GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk8 => Topic started by: Alienatrix on 03 August 2021, 16:58
-
Currently an owner of a 69 plate A220d AMG Line.
Previous car was a Leon 184 TDI DSG.
When I made the switch to the A220d I was blown away by how much quicker the A220d felt..I think the 8G DCT Gearbox is an absolute gem.
As my A220d lease was nearing its end I wanted to go back to VAG and wanted to stay in a diesel so chose the GTD MK8.
I did not test drive one as there literally none available to test drive.
However, having watched the Carwow review today between the GTD/GTI/CLUBSPORT the GTD got destroyed.
I know the comparison isn't the same and its all relative etc...But, I was expecting it to perform better.
I was disappointed to say the least and now regret that I may have made the wrong decision ordering the GTD.
Any thoughts, especially from owners of similarly previous cars?
Thanks.
-
I'd not say it was "totally destroyed" but a 200bhp 400nm vs a 245bhp 400nm vs a 300bhp 400nm.... guess how that ends?
I've had two Mk7 GTD's (see my sig) and loved both of them. Best cars I've ever had in 35 years!
The only reason why I don't have a Mk8 GTD is simply the diesel hate... for me it would still be a perfect choice - excellent fuel economy and still faster than most things on the road! However the hate made me decide to have a go at killing polar bears instead :laugh:
I think with you coming from another oil burner you won't see it as anything other than really good...
have you seen this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSqJtsNOBr4
-
The GTD is a nicely quick car that feels very muscular, and there's always a remap.
But it wasn't going to hang with a car with 50 more horse power, that can use its lower gear ratios for another 2500rpm. A petrol using the top of second vs a diesel using third, the torque difference at the wheels is pretty significant.
-
Ask yourself how often will you be driving flat out on a runway.
If the answer is not very often, then the GTD has lots of other virtues that make it a pretty solid choice.
-
From a Clubsport owner here, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed after watching that vid.
The petrol cars rev more sweetly, rev much higher and are lower geared so once they’re well above the speed limit there will be a sizeable gap between them. If he’d thrown an R into the mix that would have been even more decisive.
But as Guzzle said, it’s a runway.
In normal driving there wouldn’t be anything like that sort of gap between them. Plus you could drive the GTD harder (and still use less fuel) so maybe arguably have more fun in it.
I have a 112bhp 1.6 Diesel as well as a GTI Clubsport and I’ll tell you hand on heart that unless I’m absolutely gunning the GTI the Diesel is the quicker car on my commute for a variety of reasons.
Will the GTD be any better than the Merc though? That I’m not so sure about.
The Merc looks better to my eyes both inside and out, probably doesn’t have buggy infotainment and other electronics and possibly quicker(?)
I’ve no idea what the ride, handling and brakes are like on the A Class though.
-
Thanks guys
Some great advice and insight so far.
Things I hate about the A220d. It's only the AMG Line pack and although it does have the sporty looks and bumpers etc, it doesn't have the Multibeam headlights, Ambient Lights, Keyless entry and other fancy bits that the GTD has as standard.
Plus the A class is common as muck these days.
Things I like about the A Class. The gearbox. If any of you have watched the A35/A45s launch control clips on Youtube, that's exactly how ferocious the gearbox on the A220d is.
It's phenomenal, the gear changes make the car feel so much faster.
I have actually beaten a GTI from rolling start up to about 70mph.
I just hope the GTD doesn't dissapoint.
I have ordered it in Dolphin Grey with 19's Adelaides which looks amazing on images online.
Much much better looking than the A Class.
However, the interior...Well, that's another subject.
The Merc is in a different class...Things like the S Class steering wheel and the premium feel inside the cabin.
You can see my dilemma, hopefully.
Thanks
-
Did you consider another A Class? Does the Premium Plus pack not bring it closer to the GTD spec? I know some of the Merc driver aids are extra to the PP.
I'm still debating between hot/warm hatches. One thing that puts me off the Merc is no option for a spacesaver.
-
The mk8 Golf steering wheel might not be as glitzy as the Merc item but it’s actually really nice to hold.
The rest of the interior is ok. Far from premium these days but quite nice in its own right.
Can you still get a decent power TDI in an A3?
-
Can you still get a decent power TDI in an A3?
Audi A3 40 TDI.... same as a Mk8 GTD engine. But almost certainly with Audi tax added and probably that terrible suspension setup Audi love to build.
-
The Leon must be worth a look too.
Unless premium badge is mandatory.
Certainly no less premium inside than a VW these days.
Anyway, the GTD is still a cracking car for what it’s designed for.
The only negatives are those which apply to all Golfs and ID’s.
-
Can you still get a decent power TDI in an A3?
Audi A3 40 TDI.... same as a Mk8 GTD engine. But almost certainly with Audi tax added and probably that terrible suspension setup Audi love to build.
Had a test drive in a new A3 S Line and they have softened the suspension quite a bit compared to the old set up. Maybe Audi have got the message.......
-
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1H8RIx5yhOw&feature=youtu.be
-
Cannot talk about the MK 8 GTD but moved from Audi A3 Quattro to the MK 7 GTD (63 plate) and then onto an R and the TCR and can say with certainty that the GTD never ever felt it lacked overall and very much held its own, in that the essence of the what made the MK 7 great was retained completely, the cabin being a great place to be, the ride the same on DCC and despite down on BHP, the 185 BHP the MK 7 had still felt quick, certainly for normal roads, and its on the move pull with the diesel torque was again quite decent.
You basically just missing the outright pace of the GTI and R and slightly lighter handling of the GTI, when really pushing on, but little else, and when just moving around like everyone else, the driving experience differences are quite minimal, you in a nice cabin, with a great ride.
The bonus as doing more miles at time was the 55+ MPG that got on the medium to long runs, though that dipped to circa 38 MPG on local runs (context is that get about 28 MPG on local runs in present GTI)
GTD is probably the best all around car in the performance Golfs, and if was given one would be more than happy to receive.
-
Can you still get a decent power TDI in an A3?
Audi A3 40 TDI.... same as a Mk8 GTD engine. But almost certainly with Audi tax added and probably that terrible suspension setup Audi love to build.
Had a test drive in a new A3 S Line and they have softened the suspension quite a bit compared to the old set up. Maybe Audi have got the message.......
Had 2 x Audi A3 3 Door SLine suspension, and it was love/hate, it looked great in stance, and on smooth roads it was more than fine, but on the rubbish roads of which there is many it was bone jarring, and now DCC its never go back! but good to see Audi have taken softness up a notch
-
If you do enough miles to warrant a diesel keep it.
Between my mk7.5 GTD and 7.5 GTI PP, I'd say they're much of a muchness, I only changed because I missed the noise. Which it all it really came down to for me 400 miles a tank vs 350 miles a tank + a nice noise.
-
Thanks everyone for your input and advise thus far.
For the last 6 years I have been used to driving diesels and intent to do so for the next 4-5 years before making the inevitable switch to some sort of EV.
I've always been of the mindset that a good diesel engine should need no more than 50%-70% press of the acceleration pedal. It should provide effortless take off and a great amount of torque resulting to some pleasant shove.
Where the A220d performs very well is on the gearbox side. Whilst the engine is on par with the GTD in term of power and torque, I have been massively impressed by its gearbox.
Honestly, unless you've driven one you won't know.
In terms of the other suggestions about getting an A3 with a 40 TDI engine, unfortunately it's not something I wish to do at this point, mainly because I placed my order for the GTD with 19s and Winter Pack in April and I've been quoted November delivery date. Any changes now mean I won't be able to get a new car until well into next year.
Due to my average 12k-15k annual mileage unfortunately petrol isn't an option.
The responses thus have restored my confidence in that I won't regret getting into a GTD.
I just hope the DSG is as good as the A220d's 8G-DCT gearbox.
-
At 15k miles per year, (and assuming 35mpg for the GTi vs 45mpg for the GTD) the GTi will cost approx £10 per week more than the GTD.
Yes I know it all mounts up over time, but it's only really once you go beyond 20k miles per year that the savings for diesel become really significant. Even then, some of the extra cost can be claimed back from your employer if it's business mileage.
-
At 15k miles per year, (and assuming 35mpg for the GTi vs 45mpg for the GTD) the GTi will cost approx £10 per week more than the GTD.
Yes I know it all mounts up over time, but it's only really once you go beyond 20k miles per year that the savings for diesel become really significant. Even then, some of the extra cost can be claimed back from your employer if it's business mileage.
At 18k miles a year in my GTD with an average monthly business mileage of £100, my fuel cost me £100 for the month and I filled the GTD up with BP Ultimate. (Averaged 45mpg in Summer on 19s and 49-51mpg in winter on 18s and winter tyres).
Side note honestly the GTD is the best in class for business use, wouldn't hesitate for to get another. The only rival against it in my eyes is a used 330d which also have a fearsome 39mpg (literally never drops from 39mpg) for a 6 cylinder
-
Thanks everyone for your input and advise thus far.
For the last 6 years I have been used to driving diesels and intent to do so for the next 4-5 years before making the inevitable switch to some sort of EV.
I've always been of the mindset that a good diesel engine should need no more than 50%-70% press of the acceleration pedal. It should provide effortless take off and a great amount of torque resulting to some pleasant shove.
Where the A220d performs very well is on the gearbox side. Whilst the engine is on par with the GTD in term of power and torque, I have been massively impressed by its gearbox.
Honestly, unless you've driven one you won't know.
In terms of the other suggestions about getting an A3 with a 40 TDI engine, unfortunately it's not something I wish to do at this point, mainly because I placed my order for the GTD with 19s and Winter Pack in April and I've been quoted November delivery date. Any changes now mean I won't be able to get a new car until well into next year.
Due to my average 12k-15k annual mileage unfortunately petrol isn't an option.
The responses thus have restored my confidence in that I won't regret getting into a GTD.
I just hope the DSG is as good as the A220d's 8G-DCT gearbox.
I used to have a C220d Merc but it had the 7 speed, I had an A200d courtesy car and you're right the gearbox is brilliant. The latest software in these new DSG boxes though are fantastic super smooth and less hunting for gears and a step up in my opinion from the 7.5. There is a bit of a delay to kickdown but I don't think you will be disappointed overall.
-
One of my colleagues has a MK8 GTD and another has a MK8 GTE. I drove them back to back the other day and I would say that the GTE is significantly quicker. I think the GTD will probably be the least common version of the MK8 performance versions and the GTE will be the most common.
Personally between the two of them I’d buy a well spec’d GTE over the GTD as it’s faster, lower company car tax (if applicable), the same if not better MPG and you have the choice to drive in electric only.
-
Hi, I’m new here and have a clubsport 45 on order.
I’ve had many cars including a Mini GP 1, mk2 Focus RS and a TVR T350. Prior to parking it in the back of an Astra and it being written off, I had a 7.5 Golf GTD (manual) company car. I can honestly say it was the best all rounder I had, excellent fuel economy, great fun and an amazing place to sit.
I’ve actually opted out the company car scheme and gone for cash allowance now (hence the 45), otherwise I would have definitely ordered another.
FYI, my folks have the 8 speed gearbox in their GLC300 CDi, it is good.