GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk7 => Topic started by: Sootchucker on 20 June 2018, 08:54
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I know these things have been done before, but I thought I'd do this from the perspective of a 12 year diesel owner and my 3rd MK7 Golf.
As mentioned above, this is my 3rd MK7 with the previous 2 being a 2013 GTD DSG and a 2016 GTD DSG. Before that it was a 140PS DSG Scirocco and a MK5 Golf GT TDi (manual). In total I'd had diesel's for 12 years (the Golf was my first).
Now first things first, you would think that after having 3 near identical cars, I would be sick of the Golf by now, but each one I've owned keeps getting better and better, and I certainly haven't tired of it yet. I think the interior especially is very classy and exceptionally well laid out.
Well, my current MK7 is a GTI 230PS DSG which I picked up on May 3rd. It got off to a bit of a rocky start when on collection there was a deep scratch on the wing, but it was all sorted to my satisfaction and is now a distant memory. Now interestingly, when I ordered the GTI, I had never test driven one, and still hadn't up to the day I collected it. Based on on-line reviews and members on here I pretty much knew what I was going to be getting. The big question for me at ordering time was PP or no PP ? I eventually decided on no PP, as whilst the upgraded brakes look very cool under the alloys, for me the £1k asking price could be better spent on luxury toys as out and out performance was never my goal (so the extra power and LSD would be a bit wasted on me). I probably drive the GTI very conservatively 95% of the time, with just 5% reserved for play time or when I'm in a real hurry, such are my congested journeys to and from work.
So what were my initial feelings on at last going back to petrol. Well first was just how whisper quiet and smooth it was. Now the GTD's were by no means raucous (for a diesel lump they were very refined), but the GTI when plodding along is just so quiet and serene. I must admit that one thing did bring a huge smile to my face. Also, as I went for the Art Velours Interior (Alcantera / pleather), it really does lift the interior of the car and makes it feel really special, and is a nice change from 5 years of plaid cloth (which were still very nice). So what about the power, well to be honest this was the one area where I was initially disappointed.
I know the car is new and still quite tight (to date only 730 miles on it), but it didn't feel anywhere as fast as the GTD. The GTD just gave you that typical turbo diesel huge shove in the back when you accelerated, something the GTI didn't (doesn't). That is of course until you look at the speedo, and realise you are going a far bit quicker than you thought. I guess it's just me seeing the difference between the way a diesel engine rides it's torque curve and a petrol motor. Don't get me wrong, when pushed hard the GTI flies, but it just doesn't "feel" as fast as the GTD if you know what I mean - less dramatic.
Next was fuel consumption. Now to be fair I'm only on my 2nd full tank, but I was preparing myself to be a little shocked coming from a diesel, but TBH, I've been (so far) pleasantly surprised. My first tank netted me 38mpg (calculated - dash reading was 38.5) and my current tank (150 miles in) is showing so far a similar figure. Bearing in mind my GTD in the summer used to average around 46-47, it's not as big a hit as I imagined, although on shorter journeys, it's still a little disconcerting seeing the GTI struggle to even get to 25-30mpg, when the GTD would return 35-40mpg easily over the same shorter journeys. But I guess my memory of diesel fuel economy will dim as the miles go on. However a couple of times now on my way home from work I've seen both 45.2 and 48.8mpg returned (and that was only a 12 mile journey), so on a longer run down to my sister in laws (approx 130 miles each way) I fully expect the GTI to return mid to high forties when driving the same way I did the GTD's (which on the same journeys, would "only" return around 54-58mpg). Pretty good for 230ps and DSG ?
I also didn't think I would love the active info display as much as I do, but really wish there was a way to tweak it to show red needles instead of the standard white ones, as some of them (namely the fuel needle can be quite hard to reach). I've done a VCDS mod to show another skin that gives me the "classic" view, (just the clocks with no additional information). The added benefit of this that the minor speed markings are actually shown with figures not just tick marks, and the Fuel and temperature areas are slightly bigger and give a little better view of the needles. Shame it can't be modified more.
Also, this is the 1st MK7 where I didn't spec the Pro-Nav as I did in the previous cars. I went back and forth over this one, and decided in the end it was just too expensive and to be honest, now I've used it for month or so, I'm glad i did, especially now that google street view and google earth maps have been removed from the new model. I don't doubt for one minute the Pro Nav is better in many ways, but the standard Nav has really impressed me, and TBH, when I had the loaner "R" for a couple of weeks (fitted with the Nav Pro), I started to become a little annoying at the lack of proper buttons and having to hit the menu button to make another "app" selection. About the only things I really miss from the Pro Nav is the ability to play movies (when I'm waiting for the wife at the train station), and having the second SD card slot available for said movies or more music, but I think I can live without them.
I have to say as well the Android Auto / Apple Car Play implementation in the new systems is so much faster than on the MIB I and II models, and my AA loads up within seconds of a restart, and having the dedicated "APP" button to go straight to it is a very welcome addition.
This is also my first Golf with the full suite of safety options. So active lane assist, side assist (blind spot), rear assist, emergency assist, front and pedestrian assist and traffic sign recognition. All work great so far and the traffic sign assist really is a great feature and almost instantly picks up temporary speed signs (e.g. on the motorway etc.). The car is also equipped with the full dynamic light assist for the LED headlights (so auto mask's on coming traffic when on high beam), but as I've not really driven the car at night yet, I guess testing of that function will have to wait for winter.
So, all in all what do I think. Bit of a looker still, quiet, very refined, very safe, quick (when pushed), pretty economical for a 230ps petrol engine, but feels just a little "unexciting" when driven normally (the exhaust has started making some lovely DSG up-shift farts when pushing on though). recommended...... Yes very !
Thanks for reading.
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Thanks for the thoughts - interesting reading.
Your comment about the engine feeling down on power made me wonder if these new GTI petrol engines are either a.) built to unusually tight tolerances; or b.) somehow knobbled by software during the early stages of their life - possibly for long term reliability purposes? I have just this week taken delivery of my new GTI and am surprised that at this early stage (~200kms) it feels little, if any, more potent than the 2017 1.4 150bhp I traded.
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If its nobbled at all then its probably due to attempts at emissions control.
When the Mk7.5 GTD came out, the CO2 figures were quite a bit higher than the 2014 Mk7 GTD I had. You could argue "but that's because of dieselgate" but I don't think it is.
They have definitely done something, quite what I don't know.
Anyway, with what Sooty is saying, I'd actually be surprised if there truly was much performance difference between a 184ps oil burner and a 230ps petrol. Sure, on paper its more powerful, but the power comes in with a whooooosh with the oil burner.
Look at the graphs:
184ps oil burner (ok, its a Skoda, but its the same thing):
http://photobucket.com/gallery/user/ABYSS69/media/cGF0aDpBQllTUzY5MDEwL3NoYXJrX3pwc2E5ZGE3NTNkLmpwZw==/?ref= (http://photobucket.com/gallery/user/ABYSS69/media/cGF0aDpBQllTUzY5MDEwL3NoYXJrX3pwc2E5ZGE3NTNkLmpwZw==/?ref=)
230ps petrol thing:
http://millteksport.com/media.file.cfm?fileid=1257 (http://millteksport.com/media.file.cfm?fileid=1257)
Quite different characteristics and I suggest that probably with your car being new you aren't pushing it hard enough to find the whoosh that is there, just higher up.
I know one of my colleagues has a GTI PP DSG - its not slow... I've not driven it but as a passenger it seems bloody quick, but its quite a different dynamic.
All that being said, I actually think the oil burner is probably more useful on real road conditions... on a track, on paper.... sure petrol all the way.
Its just a shame that people have totally misunderstood environmental issues with Euro6 oil burners...
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yeah the excitement is definitely higher up the rev band.
I've come from 2 diesels, a Seat Leon FR 150, and before that a Scirocco GT 170, and I agree about the smoothness of the GTI in comparison to a diesel, and of course it doesn't sound like a Taxi :)
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Great little review as ever Andrew.
The power delivery, power band and gearing all make a difference to the feel of how the car drives.
The TDI’s definitely get better after a few miles.
There has always been speculation about the ‘running in map’ and I do think there’s something in it.
There’s a big current thread over on VWROC but I’ve not read any of it yet.
Having had all four Performance mk7’s but no FL experience other than a 20 minute crawl
Around of a friend’s company car FL GTI non PP.
I could write volumes on my perceptions of the different models which would be a painful and pointless exercise for both me and anyone unfortunate enough to read it :grin:
But my overriding memories of comparing the MK7 230PS PP to my GTD (and more specifically a couple hire GTDs I drove when I had my PP) were the smoothness of how the GTI revved making the power delivery seem very flat and how despite the lower (in number) peak torque figure of the GTI was how much more flexible it was (manual gearbox) with peak torque at little more than tickover lasting right the way through the Rev range. The 230PS GTI engine was great on long motorway steep hills too, just a gentle prod of the right toe would see it surge forward even on a really harsh incline in top gear where the GRD would suddenly feel reluctant belying the big torque figure.
I can see why the DSG in auto (non S) mode would make it feel slower than the GTD.
However due to the gearing and keenness to rev it’s actually quite a brisk mover and in the manual gearbox version it likes to be driven like a Diesel.
The R engine (also in the Clubsport) feels more typically petrol like as there’s a definite torque void below around 2500rpm in certain types of driving despite peak torque being delivered around 1800.
My initial over riding memory of the early days of my mk7 GTI ownership in 2013 was how flat the power delivery felt until I fitted a pedalbox a few hundred miles in, at which point the car came alive.
I’m not a big fan of the digital dials in the FL car.
Where I’m more than happy to move with the tech when there’s a definite improvement, I don’t feel the info display on the FL mk7’s is a great design.
As said, the single colour of white needle against white ‘dial’ removes any character and sportiness from the gauges. Being digital it would have been so easy for VW to have added in some discretely sporty graphics to the performance models.
The dials in the mk7 GTI/GTD (pre FL) were no objects of beauty unlike the R dials but but they were clean, functional and sharp.
Each generation (R aside until it went digital) seems to have gone back a degree since the mk5 GTI where the main dials are concerned.
My son has the latest audio unit in his MQB Ibiza FR and it seems very good compared to my MIB II
The only drawback is the constant need to wipe the screen with a microfibre.
The audio units are one area where tech seems to move very quickly year on year.
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Great review. I do know what you mean about the power delivery. The Golf seems to deliver it in such a refined way that you do get a shock when you look at the speedo. My last car was a BMW 335i and that had the woosh, but was hobbled by a very slow automatic gearbox. Thats another thing that impresses me, the DSG box in the golf is really sharp.
I love the Active Info Display, its one of my favourite aspects of the car. I do think its a missed opportunity though. Classic case of a car manufacturer giving you a really cool feature, but only using 10% of its potential. There is no reason why they couldn't have an iPhone / android app that let you tweak your own layouts and upload them to the car.
I also really like the adaptive cruise control. I had the whole family in the car and used it to cruise around a bunch of traffic heavy B roads. It never missed a beat. I literally just steered. It even dealt with you coming to a complete standstill no problem. My wife actually preferred the car handling all the breaking and accelerating rather than me :)
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Interesting comment from Splashalot with respect to 1.4 150 engine. My current Audi A4 has that engine with a manual gearbox.
My new GTI PP DSG is due for delivery within the next couple of weeks (hoping to get a delivery date confirmed tomorrow from the dealer). I guess I will be shocked if it feels little or no more powerful than my A4 :cry:
I will post here again once I have my hands on the car. This will be the first car I have owned with more than 200ps!
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I love the active info display too..
And it's worth remembering that for £599 you can have a Revo remap which gives 330ps ! And I bet it will be a much better map than vw's with all their messing around with emmisions etc..
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Interesting comment from Splashalot with respect to 1.4 150 engine. My current Audi A4 has that engine with a manual gearbox.
My new GTI PP DSG is due for delivery within the next couple of weeks (hoping to get a delivery date confirmed tomorrow from the dealer). I guess I will be shocked if it feels little or no more powerful than my A4 :cry:
I will post here again once I have my hands on the car. This will be the first car I have owned with more than 200ps!
The GTI will feel a lot more powerful than a 150PS hefty saloon car, it’s just the way all (VW group) engines are mapped from the factory to feel a bit flat unless you’re really pushing on.
A pedalbox transforms this but shouldn’t be the necessary purchase it is.
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Interesting comment from Splashalot with respect to 1.4 150 engine. My current Audi A4 has that engine with a manual gearbox.
My new GTI PP DSG is due for delivery within the next couple of weeks (hoping to get a delivery date confirmed tomorrow from the dealer). I guess I will be shocked if it feels little or no more powerful than my A4 :cry:
I will post here again once I have my hands on the car. This will be the first car I have owned with more than 200ps!
The GTI will feel a lot more powerful than a 150PS hefty saloon car, it’s just the way all (VW group) engines are mapped from the factory to feel a bit flat unless you’re really pushing on.
A pedalbox transforms this but shouldn’t be the necessary purchase it is.
The key word here is pedalbox! Utterly transforms the car and makes every journey (except possibly one to the out-laws :whistle:) exciting and fun, exactly what the GTI should be.
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I had no idea what a PedalBox was. Now I do. Very interesting alternative to a remap or tuning box. Thanks for the recommendation.
I will drive the GTI PP for while before making an decision on mods like a PedalBox. As I do expect a significant performance increase over my 1.4 A4; I think I need to take it easy as I get used to a 245 ps car.
Counter-intuitively, the current A4 1.4 is actually very slightly lighter than the Golf GTI (1,320 kg vs 1,327 kg).
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Ok so what exactly does a pedal box do..and how much are they etc ??
Thanks..
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A pedal box changes the throttle response of your car and has a number of different settings which allow you to tailor it to your liking. As the throttle is controlled via wire, the box interupts the signal and changes it to make the car respond to less input. In practice it means putting you foot down less for the same amount of acceleration, but that doesn't do it justice. Although it adds no power to the car, it makes the driving expirence much more enjoyable, and does away with the dead area at the start of the peadal's travel. DTUK's version is the most popular and are around £200. They are also very simple to install.
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Ok so what exactly does a pedal box do..and how much are they etc ??
Thanks..
A rather lengthy thread on the subject but you'll soon get the idea...
http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=278239.0
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Ok so what exactly does a pedal box do..and how much are they etc ??
Thanks..
This shows you how they fit to the pedal. This is the older style pedal box as there’s now pedal box plus which would be the one to go for.
http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=276517.0
Discount code RF80 usually works on the DTUK website unless there’s already a deal on.
It’s the single best value for money mod you can do to your performance golf.
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If you want to roughly know how it will feel.... set your car to normal engine mode, have a drive. Then set the engine mode to sport..... thats the same idea - its a different fly by wire throttle mapping.
The pedal box gives you more granular control though, including effects beyond OEM "sport" mode.
Don't forget insurers can get sh*tty about it though and refuse to cover you with it.... and you should declare it.
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It's been said numerous times on here that new cars from the factory appear to be restricted until 1000kms have been done and then the engine loosens up. And I must be the only one that thinks a pedal box is a waste of money :whistle:
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It's been said numerous times on here that new cars from the factory appear to be restricted until 1000kms have been done and then the engine loosens up. And I must be the only one that thinks a pedal box is a waste of money :whistle:
It looks like we agree on something mcmaddy :grin:
I bought one and had a play around with it and decided that it wasn’t for me. It has plenty of great reviews though so I would recommend people to buy it, try it and then return it if not happy. It does what it says on the tin but I just think it’s pricey for what it is.
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:grin: :grin:👍 only issue people will have is trying to get a full refund :whistle:
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I know the engine is a little different to the R but when I collected mine and gave it a gentle run in for the first 300/400 miles you could really feel that the car wanted to go.
The way it starts to rev out once the boost comes on is crazy. I guess the larger turbo must help. The R engine really is a joy even from low revs.
I wonder how the PP engine feels? Does it have a bigger turbo to the non PP?
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I love the active info display too..
And it's worth remembering that for £599 you can have a Revo remap which gives 330ps ! And I bet it will be a much better map than vw's with all their messing around with emmisions etc..
For those that have had a Revo map, do you need to go to a dealer or can you install it yourself?
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I love the active info display too..
And it's worth remembering that for £599 you can have a Revo remap which gives 330ps ! And I bet it will be a much better map than vw's with all their messing around with emmisions etc..
For those that have had a Revo map, do you need to go to a dealer or can you install it yourself?
It’s a REVO dealer visit I’m afraid.
I know the engine is a little different to the R but when I collected mine and gave it a gentle run in for the first 300/400 miles you could really feel that the car wanted to go.
The way it starts to rev out once the boost comes on is crazy. I guess the larger turbo must help. The R engine really is a joy even from low revs.
I wonder how the PP engine feels? Does it have a bigger turbo to the non PP?
The PP has the smaller more responsive at low revs turbo which doesn’t have the same kick as an R at over 4000rpm.
It has a flatter and smoother power delivery than an R but feels more torquey.
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Interesting comment from Splashalot with respect to 1.4 150 engine. My current Audi A4 has that engine with a manual gearbox.
My new GTI PP DSG is due for delivery within the next couple of weeks (hoping to get a delivery date confirmed tomorrow from the dealer). I guess I will be shocked if it feels little or no more powerful than my A4 :cry:
I will post here again once I have my hands on the car. This will be the first car I have owned with more than 200ps!
John, just to be clear, I'm comparing a brand new GTI at 200kms to a 7,000km well run in 1.4 150ps. I did notice the 1.4 seemed to come alive quite noticeably at some stage, but cannot recall the mileage. I'm expecting (and hoping!) my GTI does the same. Otherwise, I'm loving everything about the new GTI. I'm sure you will love yours.
I had a look at the VWROC "running in map" thread Exonian mentioned. No definitive info there on whether or not these cars are restricted until a certain mileage, mostly discussion on running in procedures.
I have a pedal box+ off my 1.4 sitting in the garage waiting to be fitted to the GTI. Just have to get agreement from my insurance company. (Edit: Approval received. No change of premium as it's not considered a performance changing modification. Happy days) Highly recommended. For me the major gain is the removal of the mushy feeling and dead travel at the start of the throttle travel. It's amazing the difference this makes to driving satisfaction, even when just tootling about.
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Well this thread has taken a turn :D :D
Just to clarify, I wasn't' saying it was slow, just that it didn't feel as quick. I think with me still being used to the diesel torque surge when the turbo comes on boost, that's missing from the GTI as it seems to have a much more linear power delivery that the diesel models, which means it feels a bit flat until you check the speedo.
In any case I still love it and as brilliant as my GTD's were (and these car's still are), this is better. If I were doing the miles up and down the motorway to justify retaining the GTD, I'd most likely still be in it, but as it is with my 7.5-8.5k miles per year I knew I wasn't getting the best out if it, and the DPF clogging was always on the back of my mind with the regens, (which happened all too frequently) and were getting a little annoying. Even when I'd driven a fair distance and on the motorway, it would always seem to regen on the next trip. At least with the GTI, that's one thing I don't have to worry about now.
Also, weirdly enough, despite all 3 of my MK7's running DCC and the last GTD and this GTI running 19" wheels, the ride comfort in the GTI seems to be a step above the GTD's. They were very comfortable (especially with the suspension set to comfort), but with the GTI it seems to be more so. Don't know if it's my imagination of if not having the diesel engine hanging over the front axle vs the petrol lump has made a difference ?
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Just my $0.02 as somebody who's tread a similar path to Sootchucker here:
My previous car was a Merc A220d, which is roughly equivalent in power, torque and weight to the GTD (the 220d actually has the exact same torque figure as the GTI 230 at 258lb ft, whereas the GTD is 280lb ft). My findings were initially fairly similar - the power didn't feel like any large step up at all. The whoosh of the diesel really does feel like a powerful shove.
As I'm approaching 1000miles in my GTI 230 though, I can safely say that the power in it has either ramped way up, or I've just become more adept at staying in the band. Either way, the acceleration may not always feel as powerful as with the A220, but it certainly feels more urgent, and it absolutely feels more immediate and accessible. With that RPM needle sticking between 4k and 6k you are in a completely different league of performance, and I love it.
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Having had both a gtd and now the gti i can say that the GTi is the quicker of the two cars. Power delivery is different but the GTi is definitely quicker.
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as it should be really with an extra 46ps ;D ;D
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👍👍
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...and less weight :)
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unless the GTD has been mapped :evil:
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in that case it's a fast Taxi :grin:
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Actually, the likes of McMaddy and I as well as a few others that came from GTD’s to GTI’s have a unique perspective on the diesel GTD’s, more so than those that ridicule them and have never driven one.
They really are brilliant fast and frugal all rounders, that the Govement has screwed over with its demonisation on Diesel engines. For a derv, they are really very refined and surprisingly quick, with all the best styling bits from the GTI. Yes I do prefer the GTI (but then I’m bound to say that), but still loved the GTD’s.
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my last car was a Leon Diesel (150 FR) and before that I had a Scirocco 170GT, both brilliant, fast and economical, but the one thing you cant escape from is the noise they make :grin:
Also I think it was Clarkson who said if you're single and drive a diesel you'll never get a woman, because they will all just think you're tight :grin: :grin: :grin:
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I had an 05 plate Leon Fr 150 and at the time thought it was rapid compared to anything else I'd driven. Only issue was that it had a foist smell all the time which was probably the door seals looking back now. All the diesels I had after that were more refined than the Leon so didn't feel as raw. Get to the Gtd and it felt pedestrian compared to the Fr which it obviously wasn't but that was the perception.
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That 05 diesel Leon must have been an old pump duse engine?
We had an 01 130ps 1.9 tdi A4, and then later an 07 140ps 2.0tdi VW Touran with pd diesel engines. Fast and frugal, but very agricultural. Especially the Touran, likely due to less sound insulation compared with the A4.
We now have a 17 plate VW Touran with a common rail 150ps diesel engine. Massively more refined, and surprisingly fast when not loaded with kids and luggage! Did a run to London last weekend just with my wife, and averaged 62mpg there and back.
But, more crucially..... My GTI PP get's delivered next Friday!!
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Actually, the likes of McMaddy and I as well as a few others that came from GTD’s to GTI’s have a unique perspective on the diesel GTD’s, more so than those that ridicule them and have never driven one.
They really are brilliant fast and frugal all rounders, that the Govement has screwed over with its demonisation on Diesel engines. For a derv, they are really very refined and surprisingly quick, with all the best styling bits from the GTI. Yes I do prefer the GTI (but then I’m bound to say that), but still loved the GTD’s.
Do people on here riducule them? Can't say I've noticed, just some light hearted banter. One thing about this forum that I like is the general openess and interest shown in non-forum specific vehicles, VW and others. The Civic Type R though is the exception of course because of how minging it looks :whistle: :wink:
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Actually, the likes of McMaddy and I as well as a few others that came from GTD’s to GTI’s have a unique perspective on the diesel GTD’s, more so than those that ridicule them and have never driven one.
They really are brilliant fast and frugal all rounders, that the Govement has screwed over with its demonisation on Diesel engines. For a derv, they are really very refined and surprisingly quick, with all the best styling bits from the GTI. Yes I do prefer the GTI (but then I’m bound to say that), but still loved the GTD’s.
Do people on here riducule them? Can't say I've noticed, just some light hearted banter. One thing about this forum that I like is the general openess and interest shown in non-forum specific vehicles, VW and others. The Civic Type R though is the exception of course because of how minging it looks :whistle: :wink:
Civic Type R; no doubt a great car, but with the looks only a mother could love......... :grin:
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Do people on here riducule them? Can't say I've noticed, just some light hearted banter. One thing about this forum that I like is the general openess and interest shown in non-forum specific vehicles, VW and others. The Civic Type R though is the exception of course because of how minging it looks :whistle: ;)
Yeah I meant ridicule in the broad light humoured sense of course , like references to "driving a tractor, "sounds like a Massey Ferguson", Taxi etc.
All good humour, but they seriously are good cars. TBH let's face it, we don't have a bad performance Golf at all. The GTD, GTI, Clubsport and R are all pretty much at the top of their respective classes and it means there's something for everyone.
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Yeah I meant ridicule in the broad light humoured sense of course , like references to "driving a tractor, "sounds like a Massey Ferguson", Taxi etc.
Oh, I thought they were like that :wink:
Originally I was looking at a GTD due to the very pocket friendly £20 VED but I worked out that my mileage and the DPF were incompatible. That's what lead me to a GTI. Very happy now :smiley:
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yeah its all just banter :grin:
everytime my sister in law calls round in her Jag XE diesel I always say someone called a Taxi, I just cant help it, sorry :)
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There’s no getting away from what a compelling package the GTD was until Diesel went out of favour overnight :rolleyes:
Before the world suddenly decided Diesel was evil again the GTD pretty much had it all.
Looks
Handling
Real world performance
Satisfying power delivery
Economy
Well equipped
Great resale values making them affordable to acquire and run for both private and company car drivers
From an enthusiast perspective you also had the S&S pack and an incredibly easy engine to tune.
A lot of car ‘enthusiasts’ get sniffy about Diesels because some curly haired TV presenter loves to preach his views as gospel but I’ve been in some damned quick Diesel cars in my time and have a big soft spot for them.
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In addition to hating the dark mornings of winter months, I also don't look forward to being woken at 5am every weekday and some Saturday's by my neighbours clattering diesel Ford Galaxy. I barely notice it in the summer, as it runs so much quieter when it's not freezing outside.
The worst of all is a winter morning with frost, where the scraping of the windscreen is added to the diesel clatter. This can go on for 10 mins or so.
I long for the day he trades it in for a petrol, or even electric alternative!
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I am happy to confirm that my new GTI PP DSG is very much quicker than my soon to be removed A4 1.4 TFSI manual!
Just got the GTI this morning and been on two short runs. I need to feel my way into this car as the difference from the A4 is very clear. It just piles on the speed, especially in sport mode.
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Mine feels like it’s getting quicker and quicker as the Miles go on (just about to pass the 1k mark this weekend).
Also a quick question re all the glorious hot weather we’ve been having. My old GTD’s fuel economy got better the warmer it got, which I think was more down to much quicker warm up times when it’s hot and of course the forecourts have proper summer diesel.
The question is, (as I have no point of reference), do petrol engine cars perform better when it’s hot, or when it’s more mild (i don’t mean Winter and having to have heaters and headlights etc on), as I know turbo cars have an intercooler to keep the charge temp down, so would assume really hot weather isn’t a good friend of turbo cars ?.
I.e. just out of interest, under what weather conditions do turbocharged modern petrol engines perform at their optimum ?
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I haven't found much difference on long drives but certainly colder weather reduces the mpg on my commute to work. Winter I get between 28 and 31 depending what time I leave for work. During the summer months I get anywhere from 33 upwards. Drive from Sunderland to Leicester yesterday at 26° got me 45mpg. I'm more impressed with the GTi than I have been in any other car I've had.