[Closed] Skoda Octavia owners - why not a Superb?

caravan club car of the year.. the superbis an octavia with more bells and whistles when the whole ethos of skoda was basics the superb is seen as a bit posh..

mrs tts has an octavia the only issue i'd have with it is the rear suspension is too lightly sprung when fully loaded 3 adults 2 kids and a fortnights worth of gear..

For a start there are far fewer Superb's around, and it's a more expensive car in the first place. It's not a fancy Octy, it's based on a different platform, which is why there are V6 versions. I'm sure if I had £13k+ to spend I'd jump at one, but I, like many people, have nothing like that amount of money to spend, and if I did, I'd buy a VRs, or a 1.8T 4x4, and get the engine tweaked and the suspension sorted for a lot less money.

I prefer Superb over Octavia so if money is not a problem go for Superb. Better looking as well.

The newer one is just a bigger Octavia as it's based on the same platform. The previous model was built on the '94 Audi A4 platform (B5).

I thought the Octy was built on a Golf and the Superb a Passat?

No foundation for that assumption though, so could be totally wrong.

Driven superb for last two years (59 plate 2litre diesel) and it is a cracking motor.

Boot the size of a tardis, amazing legroom in rear and so far, nothing to complain about. Nothing!

I also heard the superb was a passat chassis extended 6" but can't find anything to confirm that.

The old superb was a lwb Passat, which is an A4 based car. Longitudinal engine, a million suspension joints.

Edit - by A4, I mean the Audi, not the MK4 Golf.

No vrs in the superb! But if you go for a slower diesel, superb makes more sense. Awesome VFM.

Got a vRS estate. Great car. Think the only reason I'd get a Superb would be if I needed the space. Octy copes well with me, the wife, our little lad and the associated junk he comes with, bikes, surf boards etc. Seems to swallow everything with ease.

Also hired an Octy hatchback a few years back for a drive down to the South of France. Lovely. 4 adults and all our luggage easily.

Do like the Superbs. A lot. Just don't need the extra space. We've already said when we change this car we'll get another vRS wagon.

Had both (GF worked for Skoda), both excellent cars, my favourite to drive was Octavia VRS petrol, although as FWD only it did spin a bit in the wet. Both were pretty cavernous in terms of boot space - the Superb Estate is just huge!

We've already said when we change this car we'll get another vRS wagon.

Seconded here.

I'll consider one as a replacement for the current octavia 4x4, mainly on ride quality. The octavia is easily big enough for our needs. If the superb is too expensive, i'll go for another octavia 4x4 or scout

my dad's got a superb, it's massive.

But, it's a saloon isnt it? - makes putting bikes in the back a pain.

the octavia is a hatchback - makes putting bike in even easier than an estate (for those of us with creaky backs).

New Superb comes in hatch or estate options.

Old Superb (aka, a taxi) was saloon only.

Hang on, a Passat is much bigger than an A4 surely?

So considering one is not a complete faux-pas then?

Anyone got any experience of the VW family 1.4tsi petrol engine?

I had a 'mare with my Skoda. 170bhp CR engine. Whilst I was made up with the car itself, the way it drove, the economy and performance, the thing let itself down by popping various sensors. Throttle sensor then the exhaust sensor,then the secondary water pump sensor.

All this happened within a period of two months. Needless to say, we parted company. Shame as it really was a nice motor but it is without doubt the most unreliable car I have ever owned made even more annoying by the triviality of the things that actually let it down.

In the last two months of ownership it went to the dealer three times for four problems and was seen by no less then six breakdown men, all I'd whom said the Octavia was a reliable car.

I had to beg to differ and wouldn't now consider owning another VW / Audi group car.

Edit, all this happened before it hit 50,000 miles and I had owned it since it had done 400 miles. It was approaching 2 and a half years old when I sold it.

Only problem is that where I live people will 'hail' you - one of our local mini-cab companies use them.

So what? Does it mean you have to stop?

Anyone got any experience of the VW family 1.4tsi petrol engine?

My dad has an Octy estate with the 1.4 TSI 122BHP version. He has got it with the 7 speed DSG box, so not sure how much difference that makes, but for the engine size, it goes like a rocket! Very quick car.

The only problem is, due to it being a small petrol engine at heart, it doesn't have a huge amount of torque for when the car is really full. But with the DSG gearbox, it will just knock it down a gear and be fine. Sits at 75 /80 fine with the cruise control on.

Does 45 MPG too

Also, Skoda don't put the the supercharger on the engine too. So its only a TI really.

EDIT

Skoda basically take the VW car platform and stick a bigger shell on.
Fabia > Polo
Octavia > Golf
Superb > Passat

[i]Count Zero
I'd buy a VRs, or a 1.8T 4x4, [/i]

I have a 1.8T 4x4, its great!.
looking to sell it though, as I'd like to get a van.

Forgot, before I do get another vRS wagon, I'd want to have a go in an Octy Scout dizzle 4x4 thing.

Skoda forums here if you're interested:

http://briskoda.net/forums/

http://briskoda.net/forums/forum/136-skoda-superb-ii/

My GF had an Octavia Estate bog standard 1.9TD was fine for space 3 people 3 bikes was a push but for 2 it was great. Very reliable and economical. First 2 years was on Warranty which meant when the CD changer had a small fault they would pick it up have a look retrieve the offending thicker cd wash, and hover the car and return it to her work. Great service!!

When we decided we needed more space I got a van

Coolhandluke, that CR engine has issues in all VAG cars. It has too be so complicated to get the refinement and emmisions sorted in a diesel. That's why so many companies offer DPF removal on modern diesels.

Petrol ftw!

The current superb is based upon a golf chasis which is also shared with the octavia [url= http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%A0koda_Superb ]wiki link [/url]

The old one was based upon the past. its the cheaper chasis that makes it so profitable for VW

Blimey, forgot I started this thread.

9 months on and I'm about to buy one, a 1.4tsi estate.

Anyone with any updated info on their Skoda Superb or the 1.4 engine in general?

friend who is also on this forum has a superb estate with the same 170 engine thats in the VRS, got to say, it looks lovely!

My father has an Octavia estate with the 1.4 TSI and I drove it last time I was home, was somewhat surprised how quick it was for such a small engine, ok the torque isnt amazing but didn't feel underpowered for a relatively big car. (I drive a 250+BHP Volvo V70 as well!)

For the Size of car isnt a 122 bhp 1.4 just asking for trouble ?

My mrs has a rubber band powered golf with a 90 bhp 1.4 ( non tfsi) engine and its as gutless as hell on motorway and to maintain 70 it returns about 25mpg.....load it up with 4 adults and forget hill starts without melting the clutch .

b r - Member
Only problem is that where I live people will 'hail' you - one of our local mini-cab companies use them.

When I had my Octavia, I actually had people get in my car and sit down whilst I was stationary: "to the Dog and Whistle please, mate".

This happened TWICE. Hmpf.

Loving my Superb 4 months after trading 'down' from an E Class estate. The Superb was a bit of a wildcard when I was looking to change but gets some great reviews from AutoExpress and Fifth Gear. The guys at Fifth Gear pitched it against a new E Class estate and it came out very well.

Here are a few vids
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[url= http://youtu.be/F04sfDCQxeU ]http://youtu.be/F04sfDCQxeU[/url]

Very happy with our Superb Estate. I'd say advantages over the Octavia are looks, space if you need it , plus it seems to be the flagship of the marque so more bells and whistles at each trim level as standard. We're expecting twins so took the advice of friends who said go for as much space as possible. Mrs was a bit daunted at first but with rear beepers for reversing you get used to the size pretty quickly.

In terms of performance take your pick of engines. 170 diesel seems fine to me, wasn't expecting much (this marks the move from boy to man so had to wave farewell to the high performance sports car so expectations were never high) but if anything I'm pleasantly surprised. Took a while to remember not to try railing roundabouts mind 🙂

All that said I'm sure the Octy is great too if those extra cubic litres aren't a huge concern.

superb is not as well built as an octavia, and has more design faults and higher likelihood of expensive component failure.

unless you really need the space it is just not worth the hassle

That certainly applies to the Superb I but since the II was launched in 2009 there have been major improvements.

trail_rat - Member
For the Size of car isnt a 122 bhp 1.4 just asking for trouble ?

My mrs has a rubber band powered golf with a 90 bhp 1.4 ( non tfsi) engine and its as gutless as hell on motorway and to maintain 70 it returns about 25mpg.....load it up with 4 adults and forget hill starts without melting the clutch .

Utter BS.

Of course it is.....i just made up my own experiances - how ever if you would like me to conform with your views please fill out the forms in triplicate and file in the b1n

The model we tested was the entry-level petrol, the 123bhp turbocharged 1.4-litre TSI, and Skoda admits this will not be a big seller. Punchy as the unit may be for such a small capacity, it struggles in the 1504kg Superb. To its credit, the small petrol engine never sounds thrashy but it quickly runs out of grunt on inclines, leaving you to stir the six-speed manual for all it’s worth. This would only get a lot worse if the car were fully laden.

Underpowered it may be, but even this entry version has levels of refinement a car of this price has no right to posess. Road noise is kept to a minimum and the ride is largely untroubled by the ruts and potholes we tested it on around Milan, wafting across them rather than crashing. Corners are disposed of in much the same way as the saloon, meaning safe, composed handling, if not quite as sharp as a Mondeo’s.

From auto car

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/skoda/superb/first-drives/skoda-superb-estate-1.4-tsi

I've just gone from an old passant estate(98) that just kept going and going until a lorry smashed it, to a octavia. It is a few years old but absolutely loving it. Very high levels of equipment(leather seats, climate control etc) and has the 140 bop engine. Absolutely bags of power and torque.
I looked at getting a superb but couldn't justify getting another car that big.

It's a funny old world where 90bhp can be produced from a rubber band and 120+ bhp is consider pathetic.

I fear if you we're born after the 80s you might not realise that it's not that important to do 0-60 in under 12 sec and 140mph.

90bhp in a golf is more than adequate, it would easily reach 100mph and get 40 mpg on a run. Sounds to me like yours was shagged.

just got a 170cr engined skoda superb estate in SE trim level - it's a great car for the money, amazing amount of space and certainly in 170 guise has plenty of poke.

a couple of years ago I had a mk1 superb, but there is no comparison to the mk2, which is so much better in every way. The build quality on mine is easily comparable to the BMW 3 series, mondeos, and honda's that are also on my companies fleet.

seems to be averaging about 51mpg as well, which seems good for the size of it !

Its not about speed , acceleration or anything like that - hell my favorite car to drive is a 1987 land rover ninety 85 bhp and a couple of hundred thousand miles( recorded) on the clock. - how ever i stay the hell away from the motorway in it.

For me its about longevity. You think a highly stressed small engine hauling a big heavy car round all the time is a good thing ?

Time will tell with these tsfis i guess

Im all for small engines in small cars but the 1.4 golf is geared low to imitate speed hence why it screams on the motorway. when you load it up with 4 people and a boot full of associated crap for a trip , it struggles there is no doubt - every review i read agrees.

Ive had 1 litre c1 hire cars and ive really liked them - because there is no temptation to over load them.A big superb sized car could easily carry some big loads.

Depends on your usage i guess. Motorway driving vs sitting in traffic in town ....or if your in england - sitting in traffic on the motorway.

Test drove the 1.4 superb today and was amazed by how smooth and pokey it was. I can see that fully loaded up steep hills would require a change down but for town driving and motorway cruising it was perfect.

The build and spec is incredible for the money.

For normal drivers who just want to get around does it matter how the power and torque is produced? Too many people have swallowed the marketing spiel and think they need loads of power - 20 years ago 125 bhp would have been a lot (2.0 litre Carlton - 122 bhp, 320i 123 bhp).

For normal drivers who just want to get around does it matter how the power and torque is produced?

Well sort of, yes. Changing down a lot through corners etc is a pain, towing a caravan is much better with a little more power, also there are a fair few motorway sliproads that are quite hairy if you can't accelerate well enough, and it's also rather nice being able to overtake.

It's not marketing spiel that tells you you need a lot. Marketing tells us how much the car has, most people who are interested have already decided a lot is a good thing. The need for speed is far deeper than simple marketing! I don't think anyone thinks you NEED 150bhp, if being honest - but a lot of people think it would be fun. And if you can get 170bhp and still get 50mpg, it looks like a win/win.

20 years ago 125 bhp would have been a lot

Yeah that's cos cars were much lighter then. The reason cars are much heavier now is far better crash protection. Take a look at a 1994 Passat Estate say compared to a new one. The old one looks like a greenhouse on wheels. The same reason in fact why rear visibility is a lot worse nowadays.

When I was looking a few months ago I really wanted a Superb but in the end went for an Octavia as I really didn't need the extra room and could get a much better equipped Octavia for the money. I sat in the basic Superb and it was a pretty horrible cheap dash/controls and pretty much no toys - the higher up models are nice though. As has been said, there aren't many second-hand Superbs about so prices remain high (and most of those that do come up are basic spec so probably ex-hire cars).

A friend has the 1.4 engine in a mk6 Golf. Its by all accounts a great engine. Whether I'd want one in an Octavia, let alone a Superb would be a different question altogether. The Superb is one big chunk of car...

You should be aware there's a huge difference between the 1.4 FSI (which even my old dad thought was too underpowered in a Golf, worse than the 1.6 Focus he ended up with which isn't exactly sporty) and the 1.4 TFSI 160bhp one which is fabulous by all accounts.

Thankfully, I'm well aware of the differences... Thanks for checking though 😉

So which one did you like in the Golf then? Curious.