Hi all - I've been reading a few of the threads on here as a Skoda Superb Mk111 is looking very likely to be my next car, got some questions/thoughts on what to go for.

 

My current car, which I've had for a year is a 2006 Subaru Legacy Spec B estate, it's a 245bhp flat 6, 3.0l petrol with permanent AWD, and a high spec (especially for a 2006 car!) - full leather, heated seats, cruise control, xenon headlights, 5 speed auto with flappy paddles, a nice big boot, full size sunroof, Bilstein dampers (hence the Spec 'B') and of course the AWD system. Quite a rare car, and very much a sleeper, no-one really knows what they are.

 

This is my Legacy, a lovely car but just too uncomfortable and expensive to run!

 

Things I like about the car: Comfort, speed (it's not 'fast' but gets a lick on when pushed, 0-60 is around 7 seconds), AWD surefootedness (in torrential rain with roads resebling rivers, it didn't even flinch). The engine at idle is about as loud as the aircon, and when driving at 30-50mph it's barely making a noise, and just about idling at 1500rpm. it's a brilliant motorway cruiser so long as the roads are smooth, apart from the barely 30mpg I get at 70mph! I carry my MTB in the back with the front wheel off, although with a Superb i may even look at getting a towbar with a rack, just for ease and not putting an MTB covered in mud in the car during winter.

 

Bad points. £47pm VED. 22-25mpg on average. 😲 I was doing 5k miles a year so that was fine, but I'm now doing 10k and looking to up that to 15k, so that's nearly £300 a month on fuel. Suspension is 'firm', to say the least - I have to drive around sunken drain covers and any pothole over a couple inches deep makes a sound loud enough to think a wheel has fallen off!! It's also 13 years old, and although it's just passed the MOT with zero advisories it's done 96k miles and it's getting to the age where it's gonna start costing money to maintain.

 

So, looking for a replacement, something much newer, more comfortable, still with a bit of go, but much better MPG, 40-50mpg ideally, and lower VED. Leather, adaptive cruise, xenon lights etc all required, the more toys the better 😁

 

At the moment, the Mk111 Superb estate (combi) in 2.0tdi DSG 190 in SE L Executive spec, is winning the race. I'd be looking at around £13k for a decent example by the looks of it, 2016/2017ish, and reading up the only things to worry about are the water pump failure, and DSG service every 40k miles?

 

What wheels should I be avoiding if I want a nice comfy ride? If I see a sportline at the right price I'd be very tempted (love the seats and the blacked out graille/window surrounds) but I'd be worried the 19" wheels and lower supension would ruin the ride a bit. 

 

Is a 190 tdi worth waiting for over the 150, considering I'm coming from a 245bhp AWD car? I'm not specifically looking for a 4x4 Superb, my Subaru's AWD system is fairly simple, no Haldex or anything and tbh I'd rather avoid that level of complexity on a car which will be out of warranty.

 

The Mk111 is leading over the Mk11 for 3 reasons - styling, android auto, and adaptive cruise control. 😊

 

I've yet to have a test drive but will hopefully get one sorted at my local dealer. Size isn't an issue, it's only about 10-15cm longer than my car. 

 

Anything else I should be aware of/look out for/you think will make the Superb the best choice?

 

Cheers! 😎

Lovely sleeper that.

 

I'm considering the MKIII superb too, actually past considering, actively trying to buy. I was letting the heart do the work and leaning on a 280hatch, maybe estate. I'm a climber, so have the ability to fill a boot quite well. At some point I'll be wanting to get a gravel bike for trails/tours. So the estate makes more sense, I know it to be true. Might even do some long european tours. A large part of me is still saying van van van.

 

The haldex is a complication, but unless taxed should be ok with good services, it's not a new 'tech' system. I ran a MKII 4x4 and you do pay for it, in the economy and umph, as you've found on your legacy. I felt my 170 was like a 150 and remapped it felt like a FWD 170, but of course not held back in the damp

 

I've been toying between a 190 4x4 diesel and 280 4x4 petrol. There are clear and objective differences. I'm running around 10k atm. But part of that is I'm in an older 2.5T petrol volvo. So I don't always volunteer for driving   and don't always go away, a 60 quid weekdn just to walk in the rain isn't what I want... see I know the 190 is the right thing would only be 40quid. and 20 on cafe cake.

 

THe MKIII styling is a great looking car, and the angular design looks to be gaining some momentum.

 

The Octavia Estate is quite practical, although not as practical as the superb. I mention it only as you might be able to find a locser to the legacy in the form of an octavia diesel for a few k less than the same age superb.

 

But my money is heading to the superb.

 

The 190 over the 150? Well the 150 is more economical. The 190 will keep you from going mad and keep the overtaking windows similar to what you/we have now.

 

Similar to yourself, looking at 10k maybe 15k, 20k if I'm to get my munros done! A lot of this on my own, so no one to divvi fuel bills with, which whilst fun, on the roads, quite a lot of time on the motorway where at 70, there isn't much difference between any of them 150 to 280 iMHO if your on ACC following a 105ps 1l focus.

 

HTH

I am biased. Get a 280 estate. its not logical, rational or even sensible but it is fun

Although the 280 mpg is a fair bit better than my car, its not really an option unfortunately... Yet. Maybe one I've owned a 2.0tdi superb for a few years I'll change it for a 2018 sportline 280 estate 😁

 

I'm planning to do loads of trips away to Wales/peak district and further afield for mountain biking, and being in Kent, its a few hundred mile round trip to get to anywhere. 

 

With the reduction in VED I'll be saving nearly £200 a month so well worth it. 

 

I did look at the octavia for a moment but they just don't appeal, plus there's so many of them about! 

 

I'm thinking the 190 will be the one, should hopefully be similar to my current car in performance, I will miss the ability to just mash the accelerator even in the wet and get almost zero wheelspin, it's awesome for getting out from junctions at speed. 

What you loose on a dry day, you gain tenfold on a damp day for sure. Is a 190 4x4 out of reach?

1 hour ago, ColinD said:

What you loose on a dry day, you gain tenfold on a damp day for sure. Is a 190 4x4 out of reach?

If one comes up at the right price I wouldn't say no, and I'd love one, but it would cut down on a lot of choice if I only wanted 4x4. There's 2 4x4 2.0 tdi DSG models on auto trader under £16k at the moment, not a huge amount of choice! 😮

 

£15-16 really is my limit, I've already started at £8-10k for a mk11 superb, then saw a bit more gets a facelift mk11, then only a bit more gets me a mk111 with ACC and android auto, and I'd want the SE L model for the led daytime running lights/bigger nav/xenon lights... The budget has crept far enough!! 🤣

 

I would LOVE a sportline model but they're more than I want to pay. 

Yep I started along the same lines, just wanted a boot and ACC

I have tended to flip between 4x4 and FWD, I'm on the 4x4 cycle next or a van.

 

Any savings you can make of course go on experince and memories on the bike. I had a MKII prefacelift and I'd have one again. Nice place to be and never minded the drive, plenty good enough on the A&B too, but not a 'performance' drive like you'll have in the Legacy, which I'm sensing is the reason for the change, so happy place.

Let me offer a contrarian view. How long is the higher mileage going to last? If estimated to be a year or 2, then whatever you save on fuel will be eaten by depreciation and more. If you get 50mpg on a diesel superb, you'd be saving about 1500per year in fuel at 15000miles. Reckon you need 3years to break even with depreciation hit. The rare subaru probably won't be losing much value being a 2006 by now too. 

 

But then, buying a newer car and enjoying it is also very much a valid reason. 

Saving some money on fuel is just one reason I'm looking at changing, the main one is to get something newer, and with better ride comfort on the pothole ridden roads where I live. 

 

Although it does hurt a lot when a £70 tank lasts under 300 miles and if I do anything other than just drive to work and back (22 mile round trip) it lasts a week! 😭 On my current tank it's saying 22mpg on the trip, which I know is more like 20-21mpg, and I've not exactly been driving fast. Along with the fuel saving of £1500+, there's a £400 a year saving in VED too as a minimum (based on the £145 VED version of the superb). If a 3 year old Superb worth £14k loses £2k a year then so be it! Looks like a 7 year old model with 80-90k is worth around £7k, so £7k over 4 years which is £1750 a year.

 

The subaru values are a bit wierd, mine is a facelift 2006 model, bought for £4700, but the pre-facelift models are going for well under £3k from a dealer, and only a year or 2 older than mine. The woeful fuel ecomony puts people off, along with the £545 VED, especially in this day and with small petrol turbos, and even 300bhp cars getting double the mpg of mine. Tech has moved on a lot since 2003 when my car was launched!!

 

The subaru is also at that age where rust is starting to form (cue one of the exhuast hangers falling off a week before the MOT!) and I just get the feeling it's going to start costing more money with things going wrong, especially if I start doing 300 miles a week.

 

Quick question re mileage - should I be wary of something like this 90k 2016 sportline - how does the 2.0tdi handle miles, if I was looking to put potentially another 60k miles in the next 4 years?

Edited 1 August, 20196 yr by TallPaul_S

48 minutes ago, TallPaul_S said:

Saving some money on fuel is just one reason I'm looking at changing, the main one is to get something newer, and with better ride comfort on the pothole ridden roads where I live. 

 

Although it does hurt a lot when a £70 tank lasts under 300 miles and if I do anything other than just drive to work and back (22 mile round trip) it lasts a week! 😭 On my current tank it's saying 22mpg on the trip, which I know is more like 20-21mpg, and I've not exactly been driving fast. Along with the fuel saving of £1500+, there's a £400 a year saving in VED too as a minimum (based on the £145 VED version of the superb). If a 3 year old Superb worth £14k loses £2k a year then so be it! Looks like a 7 year old model with 80-90k is worth around £7k, so £7k over 4 years which is £1750 a year.

 

The subaru values are a bit wierd, mine is a facelift 2006 model, bought for £4700, but the pre-facelift models are going for well under £3k from a dealer, and only a year or 2 older than mine. The woeful fuel ecomony puts people off, along with the £545 VED, especially in this day and with small petrol turbos, and even 300bhp cars getting double the mpg of mine. Tech has moved on a lot since 2003 when my car was launched!!

 

The subaru is also at that age where rust is starting to form (cue one of the exhuast hangers falling off a week before the MOT!) and I just get the feeling it's going to start costing more money with things going wrong, especially if I start doing 300 miles a week.

 

Quick question re mileage - should I be wary of something like this 90k 2016 sportline - how does the 2.0tdi handle miles, if I was looking to put potentially another 60k miles in the next 4 years?

I think with high mileages  and regular trips of 10miles one way, it should be fine. Just be wary that dpfs (if it has one, I am not sure if the superb has it) do fill up and eventually no amount of regeneration will clear them. 

 

If you want comfort, don't go for the sportline. And to maximize reliability, stick with FWD version. I have the 280 sportline and whilst it's not harsh, the ride is definitely better with the smaller wheels and standard suspension. 

18 minutes ago, KeteCantek said:

I think with high mileages  and regular trips of 10miles one way, it should be fine. Just be wary that dpfs (if it has one, I am not sure if the superb has it) do fill up and eventually no amount of regeneration will clear them. 

 

If you want comfort, don't go for the sportline. And to maximize reliability, stick with FWD version. I have the 280 sportline and whilst it's not harsh, the ride is definitely better with the smaller wheels and standard suspension. 

Yeah I'm hoping the 11 mile commute will be fine for the DPF, I do 4 miles of NSL dual carraigeway (of which 2.3 miles climbs 500ft in height), but then most weekends I'd be doing at least a 40 mile each way motorway run. i've got a test drive booked for Saturday in a 2.0 Tdi DSG 150, I'm hoping to do that commute run as part of the drive (as I know where ALL the potholes are!) so i'll see how fast it warms up. My legacy is warmed up by a mile or 2 into the commute.

 

Shame about the sportline, they look so nice! TBF it's still probably far more comfortable than mine. 😁

 

One thing I'm not expecting to be as good as the legacy, is the handling - due to the flat 6 engine being really low in the car, it handles extremely well for a big estate, low CofG combined with permanent AWD and stiff suspension, mean on smooth roads it's bloody brilliant. I'll take a bit more 'waftness' in the Superb in place of that handling though!

Edited 1 August, 20196 yr by TallPaul_S

9 hours ago, TallPaul_S said:

Quick question re mileage - should I be wary of something like this 90k 2016 sportline - how does the 2.0tdi handle miles, if I was looking to put potentially another 60k miles in the next 4 years?

 

Just to put a depreciation curve, I know a <3mth sportline plus with 2k of extras would be purchased by a dealer today at 25k and retail for 28.

 

The previous gen PD line of engines were good for 200+. I think the newer ones it's the short distances that did for it in terms of DPF etc.  EGR would be a genuine concern, or put 600 away to have it fixed, I think it's a case of when not if, my local mech said as much. She also said if you run it on supermarket diesel, running it on one of the posher diesels should alleviate  the problem. But no guarantee.

 

So that 16 car with 90k, easy 30k a year so that's been up and down the motorways a fair bit, plenty of heat and dpf gen time. If it has a FSH I'd push for dealer then good, if not then push for more off. I've been using https://www.regit.cars to get vague ideas. I flip the logic of what would they offer me for this car if I was trading it, then try to split the difference. 

 

 

hth.

57 minutes ago, ColinD said:

 

 

hth.

 

That does - they've echoed the exact same thoughts I have about my Spec B 🙂

 

If I wasn't too convered about economy, I'd be looking for a 280 sportline, however if I had that sort of budget (27k+ seems needed to get a sportline 280) and wanted performance over economey, I hate to say but the Superb wouldn't be my first choice, I'd be looking at a 2014-onwards V8 Audi S6 Avant for a few grand more, with 450bhp. 😮🤤

 

I have a feeling I may miss AWD, especially with the torquey nature of the diesel, I won't be rushing into any purchase though, with my Spec B I had to jump on one when it came available, as they're pretty rare - there's a lot more superbs about so I'll have a good choice of spec level! 👍

 

Of course the superb 4x4 and the Subaru AWD systems are quite different, the subaru system in my car being a 45/55 front/rear split as default, with a limited slip diff in the rear.

Edited 2 August, 20196 yr by TallPaul_S

Just had a decent test drive in a 2.0tdi 150 DSG without the paddles. 

 

Soooo much more comfortable than my subaru, I took it on my regular commute route to work as I know every single pot hole on the route, was many many times better. This car was on the 18" wheels, honestly I'd be happy with the 19" wheels. Handling obviously wasn't as sharp as mine but I'll take that tradeoff. The DSG box seem very quick to change down the box, and the adaptive cruise was great - apart from a moment when following a lorry in Lane one at 56mph with the CC set at 70mph, the lorry moved into lane 2 and the car kept on braking, I had to intervene and accelerate - we were on a left curve so it may have gotten confused as there was also a car behind the lorry in lane 2.

 

The diesel engine is pretty different to mine, had a bit of turbo lag where the torque came on in one big lump vs the smooth 6 cylinder torque that comes with my car 🤣 nothing that I can't get used to though. 

 

Economy: on my commute I get 22mpg, in the superb I got 44mpg, that's a mixture of 70mph DC, 40mph and 30mph Town traffic. Overall I think I was at about 45mpg on the whole run, I did notice a strange thing though, at 70mph with the ACC on, the mpg for the trip was going down from 46mpg every 5 seconds or so, we might have been on a slight incline though, but I'd expect the car to be doing 50-60mpg at a constant 70mph in top gear? If I can get 45-50mpg overall I'll be a happy man as that's double my normal economy. 

 

Power: the 150 was enough, but I wouldn't say no to a 190, however its not a car you drive 'enthusiastically' like the legacy, its something to waft about in ultimate comfort so I don't think I'd miss the power. It pulled out of a roundabout with plenty of speed, that might be different in the wet though! 

 

I'd want the paddles but I believe a steering wheel can be fitted with paddles with no coding or anything needed so that's not a big deal. 

 

I checked the size and it's about 15cm longer than mine, a bit bigger on the bonnet area as my engine is much lower,and higher seating. The steering was much lighter and the brakes, like any newish car, had lots of servo assistance unlike mine which has almost none. 

 

New vs old! 

 

Edit: I realise now the ACC thing would have been the 'undertaking prevention' - that's fine but Lane 1 was the lane to exit the motorway junction, with lanes 2/3/4 being to carry on the motorway which is why the lorry moved into lane 2, so I wasn't actually undertaking! I'd have to get that turned off on my own car 😁

 

Oh yes, and I had the stop/start kick in while still rolling at 2-3mph so it seems a little too eager to kick in 😂

Edited 3 August, 20196 yr by TallPaul_S

Spotted this sportline for sale in Dragon green, shame I'm not buying yet as I'd be very tempted!

 

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201906219268127?postcode=me160bg&onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly New&onesearchad=Used&price-to=16000&model=SUPERB&sort=datedesc&transmission=Automatic&radius=1500&make=SKODA&fuel-type=Diesel&aggregatedTrim=SportLine&body-type=Estate&advertising-location=at_cars&page=1

 

Now on the Autotrader app it reckons this has a 7speed box, I've read that I'd want to avoint the 7 speed dry DSG, will that come on any of the 2.0tdi models, or is it just the wet clutch 6 and 7 speed DSG gearboxes on the 2.0tdi 150/190 models?

They are all wet clutches on the 2.0tdi and 2.0tsi regardless of 6/7 speed. 

2 minutes ago, KeteCantek said:

They are all wet clutches on the 2.0tdi and 2.0tsi regardless of 6/7 speed. 

Awesome, thanks. Just what I wanted to hear. 👍

Any reason to avoid an early (2015) MkIII L&K model?

 

One has just come up at a dealer near me, December 2015 2.0 tdi DSG 150, in business grey. 55k miles, sunroof and electric towbar, then all the usual L&K equipment (LED intioer strips, DCC, virtual pedal, tr-zone climate, heated windsreen etc etc etc...), the only downside is beige leather interior - however finding an L&K without the dark brown leather is extremely hard, not sure if I could live with the dark brown interior.

 

I'm finding the SE L Executive cars are like clones, they're all basically the same with maybe one having keyless entry, another having different wheels, and half of them see to be in white... 😴

 

The L&K version, especially if I can find one with a towbar (which would save me £500+) is highly apealing, but if there's known issues with the DCC then obviously I'll be careful!

The brown seats can be fixed with a seat cover  You can't fix the brown trim. 

 

I think it's kind of earthy nice, but needs to be in a green car, I saw one it sort of worked.

 

The DCC, that I have no idea about of an age. All I know is all things that move fail. From my readings if they fail they are expensive to replace, or you can code them out, there is a kit somewhere and replace with normal ones. That said I've not priced replacements yet. 

 

Any cars that start with 'k' reg are likely to be ex skoda and typically have a better than average spec.

 

Sunroof, I've decided to avoid for possible drain hole issues. IT's just the part of washing I'll over look and certainly where I am there is a lot of tree cover. Not uncommon for me to pull twiglets out of the scuttle drain holes.

Cheers, I think it's worth the risk - as soon as the L&K is available I'll be having a look at it, it's got pretty much all the options ticket: smart light assist, sunroof, electric towbar, virtual pedal. It's a 150tdi but I found the one I test drove plenty quick enough, no 4x4 either but not needed with the 150 I think. 

 

Approved used too so a semi decent years warranty, full service history with the last one 3k miles ago. Business grey which seems a nice colour, at least its not white or black! 

Have to say I’m a bit of a fan of the 150 D engine. I was worried it might be a bit underpowered, my previous car was a 3l V6 Diesel putting out 300 bhp.

 

obviously it’s nowhere near as quick off the mark etc, but for all practical purposes it has plenty of poke. Or to put it another way, I’ve never not carried out an overtake I would have done in the more powerful car because of lack of power in the Superb. Very smooth cruising at 50/60/70/a bit more.

 

i only got to test drive a 190 and again had reservations about the 150 but a lot of folk on here reckon you can’t tell the difference- something the salesman also said but of course I took his comments in the context of his wish to do a deal..

 

best thing about the 150 is at the pumps. I’m currently on for a range of 850 miles, and often see over 60 mpg on a run ( Swmbo holds the record at 64.3)

 

look forward to your next update @TallPaul_S

2 minutes ago, FatWolfie said:

Have to say I’m a bit of a fan of the 150 D engine. I was worried it might be a bit underpowered, my previous car was a 3l V6 Diesel putting out 300 bhp.

 

obviously it’s nowhere near as quick off the mark etc, but for all practical purposes it has plenty of poke. Or to put it another way, I’ve never not carried out an overtake I would have done in the more powerful car because of lack of power in the Superb. Very smooth cruising at 50/60/70/a bit more.

 

i only got to test drive a 190 and again had reservations about the 150 but a lot of folk on here reckon you can’t tell the difference- something the salesman also said but of course I took his comments in the context of his wish to do a deal..

 

best thing about the 150 is at the pumps. I’m currently on for a range of 850 miles, and often see over 60 mpg on a run ( Swmbo holds the record at 64.3)

 

look forward to your next update @TallPaul_S

Nice, a 600 mile range would be more than double what I'm currently getting! The tank on the superb is only a tiny bit bigger too. 

 

My car may have 245bhp at the crank but its probably more like 210 after automatic transmission and AWD losses. The 150tdi has a chunk more torque than mine too. 

 

I now have cash waiting in my bank for the right car, either with part exchange or outright purchase selling my car privately. 🤑😜

I missed out on the L&K with the sunroof/towbar, it was priced at £15k and it was gone before the pics even went up on the website! I went to look at it, but it had just gone to the preparation centre, if I'd have seen it I probably would have bought it.

 

Looked at another L&K this afternoon, with pan roof and towbar, and the tobacco leather seats, I have decided the colour is just fine, so any colour leather on an L&K is OK. After seeing the pan roof, Mmmmmm I really want that! The car I saw this afternoon was at a main dealer, was a 190tdi DSG 4x4 L&K with 35k, pan roof, towbar, smart light assist, vario boot floor, in quartz grey. Basically every option ticked, but it's up for £18750, which is about £2500 more than I want to pay. And apparently the dealer only has a few hundred quid leeway on the car.

 

Also on the bad side, my car is looking like it's going to be a private sale as I'm getting £1500 as part ex which is a joke seeing as I paid £4700 a year ago!! I'll try and sell privately for £3500-£4000. Which does mean I'm limited to £16k at the moment unless I can sell my car before finding a superb. I have decided I'm willing to wait for an L&K with a towbar (which will save me £500) and pan roof, just might take a while to find one! 😁

 

If the dealer moved to £18500 on the car above then it's basically £18000 vs a £15000 SE L Executive as I'd need to get a towbar fitted on the latter. However, even with £18500 and £1500 p/x, it's more funds than I have available!! 

 

If I decide that I'm happy with an SE L Executive then there's literally tens of them about with all 98% the same spec, just the odd one with different wheels, or maybe kessy - I've seen none with a roof or towbar. Can pick one up for £14-15k without an issue.

I was torn on a pano roof/sunroof.

 

I decided I can't look out of it while driving.

 

If I look out of it at night in the dark, I'd be better looking up out of the car.

 

The drain holes will likely block up causing me woe down the road.

 

The interior of the car is a bit darker without the roof, easier to sleep.

 

SWMBO nailed it though, won't it be hotter with a the roof... no idea but it was enough to ignore the roof option.

 

Sell the subaru privatly. Can you cope without a car inbetween?