Ask the Car People.SM


VW Golf

1529 messages,  Last post on Nov 04, 2012 at 3:48 PM

You are in the Volkswagen Golf Forum.

What is this discussion about? Volkswagen Golf, Hatchback

Messages Page 150 of 154

#1486 of 1529 Re: Golf TDI ordered [vchiu] by gimmestdtranny

Jan 02, 2011 (1:19 pm)

Replying to: vchiu (Jan 02, 2011 1:09 pm)
Oh, I didn't realize the Polo was so expensive. I thought it had a little inline 3 cyl turbo dsl.

#1487 of 1529 Re: Golf TDI ordered [jbaustian] by vchiu

Jan 02, 2011 (2:25 pm)

Replying to: jbaustian (Jan 01, 2011 9:43 am)
Well, there is still a debate in France on whether gas sold by oil companies is better than gas sold by supermarkets. Although there are fewer supermarket-controlled gas stations, they account for about half of all the sold petroleum in the country.
 
In other words, supermarket gas station are much busier than the average brand gas station. It would make sense to consider, all things being equal, that gas bought from a busier station would be more secure. It is claimed however that oil companies follow stricter standards and quality control procedures. Other claims are that some better additives are mixed in the petrol while Supermarkets would be a step behind in that matter. This is a long debate here. But I keep in mind what you say in case I am lucky enough to travel to North America.
 
>Lastly, TDIs make more sense if you drive more miles
The "break even point" between Diesel or Gas is also considered at around
10K miles (15k km). Given that Diesel is more expensive in the US and that diesel car command a large premium, I am surprised by how close the figure you quote is to France's.

#1488 of 1529 Re: Golf TDI ordered [gimmestdtranny] by jeffyscott

Jan 02, 2011 (8:29 pm)

Replying to: gimmestdtranny (Jan 02, 2011 1:19 pm)
Europe is a completely different market from the US and car prices are all much higher than in the US. It's not quite current, but according to this:
 
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/car/09q2/2009_volkswagen_polo-first_drive_re- view
 
the Polo was starting at the equivalent of $17,000 in Germany.
 
And according to this: http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/car/08q4/2010_volkswagen_golf_rabbit-second_- drive
 
The Golf starts at the equivalent of $22,500...and that's with a 79 HP, 1.4L engine.

#1489 of 1529 Re: Golf TDI ordered [jeffyscott] by vchiu

Jan 04, 2011 (3:26 pm)

Replying to: jeffyscott (Jan 02, 2011 8:29 pm)
>The Golf starts at the equivalent of $22,500...and that's with a 79 HP, 1.4L engine.
 
I don't even mention this totally underpowered version as there is close to zero chance such a model would sell in the US. And base trim may not even include aircon.
The most ridiculous is that people still buy this...
 
Is the 160HP 1.4 TSI version selling in the US ? This is both a potent and fuel saving engine. Much better than the V5

#1490 of 1529 A test of the 1.6 TDI golf by vchiu

Jan 04, 2011 (3:55 pm)

on the German Autobild magazine.
 
http://www.autobild.de/artikel/der-grosse-auto-bild-wintertest-1032041.html
 
In this winter test, the Golf wins a comparison with the Opel Astra and the Prius (in German).
 
Basically burns as little diesel as the Prius burns gas but outhandles the prius by a wide margin.
Also outhandles the heavier and thirstier astra.

#1491 of 1529 Re: Golf TDI ordered [vchiu] by puffin1

Jan 16, 2011 (10:21 am)

Replying to: vchiu (Jan 01, 2011 6:26 am)
where are you in France?

#1492 of 1529 Sorry I can't read German by puffin1

Jan 16, 2011 (10:29 am)

How can a VW polo with a 1.4 liter compete with the fiesta, or any other 1.6 liter ? It seems under powered.
                     TY

#1493 of 1529 Considering purchase of 2011 Golf 2.5 by 7383

Jan 17, 2011 (9:18 am)

Am close to purchase of 2011 Golf 2.5 6A 4dr with sunroof and bluetooth. This would replace 2004 Acura TSX which has served well. Vehicle is used for daily commute of 80 miles of twisty mountain roads. Test drives of Golf suggest that (with standard tires/wheels) it is much smoother and quieter than the TSX, and that the handling, while not as sharp, is very acceptable. We have driven and considered the TDI and like it, but want vehicle that uses regular 87 octane gasoline. Am interested in observations of those on this forum who have experience with the Golf 2.5 vehicle and engine, particularly with respect to real world fuel economy and reliability over the 130K miles we normally retain our vehicles. (The TSX averages 28.5 on 91 octane. We are hoping for significantly better economy with the VW on 87 octane, but may be dreaming.) Any and all input on this vehicle is welcome and thanks.

#1494 of 1529 Re: Considering purchase of 2011 Golf 2.5 [7383] by jbaustian

Jan 17, 2011 (9:36 am)

Replying to: 7383 (Jan 17, 2011 9:18 am)
Since you have such a long daily commute, you would most likely benefit from the much better fuel economy with the Golf TDI. TDIs also retain more of their value, in case you decide to trade after 130k miles or so; but they are also more reliable in the long term, in case you decide to keep it for 300k or 400k miles.
 
From what I've heard, typical fuel economy for the 2.5-liter gas engine is in the 25-28 mpg range. Fuel economy with the current 2.0-liter TDI engine can be in the 38-42 mpg range. So with the gasser. about 350-400 gallons of fuel every 10k miles; with the TDI, somewhere around 250 gallons. Do the calculations yourself, using AAA fuel price numbers for your state; or make an estimate of what you think will happen to fuel prices in the future.
 
The more you drive, the more sense a TDI makes. The higher fuel prices go, the more sense a TDI makes. Also, if fuel prices go higher, then TDI resale and trade-in values will go higher.

#1495 of 1529 Re: Considering purchase of 2011 Golf 2.5 [7383] by gimmestdtranny

Jan 17, 2011 (10:44 am)

Replying to: 7383 (Jan 17, 2011 9:18 am)
I agree with jbaustian. I would also add that in hilly mountainous terrain, the TDI has a lot more torque than the 2.5 and will come closer to providing the better economy rated firgures than the 2.5. If lived in the mountains and drove that many miles every day, this would be a no contest. The TDI would decidely win out by a huge margin. I know it isn't what you wanted to hear tho..
 
If you would consider the TDI, I highly recommend taking both on the very route you plan to drive everyday. You will see that the TDI will hill climb and have a lot more torque for passing on a hill also. If you haven't tried one, you will be totally amazed. If your concern is no handy diesel refueling stns close by, I would simply keep one or two 5 gal jerry cans of fuel at home. Just one can would let you make over 3 daily commutes.
The TDI would give over 50! mpg on flatter terrain and in the summer. So fort hills and including the winter fuel differences, I'd say you would still get real world of over 40 mpg easily. Keep in mind too that in A/C weather, again the torque of the TDI will not fall prey to the load on the engine with A/C nearly as much as with the gas engine.
 
The ONLY caution I have with the new 'clean diesels' are the measures they have taken to get them to pass the enviro regs here. They are laden down with more electronics and pre and after burner type tech that someday will cost money to fix. Give me a 2006 TDI anyday.
I still think if i did your miles, I'd still go with the TDI and plan to keep the car for 200k mi or even a bit more. Say 10 years? They have among the best rust corrosion resistance so I think that if you maintained the car with proper oil changes etc (and if you live a top a hill, I would idle the turbo down for about one minute before shutting off) I think you could surpass your 130k mi tradein interval by a fair bit. I am almost inclined to say you could probably dbl it. And the fuel savings over 260k mi would be approx 3800 gallons fewer that you would burn. I used 42 on the TDI and 26 on the 2.5. I penalized the FE of the 2.5 cuz of the hills and A/C in the hills. Fact is, over 260k mi. I actually think you would avg more than 42 with the TDI. My friend averaged 56 mpg with his old 86 Jetta TDsl over the LIFE of the car. (over 300k mi when he traded it on a new 2011 Golf wgn). He never required turbo work. Never had any internal engine parts replaced except for timing belts and waterpumps. Replaced the glowplugs only once. It did have a bad diesel injector pump leak which was the deciding factor to finally retire the car. He also hadn't fixed the A/C for the last few years and really missed that in the summer. He regularly got 65 mpg hwy and 50 strictly city, in the summer using A/C with a manual tran. No mountains tho, but lots of city stop and go. So subtract 20% cuz if u are in the USA, your gal is smaller.
 
Owners who would be best to shy away from owning a diesel would be ones who live in town and only drive a few miles to work or the store. Short trips, especially in the winter, is what will prematurely kill a diesel. You guys tho are excellent candidates if you ask me.

Messages Page 150 of 154

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement