Podwin

Has anyone moved from an Octavia to a Superb?
I am consdering it and would like to know if they miss anything from the Octavia, like 4x4 or the versatility of a hatchback?

slender

As an ex Estelle 120L and Octavia 1.8 SLXi 20V auto owner, considering my wife currently drives a Fabia vRS, my friend currently drives a new Octavia 1.9TDi, my father surrently drives a Superb 1.9TDi Elegance and that I have access to a fleet of Octavias and a Superb at work I'm probably reasonably well qualified to comment on Skodas, new and old!

The current Superb has split/fold seats which makes it eminently more versatile than before. The rear leg room of the Superb is, quite frankly, astonishing and would be a good enough reason alone for most people with growing families or who regularly travel four up to buy one. That said the current Octavia has vastly improved rear leg room, though nowhere near as good as the Superb, and, in my opinion, better quality seats.

Why are you considering a change? Let us know what your main reason(s) is/are and I'm sure you'll get answers to either convince you to change or to reconsider.

Not sure if it is of any use to you but I moved from a four wheel drive Volvo V70 estate to a 2WD Volvo S80 saloon. I've never once regretted the move.

stopan1j

Have both a Superb 2.8 tiptronic and RS Octavia, both great cars although the Octavia is more practical for a couple. If Rear passenges are needed to be transported the Superb is the answer. The hatch on the Octavia is brilliant and I miss it when needing to load the Superb for continental trips, with the Superb planning is required first in ,last out, although big enough its a pain to load and unload. The folding rear seats in the Superb will be an improvement. Other than that the Superb is a first class cruiser, although the steering feel is a bit weird although you get used to it. If I had to change to one of the cars I could live hapily with either, and would miss the looser.

John

steve

I agree with john, i had an RS sold it and bought a Superb then the whole family complained of feeling car sick so i sold it and bought another RS
The extra space for rear passengers is exellent, although the boot is massive its very awkward to get things like pushchairs in ,the hatchback will win everytime.
Comfortable ride if a little too soft for my liking,the steering i found odd and was my only real complaint about the car.
If you want a family car and dont mind having a boot as opposed to a hatchback the Superb is a great car, i went back to the Octavia because i wanted to do the odd trackday etc and lucky for me the wife wanted her RS back .
I had the cheapo 1.9TDI 100bhp which on motorway easily managed 50mpg ,
second hand they dont sell to well so bargains out there if your a bit pushy

Steve

Podwin

Thanks for all the response, this decision is really bugging me.
I saw a black Elegance 6 months ago and thought it look great, the black magic paint against the chrome you get on an Elegance, but Superb’s, especially in Elegance trim are expensive, I couldn’t find the one I wanted second hand, so dropped the idea.

I hate the idea of losing so much money on buying a new car, but I can never get what I want from the second hand market.

So when I and the girlfriend went to B&Q last Saturday, there was a nice Superb Elegance 1.9TDI Auto on the dealership’s forecourt across the road. So I had a look, and ended up taking a test drive. Lovely Black Magic, with Nappa Leather, for 16.995 with 8,800 miles on the clock, on an 04 plate.

It was very nice, and would buy it, mainly due to the room for me, I am 6ft 4, and find my Octavia uncomfortable on long journeys, it takes ages to find an OK seating position and the seats don’t seem wide enough (must be too many pork pies). I am sure the Superb would be more comfortable for me. Also now my Parents have hit 70, I have found I am beginning to drive them around, and there is no space in the back of my Octavia, especially behind me! The space in the Superb is amazing, I could sit behind me (if you see what I mean).

I also really fancy an auto, I’m fed up with motorway tailbacks were you sit swapping between 1st and 2nd for an hour. This Superb is nearly new in my mind so has lost the worst its depreciation, but just coming back from Ikea, how will it cope with large bulky loads? I was under the impression from what I had read the seat didn’t fold, but reading the responses I guess they should.

I like my 4x4 for being able to boot it out of a tight left hand give-way into fast flowing traffic on a wet road and not sitting with the front wheels spinning, how does it cope with that?

Also no rear wiper!

Back to depreciation, I bought my 4x4 brand new (‘cos I couldn’t find one second hand at the time) and justified the depreciation because I’d run it into the ground. The dealer gave me a ball park figure of 7,500 trade in for my 52 plate, 24K miles, which I was a little disappointed with, although I made it clear I wasn’t going to do a deal that day, so I would like to think we could agree something a little better.

The economy on the Superb was good, it was reading 40mpg, for a bigger car with an auto box, 10 more than my current, smaller manual car.

Been thinking about it since Saturday, I don’t want to spend the cash and then realise I hate a saloon, I’d appreciate any feedback.

steve

If you can get over the Superb not being a hatch then from what you've said parents etc then i'd go for it. Rear wiper no big deal use a leather every couple of days.
I could sit behind my wife in the Superb and not reach the back of her chair!
Air con in the back is a nice touch.
Grip in any F W drive car is an issue but unless your gonna start messing with it should'nt be a problem.
My rear seats did'nt fold down, if thats a problem get the dealer to throw in a roof rack with the deal, also i'd want the car cheaper than you mentioned.
Superbs dont sell well 2nd hand, so i'd want a grand off that price minimum.Seeing as im being overly honest tonight,see other post i lost 4K in 12 months when i sold my Superb, ok it had a few things needed doing but..............four f**in grand .
Check Skoda UK's site, Superbs great car at the right price.
Buyers market.

Steve

PetRaN

the superb will give you all the space you ever need, and maybe more.

throw in a good set of shocks, do some tuning, and give every rs you meet on the road a run for their money

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slender

Podwin

If seat comfort is one of the prime reasons you are looking to change I would urge caution. The main reason I got rid of my Octavia (after 8 weeks) was down to the seats - they crippled me. Last week I spent 300 miles and around 11 hours in a new Octavia. I found the seats to be vastly superior to the previous Octavia and I emerged without so much as an ache. I can drive my wife's Fabia vRS all day and not experience back discomfort. I've only been around the block in my fathers 1.9 TDi auto Elegance and thought the seats seemed ok. However, last week I took out our 2.8 V6 manual at work for an hour and could not get as comfortable as I would have hoped and found the seats felt very similar to the original Octavia. That said, I appreciate that seat comfort is a personal matter. If I was going to buy a Superb (and until recently it was the only car that would have teased me out of my Volvo) I would have to have a 24 hour test drive and take the car on a damn good run - just to be sure. That would be my advice to you. My father did this, and the dealer was more than happy to oblige.

You are exactly right about being able to sit behind yourself in a Superb. I am the same height as you and have a very long inside leg which means the drivers seat is set right back. With it in that position I can get in the back of the car and still not have my knees touching the back of the seat - amazing.

Incidentally, my father loves his car (exactly the same as you test drove), only complaining about the sump guard that makes a cheap, annoying rattle every time he leaves the car and shuts the door (the demo car was exactly the same) and the stiff struts on the boot lid.

Good luck with your decision.

Podwin

Thanks for all the input, it has really helped. I think I am going off the idea, and I'll spend a bit of money on improving what I've got, it will be cheaper.

I think you are right Slender, a new Octavia could be more comfortable being a new model of car, I would need to try that before buying anything else.A brand new 2.0TDI+DSG isn't too far away on price either.

However, I am going to keep my eye on it, and see how long it sits on their forecourt, I still may be tempted.

Kentish

My Comfort trimmed Superb is now 20 months old, and only 12 k on the clock. Its is a lovely cruising/long distance car.
I/We can travel down to Plymouth to see the outlaws and get out the other end(after 250 miles) and feel as fresh as a daisy (I do anyway). I will agree the suspension isnt anywhere near sport stiff, but if long journeys or passengers are on the agenda the Superb is a great car.

We binned our previous Octy estate becasue me at 6ft1 didnt give much legroom to the daughters behind, and because of the rear passenger room dont regret the move at all. The only time doubts have crept in are when versatility is required, and unless I have the trailer hooked up the boot is now-where near as useful as the estate, but then the estate was no-where near as comfy full stop.

Although its a big car, with the parking sensors it is real easy to manourvre and park.., easier than the Octy.

Having had mine for a while, I wouldnt swap back now to an Octy simply becuase of the room and comfort afforded any passengers you may have (and if we all go out in ours then I have 3)

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Andy

Owner of a sense of humour.

Fabpreza

I know you've gone off the idea for now, but I recently sold my 4x4 estate and I think the deal you were offered against the £16995 Superb was lousy. Well done for not taking it. To be honest, that's the sort of bid you could expect against a BMW, who will not retail it, but not another Skoda!

For that particular Superb I would be pitching at £7500 to swap - the dealer can decide if he ups your part-ex, lowers his price or does a bit of both.

My deal was against another Skoda half the value of the Superb and it was improved by £1250 against the screen and true trade value of my car - as mentioned, deals are to be had !

You have to be half-sensible on your expectations, polite and be prepared to put a deposit down. If the dealer isn't wise enough to know you are serious, or the deal isn't good enough, just be prepared to surf the internet for the Skoda (or other franchised) dealers and travel for the right deal - it always saves you money and shows you're serious

Rob

morgan

interesting to see that someone else has had the family complaining about feeling sick in the back , my lad never suffered with car sickness until I got the Superb, now it may be just kids attention seeking but maybe he's right.

BTW I went fromthe RS to the Superb and can honestly say it was a good move all round , changing the tyres really seems to have made the biggest differnce to the ride, I did toy with the idea of fitting eibach shocks but AMd didnt call back and I learned to ignore the handling, split seats must be a really useful boon, but then again so would an estate . I wish!!

morgan

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Superb Elegance 1.9TDi Full Leather, Sat-Nav, Xenons, Yes it does do 50mpg, no it doesn't go round corners, yes it's got more leg room than a Maybach.

stopan1j

He's washing it too much its not the struts its the hinges seizing on rust put some 3 in 1 on all the hinge pivot points had the problem on a couple of Superb's, oil and work well in by moving boot up and down

john

Podwin

I am pretty sure I have decided against changing to the Superb. I new Octavia with DSG costs about the same. Also reading a new Superb will be on sale in 2006, I will only have the dealership telling me the value of my car has dropped more than normal because of a new model, as they did when talking about my current Octavia.

Kentish

I understood there to be more chance of dropping the Superb as opposed to a facelift/new model.

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Andy

Owner of a sense of humour.

Podwin

That's what I thought, that the Superb will never happen again. WhatCar magazine seems to think there will be a new one a year later after the new Passat in 2005

conned

Wow..fancy meeting u here,,U were last since in vagsg wz ur Yoda avatar.hah
a ..so how is ur Superb now? How much mod? Did u put in the Gt28RS?
Ok. To answer qns here, SUPERB is a great car wz more than decent handling.It's versatile n the turbo is a boot when u wan tat extra oompph!
IF u do long trips ,then its a first class cruiser..I did 1400kms from Toulouse to Maranello along the A highways on a pug307SW,,and boy do i feel insecure,wish I had a heavier car like my Superb with me. No offence to puggies.
Whatever it is u are getting, either a Octy V-RS or Superb, Skoda represent good value for $$$..esp where i came from, my ride cost Euro50K otr!!!

conned

[quote=BTW I went fromthe RS to the Superb and can honestly say it was a good move all round , changing the tyres really seems to have made the biggest differnce to the ride, I did toy with the idea of fitting eibach shocks but AMd didnt call back and I learned to ignore the handling, split seats must be a really useful boon, but then again so would an estate . I wish!!
morgan[/QUOTE]
Hi IF i may share. I got Eibach prokits on my Superb for last 6000kms.Initially it was realli good n settling wz stock shocks.but lately it got bouncy.
Most vag mech told me it's bekoz of hte standrad shocks and Eibach wud go real well with either Koni or Bilstein shocks. I havent install aftermarket shocks yet but ju a word of caution shud u wan to change to Sachs/Eibach.
NO use getting coilovers as it is a big n long heavycar so a set up of shocks plus springs is more reliable.
this are from audi/skoda workshops advisors.

my 0.02cts

patnmand

I went from Octy RS to Superb, and am just trading Superb for Octy II. Superb Rear legroom wonderful, light cloth upholstery HOPELESS - have dark or leather. Steering/handling - no. Motorway cruising - fabulous. Fuel economy - averageing around 47. Mine's a manual - having tried the 2.5d auto recently and finding it a bit gutless I'd definitely recommend staying away from the 1.9 auto. Main reasons for trading are that it's coming to the end of its warranty, I fancy an auto, I miss the hatchback, and the Octy II actually has civilised rear-legroom! I will miss the old barge though. As far as the boot is concerned - it's a recognised problem on Superbs, and the dealer should be able to free it off for you. If you do go for a s/h one check the umbrella is there - they cost £30+ to replace and a lot of them are missing.

PetRaN

hi conned, and have a happy and fruitfull year!!

about the garrett conversion, things are finallizing..
we got the supplier for the hardware, the shop to install, we even got the programmer to do the software..
i even got a custom program we did on the road now, and it replaced my abt with great success

we are about 5 friends who will do this, all others have octavia rs's
so, as the final bits come into place, we are almost 'go' for the turbo mods

i'll keep you posted.

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Quinten

I've contemplated many times a swap to a Superb from my Octy RS, as it would be so much more practical (work, family, economics)... but every time I come to the same conclusion: I'd miss the RS too much. No amount of space in the back (and front) will give me that evil grin that the RS gives me.

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Awooga!!!

PetRaN

thats a nice thought to keep to quinten when a superb passes you like a brisk...

other than space diferences, there are some like the gearbox and the way the suspension works (i think..)

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Quinten

You can't compare the two. A standard RS or a standard Superb... The only time you'll pass me is when I'm filling up at the petrol station again

Anyway, I think John is dead on. They are both great cars, and complement rather than replace each other.

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Awooga!!!

PetRaN

yes, both are great cars, representing very very good value for money

but how can you talk about 'standard' when you got a 20v 1.8t under the hood??
the motor begs to be tuned!


here in athens, I very often race my quickest friends with tuned vrs's and seat leon, and they are never in front of me

..well, to be 1000% honest, one -just one- managed to pass me 3-4 days ago..
but it is under investigation..

and it wasnt rs, but 150hp octy tuned..

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