Advice required

[neil98]

Hi all, I currently drive a 16 reg C Class Diesel Sport. I cannot begin to tell you the amount of minor faults and call outs I have had with this car. I've been driving Mercs for 10 years but this one has sickened me. I want to buy a Superb,,am I making the right move??..70% of my driving is around town and I'll do about 10 000 miles a year. Any engine recommendations!!!. I'm also looking for full leather... Many Thanks. 

[penguin17]

IMO the Superb is nicer than the C class from that vintage.  A few colleagues had A and C classes from MY14-MY17 and they too were often moaning about faults and warranty jobs.  Probs a little more than the Audi owners moan too, which is a lot 😊

 

Would you switch to petrol?  I would say a 220TSI is the best blend of economy/performance in the whole range and it's an absolute gem of an engine; diesel like torque from low down but much smoother and no diesel clatter making the car feel more refined in general.  For stop/start town driving and ~10K miles a year I wouldn't personally see diesel as the better choice.  If running costs are a major consideration then you could also look at the 1.4/1.5 TSI petrol units but do a search for the VW Group wide issues they've had with the early 1.5's, e.g; cutting out/power loss when pulling away, kangarooing etc.  There's now a fix which seems to have worked. Others on here should be able to advise further.  

 

'SE L' trim would get you leather and a few more toys and L&K would get you a near enough every option ticked including leather.  If buying used then check the exact spec of the cars as between launch and now there's been a few changes to what was standard vs optional extra's so for example one 18 plate car may have some variations versus another, seemingly identical 18 plate car, depending on when they were manufactured (and Skoda/dealers weren't always great at communicating these changes) 

 

When I was looking at the Superb I tried near enough every engine and trim level in both hatch and estate and it really helped me narrow things down.  If you have a local dealer or two with a decent stock list then it may help you decide if the Superb is for you and will also give you a good chance to compare it to your C class. 

 

Hope this helps.  

 

 

[neil98]

8 hours ago, neil98 said:

Hi all, I currently drive a 16 reg C Class Diesel Sport. I cannot begin to tell you the amount of minor faults and call outs I have had with this car. I've been driving Mercs for 10 years but this one has sickened me. I want to buy a Superb,,am I making the right move??..70% of my driving is around town and I'll do about 10 000 miles a year. Any engine recommendations!!!. I'm also looking for full leather... Many Thanks. 

 

[neil98]

Thank you very much penguin for taking the time to leave such a detailed reply. Very helpful indeed. 

Yes, I have had too many niggly faults with this C class although I love the way they drive. 

I would consider a Petrol but I will have to do some research on running costs.

I am going to test drive a Superb shortly and I just hope it drives nearly as nice as the Merc, in which case I am definitely buying one.

I looked at the L&K model although they are quite pricey. A nice SE Exucutive might do me but I'm not ruling anything out. 

What else has annoyed me about Mercedes is Servicing costs,, absolutely extortionate so I'm hoping Skoda will save me some money.. The last service and rear break pads on the Merc cost me nearly £900.

Many Thanks. 

[100andthirty]

I'd endorse everything Penguin17 has said. Note, the 220 only comes with the auto gearbox.

 

I'd also say that diesels used for low mileage, especially low mileage, short journeys can develop problems with all the kit required to remove particulates.

 

I haven't driven a 1.4 150ps petrol Superb but I have driven a manual Kodiaq with the same engine and the performance was entirely adequate; something to consider if you're really worried about fuel costs. 

[penguin17]

17 minutes ago, neil98 said:

Thank you very much penguin for taking the time to leave such a detailed reply. Very helpful indeed. 

Yes, I have had too many niggly faults with this C class although I love the way they drive. 

I would consider a Petrol but I will have to do some research on running costs.

I am going to test drive a Superb shortly and I just hope it drives nearly as nice as the Merc, in which case I am definitely buying one.

I looked at the L&K model although they are quite pricey. A nice SE Exucutive might do me but I'm not ruling anything out. 

What else has annoyed me about Mercedes is Servicing costs,, absolutely extortionate so I'm hoping Skoda will save me some money.. The last service and rear break pads on the Merc cost me nearly £900.

Many Thanks. 

You’re welcome. My dad has a SL 350 so I know where you’re coming from regarding Merc servicing and parts. He found a really good independent specialist which makes it much more affordable. 

 

Plenty of VW group specialists around which will save you quite a bit on servicing and maintenance costs, should you choose to go outside the dealer network.  My previous car was 30-40% cheaper to service at an Indy specialist. 

[facet edge]

Do try a 1.4. I have this in SEL Executive trim and I am constantly surprised at how well it pulls.

It hasn't got the acceleration of the bigger engines but it's more than adequate.

Edited 18 November, 2019 by facet edge

[neil98]

Many Thanks,, I do intend to try the 1.4 and 220 petrol engines, I would definitely go Automatic,,, really don't see the need for me having a Diesel car considering the mileage I'm doing and as 100andthirty kindly commented, the diesels are problematic if they're only used for short journeys. 

[athol]

I wouldn't recommend a 280 if your after economy.... I wasn't when I bought mine... Which is just as well..... 30 mpg on daily commute, 36 ish on the only run I've done in it so far... but god the power is addictive 

 

However I've come from a 2011 XF, to a 2016 Superb, and prefer the superb for space, comfort and toys, only thing I found that is worse than the XF, is the road noise... But on the plus side the sound system is better /louder in the superb... 

[neil98]

Thanks athol, I take it the 280 is a 2.8 engine,,, living in London I think a 2 litre engine is plenty for me. 

[Chazzy]

Both the 220 and 280 are 2l engines. The main drop in consumption due to the 4wd . ( unless you use the extra power at the top end if the rev range - which is great, even in town, 4wd for diving into roundabouts, getting away from greasy traffic lights) 

But yes rarely above 30mpg.

[IJWS15]

I have a diesel which has given no problems but I drive over 20k a year, I would not recommend one for 10k a year.

[athol]

11 hours ago, neil98 said:

Thanks athol, I take it the 280 is a 2.8 engine,,, living in London I think a 2 litre engine is plenty for me. 

It's a 2 ltr engine with 280bhp 😊 and 4 wheel drive. It's great for get aways and passing slower cars, but loves a drink.... 

[penguin17]

22 minutes ago, athol said:

It's a 2 ltr engine with 280bhp 😊 and 4 wheel drive. It's great for get aways and passing slower cars, but loves a drink.... 

Was that you who pulled off the the heist on the Ramsdens in Boro? 😂

[athol]

5 minutes ago, penguin17 said:

Was that you who pulled off the the heist on the Ramsdens in Boro? 😂

No comment... 🤣🤣

[neil98]

I think I'll keep away from the 280hp...Ive been looking at the depreciation on the Superb,, they drop a lot of money in 2 years,, not that many cars are good investments but I'm a bit shocked by the drop. 

[26DIPP]

I am reading on to upgrade from Superb II to SIII. I have a 2L 170 scandal TDI with 4x4 and "only" do 8000 miles per year and a similar proportion the the TS in town and the diesel is no problem at all. MPG is around 43.