Hi folks. First post.

I’ve just stuck a deposit down on a Superb estate 280 L&K (one of the last ones in stock I think). Collecting it (all the way up in Scotland to drive it back to Somerset) in a couple of weeks.
Very excited - it replaces a Passat Alltrack which has been great for 8 years, but I’m looking forward to having a bit more poke under the right foot. And a Canton sound system to enjoy some tunes on the way home.😀
Any other 280 owners on here - how do you find yours? Are there any foibles or issues to look out for? Also do they have a cambelt? Or chain driven?

thanks. 

Hello Tibbadog, welcome to the forum.

Here I am, green with envy. Oh what a sinner I am 😁 Enjoy your trip. Your new engine (EA888) has cam chain.

Edited 14 November, 20232 yr by Warrior193
added information

21 minutes ago, Warrior193 said:

Hello Tibbadog, welcome to the forum.

Here I am, green with envy. Oh what a sinner I am 😁 Enjoy your trip. Your new engine (EA888) has cam chain.

Thanks! Hopefully a chain is good news although I know they aren’t always trouble free with some VAG products.

Welcome.

Enjoy the car and the drive back.  How far up Scotland are you coming?

 

Remember and tell the Salesperson to be sure the tyres are not overinflated before hand over and the TPMS set,

 

Surely by now the VW Group have chain tensioners as reliable as they can be, it has been many decades they have for them to remember Vosrprung durch Technik.

I’m coming up to Perth. A mere 450 miles.. That’s an interesting point about tyre pressures, never thought of that but assumed they would check on the PDI. Will bring my compressor gauge too just to look like a nerd and irritate the salesman.

Thomson & Potter Skoda Perth (John Clark Motor Group)  are OK, better than those south of Perth IMO.

 

They do check at the PDI, but sometimes someone might be more interested in their phone.

?

Are you getting the train or bus up?

You have 23 miles of 70 mph max Average Speed Cameras as you head back towards Stirling which is fine for getting used to the car.

A Tesco for Tesco Momentum 99 near enough if you want to fill up with the good stuff from the off. 

1 minute ago, Rooted said:

Thomson & Potter Skoda Perth (John Clark Motor Group)  are OK, better than those south of Perth IMO.

 

They do check at the PDI, but sometimes someone might be more interested in their phone.

?

Are you getting the train or bus up?

You have 23 miles of 70 mph max Average Speed Cameras as you head back towards Stirling which is fine for getting used to the car.

A Tesco for Tesco Momentum 99 near enough if you want to fill up with the good stuff from the off. 

Great, thanks for the intel. I’m driving up in my part ex Alltrack and aiming to stop over/Airbnb around Moffat on the way. 

1 hour ago, Rooted said:

Welcome.

Enjoy the car and the drive back.  How far up Scotland are you coming?

 

Remember and tell the Salesperson to be sure the tyres are not overinflated before hand over and the TPMS set,

 

Surely by now the VW Group have chain tensioners as reliable as they can be, it has been many decades they have for them to remember Vosrprung durch Technik.

Oh, and ask them to verify that the transit blocks have definitely been removed.

There really are not too crap in Perth.  Better in Dundee though. 

As long as the Dealer Principal knows about the travelling and the time scale and that their staff are on the ball or the Dealerships customer service or they will be torn to shreds on Social Media.

 

Someone there will see this so hopefully they do their very best....

Edited 14 November, 20232 yr by Rooted

I hope it’s all ok. Perhaps I request a copy of the PDI sheet if that’s possible. We’re picking up on a Saturday so not keen on having any issues given I’ll be 450 miles away once home….😬👀

I would,

Send the sales person an e-mail and tell them the pressure you want the tyres set at.

 

When you arrive check the pressures with your gauge.    If wrong start at that point to be telling them to get their act together if necessary,  Hopefully not.

Check before the car is started where the coolant sits.

Dip the oil cold and see where it sits.   Later check at normal operating temp after a few minutes stopped on the flat.

Check the spare wheel and the kit is all there OK.

 

Enjoy, it should be all fine.   Perth is lovely even for a flying visit,  weather forecasts not to bad. 

Thanks. I wouldn’t actually know what pressure the tyres should be set at tbh - I would need to check the manual.
I’ll ask them to do pressures to manufacturer spec as per the door shut sticker - but I’d really hope they’re on top of that! And - similarly that checking the oil and coolant is a given before the car comes anywhere near me.
Nonetheless - I suspect some garages just don’t bother with the basics. I’ll take a check list and remember to check those things before driving away.

 

just to add - there is no spare. I may try and source one.

Edited 14 November, 20232 yr by Tibbadog

2 hours ago, Tibbadog said:

Thanks. I wouldn’t actually know what pressure the tyres should be set at tbh - I would need to check the manual.
I’ll ask them to do pressures to manufacturer spec as per the door shut sticker - but I’d really hope they’re on top of that! And - similarly that checking the oil and coolant is a given before the car comes anywhere near me.
Nonetheless - I suspect some garages just don’t bother with the basics. I’ll take a check list and remember to check those things before driving away.

 

just to add - there is no spare. I may try and source one.

Tyre pressures are on a plaque inside the fuel flap. I normally run the Octavia at Eco pressures - plus approx. 0.2 bar when on winter tyres. 

^^^ Thats the last thing i would do with the OEM tyres unless summer / warm fully loaded or towing.

ECO Pressures, less grip / traction is the only way better fuel economy is achieved.   

 

ECO Pressure is getting near to the 'In transit' pressure the cars are delivered at and the pressure not dropped at the PDI, or they send EV,s out on when demonstrators to kid on they get a better range. 

Quick one - is it the case that if the vehicle doesn’t have tow bar preparation ticked from the factory, you can’t fit a tow bar? Or is that BS?

From my understanding, it depends on the vehicle load plate, the position appears to be that if there is no Max. towing weight entered on the plate, a tow bar is not permitted. 

Oh dear, bad news for me and my deposit if that’s the case. 

@TibbadogGet the Salesperson or whoever is covering for them today to send a picture of the VIN plate showing that it has Weights permitting towing.

When negotiating this purchase, did you make any mention to the dealer about fitting a tow bar? 

No, I didn’t even think about it just assumed you would be able to fit a tow-bar.

Sorry to scoff, but it seems nuts to me that a 4x4 280 might not be suitable for towing 🙄

 

Hope it transpires that it can 👍

 

G

I have the factory towbar on mine - its an awesome towcar, best I have ever had, so I really hope yours is plated appropriately.

 

The EA888 engines are chain driven, but just in case you think you have saved money on cambelt changes, they are really prone to the waterpump/manifold leaking on the front of the engine and its about a £6-800 job. Mine went at 5 years and 33k miles.

 

Despite that I think you'll love it. Mine is 5 years old now and there is basically nothing on the market that I want to replace it with. 

Thanks. Salesman has said yes it will tow, up to 2,200kg.  I have it in writing, although no picture of the VIN plate.

 

Re the chain on the engine - I opted for a five yr 100k warranty so hoping that’ll cover any issues. 
 

Having given it some thought re the tow bar - we no longer tow a caravan - so the towbar would be used for occasional garden trailer duty - and carrying a bike rack. However it may be that we could find a roof rack which will carry four bikes in the event of any shenanigans with the towbar rating.

 

On 14/11/2023 at 11:42, Tibbadog said:

Hi folks. First post.

I’ve just stuck a deposit down on a Superb estate 280 L&K (one of the last ones in stock I think). Collecting it (all the way up in Scotland to drive it back to Somerset) in a couple of weeks.
Very excited - it replaces a Passat Alltrack which has been great for 8 years, but I’m looking forward to having a bit more poke under the right foot. And a Canton sound system to enjoy some tunes on the way home.😀
Any other 280 owners on here - how do you find yours? Are there any foibles or issues to look out for? Also do they have a cambelt? Or chain driven?

thanks. 

The 280 is a fabulous car, I'm sure you'll enjoy it. 👍

I think this denotes that towing may be ok but not sure: