Economical, sustainable cheater
Almost twelve years ago, Winand Vermeer bought a two-year-old Skoda Superb TDI with only 13,000 km on the clock. Just over 500,000 km have been added and the modest, but also infamous diesel never lets up. That does not alter the fact that all those years and kilometers take their toll, as becomes clear when judge Tim de Leeuw examines the Czech.
1,350 kilometers on a tank
While the first generation Superb still lacked a Combi, that question was more than adequately answered with number two. Lots of space was and is the hobbyhorse of Skoda and the Superb in particular. The Czech counterpart of the Passat (B7, 2010 – 2014) is 7 cm longer and has 5 cm more wheelbase than the same Volkswagen. The luggage space is the same, but the legroom for rear passengers is at extended S-class level. Winand: “I opted for a somewhat industrial approach when choosing a new car. Above all, it had to be as big as possible. A Mercedes E-class comes close in terms of space, but is much more expensive. I bought this Superb from the local brand dealer, it was imported from Belgium. This may not be such a big engine, but compared to the previous one it is smooth enough. That was a Golf 1.9 SDI, which I drove more than 400,000 km. An additional advantage of the 1.6 TDI is its low consumption. From Limburg I can cross the whole of France without refueling, all the way to Spain. My absolute record is 1,350 kilometers on a full tank. In the summer, measured during the journey from home to the office, that is a hundred kilometers one way.”
Space for camping equipment
Let’s also talk about this engine, after all, it is one of the TDIs that caused the well-known dieselgate. The cause is the cheating software that produces rosy figures during emissions measurements. If we look up the license plate of this Superb via the RDW app, we read the following under the recalls tab: ‘The software installed in these vehicles with an EA189 diesel engine may result in lower NOx values during dynamometer tests than those under the same conditions on the road would have been measured.’ The end user will not notice this, as the 1.6 TDI from Winand proves. “As mentioned, it is above all very economical and extremely spacious. Big is always useful. We once went away for a camping holiday of a few weeks and everything went into the trunk, the tarpaulin could even be closed. You place two large Samsonites on top of each other and there is still space left. The only thing I have had adjusted in that regard is the rear suspension. An extra set of auxiliary springs was installed there, it really sagged too far when fully loaded. I once considered height-adjustable springs and dampers, but that is a costly affair. On the other hand, it is nice and comfortable, which is also worth something.”
Fatigue symptoms
When inspector Tim de Leeuw enters the workshop after his test drive, Winand apologizes for the not very clean exterior of the Skoda, caused by the drive from Limburg under bad weather conditions. It also stands on its winter wheels, which are not as nice as the other set. “I had specially washed it, but you can’t see anything of it.” An idiot who pays attention to that. Such a person is Tim, who looks at every car for this section through an objective and fairly strict lens. The test drive already revealed that the Superb is showing some signs of fatigue after almost fourteen years and more than five tonnes and that cannot be blamed. At the bottom it is not only noticeable that there is plenty of room for an extra drive shaft and differential for the 4WD version, but also that the underbody has had a major overhaul. “That happened during a holiday in Sicily. Beautiful island, but the condition of the roads is appalling in places. In this case, a huge hole suddenly appeared, half of our lane had collapsed. That was a hard blow. Miraculously, it turned out not to be so bad and we were able to continue driving. And he keeps doing that, he has never let us down. The next one will be a Superb again, a diesel again and a manual transmission again. But first let me put the finishing touches on this one, in my opinion it is still worth it.”
Owner Skoda Superb
Name: Winand Vermeer
Year of construction: 1970
Place of residence: Heerlen
Occupation: Administrative
First car: Buick LeSabre
Previous car: Volkswagen Golf 1.9 SDI
What would you like to change about your car? “A little more power and a sliding roof.”
What is your longest trip with this car? “Sicily.”
Maintenance history
- Everything at the MB garage in Brunssum, Winand’s former neighbor. Remarkable: clutch, dual mass flywheel and particulate filter are still original
- Every 150,000 km timing belt + water pump, so the car now runs with the fourth timing set
- Clean oil + filter every 30,000 km
- Fuel, air and cabin filter every 60,000 km
- Rear auxiliary springs
- Fuel filter housing
- Wiring door left due to cable break
- Wheel bearings for 400,000 km
- Brake pads and discs recommended at 360,000 km
- Clean air conditioning
- Replace injectors at +/- 250,000 km
What’s wrong with it?
- Chair (backrest) is collapsed/worn
- Noise audible from the air conditioning system
- Creak audible from the front suspension when driving over speed bumps, probably from the front control arm rubbers
- Shock absorbers feel weak (both front and rear)
- Clutch engages a bit late
- Car vibrates while driving and braking at speed
- The engine cover is not properly secured
- Lots of stone chips at the front of the car, including on the air conditioning condenser
- A number of supports around the engine are not properly secured
- Fuel filter housing not properly secured and line clamp not tightened
- Front right engine mount has collapsed somewhat (dampening less well)
- Engine is greasy around the injectors and at the oil pan
- The front right intercooler hose is damaged and is rubbing against a sharp bolt on the bottom plate
- Damage to the bottom in various places
- Front tires are of moderate quality and from 2019
- The rear winter tires are worn diagonally and are less than 2.5 millimeters, these are from 2015
- Front brake discs have a considerable wear edge, pads still have 40 percent lining remaining
- Front right shock absorber sweat oil,
- Rear bumper stops and dust covers are worn/loose
- The tow bar’s socket presses against the bumper, causing the bumper to press against the tailgate, causing damage
The opinion of Carrec Technocenter
“This is clearly more of a utilitarian object than a hobby car or someone’s ‘pride & joy’. The Skoda is quite dirty, especially on the outside, and the paint is no longer in good condition. In addition, it no longer drives as it was once intended due to, among other things, a worn seat, worn shock absorbers and very bad tires. A doubtful case, especially because of the tires, just not good enough for an inch.’
– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl