Skoda superb 1.4

[Speed addicted]

I’ve been idly browsing potential pickup replacements, and think if I do go for something more car shaped that the Skoda Superb would be worth a serious look.

As our local city is going down the ulez route I thought a petrol might be the way forward.

Anyone got real world experience of the 1.4 superb or Octavia? It seems to be quite a small engine for a large car.

The obvious choice would be the 2.0 diesel, I’ll need auto
and 4x4 plus the ability to tow. The only reason not to get the diesel is the ulez but I don’t need to go there often anyway.

[georgeyboy12345]

Be wary if going auto, I think the 1.4s had the crappy dry clutch dq200 DSG gearbox

[Roger Irrelevant]

There are loads of ULEZ-compliant diesel Superbs out there, if I wasn't going to be going into the ULEZ that often and needed to tow then (budget permitting) I'd be looking at those.

Edit: like this, looks a great bit of kit: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206096...

Edited by Roger Irrelevant on Monday 13th June 09:27

[Shrugging for victory]

I owned a 2014 1.4tsi and it was a short tenure as this engine was a PITA. There was a known issue with the water pump squealing and it spent quite a bit of time at the dealer not getting rectified (was under warranty). It had 3 water pumps and a few alternators, so I got rid before the warranty ran out.
Google 1.4 tsi caxa squeal for the issue.
Other than the cack engine issue, the car was brilliant, and an absolute joy to drive and massive (I had previously owned Octavias).

[trevalvole]

Speed addicted said:

I’ve been idly browsing potential pickup replacements, and think if I do go for something more car shaped that the Skoda Superb would be worth a serious look.

As our local city is going down the ulez route I thought a petrol might be the way forward.

Anyone got real world experience of the 1.4 superb or Octavia? It seems to be quite a small engine for a large car.

The obvious choice would be the 2.0 diesel, I’ll need auto
and 4x4 plus the ability to tow. The only reason not to get the diesel is the ulez but I don’t need to go there often anyway.

As gb says, I suspect the 1.4TSI has the dry-clutch box. It also wouldn't surprise me if the FWD 1.8TSI had it too. Can you get a 4WD Superb or Octavia with a 1.4TSI engine - my recollection is 1.8TSI, 2.0TSI (and 3.6) plus the diesels? On all the petrol TSI engines, do your homework on the exact version of the engine you are looking at, as some of the earlier ones had loads of problems and it is possible that Skoda used them for longer than other VAG brands.

[Speed addicted]

Shrugging for victory said:

I owned a 2014 1.4tsi and it was a short tenure as this engine was a PITA. There was a known issue with the water pump squealing and it spent quite a bit of time at the dealer not getting rectified (was under warranty). It had 3 water pumps and a few alternators, so I got rid before the warranty ran out.
Google 1.4 tsi caxa squeal for the issue.
Other than the cack engine issue, the car was brilliant, and an absolute joy to drive and massive (I had previously owned Octavias).

Well that not ideal! Back to diesel it is.

Roger Irrelevant said:

There are loads of ULEZ-compliant diesel Superbs out there, if I wasn't going to be going into the ULEZ that often and needed to tow then (budget permitting) I'd be looking at those.

Edit: like this, looks a great bit of kit: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206096...

Edited by Roger Irrelevant on Monday 13th June 09:27

That does look good, possibly a bit more than I’d like to spend though.
I’ll continue to ponder, I may well end up keeping the bouncy and slow pickup for a while longer as it is extremely handy.

Edited by Speed addicted on Monday 13th June 09:41

[Speed addicted]

trevalvole said:

As gb says, I suspect the 1.4TSI has the dry-clutch box. It also wouldn't surprise me if the FWD 1.8TSI had it too. Can you get a 4WD Superb or Octavia with a 1.4TSI engine - my recollection is 1.8TSI, 2.0TSI (and 3.6) plus the diesels? On all the petrol TSI engines, do your homework on the exact version of the engine you are looking at, as some of the earlier ones had loads of problems and it is possible that Skoda used them for longer than other VAG brands.

Ah, just gone back to autotrader and ticked the four wheel drive box. The 1.4 isn’t an option anyway!
4x4 Is something I really can’t do without, same for auto.

So looking at things like this 2013 2.0 diesel https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205266...

[Roger Irrelevant]

Speed addicted said:

So looking at things like this 2013 2.0 diesel https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205266...

That's very similar to my brother's car and he really likes it. If I didn't need a modicum of off-road ability (i.e. decent ground clearance) - I'd probably have something similar myself.

You mentioned Octavias in your original post. An Octavia Scout might fit the bill - I did consider these myself before plumping for an XC70. There's not many about but as I understand it they are rated highly by owners. The downside of that is that you don't get many up for sale. This one looks good to me:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204124...

...and it appears to be the 190 bhp version which isn't slow either.

[Glosphil]

georgeyboy12345 said:

Be wary if going auto, I think the 1.4s had the crappy dry clutch dq200 DSG gearbox

Crappy? Why?

[Speed addicted]

Roger Irrelevant said:

That's very similar to my brother's car and he really likes it. If I didn't need a modicum of off-road ability (i.e. decent ground clearance) - I'd probably have something similar myself.

You mentioned Octavias in your original post. An Octavia Scout might fit the bill - I did consider these myself before plumping for an XC70. There's not many about but as I understand it they are rated highly by owners. The downside of that is that you don't get many up for sale. This one looks good to me:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204124...

...and it appears to be the 190 bhp version which isn't slow either.

The xc70 is also on the potential list, but they seem a bit spendy compared to the Skoda.
I’d probably go for a superb rather than an Octavia simply to get child seats into the back without affecting front passenger space.
I was in a superb taxi a couple of weeks ago and the space available really amazed me, even compared to my truck and the wife’s discovery sport.

Some ground clearance would be useful, the pickup has been great for not needing to worry about where I take it or the weather conditions. Living in the sticks really changes how you look at cars!

I’ll have another look at xc70s too

[ninjag]

Glosphil said:

georgeyboy12345 said:

Be wary if going auto, I think the 1.4s had the crappy dry clutch dq200 DSG gearbox

Crappy? Why?

I think there were reliability issues, perhaps down to increased wear due to the lack of lubrication and increased friction.

[Shappers24]

Whilst it sounds like your requirements have moved you past the 1.4; I had one as a hire car few years back with the DSG box. Covered best part of 300 miles with it and found the engine to be fine. Never felt gutless and returned a decent MPG. It surprised me as on the face of it a Superb is a big old car and it’s not a massively powerful engine.

[Jeenyus161]

Sorry if I'm over simplifying this - if you like the Superb, but are worried about ground clearance - can you not replace the suspension and raise the ride height?

You could also look at the A6 Allroad:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-search?postcode=s...

[irc]

I have a 2018 1.4tsi 150hp Superb estate. Adequate performance even when 4 adults on board. 52mpg on long runs at 60 to 65. Measured brim to brim not computer.

At 4 years old the only fault so far was rattling brake discs at front fixed under warranty with shim kit.

You don't need to rev it to make progress. Only caveat is I,m not sure a diesel wouldn't be the vetter option if you need to tow.

As for waterpump issues the range changed at 2015 onwards so post 2014 these may no longer be a problem. Worth asking on Briskoda?

Edited by irc on Monday 13th June 12:35

Edited by irc on Monday 13th June 15:59

[Speed addicted]

Jeenyus161 said:

Sorry if I'm over simplifying this - if you like the Superb, but are worried about ground clearance - can you not replace the suspension and raise the ride height?

You could also look at the A6 Allroad:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-search?postcode=s...

I’m not up for modifying, I’d just have to be more cautious!

I swore no more Audis after a particularly poor Q7, they sell at a premium over the Skoda that I just don’t believe they’re worth. Although yes the all road would fit the bill as a slightly jacked up estate car.

I must admit I was surprised to see a 1.4 in something the size of the superb, my motorbikes a 1.2 (but without turbo) and produces similar power.

[Unwize]

An A6 has a lot less space in the boot and rear seat area than a Superb. If Skoda U.K had bothered to import the Scout version it would have been my perfect practical car.

[ZX10R NIN]

If you want a 4x4 that's ULEZ compliant then there's the Infiniti EX (not as much space as the Superb but you can fold the seats down) which is ULEZ/CAZ compliant:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110088...

Or the FX but these are £600 tax both have a torquey 3.0d which will make towing a breeze:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204224...

Or there's the Insignia CT which is also ULEZ/CAZ compliant as well as being AWD & Auto:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202252...