Replacement for Skoda Superb 280?

[Dooge]

Hi all,

I currently own a 2018 Skoda Superb 280 saloon on PCP coming to an end. The balloon payment is just under £10k but I'm hoping its worth closer to £14-15k to get some back in PX. I like it, but I am thinking of getting something slightly smaller and more dynamic when the deal is up.

As with alot of us, it has to balance with family life (toddler and small Spaniel), day to day commuting (10 miles a day) and occasional family trips but does less than 10k a year. On top, I'd like something a bit more driver focused and ideally a bit more power for the B road blasts. Id also like to come away from PCP onto HP/loan so I'm not stuck in a financial loop. Ideally I have a max budget of 17k factoring in I suspect Ill get £3-4k from my Superb on P/X.

On the list currently:

-Mercedes Benz C43 (2016/2017) - 100k+ mileage

- Mercedes Benz CLA AMG 45 shooting brake (2015-2017) - 75k+ mileage

-BMW F series 335i/340i Gran Coupe/estate/saloon (2016-2019) - 75-100k mileage

-Moderate mileage BMW G series 330i (2019+) - 55-65k

Currently, the 330i is winning. Reviews say the cabin space is plentiful, much newer, lots of strong reviews on throttle response, handling and chassis as well. The B48 seems to be a strong engine. On paper its not more powerful but a simple remap in the future may help with this.


Other options and opinions welcome!

[Quattr04.]

Going to say it

Model 3 - maybe a performance, decent on a B road and will fit in to family life very easily and cost you barely anything to run, which is always handy with kids

[Trevor555]

Out of your wish list there, I'd keep hold of your Skoda.

Sorry....

[Dooge]

Thanks for the reply, but electric or traditional plug in hybrid wont work. I have no charging capability at home (on street parking and no street chargers near my house) or charging at work so has to be traditional ICE. Id considered a 330e but for that reason ruled it out.

[Dooge]

Trevor555 said:

Out of your wish list there, I'd keep hold of your Skoda.

Sorry....

Its not beyond the realms of impossibility. R-tech remap, stiffer rear ARB and would be more interesting. Its very good at what it does, but its more a comfy cruiser than dynamic handler.

[clockworks]

M140i

I've had both, and the BMW feels a lot quicker, albeit a little wayward at times if pushed.

[Dooge]

clockworks said:

M140i

I've had both, and the BMW feels a lot quicker, albeit a little wayward at times if pushed.

I'm assuming G series? Might be just out of budget. An F series 340i would be however.

[stevemcs]

I m looking to replace mine as although it s massive that s about all I like. My short list is

F Pace
Discovery Sport
5 series touring

I still want the space but with better seats and better suspension

[clockworks]

Dooge said:

I'm assuming G series? Might be just out of budget. An F series 340i would be however.

Mine was an F21 (5 door). 3 litre twin turbo RWD 1 series
I don't think there's a G model 1 series?

I've not tried a 340i, but I did test drive a F32 435i (basically a 3 series coupe 3 litre, but a little bit less power than the M140i). It felt a bit on the big side, more refined but less nimble. Nice looking car though.

[Dooge]

stevemcs said:

I m looking to replace mine as although it s massive that s about all I like. My short list is

F Pace
Discovery Sport
5 series touring

I still want the space but with better seats and better suspension

This is the thing, the space is amazing, but we have a Leon estate for the kid and dog everyday. Mine is more the special trip car, which we do maybe 3 or 4 times a year so as long as its not tiny (Golf would be too small) I can get by.

I looked at 540i's and they arnt badly priced but are again more aimed at a waft than a spirited drive. I suspect the 5 series would be the more reliable out of the 3 though!

[Dooge]

clockworks said:

Dooge said:

I'm assuming G series? Might be just out of budget. An F series 340i would be however.

Mine was an F21 (5 door). 3 litre twin turbo RWD 1 series
I don't think there's a G model 1 series?

I've not tried a 340i, but I did test drive a F32 435i (basically a 3 series coupe 3 litre, but a little bit less power than the M140i). It felt a bit on the big side, more refined but less nimble. Nice looking car though.

Apologies, missed the 1!

Its maybe a bit small for me, Ive had a mk6 Golf GTi in the past and loved it but has to be a bit bigger. They do handle well though.

The 435i/440i Gran Coupe is a consideration due to 4 doors and the practicality of the hatchback boot, a few reviews Ive read/seen say they arnt that amazing on the driveability front though. The N55 isnt a bad engine from what I see, but the B58 that replaced it seems to be haloed as the better engine.

[stevemcs]

Dooge said:

This is the thing, the space is amazing, but we have a Leon estate for the kid and dog everyday. Mine is more the special trip car, which we do maybe 3 or 4 times a year so as long as its not tiny (Golf would be too small) I can get by.

I looked at 540i's and they arnt badly priced but are again more aimed at a waft than a spirited drive. I suspect the 5 series would be the more reliable out of the 3 though!

I’d be looking at the petrol for the any of them, they cannot be worse on fuel than this. I did buy the rear roll bar for mine but just haven’t got around to fitting it.

[Dooge]

stevemcs said:

Dooge said:

This is the thing, the space is amazing, but we have a Leon estate for the kid and dog everyday. Mine is more the special trip car, which we do maybe 3 or 4 times a year so as long as its not tiny (Golf would be too small) I can get by.

I looked at 540i's and they arnt badly priced but are again more aimed at a waft than a spirited drive. I suspect the 5 series would be the more reliable out of the 3 though!

I d be looking at the petrol for the any of them, they cannot be worse on fuel than this. I did buy the rear roll bar for mine but just haven t got around to fitting it.

Mines not bad, I have an OPF model so 268bhp, 7 speed DQ381. Fully loaded with family and luggage I got 39mpg there and back. I average 28ish long term, but mixture of start stop traffic and 40/50mph dual carriageways. I'm lucky it has DCC but I use the modes far more for throttle response/Eco coasting than suspension change. I find it wafty but also crashy but in Sport the suspension is just a bit too hard to enjoy on an average B road.

I think the rear ARB will help, but would be better with new dampers as my fronts are already leaking.

Definitely avoid an Ingenium diesel! Jaguar Land Rover petrols seem to be pretty good 👍

[stevemcs]

Mine has dcc to, mine does have the older dq250 mine struggles to break 30mpg, however we do have 7 speed currently in bits at work - they seem a bit breakable

Out of your list I’d buy the c43

[Dooge]

stevemcs said:

Mine has dcc to, mine does have the older dq250 mine struggles to break 30mpg, however we do have 7 speed currently in bits at work - they seem a bit breakable

Out of your list I d buy the c43

The fragility of the gearbox is what makes me reluctant to map it. Mines only got 52k on but a friends 2021 Tiguan R failed last year at 38k and VW initially refused the 6.5k bill. Eventually they covered the parts but not the labour, which seems as good as it could get.

The C43 I love the idea of and if I could get a decent mileage and age example on PCP around £20-22k I would, an estate especially would be all you would ever need. A good friend has an E63 estate and its such a good do it all car!

[clockworks]

Dooge said:

Apologies, missed the 1!

Its maybe a bit small for me, Ive had a mk6 Golf GTi in the past and loved it but has to be a bit bigger. They do handle well though.

The 435i/440i Gran Coupe is a consideration due to 4 doors and the practicality of the hatchback boot, a few reviews Ive read/seen say they arnt that amazing on the driveability front though. The N55 isnt a bad engine from what I see, but the B58 that replaced it seems to be haloed as the better engine.

I'd go for something with the B58 - just pick a body size and style to suit your needs.


My M140i had the B58. Lovely engine, no idea how it's so economical for the power.

[Dooge]

clockworks said:

Dooge said:

Apologies, missed the 1!

Its maybe a bit small for me, Ive had a mk6 Golf GTi in the past and loved it but has to be a bit bigger. They do handle well though.

The 435i/440i Gran Coupe is a consideration due to 4 doors and the practicality of the hatchback boot, a few reviews Ive read/seen say they arnt that amazing on the driveability front though. The N55 isnt a bad engine from what I see, but the B58 that replaced it seems to be haloed as the better engine.

I'd go for something with the B58 - just pick a body size and style to suit your needs.


My M140i had the B58. Lovely engine, no idea how it's so economical for the power.

Definitely on the hitlist, its trying to find one without moon miles. The reason I went PCP on the Skoda is to get something lower miles as Ive had a few cars at 100k and every other month there's some maintenance needed.

[ColinsCornflakes]

I've got a 2018 Super B 280 estate, its on 120k miles and apart from a failed front radar bracket and consumables its been mint, can't think of what I could replacee it with now without spending a fortune, I think it will be with me for life.

[edc]

If you want a B48 how about JCW Countryman/Clubman.

[Dooge]

ColinsCornflakes said:

I've got a 2018 Super B 280 estate, its on 120k miles and apart from a failed front radar bracket and consumables its been mint, can't think of what I could replacee it with now without spending a fortune, I think it will be with me for life.

This is the thing, the Superb is such a good all rounder. Half of me is tempted to keep it and map it, the other is wanting something different. I know from a previous mk3 Octavia they rust pretty badly being all steel underneath.

The gripes I have with the Superb are it feels wallowy, it can get up and go when shoved but its not a dynamic car. I have minor issues (currently have something loose in my drivers seat making it feel clunky side to side but Skoda dealer can't find anything wrong with it) and a creaky sunroof they also cant sort. I also have a vibration from the drivers side at 3k rpm, but they cant find whats causing that either. Maybe I need to get a new garage rather than a new car!