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Thread: Audi S4 Avant vs Skoda Superb Sportline 280 4*4

  1. #1
    Master smokey99's Avatar
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    Audi S4 Avant vs Skoda Superb Sportline 280 4*4

    This might not seem like a fair fight but if you could afford a lightly used S4 Avant albeit at £7-8K more than the Superb is it a no brainer?

    I'm already slightly worried about buyers remorse before I've even gone for the Audi as I'm not naturally a big spender on cars but really fancied treating myself to something other than a watch.

    Skoda is well specc'd with Pano Sunroof, Keyless entry, electric seats and power tailgate and new version has great infotainment screen. 280BHp is no slouch at 0 to 60 mph in sub 6 secs but presumably left in the dust by the S4 and its 354BHP Quattro system.

    I've been out in Skoda 220 TSI and was impressed with that and assume 280 will be more of the same but more fun? Granted its biased towards comfort and refinement but still 'fun'.

    I'm due to test the S4 on Friday and can always make a decision then but still curious if anyone has driven or owns either car?

    Cheers.

  2. #2
    Admittedly not driven either but re your buyer's remorse, do take into account that with you buying a lightly used S4 that you'll have clipped off the most steep point in its depreciation curve whereas you'd swallow that with the Skoda. Add whatever other man maths to that to make you go for the S4!

  3. #3
    Grand Master Onelasttime's Avatar
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    Superb's more of an A6 so if you need enough room in the back to fit a whole kid's football team, plus their mums and dads, then get the Superb.

    Otherwise, I can't help thinking the S4 will be so much more fun to drive.

    I've owned a Superb, albeit not the 280, and on the motorways here and Europe, it's a dream, but once you start getting on more 'intimate' roads it becomes the barge that it really is. As I say, this wasn't the 280 4 x 4 but was a remapped 1.9 with 230 BHP and 300+ torque and lowered Eibach suspension. No slouch, but no S4 either.

  4. #4
    Master smokey99's Avatar
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    One of the reasons for the change is that we are likely to be doing more continental holidays and thinking that the Superb would be better for filling the car and driving for 8-10 hours to ski resorts and German campsites.

    That said the Audi will hardly be a wrong choice. Just less roomy?

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  5. #5
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    You can remap that Audi engine to over 400hp.

    That alone should make your decision an easy one :-)

  6. #6
    I have the S4 saloon and it is awesome, it holds the road like nothing else and is quicker than they say it is. The car is crazy quick in Dynamic with sports gearbox selected. I had an S8 before and this feels as quick.

  7. #7
    Grand Master number2's Avatar
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    The roads in the UK seem to be getting worse, how firm is the S4 suspension, for long days driving (we've done Spain and Southern France) I'd want good seats, plenty of kit, enough oomph when required and a suspension set up that didn't rattle my teeth.
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  8. #8
    Grand Master Onelasttime's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by number2 View Post
    The roads in the UK seem to be getting worse, how firm is the S4 suspension, for long days driving (we've done Spain and Southern France) I'd want good seats, plenty of kit, enough oomph when required and a suspension set up that didn't rattle my teeth.
    Superb then

  9. #9
    I had a 2016 A4 avant and it wasn’t exactly massive as an estate car.
    No comments on the power/fun etc. but I’d go for quick over comfort as I have never grown up ;)


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  10. #10
    Master smokey99's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by number2 View Post
    The roads in the UK seem to be getting worse, how firm is the S4 suspension, for long days driving (we've done Spain and Southern France) I'd want good seats, plenty of kit, enough oomph when required and a suspension set up that didn't rattle my teeth.
    I've heard it's surprisingly subtle considering the performance tag.

    My slight concern is that I'll love the S4 for a few months and then wish I'd got something more balanced in terms of performance/comfort/space.

    £450 a year VED is another kick in the teeth when buying a used car!

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  11. #11
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    Have you looked at the BMW 330D or better still the 335D Estate X drive - there looks to be some low mileage cars around with BM dealers for around £30k

  12. #12
    Grand Master Dave+63's Avatar
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    I’d go for the Superb in your position but then I’m in my fifties now and prefer comfort/economy over performance that you can hardly ever use.

    In fact I’ve just traded my old E220 estate for a newer E250 estate.

  13. #13
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    I have an A4 Avant S-Line and wish I'd got the Superb. The A4 is ok, but simply never feels "roomy".

    My only gripe with the Superb was that some of the trim feels a bit cheap which is not an accusation you can ever really level at a top spec Audi

  14. #14
    Master smokey99's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by BillN View Post
    Have you looked at the BMW 330D or better still the 335D Estate X drive - there looks to be some low mileage cars around with BM dealers for around £30k
    I love the idea of a 330d/335d touring x Drive but that boot shape always looks too compromised to me.

    And I've not driven one but seem plenty of comments about harsh ride on the run flats but maybe be exaggerated?

    Though as its that bit older than A4/S4 I'm more likely to favour the newer model.

  15. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by smokey99 View Post
    I love the idea of a 330d/335d touring x Drive but that boot shape always looks too compromised to me.

    And I've not driven one but seem plenty of comments about harsh ride on the run flats but maybe be exaggerated?

    Though as its that bit older than A4/S4 I'm more likely to favour the newer model.
    You don't have to buy the M Sport - there is a Luxury model - and most dealers will change the run flats for you if you push

    The 335 is a rocket ship, and then of course there is the 535 Estate
    Last edited by BillN; 16th April 2018 at 15:58.

  16. #16
    I've had an 272 bhp A4 Allroad for the last few months after coming from a 150 bhp Superb Estate.

    Every longish journey we have been on, both me and my wife have said the Superb was the better car. Their just isn't the room in the back of the A4 and the extra performance of the Allroad is hardly ever noticeable.

    The Superb really is that good a car.

  17. #17
    I think it all comes down to whether you would use the room.

    I would prefer to live with the Audi day to day.
    It's just a matter of time...

  18. #18
    Master smokey99's Avatar
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    All very good points.

    We've got two growing boys (12 and 14) as well as a dog who sometimes does the long journeys as well.

    I'm coming from an Octavia VRS Estate and do like the space but sometimes feels we use because it's there.

    I can myself getting a lot of pleasure from owning and driving the S4 but the nagging concern is that rear space will be only just OK.

    At this rate I may as well just get the VRS remapped and stick a vinyl wrap on it and will be like a new car!

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  19. #19
    Master smokey99's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by BillN View Post
    You don't have to buy the M Sport - there is a Luxury model - and most dealers will change the run flats for you if you push

    The 335 is a rocket ship, and then of course there is the 535 Estate
    And whilst I much prefer the M Sport in terms of looks your post did persuade me to have a quick look on Autotrader.

    There is a lovely 330d X Drive Luxury for sale at Park Lane BMW with a fantastic spec.

    Suspect that boot is still too small and rear seats no better than S4 but lovely looking thing for £30k.

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  20. #20
    Grand Master Foxy100's Avatar
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    You probably already know this:

    http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/best-ca...r-2017-results

    The Audi is there, about 75% of the way down.

    Any idea what S4 running and servicing costs are compared to the Skoda or does it not matter?
    "A man of little significance"

  21. #21
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    Quote Originally Posted by BillN View Post
    Have you looked at the BMW 330D or better still the 335D Estate X drive - there looks to be some low mileage cars around with BM dealers for around £30k
    Ok until the cam chain snaps...

  22. #22
    Master smokey99's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Foxy100 View Post
    You probably already know this:

    http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/best-ca...r-2017-results

    The Audi is there, about 75% of the way down.

    Any idea what S4 running and servicing costs are compared to the Skoda or does it not matter?
    Yes thanks. Well aware of these tables and being a Skoda driver I'm a fan already and can concur that its being a near faultless experience in 3 and half years.

    Though I'm slightly cynical of these surveys to some degree as they presumably reflect peoples expectations as much as their experiences.

    Running costs are of interest but not a deal breaker.....and I'd expect a S4 Avant to hold its value very well so they may well balance out.

  23. #23
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    I have both a Superb and an A4 Avant in my company fleet - if size matters then there's only one choice really. The A4 isn't big at all, the Superb on the other hand is enormous inside. Huge boot and the rear leg room is incredible.

  24. #24
    Grand Master Saint-Just's Avatar
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    I had the chance to use a S-Line A5 for a week last month. The car was brand new. Many things were very good indeed. But the comfort on every road that was not completely smooth saw the car reacting quite harshly, to the point that I had to stop to check my tyres, too.
    'Against stupidity, the gods themselves struggle in vain' - Schiller.

  25. #25
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    Very good point, I find the A4 S-Line ok, but the A3 S-Line I had required a spine made of granite the ride was that harsh. Make sure you check out the S4 ride comfort first

  26. #26
    Grand Master TaketheCannoli's Avatar
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    The Audi is very well finished but I was very surprised how little interior space it had. If your lads are tall and there’s ever three in the back then the two at the doors are going to be bending their necks inwards as it’s low in the roof line above the doors.

    The Skoda isn’t as refined but it’s a bloody big car. My brother until recently had the A6 Avant and even that’s smaller inside than the Skoda.

    The taxi company I use for work has a Superb in its fleet and the rear leg room is phenomenal, even bigger than a 7 series.
    Last edited by TaketheCannoli; 16th April 2018 at 19:01.

  27. #27
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    Just for clarification on the 330d MSport XDrive Touring it doesn’t have the normal lowered sport suspension and is much softer than the A5 SLine but for me the handling isn’t much different so for day to day driving is much more comfortable and the seats are also more comfortable especially on long journeys.

  28. #28
    Master smokey99's Avatar
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    My boys are not particularly tall so they'll not need the full room a Superb offers. I'm only an average 5'9 and so that keeps rear leg room behind me more reasonable.

    Still slightly surprised that the majority of responses have been in favour of Superb. Though I guess that's a reflection of how good it is for the money.

    Will be interesting to know the average age of respondees.

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  29. #29
    Master smokey99's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by SeePee View Post
    Just for clarification on the 330d MSport XDrive Touring it doesn’t have the normal lowered sport suspension and is much softer than the A5 SLine but for me the handling isn’t much different so for day to day driving is much more comfortable and the seats are also more comfortable especially on long journeys.
    Ok thanks for that. Interesting.

    Is that an X Drive thing or a Touring thing as I assumed they all came with the same M Sport lowered springs?


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  30. #30
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    Can I throw in a wild card if your into driving?


    Check out the Volvo V60 polestar if you want something a bit special in an estate car. Sold in very limited numbers, polestar took the t6 3.0 base car and added a hybrid turbo, 370mm Brembos, Ohlins fully adjustable suspension, pilot super sports, very un-volvo like switchable exhaust etc etc etc. The raw numbers are good but the way the car goes down a road is fabulous, you can tell it has been designed and built by proper enthusiasts. Practical enough for a pram and all associated gubbins, yet not out of place at any track or cars and coffee meet. A 7m51s nurburgring time shows how serous this car is, up there with the latest m4.

    Available lightly used a couple of years old for 30k or 2018 basically new for 40k.

    Not a car for the badge snobs, but if you enjoy a good b road in the evening, take a test drive. Mpg is ok, late 20's. Tyres are the biggest expense at £250 per corner.



  31. #31
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    Personally I’d buy the superb without hesitation the A4 is essentially the same size as your Octavia vrs (I’ve owned octavia and A4) when we had the Audi wished I’d bought the superb instead.

  32. #32
    Master smokey99's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by bootneck View Post
    Personally I’d buy the superb without hesitation the A4 is essentially the same size as your Octavia vrs (I’ve owned octavia and A4) when we had the Audi wished I’d bought the superb instead.
    You're probably right but being the same as the Octavia isn't a bad thing. I'm not necessarily after bigger just more refined and if it's a little faster as well then great. But then size will often help the refinement point.

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  33. #33
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    Quote Originally Posted by smokey99 View Post
    Ok thanks for that. Interesting.

    Is that an X Drive thing or a Touring thing as I assumed they all came with the same M Sport lowered springs?


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    I’m not sure,the Touring is definately higher and softer but not sure about the saloon.

  34. #34
    Quote Originally Posted by smokey99 View Post
    You're probably right but being the same as the Octavia isn't a bad thing. I'm not necessarily after bigger just more refined and if it's a little faster as well then great. But then size will often help the refinement point.

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    Buy the s4 it’ll feel more of a treat
    The running costs slightly higher but I’m thinking will hold its money more?

    I’m considering the s4 saloon myself at the mo as opposed to a tdi type 3.0 thing

    I’m not needing an estate but the Audi has the looks and status

  35. #35
    Master WarrenVrs's Avatar
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    V8 S4? Walk away.

    The chap that looks after my octavia vrs is an audi/vw specialist. I asked him about the various S4 generations, as I'm looking at the later 3l supercharged version.

    He's had multiple V8 versions come through that have ended up being stripped and scrapped due to the timing chain system. If it starts to fail, it's basically jammed up against the bulkhead. Basically, remove the entire front end. Several thousand to fix.

    https://jalopnik.com/here-s-why-the-...car-1676466510

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  36. #36
    Grand Master GraniteQuarry's Avatar
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    A spanking new Superb for around £29k would be my choice if it was to be a keeper for a few years doing Euro runs.

  37. #37
    Master WarrenVrs's Avatar
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    Just re read the first post, 7k more than the superb (not 7k total!), so I'm guessing it's the later car.

    Bomb proof motor according to the specialist mentioned, even with a remap etc.

    Brilliant cars, very underrated.

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  38. #38
    Master smokey99's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by WarrenVrs View Post
    Just re read the first post, 7k more than the superb (not 7k total!), so I'm guessing it's the later car.

    Bomb proof motor according to the specialist mentioned, even with a remap etc.

    Brilliant cars, very underrated.

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    Yes it's the B9 3.0 litre.

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  39. #39
    Of the two cars, I would go with the Superb. The cabin is a lot bigger which will be great for longer journeys. I would also consider the new Skoda Kodiak.

  40. #40
    Master vagabond's Avatar
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    I'd also go with the Superb.

    With 280bhp it's not exactly going to be slow, though obviously not as potent as the S4. Your boys are getting to the age when they might grow 3-4 inches in height over the next couple of years and that extra rear legroom will be appreciated by everyone. Plus I believe that the Superb is the better "cruiser" and probably ideal for the usage profile you have described - I've been in both but not driven either. Whilst the Superb is really nice place to sit in, it doesn't quite match the Audi for feel-good factor. On the plus side the new model Superb does look really nice (imho) whilst keeping all the practical features of the previous model, which was very plain looking but a hugely practical car.
    Last edited by vagabond; 16th April 2018 at 22:34.

  41. #41
    Master smokey99's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Phil Lee View Post
    Of the two cars, I would go with the Superb. The cabin is a lot bigger which will be great for longer journeys. I would also consider the new Skoda Kodiak.
    I've been in the Kodiaq but as nice as it was it's really quite frumpy looking unless you get the Sportline trim and then it's too expensive at the moment being so new.

    And on balance, I'm assuming that the Superb is probably a better car to drive at speed......

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  42. #42
    Master -Ally-'s Avatar
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    S4 would be my choice, they are lovely and you’ll be less likely to be mistaken for a taxi driver.

  43. #43
    Master smokey99's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by -Ally- View Post
    S4 would be my choice, they are lovely and you’ll be less likely to be mistaken for a taxi driver.
    Not many Dragon Skin green taxis around.

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  44. #44
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    S4. No contest. No comparison.

  45. #45
    Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by -Ally- View Post
    S4 would be my choice, they are lovely and you’ll be less likely to be mistaken for a taxi driver.
    Not the case anymore. Taxi drivers are moving away from Skoda’s because they are becoming too expensive. There are far cheaper alternatives out there now.

  46. #46
    I've toyed with the idea of Superb as Golf-R estate goes back in 6 months (or maybe sooner if I can find an alternative), quite tuneable too if you want...https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=1688002

  47. #47
    Quote Originally Posted by smokey99 View Post

    £450 a year VED is another kick in the teeth when buying a used car!
    Once I discovered the £40k point for the higher tax was rated on the list price of the car with accessories (rather than just the car or just the selling price), the Superb 280 in the spec I wanted was going to cost me £2315 in VED over 5 years. The smaller engined variants come in at £725 for the same period.

    Two weeks ago I had my heart set on a well specified Dragon Skin Green 280 Estate. After running the figures, I bought an equally well specified 150 and saved about £10k over a projected 5 year ownership.

    OK, it won't be as exciting, but I also have an MX5. And a motorbike.

    For info, I also got over £8k off list which helped.

  48. #48
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    Pistonheads ran a long term Suberb estate in the same spec IIRC, and they had really positive things to say about it. Having read what they had to say, I was seriously impressed by its all round capabilities.

  49. #49
    Meant to add, if looking at an earlier 280 used, they are a bit thin on the ground, but can be had with £190 a year VED (or £30 for the 150)

  50. #50
    Master smokey99's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Gyp View Post
    Meant to add, if looking at an earlier 280 used, they are a bit thin on the ground, but can be had with £190 a year VED (or £30 for the 150)
    It’s odd that when looking at a £37k car you’d be concerned about another £310 a year as if it’s some kind of deal breaker.

    Maybe it’s a sign that I’m not ready for the extra running costs of an Audi and I should stick with Skoda leaving more money for overpriced watches.


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