commute doesn't involve that type of junction so I guess it could get annoying elsewhere

Start/stop, boot closing beep, refuel qty in maxidot and fan blower speed all 'fixed' on mine too lol

 

I've also had the following done which I think has maxxed out the 220 in terms of traction. It can't get any better....unless I upgrade to the 4x4 like yours hah

- MTC air intake pipe

- MTC turbo inlet (fixed diameter, non-restrictive)

- REVO Stage 1 engine remap

- RS7 spark plugs (perhaps mine were screwed, but when these were fitted my car felt about 50% more refined with more consistent power delivery. It was suggested by the guys at ADS in Preston who did my remap)

- Michelin PilotSport 4S on the front

- Michelin PilotSport 4 on the back ------> I had 4S all round, but these were on offer so I had the wheels rotated and these put on the back. Next time I'll pay the extra and get the 4S all round again, they are the best tyres I've ever had and I've been round the houses with tyres over the years...

 

 

I still haven't ridden in a 280, even as a passenger! We all need to sort a big meet lol

 

 

Edit: my mileage is now around 58,000, 16 plate
since buying the car 3 years ago, I've done 56,000 miles in it

Edited 29 January, 20206 yr by drewellis
added mileage

Just out of curiosity what the hell is swmbo? 

12 minutes ago, caprixpack said:

Just out of curiosity what the hell is swmbo? 

I believe it's She Who Must Be Obeyed.

2 minutes ago, RichTea77 said:

I believe it's She Who Must Be Obeyed.

 

Oh 🙄

59 minutes ago, RichTea77 said:

I believe it's She Who Must Be Obeyed.

 

Yup 🤣

2 hours ago, drewellis said:

Teardrop wipe - how do you do this? This bugs me...

 

Stolen from the Octy III thread (a lot of similarities when it comes to coding BTW):-

 

https://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/299424-octavia-iii-vcds-adaptations-tried-and-tested/?do=findComment&comment=3567456

2 hours ago, drewellis said:

Good to hear you love it, I have a 220 and love that, but I would definitely consider upgrading to the 4x4 next time simply because, as you say, it's such good value for money compared with other similar options.

 

I've done similar things to you really, seems you can improve the Superb even more with a bit of coding. None of my mates with other cars can do the same amount of software modding!

I also have the puddle lights in all doors, the 'Superb' logo from superskoda. Not long after I bought them, the facelift came out with the same lights from the factory 😂

 

I haven't enabled fogs on with high beam (off out into the work car park when I've written this to see if Carista can do it!)

The KESSY thing you mentioned; I have a Pandora system with remote start / heating / cooling etc, which also lets you lock & alarm the car whilst running

Teardrop wipe - how do you do this? This bugs me...

I haven't changed the cruise control but my commute doesn't involve that type of junction so I guess it could get annoying elsewhere

Start/stop, boot closing beep, refuel qty in maxidot and fan blower speed all 'fixed' on mine too lol

 

I've also had the following done which I think has maxxed out the 220 in terms of traction. It can't get any better....unless I upgrade to the 4x4 like yours hah

- MTC air intake pipe

- MTC turbo inlet (fixed diameter, non-restrictive)

- REVO Stage 1 engine remap

- RS7 spark plugs (perhaps mine were screwed, but when these were fitted my car felt about 50% more refined with more consistent power delivery. It was suggested by the guys at ADS in Preston who did my remap)

- Michelin PilotSport 4S on the front

- Michelin PilotSport 4 on the back ------> I had 4S all round, but these were on offer so I had the wheels rotated and these put on the back. Next time I'll pay the extra and get the 4S all round again, they are the best tyres I've ever had and I've been round the houses with tyres over the years...

 

 

I still haven't ridden in a 280, even as a passenger! We all need to sort a big meet lol

 

 

Edit: my mileage is now around 58,000, 16 plate
since buying the car 3 years ago, I've done 56,000 miles in it

 

Michelin PS4S are on the list when the next set of boots is due!

 

How have you found the noise difference with all the air intake & turbo mods? I've added an MST induction kit to my "fartbox" (AKA Seat Leon 1.4TSi) and it's deafening........ so loud I'm considering going back to stock!

 

I've gone 'soft' on the remap for the time being and bought @YTT's RaceChip - sold on here! It is mindblowing if I'm honest!! I have always been impressed with the go once it gets going, but it's the 'off-the-mark' go that I miss from my Leon Cupra 290...... however that seems to have fixed my only performance niggle on this car!

20 hours ago, z1ts said:

 

Michelin PS4S are on the list when the next set of boots is due!

 

How have you found the noise difference with all the air intake & turbo mods? I've added an MST induction kit to my "fartbox" (AKA Seat Leon 1.4TSi) and it's deafening........ so loud I'm considering going back to stock!

 

I've gone 'soft' on the remap for the time being and bought @YTT's RaceChip - sold on here! It is mindblowing if I'm honest!! I have always been impressed with the go once it gets going, but it's the 'off-the-mark' go that I miss from my Leon Cupra 290...... however that seems to have fixed my only performance niggle on this car!

You won’t regret the PS4s!

 

Turbo noise - it’s a tiny bit louder but only noticeable if you plant it and lift off again with the window down. I drive 60 miles a day for work and lots more personal mileage as were always off somewhere, and it’s not intrusive in any way at all.

 

Do consider the Revo tuning, it’s honestly first class and you’ll be absolutely blown away. I wish I had a 4x4 version so I could enjoy those grippy launches; stage 1 is more than enough for FWD cars and if it’s wet I cannot get any power down from a standstill until 3rd gear lol.....

They reckon mine is around 300-310 bhp now but it has not been on a rolling road. Golf GTIs with stage 1 are usually putting out around this figure.

 

Yours on a stage 1 would be incredible. Stage 2 requires a high flow cat and a few other bits which I think would compromise the luxury too much. 

Forgot to mention I also have one of these which obviously doesn’t add any power but the throttle response is massively improved.

 

https://www.racechip.co.uk/pedal-box/xlr.html?gclid=Cj0KCQiAmsrxBRDaARIsANyiD1ofoNdoHQVy2rWy-ibhyJV3RETZO3wXRE_dWQaZa80a8yDMvM1YNJUaAjHgEALw_wcB

 

I realise I sound like I’m trying to make my car as fast as possible but I guess for me it’s more about driving enjoyment and connecting with the car? The standard throttle response felt a bit disconnected and laggy but now it’s instant, I’d recommend these things to anyone. 
 

FYI setting throttle response to “Audi” in VCDS does absolutely nothing compared to a pedal box, I was surprised lol 👍😊

This is totally not in chronological order as it was fitted in August 2019!!! But I want to keep all the things I've done to my 'berb in one place and also document my experiences on this subject!

 

I bought a detachable towbar with 13 pin electrics (more on that later) and car specific electrics, that are coded into the vehicle, it was £583 from TopFit:- here including fitting.

 

Brilliant bunch, couldn't be happier!

 

I had a bit of an issue with my assist systems which I covered (and sorted with the help of the great & wise guys/girls on here) in this post!

 

My experiences so far:- I only tow a max 750kg trailer (licence prohibits anything else!) so no 'mega-heavy' duty stuff. Really, really, really good tow car - solid as a rock when towing, 4x4 just eleminates all the old issues surrounding wheelspin from the front wheels when pulling away in the wet or with a fully loaded trailer etc. The vehicle specific electrics are amazing!!! Your car tells you the brake lights are not working on the trailer for example!!!

 

Will get some pics up in a bit.

Well a bittersweet day has arrived:-

 

 

My stunning Superb is up for sale - Covid knocked my 20k+ per annum plan down to 80k over 5 years.

 

Every mile I have loved and enjoyed - a real, real shame to see this one go.

 

Enjoy!