Talk some sense into me...

[p3asa]

Ahh, there's reluctant and there's dismissing it as lunacy!
If the GTD was coming with a £5k discount then that's an awful lot of the first year depreciation gobbled up so therefore there are quite a few costs to be balanced up and fuel economy isn't one of the main ones. The fuel economy advantage for me would be gobbled up quickly as I do a lowish annual mileage and therefore the first service would wipe that out as my GTI is on a service plan.
There are other factors to consider such as general lower running costs, potentially better resale value, and insurance, additional tank range and the fact I quite like quick TDI's once they've been fettled with a little (the power spread is in the right rev band for road use without thrashing the car - I'm not a 0-60 sprinter).
So a lowish cost GTD kept for a shortish time is being factored into more long term plans...

It was just a thought, going from an unplanned conversation with a guy in a suit with not too much to do at the time...

Remember you can get a brand new one registered this year for £3500 discount from a broker. So in effect they are giving you a £1.5k discount and allowing you to skip the queue but no option on colour / model and extras.
I don't know by how much having the car registered last year and you being the second owner would eat into that £1.5k discount come time to move it on? Plus remember being second owner might affect your insurance if something was to happen to it in the first year.

Just some thoughts.

[Exonian]

Very good thoughts they are too P3.


The insurance issue wasn't something I'd considered for sure (I'd never be that sensible!)but on the flip side of a pre-reg's value is that the part ex offer was for top book where as with a broker that might not be so.
Extras aren't something that I'm overly bothered about as my time spent in the car isn't that high so I'd pick resale value over spec.
The car is well specced as standard.

[carl1]

I hardly go over 2.5- 3k revs myself so i say to myself why do i need a GTI, i could get by with a tdi or GTD but i know spring is on the way and my window will be down a bit and i won't here than horrible noisey vibrating diesel engine and just now and again when it's safe i'll give it some beans up to 6.5k and remember why i bought a GTI. Diesels are for vans and company cars.

[Exonian]

I hardly go over 2.5- 3k revs myself so i say to myself why do i need a GTI, i could get by with a tdi or GTD but i know spring is on the way and my window will be down a bit and i won't here than horrible noisey vibrating diesel engine and just now and again when it's safe i'll give it some beans up to 6.5k and remember why i bought a GTI. Diesels are for vans and company cars.

That's more like it - a bit of "emotive"!!!
You're right, pass me an R32.

Mind you, there's always the option of the Sport and Sound pack and keeping the windows closed...

 

[carl1]

How is the GTI not faster than the GTD in real terms? They are both front wheel drive, the diesel is heavier and the GTI cracks it to 60 in 6.3 secs over the GTD doing it in 7.3 seconds due to being at a 50BHP disadvantage.

Some of that 1s disadvantage is due to being unable to put that power and torque down from standstill, add Quattro to an A3 with the same TDI engine and you lose 0.7s off the 0-62 time. That's not to say the GTI wouldn't gain on it's 0-62 time with 4WD traction, but I doubt it would gain as much. The in gear differences are less noticeable, but still there. The GTD is as quick in gear as the MK6 GTI in the higher gears, but not quite as quick as the MK7 (the extra torque it got has probably given it more edge than the 10ps increase). There's only around 20kg in it weight wise, i'd hardly consider it relevant when a PP adds 14Kg, DSG adds 16Kg and 5 doors adds 34kg - a 5 door DSG PP GTI can weigh 44Kg more than a 3 door GTD manual.

Pulling away quickly from a static start is where you'll see the clear advantage of the GTI, in gear differences not so much, and the GTDs in gear grunt is easier to access - you'll have to push the GTI harder to beat the GTD.

If I already had a perfectly fine GTI, i'd personally be reluctant to swap prematurely for a GTD, the additional depreciation hit of chopping in early will bit into those mpg savings and petrol is so cheap now.

I'd be interested to see the 20- 60 mph, 30 - 70, 30 - 80mph times etc between them and not just in 1 gear, ie the fastest way possible as in gear 1 gear just means its easier to drive. I doubt the GTD would win any as long as the GTI driver knows what gear to be in. I'm happy to be proven wrong tho, any videos anywhere ?

[carl1]

I hardly go over 2.5- 3k revs myself so i say to myself why do i need a GTI, i could get by with a tdi or GTD but i know spring is on the way and my window will be down a bit and i won't here than horrible noisey vibrating diesel engine and just now and again when it's safe i'll give it some beans up to 6.5k and remember why i bought a GTI. Diesels are for vans and company cars.

That's more like it - a bit of "emotive"!!!
You're right, pass me an R32

 Perfect as petrol hits £1 a litre aswell

[ffrank]

That's more like it - a bit of "emotive"!!!
You're right, pass me an R32.

Mind you, there's always the option of the Sport and Sound pack and keeping the windows closed...

 

Lol. I am actually frequently impressed with the tractor-less sounds of the GTD, and any tractory tones are completely taken away by the S&S pack. Windows down, sunroof open, pretty cool for a diesel 

I'd be interested to see the 20- 60 mph, 30 - 70, 30 - 80mph times etc between them and not just in 1 gear, ie the fastest way possible as in gear 1 gear just means its easier to drive. I doubt the GTD would win any as long as the GTI driver knows what gear to be in. I'm happy to be proven wrong tho, any videos anywhere ?

Here's the only one I've seen, they have some fun round the track around 4mins. Turning the English subtitles on is hilarious, apparently the GTI "sends me no fool, and when you change anything there is a binding site on the sea yet", which is a good quote for a future VW ad in my opinion.

Edit - I think the guy in that review surmises very well:



same spirit people, but Exonian, do you want more people to happen!?

[Mark V GTD]

All things considered - tell them you will need 20k for your GTi and if that works for them you will pick the GTD up next week - that should get them thinking!

[carl1]

I have to admit iv'e never driven a mk7 GTD but i was next to one but behind by the exhaust and it sounded quite nice, ( i presume sound pack) but only on tickover. I just can't imagine on full chat at 4k (yea 4k remember that Exonian) it will sound anything like nice. When i imagine a diesel engine sound at 4k, its like someone just stood on my grave.

[mcmaddy]

So Carl1 having never driven a gtd you're passing comment on them being tractors etc etc. Try driving one first and then tell us what you think.