Following a write-off of my car in an accident, I decided to opt for a Skoda Superb Estate over a replacement VW Passat Estate. After numerous Youtube videos & Googled articles, I went to see two cars, a 2023 2.0 190PS DSG L&K with 10 k on the clock & a 2022 2.0  DSG 4x4 L&K with 18k on the clock. Prices very similar. Both drove very nicely. The 4x4 clearly had more punch.

 

Then the dilemma: I am a guy in my late fifties, I tow a small caravan once a month or so, commute 50 miles to work once a week & do 12k a year. I rarely exceed the speed limit. I was so tempted to go for the 4x4, but do I need it? (not really) so I opted for the 190PS. Based on other issues, I preferred the colour (interior & exterior) of the 190PS & trusted the dealers far more (main Skoda branch vs car supermarket style dealer). Deal struck, deposit paid.

 

Now I have second doubts. The head won the argument but my heart is still yearning for the 4x4. I know what I'd say to anyone else in my position, but it is always different when it is you! Hopefully once i am away in the 190, thoughts of the gutsy 4x4 will drift away into the distant past!

At least with the non 4x4 you don’t have to do Haldex oil changes and filter cleaning (I believe dealers don’t clean the filter but should).

 

Even though the 4x4 would be better for towing if it didn’t have factory fitted tow bar then the car could overheat when towing because factory fitted then means bigger fans I believe

Given the type of driving you describe I would have made the same choice as you, especially as it has come from a Skoda dealer - extra peace of mind should anything need looking at (under warranty etc), plus it's the lower mileage and the newer of the two. Good choice.

1 hour ago, Danoid said:

At least with the non 4x4 you don’t have to do Haldex oil changes and filter cleaning (I believe dealers don’t clean the filter but should).

 

Even though the 4x4 would be better for towing if it didn’t have factory fitted tow bar then the car could overheat when towing because factory fitted then means bigger fans I believe

 

Not in a million years outside of a mountain in the Sahara desert, mine has been seriously abused and I do mean seriously the oil temperature rose a little on very long inclines on the hottest days but still well within safe limits and fell back down afterwards, coolant temperature never rose, fans never cut in.

 

This has been the suffering endured by all of my VAG vehicles since the last century, in all that time the radiator fans have never even once cut in!

 

Aside from when the aircon has been used of course.

Edited 4 January, 20251 yr by J.R.

10 hours ago, Danoid said:

At least with the non 4x4 you don’t have to do Haldex oil changes and filter cleaning (I believe dealers don’t clean the filter but should).

They don't, since it's not written in the workshop manual in maintenance chapter.

 

10 hours ago, Danoid said:

Even though the 4x4 would be better for towing if it didn’t have factory fitted tow bar then the car could overheat when towing because factory fitted then means bigger fans I believe

There's a second fan actually, for factory fitted tow bar.

 

 

I do drive a TDI190 DSG6 4x4 L&K (MY18). I wanted a 4x4, though I don't really need it (I live 20km from Paris, thus quite fair climate, on no mountain around). I just wanted to feel safer when I go skiing. But I can't say a FWD wouldn't have been safe enough. Hundreds of Superb Mk3 drivers don't have 4x4 and don't complain.

I don't tow. But I'm not sure a 4x4 is major argue for towing, since it's roughly 100kg of dead weight most of the time. The main argue for a 4x4 may be for hill starts. At least I guess... Actually, I think it also strongly depends on the size (and weight) of your caravan too. If it's a small one as you said, it may not be critical to have a FWD.

Anyway, once you have the car, have no regret! Enjoy your drives.

 

 

 

Hard decision. I came from a 220ps DSG Octavia VRS estate and was stuck between a newer 190 Superb hatch in Racing Blue with digi dash OR an older 272 Superb hatch in white. I had an itch to scratch, I had driven the 190 but not the 272 as comparison (272 was 4 hours away)

 

I preferred the colour and digi dash in the 190 but one drive and it was clear it felt sluggish (clearly wasnt) in comparison to my Octavia and the reason I changed was to upgrade.

 

In reality, I dont regret my decision. Lovely car, feels a bit less torquey down low than my Octavia, I think this is combination of gearbox, heavier weight and throttle mapping as the 190 had the same kind of feel. Definitely thirstier than the Octavia by a little but not awful, still get 40mpg on a long motorway run and 32ish commuting.

 

Depending on circumstances (warranty, PCP, etc) mapping could be an option, or a plug in box if you decide you want more power later.

 

Edit: I am not clued up on the benefits of towing a caravan with FWD over the Haldex cars, there must be benefits but minor I would guess as FWD seems to do very well regardless.

Edited 5 January, 20251 yr by Dooge

some things that aren't mentioned in any advertising brochure,

272/280 4x4 will get:

1. bigger brake discs 340/310 front/rear, all rest have 310/298

2. additional radiator for DSG

3. visible exhaust pipes

 

down sides:

1. extra one liter on highway and extra 3 in urban

2. The OEM 18" spare wheel is one of the worst choice, had to replace it

 

i'm not regretting of upgrade

from 2016. Mk3 2.0 TSI 220ps FWD Style ODO 5-123 000 km

 to 2023. Mk3.FL 2.0 TSI 280ps AWD L&K ODO 8-29 000 km . . .

 

52 minutes ago, MartiniB said:

some things that aren't mentioned in any advertising brochure,

272/280 4x4 will get:

1. bigger brake discs 340/310 front/rear, all rest have 310/298

2. additional radiator for DSG

3. visible exhaust pipes

 

down sides:

1. extra one liter on highway and extra 3 in urban

2. The OEM 18" spare wheel is one of the worst choice, had to replace it

 

i'm not regretting of upgrade

from 2016. Mk3 2.0 TSI 220ps FWD Style ODO 5-123 000 km

 to 2023. Mk3.FL 2.0 TSI 280ps AWD L&K ODO 8-29 000 km . . .

 

I knew about the brakes, not about the additional radiator for the DSG. 

 

Interestingly, I have found my oil to stay cooler in my 272 compared to my 220 Octavia, I wonder if theres a bigger oil cooler?

Last car was a Scout and now the 280 not sure I could go back to 2 x wheel drive.

1 hour ago, Dooge said:

Interestingly, I have found my oil to stay cooler in my 272 compared to my 220 Octavia, I wonder if theres a bigger oil cooler?

have no info and can't see signs of that -

on my previous 220ps usual motor oil temperature were 100°C  + -  5°C

while on 280ps 110°C  + -  5°C

 

4 hours ago, MartiniB said:

have no info and can't see signs of that -

on my previous 220ps usual motor oil temperature were 100°C  + -  5°C

while on 280ps 110°C  + -  5°C

 

 

Usual oil temps on my 220 is between 90-95°c, in the colder months.

In summer it's usually between 95-100°c.

Gandalf uses 5w-30 fully synthetic oil.

Edited 5 January, 20251 yr by JR RS

@JR RS  Is that not Long Life oil then, just to VW502 00 spec for Fixed Oil & Filter change regimes? 

Edited 5 January, 20251 yr by Ootohere

31 minutes ago, Ootohere said:

@JR RS  Is that not Long Life oil then, just to VW502 00 spec for Fixed Oil & Filter change regimes? 

 

I use Mobil Super 3000 Formula V Engine Oil 5W-30. It's VW504 oil, and is used for fixed oil service intervals, every 15k KMs.

 

I however change the oil myself, at the 6 month mark, in addition the regular 12 month service, because my car is tuned.

Edited 5 January, 20251 yr by JR RS

Thanks. 

It was the 5w 40 FS i was asking about though and i had no idea who Gandalf was. 

I had a 4WD Audi A5 (permanent 4x4, not haldex) and I loved that car! Even in good weather it always felt solidly planted, cornered like it was on rails. Sometimes moving off in a FWD car on a damp road, even without any silly behaviour, would set the front wheels spinning, but never with the Audi, and the front tyres lasted for much longer as well. On mountain roads in snow & ice it felt much more controllable.

I now have a Superb iV, and although it has some nice features (and some crap ones, like MIB3) to be honest I wish I'd been able to keep the Audi (it was LHD, not ideal for the UK). Sorry for the heresy, guys... Next car I'll be looking for 4WD again.

 

25 minutes ago, Ootohere said:

Thanks. 

It was the 5w 40 FS i was asking about though and i had no idea who Gandalf was. 

 

Sorry, I had done a typo earlier - was meant to say 30, not 40.

 

All good.  I call my Superb Gandalf cause of the references to Grey.

The main advantage of 4x4 for most people, is the ability to move off briskly eg on an uphill join to a roundabout on wet roads, without a hint of wheelspin. Our other car is a Mini Cooper S which is 2wd but quite quick, however the wheelspin thing on wet roads is annoying.

Well, you made your decision and enjoy the car as it is. There are many out there happy anyway.

 

However, being already at an important "cant" in your life - I am starting that decade soon - you might have wanted to have some fun as well ... never neglect yourself, if you can get away with it 😉

I went for the 280 and I really do not regret it.

 

About towing, there are many advantages of AWD vs FWD, more than just wheelspin on loose surfaces ... having more weight in the rear because of the drivetrain balances the towing car better, releases partially effort on the steering reducing possibility of excessive manouvers, more traction implies - not always, depends of "the touch" - less revving in general which means more balanced manouvering, reversing, start up, and so on.

Now on small light loads it might not be felt, but I have noticed anything above a ton, ton something, towing is more adequate with an AWD than not with only two wheels....

On 05/01/2025 at 20:07, JR RS said:

 

Sorry, I had done a typo earlier - was meant to say 30, not 40.

Uh, I got lost ... are you now on 5W30 or 5W40 then 🤪

Service just changed with the Castrol Edge LF in 5W30 but I plan to switch to "fixed intervals" and run a more performance oriented lubricant. Planning a remap as well.

19 hours ago, leolito said:

Uh, I got lost ... are you now on 5W30 or 5W40 then 🤪

Service just changed with the Castrol Edge LF in 5W30 but I plan to switch to "fixed intervals" and run a more performance oriented lubricant. Planning a remap as well.

 

I've always been on 5w-30 since the car was bought new.

I don't know why I accidentally wrote "40".....