Skoda Superb
Thinking of getting a Skoda Superb 2.0 TDI SE L.One owner, 9,000 on the clock. Deal offered by Skoda dealer is good and he confirms it can tow my Lunar Clubman SB (MTPLM 1450 kg). The car has minimum kerbweight of 1480kg and brochure states it has a max towing weight of 2000kg. Now, according to my reckoning,even with driver and fuel and bits in car, I would be over 90%of caravan to car ratio.
Is this a good move?
Has anyone experience of this vehicle's towing ability?
Comments
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KW 1480, MTPLM 1450 = 98% on my calculator. It’s your choice but not one I’d go for, personally.
The max towing weight of 2000 simply means it's what the car is capable of in certain predetermined conditions. It does not mean it’s sensible or safe to tow 2000 on the road.
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The car has power of 150 (ps)and torque of 251(lb/ft).I am quoting from What Car who voted it Best Buy for Executive cars.
The Caravan Club reckoner says the vehicle is OK to tow the Lunar Clubman. So who says what is right? Previous posts on this site show how many different opinions there are about what certain cars can tow or what is sensible to tow.
Cue experts on power/weight!!
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Poshman, I am not an expert. I tow a 1550 kg Challenger with a 1790kg Kerbweight Land Rover. On most roads there is never a problem, however what I would say is that on motorways, large vehicles can noticeably affect the balance of my combination. So much so when I see a coach or lorry passing I move over slightly to reduce the pushing pulling. Also in windy conditions having a heavier car will help stabilise the van.
Only you can make the decision on what you feel safe towing with. Can I ask what you are towing with at the moment and the ratio. Mine at the moment is about 86%
Ken
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I have towed with a skoda superb estate for the last 5 years. It is a 170bhp 4x4 version. We tow a bailey gt65 Verona which comes in at 1450.
The 4x4 version comes in at a higher weight and I did a lot of research before buying and as result worked out that we would be towing at around 87%. I recall that Skoda didn’t include the drivers weight in the kerbside weight.
The car tows very well and I would recommend it highly but I would go for the more powerful engine.
I am looking to move mine on but it is a 2012 model but with very high specification!
Happy to answer any more questions
jon
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Currently towing very comfortably with a Kia Sorento so ratio is about 75%. Sometimes get some buffeting from a passing lorry on a motorway but that has always been the case over 40 years of towing a caravan.
Bit of a dilemma now deciding if the Superb is the right choice to tow my Clubman even though the Caravan and Motorhome Club says it is an acceptable pairing.
Can anyone steer me in the right direction? Failing that, opinions welcomed!
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I’ve no doubt that in the flatlands of Norfolk, the Superb you describe will do the job, PM. For towing elsewhere, I’d be looking at another Sorento or the 4x4 Superb described by Snooky at the very least.
That's my opinion but only you can find the right way to go for you.
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You may be surprised to learn , Tinwheeler, that we have hills in Norfolk too. Ever seen the Beeston Bump!
Snooky's views are appreciated and understood but a Superb 4x4 version or another new Sorento would set me back another 10k - shame to deny the grandkids what may come their way.
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Exactly, it’s a ‘bump’. Yes, I have been to Norfolk many times and our fuel consumption always improves greatly in East Anglia because it’s so flat.
You asked for advice and mine is to live for the day and have a car that will definitely do the job. Does it have to be brand new? Buying an inadequate one and having to change again could well cost more in the long run.
As I said at the beginning, it’s your choice but I get the feeling you made up your mind before you posted here. 🙂
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spend your money and leave them the car and van.
I would ask the dealer to show you the V5C doc and find the exact kerbweight/mass in running weight and work from that. just multiply that by .85 and there's the recommended 85% match you need but seeing you have towed before you can go to 100% but still risky. No car has a minimum or maximum kerbweight but they do have a maximum axle load weight which you should not go over.0 -
most manufacturers don't put a kerbweight on the v5c anymore but do put a mass in running weight. This was taken from google.----
Mass in Service includes 75kg for the driver which kerbweight does not do. Kerbweight is no longer a term that has any relevance in the vehicle industry, but it is still referred to by the general public and caravan clubs, etc.
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The thought that 150bhp isn’t enough to tow a 1450kg up a hill is frankly ridiculous. I am sure it is more than enough. For the record I have 190 Superb Estate, which I don’t tow with but as a solo car it is great. But in truth the 190hp engine in 2 wheel drive guise is too powerful. It is easy enough to unstick the front wheels even in dry conditions. If you are happy with the weight ratio and if it’s what you want then go for it. I’m sure there will be better towcars out their but you are looking for an overall package.
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Have a look in the manual for the Superb weights.
http://manual.skoda-auto.com/004/en-com/Model/Superb_3V
My manual is very clear about the weight in the technical section of my handbook, no mention of kerbweight only 'unloaded weight ready for work' 1,495kg which is the same as the V5C mass in service, Octavia Estate 2.0TDi 4x4. Tows very well and stable at 88% ratio or 92% which the clubs matching service says.
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Skoda Superb 2.0 TDI SE L is a decent tow car Poshman, as long as you are not going to tour with your outfit extensively in the North of England or in Scotland. You could find yourself struggling on the hilly parts of the journey. It should be fine for your area. Best of luck with your choice.
K
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Thanks to Boff and to Kennine for your reassurances about the Superb. As I will be using the car solo for 90 per cent of the time and the Lunar will only be behind it for the other 10 percent, I am mindful of not letting the tail wag the dog. Could always get a lighter van if need be!
Would hope to go further than within my county (where we do have hills!) but, like most, have always tried to avoid steep gradients. Should be OK going to Brittany and Cornwall and Hawes etc!
Think I am going for this Skoda deal which comes with a host of extra gizmos including reversing camera.
Thanks everyone for your views/comments. Now I will have to search for a decent towbar fitting company in West Norfolk.Any recommendations?
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After posting, I did a couple of quick back of an envelope calculation and for 8 years until July this year we towed with a combination that was down at arround 40hp per tonne and we managed without problem.
Specfically wrt Skoda there is a good forum call briskoda might be worth checking out If you can get a car with the folding towball they are good and I don’t think add anything to the resale value A personal opinion I wouldn’t consider towing with a manual box ( I have and I can) but life is too short. The other “gadget” that I love is Adaptive cruise control ACC. It’s just magic!
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Thanks to Boff and to Kennine for your reassurances about the Superb
I wouldn't attach too much importance to a reassurance from K, it will be a completely different vehicle/caravan/motorhome that he recommends by next week/tommorow/5 o'clock.......
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Hi
We have been caravanning for 16+ years, both around the UK and in France and Spain, usually towing about 5k miles per annum. We currently tow a Coachman Pastiche 460 (MPTLM 1350kg) with a 16 plate Superb III SLE Estate 190 manual. For the previous 5 years I had a 2010 Superb II estate 170. They have both been excellent tow-cars. There is plenty of power and torque when you need it and they are extremely stable, even in some vigorous side winds.
There can be some confusion about ‘kerbweights’ with Skodas. The brochure quotes a ‘kerbweight’ without a driver, whereas the owners manual quotes an‘operating weight’, which includes 75 kg for the driver. (The two do tally.). The latter operating weight including a driver should be used as the ‘kerbweight’ for matching purposes.
With the 170 we towed a Coachman Pastiche 460/2, which had a MPTLM of 1420kg, which was a 92% match. I never had any indication of instability (and I tend to tow fairly briskly). I believe that the Superbs are particularly stable towcars, which has contributed to them winning towcar awards on several occasions. Thus it is probably safe to exceed the 85% recommendation by a margin.
As regards the two different diesel engines in the Mark III Superb (150bhp and 190bhp), many on the Briskoda forum believe that the only real difference in practice is power at higher revs, which you will hardly ever use when towing. Thus I am pretty certain that the 150, like the 190 we own, will have the guts to tow your van anywhere with panache, as ours has done.
Go for it.
Cheers
Paul RT
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Cheers
Paul R T
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