[vredesbyrd]

I have a dream. A dream that a car will be brutally fast, efficient, great handler and an off-roader.
But dreams are meant to be broken (at least for most), so why not pick a side?
Out of the two great houses, the SUV and the Sedan, I chose the latter.



And it has been quite a ride. So hop in and put on your seatbelt (if you don't then I'll beat you with a tupperware water bottle).

This is a story of a boy, who ignored PDI, landed into a pit and then came out with a few bruises and decided to go the sensible way.
Way back in 2015 (Chennai) when I was in my 3rd year of engineering, a couple of friends and I decided to forego hostel life and move to a flat nearby (yes, the infamous and now anti-student Abode Valley).
Boys of my age had interests in a few specific things, you know what . But I was into cars, tech, gaming, music, dogs.
I used to see these lads (from a very popular state, of course) who'd beat up people, cruise around in a 8th gen Civic with matte black rims and a huge spoiler. They'd slowly roll by with windows down and blasting hip-hop.
A psycho friend brought his 1st gen XUV500 from Pondicherry to Chennai and I got to ride with him a couple of times (I could barely drive in 2015). This is one reason for "which car" in the upcoming Manipal travelogue.
I wondered what it felt like to have a car while in college.

Fast forward 3 years to the scorching summer of 2018, I am in Hyderabad on my internship and I just cleared my first year of PGDM.
I can drive a little bit (thanks to fortnightly Lucknow to Kanpur highway runs in 2016 - also the year I got my driving license) and parents say: every tom, dick and harry has wheels in your batch, interested in a new Polo GT? I said: I'll do you a better one. I'll get something better for half the price.

Contender 1:

2008 Laura 1.9 TDI L&K (or was it 2007?)



My, my. Look who's in the corner!

• It was good to drive
• Good torque and nice handling
• Quite loaded (bi-xenons, electric seats, front parking sensors)

But

• AC didn't work
• Owner refused to accept it
• No negotiation capability

I left in a hurry and screamed, NEXT!

Contender 2:

Another L&K but a facelift 2.0 TDI from 2011



It had a Bolero HU, thanks to it being another L&K

• Drove very well, except the issue I'll mention later
• Top notch condition for both interiors and exteriors
• Service history was available
• The seller (private) was a decent man and he arrived on time

But

• Kept losing power while driving. Instead of showing Dx (x is the gear) on the MID, it kept showing just D when losing power. Owner said it could be DSG cable issue.
• Was sold the next day, before I could even sufficiently research the issue

Contender 3:

2008 Civic 1.8V AT

• Drove very nice for the whole 300 meters!
• Paddle shifters
• Very nice sounding silky smooth engine
• VTEC just kicked in Yo!

But

• After 300 glorious meters, power disappeared
• Actually, the petrol had disappeared. Came to a halt and shut down
• Waited an hour. Refused to start after refueling
• Gave up. Sales guy called me cheap. I called him back stating that he's cheaper for not even having a liter of fuel in a test drive car

I have many skills. But patience is not one of them and this was the result:



Read on to the next post to learn more!

[vredesbyrd]

This is where Leviathan, the Superb steps in. It was a 2010 Elegance 2.0 TDI DSG. Run about 88k and with many broken parts but it drove really well.
I was smitten by the performance, the size and the laundry list of features that were uncommon even in 2018.



I was so smitten that I had to put my mittens on this. 48 hours later Lo and behold:



Went and picked up the car late evening after work. Couldn't sleep at night. Took my boys Evil da and Decca for a drive at 11pm



WARNING. This post will be very long with lots of pictures

I still couldn't believe that I owned that Superb. Kept pinching myself every few hours. Couldn't stop driving, at all.

Before going to all the good and great bits, let's the bad out of the way:

• Had the engine rebuild as the timing chain snapped in Nov 2018
• Mileage never got up to the mark before the rebuild
• Anti-shudder valve died so permanent CEL
• Things kept breaking no matter how much I cared for and spent
• Had the AC compressor replaced
• The Car Clinic (Yelahanka) stole the fan blower and broke things. The owner of Car Clinic got drunk and hurled abuses at me and my dad on phone for a bad google review. Check them out on google maps, similar stories
• FNG here at Lucknow did something to the adaptive front light system and it stopped doing the levelling dance
• Had to let go because the upkeep was becoming a nightmare and Cars24 made me a pretty good offer. Most issues were fixed when it was sold (except AS valve)

With that out of the way, let's have a photo party, yay!

Internship ended so back to college. Hyderabad to Manipal with night stop at Bellary





Chapter I: Manipal
Manipal, 700+ km later:


Some casual photos around Manipal:

Malpe Beach pe


Seawalk


Yours truly:


From left to right: Thicc boi, self, King, Orange and Superb


With a batchmate, fellow enthusiast and consultant's Polo Stage 2 TDI (he drives a VRS245 now):


Drove this dummy thick Kodiaq while the Superb was getting a heart surgery:


Let's skip to the next chapter, a.k.a Bangalore

[vredesbyrd]

Chapter II: Bangalore

With 6 months of waiting, a nearly new engine, lots of haggling and a fat 6 figure bill later:


The car drove very well after the work was done. Only caveat that the mileage was 1.5-2 kmpl lower till I sold it

Exams done, got placed and now on my way to Bangalore:


Found a flat and a semi-permanent parking spot. Parking in Koramangala is a game of Chess.
One particular fellow (PCS Achari - name on truecaller) with a maroon Alto kept scratching my car with keys, punctured a tyre and even broke a wiper arm.
It all started as he can't drive or park worth crap and would end up taking two to three car spaces. I left a note on his car politely asking to park more considerately.
I got a return note full of abuses and a demand for a physical fight.
Damage to my car stopped the day I put a dashcam.

Kept her in top shape.
Fellow anime people/weebs/weeblets/people of culture with keen eyes will notice that Going Merry Steering Wheel keychain:




Till the RCD510 died. Pop goes the 510 in the bin


Hello RCD330. Thanks GoI for banning Aliexpress.


All was good for a while:


Did a nice bit of driving over the months. Best place in Bangalore? Anywhere outside Bangalore :






Till time came to go back to Lucknow for good measure
Continuted...

[vredesbyrd]

Chapter III: Lucknow - Superb to Vento

Quit the job at the bank, underwent a surgery and came back home to Lucknow

There she is, at Skoda Lucknow, 1800km away from Bangalore. One of the best Skoda service center in the country. Seriously, they are good.


Fixed whatever destruction was caused at Car Clinic, Yelahanka
Lots of night runs every weekend to Surya Officers Institute.
Recently stopped going there as the menu and service have become terrible.
Also, the cool sardarji bartender got posted to some unit in the south.


Clean


Got her a gift




A Superb in it's natural state:


And gone. Sold to Cars24. Got a decent price for it.
Had tears in my eyes. This was my first car and I have bittersweet memories with it.
I wish I could keep her for a bit longer. Just a little while longer. Just a tiny bit.


Best

• Super smooth 2.0 TDI (except the whole timing chain nonsense)
• Fast, competent and reliable (DQ250) DSG. Never skipped a beat
• Features like AFS lights, both electric seats, auto dimming IRVM+ORVM, hatchback mode and soft closing boot
• Supremely comfortable seats and interior space (dad loves it)
• Sunshades (mom loves them)
• Paddle Shifters
• Heavy Steering (not sure if by design or just a failing rack )
• Perfect long distance cruiser with balanced suspension, unmatched stability on triple digit speeds and great handling for it's size (yes, have thrown it around at Agumbe)

Not The Best

• Reliability of just about every part present on the car
• Long lead times for most parts
• Parts tend to be a bit pricey
• Stay away from Mahavir Hyderabad and TAFE Bangalore as much as possible
• Electrical niggles that randomly go away and re-appear (sunroof random movement, AFS in cross-eyed position, etc.)
• For the love of god, whatever you do, DO NOT SKIP PDI. DO NOT SKIP PRE-PURCHASE CHECK-UP AT ASC. DO NOT BE AFRAID TO ASK ABOUT SERVICE RECORDS. DO NOT BE AFRAID TO TURN DOWN THE DEAL IF THE DEALER DOESN'T COMPLY

Every story has it's ending and for the Vento, it was only the beginning
Continued in Chapter IV...

[vredesbyrd]

Chapter IV: Seraph the Vento
I sat for about a month, car bereft.
Then I came across an advert while browsing.

From this:


To this:

In 36 hours

This is the fastest I've ever moved. I had the savings and the surplus from the Superb. I said why not? Parents agreed too.
When I first saw her in the flesh:


Dirty but everything in order:


Just 18214 on the odo:


A lot of interior portions were still covered in plastic:


Seraph still has the new car smell till this day


Android Auto/Apple Carplay is one of the best modern inventions:


Establishing a far superior music taste than our countrymen:


Review in last chapter...

[vredesbyrd]

Chapter V: Seraph Review

It is not just the man or the machine.
Too powerful a machine and weak a man, the man will not survive.
Too powerful a man and weak a machine, the machine will not survive.
50% power to both is how it should be.

Let's get to the thick of it, shall we?

The Best

• Had warranty when bought in 2020, have extended it till 2023
• Very nice to drive, super stable, razor sharp handling and excellent suspension
• Can tackle expressways, city roads, dirt roads and no roads (have to be careful with the latter)
• 1.5 TDI sounds great when revved hard. This is a rev happy diesel. Overtakes finish quickly
• DSG DQ200. Crisp, fast and smooth. Once you learn how to modulate the A pedal, jerks can be eliminated with ease, especially in D1 & D2
• Impressive fuel efficiency. Car returned 18.8km/l after doing highway speeds all day long on the Yamuna expressway (yes, the speed cameras were impressed as well. Had to cough up 10k worth of fines )
• Very reliable *touch wood*. Or is it because warranty still exists, not much age and I take good care of it?
• The all-LED headlights are really bright
• Android Auto & Apple Carplay make life really easy
• Reverse camera is really helpful though I can manage without it as well
• Super small footprint, so easy to just take about anywhere, especially after driving the Superb in places like BTM layout, Koramangala, Charbagh and Aminabad.
  You should stay away from these places if you drive anything bigger than a City/Vento/Verna
• Brakes are sharp and confident despite the rear having just drums
• VW service center is very slow but excellent quality of work and very accommodating. Parts are dirt cheap compared to the Superb
• All four windows are one-touch
• Auto wipers and aftermarket auto-headlight switch
• Can roll up or down all windows with key fob (just like Superb)

Not The Best

• Smaller footprint also translates to more bullying on the road
• That majestic presence and welcome is gone
• Cannot carry my 55" OLED monitor in the car now
• Engine was gasping for air when faced with stop-and-go traffic in Shimla
• Why no paddle shifters, VW? Why?
• Impressive all-LED headlights also have an extremely poor cut off design.
  I have two choices, either blind others or get blinded myself

The Seraph has done two long distance trips after being bought:

1. Marchula - https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/trave...o-silence.html (Marchula - The Ideal Radio Silence)
2. Narkanda - WIP

Some more photos:
First mod, Digital Display. The cabin looks nice at night


Marchula conquered after terrible roads and river crossings


Second mod. Yellow foggies


Villain


Tanking up for Narkanda


Going nuclear at Parwanoo


HPTDC Hatu


Somewhere near Chandigarh


Hatu Peak


Gold


Snow at Hatu


Crying internally


Old Need For Speed Wallpaper


Upgrade plans? Yes yes! Paddle Shifters and Stage 1 Remap. Don't ask when.
Proper upgrade plans? Something 4x4 in a few years.
I'm tired of being bullied on the road and seeing places crowded with selfie waale generic tourists.

Stay tuned for Manipal and Narkanda travelogues.
That's all Folks. For now... At least...

[GTO]

Thread moved from the Assembly Line to the Reviews section. Thanks for sharing!

Going to our homepage this weekend

Buying a used Superb the way you did required guts, man! I thought after that experience, you'll settle with something safe like a City or a used Creta. But hey, another German! We are enthusiasts after all.

Read your thread word-to-word over dinner. You really know how to write & tell a story .

[vredesbyrd]

Originally Posted by GTO

Buying a used Superb the way you did required guts, man! I thought after that experience, you'll settle with something safe like a City or a used Creta. But hey, another German! We are enthusiasts after all.

Read your thread word-to-word over dinner. You really know how to write & tell a story .

Thank you for the kind words! I take a no-guts, no-glory approach towards cars and computer hardware

[sarfraz1997]

Congratulations on your Vento! IMO, the earlier we learn the car buying lessons, the better. This not only helps with purchasing cars, but also maintaining cars. Never buy a used car with a rebuilt engine unless it is an antique or collectors car, simple because we do not know the effort put in by the owner, the quality of work done by whoever has done it, and the standard of parts used on the car.

Quite an interesting story you’ve got!
The problem with these D segment and upwards cars is that within 5-6 years they mostly land up with 2nd or 3rd owners, who have not spent 25-30 big ones to purchase. However, seeing the maintenance costs, most resort to cheapest possible FNG’s. Being the complicated cars that they are, they do not take well to such treatment.

The possible upgrades list is pretty long on all VAG cars. Always feels good when we read about fellow enthusiasts.

[GForceEnjoyer]

This was a great read complemented by top class pictures Congrats on the Vento; those mods sure look good. Wishing you tons of driving pleasure. Older VAG products need a lot of courage to be bought second hand, and despite the issues I admire your dedication to having a fun car in your garage.

Originally Posted by vredesbyrd

[Establishing a far superior music taste than our countrymen:

At first glance the album cover looked like Toxicity from System of a Down. Even if it had been the case your caption would have held true according to me.

[TheHelix0202]

Loved the writing style and wit! Finally a car thread that got me excited after a long time. This is how a car ownership log must be like.

Driving a VAG car is a special feel. I love our Rapid 1.6 and hope to keep her for many years.

[vredesbyrd]

Originally Posted by sarfraz1997

Congratulations on your Vento! Never buy a used car with a rebuilt engine unless it is an antique or collectors car.

Quite an interesting story you’ve got!
Being the complicated cars that they are, they do not take well to such treatment.

The possible upgrades list is pretty long on all VAG cars. Always feels good when we read about fellow enthusiasts.

Thank you so much! The rebuild actually took place under my ownership
The biggest task is to find an FNG that's actually competent enough. I was sticking to ASC for general service and basic work for the Superb. The Lucknow ASC is very nice.

Originally Posted by GForceEnjoyer

This was a great read complemented by top class pictures Congrats on the Vento; those mods sure look good. Wishing you tons of driving pleasure. Older VAG products need a lot of courage to be bought second hand, and despite the issues I admire your dedication to having a fun car in your garage.


At first glance the album cover looked like Toxicity from System of a Down. Even if it had been the case your caption would have held true according to me.

Thank you. It was a calculated risk. I always keep mechatronics money handy. I don't drive every day but when I do, it should be fun. That's the logic for me.

It's a band called Between The Buried And Me. Technical Progressive Metal. Quite difficult to play their riffs and solos. On the other hand, I did an Aerials cover sometime back. Feel free to check it out:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqq-aakWIyo

Originally Posted by TheHelix0202

Loved the writing style and wit! Finally a car thread that got me excited after a long time. This is how a car ownership log must be like.

Driving a VAG car is a special feel. I love our Rapid 1.6 and hope to keep her for many years.

Thank you for the kind words! Have driven the 1.6L. Walked away mighty impressed. These cars age very well.

[speedmunster]

Originally Posted by vredesbyrd

Chapter V: Seraph Review

[b][i]It is not just the man or the machine.
Too powerful a machine and weak a man, the man will not survive.
Too powerful a man and weak a machine, the machine will not survive.

Attachment 2316110

Hey vredesbyrd,

what is that contraption near the instrument cluster? Looks like another set of gauges. Kindly post a link if you can for the same.

Cheers

[vredesbyrd]

Originally Posted by speedmunster

Hey vredesbyrd,

what is that contraption near the instrument cluster? Looks like another set of gauges. Kindly post a link if you can for the same.

Cheers

Hey!

It is a OBDII based digital instrument cluster. I got it from Amazon JP since I had a coupon. Here is the link: https://www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/gp/pro...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[JoshMachine]

Originally Posted by vredesbyrd

Seraph Review
--
1.5 TDI..
DSG DQ200..

Coming from the Superb. A Vento. 1.5 diesel mill. DQ200.
Deja vu (for me).

Super stuff

From guts to glory! Great story there, keep them coming. Congrats.