Have the rear seats of the Superb ever had a split/fold configuration? I looked at a new model recently and it appeared to only have a ski-hatch in the centre of the rear seats.

No...it's a fixed bulkhead as the extra length of the car makes it prone to flexing...

Rob.

Thanks, Rob.

I'm trying to persuade my dad to try one out as a replacement for his Lexus and whilst the rear seats dropping is not essential (they don't in the Lexus - same reason) I was curious.

Superb will be much cheaper to run than the Lexus, but if I'm honest that's probably it's only advantage (depending on which Lexus ). Though I'm sure an angry Superb owner will correct me...

Rob.

I heard that a facelift is on its way, with the split.

You're right about the running costs! 4.0V8 is a little thirsty.

A diesel auto estate would be the perfect replacment and be so far removed from his current chariot as to make direct comparison virtually impossible - and that's the aim of the game.

Quite a few similarities between Lexus and Skoda ownership;

1. Both derived from another make.

2. Huge rear passenger room.

3. Heated rear seats (not common).

4. Excellent dealer service (Skoda just behind Lexus in JD Power survey).

5. Both attract owners that look beyond the badge.

However...the Lexus comes with Lexus rear light clusters...

Rob.

I heard that a facelift is on its way, with the split.

Any idea when, Simon?

I'm told by the dealer we bought our Fabia from that the Superb would be replaced and an estate model would be included, but didn't know when (or wasn't letting on, hoping I'd buy the model in his showroom!)

However...the Lexus comes with Lexus rear light clusters...

Rob.

Is that good then??

Is that good then??

Very much to taste...lots of Corsa and Saxo drivers seem to like them though!

Rob.

Very much to taste...lots of Corsa and Saxo drivers seem to like them though!

Rob.

I won't mention that to him, poor fellas already had one heart attack - and that was nothing to do with his servicing bill!

Any idea when' date=' Simon?

I'm told by the dealer we bought our Fabia from that the Superb would be replaced and an estate model would be included, but didn't know when (or wasn't letting on, hoping I'd buy the model in his showroom!)[/quote']

I also heard it from a dealer, again with no timescale. Sorry.

I thought they had done a slight revision/adjustmets to the Superbs now anyway, thrying to make them Euro VI complient..I know the V6 TDI is for sure.

As for complete facelift/new model inc estate...I have heard that but I have also read that the Superb was a mistake that should never have been allowed due to its impact on the Passat (OK sales wise perhaps not but spec wise it has)

As for a Lexus...which one? But then...arent they just "Toyotas"??

I had a freind who had an IS200. It was very cramped inside, very plasticy and cheap looking. What it didnt look like was the

I had a freind who had an IS200. It was very cramped inside, very plasticy and cheap looking. What it didnt look like was the

I'm presuming that the OP wasn't referring to an IS200' date=' but one of the proper large Lexi... :P

Rob.[/quote']

Well lets be honest, the LS300 is horrible, the LS400 is in another league (although bland).

However until they do a diesel (even Jag do now..and its a cracker) I wont consider them.

I'm presuming that the OP wasn't referring to an IS200' date=' but one of the proper large Lexi... :P

Rob.[/quote']

Correct...`97 LS 400.

So a bit like comparing apples and oranges, where the apples are chocolate coated but cost 8 times more than the oranges...

Rob.

So a bit like comparing apples and oranges' date=' where the apples are chocolate coated but cost 8 times more than the oranges...

Rob.[/quote']

As in VW being to Skoda what Lexus is to Toyota??

No, as in comparing the LS400 to the Superb!

Rob.

As in VW being to Skoda what Lexus is to Toyota??

I think you meant VW being to Skoda what Toyota is to Lexus?

Have to admit tho...the marketing boys did a cracking job hiding the fact that Lexus is related heavily to Toyota..regardless of your opinions of Toyota (which I have always considered to be very reliable but bland motors)

No' date=' as in comparing the LS400 to the Superb!

Rob.[/quote']

Chalk and cheese regardless of their respective ages.

And thats coming from a Superb owner

You're right about the running costs! 4.0V8 is a little thirsty.

A diesel auto estate would be the perfect replacment and be so far removed from his current chariot as to make direct comparison virtually impossible - and that's the aim of the game.

Quite a few similarities between Lexus and Skoda ownership;

1. Both derived from another make.

2. Huge rear passenger room.

3. Heated rear seats (not common).

4. Excellent dealer service (Skoda just behind Lexus in JD Power survey).

5. Both attract owners that look beyond the badge.

Hang on, I'm not making comparisons between a Superb and a LS, but between the ownership experiences of the two marques.

A replacement is sought for the LS that has room to carry four or five in comfort. I've never driven a Superb so am unable to comment on the experience but I have set in the back of one and found the legroom for the rear seat passenger behind a driver with his seat setback to be good - not as good as the LS but good, nonetheless. And for a lot less than other similar sized models cost.

Superb car the Lexus (forgive me, I couldn't resist it) and an interesting car the Superb, worthy of checking out further - especially that tiptronic pd130.

Well, yes, I was just making the point that the LS400 is the "better" car, and the Superb is in a different class.

However, the Superb is a lot cheaper to buy and run, so if you don't need a car of the LS400's caliber, then the Superb represents excellent value for money...

Rob.

I would suggest 2 course of actions.

1) test drive the Superb with the pd130 lump, but remember its likely to be the Classic trim version.

2) then visit the VW dealer and try and get a test drive of a Passat with the pd130 lump and tiptronic box.

The chances are much greater that the VW dealer will have a demo pd130 with t/t as the Skoda dealer is unlikely to have more than 1 Superb demo.

At least you will then be able to judge the t/t box, and even compare the Superb to Passat.