I took the ST in this morning to have a couple of issues attended to and picked up a Golf GT TDi CR 140 hire car.
My initial impressions are that the interior is a little antiseptic though fairly well equipped, and the exterior is not as attractive as a Mk V GT/GTi. The ride is a little jiggly at low speeds (even compare to the ST) though well composed at higher speeds, the steering is not a sharp as the ST though may be on a par with other Foci.
The engine is far removed from the PD units and is quite a sweet diesel unit, it has done 15k so has loosened up and is gutsy from around 1800 from though flat below that compared to my old Mondeo. There is a vibration through the clutch that does not feel right, I drove an Octavia VRS last year with the 170ps version of this CR engine and dont remember this as a characteristic.
The (relative) lack of torque below about 1700/1800 rpm is highlighted by the gear change indicator that gets you running in, say, 5th at 1200rpm requiring a change down to pick up speed at any reasonable rate, this is compounded by the extremely high 5th and 6th ratios, 6th being 40mph/1000.
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Just re-read this and it sounds more negative than I meant, I will do a couple of hundred miles in it tomorrow which should enable me to get to know it better.
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Back in late 2009 when looking to replace our Civic FN3 we test drove the 140CR Golf VI in both GT and SE trim and I have to admit that I preferred the ride in the SE on standard suspension and 16" wheels. The added suppleness didn't seem to detract from the handling either.
In fact we opted for the less powerful 1.4TSi due to a desire to avoid a DPF for the use it was going to get, however I have to agree that the CR is a world away from the PD and (despite your criticism) a lot more torquey at low revs (and linear in its delivery) in both 140 and 170PS forms than the 170PD I was once saddled with.
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>>In fact we opted for the less powerful 1.4TSi..>>
There are several versions of the 1.4TSi - mine is 168bhp.....:-)
I assume you mean the 122bhp unit, which is highly regarded by those I know who have a VAG vehicle with it fitted.
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>> I assume you mean the 122bhp unit, which is highly regarded by those I know
>> who have a VAG vehicle with it fitted.
>>
Yes, that's the one, drives like a low-stressed 2.0L normally aspirated petrol imho, the car did (ahem) 1800 miles in 7 months before we moved abroad, rarely more than 4 miles in any journey and so we wanted to avoid a diesel with a DPF, it still averaged around 40mpg in this usage which I thought was OK. Nice sporty exhaust note and free revving too. We tried the twin-charger 160PS version and were impressed but we couldn't justify the extra cost for the usage we knew it would get (although we didn't know we'd only keep it for 7 months either).
Nice engine the 1.4TSi in both (Golf) forms, pity that VW UK don't import the 1.8TSi version in the Golf though.
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>> Nice engine the 1.4TSi in both (Golf) forms, pity that VW UK don't import the
>> 1.8TSi version in the Golf though.
In some markets they don't import the Golf GTI on account of the higher tune 1.4 being known locally as cheaper and just as fast.
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>> Just re-read this and it sounds more negative than I meant
We can't help it, we're only human. I'm biased against Mercedes for my own reasons (despite them being arguably the most successful manufacturer and producing some seriously good kit). I'd never make the mistake of owning one though.
Your mind being at peace with your choice is worth lots. Avoid anything VAG!
EDIT: and Vauxhall, don't like Vx at all.
Last edited by: Skoda on Wed 16 Mar 11 at 15:56
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No, no it's not bias, there are quite a few VAG cars I would quite fancy.
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I was surprised in a pleasant way, how quiet the 170PS CR diesel was in the Passat CC I briefly tried at the weekend. It was a DSG one though.
Arranging a 48 hour test drive of a 140PS manual to see if I still want to order one. It was a very nice car (I think) but only had a relatively short drive. I have to make sure it is comfortable for my wife too though.
It sounds to me as if the clutch on the car Cheddar has may have a problem.... someone abusing a hire car perhaps?
I thought the inside of the Golf VI (a reclothed, cheaper to make version of the Golf mk V) was meant to be better. Better than any Ford IMO at least. But I like the ergonomics of VWs....
... and not wanting to take this off topic but I was also considering an Audi A4 as I liked the interior etc. Tried out the MMI interface on Saturday and I did not like it at all. It immediately made me think the VW setup is superior.
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>>
>> It sounds to me as if the clutch on the car Cheddar has may have
>> a problem.... someone abusing a hire car perhaps?
>>
Agreed.
>> I thought the inside of the Golf VI (a reclothed, cheaper to make version of
>> the Golf mk V) was meant to be better. Better than any Ford IMO at
>> least. But I like the ergonomics of VWs....
>>
My understanding is to the contrary, that the MkV interior was built to a cost and hence was seen to be less classy than the MkIV where as the MkVI is supposed to be back on track.
This car is pleasant though not up to Audi and BMW levels of fit and finish, nor the latest Mondeo/S-Max for that matter.
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I agree the Golf Mk V/VI and derivatives for the interior (Touran, Eos, etc.) are not as good as others. Including the VW Passat. This now has the same interior (with some revisions) that the Passat CC had from launch in 2008. That does feel and look nicer IMO. Which is one reason I might get one.
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>>
>> >>
>> >> It sounds to me as if the clutch on the car Cheddar has may
>> have
>> >> a problem.... someone abusing a hire car perhaps?
>> >>
>>
>> Agreed.
Even perhaps the onset of DMF failure?
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Couldn't be doing with a Passat. I don't suit cardigans.
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If you wanted a 5dr VG TDi in metallic paint you're looking at £21k even without any options.
I don't know - seems a lot of money. The other snag is they're on about 6mths leadtime.
We just got a Golf Twist 1.4 petrol, available from stock and paid £13K for a 5dr in metallic. That seems pretty good value to me.
Noted evidence of VW corner cutting already though - dealer wanted paying for enabling autolocking, only came with 1 yr breakdown cover and there was hardly any fuel in it. Even only has a single reversing lamp!
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>> Couldn't be doing with a Passat. I don't suit cardigans.
But you wear nicer cardigans for the CC ;-) I had a Passat before and someone joked I needed driving gloves. In some sort of strange VW advertising campaign, a year or so later they sent out light weight driving gloves.
>> the other snag is they're on about 6mths leadtime.
I am assuming the lead time of the Passat CC is at least 6 months and possibly longer. But I'd prefer the VW to the Audi A4 which is even more common.
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I did nearly 200 miles in this yesterday, a mix of roads and it is actually a very good car, it has a great ride handling compromise if perhaps a little jiggly a low speeds, the steering could be quicker though that's not a matter of grip or the car's ability to turn in, rather the steering ratio and the largish steering wheel.
The interior is not that special, there are a few rattles and the hardish plastics with chrome detail are a little Japanese as are the stalks with a kind of grey rather than white used for the lights/wipers etc graphics, it improves at night with the mix of red and white lighting though the letter box sized blue LCD for the radio etc is a constant distraction in the corner of one's left eye.
The engine is really very refined and quite punchy, I dont recall the CR 170 Octavia feeling much more punchy though I guess that was a little heavier a car. The gear ratios are too high though (VW chasing low CO2 figures I feel), 6th being 38mph/1000rpm meaning that while it will trundle along at 70mph in 6th one feels that there is little response under one's right foot, I feel more comfortable in 5th which is about 32mph/1000 so 70mph is about 2200 rpm.
This car has a little wind noise around the driver's door that sounds abnormal though even with that it it very quiet at speed, deceptively so on occasions making 80mph seem more like 65. Also as per my first post the vibration through the clutch is clearly not normal.
All in all I could live with one though a closer ratio gear box would make it better still to drive.
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Thanks for that Cheddar, one of our options come the summer is a Golf Estate, though with the 105 CR diesel, not the 140, so your report was well timed!
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Golf Mk VI GT TDi 140 CR impressions - Hard Cheese
