Hi all,

I'd been toying with selling my '19 Superb 272 4x4 with DSG, canton etc. Took me a while to find it and I do enjoy driving it, so thats the heart argumetns out of the way. Wife just got a new EV, Enyaq, on a super cheap offset lease and TBH we don't need two 'big' cars.

So there is some value in mine still, low mileage etc. Brilliant. MOT... leaking front near side damper... great, might of thought something else tbh.

So here's how I see it:
1. Sell as is, with that noted because:

1a: New owner can put alt suspension parts on ( age is ripe for having fun with it )

1b: New Owner can put stock parts on and be happy knowing it's done.

2. Put replacement part on. Sell as sorted in stock fashion.

3. Fix and keep it.
   

It's replacement would likely be a small fabia, aygo, maybe even elroq kind of thing, not big, or just say haha to potholes and get a landcruiser. Unlikely to be a swap keys deal now the price of second hand has normalised.

Thoughts?

Those Fabias come with a 1.5 TSI 150bh now don't they?

MK1 Fabia vRS power range but I don't think they will have the same torque punch.

Not test driven one yet but they're on my radar. That or a Skala.

Colin if you keep it go and see these guys I'm now using them instead of MD ...

German Car Specialists | Servicing, Diagnostics & Repairs in Sheffield | Autotecnic

Done a few jobs for me now and have been 'Superb' !

Well, you've been through "big" and "small" cars so besides a question of choice (me, I do prefer a larger car to drive, in general), the rest of the items are more on the logistics/economical aspect of things ... say some things might be affected more by the size (parking, tax, etc.) some less.

You can give a % factor rating to each aspect, and see what direction it goes.

Then you add your "personal" factor and you see how that bias the result.

Personally, I think my 280 will be the last larger/powerful ICE car I will be needing, so will be very careful to give it away ... but this is me. You only live once (twice only Bond).

🙂

Idea from left field. Strip it as a track car. Lose the air con, lose all interior aside from a single bucket, sell those parts off to recoup dosh and add lightness. Will still be big but get it lighter than a Fabia.

Another slightly left field option.. . Go small and light with go kart handling... I know I'm probably biased but the previous gen Swifts are great fun in a small package and ours compliments our Kodiaq really well.

Edited 24 June, 202524 Jun by skomaz

@skomaz Yeah something small and light is quite tempting. A bit more pep than the citigo, just ot be a little more comfortable on longer rides. Sure they did a very fun GT type thing under the radar. Not sure SWMBO would enjoy a 1.6T Yaris GR... I'm sure I'd be in trouble pretty quickly too.

@travs I think my trackdays are behind me, maybe the odd one for kicks. A tricked out superb on slicks and some engine work sould be quite the surprise.

@leolito that is very much what my good lady said. Problem is I know I'll end up pretty close to the superb. Radar cruise being about the only toy I really, really crave. Although I thought a bit of a gimmick the augmented reality in the Enjaq actually came in useful. Driving back on sunday, a bit tired, raining, the lines on the dual carriage way hard to see. The augmented thing did a good job and helped.

@Lee01 yeah and unilke the 1.4's don't need more oil than it's body weight. It's a bit of shame they discontinued the estate, it would be near enough perfect for me, I think... assuming I could get some electronic wizzardy.

I'm also wondering if I'm on the edge of actually prefering the EV drive and boy does that throw some spanners in the works. Certianly won't be squirrling a few extra pennies away for that retirement day. Probably will have to sort it before it goes to far, then have to keep it a bit to recoup the outlay in fun :) Migth end up on a track day yet... on my all season's... have to be a wet one :)

Hi @ColinD The way I see it, the size of the car is irrelevant. The relevant question is, do you need two cars in the household? If the answer is yes (and I suspect it is), the solution here is to keep the car. As you've said, it is a good car in great condition (with some minor and normal wear and tear work in need of doing, so not an issue). Given the money already invested in the car, which you won't recover selling it, you are better off keeping it if there's a need for two vehicles in the house. Replacing with a "smaller" car is unlikely to deliver any meaningful insurance or fuel savings, and you will be less happy driving it.

The current generation Fabia is very impressive (arguably the best - and biggest - iteration yet), but it's a small car and rides/handles like one.

Fix the Superb, keep it, bask in the warm glow of happiness that comes from driving a car you like being in.

Edited 25 June, 202525 Jun by chrisgreen

7 hours ago, chrisgreen said:

Replacing with a "smaller" car is unlikely to deliver any meaningful insurance or fuel savings, and you will be less happy driving it.

Very valid point. I used to have a B5 S4. Remap, coil overs, snub mount, RS4 exhaust. But I was doing a 50mile round trip to the office and that was not a sensible car to do it in. Loved it but it was costly.

My Dad was driving a B5 2.5tdi at the time and we mooted the idea of swapping.

I took the diesel for a test drive and within about 10seconds the prospect of swapping actually depressed me.

Never changed, best decision ever.

You can’t take it with you and @chrisgreen is bang on the money that you won’t be sitting here in 12 months time noticing the extra cash in your pocket. So live and enjoy it!

Edited 26 June, 202526 Jun by travs

@chrisgreen hit the nail on the head for my way of thinking ........

Keep it ......

I say fix it & keep it.

I too have been toying with the idea of a car change. Reason - advancing age & mobility issues are drawing me towards a higher riding easier to get in & out of SUV / Crossover. I have noticed that getting in / out of my wife's Kone EV is so much easier than my lower slung Superb. However, like you, the problem is what to replace it with & still be happy with my choice.

I don't want to sacrifice too much performance or the large boot I have in my 280 Estate. A PHEV with a decent amount of battery range seemed to be an ideal compromise. However, the only ones with a decent boot space are the size of a Kodiaq which is a bit OTT for what I need.

I did look at that new Omoda 9 SHS PHEV with self charging capability, up to 90+ mile range on battery only, large boot, same length as my Superb, good quality interior, 449PS, twin electric motors + 1.5litre turbo engine so 4 x4 as well. Nice looking car & fuel consumption should be miles better than my Superb. However, even bought nearly new or leased it's over the £40k RRP tax threshold (£45k new) &, its insurance group 45!! Plus, it's Chinese made which doesn't sit too well with me.

So having talked myself round in a complete circle I have decided to stick with my 2016 280 L&K Estate. It's just turned 65k miles & is the classic sleeper / Q car which is so hard to replace, even if I do struggle a bit to get in & out of it!!

Edited 25 June, 202525 Jun by Colin170CR

@Colin170CR I completely get your mobility point. Three years ago I got rid of my Rapid Spaceback (mine was one of the very first ones to arrive in the UK) after 9 years of good motoring for two primary reasons - 1) it had the most uncomfortable seats outside of a church pew and 2) getting in and out was a bit awkward as it was even lower than the Superb (by design, I didn’t lower it or anything). Had it not been for the seats, I would have continued to live with the slightly awkward getting in and out for a while longer.

I replaced it with a brand new mk2 MG ZS SUV (1L petrol automatic, top spec). Getting in and out was much easier due to the higher riding position. But that was its USP. The boot was 30L smaller than the Spaceback, the interior electronics were riddled with software bugs that MG never bothered to issue fixes for, the engine was unrefined and drank petrol - 36mpg in the real world and while the seats were a huge improvement over the Spaceback, they were not designed for the ample British backside. I may as well have been driving a fridge freezer. It was a capable but forgettable consumer good.

So after two years I pxed it for the Superb. Best car purchase since my Rover 75 back in the mid 2000s. Yes. Getting in is a bit awkward due to being lower down (getting out is fine though), but that is the only compromise and one worth making for the rest of the car.

26 minutes ago, chrisgreen said:

So after two years I pxed it for the Superb. Best car purchase since my Rover 75 back in the mid 2000s. Yes. Getting in is a bit awkward due to being lower down (getting out is fine though), but that is the only compromise and one worth making for the rest of the car.

I've had two Superb models in the past and they were both just about the best normal cars (ignoring toys!) I've ever owned, saying that a Saab 9000 in the past was up there. However yes they were pretty low down to get in and out, Not quite an issue for us yet but my 87 year old Mum struggled getting in and out of my previous mkII. However once I was in either Superb I found then excellent re accommodating my 6ft4" and large frame, the larger front doors making a huge difference. Unfortunately due to retirement we've ultimately decided to down size to one car between me and Mrs BJ and she finds the Superb toooo big to drive.

Driving positions / seats are an individual thing as well - we are all different. I don't like the more sit up and beg driving position of some SUV's but might have no option as we get older!

Basically the Superb is er "Superb!"

Edited 25 June, 202525 Jun by bigjohn

I had a karoq for 10 months.

Yes easy to get in and out of but the ride was poor, the seating position poor and the seat base aggressively angled which gave me back ache on longer trips.

So purchased a nearly new Superb and couldn't be happier.

You won't find me doing the SUV thing again for a long time.

The new car market is still not in a good state for finding a new ICE car or maybe even for finding a "good" slightly used ICE car.

I'd find it very difficult to find a small engined car that has a "trustworthy" engine, so my wife's 2015 VW Polo 1.2TSI 110PS 6MT was treated to a complete suspension rebuild last to minimise the possibility of ended up with a broken spring at an awkward moment(been there done that too many times in the past. So replacing that car remains a distant task hopefully and I'd think that it will be replaced with a small EV. My 2011 Audi S4 6MT was bought in 2013 to replace a 13 year old "bought new 2000 VW Passat 4Motion" and I wanted to grab a 6MT S4 while lowish age/mileage ones were still available - I have not yet faced up to what happens or gets bought after its time is up!

We don't really need 2 cars either as we are both retired, but as said "you can't take it with you" so in retirement why not continue with 2 cars - means that the Audi S4 mileage is disgracefully(for some) low, but each of our cars have different uses, so I'm okay with that. I do admit that eventually we will only be running a single car and it does look a lot like it will be an EV - or a slightly used last of the bigger engined VW Golfs, or an Audi S3 4 door, I'm stuck in the "I prefer a saloon" mode.

Front dampers leaking, especially LHS front ones, and especially the ones with electronic control - a well known VW Group trait, if indeed they are DDC then they will be Monroe and new Monroe ones are available at what seems to be sensible prices - well very sensible when compared with VW Group prices for VW Group "overbranded" same Monroe items.

I've found changing cars can be a horrible experience, for me selling on my bought slightly used 1991 Vauxhall Cavalier GSI 4X4 in 2000 for a factory ordered imported new VW Passat 4Motion was not the "improvement" I had anticipated, that GSI 4X4 had been just too good for what I wanted from a car, getting the 2011 Audi S4 did bring the "improvement" I had anticipated as it was just as "good" as the Cav GSI 4X4 with lots of added enjoyment. Same really for my wife's car changings chosen by me, going from an ex channel islands 6 months old 1992 Fiesta 1.1 Ghia to a slightly used 1995 Fiesta 1.6Si with the Zetec engine - good move, then going from that to a factory order imported 2002 VW Polo 1.4 16V 75PS - not a good move - heated seats and electric sunroof and a drop of 15PS in a heavier car was never going to work for her - or me, going from that to a factory ordered 2015 VW Polo 1.2TSI 110 6MT was an excellent move!

On 24/06/2025 at 18:18, ColinD said:

It's replacement would likely be a small fabia, aygo, maybe even elroq kind of thing

I saw an Elroq parked up earlier this week, it is a very nice looking car in person!

Yeah saw an Elroq parkled up in a campsite for an event I was at.

Change is never easy and sometimes one has to flirt with it to realise what you have.

There could be some good savings, but none to justify the cost to change. i.e. a 1.5tsi fabia will cost less to run than the 272 superb, of course insurance will find a way to equalise the savings. Although I may find other things to ammuse myself with :) Another EV might allow us to double down on some costs, like solar and charger. As it is now, one EV, home charging is almost not worth it. Most of it's journeys have been 150+ miles away, so home would only be one side of the cost triangle. Also have an awkard install, electric in cellar etc. It will happen I'm sure, a second ev, renault 4, meganne, elroq, byd seal.... looks like the superb to SWMBO would make more sense. More so if a 'local' trips car.

We're right on the boundary of not needing two, but it's a whole lot easier. It's super rare we're going in different directions on the same day, but not impossible and perhaps incraeasin;y common that we might with aging relatives... With trains as they are it's just about possible for me to go that way, except it's normally last minute, oh the weather in north wales if great tomorrow. Or I pop up to scotland for a few weeks, SWMBO is either without or I'm wearing undies insideout. :S

2 hours ago, Dave77 said:

I saw an Elroq parked up earlier this week, it is a very nice looking car in person!

Yep. Saw one on holiday the other week in Sussex. Boot maybe too small for me plus we already have an EV in the household. 1 x EV & 1 x ICE seems to be the right balance for us - at the moment.

1 hour ago, ColinD said:

Yeah saw an Elroq parkled up in a campsite for an event I was at.

Change is never easy and sometimes one has to flirt with it to realise what you have.

There could be some good savings, but none to justify the cost to change. i.e. a 1.5tsi fabia will cost less to run than the 272 superb, of course insurance will find a way to equalise the savings. Although I may find other things to ammuse myself with :) Another EV might allow us to double down on some costs, like solar and charger. As it is now, one EV, home charging is almost not worth it. Most of it's journeys have been 150+ miles away, so home would only be one side of the cost triangle. Also have an awkard install, electric in cellar etc. It will happen I'm sure, a second ev, renault 4, meganne, elroq, byd seal.... looks like the superb to SWMBO would make more sense. More so if a 'local' trips car.

We're right on the boundary of not needing two, but it's a whole lot easier. It's super rare we're going in different directions on the same day, but not impossible and perhaps incraeasin;y common that we might with aging relatives... With trains as they are it's just about possible for me to go that way, except it's normally last minute, oh the weather in north wales if great tomorrow. Or I pop up to scotland for a few weeks, SWMBO is either without or I'm wearing undies insideout. :S

Deffo 2 cars for us at the moment.

A mate of mine dropped down to a 1 car household & if they needed a 2nd car for anything he would hire one for a week. Worked out cheaper than keeping a second car on the road for him. Can't see that working for me personally but it's worth consideration.

1 hour ago, Colin170CR said:

Deffo 2 cars for us at the moment.

We still have 2 cars for now as the second member of our fleet is a low mileage 2006 Fiat Panda (I look like Mr Incredible getting into into and driving it!) that I clearly have rustproofed way too well in the past as it's in surprisingly good condition. Originally bought new by Mrs BJs late father. All looking good for now but I'm sure there will be a badly failed MOT decision day at some point - at which point we probably won't replace.

I bought my current car with Mrs BJ in mind but it had to be good for me to drive long distance and have a huge boot (slightly less bothered about rear passengers now). Trouble is I've been spoilt and now have a longer list of minimum requirements - Economy 60mpg +, heated steering wheel (who new!!) , heated seats, his/her climate control, adjustable height rear view mirror(being tall some rvm's badly obstruct my forward vision) , auto (full hybrid in my case) , big door mirrors, auto beam LED headlights, Android Auto, rear camera!!. Original list still stands - spare wheel well, higher profile tyres, no Keyless entry, no touch screen for primary car functions.

Edited 26 June, 202526 Jun by bigjohn

A car in the hand is worth two in the bush.

Buy right. Buy once.

You bought a great car in your 272 Superb. Carry on using it and enjoying it for what it is. Whilst keeping on top of the servicing and replacing parts as they wear out.

You know the history of your Superb. You know it should be good to give you plenty more years of faithful service.

On 25/06/2025 at 20:22, travs said:

and @chrisgreen is bang on the money that you won’t be sitting here in 12 months time noticing the extra cash in your pocket

Well, true this "cash thing" has always a way to squirrel away, so it might be that in 12 months time will be posting here not even remembering there was any 😁

While is difficult to resist the allure of the "easy" EV driving, is the rest of the package that is not always satisfying. I made recently a +400km journey driving a i4 BMW and it was as easygoing as it can be, but that would not push me to get such car, or any similar, in any case....

The trick term I have not noticed is mentioning "track days" "toy thing" and such. If you are to be 'stuck' with two cars and one MUST be a plaything, true then the Superb becomes cumbersome, although it can BOTH be a 360-degree all-rounder vehicle which can also provide some play, albeit with certain limitations (kinda my S6 used to be). Now the balance of that is what you have to look into ...

I forgot to mention earlier, most repairs, mods or fixes will cost less than a car replacement ...

2 hours ago, leolito said:

I forgot to mention earlier, most repairs, mods or fixes will cost less than a car replacement ...

Very true, except when it's a total bangor and worth £300 quid.

I'm actually enjoying the EV drive. Got to say with the right regen level it makes b roads quite good fun. Relative term! The superb is also pretty good fun on a b road, although chews through rear pads trying to keep it's mass stable.

I've definitly transitioned to getting from A to B and not so much popping out for a drive/blat around the lanes as I would of done 20years ago.

ALmost everything on the market is too powerful to have fun on a GB road legally. The citigo was ironically probably the most fun I had for a while, using momentum and reading of the road to get the most out of it. Been over taken on straights... hehe I did once repass a BMW who braked sharply mid corner, one of those lovely wide open scottish a roads, he zoomed past again on the next straight. arh fun times squeezing past motorhomes on single tracks. A 1.6T Aygo might be the ticket ;) It's just an aygo love, see sensible me present ;)

On 26/06/2025 at 11:11, rum4mo said:

or an Audi S3 4 door, I'm stuck in the "I prefer a saloon" mode.

To my eyes the Audi A3 Saloon is a very stylish looking car - way better than it's SUV cousins.

If you can afford to, just keep it Colin and use it sparingly. It’s going to appreciate as it’s an amazing, genuine Q Car.