Why should I not get a Skoda Superb?

[irocfan]

Just curious here, had a couple of threads looking at various ideas (diesel/petrol, suv/saloon/hatch etc) and have pretty much decided that the answer to Mrs Iroc's "...we need a family car..." (we don't) plea is.... drum roll.... a 2016+ Superb. More specifically a Laurin Klermont Superb. Seems to tick most 'toy' boxes (petrol, auto, heated screen, heated front/rear seats, satnav with some nice extras on some) combined with a staggering amount of interior room.

Not concerned about sporty pretensions (got a Camaro & SLC to cover that side of things) more interested in a comfortable/cosseting ride (4+ hours in one hit) and good/reasonable mpgs. Can't say I can see much that covers the bases at a similar price point....

[_Mja_]

I don't think you'll do much better for a comfortably well equiped car for the money. If you wanted to leave the VW group I suppose a Mondeo could be a good alternative or if you were to go for an older car then maybe an Eclass or A6?

[7n8n]

If I recall correctly, there was a thread on here recently about a Superb blowing its turbo just out of warranty and Skoda not wanting to know about it. There's one reason.

[ElectricSoup]

DSG

[anonymous-user]

I have driven one once. Last year, from the south west to the lakes.

It was only when I got something out of the boot at the end did I realise it was a superb, and not an octavia.

I was seriously unimpressed with the car - particularly the engine, wheelspin (VAG trait) and interior - and I was really surprised to see this was the same car that all reviewers rave about.

[irocfan]

_Mja_ said:

I don't think you'll do much better for a comfortably well equiped car for the money. If you wanted to leave the VW group I suppose a Mondeo could be a good alternative or if you were to go for an older car then maybe an Eclass or A6?

Sadly (or not) mrs Iroc doesn't like 'older' cars. As the budget is an absolute max of 20 it pretty much discounts a GLC (her previous car)

[Wheel_Turned_Out]

Superbs are excellent choices if you just want something that does everything you need from a daily really rather well. For your requirements it sounds ideal.

[matchmaker]

7n8n said:

If I recall correctly, there was a thread on here recently about a Superb blowing its turbo just out of warranty and Skoda not wanting to know about it. There's one reason.

Was that not about a remapped Superb?

[spreadsheet monkey]

Prices (both new and used) have crept up and they're not the screaming bargain they used to be.

Vauxhall Insignias are also very good value if you want a biggish, newish family car.

[C350Akra]

7n8n said:

If I recall correctly, there was a thread on here recently about a Superb blowing its turbo just out of warranty and Skoda not wanting to know about it. There's one reason.

I have no doubt you can find a thread about a problem with any model of car. The Superb offers excellent value for money, a bigger version of the Octavia.

[quinny100]

spreadsheet monkey said:

Prices (both new and used) have crept up and they're not the screaming bargain they used to be.

Indeed. There is not a huge price premium to step up to an E Class which is a nicer car and traditionally have held their value better.

The only real winning attribute the Superb has is rear legroom. If that's important to you, go for it - nothing this side of a LWB S Class/7 Series/A8 comes close.

[QuattroDave]

matchmaker said:

7n8n said:

If I recall correctly, there was a thread on here recently about a Superb blowing its turbo just out of warranty and Skoda not wanting to know about it. There's one reason.

Was that not about a remapped Superb?

Yes.

That OP had remapped their car and then was all upset when the manufacturer didn't want to know. His view was he only ran it til it went pop which wasn't very long so they should be on the hook!

Superbs are bland but very accomplished at bland. The 300bhp version in L&K spec and estate would be a very capable car. Don't they have drowsiness sensors for the driver? Kind of sums up the driving enjoyment!

Still I'd have one as a second car if I were in the market for a big comfy load lugger.

[malaccamax]

Superbs are great cars. We loved ours (Mk3 2-litre diesel estate). Flawless three years (apart from the sunglasses holder cover falling off)

[Narcisus]

ElectricSoup said:

DSG

Whats the problem with DSG ?

[Tyre Tread]

I had a 2010 Superb from 2013 to 2017 and put 45K miles on it and it was the most expensive car to run that I have ever owned.

Window mechanisms failed, rear suspension arm bushes worn causing premature tyre wear, seized brake calipers, DPF sensor, Front springs and top mounts, plus various other bits I can't remember.

It never did more than 50 mpg even when nursed and mostly low to mid forties if you were lucky (all tracked on a phone app).

The only good bit was the rear legroom.

Best has been the Jag XFS.

[ElectricSoup]

Narcisus said:

ElectricSoup said:

DSG

Whats the problem with DSG ?

You have to be pernickety over maintenance, or it can become expensive to fix. It requires more servicing than any other type of transmission, which increases ownership costs. I think it's more of a risky second hand buy than manuals and traditional autos. Had one myself and found it hesitant and unresponsive in town driving, although it was fast and smooth on the open road. Overall, I do not like them, and if someone is buying an auto VAG car then theyshould beaware of the differences between these transmissions and other types. I bought mine brand new and traded it in after 17k miles because of the town driving characteristic.

YMMV, OP can decide if it suits him or not, but he is entitled to hear a full suite of opinions, as he asked for them.

[irocfan]

ElectricSoup said:

OP can decide if it suits him or not, but he is entitled to hear a full suite of opinions, as he asked for them.

This in spades ^^^^ it's always good to hear about foibles (or even worse) then make an informed decision. Rear legroom and load capacity it very high on the list 620(ish) litres of boot-space is a huge draw (slightly above the rear legroom)

[anonymous-user]

Good cars, plenty of kit, loads of room. I'd avoid the Diesel (Ad Blue, etc) in favour of the petrol TSI in 216hp(?) flavour, and the Columbus Sat Nav is known to have a few issues. They're not anything special to drive, but far from poor as well. A very good, albeit very generic, family wagon!

There are a few alternatives which may interest the petrolhead in you more, but I know that's not the need here... plenty of similar age 5 series and E class at the same price point.

This high spec '18 plate 5 estate caught my eye (been looking for similar for a friend re-locating to the UK) as I love the colour, but there are loads more with lower miles, etc;

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103039...

Or this '19 plate Merc E Estate;

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012307...

Slighter higher miles for their ages, so probably motorway use, and if it's to be used as a family car that will likely even itself out over a couple of years....

Just a thought!

[anonymous-user]

I forgot to add the V90 as an option;

'68 plate with 8K miles;

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102108...

or this strong spec '17 V90Cross Country for a bit of extra height..

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010225...

Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 10th March 15:50

[Chubbyross]

I took one out for a test drive a couple of years ago. It felt too big for me. I’d just come out of Octavia ownership. In the end I bought an Octavia vrs. It felt the perfect size for my family of four and the boot is easily big enough. But they do spin the wheels rather easily, wet or dry.