Hi,

 

I am likely changing my 2017 SEL Exec estate 150 TDi within the next year due to use and mileage on the car etc.  Is there a significant difference with the facelift and are there better options / specification on certain years to look for?

From what I’ve seen it’s essentially the same, you’ll most likely get LED headlights but from what I’ve seen they’re crap at not that bright compared to mercs and tesla’s

 

MIB3 seems to be a complete failure too

 

If you go to too new you’ll also have the nanny state speed restrictions if it has the traffic sign recognition.

 

The mk4 superb is where you’ll notice the most new things and latest Passat, or A6 if you have the budget 😁

There isn't much significant improvements from mk3 to mk3.5 - from wat I've read over the years, No.

 

The mk3.5 has issues with the infotainment (MIB3), a bit of cost cutting (no boot torch, less umbrellas, no premium audio), failing boot struts, just to name a few.

 

Having said that, the new LED headlights and the new steering wheel r nice.

 

The rest is the same - body panels, interior, mechanical bits.

Edited 15 August, 20241 yr by JR RS

8 hours ago, JR RS said:

There isn't much significant improvements from mk3 to mk3.5

+1

however, in my eyes, Mk3.FL as replacement of Mk3, is better choice than Mk4

 

@MrRich

click on link in my signature

Thanks interesting comparison!  Anticipated a bit more change than that.

Contrary to one of the posts above, I've found the FL headlights to be much brighter than the earlier model. I also don't seem to get dazzled as much by oncoming traffic.

I swapped from a Mk3 to an early Mk3.5 and there isn't a huge amount of difference.

 

The LED matrix headlights are the most obvious change and they are much brighter than the xenons in my previous Superb. As it has the matrix LED version, it allows driving with full beam on all the time and it blanks out the beam so you don't dazzle cars you are following or those coming in the other direction. Mine also has the virtual dash which is nice to have but not a gamechanger for me. 

 

It may be car specific, but something I've noticed with mine is that it is both a little more economical and the stop start is very reluctant to chime in whereas in my old car, it would be a real nuisance. It does come on in the newer car, but very occassionally.

I did not 'swap' from a pre-FL to a FL car, but for me the 7-speed was sufficient advantage ti win it over, being the trickiest mod to retrofit (if ever). It was a hard one against the double-injection setup, but oh well, a car with the right spec for me came along and ... so we are.

I only did not imagine so much would change with the coding, but again, is not the end of all things. Choose the car according to condition and specification, I'd say.

Thanks for the comments!

 

One option I have considered is the mk4 Octavia in SEL trim and DSG but am conscious of the infotainment / computer problems which still sound unresolved even with latest updates?