Differences between EA888 - Skoda superb 280 vs Audi A4 252

[Stretchly]

Hi guys,

I have looked and driven a Skoda superb 280 4x4 DSG which was sublime - just maybe a little big...
So I am looking at an 2018+ A4 Avant 2.0T 252ps to see if I could go smaller than the superb...
Is this engine any different other than a tune?

are these both the same as the S3/Golf R engine detuned?

any advice would be great

[SteBrown91]

I would guess the 252 would be more closely related to the Golf GTI engine as that’s 245.

Can still be remapped to a good bhp but would have a lower ceiling than the superb engine.

[Stretchly]

SteBrown91 said:

I would guess the 252 would be more closely related to the Golf GTI engine as that’s 245.

Can still be remapped to a good bhp but would have a lower ceiling than the superb engine.

I thought that but then I read the 252 is related to the S3 and the 190ps FWD is related to GTI but I am none the wiser.

[Dave.]

There are (iirc) 4 generations of the 2l ea888, with about 30 iterations.

Slightly out of date but gives you an idea:-

https://www.motorreviewer.com/engine.php?engine_id...

[catso]

Not sure if they are S3/Golf engines?

Not familiar with the Skoda but A4 have a longitudinally mounted engine rather than transverse like a Golf/A3 so, likely to be different block/casting, at least with regards to the gearbox...

[Dr G]

Fairly sure A4 is IS20 turbo and Superb IS38; the latter being effectively an S3 engine.

Different chassis, gearbox, 4x4 systems too.

[missing the VR6]

Stretchly said:

Hi guys,

I have looked and driven a Skoda superb 280 4x4 DSG which was sublime - just maybe a little big...
So I am looking at an 2018+ A4 Avant 2.0T 252ps to see if I could go smaller than the superb...
Is this engine any different other than a tune?

are these both the same as the S3/Golf R engine detuned?

any advice would be great

Have had plenty of MK3 Superbs as company cars (never 272 though) and we had a B7 A4 Avant in your desired flavour as a family car, the A4 is tiny inside, an Octavia is significantly more practical than an A4, I'd say you'd be better off with a Golf R estate if you are thinking 4WD/AWD over the A4. if not Octavia vRS Estate if you're happy with 2WD. The A4 never felt fast, but quick, but I guess that depends on what you're used to.

[SteBrown91]

Stretchly said:

I thought that but then I read the 252 is related to the S3 and the 190ps FWD is related to GTI but I am none the wiser.

The 190 is the EA888 “Gen3b” engine - essentially an engine designed to bridge the gap between the economy of a diesel and the refinement of the petrol.

It has a different firing order to improve efficiency (the name of it escapes me) and is designed for lower down torque and smooth nippy progress without too much effort. They will remap up to 240ish bhp but that’s about their ceiling.

[RichFN2]

To my knowledge the Audi S3, Golf R, Leon Cupra and Skoda Superb 280 all use the same gen 3 EA888 engine. In a facelift Golf R or S3 they were 306bhp, they were supposedly mapped to 300bhp for the Cupra.

Compared to the EA888 found in the GTI or vRS there are a number of physical difference's. They do have a better ceiling for tuning if that's your thing.

I strongly suspect the A4 252 will have a GTI engine.

[Stretchly]

I think I have made my mind up now thanks to the Main stealers - both Skoda dealerships I went to had great customer service and I do really like the superb. The Audi dealer tried putting me into an A6 saloon diesel 7k more than I said was my max budget even after I said I don’t do the mileage to warrant a diesel… same with the BMW dealership and the JLR dealer I went to.

[SteBrown91]

Stretchly said:

I think I have made my mind up now thanks to the Main stealers - both Skoda dealerships I went to had great customer service and I do really like the superb. The Audi dealer tried putting me into an A6 saloon diesel 7k more than I said was my max budget even after I said I don’t do the mileage to warrant a diesel… same with the BMW dealership and the JLR dealer I went to.

Superbs are nice cars only reason I struck them off my potential option list was the cars available in a spec and engine combo for sale in my price range at the time.

[Dr G]

Stretchly said:

I think I have made my mind up now thanks to the Main stealers - both Skoda dealerships I went to had great customer service and I do really like the superb. The Audi dealer tried putting me into an A6 saloon diesel 7k more than I said was my max budget even after I said I don’t do the mileage to warrant a diesel… same with the BMW dealership and the JLR dealer I went to.

There's shockingly little stock around new or used; doesn't surprise me! Selling what they have to sell rather than something that isn't available.

Skoda is a very good car. You won't feel hard done by.

[RSstuff]

Stretchly said:

Hi guys,

I have looked and driven a Skoda superb 280 4x4 DSG which was sublime - just maybe a little big...
So I am looking at an 2018+ A4 Avant 2.0T 252ps to see if I could go smaller than the superb...
Is this engine any different other than a tune?

are these both the same as the S3/Golf R engine detuned?

any advice would be great

Depends if the Audi is a quattro, if it's front wheel drive that would be enough for me to pick the Skoda.

[catso]

RSstuff said:

Depends if the Audi is a quattro, if it's front wheel drive that would be enough for me to pick the Skoda.

Agreed, I'm not a fan of FWD cars in general but found the A4 courtesy car I borrowed to be particularly prone to spinning the fronts just when you want traction (pulling out of junctions etc.) I'd go 4wd every time.

[bedonde]

I absolutely love our Superb 280 L&K which was a stock car we bought from a dealer in Perth last yr. There weren’t many about particularly in the fully loaded ‘Lorraine Kelly’ trim and we got a good deal so I pounced on it and part exed our Passat Alltrack. Yes it’s big (and although that suits us with two kids and two labradors), you soon get used the the size and a reversing cam and sensors help with parking etc. The later 280 cars with the 7 speed DSG will hit 60 in 5.1s out of the box, whilst being probably the most understated cars out there when considering the performance on offer. I stuck ours on Michelin Cross Climates as I junked the standard 18inch wheels after picking it up (and put it on the Skoda 19 inchers) and it’s unflappable in this weather. Heated steering wheel, heated seats, heated screen etc make it a fab winter companion.

I’ll stop gushing now. Other makes and models are available I believe.

Edited to add - you really do need the adaptive dampers on these IMO. I think they are standard on the L&K but not sure about other trim levels.

Edited by bedonde on Wednesday 8th January 10:58