Hello, it’s been a long time since I’ve frequented this forum, but would like to ask for some opinions if I may?

 

I currently have a BMW 520D F11 Tourer from 2010, which I’ve largely enjoyed owning and have, on the whole, not had too many issues with it despite it being *that* N47 engine. I’m now looking at the next move and considering the Superb Tourer or possibly the Kodiak. (I keep having to stop myself looking at the E-Class which seems to hit a similar price on a 2017 vehicle!) I want keep costs predictable over the next 5 years as far as possible.

It’s a family car – two kids – and milage is around 11k miles/y with a lot of local driving. For this reason I’m considering the 1.5 TSI or 2.0 (220PS) units with the DSG.

 

I did own, briefly, a 2010 Octavia estate with the 1.8 TSI but had issues with it consuming a lot of oil and an episode of belching blue smoke while miles from anywhere on holiday. I also found there to be a lot of road noise and the seats rather uncomfortable. After a lot of fighting the (main) dealer took it back and refunded most of the purchase when we found some hidden accident damage on the vehicle and I’ve been with Honda and then BMW since. Time heals and I’m back looking at Skoda as things appear to have moved on since that generation.

 

Given the current circumstances I haven’t been able to test drive anything yet.

 

Questions are:
1.    Are these petrol units reliable, and what are the pitfalls? What’s the most reliable unit in the range?
2.    Is the 2.0 a significant improvement on the 1.5 and worth seeking out?
3.    How do they sit in terms of overall refinement now compared to 2010?
4.    Random question, but is anyone able to compare the 2010 Octavia seats with the standard seats in the 2017 Superb, especially the width between the side bolsters of the seat cushion (the Octavia used to give me a numb leg!)?

 

Many thanks indeed!
 

The engine is smooth quick quiet and reliable. I don't recall any major issues with the latest TSI from around 2015 onwards. I have been a front seat passenger in a MkIII  1.4  and MkIV  1.5 TSI 150 BHP Octavia. Their engines are very good. The MkIV 1.5 engine still has a kangaroo-type effect initially when cold.  However obviously they don't  give you quite the same shove in the back as the older 2.0 TSI 220 or 280/272 BHP Super.  Economy for 2.0 TSI on an A road fairly free flowing 10 mile commute, is mid to late 30 Mpg up to 40+ mpg on motorways keeping up with the flow. The Superb has more sound deadening and is definitely a quieter drive than the Octavia. There is some wind noise from the door mirrors. Seat pads are wider than the Octavia, or at least the VRS models I had. The Sportline's seats seem to have more pronounced side bolsters than the SE & L&K versions. The space and tech levels are good on models from SE spec level. You will have to drive one to see for yourself.

Thanks that is all really helpful information.  Is the 'Kangaroo' effect a function of the DSG?  My 4-pot 2L BMW diesel isn't especially refined when cold either to be honest, but it's a manual.

5 hours ago, graphic said:

Thanks that is all really helpful information.  Is the 'Kangaroo' effect a function of the DSG?  My 4-pot 2L BMW diesel isn't especially refined when cold either to be honest, but it's a manual.

No the kangaroo effect is VAG wide 1.5 TSI and my friend’s Mk IV 1.5 SE Octavia has noted this issue as have other owners of this model. The DAG is good, slight lag sometimes if not in sport mode. Maps or tuning boxes can be used for extra zip. 

Edited 4 April, 20215 yr by Redboy
Additional info

6 hours ago, Redboy said:

No the kangaroo effect is VAG wide 1.5 TSI and my friend’s Mk IV 1.5 SE Octavia has noted this issue as have other owners of this model. The DAG is good, slight lag sometimes if not in sport mode. Maps or tuning boxes can be used for extra zip. 

Thanks, will have to test drive and see if I can experience it.  I'm more tempted by the 2.0 TSI to be honest, but read there had been some reliability issues with it. Perhaps this we early on though.

18 hours ago, graphic said:

Thanks, will have to test drive and see if I can experience it.  I'm more tempted by the 2.0 TSI to be honest, but read there had been some reliability issues with it. Perhaps this we early on though.

The 2.0 TSI issue was up to about 2013 with cam chain tensioners failing and chains jumping a tooth. There are no major issues on these engines  from 2014-2015 onwards. Go for the 2.0, I am on my 3rd such engine. 

Interesting, as I have recently also moved from a BMW 5 Series (E60) to Skoda (Octavia VRS).

The car is a lot of fun to drive. Not sure it's on the same level as the BMW in terms of refinement though, but I guess that was to be expected.

On 23/04/2021 at 15:38, Noms said:

Interesting, as I have recently also moved from a BMW 5 Series (E60) to Skoda (Octavia VRS).

The car is a lot of fun to drive. Not sure it's on the same level as the BMW in terms of refinement though, but I guess that was to be expected.

I have a love/hate relationship with the Bimmer.  It's cabin quality, ride and performance are everything I want in a car... but it has a constant stream of niggly problems. Someone described it as 'death by a thousand cuts' which is a bit dramatic, but kinda sums it up!

Superb is probably more refined than Octavia. The 2.0 engine is mature tech now and should be fine. Its used in masses of VAG products. Personally I'd go for a 2.0 Superb estate as a good replacement for the BMW. I test drove a 220 and a 280 when I bought mine - the 220 was more than enough power, the only small niggle was it seemed prone to wheelspin. That'd probably only be an issue until you got used to driving the car. I ended up eliminating the issue by going for the 280 as its 4x4, but that isn't at all necessary.

 

The caveat is I only do 6k miles a year and I tow a box trailer or have bikes on board for probably 1k miles of that, so I don't care about MPG and do care about oompf :-)  

12 hours ago, graphic said:

I have a love/hate relationship with the Bimmer.  It's cabin quality, ride and performance are everything I want in a car... but it has a constant stream of niggly problems. Someone described it as 'death by a thousand cuts' which is a bit dramatic, but kinda sums it up!

 

That was the exact reason I gave up my 5series.

It was the perfect car, style, comfort and power; but every year I would have to shell out a heck of a lot just to keep it going.

14 minutes ago, Noms said:

 

That was the exact reason I gave up my 5series.

It was the perfect car, style, comfort and power; but every year I would have to shell out a heck of a lot just to keep it going.

How's the general build quality held up in comparison to the 5-series?  The MKII I had for a short while was distinctly average in that respect, even compared to the MKIII Mondeo it replaced.  That said, I think it was a bit of a 'Friday afternoon' car and turned out to have other issues too.

The refinements in an Octavia will never be the same as a 5 series.

Yes, both cars use plastics, but the Skoda uses cheaper plastic. Although saying that, a friend of mine has a G30, and the quality of materials used in that are very similar to my Octavia, so I think this is the 'way forward' for most manufacturers.

Both of my cars have heated leather, and TBH, this is probably the same in both cars.

The heating and cooling is equally good in both.

The only thing I really notice in the Skoda is the sound insulation. The BMW was quieter on the motorway, but I'm talking about an E60. I know quality went downhill from there, so not sure how different it would be from a F10/11 or a G30.

 

In terms of driveability, I chose the VRS, which is a lot of fun to drive (much more than the BMW, although I don't get as many looks (which is probably a good thing)).

On 30/04/2021 at 17:17, Noms said:

The refinements in an Octavia will never be the same as a 5 series.

Yes, both cars use plastics, but the Skoda uses cheaper plastic. Although saying that, a friend of mine has a G30, and the quality of materials used in that are very similar to my Octavia, so I think this is the 'way forward' for most manufacturers.

Both of my cars have heated leather, and TBH, this is probably the same in both cars.

The heating and cooling is equally good in both.

The only thing I really notice in the Skoda is the sound insulation. The BMW was quieter on the motorway, but I'm talking about an E60. I know quality went downhill from there, so not sure how different it would be from a F10/11 or a G30.

 

In terms of driveability, I chose the VRS, which is a lot of fun to drive (much more than the BMW, although I don't get as many looks (which is probably a good thing)).

Good to know.  I drove a MkIII Octavia yesterday was was impressed how much better than my old MKII it was.  I'm sure the superb is a step up again.