Golf 150 Tdi info required.

[activa]

Well after deciding that £300+ a month is way too much to be spending on petrol I've finally decided to go the diesel route.

I'm interested in getting a 150 Golf mainly because that seems to be the only quick diesel in my price bracket.The Astra is too new and the BMW's too expensive.

Problem is,I don't know a thing about them and hopefully that's where a few of you guys maybe able to help out.

Firstly,are they as impressive performance-wise as the reviews would suggest?

Secondly,what are they like for reliability and are there any common problems to look out for?

Thirdly,how do you know for sure it's a 150 when viewing? Is there a different rocker cover or something that catagorically defines this model?

Finally,has anyone here had there's chipped and if so does it really transform it as the review in one of the diesel mags would suggest.Because if that test is to be believed then it turns it into a car that would trouble a lot of serious petrol cars.Mid 6's to 60 it quotes,I find that hard to believe but don't know,hence the question.

Your info would be greatly appreciated!

[Rustynuts]

[ QUOTE ]

Firstly, are they as impressive performance-wise as the reviews would suggest? <font color="red"> Yes, pretty much so. Depends on what you're driving at the moment, of course, as to what you call impressive. </font>

Secondly, what are they like for reliability and are there any common problems to look out for? <font color="red"> Generally, very reliable. There are some common faults which I've detailed below, but on the whole, very solid. </font>

Thirdly,how do you know for sure it's a 150 when viewing? Is there a different rocker cover or something that catagorically defines this model? <font color="red">It should have a red TDI badge on the tailgate, rather than the 130 which has a silver T and a red DI. The PD 150 has a big front mounted intercooler in the lower middle of the front bumper. All the other models have a small side mounted intercooler on the drivers side. Then there's a sticker in the boot with the engine code on it. If it is a 150bhp it should be ARL </font>

Finally,has anyone here had there's chipped and if so does it really transform it as the review in one of the diesel mags would suggest.Because if that test is to be believed then it turns it into a car that would trouble a lot of serious petrol cars.Mid 6's to 60 it quotes,I find that hard to believe but don't know,hence the question.<font color="red"> Not driven a chipped one, sorry. </font>

Your info would be greatly appreciated!

[/ QUOTE ]

Possible faults to be aware of.

Windows which suddenly drop into the door, common fault with poorly designed plastic clips. Upgraded to metal ones on later models.

Turbo problems if the car doesn't get a good blow out every now and again. The actuator mechanism sticks and drops you into limp mode. Don't be afraid to give 'em some welly, and don't get one which has been pootled about by Grandad. When you go for a test drive, find a long hill and boot it up there in as high a gear as possible to hit max revs. If the turbo cuts out, it's a sticky actuator or related problem.

Faulty flasher relay on earlier models, causes intermittent indicator problems.

Stock suspension can be a little spongey when it gets a few tens of thousand miles on, but not much of a problem. With the money saved on fuel, you can have a sports setup done.

Service history. Make sure it's had the right fully synthetic oil in it, either VW spec 505.01 (10k miles service) or 506.01 (longlife variable service up to 30k miles). Anything else will've damaged the cams and voided VW warranty.

Dicky door switches causing interior lights to not work and/or alarm/central locking problems. The switch is part of the handle assembly.

Faulty MAF sensors. General lack of performance can usually be blamed on the Mass Air Flow sensor, and replacement is about £80 exchange from the dealer.

Coolant migration! Pull the coolant level sensor plug on the coolant system expansion bottle, and look for any signs of pink or purple residue in the connector housing. If there's any sign don't buy it. Coolant sometimes leaks out of this connector, and tracks down the wiring, affecting all electrical parts on the car, even into the tail light assembly. This isn't common, but it isn't a joke either. The only fix is to remove all affected wiring and replace.

That's about all I can think of at the moment.

[activa]

If I don't know what to look for now,I never will.

Cheers Rusty!

[shark_90]

Rustynuts is god of all things PD and you cant go wrong on his advice IMO

I have a Tuning box on my PD130 A4 and it really does transform it. If you want to do it properly I'd suggest a remap/chip instead of a tuning box, it's much more refined and by far the better option.

[activa]

[ QUOTE ]

Rustynuts is god of all things PD and you cant go wrong on his advice IMO [ QUOTE ]

He certainly is.All of that info is invaluble!

[ QUOTE ]

I have a Tuning box on my PD130 A4 and it really does transform it. If you want to do it properly I'd suggest a remap/chip instead of a tuning box, it's much more refined and by far the better option.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah,to be honest I thought that the price of £511 from Superchips was reasonable for the supposed torque increase.

I'm actually getting a bit of a buzz for one of these cars,decent set of rims,uprate the suspension,oooppps here I go again.....

[mulkbear]

Wow now that what i call a post, there is only one fault he missed

Rear washer pipe leaking (rear washer will not work or have low pressure) the screen wash leaks on to the boot lock, and the boot lock will not open by using the key remote.

There is another common fault, Brake lights in/op and the glow plug light on the dash board is flashing, All caused by a faulty brake pedel swith

[Rustynuts]

Yep, never had a rear washer, always had Bora's. Forgot about the faulty £15 (ish) brake pedal switch.

[Mook]

If you're going for a remap, of all the companies around, AmD is the only one to go for. You should get 190+ bhp and the torque is fantastic - from 60 to 90 the car pulls better than the petrol GTI 150.

Go to www.amdtechnik.com - they're in Bicester, near Oxford, which isn't too far from you in Herts. I've had all of my VWs an Audis remapped by them and have never regretted any of it.