Test drive: Superbly equipped 7 star luxury on wheels. Skoda Superb!

ImmortalZ · 28th March 2009, 21:07

No, the 6 speed DSG is the notorious one. The 7 speed is the later one with dry clutches which are supposed to be better.

Then again, do you really want to own one?

GTO · 29th March 2009, 12:42

In light of recent developments, I am not able to recommend the Superb to anyone. In fact, I have turned away nearly 20 potential Superb buyers (and counting). This is NOT related to Skoda's threats to Team-BHP. Despite how a manufacturer may perceive Team-BHP, we do carry a responsibility and must remain unbiased.

Buttttttttttttttttttt their behaviour confirms that the company does NOT care a damn about it's customers. Do I really want my friend / family member to spend 25 lakhs on a car, and then as a customer receive pathetic support from the company? I genuinely believe that buying a Skoda today is the worst possible decision that anyone can make. Reasons:

1. The worst standards of after-sales service. And dealers & company officials seem to work hand-in-hand with overcharging & cheating customers.

2. Petrol Skodas have traditionally been unreliable. Just ask any 1.8 vRS owners of the problems they face. May be ahead of its time, but I don't expect the petrol Superb to offer long-term reliability.

3. Diesel Skodas are reliable, but the complex electronics & DSG aren't. The Superb has both.

Thus, do I want someone to buy a car that will in all probability be unreliable, get cheated by the dealer, receive poor after-sales, pay Mercedes-like prices for parts / labour and then receive absolutely NO support from Skoda India? Or worse still, have Skoda fight him in court?

NOPE.

kedarwalke · 29th March 2009, 13:00

Hey GTO,

After reading your articles on skoda,I have decided to back out.But the only hitch is that I ve made a down payment of 8 lakhs and the disbursement of 14 lakhs by hdfc is also credited to JMD's account.Since JMD has failed its comitment to invoice me on the 31st march and the dlivery before 8th april,can I cancel the order?(I ve the above in writing on my mailbox).Please help and suggest a suitable car.

Warm Regards,

Kedar Walke

GTO · 29th March 2009, 15:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by kedarwalke

After reading your articles on skoda,I have decided to back out.

Congratulations on a wise decision!

Quote:

But the only hitch is that I ve made a down payment of 8 lakhs and the disbursement of 14 lakhs by hdfc is also credited to JMD's account.Since JMD has failed its comitment to invoice me on the 31st march and the dlivery before 8th april,can I cancel the order?

As long as the car has not been invoiced & registered in your name, you may cancel the order at any time. JMD ought to issue you a refund without hesitation.

The only catch is HDFC's finance already being released. Logically, from their end, the loan has been disbursed and EMIs have begun. Explain the situation clearly to them. Tell them you wish to transfer the loan amount to another car and they will waive off any pre-payment fees (on paper, your existing Skoda loan will have to be closed and a new one activated).

WRT an alternative car, please create a new thread in the "What Car" forum section.

diffsoft · 29th March 2009, 15:33

Congratulations Kedar:

It takes courage to do what you have done; all the same an arrogant auto manufacturer needs to realise the damage it is doing.

SkodaAuto India needs to realize what we are taught in Marketing 101 "only the customer pays your salary..."

I hope the relevant SkodaAuto India employees also understand that.

Cheers,

kutlee · 29th March 2009, 19:30

Woow, this is a direct impact on the sales of Skoda.
Kedar, if at all Skoda is involved in the cancellation of the order, you may get a taste of the business practices. all the best for your next car.

kailashnj · 29th March 2009, 22:02

Thats the way to go Kedar. Long Live Team-Bhp.

Anurag1973 · 30th March 2009, 11:00

Kedar
As far as I was told by the dealer, the price diff b/w petrol and diesel is not more than 2 lakhs - so why is your dealer asking you to pay 3.68Lakhs extra for the 2.0 TDI?

rangaraj · 30th March 2009, 12:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anurag1973

Kedar
As far as I was told by the dealer, the price diff b/w petrol and diesel is not more than 2 lakhs - so why is your dealer asking you to pay 3.68Lakhs extra for the 2.0 TDI?

Another case of arbitrary nature of one of the skoda dealers or is that the companies way of handling this?

Anurag1973 · 30th March 2009, 12:55

Guys after reading the hot thread on Skoda's ridiculous handling of customer service issues, I've changed my mind on buying the new Superb
There is no way I'm going to invest 20 lakh rupees of my hard earned money on brand who has no respect for customer sentiments!

Now back to the drawing board for selecting a new car!

kedarwalke · 30th March 2009, 13:18

can anybody please let me know the ex showroom for the diesel superb.The official launch is on the 8th of April.

Sahil · 30th March 2009, 13:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by kedarwalke

can anybody please let me know the ex showroom for the diesel superb.The official launch is on the 8th of April.

Really? Speculations were that the diesel wont come before 6 months !

manson · 30th March 2009, 13:38

The lasy at JMD who I have been in touch with for the Laura had mentioned it would be here mid-April.

manson.

kedarwalke · 30th March 2009, 13:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sahil

Really? Speculations were that the diesel wont come before 6 months !

I am getting the delivery on the 9th of April,I want the invoicing today so just wanted to confirm the ex-showroom price....because it shoul not be that they have charged me extra bucks for the same.Jmd has given ex thane without octroi 21,45,000.So a total difference of 3,05,000

Sahil · 30th March 2009, 15:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by kedarwalke

I am getting the delivery on the 9th of April,I want the invoicing today so just wanted to confirm the ex-showroom price....because it shoul not be that they have charged me extra bucks for the same.Jmd has given ex thane without octroi 21,45,000.So a total difference of 3,05,000

Thats quite large a difference,why don't you stick with the petrol.
Do you plan to keep the car for a very long time and excessive highway runs?

28th March 2009, 21:07	#151
ImmortalZ Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Trivandrum Posts: 2,179 Thanked: 488 Times View My Garage	No, the 6 speed DSG is the notorious one. The 7 speed is the later one with dry clutches which are supposed to be better. Then again, do you really want to own one?
	() Thanks

29th March 2009, 12:42	#152
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 70,512 Thanked: 300,689 Times View My Garage	In light of recent developments, I am not able to recommend the Superb to anyone. In fact, I have turned away nearly 20 potential Superb buyers (and counting). This is NOT related to Skoda's threats to Team-BHP. Despite how a manufacturer may perceive Team-BHP, we do carry a responsibility and must remain unbiased. Buttttttttttttttttttt their behaviour confirms that the company does NOT care a damn about it's customers. Do I really want my friend / family member to spend 25 lakhs on a car, and then as a customer receive pathetic support from the company? I genuinely believe that buying a Skoda today is the worst possible decision that anyone can make. Reasons: 1. The worst standards of after-sales service. And dealers & company officials seem to work hand-in-hand with overcharging & cheating customers. 2. Petrol Skodas have traditionally been unreliable. Just ask any 1.8 vRS owners of the problems they face. May be ahead of its time, but I don't expect the petrol Superb to offer long-term reliability. 3. Diesel Skodas are reliable, but the complex electronics & DSG aren't. The Superb has both. Thus, do I want someone to buy a car that will in all probability be unreliable, get cheated by the dealer, receive poor after-sales, pay Mercedes-like prices for parts / labour and then receive absolutely NO support from Skoda India? Or worse still, have Skoda fight him in court? NOPE.
	() Thanks

29th March 2009, 13:00	#153
kedarwalke BHPian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Mumbai Posts: 449 Thanked: 546 Times View My Garage	Hey GTO, After reading your articles on skoda,I have decided to back out.But the only hitch is that I ve made a down payment of 8 lakhs and the disbursement of 14 lakhs by hdfc is also credited to JMD's account.Since JMD has failed its comitment to invoice me on the 31st march and the dlivery before 8th april,can I cancel the order?(I ve the above in writing on my mailbox).Please help and suggest a suitable car. Warm Regards, Kedar Walke
	() Thanks

29th March 2009, 15:33	#155
diffsoft BHPian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 773 Thanked: 404 Times	Congratulations Kedar: It takes courage to do what you have done; all the same an arrogant auto manufacturer needs to realise the damage it is doing. SkodaAuto India needs to realize what we are taught in Marketing 101 "only the customer pays your salary..." I hope the relevant SkodaAuto India employees also understand that. Cheers, Last edited by diffsoft : 29th March 2009 at 15:36.
	() Thanks

29th March 2009, 19:30	#156
kutlee Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 1,141 Thanked: 232 Times View My Garage	Woow, this is a direct impact on the sales of Skoda. Kedar, if at all Skoda is involved in the cancellation of the order, you may get a taste of the business practices. all the best for your next car.
	() Thanks

29th March 2009, 22:02	#157
kailashnj BHPian Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 958 Thanked: 375 Times	Thats the way to go Kedar. Long Live Team-Bhp.
	() Thanks

30th March 2009, 11:00	#158
Anurag1973 Newbie Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Mumbai Posts: 22 Thanked: 0 Times	Kedar As far as I was told by the dealer, the price diff b/w petrol and diesel is not more than 2 lakhs - so why is your dealer asking you to pay 3.68Lakhs extra for the 2.0 TDI?
	() Thanks

30th March 2009, 12:55	#160
Anurag1973 Newbie Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Mumbai Posts: 22 Thanked: 0 Times	Guys after reading the hot thread on Skoda's ridiculous handling of customer service issues, I've changed my mind on buying the new Superb There is no way I'm going to invest 20 lakh rupees of my hard earned money on brand who has no respect for customer sentiments! Now back to the drawing board for selecting a new car!
	() Thanks

30th March 2009, 13:18	#161
kedarwalke BHPian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Mumbai Posts: 449 Thanked: 546 Times View My Garage	can anybody please let me know the ex showroom for the diesel superb.The official launch is on the 8th of April.
	() Thanks

30th March 2009, 13:38	#163
manson Team-BHP Support Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 3,934 Thanked: 4,169 Times View My Garage	The lasy at JMD who I have been in touch with for the Laura had mentioned it would be here mid-April. manson.
	() Thanks