Currently have superb II 140 with 500,000km. Looking to replace with 170 4x4.

Is the 4x4 system worth having or is it just another source of problems? 

To "Hogwash" - The first question must be - do you really need 4x4? The 4x4 system in "Superb 2" is strong enought if the maintenance during his life was done without any parsimony..

Not specifically, but car is a good spec and good price for France. Current car has been virtually drama free and I am concerned about adding potentially fragile systems. 

Anyone have experience of living with the 4x4 system? 

I have one with 40K, just had the Haldex pump pack up, it's gone open circuit. Changed the oil a few months ago cleaning the debris from the pump gauze and new filter (it does have one) but brushes sticking, works with a light tap. I ordered a new one from Haldex specialist which supply a genuine brand new sealed Borg Warner unit, just waiting for a day off to fit it. In the meantime, it wheel spins pulling away in the wet which is a strange feeling. I have 4wd for winter holidays, if I didn't need it for that, I prob wouldn't bother unless you need to launch a boat on a slipway or tow a caravan on slippy grass fields.

Totally worth it IMO.

 

The problem for me that it solves is acceleration in the wet.  With FWD the front wheels tend to slip and spin when starting off enthusiastically from rest, especially when one hits the white line painted there or when turning.  The car then detects the wheel spin and cuts the power which then loses the boost and turns the car into a slug.  (I'm comparing it to the 2007 Jetta I had that was front wheel drive, although it had a PD engine which was rather peaky compared to the CR engines).  

 

With the 4WD, you just accelerate with impunity in all weather and never worry about wheel hop again.  

 

If you drive more sedately then you probably won't notice the difference in this case.

 

I'm sure it helps in mud etc too but it's not a true off road vehicle so the gains there are marginal  (low ground clearance and huge overhangs).

 

Downside is the car is 50Kg heavier and there is a slight fuel economy penalty and more maintenance items. 

 

I guess in the end it's up to what you want to use the car for.  I liked it so much over the front wheel drive that the next car was also a Haldex 4WD.

 

 

It is good in the snow with winter tyres. Even when you do not overcook it when driving the SII 4x4 kicks in very early, being activated by the ECU when you start to accelerate. YouTube has clips with a 2WD and 4WD Skoda on slippery surface, cornering..... It is nice to watch.

It will cost a little more fuel even on a manual.

Thanks for the input from everyone

This was my first 4x4 and I love the driving experience.  Mine is the 140 Manual, most 170s I saw when looking were DSG boxes...

The key is to ensure the oil changes are done and of course the Haldex filter (Gen 4 units) which VAG don't list on their parts system.  My Haldex pump when at around 38k and had to fork out to change the pump and at the same time did the filter.  This was despite sticking to the Skoda service schedule.  I am now going to change my Haldex oil and filter annually as I don't want the hassle of another pump failure.  Even after a years motoring I expect the filter and pump strainer will be starting to clog so how Skoda think it will last 30k miles and the filter never needs replaced is beyond me...!

 

 

PS, 500,000kms = 300,000 miles, thats a lot of motoring !!  😀

Yep. At its highest, it equated to an oil and filter change every 8 weeks! Great car though and still performing well. Original clutch. Averaging 68mpg