Hello All,

I am in the market for a nearly new Superb, test drove the 130 at the weekend and liked it. Was looking at possibly getting the 140 Elegance untill I read the thread started by Stuart_J about the DPF. So I am now thinking about the 2.5 V6 TDI.

I like the car, but have a few doubts. First the new Superb is likely to be showcased at the Geneva Motor show in a couple of weeks, correctly me if I'm wrong here and it's likely to be out next year. As I'm intending to keep the car for quite a few years, I've had my current Leon from new for 6 years, I was wondering wether it's best to wait for the new model. Also, in effect the current car is now nearly 5 years old, is it still worth getting given how cars have moved on in that time?

Thanks.

If you are looking at a 140, do a search on dpf or particle filter.....

There is a reported flaw with it which causes the car to go in to limp mode in certain circumstances....

I really like my 15 month old 2.5 TDi Elegance and like you, I plant on keeping it a while. I cannot think of anything the car lacks. However, I bought new and I wouldn't do that again, initial depreciation too heavy on the thing. Doesn't matter too much over 5 or 6 years though I guess, it'll be a much smaller car then, when the kids have left. On a motorway run I can acheive 48 mpg with the aircon in service and cruise control set to ~76 mph. HTH.

I really like my 15 month old 2.5 TDi Elegance and like you, I plant on keeping it a while. I cannot think of anything the car lacks. However, I bought new and I wouldn't do that again, initial depreciation too heavy on the thing. Doesn't matter too much over 5 or 6 years though I guess, it'll be a much smaller car then, when the kids have left. On a motorway run I can acheive 48 mpg with the aircon in service and cruise control set to ~76 mph. HTH.

I bought new last time and like you wouldn't do it again. However, what Glass's guide, parkers and What Car say should be the value if the year old superb bears no relation to the price tag on the forecourt!

Incidently, did you go for the Auto or Manual?

I've got an 02 2.5TDI V6 Comfort model. I was hoping to get a 1.9 but couldnt find one where I live so after a few ifs and buts bought this one. I'm so glad I did. I get 39MPG and the engine is very well suited to the car. It also sounds amazing.

I've no complaints with the car

I bought a diesel Superb as a tow car having thought long and hard about the alternatives and having driven a few different ones (diesels) 4 & 6 cyl.

The plus points for me were the 130PS PD engine and the galvanised chassis. The negatives are the inherited Passat problems (water leaks wrecking the CCM electronics and the self-destruct front suspension with rusted in pinch bolts etc.) and most of all, horrendous depreciation. VAG have added another lemon point since my car was made by using the 140PS Cat IV engine with an 8 valve head in a clearly unsuitable installation (DPF gets blocked).

The depreciation can be mitigated by buying a reasonable used example, but don't expect to get anything for it when you sell - if you can find anyone who wants it. A further good argument for buying used if you want a 4 cyl engine is to avoid the DPF. I bought one of the last Cat III diesels (AWX engine) and it's good at its job.

I tried the V6 diesel but the extra weight ahead of the front axle makes the drunken handling even worse, for not much power gain and significantly more fuel and tax. The 4 cylinder engines can be tweaked to give the power of the V6 without the weight penalty - no doubt the VED tax people have not yet caught up with this. For my job, the standard 4 cyl engine is absolutely fine - I wouldn't want any more power in such a questionable chassis (engine too far forward).

So, a buying decision is a hard one. If perceived status or resale value matter, look at other makes and models. If you want a car to do a job (provided it's the right car) then a late Cat III diesel is hard to beat - make sure you get the folding seats and try to make do with the base model to minimise loss on resale.

rotodiesel.

Was in same position as you couple of months ago. Also keep cars for min 6 years so depreciation isn't really an issue. Initial budget was twice what I ended paying for the Superb. Started looking at 1.9 but after 20 years having petrol cars just found it too noisy. However the 2.5 TIP was another matter - smooth and refined. Still bought new (pre reg) via broker and you can expect discount of around £4k (might be higher closer to summer 2008 with new model). No regrets and actually still smile when I see Audi/Merc/BMW etc go by, there but for the ............

In reply to a question above, I bought the manual transmission, 6 speed. Which is probably one reason the car returns such stunning mileage at a steady 75 on the motorway.

Actually, the reference to Audi/BMW/Mercedes is a valid one. I too looked at equivalent models of those makes. But I bought the Superb. I guess this actually mitigates a large chunk of the depreciation as the car costs only about 60% of those makes to buy to begin with. The bonus is that nobody steals Skoada's. The 2.5 TDi makes a lot on sense to me. But not new........ buy pre registered.

In reply to a question above, I bought the manual transmission, 6 speed. Which is probably one reason the car returns such stunning mileage at a steady 75 on the motorway.

Actually, the reference to Audi/BMW/Mercedes is a valid one. I too looked at equivalent models of those makes. But I bought the Superb. I guess this actually mitigates a large chunk of the depreciation as the car costs only about 60% of those makes to buy to begin with. The bonus is that nobody steals Skoada's. The 2.5 TDi makes a lot on sense to me. But not new........ buy pre registered.

I've heard that depreciation is pretty bad on the Superb, but this doesn't appear to be the case when you look at the price of cars at Skoda dealers! There are not many manual V6 TDI's but an older example is a Sep 2004 Skoda Superb 2.5 V6 TDI Comfort, 22000 miles, at 11,999. Now I have seen a private 04 S60 D5 SE around that price. Just wondering if the dealers put up highers prices because they know they will be knocked down or if the cars actually sell at advertised prices.

A manual 2.5 does make more sense to me than the automatic.

I'm sure that you'd be able to negotiate a £1000 off if you were a cash buyer. Personally, I'm pleased that I went for the Elegance trim since the leather, Xenon lights etc... are well worth having.

I'm also pretty sure that cruising in 6th gear is what helps greatly with the consumption. Earlier in the year I was commuting weekly from Cheshire to Glasgow and the mileage was stunning. My 1.9 TDi VRs Fabia returns about 52 mpg with the Air Con off and the Superb was managing about 48 with the Air Con left switched on. I never tried to see what difference turning it off made.

One thing that I think is rubbish is the DVD based Sat Nav system. Probably about 60 to 70% of the places I tried to enter are not in the database. And driving up the M1 near York it said I was "off road" for about 5 miles! I never use it now.

Nobody should pay the ticket price when looking at superbs in dealers - either negotiate a discount or get worthwhile extras instead.

When I was shopping, there were several indications that these cars just do not shift. Rusty brake disks, flat batteries when you go to see a car unannounced (always the best way if it's nearby) and mileages well in excess of that given on the original advert, showing that the salesman had been using it for quite a long time were almost the rule. One dear sales lady in a dealer said I couldn't look in the boot as the battery was flat - until I pointed out that the key release is mechanical. Beware - if you leave a superb or a B5.5 unattended for a while, the CCM and the alarm will flatten the battery. (There is a charging socket in the boot).

A used superb is still a real bargain if you know what you are in for.

rotodiesel.

Steve

This is going to sound a really silly question but when cruising do you use cruise, I find on the 2 litre the consumption is better if you dont use cruise, I think it throws a bit too much fuel in too quickly if you hit an incline to try & hold the exact speed, its better to let it build a bit before the incline.

Our 2 litre is now over 20,000 miles & the consumption is getting a lot better, on runs high 40's can now be achieved fairly easily.

I would echo its a fantastic car & whilst depreciation is severe you arent paying a lot to start with for the car you get, The elegance which comes fully loaded is excellent value, especially so if you intend to keep it for a few years or do high mileage.

The only problem we have had which is well documented is the DPF letting us down, otherwise a great car

I would agree that use of the cruise control (a "negotiated" extra on my base model) doesn't give the very best economy on hilly roads - it's a lot more generous with the fuel on an incline than I would be. Having said that, it actually works extremely well and is good in 30mph areas for speeding ticket avoidance.

A bigger gripe I have is the 10% error on the trip computer - the car is economical and I'm happy with it, but why is it such a liar?

rotodiesel.

I can't tell you if the mileage is better off cruise control at a steady 75-ish on 2.5 TDi. I find that on a clear road my speed creeps up so I am continually adjusting my speed. Whereas on cruise I just sit there steering. I can understand why non cruise would give slightly better economy. But so would turning the air con off too. I guess there's a price for everything. Now that the Elegance gets Leather, Sat Nav (hopeless IMO) etc.. negotiating a good deal on a Superb is probably the cheapest route to luxury motoring there is. I aim to keep my 55 plate car another 5 years or so, depreciation won't be such an issue then. I'll be able to trade down to a smaller motor as the kids will be away from home.

I can't tell you if the mileage is better off cruise control at a steady 75-ish on 2.5 TDi. I find that on a clear road my speed creeps up so I am continually adjusting my speed. Whereas on cruise I just sit there steering. I can understand why non cruise would give slightly better economy. But so would turning the air con off too. I guess there's a price for everything. Now that the Elegance gets Leather, Sat Nav (hopeless IMO) etc.. negotiating a good deal on a Superb is probably the cheapest route to luxury motoring there is. I aim to keep my 55 plate car another 5 years or so, depreciation won't be such an issue then. I'll be able to trade down to a smaller motor as the kids will be away from home.

a new Slogan

Skoda Superb, the thinking mans Limo (those without DPF of course)

I always average 39mpg and 6th gear hardly ever gets used as I live on the Isle of Wight!!

I picked my 02 plate one up with 27,000 on the clock for

I always average 39mpg and 6th gear hardly ever gets used as I live on the Isle of Wight!!

I picked my 02 plate one up with 27,000 on the clock for

Something is not quite right with the second car. The 130PS 1.9 litre diesel is a Euro Cat III engine and does not match the model specification for 2006. It should have been registered in '04 or early '05. The 130PS engine will have the code AWX on a paper label on the cambelt cover.

rotodiesel.

snip

make do with the base model to minimise loss on resale.

rotodiesel.

Would find it hard to live with a Classic/Comfort spec when I look at what you can get with an elegance. If I keep it a good few years then at least I would have enjoyed the toys for that time. But, it comes down to what's available/price when I have to buy the car.

Also, do the 17 inch wheels make much of a difference to the ride quality?

Would find it hard to live with a Classic/Comfort spec when I look at what you can get with an elegance. If I keep it a good few years then at least I would have enjoyed the toys for that time. But, it comes down to what's available/price when I have to buy the car.

Also, do the 17 inch wheels make much of a difference to the ride quality?

I cant comment on the 16's but the ride with 17's is excellent

When did you buy the car? I quite like the idea of the Elegance trim, all the toys you could want. Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be too many manual 2.5 Elegance superbs around. A couple of cars I have found that could be possibilities are:

2004 Sep Skoda Superb 2.5 V6 TDI Comfort 4-Dr Saloon 21,000 miles £11,999 (Main dealer)

2006 06 Reg SKODA SUPERB 1.9 TDI PD 130 ELEGANCE 34,000 miles £12,775 (Independant Dealer)

The second one seems a really good price, as long as it wasn't a taxi! :-)

I tell a lie...just looked at my receipt and I paid £8600 as he took off £200 for tax as there was only about 3 months left on it , but my trade in had almost a years tax on it..so I haggled...bonus.

Anyway, I bought it September last year

I cant comment on the 16's but the ride with 17's is excellent

The 17's ride is perfect IMO but the 19's set up is better, LOL!!

As for the difference in trim level, the only real difference is the Leather and Sat Nav though really.....

I have the Elegance but I looked specifically for a sunroof which was standard on the Elegance, however sat nav and leather were options. Later they made sat nav and leather standard and the sunroof optional. I knew sat nav prices would drop because technology always does but sunroof prices wouldn't so in the end I got the better deal I reckon. As it happened my car had already been spec'd with leather so it was the best of all worlds. Having said that though, I am not sure if I would bother with leather again, it looks fantastic no doubt but on a frosty morn like today your backside knows about it till the heated seats get going. I used to have half leather recaros in a rover vitesse and they were excellent. Mine is also the 1.9tdi which is excellent - for a diesel. If you can live with the sound of it, you will have a great all rounder of an engine with fantastic mpg figures. Personally I hate the sound of it but having queued for four hours travelling to Heathrow last week and still returned 50mpg I am finding the noise easier to forgive.

The 17's ride is perfect IMO but the 19's set up is better, LOL!!

As for the difference in trim level, the only real difference is the Leather and Sat Nav though really.....

I think the toy box on the Elegance had a few more thing in it, Tilting passengers door mirror when reverse is selected to show the kerb, folding mirrors for parking, antiglare tilting interior mirror etc etc

I think the toy box on the Elegance had a few more thing in it, Tilting passengers door mirror when reverse is selected to show the kerb, folding mirrors for parking, antiglare tilting interior mirror etc etc

Fair enough then, as far as I am aware the only things I don't have in comparison to the elegance would be Sunroof, tilting mirror when in reverse, folding mirror's, leather heated seats and chrome trim, everything else I have on mine?!?!?