rjgreen4 Posted September 1, 2006 Report Share Posted September 1, 2006 I took delivery of the above car in metallic black on Wednesday just gone. The car is bog standard as I will probably retro fit DVD, arm rest, cruise control and sensors. The car is probably going to be offloaded to my better half in the next 6 months. Exterior - As with all of the MK5's they seem to look the same or similar if the car is black. Think it looks slightly like a GTI in some ways with the twin pipes. The car seems to sit quite low even with the standard 17” wheels, I might look at upgrading to the 18” GTI wheels and getting Laserline parking sensors fitted. Performance - This is the key part. My Golf has the DSG box and is similar to the A3 3.2 Quattro S Line I used to have but without the growl. One thing you will notice is that when you set off in first you hear a supercharge swoosh up to 3k rpm which is really nice and a bit bird chirp like, this is then followed by another swoosh which normally spins the wheels, even in the dry. The engine seems to really want to rev and can get to the red line far quicker than my S4 or previous 3.2 Quattro. In the wet I have had to sometimes use the W Button - might be asking what that is? It is a button that is specifically designed to lower power from stand still, thus prevent wheel spin, in the manual it states that the W button is for winter conditions. I have noticed that when travelling at around 70mph, pressing the 'W' button significantly increases the mpg - probably by 20 or so, I was wondering if this actually significantly reduced the level of boost as in top gear the engine seems to be rotating around 2k rpm at 70 mph. I shall try and do a few journeys to and from work with the W button pressed and without to see if there is a significant difference in mpg. However if the ESP is off and W button off when travelling at 70 mph in sport mode and you floor it, I can assume that within no time you would be well into three figures. I have done 500 miles in the car now and really quite like the engine, on the motorways is seems quiet and has been returning figures of around 46mpg @ 70 mph. I filled the car with BP 97ron on the first day as the tight stealer decided not to fill it and up to now there is just over one quarter of a tank left, I presume it will reach the 600 mark, I must however note that all of my driving has been motorways and as with my previous history I am known as the economical driver. With the gearbox in tip mode and cruising down the motorway the car pulls quite nicely in 6th gear and if you want a bit more there is always 5th and 4th which seem to get the car moving. Overall I am absolutely astounded that the performance is coming from a 1.4 litre engine, the only thing that might make you think it’s a 1.4 is that at higher speeds it seems to hold onto the revs longer and seems to be revving the knackers off it, but low down torque is fantastic through every gear. Interior To be honest it’s not an Audi, you can tell with the plastics used and the spec. However it’s not worth paying another £5k for the Audi equivalent of a car with the same power and performance. I have noticed a significant difference in overall noise at town and motorway speeds, there seems to be hardly any with the golf, but I suppose coming from a growling V8 it’s expected. There is also a noticeable difference in chassis flex noise due to the car not having a rag roof like the S4 Cab. The display has a boost gauge that is a bit pointless as you can hear both of the turbo’s, however the DIS is excellent and comes as standard whereas with my Audi’s I had to pay for it. The GT also cam with home lights, dimming rear view mirror and automatic lights and rain sensors. All of the above are excellent and are the sorts of things I would add to the spec if they weren’t there. The radio is quite good, very Symphony 2 like with the Audi as you can feed x6 CD’s into the head unit and swap and change them. I will however be looking to retro fit the DVD sat nav over the next few weeks as I will be using the car for work for the next 6 months and need sat nav for UK and European destinations, mind you I will need hands free as well. The seats are extremely supportive, they have far better side bolsters than my S4 Cab, I have even thought about having leather installed as there is a company around the corner from my office that makes and installs bespoke leather trim. Would be far cheaper than the factory leather and at least I know the seats are comfortable. Overall Fantastic performance and economy and would seriously recommend to anyone who was looking at buying a car for ~ £18k Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie_d Posted September 1, 2006 Report Share Posted September 1, 2006 Nice review mate! I must admit that I'm very impressed with the engine and am looking to take one out on test for poop n giggles I agree with your comments on the interior, it's certainly no Audi, but I still feel it's a cut above the Vauxhall/Ford bracket, although Ford are gaining! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted September 1, 2006 Report Share Posted September 1, 2006 Very useful and informative review . Wouldn't suit what I need (and have) but clearly a typically good VeeDub product. I'd want Millteks! Your review tells me it's far too quiet. Where's the 'W' button placed? I didn't quite understand why/when you would use it except in ice/snow. Scarily good mpg but not what I need....Yet! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie_d Posted September 1, 2006 Report Share Posted September 1, 2006 The W button is in the row of buttons near the ESP/ATPS buttons Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted September 1, 2006 Report Share Posted September 1, 2006 I thought so. Not exactly easy to use whilst driving - if indeed that's desired. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian_m Posted September 1, 2006 Report Share Posted September 1, 2006 18k REALLY???? Surely a second hand (read 6 month old) A3 or GTi would make more sense Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted September 1, 2006 Report Share Posted September 1, 2006 Probably the main reason to buy the GT TSI rather than used A3 or GTI, is the mpg. It has a good mpg to performance factor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian_m Posted September 1, 2006 Report Share Posted September 1, 2006 but its far too close on price Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted September 1, 2006 Report Share Posted September 1, 2006 ...Agreed. My GTI was only £1,800 more than the Mk5 2.0 TDI and it was a no-brainer for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian_m Posted September 1, 2006 Report Share Posted September 1, 2006 exactly! a GTi with DSG compared to a 1.4, no contest IMO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjgreen4 Posted September 2, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 2, 2006 [ QUOTE ] Nice review mate! I must admit that I'm very impressed with the engine and am looking to take one out on test for poop n giggles I agree with your comments on the interior, it's certainly no Audi, but I still feel it's a cut above the Vauxhall/Ford bracket, although Ford are gaining! [/ QUOTE ] Funny you should say that, when I was looking at the golf for a work car I took the Golf GTI out and solely for the purpose of 'take one out on test for poop n giggles', definite gigles when compared to the S4!!! The 1.4 was by far the more logical choice as I would have been paying nearly £2k for 30 bhp - that is one expensive ECU Chip and not as economical. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted September 2, 2006 Report Share Posted September 2, 2006 [ QUOTE ] when I was looking at the golf for a work car I took the Golf GTI out and solely for the purpose of 'take one out on test for poop n giggles', definite gigles when compared to the S4!!! The 1.4 was by far the more logical choice as I would have been paying nearly £2k for 30 bhp - that is one expensive ECU Chip and not as economical. [/ QUOTE ] ....Firstly, what is "poop n giggles"? - Is it having fun by taking it to the limit? "£2K for 30 bhp" is only one way of looking at it. You get much more than just 30 bhp for that £2K imo, though I haven't driven a new GT. I wonder how the GT TSI compares with the Golf 2.0 TDI which is I think the same price. Anyway, choosing a car isn't just about price and mpg. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMad Posted September 2, 2006 Report Share Posted September 2, 2006 [ QUOTE ] exactly! a GTi with DSG compared to a 1.4, no contest IMO [/ QUOTE ] The thing is its not really a 1.4 in performance far from it and thats the point. THey are looking to expand the engine to 1.8 and 2.0 in the future, scale the performance up and you are mid 250bhp for the 2.0 easily, but without the fuel penalty. I'm hoping they do it in time for my car change because I still can't get on with the rattly diesels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted September 2, 2006 Report Share Posted September 2, 2006 ....But will the GT TSI have DSG/S-tronic? As those who have experienced it over a time will tell you, it's a very desirable option. I would choose DSG over mpg every time. And NO! I'm not about to order a Veyron! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMad Posted September 2, 2006 Report Share Posted September 2, 2006 The GT can indeed be ordered with DSG Red. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted September 2, 2006 Report Share Posted September 2, 2006 Ta for info, CarMad. I still much prefer the looks and iconic tradition of the GTI. I don't go for the Stealth look. Am I a badge snob? - Who cares, I don't! I'd love to test drive a GT just to check it out and compare. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMad Posted September 2, 2006 Report Share Posted September 2, 2006 Drive what you like Red. As I said before the engine from the GT in 2.0, in a GTI or in my case the Sportback would be great for economy and in my case company car tax. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted September 2, 2006 Report Share Posted September 2, 2006 A 2.0 GT TSI would certainly be an interesting drive and suit quite a few people. I look forward to reading about it when a TSNer reviews a test drive. [sorry, but I keeping thinking that it lacks visual style imo, whatever the power pack] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMad Posted September 2, 2006 Report Share Posted September 2, 2006 No.. what I mean is they will use the 2.0 engine in the GTI, it will have the same styling etc. They wouldn't create a model without the looks and more power than the GTI. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjgreen4 Posted September 2, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 2, 2006 [ QUOTE ] A 2.0 GT TSI would certainly be an interesting drive and suit quite a few people. I look forward to reading about it when a TSNer reviews a test drive. [sorry, but I keeping thinking that it lacks visual style imo, whatever the power pack] [/ QUOTE ] I have done a review - and I have DSG as well on the TSI. The diesel is more expensive and for no real apparent reason as my 1.4 is already doing 48 mpg on the motorways after 500 miles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoopy Posted September 2, 2006 Report Share Posted September 2, 2006 A very nice informative review [ QUOTE ] Where's the 'W' button placed? I didn't quite understand why/when you would use it except in ice/snow. [/ QUOTE ] Thats the reason for it, i was actually amazed that DSG boxed cars did not have something similar from the start myself. I look at the GT as the 'Golf Driver' of the previous golf ranges. Just below the GTI in power but with 90% of its styling, handling, and interior bits. I also think that the TSI units design are the future of petrol engines if CO2 output is all goverments are intersted in for taxing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted September 2, 2006 Report Share Posted September 2, 2006 Well, if the Mk6 GTI keeps the tradition of some distinctive and individual body styling and has a TSI engine, it will be worth considering. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoopy Posted September 2, 2006 Report Share Posted September 2, 2006 I would prob be interested in a mk6 with the 1.6 ~190PS that was co developed with the 1.4. Or the 1.8 thats in the pipeline. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rs32 Posted September 3, 2006 Report Share Posted September 3, 2006 great review there ECU tuners must be rubbing their hands with glee at the prospect of a 1.8TSI with forced induction tweaks - you have the whole previous 1.8T market as a captive audience plus a whole new market for those attracted by the new technology. A 1.8TSI, Revo, Milltek bits and improvements to the induction units will be a stealth-rocket. Also with a lightweight engine the suspension can be well and truly sorted for relatively small money - this is a very exciting prospect Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarmac_Terrorist Posted September 3, 2006 Report Share Posted September 3, 2006 Good review! I assume the GT is much lower insurance than the GTI too. If the GT is £18k inclusive of DSG then you have quite an accomplished drivers car for relatively sensible money. Perhaps younger buyers crippled with insurance bills would be tempted. In time I suspect many will mod them to look like GTI's! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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