We are looking to replace our Jan 2018 Superb SEL 1.4 Manual with a new 1.5 SEL DSG. There are a few option changes since we bought in 2017/2018 so we are unsure of the value add of some of these:

 

• Columbus 9.2" screen infotainment (std on our 2018 model) is now an option. I know it has improved since our model but is it worth the £1,065 over the std Amundsen 8" system? What do you get extra apart from more screen real estate
• DCC - does this really add the £1,070.00 value? I suspect not since the ride on our car with 17" wheels & all-season tyres is very good. We think we can still get the 17" wheel option for a new SEL 
• Area View- costs £850 but does it really improve visibility when parking or is it a bit of a gimmick?

 

We've come up with this list so far, any obvious omissions we should consider or one that really should be removed?

 

1x USB-C port in the rear-view mirror panel	£60
Columbus HDD satellite 3D map navigation with 9.2" colour touch screen, web radio, integrated Wi-Fi	£1,065
Extended warranty (5 years or 100000 miles)	£630
Travel assist - park assist, traffic sign recognition, adaptive lane assist, predictive ACC and traffic jam and emergency assist	£1,100
Rear view parking camera	£405
Rear backrest release from boot	£95
Retractable parcel shelf	£55
Temporary space saver wheel	£200
Wireless charging	£280
Crew protection assist and rear side airbags	£495
Variable boot floor	£165
Winter pack with heated rear seats- Superb	£825
LED package plus - Superb	£295

 

Lastly, we see that the new Superb will be likely 2024 which a long time away and, seeing the early model gremlins in the new Octavia IV features, it may be better to stick with the proven, outgoing, model rather than get one of the early Superb V production runs. Anyone have a different perspective on this?

In general prices have risen, and some items are only available as packs which makes them expensive.

 

Don’t think over £1000 extra to move from 8 inch to 9.2inch screen is value for money, you get bit more features, but doesn’t mean you will use them

 

DCC seems to get mixed comments, but a Superb is more a limo than a sports car, so if currently happy with 17 inch wheels why pay extra (but SEL spec comes with 18 inch as standard)

 

I have wireless charging in my car, but don’t use it and have used the low tech 2 packets of trebour mints in tray, because the phone gets really hot if placed in the tray (I have Samsung S9), and some functions only work when plugged in, wouldn’t waste £280 on it unless you can’t charge your phone at home.

Can’t see any reason to buy all of area view, and park package and rear camera.

 

Beware of lead times, if you choose some options, can add 2 months to an already long wait, I think lead times are 10+ months.    
 

You have to consider if it is sensible to order whilst prices are high, options expensive, deals negligible, delivery dates sometime in 2023.  But I don’t own a crystal ball to know what will be happening in years time.

 

 

 

Edited 20 March, 20224 yr by SurreyJohn

I agree with Surrey John.

I have the wireless charging, it is very slow and on journeys over 2 hours the phone (iPhone 12) overheats and switches off.

There is a usb-c socket immediately adjacent and this charges the phone very quickly.

 

Columbus definitely not worth the extra in my view.

I had Columbus on my 2016 Superb and that was fine but my 2021 Amundsen is much better and apart from a wider screen and fiddly touch controls I cannot see any advantage in Columbus.

In terms of navigation you are better off with Waze or Google maps which both show up on the screen anyway.

 

I have the usb-c port in the rear view mirror and use it for a dashcam but bear in mind it is only powered with the ignition on.

 

I paid for the 5 year extended warranty on my 2016 car but the only claim I had in years 4 and 5 was for a replacement battery, which it did cover.

I might have been lucky but this time around I didn't bother with it.

 

I didn't pay for travel assist as the car already came with predictive ACC and not sure whether adaptive lane assist is beneficial or more of an interference.

Waze and Google maps already give speed limit information.

Emergency assist is on my car at the touch of a button.

I personally like the Area view camera, I had it on my Kodiaq and now have it on my Superb. Rear view camera is generally good enough anyway, but for me the area view helps in tighter spots and checking if I've parked within the lines I like the side camera to double check how close I am to the curb to save my wheels. 

 

 I went for an L&K for all the gadgets as I loved them on my Kodiaq, especially the ACC and lane assist. As I generally get warm easily, leather with ventilatiled seats are an absolute delight. 

 

Lead times are long at the moment, the customer experience team at my dealer had a long list of calls to make to give people bad news regarding their order. 

The Columbus 9.2" infotainment screen looks nicer and has a cleaner interface (despite the shortcuts being the furthest away from the driver), the bigger screen is better if you're using the the map for satnav or plan on using the parking camera. The newer version of Amundsen does aware with the two physical dials but at least you'll get more shortcuts on either side of the screen.

 

I find the suspension on the Superb soft with 18" wheels, it'll really depend on your driving style and the roads you'll be on so you can save yourself £1000 there.

 

Are you buying the sedan or the estate version? If you are buying the estate version, things like the rear backrest release in the boot and retractable parcel shelf makes sense.

 

The USB-C port in the rear-view mirror panel would be nice with a dash cam but if it'll turn off with the ignition I have to wonder about its usefulness (especially when you want it to record when you're out of the car). Same thing with the wireless charger, most phones fast charge and judging by some of the comments here it's probably not as fast (nor as cheap) as using the onboard charging ports and cable.

 

Travel assist is the harder thing to assess, since some things are more welcome than others, things like traffic sign recognition and adaptive lane assist can be more of an interference, park assist is probably something you'll use once and not again (but the additional side sensors should prove more helpful) whereas other things like predictive ACC and traffic jam are more welcome comfort features. Then on top of that, the rear view parking camera and area view is a whole lot of extra money but not unwarranted, I think the rear view camera should've been included considering the size of the vehicle.

 

But of course, ordering and having to wait is the major issue.

If you are going to spec 17s, I wouldn't get the DCC I don't think.

 

Area view is 50/50 imo. The extra cameras are great for lining up in a bay, and the side cameras stop you kerbing the wheel when parking. But the front one is completely useless when trying to judge the distance from an object

Many thanks for all the very useful replies. I agree with a lot of what has been said - so current thinking is:

• no DCC if able to get 17" w/All Season tyres
• Amundsen infotainment as better value. After using the Columbus in my current car, I actually think real buttons for volume, etc. is probably safer when driving plus, the button to go direct to Carplay is really good. For Columbus, you have got hit Menu then find the Carplay icon
• wireless charging - no sure on this. There is a claim by Skoda that it enhances signal when poor but I am sceptical. You could, I suppose, buy a charging pad, put it in the recess and just plug this into the USB .. maybe.
• area view I am undecided about, hard one to call without seeing it in use in person

As the new MIB 3 units have no SD card, does anyone know how you update the maps that come with the Skoda Connect subscription. Doesn't seem obvious. The other question relates to the current sim card slot I have in my current car: I think this is gone now so how do the maps add the traffic data overlay (green/red roads) & roadwork locations, etc? Is this now built in to the Amundsen and added as long as you have an active subscription?

Updates are done over the air, the car just tells you when one is available. That bit actually works quite well.

 

Live traffic is done my using a Skoda data plan or using your own phone as a WiFi hotspot

Damn! Just spoke to Skoda, no 17" wheels available to order on the SE L 😞 So 18" wheels it is ..

I'm not familiar with the UK model line up but would you not be better going to the next model up? I have DCC and select the hardest setting as soon as I start the car, it makes the car so much nicer to drive. My previous car was non DCC and was sickeningly soft to drive on country roads. I use the wireless pad all the time I find it great it came as standard with the car, had to upgrade my phone though😉. I rarely use the Columbus but in conjunction with the virtual dash is very handy when you need it. A higher spec car might be available more easily. 

I must be the only person who prefers comfort mode! Granted sport makes it less like a bouncy castle when you want to press on 

On 22/03/2022 at 14:03, Patent said:

I must be the only person who prefers comfort mode! Granted sport makes it less like a bouncy castle when you want to press on 

I find the comfort mode quite useful in certain circumstances. Rough surfaced B-roads can be tamed to a degree, as long as you're not travelling too fast. And city driving around speed bumps, too.

 

I resorted to Comfort twice in the last couple days driving around Norfolk.

Do you not find the continued bouncing after a speed ramp very sickening? It reminds me of a MK2 Cortina I had with knackered from shocks. 

Maybe you should take it a bit easier 😂

On 23/03/2022 at 21:03, j caff said:

Do you not find the continued bouncing after a speed ramp very sickening? It reminds me of a MK2 Cortina I had with knackered from shocks. 

Yeah, it's a bit of a frustration. All vw group  cars seem to be set up that way (or at least the ones I've driven). We also have a LEAF and although the springs seem slightly softer, the rebound control is much better.  Just don't get me started on the primeras I had... Loved them... 

 

11 hours ago, Patent said:

Maybe you should take it a bit easier 😂

The passage of time is solving that one for me! 

I had read that the P10/P11 Primera was meant to be a decent drive actually!

 

Edited 25 March, 20224 yr by Patent

Off topic, but indeed they were. The chromaflair (flip) paint P11 was the car that I wished I never sold. 

Oh well, the Superb is better in most measurable ways and the right choice , but on an empty twisty B road I know which one would be in front. 

 

Actually, it would be a dead heat as SWMBO would be complaining about feeling sick... 

The deed is done. Ordered new Superb Estate 2.0 TSI 190 SE L 5dr DSG with following options:

 

Metallic - Petrol Blue
Wireless charging
Rear view parking camera
Travel assist - park assist, traffic sign recognition, adaptive lane assist, predictive ACC and traffic jam and emergency assist
Retractable parcel shelf
1x USB-C port in the rear-view mirror panel
Rear backrest release from boot
Variable boot floor
Crew protection assist and rear side airbags
Temporary space saver wheel
Winter pack with heated rear seats- Superb
Dynamic chassis control
Extended warranty (5 years or 100000 miles)

 

Delivery estimate is currently 27 weeks.

 

Ordered via CarFile who are excellent BTW. Also managed to get the order in before the prices went up on 1st April, saving £2500. Crazy ..

 

6 hours ago, ianch99 said:

The deed is done. Ordered new Superb Estate 2.0 TSI 190 SE L 5dr DSG with following options:

 

Metallic - Petrol Blue
Wireless charging
Rear view parking camera
Travel assist - park assist, traffic sign recognition, adaptive lane assist, predictive ACC and traffic jam and emergency assist
Retractable parcel shelf
1x USB-C port in the rear-view mirror panel
Rear backrest release from boot
Variable boot floor
Crew protection assist and rear side airbags
Temporary space saver wheel
Winter pack with heated rear seats- Superb
Dynamic chassis control
Extended warranty (5 years or 100000 miles)

 

Delivery estimate is currently 27 weeks.

 

Ordered via CarFile who are excellent BTW. Also managed to get the order in before the prices went up on 1st April, saving £2500. Crazy ..

 

are you saying the price went up £2.5k over night ?,   seems like a hefty price increase, 

i take it  you where below the £40k list price on the 31st march, and that extra £2.5k is probably gonna put you into the rip off road tax bracket by the time you get the car and if it does'nt, it's not leaving much to play with if there's any further price increases

On 03/04/2022 at 16:16, 310golfr said:

are you saying the price went up £2.5k over night ?,   seems like a hefty price increase, 

i take it  you where below the £40k list price on the 31st march, and that extra £2.5k is probably gonna put you into the rip off road tax bracket by the time you get the car and if it does'nt, it's not leaving much to play with if there's any further price increases

Yes, the price went up by 5-ish % on Apr 1st plus Skoda reduced the PCP contribution by £1000 so it worked out around £2500. I managed to get the order in before hence the saving. Regarding the £40,000 VED threshold, I thought I was below but I am not too sure now. I am really struggling to find out the "list price" used to calculate the total. I know it includes the selected factory fitted options but not things like service plans or warranty (so I am told). The real problem is that the brochure (https://www.skoda.co.uk/_doc/71165c49-62c5-4f74-b29a-be6ad40d7373) has 2 prices: RRP and OTR. So, is the VED "list price" = RRP + options or OTR + options, or something in between. Totally confused. My dealer used the OTR price as the base price (before adding options) but another I talked to said you had to deduct delivery cost and first registration fee 🤔

 

Of course, with a 6+ month lead time, if the price goes up again in the mean time, even by a small amount, it will take it over the 40k as mentioned by 310golfr

2 hours ago, ianch99 said:

Yes, the price went up by 5-ish % on Apr 1st plus Skoda reduced the PCP contribution by £1000 so it worked out around £2500. I managed to get the order in before hence the saving. Regarding the £40,000 VED threshold, I thought I was below but I am not too sure now. I am really struggling to find out the "list price" used to calculate the total. I know it includes the selected factory fitted options but not things like service plans or warranty (so I am told). The real problem is that the brochure (https://www.skoda.co.uk/_doc/71165c49-62c5-4f74-b29a-be6ad40d7373) has 2 prices: RRP and OTR. So, is the VED "list price" = RRP + options or OTR + options, or something in between. Totally confused. My dealer used the OTR price as the base price (before adding options) but another I talked to said you had to deduct delivery cost and first registration fee 🤔

 

Of course, with a 6+ month lead time, if the price goes up again in the mean time, even by a small amount, it will take it over the 40k as mentioned by 310golfr

i believe it's based on the list price,  which is the price of the car + any extras + delivery charges & vat

it does'nt include the 1st year road tax cost or the registration fee [£25]

 

i think i'd want to know my list price before signing anything,  if your just over the £40k, you could leave out some options and add them in later when you get the car.

but i think the price is likely to rise again the way things are going,  so it's difficult when your list price is so close to the £40k

@ianch99 I’ve ordered from carfile before - absolutely excellent service - good decision.

 

I’m in a similar situation to you as far as spec goes.  My understanding is that the list price is related to the list price on the invoice so should be protected from 40K tax?

 

Also, I’d be interested to know your thoughts around depreciation (see my other post).  Do you think the discounts/deposit contribution make up for higher depreciation on the Superb vs. Kodiaq?  Did you consider Kodiaq ?  What made you go with Superb?

1 hour ago, Moorine said:

Superb vs. Kodiaq

Superb:
+ more power with less weight
+ lot superior feel in cabin
+ bigger trunk space, even in hatchback
+ hatchbacks have clear rear window in bad weather

 

Kodiaq:
+ longer distance in forward view
+ better on roads without asphalt

 

next already ordered - Superb L&K 2.0 TSI 280ps 4x4

Edited 15 April, 20224 yr by MartiniB