Skoda Superb Sportline 280 or Octavia VRS 245?
Discussion
So like most, I’m constantly considering my next car, I’ve gone around in circles for months considering everything from a new Focus ST to a used Transporter combi! But one constant that has always been in the back of my mind is a MK3 Octavia VRS 245, which seems the perfect all rounder. While looking at my local Skoda dealers website I was drawn to a superb Sportline 280 they have in, which is also 4 wheel drive!
Does anybody have experience of the two? Pros and cons of each? I’m assuming the Superb would be the more civilised option but would you lose the character of the VRS?
Does anybody have experience of the two? Pros and cons of each? I’m assuming the Superb would be the more civilised option but would you lose the character of the VRS?
ZX10R NIN said:
It's something that has been documented but not on all engines, there are lots that have been fine but others have developed issues, you're thinking of the guy who had his mapped.
Ah great, thank you.I couldn't remember the whole thread.
I know they were talking about Turbo Technics doing a rebuild.
Obviously the Superb. It's bigger and faster and a far better family car.
Having said that it is more expensive than the Octavia.
I bought a Superb 280 Estate about a year ago (2nd hand) and its a brilliant family car and fast if you want it to be. Far less of an attraction to thieves than a Golf R despite sharing the powertrain.
Having said that it is more expensive than the Octavia.
I bought a Superb 280 Estate about a year ago (2nd hand) and its a brilliant family car and fast if you want it to be. Far less of an attraction to thieves than a Golf R despite sharing the powertrain.
Trevor555 said:
I'm sure there was someone on here recently talking about premature turbo failure on a 280
I'll try to find it.
But talk was that it wasn't a one off.
That'll be me. 4 years old, 27k miles. The actual turbo is OK, it's the actuator for the wastegate that's sticking, putting the car into limp mode unless I drive really gently. Unfortunately it looks like it needs a complete replacement, or extensive surgery to replace the dodgy bushing. Either way, it's not going to be cheap - unless I get lucky and the shaft can be freed off.I'll try to find it.
But talk was that it wasn't a one off.
I've had quotes from 5 different garages now, 3 of which said they would attempt to free off the shaft, and, if that failed, would supply and fit a replacement turbo. Assuming a new turbo is required, best price I've had is £1650 inc fitting and VAT. Main dealer wants £2400.
A Turbo Technics rebuild is just under £800 plus fitting, but none of the garages that I've tried will fit parts that don't come from their normal suppliers. I can't find anyone within an hour's drive who deals with TT.
With a bit of luck, Skoda UK will offer a goodwill payment. I've raised a case directly with them, waiting to hear back.
I think the same turbo is used on quite a few other VAG models?
Apart from the still unresolved turbo failure, the Superb 280 is a great all-rounder if you need/want a big car.
Edited by clockworks on Saturday 13th February 18:12
Edited by clockworks on Saturday 13th February 18:14
I got a 2018 280 Sportline Estate delivered last week and I'm loving it so far.
Only done a few short trips to work and a couple of blasts on dual carriageways but it's lovely to drive, albeit the suspension is slightly wallowy.
Already done an Ikea pickup that it swallowed and was still hungry, and a dump run with tonnes of cardboard and absolutely nowhere near folding the back seats down.
My wife who is about 5'10 was comfortable in the back seat behind me and I'm 6'2. Plenty space for rear facing car seat too!
Fuel economy hasn't been brilliant on the short journeys I've been doing but I'm told 30ish on average. Still very early days!
Only done a few short trips to work and a couple of blasts on dual carriageways but it's lovely to drive, albeit the suspension is slightly wallowy.
Already done an Ikea pickup that it swallowed and was still hungry, and a dump run with tonnes of cardboard and absolutely nowhere near folding the back seats down.
My wife who is about 5'10 was comfortable in the back seat behind me and I'm 6'2. Plenty space for rear facing car seat too!
Fuel economy hasn't been brilliant on the short journeys I've been doing but I'm told 30ish on average. Still very early days!
Dar_Williams said:
The turbo issue is a bit of a worry! Whichever I go for would likely be mapped at some point so the last thing I want is an underlying turbo issue being worsened!
Am I right in assuming the turbo in the Octavia 245 is different to the Superb?
Anything to be aware of on the Octavia?
Go for the 2.0T Mondeo it's as well built as both the Skoda's but a better steer than both & Mountune will map it with a warranty.Am I right in assuming the turbo in the Octavia 245 is different to the Superb?
Anything to be aware of on the Octavia?
ZX10R NIN said:
Go for the 2.0T Mondeo it's as well built as both the Skoda's but a better steer than both & Mountune will map it with a warranty.
Weren't there some engine problems relating to water getting into the liners? I seem to remember that there was a class action against Ford in the USA.catman said:
Weren't there some engine problems relating to water getting into the liners? I seem to remember that there was a class action against Ford in the USA.
Not that I've seen or heard about in relation to UK cars remember the ST uses the same engine & again not something I've heard about on those either.ZX10R NIN said:
Not that I've seen or heard about in relation to UK cars remember the ST uses the same engine & again not something I've heard about on those either.
That's interesting. I wonder whether the engine in the UK version is fundamentally different. I'm sure that I saw on a UK Ford website that they were the same. Possibly there was a fix, as the USA got the Mondeo first.I googled it again, there was indeed a lawsuit. It was about water ingress wrecking engines and Ford trying to charge for new engines.
Edited by catman on Sunday 14th February 15:58
ZX10R NIN said:
Maybe they made changes as I said it's not something that seems to be prevalent in UK cars.
Yes, I would hope so. I read of one 2016 car in the USA, that was purchased used. It ended up with water in the engine and Ford just wanted to charge him something like $10k for a new engine. Apparently they had issued many bulletins about the problem, hence the lawsuit stating that they were aware of the problem, while pretending that they didn't know anything about it.
Dar_Williams said:
The turbo issue is a bit of a worry! Whichever I go for would likely be mapped at some point so the last thing I want is an underlying turbo issue being worsened!
Am I right in assuming the turbo in the Octavia 245 is different to the Superb?
Anything to be aware of on the Octavia?
I've got a Octavia 245 and had a revo stage 1 remap done the day I bought it at the end of the lease.Am I right in assuming the turbo in the Octavia 245 is different to the Superb?
Anything to be aware of on the Octavia?
Fingers crossed its run great since new, for 3 and half years. Although I was cynical the remap was a noticeable improvement.
I was advised that the 245 has the same engine components as the Golf R, it's not just exactly the same bits and bobs as the vRS 230 with a different manufacturer remap. No idea if that's actually true, but it was of no benefit to the garage to make that up.
It's also got the fancy front diff which helps, but doesn't quite tame 300bhp + on cold damp roads.
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