The car has now been with us for slightly more than a year. It has done close to 8500KM in the same interval. Frankly I was not expecting the car to be used to that extent (being a big NA petrol). In fact only the diesel polo did more in the last year (the workhorse in the family at odd 30,000km+ a year). My dad rarely takes the vRS on long drives owing to the MT. His major mileage was with the Vento TSI, and the Superb has taken over from the Vento these days.
Initially he was not happy with the odd niggles in the Superb, the warning lights it would give out and some other mechanical issues. Soon they were attended to one by one over the period of a year and he gained confidence in the car. We never had chauffeurs for our cars and dad insists on driving himself. He has been quite happy with the Superb in that regard. While he hardly makes uses of the power on tap, the comfortable seats, the planted suspension and sure-footed braking inspires confidence in him more than the Vento does. In KL highway speeds, the car returns a respectable 9.5-10.5kmpl FE also which is only marginally lesser than what we would have got from the Laura.
Over a period of one year, below are the likes and dislikes:
Likes:
The power on tap, brakes, suspension setup, boot space, rear legroom, 6-cylinder refinement, the sense of luxury without snob value and sleeper performance that catches premium germans off guard.
Dislikes: Low profile tyres - Stock 225/45 R17 tyres in the combination with near 2000kg weight and our road conditions doesn't go well. The lighter Audi A4 rather had better stock tyre profile. Already lost two tyres to sidewall bulges that were caused by pothole impacts that would have been perfectly fine on our Laura.
Headlight output - is a joke for being bi-xenon setup with extra halogen for high beams. Still haven't figured out whether it is just our car or a general case with Mk2 Superbs.
Issued faced during previous year:
1)Noisy wheel bearing:It was not really a fault of the car alone. The wheel which took an impact (sidewall damage to tyre also) also needed the bearing to be replaced later on due to a droning sound that was generated at higher speeds. Post #47
2)Sidewall damage to tyres: Already explained above, 225/45 R17 is too low a profile for the car that weighs this much and for our road conditions. Should have gone for 225/50 R17, which also has more options.
3)ABS wheel speed sensors failing: Lost two wheel speed sensor to corrosion. A common problem with both Laura and Superb, especially low mileage ones along the coastal areas. Posts #45 & #47
4)Fault with ABS control module:
This was the major problem encountered in the 1 year ownership. There was a particular error that got recorded in the ABS control module ('01130 - ABS operation Implausible signal') each time the ABS module had to kick in which included both ABS intervention as well that of Traction control / ESP. Along with ABS, TPMS & ESP/TCS warning lights, the brake warning symbol (in red) also starts to flash which basically is asking you to stop the car immediately and seek help. Ironically, once the vehicle is shut-off and restarted the warnings go away and you can drive away normally till the next instance where the module has to intervene to assist you (or it thinks it needs to).
When the module was run through its various individual output tests (using factory as well as aftermarket diagnostic scan tools), it worked perfectly fine. I initially suspected the problem to be of an electrical fault or even a faulty wheel bearing, especially since it was not easy to replicate the error. Once I identified the pattern, I had to accept the dealer's suggestion of replacing the entire ABS module (hydraulic block + electronic control module).
01130 - ABS operation Implausible signal: This thread gave me a fair idea of the problem. It was common across a number of ABS modules made during 2009/10 and the only solution was to replace the module. A new module costs approx
Rs 1.4 lakh from the ASC. I was adamant of not spending that much money on the car at this stage. On the flip side, the car effectively wouldn't provide the safety net of ABS/ESP when it would be actually needed, so it was a safety concern too that had to be addressed.
As they say, being resourceful is key to having good experience owning VW/Skoda in India. I searched around and understood that ABS control module refurbishing is quite a common thing in EU. For as low as odd 10-14k INR, one could send over a faulty ABS module, have it refurbished and use with a life-time warranty for the job. Shipping over the control unit to EU was not an option for me. So I got an already refurbished ABS control unit from ebay.de, that also came with two year warranty. A new unit from ASC also had only 2yr warranty on it, and the
refurbished unit at Rs.18.5k was a steal compared to Rs. 1.4 lakh we would have had to cough up at the ASC.
The package arrived to my address in Netherlands and I was quite impressed with how well the shipment had been packed. As a periodic service was nearing, I also got a set of 6 NGK Laser Iridium OE equivalent spark plugs with me. FSI/TSI engines essentially have long life spark plugs in them. It is recommended to replace them during the 6th year service only if the car has done less 90,000KM (as i remember reading). With our fuel quality those EU recommendations may not be applicable. I understood that the spark plugs for the 3.6 is different from other VW engines and it would thus take its own sweet time to arrive if ordered through ASC. It would have also costed approx 15k through the ASC for 6 plugs. Once again, purchased 6 plugs from ebay.de at a cost Rs.6k.
Effectively, by doing proper research, I could save 9k from the scheduled service bill (spark plugs) and a whopping Rs 1.2 lakh with a refurbished ABS module. I carried both of them during my trip to India. I had already informed the ASC about getting refurbished ABS module and needed their help in fixing it. ABS module replacement is not a simple plug and play. The brake lines have to be bled thoroughly and adaptation of the module also has to be performed (similar to the case when fuel injectors are replaced) and this required their factory scan tools. The ASC agreed to perform the job.
The NGK Laser Iridium Spark Plugs (OE equivalent, NGK supplies for TSI/FSI engines too)
The well packed ABS control module
The warranty label
245 euros for a refurbished unit with 2 year warranty
During the periodic service, spark plugs however weren't replaced since they lacked the special tool for removing ignition coil. So that would be at a later date. Periodic oil/filter replacements were done and the bill came approx Rs 12.5k.
I let some of the labour charges slip by cause the ASC willing to install the refurbished unit is a big plus for me. The same was charged to me separately via an invoice of Rs.2000. Thus net cost of ABS module (refurbished part) plus labour (replacement, brake bleeding, adaptation) came to Rs. 20,500, against a possible Rs 1.4lakh resolution that ASC could officially suggest.
The periodic service bills (Rs 12.5k + 6k for spark plugs sourced separately)
As predicted last year, it is the unforeseen failure of these control modules, wheel bearing etc that will burn a hole through the pocket. Hope there aren't any major scares left. Overall, everyone in the family and friends circle are quite fond of the car, for its comfort, performance and being a steal in the used-car market. I don't foresee the Mk3 Superb 2.0TSI 280PS 4x4 hitting our shores any time soon, nor its Passat equivalent. This car is likely to continue as a unique proposition.