Volkswagen Golf TDI

kircher · 09-10-2009, 12:06 AM

Hi all,

My mother is in the market for a second hand car, and I've been tasked with finding one for her and I've narrowed the search down to a Mk V Volkswagen Golf TDI with DSG. She wants fuel efficiency, comfort, good handling, refinement, a good auto transmission and decent performance and the Golf is basically the class leader in its segment. It's also the safest and has best standard equipment and the best stereo. The DSG is an awesome transmission too.

One car we're considering is a 2006 2.0L TDI, with leather upholstery, a towbar and roof racks and it has 95 000km. The car is located in Wollongong. The other car is a 2006 1.9L TDI with the same spec level, minus the leather upholstery. It doesn't have roof racks or towbar either. It has 85 000km. This car is located in Narromine and has been driven purely on the highway as a commuter car. It has full service history.

My thoughts are that the Narromine car will have less wear and tear because it's a country car with all highway Ks, and the other will have more wear and tear because of its use as a city car and tow car.

What are other peoples thoughts on the matter? would you avoid buying a car that has a towbar and roof racks? My head is saying go for the 1.9, but my heart is saying go for the 2.0L because its closer, has leather upholstery and because they have significantly better performance: 105kW and 320Nm vs. 77kW and 250Nm.

Whether or not we end up buying either of these cars, I'm still curious about other peoples thoughts on buying a car that was used as a tow vehicle. It's common knowledge that country cars are better than city cars too.

Edit: Forgot to mention both cars are priced roughly the same.

madmelon · 09-10-2009, 12:44 AM

Removed

mik · 09-10-2009, 12:59 AM

i`d be asking what are next expensive serviceing items and what mileage , for example timing belt/s if applicable etc, turbo service down the track, diesel service, book service, you pay extra for technology, if not now down the track.

Rodp · 09-10-2009, 08:04 AM

Don't know if I'd want a DSG based vehicle that was used for towing.

The price may have gone down recently but to have a DSG box replaced a year ago you were looking at ~19k.. mechatronics was a couple of thou (and I've heard a lot of them being replaced recently).

I plan to sell my DSG Golf prior to it running out of warranty due to the excessive cost of a DSG box failure. Fantastic box, head and shoulders above anything I've ever owned but the replacement price scares the crap out of me on failure. If there's an offer to extend the warranty for another 3 years, perhaps that could be an option...?

DBourne · 09-10-2009, 08:33 AM

i personally really don't like the leather seats in the golfs.

they feel way too plasticy.. but then again that is what is brilliant about personal preference!!

kircher · 09-10-2009, 09:33 AM

The reliability issues are my main concerns, as others have pointed out. The idea of having DSG failures down the track scares me as well. But we want an auto, and all the other small car autos are crap. The corolla is boring and slow with a bad auto, the Mazda 3 is noisy, The Focus handles well, but is less comfortable and has 4spd auto The DSG is good because it's not a conventional auto. The other car we've seriously considered is the Honda Accord Euro, because its 5 speed is a pretty good unit. It uses almost twice as much fuel as the Golf though. It's Honda so you can expect bullet proof reliability.

We're replacing a manual 1996 Subaru Liberty which has been absolutely faultless for 260 000km, so it's a tough act to follow.

SumoDog68 · 09-10-2009, 09:57 AM

DSG is not an auto but an automated manual with twin cluch. Nice in theory ,nice to drive but you would want it to be covered by warranty due to very expensive replacement $. I would say get another Subaru (not that Subarus are cheap to fix ,but probably won't need much fixing ).

smoo · 09-10-2009, 10:38 AM

I would not want to own a DSG out of warranty. My old man was looking at a couple of Passat DSG tdi to put on the road as taxis, good for the first 300,000km, until the gearbox packs up and puts him out of business. Can't see the ZF6 in the latest Falcons been any different too.

Ever tried looking at a manual tdi Jetta, or Peugeot 307?

kircher · 09-10-2009, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smoo

I would not want to own a DSG out of warranty. My old man was looking at a couple of Passat DSG tdi to put on the road as taxis, good for the first 300,000km, until the gearbox packs up and puts him out of business. Can't see the ZF6 in the latest Falcons been any different too.

Ever tried looking at a manual tdi Jetta, or Peugeot 307?

Yeah, I've been thinking manual might be a better option. I think I'll wait and see how DSGs go in long term reliability before I commit to buying one. We don't buy cars and sell them every 3 years, we buy them and drive them for 200 000km or more. I've thought about 307s, but I think I'd rather a German car if I went Euro. Golfs get more praise than 307s. I've driven a 2.0 Petrol 307 and I wasn't all that impressed either. Very unresponsive engine in the Petrol at least.

sgt_doofey · 09-10-2009, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kircher

I've driven a 2.0 Petrol 307 and I wasn't all that impressed either. Very unresponsive engine in the Petrol at least.

Try the diesel. You'd be surprised. But then again, I am biased. (see my signature)
The 1.6L diesel engine is a very frugal engine but still has great pull. If you're looking for a 307, look for a T6 variant built after August 2006. All the problems were sorted by then. Ours has been faultless for the 3 years and 70,000kms we've had it for.

Billy Bunter · 09-10-2009, 03:02 PM

Hi Kircher...Billy Here..Daughter has a 2007 golf 2.0 Tdi 6 speed manual.silver grey 35000ks .has new baby and picks up vw tiguan at the end of the month.At Woollahra Pm me with phone no if interested...and i will pass on.
Cheers
Billy :eclipsee_

Dr Smith · 09-10-2009, 07:48 PM

Why don't you ask here, http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newf...load/index.php
very friendly forum and not afraid to advise pros/cons.

Dr Smith · 09-10-2009, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rodp

Don't know if I'd want a DSG based vehicle that was used for towing.

The price may have gone down recently but to have a DSG box replaced a year ago you were looking at ~19k.. mechatronics was a couple of thou (and I've heard a lot of them being replaced recently).

I plan to sell my DSG Golf prior to it running out of warranty due to the excessive cost of a DSG box failure. Fantastic box, head and shoulders above anything I've ever owned but the replacement price scares the crap out of me on failure. If there's an offer to extend the warranty for another 3 years, perhaps that could be an option...?

My VW dealer mentioned they can offer an extended warranty underwritten by a major insurer when I was last there.

Dr Smith · 09-10-2009, 07:56 PM

VW is switching to 7sp DSG boxes on their Transporter/Multivan's replacing conventional A6 boxes. I would imagine on commercial vehicles such a decision wouldn't be taken lightly considering they sell hundreds of thousands of them.

Rodp · 09-10-2009, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr Smith

My VW dealer mentioned they can offer an extended warranty underwritten by a major insurer when I was last there.

Not sure on used cars though, I bought mine from new and I get bored well before 3 years or 100,000kms. ;)

kircher · 09-10-2009, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr Smith

Why don't you ask here, http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newf...load/index.php
very friendly forum and not afraid to advise pros/cons.

Thanks for that. I'll check it out. I test drove the 2L DSG one today, and it was awesome. 320Nm is a lot for a hatch. It has a good stereo too, and handles well with a good ride. Brakes are a bit touchy and no feel though, but it's something you could get used to. Before I commit to anything though I'll talk to some people on VW forum. I'm looking at a manual 2L tomorrow.

Rodp · 09-10-2009, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kircher

Thanks for that. I'll check it out. I test drove the 2L DSG one today, and it was awesome. 320Nm is a lot for a hatch. It has a good stereo too, and handles well with a good ride. Brakes are a bit touchy and no feel though, but it's something you could get used to. Before I commit to anything though I'll talk to some people on VW forum. I'm looking at a manual 2L tomorrow.

It is something you get used to. Initially they feel very grabby (and I have the brembo option) but you get used to it. My first car was a British Escort so the indicator on the left wasn't a big deal in the VW.

kircher · 09-10-2009, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rodp

My first car was a British Escort so the indicator on the left wasn't a big deal in the VW.

I've driven barinas and cars in the US, so it didn't take me long to get used to it again. I did hit the wipers a couple of times though.

Bossxr8 · 10-10-2009, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smoo

I would not want to own a DSG out of warranty. My old man was looking at a couple of Passat DSG tdi to put on the road as taxis, good for the first 300,000km, until the gearbox packs up and puts him out of business. Can't see the ZF6 in the latest Falcons been any different too.

Ever tried looking at a manual tdi Jetta, or Peugeot 307?

I think ZF's are about 4k to rebuild, which is a bit odd as parts are supposed to be reasonably priced and they are supposed to be fairly easy to rebuild due to the low number of moving parts they contain.

TURBOTAXI · 10-10-2009, 09:58 AM

They are a great drive!

geckoGT · 10-10-2009, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blake_7

i used to sell them new, go the 2.0lt the 1.9lt are really gutless, as for towing,, if you've got a tow bar on a golf you wouldnt be towing much more than a box trailer/bike rack at the most so i dont think there are any concerns there, the DSG is a great gearbox to drive with but like all cars there are going to be good and bad ones!

This is the key point here, you assume because it has a tow bar it has been towing. Most people that want to tow regularly will not go near a front wheel drive. I would think it is most likely fitted so it can have a bike carrier, odd tip run with trailer at the most.

Personally I would not let the tow bar put me off.

We seriously looked at the Golf (GTI) before we bought the mini and sometimes I wish we had bought one. I know 3 people that own VW Golf GTI's, 2 of which are DSG and not one has had a warranty claim yet. To me that sounds pretty reliable, our FPV had at least three in the first year.

In my mind, manual or DSG VW golf, you can't go wrong.

kircher · 10-10-2009, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geckoGT

This is the key point here, you assume because it has a tow bar it has been towing. Most people that want to tow regularly will not go near a front wheel drive. I would think it is most likely fitted so it can have a bike carrier, odd tip run with trailer at the most.

Personally I would not let the tow bar put me off.

We seriously looked at the Golf (GTI) before we bought the mini and sometimes I wish we had bought one. I know 3 people that own VW Golf GTI's, 2 of which are DSG and not one has had a warranty claim yet. To me that sounds pretty reliable, our FPV had at least three in the first year.

In my mind, manual or DSG VW golf, you can't go wrong.

Yes, it was used for a bike rack. We had a look at the car yesterday and I asked the owner. They had a trailer there with a couple of kayaks at their house too, so they may have towed that as well, but it looked very light. The car was in great condition and the transmission felt smooth and faultless, so I won't let that put us off. I would have been concerned if I saw a horse float or caravan though.

Dr Smith · 10-10-2009, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kircher

Thanks for that. I'll check it out. I test drove the 2L DSG one today, and it was awesome. 320Nm is a lot for a hatch. It has a good stereo too, and handles well with a good ride. Brakes are a bit touchy and no feel though, but it's something you could get used to. Before I commit to anything though I'll talk to some people on VW forum. I'm looking at a manual 2L tomorrow.

I had a Caddy loaner for a day and the only thing I had to get used to was hesitation on take off, actually more a delay as 1st is engaged and a lack of creeping forward until 1st engages, unlike a trad'l auto. On an incline you can roll back before it then takes up, something changed in the new T5 7DSG apparently. The actual changes were very quick and smooth.

kircher · 10-10-2009, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr Smith

I had a Caddy loaner for a day and the only thing I had to get used to was hesitation on take off, actually more a delay as 1st is engaged and a lack of creeping forward until 1st engages, unlike a trad'l auto. On an incline you can roll back before it then takes up, something changed in the new T5 7DSG apparently. The actual changes were very quick and smooth.

The one I drove crept like an auto in gear, but you have to get used to it because when you tap the brakes at parking speeds, the clutch disengages and feels jerky. You have to adjust your driving style accordingly and not touch the brakes too much when manoeuvring at low speeds. I think the software calibration may have some effect on how it works at low speeds. I noticed the roll back on inclines though, but it wasn't excessive for me. I took it for a long test drive and was impressed. DSG really suits the character of turbo diesels.

banarcus · 10-10-2009, 01:31 PM

No dramas with our Mk V Golf. Very reliable and capable little car. Although mine is a petrol and six speed manual, nil problems with our drivetrain.

Rodp · 10-10-2009, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr Smith

I had a Caddy loaner for a day and the only thing I had to get used to was hesitation on take off, actually more a delay as 1st is engaged and a lack of creeping forward until 1st engages, unlike a trad'l auto. On an incline you can roll back before it then takes up, something changed in the new T5 7DSG apparently. The actual changes were very quick and smooth.

It takes a little getting used to, if you shuffle straight from the brake to the accelerator, it'll launch you. I generally ease off the break, feel the clutch grab then squeeze the accelerator - as smooth as it gets (takes about 1 to 2 seconds). If you don't accelerate at that point, it will creep after it's engaged the gear. Foot on the brake is like sticking a manual in neutral.

Dr Smith · 10-10-2009, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rodp

It takes a little getting used to, if you shuffle straight from the brake to the accelerator, it'll launch you. I generally ease off the break, feel the clutch grab then squeeze the accelerator - as smooth as it gets (takes about 1 to 2 seconds). If you don't accelerate at that point, it will creep after it's engaged the gear. Foot on the brake is like sticking a manual in neutral.

Cheers, like you said just takes a bit of learning and in no way a put off.

Dr Smith · 10-10-2009, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kircher

The one I drove crept like an auto in gear, but you have to get used to it because when you tap the brakes at parking speeds, the clutch disengages and feels jerky. You have to adjust your driving style accordingly and not touch the brakes too much when manoeuvring at low speeds. I think the software calibration may have some effect on how it works at low speeds. I noticed the roll back on inclines though, but it wasn't excessive for me. I took it for a long test drive and was impressed. DSG really suits the character of turbo diesels.

Very true, and with the narrower power band (for want of a better phrase) the more gears the better to keep it on song/boost which is why I can't wait to sample/cost a MY10 T5 update 4motion 7DSG, if VGA can pull their fingers out and release some official specs/prices.

GK351 · 10-10-2009, 04:41 PM

Its the worlds best selling small car so its got to be pretty good.
I have a 07 2.0tdi DSG just clicked over 20,000km's in the 2 years i have had it.
2 kids the wife and a bootfull of stuff still go's nicely on trips.

No problems so far but the bloody right brake light always packs it in for some reason.

Bossxr8 · 10-10-2009, 06:59 PM

Just being the highest seller doesn't necessarily make it good, the Commodore is No1 most months and we all know how garbage they are.

But the Golfs are pretty well built, Focus and Fiesta outsell them in Europe but.