So I am viewing a couple of Superb's tomorrow!

Looking at a £6k 2012 1.8T DSG Elegance with less than 60k on the clock, no MOT advisories and full service history. I've read some stories about the engine and gearbox, but if it's had good maintenance should I be worried? Anything to look for that's a red flag?

Also looking at a £10k 2019 1.5TSI 6 speed manual with 62k on the clock and full service history. May do a basic remap if the clutch and turbo can take it - would be good to have your thoughts.

I guess the question is how the generations compare. I look after my cars but don't want to be in the garage every few months tinkering to keep it going. Just had that with a BMW I am returning next week. More oil leaks than a sinking tanker!

Thanks for reading :-)

Hello, welcome to the forum.

Unfortunately, the issue with some EA888 engines wasn't due to lack of regular maintenance, I'm not certain, but 2012 would probably be a Gen2 engine.

Some owners appear to have had no issues, but there can be serious issues with excess oil consumption from poor quality piston rings used during manufacture.

Take a good read through the forum regarding EA888s - and check the V5 document of the 1.8 for any fairly short ownerships which might indicate a vehicle being quickly passed-on after discovering problems.

12 minutes ago, Warrior193 said:

Hello, welcome to the forum.

Unfortunately, the issue with some EA888 engines wasn't due to lack of regular maintenance, I'm not certain, but 2012 would probably be a Gen2 engine.

Some owners appear to have had no issues, but there can be serious issues with excess oil consumption from poor quality piston rings used during manufacture.

Take a good read through the forum regarding EA888s - and check the V5 document of the 1.8 for any fairly short ownerships which might indicate a vehicle being quickly passed-on after discovering problems.

Thanks appreciate your insights. Will definitely look through the threads to get a better picture. I'm leaning towards the newer model as 1.5tsi seems to be well received and also the car comes with a 12 month used skoda approved warranty.

I think there may have also been issues with stretching cam chains on some EA888s - just done a little checking, the Gen2 engine was revised to Gen3 in 2011.

I think if the 1.8 was a very good price, I'd take the risk - but it would have to be in really great condition and I'd want a good long test period before accepting.

The 1.5TSI cambelt replacement is a fair bit more complicated and expensive than the older 1.4 - but that will not be due until about 120K miles.

I've always thought it a little odd that the 1.5TSI had exactly the same power output as the 1.4!

4 hours ago, Warrior193 said:

The 1.5TSI cambelt replacement is a fair bit more complicated and expensive than the older 1.4 - but that will not be due until about 120K miles.

I've always thought it a little odd that the 1.5TSI had exactly the same power output as the 1.4!

Thanks mate. That's fair enough. Will take me 8 years to get to that big bill with the mileage I'm doing!

4 hours ago, Warrior193 said:

I think there may have also been issues with stretching cam chains on some EA888s - just done a little checking, the Gen2 engine was revised to Gen3 in 2011.

I think if the 1.8 was a very good price, I'd take the risk - but it would have to be in really great condition and I'd want a good long test period before accepting.

Yeah sounds like some 'baggage' with this engine. After my BMW adventures,I'm looking for something that is reasonably stable! I will keep reading up on it in case I discover it's a good iteration of the engine but will give it a pass for now.

I test drove the 1.5tsi 6sp manual Superb today.

Very comfortable and relaxing. The only thing was I found was there was no gentle shove that you normally get from smaller turbos. Not sure if I need to adapt my driving style. Is there a rpm window for the best torque response?

I also drove an older superb with the 1.8T engine with only an extra 10bhp and that felt way zippier despite a similar 0-60.

So I'm hoping it's just me that needs to adapt, as I really want this car to be the one!

The turbo on my 1.4 starts boosting at around 1200 rpm and really gets going at around 1500, AFAIK, the 1.5 is supposed to be similar.

The boost isn't like lighting the blue touch-paper, but has a pretty wide power band.

2 minutes ago, Warrior193 said:

The turbo on my 1.4 starts boosting at around 1200 rpm and really gets going at around 1500, AFAIK, the 1.5 is supposed to be similar.

The boost isn't like lighting the blue touch-paper, but has a pretty wide power band.

Thanks. I'm hoping to drive it again to get a better feel and keep within the torque window.

If you can and you don't have a frowning salesman sitting alongside, try doing a timed run 0-60 somewhere safe.

1 minute ago, Warrior193 said:

If you can and you don't have a frowning salesman sitting alongside, try doing a timed run 0-60 somewhere saf

7 hours ago, Warrior193 said:

If you can and you don't have a frowning salesman sitting alongside, try doing a timed run 0-60 somewhere safe.

Managed to get a test drive of an Octavia 3rd Gen SE with DSG. Ride felt firmer (16" wheels) and more Golf-like than the 3rd Gen SE Superb (17" wheels). So am leaning towards the Superb as want that softer exec feel, I guess the suspension Is different. I was happy with the acceleration of the engine. So think the manual Superb will be the one. Hopefully will get a test drive booked for Tuesday AM.

Edited 4 January4 Jan by nocarproblems

7 hours ago, Warrior193 said:

If you can and you don't have a frowning salesman sitting alongside, try doing a timed run 0-60 somewhere safe.

Managed to get a test drive of an Octavia 3rd Gen SE with DSG. Ride felt firmer (16" wheels) and more Golf-like than the 3rd Gen SE Superb (17" wheels). So am leaning towards the Superb as want that softer exec feel, I guess the suspension Is different. I was happy with the acceleration of the engine. So think the manual Superb will be the one. Hopefully will get a test drive booked for Tuesday!