MK7 GTD - Real Life MPG

[wobbler]

Why did we buy a GTD if we are overly concerned with mpg? I get 46 mpg no matter how i drive the car. I thought that i was going to get almost GTI like performance with better mpg and that's what i feel i have. Now that my rear suspension and wiper issues are sorted out i'm happy. I'm wondering now why do people buy a GTD? Is it down to purely economy reasons or driving experience? I would like to hear your views.

[JamesMac]

Why did we buy a GTD if we are overly concerned with mpg? I get 46 mpg no matter how i drive the car. I thought that i was going to get almost GTI like performance with better mpg and that's what i feel i have. Now that my rear suspension and wiper issues are sorted out i'm happy. I'm wondering now why do people buy a GTD? Is it down to purely economy reasons or driving expeience? I would like to hear your views.

Before I ordered my GTD, I priced up a 150PS TDI GT Bluemotion to the same spec as a GTD and it was only around £300 less, xenons and LEDs being the main pricy options.
Even with the pump price of diesel, I still think it's a win-win. I agree it's very difficult to return less than 45 ish MPG, even when 'sending it on'.
My preference for TDI is that rush of power you get from fairly low revs, the long range/economy and strong residuals...not forgetting the much lower insurance premiums.

[monkeyhanger]

Why did we buy a GTD if we are overly concerned with mpg? I get 46 mpg no matter how i drive the car. I thought that i was going to get almost GTI like performance with better mpg and that's what i feel i have. Now that my rear suspension and wiper issues are sorted out i'm happy. I'm wondering now why do people buy a GTD? Is it down to purely economy reasons or driving expeience? I would like to hear your views.

For me it has been about the running costs vs performance when comparing a GTI to a GTD. With the only differences being under the bonnet, and small ones at that (discounting better initial traction on the GTI helping 0-62 times greatly), having nigh-on the same car for £110 a month less (between fuel savings and residuals) did it for me. I do like the way the high output TDIs develop their power as i'm more of an overtaker than a traffic light dueller, but hardly notice the supposed extra 30Nm and 14PS vs my old Scirocco - the DTUK box makes you notice the difference though. I was initially expecting far better fuel economy as I was hoping that there’d been some actual technological advances in the way the TDI uses its fuel rather than just the addition of stop-start which does very little for my uncluttered commute. I’m happier to get 45mpg with a heavy right foot than maybe 15% more by driving like a nun, especially with the DTUK box added. Next time though I might decide to sod the fuel economy and get an S3.

[mjh_056]

Why did we buy a GTD if we are overly concerned with mpg? I get 46 mpg no matter how i drive the car. I thought that i was going to get almost GTI like performance with better mpg and that's what i feel i have. Now that my rear suspension and wiper issues are sorted out i'm happy. I'm wondering now why do people buy a GTD? Is it down to purely economy reasons or driving experience? I would like to hear your views.

Had the advantage of having back to back Audi Quattro 170BHP TDi so knew could mix decent performance with excellent fuel economy

This balance is what imagine most people buy their GTD for as you not sacrificing one aspect over the other.

Colleague has a vanilla GTI and there are only a few occassions where I truly notice the difference when he pushes on or accellerates in certain situations. Most of the time the drive is comparable even from a sporting aspect except in mpg.

There are other considerations such as C02 for company drivers which makes the GTD more financially attractive but think fact you are getting GTI performance from not so long ago with Bluemotion economy from not too long ago has the GTD as the perfect combination.

[mjh_056]

Why did we buy a GTD if we are overly concerned with mpg? I get 46 mpg no matter how i drive the car. I thought that i was going to get almost GTI like performance with better mpg and that's what i feel i have. Now that my rear suspension and wiper issues are sorted out i'm happy. I'm wondering now why do people buy a GTD? Is it down to purely economy reasons or driving expeience? I would like to hear your views.

For me it has been about the running costs vs performance when comparing a GTI to a GTD. With the only differences being under the bonnet, and small ones at that (discounting better initial traction on the GTI helping 0-62 times greatly), having nigh-on the same car for £110 a month less (between fuel savings and residuals) did it for me. I do like the way the high output TDIs develop their power as i'm more of an overtaker than a traffic light dueller, but hardly notice the supposed extra 30Nm and 14PS vs my old Scirocco - the DTUK box makes you notice the difference though. I was initially expecting far better fuel economy as I was hoping that there’d been some actual technological advances in the way the TDI uses its fuel rather than just the addition of stop-start which does very little for my uncluttered commute. I’m happier to get 45mpg with a heavy right foot than maybe 15% more by driving like a nun, especially with the DTUK box added. Next time though I might decide to sod the fuel economy and get an S3.

My financial savings were hard to overcome this time around when packaged them all up and its a nice feeling to be sitting in the GTD and not being punished for the pleasure financially.

However my circumstances and mileage may be changing in next couple of years so could also be looking at petrol options too though do not like the S3 styling of Sportsback so likely a GTI or even an R in 5 door would be my options.

[wobbler]

Thanks for the replies all. I take a car allowance from my company and they specify either diesel or hybrid with CO2 emissions no more than 160g/km. The GTI came in below this figure but as it's petrol they would not allow me to purchase. My previous car was a Skoda Superb 170 DSG elegance with 157 g/km and this was fine. I am sure the GTI comes in under 140 g/km and tried to argue the case to no avail. I'm glad it seems i am not missing out too much and i do enjoy the car.

[mcmaddy]

A woman where I work has ordered a gti with pp for her lease car (it's actually a salary sacrifice scheme) and the only stipulation on our scheme is that all cars ordered must be below 150 g/co2s. Quite why she's ordering the pp for something she won't be keeping and never track driving is beyond me but it's her money.

[Bluefloyd]

A woman where I work has ordered a gti with pp for her lease car (it's actually a salary sacrifice scheme) and the only stipulation on our scheme is that all cars ordered must be below 150 g/co2s. Quite why she's ordering the pp for something she won't be keeping and never track driving is beyond me but it's her money.

You can keep cars when leasing through salary sacrifice on the scheme I am on with tusker. I am at the end of a 3 year lease and had the option to purchase the car if I wanted. I chose to give the fiesta back and upgrade to a GTD instead.

[mcmaddy]

You can keep cars on any scheme not just salary sacrifice scheme (local authority so not sure if all schemes are like this)

[James75]

i am reading this with interest, my white GTD is on oder.

Currently I drive a VW California Beach, basically a VW Transporter with a 115bhp Bluemotion TDi engine and some start stop stuff, which makes absolutely no difference.

Turning air con off makes a big difference, also sitting at 60 makes a vast difference compared to 70.  My experience has always been that cars have a sweet spot for MPG, but who wants to drive t 60 all day?

I had a Volvo C30 before the California and I loved that car, but the 2.0 Diesel, powerful as it was for its time never really returned much more than 44 - 47 on a run and around 36 - 38 around town.

With my Beach i tend set my MFD to number 2 and record an average over the month or the week and that works out about 36 mpg - or more painfully - I spend about £70 a week on diesel.

Any improvement with the GTD would be welcome.

I am not a quick driver, so expecting some gains.  Very interesting point raised about ACT, I do suspect that is where the future lies and I was very interested in the Polo Blue GT.


James