Superbs on Donedeal

traco

Maybe somebody can throw some light on this. I'm looking at getting a superb and have been keeping an eye on the UK sites as I was considering importing.

What I can't figure out is why there seem to be several on DD available here, not VRT'd for less than some of the cheapest UK ones if the rate was 1:1?? They seem to be making 8-10k sterling yet there are ones here from €6,750 to €9k. Irish franchise dealers can be an additional 10k on those prices.

Am I missing something as these seem too good to be true and we all know how that saying goes. Are the 1.9s a complete dud (although I think that's a very reliable engine albeit not as refined) or is there some other reason.

colm_mcm

They're the dregs of the auctions.

bazz26

Probably have concealed colourful histories and have had a shave on the ferry over.

MuppetCheck

1.9 would be grand, but I'd go for a 2 litre. Early 140s had the old PD engine whereas all 170s were common rail.

Herselfs parents have a 1.6, driven it a couple of times and it's ok, not great for overtaking but I wouldn't call it underpowered. It's fine for what it is, the 1.9 is similar. If anything the 1.9 might feel faster due to the power delivery being a little abrupt.

bigroad

A lot of those cheap superbs are ex taxi or damaged repaired straight from the auction via the mileage correction man.Steer clear of white ones in particular.
Their is good value in the uk i was looking at an estate recently ,i thing around 15 grand all in to bring home here and a local dealer wanted 5 k more for the same car here.The 1.9 is grand for everyday driving.

traco

Cheers, even with strong sterling at the moment the UK seems the way to go. Test drove a new 1.6 and it was grand, capable but that was with a 6 speed box so slightly shorter ratios I'd imagine compared to a 5 speed. Based on that I'd say the 2.0 is the way to go or a 1.9 and a tuning box to take it to 130bhp.

Anybody have any experience with the UK auctions, are they worth it or are you better doing the legwork on autotrader, gumtree etc

Harcrid

Personally I steer clear of the auctions. There are too many risks for my liking. Use autotrader and find the car you want without getting sucked into auction fever and at least you have time to have the car properly checked.

johndaman66

MuppetCheck wrote: »

1.9 would be grand, but I'd go for a 2 litre. Early 140s had the old PD engine whereas all 170s were common rail.

Were the 2.0 litre models noted for their poor reliability and poor economy compared to the 1.9 engined models though? The early 2.0 models anyway at least I thought. Not a VW man myself so no personal experience but believe I read as such more than once.

Cousins girlfriend had a passat with an early 2.0 diesel in it and she was not at all impressed with the economy. Not sure how shes finding it since as they have broke up since

MuppetCheck

The 2 litre PD tended to be less reliable in certain incarnations compared to the CR version alright.

Old diesel

The fact that a car has been imported - and hasn't been VRTd and is now been resold - still not VRTd - is something to be very weary off because cars are far more saleable when they've been VRTd - or where VRT is included in the sale price and the car will be registered for new owner as part of sale.

Id avoid cars been sold with no VRT on them - still on Uk plates and where the new owner needs to do the VRT themselves.

The best way to buy a car that's originally a UK car - is to buy it in the Uk yourself - much better choice and can pick the best example yourself

Rather then buy an iffy example over here.

I think a lot of the issues with UK imports over here are down to poor examples been imported here in the first place.

UK cars in fact - normally have the reputation of been better minded then irish cars - frequently coming with full service histories - in fact its such a big thing in the Uk to have a service history - that any uk car without one should be avoided.

All in my opinion - im no expert - but some of the other lads here would be far more knowledgeable on these things then I am so would be able to advise better.

But id also price up what a decent Irish example would cost - before committing to buying in the UK

bazz26

A legit dealer with a TAN will VRT the car for a customer on purchase as the VRT will be included in the purchase price. It is complete legal for them to have these cars still on UK plates on their forecourts until they are sold.

It is the small time guys masquerading as private sellers flipping cars over from the front of their driveway or local car park that you need to watch. Legally they are not allowed sell cars here without first VRTing and registering the car but these guys tend to sell them still on UK plates and let the buyer VRT the car themselves. This mean's they stay below Revenue's radar and the buyer has no comeback as these guys are not registered traders. In order for these guys to maximise their profits they buy the cheapest ones possible which are cheap for a reason.

Nothing wrong with buying a UK import from a legit garage here as it is the same as buying a used Irish car from them. You probably will not save much money but some people are happy to pay for the convenience of not having to vet out a car over in the UK and then travel over and bring it back.

If the object is to save money as possible then you have to put more leg work into it and go over yourself rather than going through a middle man here.

Old diesel

bazz26 wrote: »

A legit dealer with a TAN will VRT the car for a customer on purchase as the VRT will be included in the purchase price. It is complete legal for them to have these cars still on UK plates on their forecourts until they are sold.

It is the small time guys masquerading as private sellers flipping cars over from the front of their driveway or local car park that you need to watch. Legally they are not allowed sell cars here without first VRTing and registering the car but these guys tend to sell them still on UK plates and let the buyer VRT the car themselves. This mean's they stay below Revenue's radar and the buyer has no comeback as these guys are not registered traders. In order for these guys to maximise their profits they buy the cheapest ones possible which are cheap for a reason.

Nothing wrong with buying a UK import from a legit garage here as it is the same as buying a used Irish car from them. You probably will not save much money but some people are happy to pay for the convenience of not having to vet out a car over in the UK and then travel over and bring it back.

If the object is to save money as possible then you have to put more leg work into it and go over yourself rather than going through a middle man here.

Apologies for not been clear enough in my post - as you say theres nothing wrong with buying a Uk import from a legitimate dealer here if the cars in good order.

Legitimate dealers will sort out all the VRT and registration for you when you buy the car - and the sale price will include VRT.

It was the guy selling cars on Uk plates - and not sorting out the VRT for new owner when deal is done that I was talking about avoiding.

Nothing wrong with a trader having his cars on the forecourt with Uk plates once he will register the car for the purchaser when the car is sold and thus sort out the VRT as part of the sale.

apologies for confusion and not been clear enough

traco

Cheers lads for all the feedback. I brought the current motor (97 Passat TDi 110bhp Trendline Estate) in from the UK (off ebay) myself, several years ago at this stage and to be fair it was great buy. Bought it with the intention of only having it to get me through 6 months but she's still running strong (9 years later?!?!?) Guess she doesn't owe me anything at this stage.

She won't pass the NCT with the rust on the rear wheel arches but the engine and gear box are still strong and I'd say will still be running strong even when the body falls of it. I'm trying to decide it it worth selling as is in Jan or worth tring to tackle the arches myself to get the test. Shes taxed untill end of Feb but test is due now. Asked a body shop for a cheapo job and he said rough and ready would be 250 but he reckoned if I stuck it on DD it'd be snapped up for export to Africa. I was surprised about that as I thought without the NCT she'd be a €100 job but he was saying 6/700 for her as is??

Whats peoples opinions of the car supermarkets over there like car giant etc? As I hope to get a 2010 I'm guessing I may searching the dealer network due to the age. I don't know if its worth holding out till March for trade ins etc - any opinion on that?