New Skoda Superb vs BMW 5 series

carsfan

Anybody else notice the Skoda ads in the papers today where they are inviting customers to test drive the Superb and BMW 5 series at certain Skoda dealers. It seems they will provide the 5 series and want you to directly compare the cars.
Now I think the new Superb looks a fine car and I'm sure drives really well but do any posters believe middle Ireland is going to switch from their beloved 520d to a Skoda?
Excellent car and all as the 5 series is, I believe a lot of its appeal is the badge and I just can't see the Skoda Superb cutting it for a lot of these people.
Am I wrong?
I reckon even if the Skoda had Rolls Royce refinement and Ferrari performance people would still go with the Beemer.
Has any body here switched from one to the other?
Would you?

CharlieCroker

I suppose they're trying to stop people blindly going to BMW by pointing out the extra spec/space etc that you get in the superb for thousands of Euro less.

Seems like smart marketing, what have they got to lose?

I've had BMWs (albeit not new) and I'm looking at a Skoda for my next car. Then again, I'm not a sheep.

Eric Cartman

Sales reps / company car buyers may very well make the swap as more standard toys and any ride comfort improvements will sell it for them.

But the reality is that most bog spec 520d's are sold because of the circular emblem on the bonnet and it will continue to sway that way. But as above, you get 10 people who are in charge of company fleets to see it from the skoda perspective and thats a lot of cars sold for a fairly cheap stunt.

bazz26

I wonder would they do the same with a similar Audi A6? Going by their logic your typical A6 driver should be just as much a target as the 5 Series driver. Oh wait, Wolfsberg wouldn't take too kindly to that.

maddness

I've had two previous model Superb's and I loved them both.
I'm driving a 520 for the past two years and there is a massive difference between them. The BMW is a far nicer place to sit than the skoda. The Superb had brilliant equipment and massive amount of space but the quality of the plastics, leather and carpets wouldn't be a patch on the 5 series.
I haven't driven the new model Superb but I think it looks great and is a huge improvement over the previous model.
Clever marketing by Skoda but I wouldn't swap back to a Superb.

mickdw

If I see this advertised, Im going in, driving them both and then making an offer on the bmw.

Atlantic Dawn

Wonder what spec will the BMW be, possibly entry level poverty spec.

jca

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

Wonder what spec will the BMW be, possibly entry level poverty spec.

Is there any other version? (Excluding UK imports)

CharlieCroker

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

Wonder what spec will the BMW be, possibly entry level poverty spec.

Probably and is probably still more expensive than a top spec superb. That's what Skoda will be concentrating on.

Inbox

An executive saloon vs a future taxi there is no comparison.

Back in Black

After driving BMWs for ten years and having one of the N47 520ds as my last car, I changed to an Octavia RS a month ago. Not missing my BMW yet (and the BMW was a UK import with all the spec).

micks_address

Inbox wrote: »

An executive saloon vs a future taxi there is no comparison.

Interestingly enough I drove a two year old m sport last summer and the same day a fully loaded new superb 190bhp.. The superb wasn't an auto but in the short spin I have I wouldn't have said the superb was worse..

Drummerboy08

I know the one that we have is an M Sport, and the Superb is a Style, both Auto.

I've worked with BMW and with Skoda and unless it was someone else's money, I'd find it hard to make the decision.

carsfan

The offer is in Dublin Skoda dealers up to the 9 th of April.
A clever move if you were in the market for the superb it would reaffirm what a good car it is I think but still don't see too many 5 series buyers changing for one.
I would have thought the superb a competition was mondeo, Passat etc.

Del2005

Inbox wrote: »

An executive saloon vs a future taxi there is no comparison.

5 series isn't an executive salon.

micks_address

Del2005 wrote: »

5 series isn't an executive salon.

?

whippet

I was in a brand new 520d last week, not an entry level spec but with a few extras etc, it was so under whelming is was unreal. The interior felt average and the drive was distinctly average. A decent spec Superb would be a much nicer place to sit than the BMW.

R.O.R

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

Wonder what spec will the BMW be, possibly entry level poverty spec.

Cloth seats, windey windows, plastic steering wheel?

jca wrote: »

Is there any other version? (Excluding UK imports)

What's the difference between a UK BMW 520d and an Irish BMW 520d in standard specification?


Bums on seats works for the Skoda Superb. There's very few people that we've put in to a Superb on a temporary basis who haven't been very impressed with it, but most of those drivers would be in Mondeo/Passat/Insgina etc.

Whether you'll get drivers who are in a 5 Series, or have the option of going for a 5 series, in to a Superb..... I think that's a bit of a stretch. Superb has the advantage of more space and lower cost (and BIK for Company Car drivers), but doesn't really add that much equipment as standard. Off the top of my head, it's only Lumbar support on the 5 Series that's standard on the Superb Style, that I'd be adding to the 5 Series.

A €10k saving between a 520d SE Auto and a Superb Style 190 DSG is not to be sniffed at, and if it's your money / you are budget conscious then it's the way to go. If it's not your money and the monthly difference in costs is negligible then I'd say most will still order the 5 Series.

millington

I don't necessarily think this is to get 5 series drivers into Superbs, more to push the image a bit higher for people who are considering a Passat, Superb, Insignia etc.


It shows they will get themselves into a high spec car for their budget, not necessarily that BM men can save money.

Eric Cartman

Id even suggest the idea behind it is to get people through the door who cant have a 5 series and go " look its basically the same thing , only 10k cheaper"

Special Circumstances

As an increasing number people on this forum will say, they are both exactly the same thing, don't get suckered by the big brand advertising!

millington

Eric Cartman wrote: »

Id even suggest the idea behind it is to get people through the door who cant have a 5 series and go " look its basically the same thing , only 10k cheaper"

Thats exactly it. It's to make potential Skoda customers more likely to buy, not to draw BMW customers in.

whippet

millington wrote: »

Thats exactly it. It's to make potential Skoda customers more likely to buy, not to draw BMW customers in.

that would be the likely target of the campaign; much like after the 2011 elections Skoda offered the superb as an alternative to the usual mix of ministerial cars.

everlast75

The simple fact that they have a BMW in the garage puts it in people's minds that they are the a comparable level (when price is taken into account). In other words, its "above" the Mondeo, Passat etc in terms of being competition.

I don't think anyone who would buy BMW would be tempted across, but sure they aren't the target market. The idea is to make the prospective buyer of the Skoda feel better about the pedigree/value for money of the car

vintagevrs

It's very clever, fair play to them so doing something a bit different.

mickdw

I don't think it's that clever to be honest.
There are a significant number of buyers who won't have any experience of a luxury brand or what it feels like.
I know skoda drivers who would rave about their octavia having never experienced another car yet wouldn't look at one now after being coaxed into a 3 series.
What's the chances some genuine new Skoda buyers will see the 5 series and think, I might get myself a year old one of them instead.

vintagevrs

I just priced up a Superb to have similar power, 4x4, DSG and zero other additional options. RRP is nearly 48k!:eek:

An automatic 520d SE is 50k, I take it back

Wailin

Del2005 wrote: »

5 series isn't an executive salon.

Yeah? So tell me...what is?

Ardennes1944

Wailin wrote: »

Yeah? So tell me...what is?

An Avensis most probably :pac:

jca

vintagevrs wrote: »

It's very clever, fair play to them so doing something a bit different.

Simply clever...
Sorry I couldn't resist.

carsfan

The days of Skoda being a good value brand seem to be over as they seem to be attempting to move upmarket all the time.
I was comparing the specs on Skoda and VW websites and with the various kit offers VW are doing a Passat is actually cheaper spec for spec.
The Skoda is ugly enough from the rear three quarters on too. I accept they are massive inside however and I'm sure very comfortable.
I reckon mick dw might be close to the mark that this has potential to steer people into the premium car rather than away when they see the final price of a well kitted Superb in comparison.

Drummerboy08

vintagevrs wrote: »

I just priced up a Superb to have similar power, 4x4, DSG and zero other additional options. RRP is nearly 48k!:eek:

An automatic 520d SE is 50k, I take it back

Thats grand, but the 5 Series isn't 4x4 so how much is the comparible Superb as a 2wd?

R.O.R

Drummerboy08 wrote: »

Thats grand, but the 5 Series isn't 4x4 so how much is the comparible Superb as a 2wd?

520d SE Auto - €49,203 ex. Works. €995 for Metallic, €865 for delivery

Superb 190 Style DSG - €40,655 ex. Works. €666 metallic, €650 delivery (?)


€9,092 difference in on the road retail in metallic. Roughly similar standard specification - few more toys in the Superb probably.

carsfan

R.O.R
After 3 years would there still be 9 grand between them or would the gap narrow/widen?

tw0nk

The current BMW's are, with exception of M editions, very ordinary. The drive is, on most of them, very good but everything else is ordinary. Interior is bland, equipment levels are poor, extras are way overpriced and reliability is not what it once was. The prestige is still there, barely.

The historically prestige competitors; Audi and Merc have in my opinion, created much more appealing options this round of models. Audi have come down on price and largely pioneered the PCP market making it very affordable to buy a paddy spec Audi whereas the Mercedes are still very expensive although there are some new cheaper models available, none of which I have driven.

As for the average joe brands: VW, Ford and Toyota, their offerings have really weakened in my opinion. Skoda has caught up and I think overtaken VW this round of models (having driven both extensively). The Korean brands have taken a huge slice of market, primarily with their SUV's (KIA, Hyundai).

It's going to be really interesting for the next iteration of car models, I put my money into Skoda this time round with a Octavia VRS 230 as it was the best driving, quality and spec I could get for my money and has 0% interest from VW bank.

I do fully expect BMW to fight back with a much nicer 5 series next time round.

Wailin

For similar money I think the passat beats the superb for looks and spec. Not as big maybe but there's too big as well.Untitled by Tony, on Flickr

R.O.R

carsfan wrote: »

R.O.R
After 3 years would there still be 9 grand between them or would the gap narrow/widen?

Forecasting around €6,500 difference between the 2 after 3 years and reasonable mileage.

Doesn't tell the whole story though as you'd be more likely to get a higher discount on the Skoda than you would on the BMW. Realistically, the BMW is probably going to cost €4,000 ish more on depreciation than the Skoda.

bazz26

Where does the A6 from Skoda's sister company, fit in with pricing and spec compared to the Superb?

R.O.R

bazz26 wrote: »

Where does the A6 from Skoda's sister company, fit in with pricing and spec compared to the Superb?

Pricing & spec of the A6 is more or less the same as the 5 Series.

carsfan

So the Beemer will only depreciate 2.5 k less than the Skoda?
Would you get discount on the Skoda with it being a new model?
I guess the service costs would be similar due to bmw service pack and guess fuel difference costs negligible.

bazz26

R.O.R wrote: »

Pricing & spec of the A6 is more or less the same as the 5 Series.

Would be interesting to see any Skoda dealers trying to sway an A6 buyer into a better speced Superb then. Doubt it would be allowed though.

mickdw

Having been recently driving around a new Highline Passat, they are a very nice car. Unfortunately the one I was driving was ruined by the engine.

Comhrá

mickdw wrote: »

Having been recently driving around a new Highline Passat, they are a very nice car. Unfortunately the one I was driving was ruined by the engine.

Which engine was it? Agreed, the Highline Passat is a very nice car.

Wailin

mickdw wrote: »

Having been recently driving around a new Highline Passat, they are a very nice car. Unfortunately the one I was driving was ruined by the engine.

1.6Tdi? Absolute muck. Even the 2.0l 150bhp is a little underpowered having driven one recently. There is the option of 190 though.

maddness

I always saw the big attraction of the Superb is that for company car drivers you can get a large car with a fairly powerful Diesel engine and loads of toys for the same price as a less powerful Audi A4 or BMW 3 series.
I always feel that you get what you pay for and while the Superb is a very nice car the A6 or 5 series are worth the greater price particularly if you are not paying for it.
Put it another way, you've the choice of a Superb Style 190DSG or a 520D auto or an Audi A6 190 Tdi auto as your company car. How many of you would pick the skoda? Little or none I'd say.
If the choice was between the same Superb and a 318D or a basic A4 tdi thats a different choice to make.

tw0nk

OSI wrote: »

Funny you say that, I felt the exact opposite. A DSG VRS 230 with the same kit as a 5dr DSG GTI-P with Tech Pack is pretty much the same price. Was convinced someone in Skoda had lost their marbles.

Depends what you need, if you need space (back seats and boot) and lower monthly repayments, the VRS 230 worked out better.

I do like the Golf GTI-P but needed the space.

micks_address

Wailin wrote: »

For similar money I think the passat beats the superb for looks and spec. Not as big maybe but there's too big as well.Untitled by Tony, on Flickr

For comparable spec the money is a lot different.. On my summer test drive day we drove a high line passat 120bhp and a style spec superb.. The superb was 190bhp and was only about 1500 euro more than the paasat.. Full leather on the superb..lots of kit. I don't think I'd have taken the paasat

mickdw

Wailin wrote: »

1.6Tdi? Absolute muck. Even the 2.0l 150bhp is a little underpowered having driven one recently. There is the option of 190 though.

Yes. Beautiful car but its disgusting how a large portion are 1.6 tdi.
It's not even about being underpowered. For a certain type of client, the power in general is probably ok. I found vibration through the pedals to be very very annoying when compared to my petrol car.

Wailin

micks_address wrote: »

For comparable spec the money is a lot different.. On my summer test drive day we drove a high line passat 120bhp and a style spec superb.. The superb was 190bhp and was only about 1500 euro more than the paasat.. Full leather on the superb..lots of kit. I don't think I'd have taken the paasat

Don't know where your getting those differences from. A highline business edition passat estate 190bhp and dsg gearbox is €44250. Superb combi top of the range L&K 190bhp with dsg is €45750. In that combination the passat is slightly better spec'd. Personally I would choose the passat any day everyday. Superb to me is quiet ugly.

Wailin

Wailin wrote: »

...... Superb to me is quiet ugly.

I think it looks very good for the most part but the view from behind is very ish.... Combi looks good though at the rear.

Henry Ford III

I'd have a 520d every day of the week tbh. Skoda were/are primarily a value brand which don't offer that much value anymore - much like VW.