It's time to upgrade from my MK2, 2008, Diesel, 2.0, 190ps to something a little... newer!

 

Needless to say, I've got my eyes open for another Superb (everything else just feels... small), Petrol, same or higher power (a 280 4x4 would be the dream).

 

Any recommendations on what to look out for? What are the major differences between the 2018 Sportline vs the L&K? Personally I'm initially siding with the Sportline (mainly due to the seats) although it does, seemingly look... sportier externally by comparison (I don't know if that's down to bigger alloy wheels or just my eyes). 

I recently bought a nearly new L&K 190 TSI, facelift model. I test drove a number of options, including a 272 Sportline Plus, pre-facelift. The difference in performance was noticeable. I suppose too that there's a psychological comfort from knowing that the 4x4 would kick in if you got stressed in a manoeuvre. However, I ended up weighing my options in this way. How often would I really need a 4x4 car? How many boy racers would I really want to burn off in a 272 stealth car? How much did I want a facelift 2020 Superb over a pre-facelift 2019 one? The list of standard kit on the L&K was also impressive - heated windscreen, heated steering wheel, four heated and ventilated seats, automatic dipping high beam (a firm favourite for my wife). In the end it turned on driver convenience vs raw speed, especially as there were just so few facelift L&K cars around in my price range. If you're fine about a pre-facelift car and are happy to dip your own headlights!, there are bargains to be had among the Sportline/Sportline Plus used cars, definitely including 272 ones. I was surprised at the price difference between those and the few L&K cars that I came across. I strongly recommend giving a 272 a run round the block with your local dealer. Then try to stop yourself from thinking about fuel bills and expense. Instead, lick your lips at all those silly boys in their Fiestas that you're going to sting. I went for comfort but I'd happily have gone for comfort plus pace if there'd been something around in my price range. Hope this helps. 

Thanks @D-Cunningham i'd say that was almost poetic  I've actually only spotted one L&K in my price range, whilst I'm generally looking at the 2018-2019 bracket of petrol 2.0 versions and there is still a bit of choice (with mileage anywhere from around 2,500 up to 15,000 miles within my budget). I have heated seats in my current Superb version and a few nice additional extras but most of them seem to be covered in the Sportline versions whilst reading another thread the difference of seats between the two seems to indicate the Sportline seats are just as comfortable (I definitely prefer the design of these by comparison). I'll only be doing around 5,000 miles a month; part of that makes me think the running costs won't actually be that painful, but also whether i actually need that more powerful engine (the 272) after all - I guess my heart it stuck on just that... a sleeper car plus one that I believe could be modded up to 400-500 with a few changes. Happy New Year

16 hours ago, sabian1982 said:

Thanks @D-Cunningham i'd say that was almost poetic  I've actually only spotted one L&K in my price range, whilst I'm generally looking at the 2018-2019 bracket of petrol 2.0 versions and there is still a bit of choice (with mileage anywhere from around 2,500 up to 15,000 miles within my budget). I have heated seats in my current Superb version and a few nice additional extras but most of them seem to be covered in the Sportline versions whilst reading another thread the difference of seats between the two seems to indicate the Sportline seats are just as comfortable (I definitely prefer the design of these by comparison). I'll only be doing around 5,000 miles a month; part of that makes me think the running costs won't actually be that painful, but also whether i actually need that more powerful engine (the 272) after all - I guess my heart it stuck on just that... a sleeper car plus one that I believe could be modded up to 400-500 with a few changes. Happy New Year

5k miles per month? 

 

The 272/280 is indeed one of the best sleeper cars on the market. If you actually meant 5k a year, definitely go for it. Not much difference in fuel costs.

44 minutes ago, KeteCantek said:

5k miles per month? 

 

The 272/280 is indeed one of the best sleeper cars on the market. If you actually meant 5k a year, definitely go for it. Not much difference in fuel costs.

 

Yer 5k a year... my typo!

The Sportline models are fitted with stiffer 15mm lower springs to improve the handling compared to the L & K models but they are obviously better equipped. My 2019 Sportline Plus was specified with Black Magic Pearl paint plus spare wheel which was enough for me and came as standard with the 9.2" Columbus screen, heated front seats, electric drivers seat (they are very comfortable and are not cold in winter unlike SEL and L & K leather versions), front/rear parking sensors and electric hatch which along with blind spot monitors in the heated electric folding mirrors was enough toys for me. The POWER and TRACTION are excellent with the 7 speed DSG gearbox very smooth. Initial economy of 37mpg is only 3mpg worse than my old 336bhp Octavia Vrs245. Same £145 road tax as the 245 as well. Doubt whether the remap next month will have any real effect on economy either.

23 hours ago, sabian1982 said:

Thanks @D-Cunningham i'd say that was almost poetic  I've actually only spotted one L&K in my price range, whilst I'm generally looking at the 2018-2019 bracket of petrol 2.0 versions and there is still a bit of choice (with mileage anywhere from around 2,500 up to 15,000 miles within my budget). I have heated seats in my current Superb version and a few nice additional extras but most of them seem to be covered in the Sportline versions whilst reading another thread the difference of seats between the two seems to indicate the Sportline seats are just as comfortable (I definitely prefer the design of these by comparison). I'll only be doing around 5,000 miles a month; part of that makes me think the running costs won't actually be that painful, but also whether i actually need that more powerful engine (the 272) after all - I guess my heart it stuck on just that... a sleeper car plus one that I believe could be modded up to 400-500 with a few changes. Happy New Year

This is the second time I've seen the term `sleeper car`. What is that actually?

 

Edited 8 January, 20206 yr by mandp

10 minutes ago, mandp said:

This is the second time I've seen the term `sleeper car`. What is that actually?

 

 

A car the looks just ordinary... but it's anything but... here's an more extreme example of a Skoda Superb sleeper car ha 

 

 

10 hours ago, mandp said:

This is the second time I've seen the term `sleeper car`. What is that actually?

 

Something that is very ordinary and mundane looking, goes unnoticed but deceptively has a bit of poke and will give most 'shouty' things a good kicking.  Q-car is another term for this. 

 

So the best example I can give, and IMO, the daddy of sleepers is: 

 

 

 

'Ordinary' Vauxhall Carlton?  No, tuned and fettled by Lotus to the tune of 377 BHP, 0-60 in ~5 secs and will go all the way to 177 MPH.  Still more than respectable by todays standards.  In it's day there was nothing other than supercars/hypercars that could keep up. 

Edited 9 January, 20206 yr by penguin17

Oh lord. Lotus Carlton. I always lusted after one of those in my teens. My dad had a 2.0 cdx estate in the mid 90s which was a lovely bus.

10 minutes ago, edwards said:

Oh lord. Lotus Carlton. I always lusted after one of those in my teens. My dad had a 2.0 cdx estate in the mid 90s which was a lovely bus.

I was lucky enough to win a prize in Autocar in June 1993 to have several fast passenger laps in a 400bhp Dodge Viper round Oulton Park with Justin Bell at the wheel (Le Man winning Derek's son) and another winner arrived in a Lotus Carlton but rather than singing it's praises he reeled off a long list of faults. It may have looked like a Carlton but had the usual built in LOTUS motto of Lots Of Trouble Usually Serious as standard. The Viper's number plate was WOW 110T which read HOT with a black number plate screw placed between the two ones.

11 hours ago, sabian1982 said:

extreme example of a Skoda Superb sleeper

 

The full build for that particular car can be seen here:-

 

(If my eagle eyes serve me correctly!)

 

On 06/01/2020 at 13:41, D-Cunningham said:

happy to dip your own headlights!,

 

If the car has lane assist then HBA (High Beam Assist) can easily be enabled using VCDS............. (for freeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee if you've already got a cable!)

46 minutes ago, shyVRS245 said:

I was lucky enough to win a prize in Autocar in June 1993 to have several fast passenger laps in a 400bhp Dodge Viper round Oulton Park with Justin Bell at the wheel (Le Man winning Derek's son) and another winner arrived in a Lotus Carlton but rather than singing it's praises he reeled off a long list of faults. It may have looked like a Carlton but had the usual built in LOTUS motto of Lots Of Trouble Usually Serious as standard. The Viper's number plate was WOW 110T which read HOT with a black number plate screw placed between the two ones.

Dodge Viper was a bit of a pig but now early examples are apparently very desirable and rising sharply in value.  

 

When I was based at Kinloss there was (is) a garage owner in Nairn and every time I'd drive to Inverness I'd either slow down or stop just to look at his Lotus Carlton.  He apparently would sell it but IIRC he was asking £100K+ and this was in 1999-2000'ish.  Well a few months back I found out he's still got the car and he's still trying to sell it...£150K.  

 

https://www.hendersonsgaragenairn.co.uk/used-cars/search-results?make=VAUXHALL&model=LOTUS+CARLTON&vehicleType=cars

Edited 9 January, 20206 yr by penguin17

1 minute ago, penguin17 said:

Dodge Viper was a bit of a pig but now early example sare apparently very desirable and rising sharply in value.  

 

When I was based at Kinloss was (is) a garage in Nairn and every time I'd drive to Inverness I'd either slow down or stop just to look at his Lotus Carlton.  He apparently would sell it but IIRC he was asking £100K+ and this was in 1999-2000'ish.  Well a few months back I found out he's still got the car and he's still trying to sell it...£150K.  

 

https://www.hendersonsgaragenairn.co.uk/used-cars/search-results?make=VAUXHALL&model=LOTUS+CARLTON&vehicleType=cars

To be fair although it had a huge engine which didn't like revving very high the very wide (275 front/335 rear) Michelin tyres offered huge grip and going from my 160bhp Toyota MR2 GT it was a real shock to corner at up to 120mph and hit 145mph on the straight.

Where I come from (the past) a sleeper was all about getting away from the lights. You pull up along side a BMW in a car that looks like a company sales rep's ride. Then you leave the boy racer standing. You had a big engine, fat rear tyres and limited-slip diff (four-wheel drive or even front-wheel drive wasn't around then).

 

They were all about the drag race. Then someone wanted to corner and the cars got a lowered stance and fatter tyres. Then it was top speed and came air dams and spoilers. The car wasn't a sleeper anymore, 'cause it looked hot. You were only a racing stripe away from a GTO. Then came muscle cars and everyone forgot about sleepers. A sleeper was a Mustang without the stripe.

 

The Carlton in the shot above features a spoiler and air dam: not a sleeper.