Well, having just got back from my little jaunt from Geneva down through Lyon to St Etienne thought I would pass comment on the hire car.
It was a new golf 1.4 TSi 90 kwh which I think is around the 120 bhp range. Mid spec (SE) I think as it had small alloys but climate control and a decent touch screen system
Ride quality was fantastic - far better than a car that size should be. It may have been helped by the decent quality of the Mont blanc highway but it was still impressive. NVH was also top notch.
The engine was the real surprise to me. It had no designation on it or on sixts paperwork so it was only after hunting around the glovebox I found it was the 90 kwh model. I have never driven a petrol model of such small capacity that is happy to pull so well at low revs in an almost derv like manner. If I had not found the output I would have assumed it was quite a bit higher, but the real shocker was the consumption. Now my figures are from the trip so may be a little optimistic but on the way down the average was 5.2 l/km and 5.4 coming back which I reckon to be 52 to 54mpg on a petrol car that was driven with no consideration for economy mostly cruising between 120 - 140 kph.
For a fairly standard car I was really impressed and it left me thinking that this really was all the car most of us need. Also left me thinking why would you buy a focus or astra when the golf is this good
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Been talking about replacing the 3 Series today - A Golf has appeared on the list as it happens.
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Try one, I dont think you will be disappointed.
To add some balance to my comments I should add a negative. I didn't find the seats as supportive as I would have liked, but that may be because I'm used to the Volvos excellent seats
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I was very impressed with the Golf GTI which I test-drove a few weeks ago. A huge amount of wallop and more direct steering than my current Octavia vRS, yet also the ability to pootle comfortable at low revs, which is what we all have to do a lot of the time. The Focus ST that I also tried had plenty of wallop also, but seemed much less relaxed at 'pootle speeds'.
SWMBO would like us to have something smaller as we approach retirement, and I'm tempted by the GTI. I'll try a new Octavia vRS next week and see how it compares, and whether the Golf is still worth the extra cost.
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The natural one for me is the GTi - just been looking at the others in the specs..they all seem to have commendable performance/economy.
Last edited by: R.P. on Fri 26 Jul 13 at 21:59
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My choice of car for October 2014 will be more interesting than the last time (for 2011) because lots more cars with lower emissions, especially petrols. The Golf GTi will definitely be tried. But I'd then probably get the GTD...
The 1.4T engine if the price is right might be good enough. But then I like the new Mazda6. Final choice will (partly) be based on cost per month taking account of monthly cost for car (I have an allowance), MPG and taxation.
Last edited by: rtj70 on Fri 26 Jul 13 at 23:06
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Mikeyb.
I am surprised that you're so surprised at the performance of the 1.4 TSI 122PS engine. I have it in my current MK6 Golf and it is fantastic. And I wouldn' call 16" alloys 'small'. They are sensible. Anything larger may look better to those who think that way but I prefer ride comfort to a tarty appearance with loads of 'Ally' filling the wheel arches.
However it is a car I was contemplating to replace my current MK6 but there are certain aspects that I am not too happy about the car which I am sure you would forgive in a hire car.
I have heard from other owners that the seats aren't as comfortable as before and many have experienced smearing on the screen by the driver's wiper on the down stroke and is something that VW have apparently got to rectify. Also the headroom is lower than mine.
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Just been playing with the configurator - I can spec a 1.4Tsi to cost me 27k or buy a standard GTi with all the kit........choices eh ? Where's the nearest dealer I wonder (well I know actually)
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27k? for a Golf? Madness,
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>> 27k? for a Golf? Madness,
>>
We got a Mk6 Twist for £13K (has the 'old' non-turbo 1.4 engine) and it would have been nice to get the 1.4TSi Match but the extra £6K seemed insane for the difference in the cars.
For £27K I could have bought two Twists!
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>> I have heard from other owners that the seats aren't as comfortable as before
Why do manufacturers change the shape of car seats in new models when the old design was satisfactory? I can understand if there were many complaints about the original design but if it ain't broke don't fix it. The human body doesn't change shape much, at least not over a car models lifetime.
I think they should concentrate on some fundamentals. Spend less on the bling and spend more on a seat that adjusts properly to cater for more sizes. I mean seat base tilt at both ends and base cushion extension, and lumber support that adjusts up and down as well as in and out. These things only appear on higher specified models, and then only on executive or sport models. Why should people who want a basic model be uncomfortable?
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>> >> Why should people who want a
>> basic model be uncomfortable?
And I'm sure that with an increasing older population, there is a large market out there that would appreciate it.
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>> >> I have heard from other owners that the seats aren't as comfortable as before
>>
>> Why do manufacturers change the shape of car seats in new models when the old
>>
Yes the appearance of the SE's seats looks a bit mass manufactured (which of course they are) but don't look as luxurious as those on my car. Similarly, the sunroof's interior screen is a travesty, looking like a piece of netting stretched over a frame and you can see through it.
If and when I order my 1.4 TSI SE it comes with a fair amount of things that I think are OTT but things like foldable mirrors (essential for my needs) and F+R parking sensors are extras. If I add to that a rather expensive panoramic sunroof (do I need o,ne?), then I will have to spend very little short of £22k. Yes all that for a Golf but to be fair cars of similar spec. are very little different, unless you buy from S.Korea. I have been looking at alternatives and don't really like the Ford Focus Titanium nor the Toyota Auris Icon etc.
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>> >> I have heard from other owners that the seats aren't as comfortable as before
>>
>> Why do manufacturers change the shape of car seats in new models when the old
>> design was satisfactory?
I asked this, and the salesman said that people like the look of seats in new models. It's apparently nothing to do with comfort!
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>> I asked this, and the salesman said that people like the look of seats in
>> new models. It's apparently nothing to do with comfort!
For Gawd's sake, keep the basic comfortable shape of the seats, and change the fabric if people want a change.
It used to do with packaging. Manufacturers would shave the odd inch off the seats to increase or at least give the impression of increasing space in the back, but it's no excuse now. Cars are far bigger than they used to be.
It would be interesting to be a fly on the wall in these offices and hear the discussions involving the changes made for a new car.
I reckon the first thing Ford will do to the facelifted Focus will be to change the rear lights. Then they will have a new set of buyers lusting after it. Of course the lights should have looked good from the outset.
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''I can understand if there were many complaints about the original design but if it ain't broke don't fix it''
>> For Gawd's sake, keep the basic comfortable shape of the seats, and change the fabric
>> if people want a change.
ho ho ho, its all over C you've become a fellow full luddite, welcome dear boy, you might as well admit defeat and join us cantankerous old sods who've been thinking like this seemingly for ever.
:-)))
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>> welcome dear
>> boy, you might as well admit defeat and join us cantankerous old sods who've been
>> thinking like this seemingly for ever.
Funnily enough I've just been watching the first ever episode of Dad's Army :)
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>> Mikeyb.
>>
>> I am surprised that you're so surprised at the performance of the 1.4 TSI 122PS
>> engine. I have it in my current MK6 Golf and it is fantastic. And I
>> wouldn' call 16" alloys 'small'. They are sensible. Anything larger may look better to those
>> who think that way but I prefer ride comfort to a tarty appearance with loads
>> of 'Ally' filling the wheel arches.
>> However it is a car I was contemplating to replace my current MK6 but there
>> are certain aspects that I am not too happy about the car which I am
>> sure you would forgive in a hire car.
I was more surprised because I had no idea what model it was - I actually expected it to be more than 122PS but the excellent fuel economy threw me. I posted before that I had driven a skoda roomster with the 1.2 tsi unit and that also impressed.
Th reference to "small" wheels was the comparison to the 18" I have on the Volvo which contribute to the awful ride quality - a mistake I wont make again!
I know you are not happy with the e-brake, but it was one of the best application I have come across - seemless in operation
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>> Also left me thinking why
>> would you buy a Focus .......... when the golf is this good
One reason I bought a Focus is that the nearest Ford dealer is 2 miles away, but the nearest VW dealer is 30 miles away.
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Just popping out to the local VW dealer - just looking you understand.
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Had a test drive in a very nice GTi - they're going to try and get me a 1.4GT to try. Nice car - very subtle in all areas, drives like a little hatchback - goes like a rocket (although didn;t get it to stretch its legs) - good driving position. Remarkably good looking seats (!) - Discount was mentioned early on.
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>> >> Also left me thinking why
>> >> would you buy a Focus .......... when the golf is this good
>>
>> One reason I bought a Focus is that the nearest Ford dealer is 2 miles
>> away, but the nearest VW dealer is 30 miles away.
>>
I wouldn't compromise on which model I bought over a 28 mile distance, but that's just me. There do appear to be a lot more ford dealers.
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There was a 1.2 or perhaps 1.4 litre Golf that had an engine driven supercharger AND a turbo working in tandem. Both quite low-pressure but able to punt the thing along very briskly indeed. I wonder how many good ones there are left, and what they are worth?
At the risk of being boring, a Skoda Octavia with the 1.8T (low-pressure turbo) with trick VW part-time 4wd was incredibly impressive and stress-free. I'd have one like a shot.
Last edited by: Armel Coussine on Sat 27 Jul 13 at 21:00
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The 1.4 with both turbo and supercharger was around in a few states of tune for a while - not sure if it still is. Might just be a turbo engine now. Some with cylinder deactivation to reduce fuel consumption wherever and whenever possible.
It started liking turbo engines (low pressure turbo) when I got a 1.8T in a Golf in 1999 and then a Passat in 2000. VAG were ahead of the game when it came to low pressure turbos I think.
Had various turbo diesels since for taxation purposes - but a low emissions petrol would be considered next as there's no 3% hike in Benefit in Kind for petrols like there is for a diesel.
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The MK7 1.4 certainly has de-activation of cylinders and a turbo.
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But I don't think they use a supercharger as well now.
I tried spec'ing up a GTI earlier. I was surprised the more basic sat nav is not standard since it is on the GT.
I'll have to wait until early next year before I seriously work out what cars I might want. I am sure I could get something similar to the Golf GTD/GTI for a lot less. Not sure I want something as small (actually short) as a Golf hatchback either.
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Suits us around here - perfectly formed for the (still) pretty good roads around here. Felt right at home in that GTi today - the years rolled back to the MK5 we once had. Holiday traffic prevented a thrash - but I knew it was up to it...:-)
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Do consider the performance pack. Not so much for the extra power, but you get the bigger front brakes and limited slip differential.
Edit: Note I said about the length of the car not lack of luggage or passenger space. A very nice car. Not driven one but sat in a GT back in May.
Last edited by: rtj70 on Sun 28 Jul 13 at 00:04
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>> But I don't think they use a supercharger as well now.
>>
I have a 2012 MK6 with the Twincharger giving 160PS (118Kw), this engine has been dropped from the current MK7 line up, perhaps permanently - I'm not sure. I've read nay-sayers comment that this is due to reliability but I've also read (and believe) it's down to manufacturing cost, the twincharger is complex and expensive to build, I think that with the right fuel (98RON) they're reliable enough.
Other installations continue - sporty Polos/Fabias/Seats, the Sharan/Alhambra (wow, a big car for a 1.4 - albeit in lower tune). Not sure if the engine will be dropped from these eventually, perhaps its design-brief of good low end torque will keep it in these installations?
To be honest I don't know why the Golf isn't offered with the 1.8TSI, it seems to offer comparable economy and a little more torque ?
What I can say is that our 160PS/118Kw TSi Twincharger is delightful to drive, very quick, low end torque to rival a turbo-diesel and 5.6L/100Km (50mpg) on a run and averaging 8L/100Km (35mpg) overall - it does mainly urban, short journeys. Not bad for such a powerful car IMHO.
In the UK SWMBO had a 122PS (90Kw) Golf MK6 and I always found that spritely but arguably less economical (on 95RON) than our current Twincharger. Other difference being that the UK one was a manual and the new one is DSG which I really, really like.....
I like the look of the MK7, will probably test a 140PS one next month when ours is in for a service. No point getting one until we know our future plans though.
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>> The MK7 1.4 certainly has de-activation of cylinders and a turbo.
>>
No, no, only the 1.4 140PS engine (in the GT) has ACT or Acitve Cylinder Technology, the 'ordinary' 122PS 1.4TSI doesn't and so one less thing to go wrong in my books.
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>> There was a 1.2 or perhaps 1.4 litre Golf that had an engine driven supercharger AND a turbo working in tandem. Both quite low-pressure but able to punt the thing along very briskly indeed. I wonder how many good ones there are left, and what they are worth? >>
I have a 2007 Jetta TSi with the 170 PS (168bhp) engine and six-speed manual gearbox (rare in this form, as it was not long before the virtually similarly specced 160PS version replaced it).
It's virtually as quick as the Golf GTi of the time and great fun, proving a neatly disguised Q car...:-)
Reviews of the engine (in the Golf GT):
www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evocarreviews/67063/volkswagen_golf_gt.html
www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/volkswagen/golf/first-drives/vw-golf-gt-tsi-170
By the way, a friend has a 2010 Skoda Octavia estate with the 122bhp version and is hugely impressed with the pulling power. It's been stated that some of these engines produce around 10bhp more than the claimed figure.
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>> It's been stated that some of these engines produce around 10bhp more than the claimed figure.
A lot of cars are said to have more power than stated. The states figure is what you expect to be the minimum and some countries fuel quality or other factors might impact that. It was said the Mondeo TDCi 130PS produced closer to 150PS in the UK. And the Bugatti Veyron produces more than the official figure for power output to ensure no matter where you are you get the minimum.
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>> >> And the Bugatti Veyron produces more than the official figure for power output to ensure no matter where you are you get the minimum.>>
Thanks, I must remember that when I order mine - it will be my next VW...:-)
PS
My Jetta runs very well on Tesco's Momentum.
Last edited by: Stuartli on Sun 28 Jul 13 at 00:16
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Follow up call from the dealer. The 12 year old sales-bloke (no faulting his product knowledge though) gave me ring, they've got me a 1.4GT to try out. I'll report back
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Quite often the 12 year old ones do have pretty good product knowledge - they pay attention on the training courses and are sometimes in the business as they have a genuine interest in cars.
Some of the...er.....more mature sales guys I have dealt with..................
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I was pleasantly surprised.
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It's easy to know a lot of facts about cars you are looking to buy (and therefore sell). Read the brochure and remember it.
Although I usually know much more than the dealers on spec etc. when I go to look at cars. But I can't give them a hard time because they probably cannot supply it to me (company car).
Starting to think about my next car though... Mazda6 is high on the list. And still surprised the wheelbase is shorter on the estate and it's shorter overall compared to the saloon. Wheelbase is 80mm shorter. Quite a bit.
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I know what I need to know. Product knowledge by staff at any sort of specialised retail environment is of paramount importance in my opinion. Our recent bike purchase proved to be excellent in this respect, recent car purchases have been a little more disappointing. I can't be bothered memorising chunks of information from a brochure, but I'll note what I need from a website but I like to have a salesperson to join the dots.
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Its their job to know in the same way I expect the girl on the till at Tesco to know how to scan stuff and take my payment
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Exactly - I like product knowledge. It shows passion.
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Off to try the 1.4GT in a minute - not exactly excited -head's been turned by a friend who's just bought a VRS....
Last edited by: R.P. on Sat 10 Aug 13 at 11:17
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FIL took me for a spin in his new Leon last week - its the FR with DSG.
Nice piece of kit, quick, comfortable, although a little firm for me. Hes just got back from a round trip through france, switzerland, italy and somewhere else I cant recall - reckons its averaged 47mpg which he is happy with, and I thought not bad for a reasonably quick hot hatch.
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>> >> >> Also left me thinking why
>> >> >> would you buy a Focus .......... when the golf is this good
>> >>
>> >> One reason I bought a Focus is that the nearest Ford dealer is 2
>> miles
>> >> away, but the nearest VW dealer is 30 miles away.
>> >>
>>
>> I wouldn't compromise on which model I bought over a 28 mile distance, but that's
>> just me. There do appear to be a lot more Ford dealers.
>>
When I have my car serviced my Ford dealer comes to my house to collect the car and then returns it when it's been done. They don't charge for collection and delivery. I can't imagine a VW dealer making a round trip of 60 miles with two of their employees whenever anyone wanted their car serviced. Similarly, on the occasion that my battery packed up my dealer brought a new one to my house and fitted it in my garage. And I wouldn't want to have to make a 60 miles round trip to buy something like a set of wiper blades or a touch-up pen or a litre of top-up oil. No, there are a lot of advantages in having a dealer close to where you live.
Last edited by: L'escargot on Sat 10 Aug 13 at 15:34
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Well, I went - a brand new one was handed to me to drive off into the sunset - limited fuel kept the miles down. A highly competent car, excellent performance even from the limited drive I had. Drove it on a goodly selection of roads - and I was very impressed with the ride quality - even over speed pillows. The interior was smartly done out - I do not like the chrome trim and the shiny plastic trim (black) - I like my interiors dark - this one was too blingy by half. It had this distance sensing cruise which was fascinating - I prefer using my own senses. The electronic parking brake is just fine. Trouble is it doesn't feel "special" enough in the way that the GTi did last week.....
Getting back into the Beemer afterwards, and fully expecting it to feel like and old nail (see similar comments on my R1200GS vs the Street Triple a few weeks ago) - it didn't it felt very alive and super-responsive and very together.........
Had an argument with the salesman over the colour of the BMW - it's green, green right, not grey but green !
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IIRC it's about 30 miles from my parents to their nearest VW dealer, and the free collection / delivery is still offered. They operate the same way as our nearest dealer though (which is just 8 miles away), which means the driver comes alone by car, leaves the dealer's car on the drive and takes the car away to be serviced.
@R.P - not sure I'd want to change a 6 cylinder petrol, RWD BMW for a Golf...no slur on the Golf intended - it's a great car, but it's not the same IMO :-)
Last edited by: PeterS on Sat 10 Aug 13 at 16:57
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The Beemer may live on. Mrs RP has suggested chopping the Volvo in if we go down this route and she keeping the Beemer for her own use.....
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>> The Beemer may live on. Mrs RP has suggested chopping the Volvo in if we
>> go down this route and she keeping the Beemer for her own use.....
>>
Don't blame her - sounds like a great plan from her perspective :-)
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>> The Beemer may live on. Mrs RP has suggested chopping the Volvo
Are you still happy with the Volvo, or have any flaws crept in?
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What happens when the Fiesta carks it? What you can carry the mud machines (dogs) around in?
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No the Volvo's fine - an object lesson in the difference between a rwd and a fwd diesel v. petrol, anyone who has any doubt about how the vehicle dynamics differ between two types of cars could do a lot worse than to try these back two back.
The Fiesta's exhaust has gone - going to cost a £100.00 to get a new one, debate now about exhaust bandage or replace - bangernomics at work.
Last edited by: R.P. on Sat 10 Aug 13 at 20:18
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As regards the dogs - that's where the wild-card of a Skoda VRS estate has been considered...
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Blimey, thrown around like puppies in a tumble dryer springs to mind.....
Last edited by: Zero on Sat 10 Aug 13 at 20:26
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We'll always have a banger though - this one has proved too useful.
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RP, assume Octavia VRS and not Fabia????
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Phew! - Not fancy that doggy converted one I posted a few weeks back??
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>> As regards the dogs - that's where the wild-card of a Skoda VRS estate has been considered...
The chap I bought this Saab 9-5 from used it to cart three labradors about in it... The boot still niffs a bit on hot days :(
Apart from a 20bhp deficit, I can't think of anything an Octavia vRS estate can do that the Saab can't though. Apart from cost £1500 more, of course.
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Previous Octavia VRS I assume - is the new one available in showrooms to buy as a VRS?
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>> Previous Octavia VRS I assume - is the new one available in showrooms to buy as a VRS?
In Skoda's usual fashion, it'll be along soon. Revealed at Goodwood FoS last month:
www.skoda.co.uk/models/new-octavia-vrs-estate
Seen lots of basic hatches and estates at dealers, but not clapped eyes on either in vRS trim yet.
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Rob and Rob - the vRS is indeed available and I test drove one and ordered one last week - it'll be my third. A petrol manual this time - partly because SWMBO prefers a manual, and partly because, excellent as my current petrol vRS with DSG is, there's still just that slight hesitation when accelerating that you don't get with a manual.
I was very torn between a vRS and a Golf GTI. I had two test drives in GTis (different dealers) and was hugely impressed with the sheer wallop couples with the ability to pootle, as one has to for the majority of the time - at least here in southern England. The Focus ST was too 'in yer face' for me - I'm too old to be the boy-racer that it suits best.
The two things that swung it for me, given that the vRS is almost (not quite) as much fun to drive, were, boringly, finance and space. I can have a new Octavia vRS estate for a few pounds a month less than the £360 a month that I'm paying now (with a £2,000 deposit, £1,000 of which is equity in the current car). A Golf GTI manual without the performance pack would be £447 a month from one dealer, £523 from another, both with a £2,500 deposit. And the Octavia has far more space for people and gubbins (or dogs).
Last edited by: Avant on Sat 10 Aug 13 at 22:38
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Keep meaning to ask you Avant, what is that you will have had in the way of fuel / transmission?
Was your first a manual diesel?, then DSG petrol if I am right?
What are the pros and cons of each and what were your fuel consumptions?
If you have compared these elsewhere can you post a link?
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I think for my next car, despite low mileage so far I will (a) stick with a company car and (b) go for a diesel. And I have enjoyed turbo diesels but a nice turbo petrol like the Golf GTI or Octavia VRS might be tempting!
But on looks alone, and list price, I do wonder if the Mazda6 Sport is going to work out cheaper. And look better (to me at least). Pointed out the estate on a big poster when walking outside Krakow earlier this week... and then saw a saloon in the metal. Both in the stunning red colour. My other half liked them too. I'd have to accept the inside isn't up to VW standards for material but like the last Mazda6 for comfort.
Only issue might be harsh ride on 19" wheels. I might miss adaptive dampers.
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>> I think for my next car, despite low mileage so far I will.....
and (b) go for a diesel. And I have enjoyed turbo diesels
>> Only issue might be harsh ride on 19" wheels. I might miss adaptive dampers.
>>
The other issue with low mileage will be DPF - honest the 2 do not go together.
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>> The other issue with low mileage will be DPF - honest the 2 do not go together.
No you're wrong. It can be an issue if you do short journeys. Low mileage is not a problem. Think about what you said vs. what you meant.
The only issue for me with the DPF equipped Mazda6 was the oil level would slowly rise due to the ill-conceived DPF regen process. No issue on the Passat CC and that is on a 2 year/18000 mile service schedule.
So for my personal driving requirements, which is low overall mileage at the moment (could get back to 18k+ miles per annum at any time), a diesel is fine. Especially as BIK is lower.
But I will calculate the overall cost based on personal miles and taxation based on BIK. When I got the Passat CC, petrol cars tended not to have stop-start or regenerative braking, etc. They do now. So the calculations could be very different. Not sure I want a naturally aspirated 2.0 petrol with only 165PS though.... But the Mazda6 2.2 Sport could be cheaper due to list price, BIK, and discounts to fleets. Who knows.
As for larger wheels.... could be the biggest issue with a Mazda6 Sport. 19" rims are bigger than you need and will impact ride. But only the sport model has adaptive bi-xenon headlights. My Passat CC would be firm without adaptive dampers.
So I would have to consider other VWs and of course the Skoda Octavia and revised Superb (a bit big).
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>> >> The other issue with low mileage will be DPF - honest the 2 do not go together.
>>
>> No you're wrong. It can be an issue if you do short journeys. Low mileage is not a problem. Think about what you said vs. what you meant.
>>
>> The only issue for me with the DPF equipped Mazda6 was the oil level would slowly rise due to the ill-conceived DPF regen process.
IF you do a few long journeys, rather than a lot of short ones I agree.
However, MOST people low mileage equals lots of short trips...
The problem you had with the Mazda, was it kept starting the regen process, but never finished it - ie you cut it short by slowing, or stopping...
When I worked for Mazda we had a lot more 5's than 6's needing forced regen - most 6's were being used harder and further than the 'school run' 5's....
I stand by my comment, but with the added provisos...
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>> The problem you had with the Mazda, was it kept starting the regen process, but
>> never finished it - ie you cut it short by slowing, or stopping...
>> When I worked for Mazda we had a lot more 5's than 6's needing forced
>> regen - most 6's were being used harder and further than the 'school run' 5's....
>>
>>
My neighbour does a 30 mile (20 on the motorway) each way commute and his 2.2 Mazda 6 destroyed its engine due to oil dilution.
When we looked for a car for local use we never even considered diesel for a moment. The other downside (apart from dpf) is they can take ages to warm up in winter. Many have heater boosters now but getting information on what system is used and how it works is often difficult.
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My Renault/Nissan 2.0 diesel warms up every bit as quickly as a petrol engine. The wife's VW 1.9 TDi, however...........
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Size is not everything on wheels - the bigger they are, the more vulnerable they are to damage - the harder the ride and if you happen to pay for your own tyres the more expensive they are....
My friend has ordered a VRS it's a factory build for him so I assume it's the new shape.
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In my own peculiar, narrow minded way, I can never see the appeal of these larger wheels. They offer nothing except perhaps appnearance (not in my view however) and all you'll get in return is a harsher ride, propensity to tyre/rim damage if hitting potholes and other road imperfections. Additionally you will get more road noise and more expensive tyres to replace.
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>> Additionally you will get .... more expensive tyres to replace.
Not for me if it's a company car. In fact my Passat CC might not need new tyres again before it goes back. So a set of front tyres (albeit at 13.5k miles!) and I bet that's it for this car before it goes to auction.
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re the Mazda 6 Sport.
It has 225/45x19 tyres.
Only one available on blackcircles is Bridgestone Turanza (presumably OE tyre).
£253 each fitted.
Camskill also have Falken and a different Bridgestone for £150 and £180 supplied (+P&P) but neither are in stock.
Might be a consideration for high mile drivers.
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Irrelevant for me.... but any running costs that are higher might end up in the monthly lease cost. The tyres fitted to this car are probably close to £160 each. And it got less than 14k miles for the two fronts :-)
But the overall costs to the lease company is a saving... they probably won't fit any more tyres. Depends on my mileage for the last year.
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The front tyres on the BMW are the original ones - couple of thousand if not more left on them car has now done 29k ! The rears were shot at 20 !
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I forgot to mention - I managed to get the GT into two cylinder mode - no aural or vibration difference in the way it ran, stunning....
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>> I forgot to mention - I managed to get the GT into two cylinder mode
>> - no aural or vibration difference in the way it ran, stunning....
>>
How can you tell? Does it tell you, or is it just something you can detect?
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Sounds from RP's description this is indicated and not felt/detected. I'd hope it's only indicated otherwise the technology is poorly implemented. Cruising and you detect or feel the car driving differently - eh, no thanks.
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Only by the computer's announcement - it has active cruise control as well - a little car appeared on the same screen to warn you that it was er..in front of you
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>> Only by the computer's announcement - it has active cruise control as well - a
>> little car appeared on the same screen to warn you that it was er..in front
>> of you
>>
This is what worries me about this new Golf and some othe cars around. They are far too complicated for their own good and if they go wrong, which they inevitably do, are the dealers equipped to sort out the problems?
I suppose what I have said above is largely irrelevant if you buy new and only keep it, say, for a few years until the standard warranty period expires or any extended one you may take out.
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OG, it's software not hardware and an inevitable / irreversible trend. Get used to it as it filters down to just about every price point and pervades all areas of your life. The justification is simple - with software and actuators you can achieve complex behaviours much more easily (cheaply) than with mechanical systems.
Arguably diagnostics and even reliability should be improved (I concede this is not always our experience of course).
Alternatively you could drive a vintage car I suppose....
Last edited by: idle_chatterer on Tue 13 Aug 13 at 02:28
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>> I forgot to mention - I managed to get the GT into two cylinder mode
>> - no aural or vibration difference in the way it ran, stunning....
>>
Had 'similar' on a Cadillac Escalade in the US - goes into V4 mode (per the display) at cruise. The stunning bit was tat it improves the MPG....to 20 (US of course)!
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"Keep meaning to ask you Avant, what is that you will have had in the way of fuel / transmission?
Was your first a manual diesel?, then DSG petrol if I am right?
What are the pros and cons of each and what were your fuel consumptions?"
Very well remembered, Bobby. The first was a diesel manual - about 42 mpg in town, 50 on the open road. My annual mileage came down from 20,000 to about 12,000, so given that there's no consumption penalty with DSG I went for the petrol DSG, which is more economical than I expected for a high-performance petrol engine - 32 in town and a very creditable 38 on the open road. If I kept the speed down on motorways from my usual 75 to about 65, I could easily get 40 mpg.
In going for a petrol manual next time, I'm not being as capricious as it sounds! Partly it's because I love the wallop that you get from a manual vRS (and Golf GTI), whereas with the DSG you get the slight feeling of being held back. Also, SWMBO dislikes automatics: I'll be retiring next April and we may go places where we share the driving, or else I might want to borrow her Mini Roadster and leave her something she's happy to drive.
I agree about 'sporty tyres', Oldgit - I got Kleber Quadraxer all-weather tyres with 16" steel wheels for the winter and they're still on the car. Ride is better, with negligible effect on handling, and if I get an irreparable puncture a new one is £70-80 instead of £180 for a new Continental 225/40/18. And they seem to be indicating longer life.
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It amuses me that SWMBO habitually goes to the DSG 'gear lever' when approaching a junction, on balance I think we'd both prefer a manual but in the car market around here auto (DSG in VW's case) is pretty much obligatory.
I like our DSG, I suspect it's 'sorted now' being built post recall (no electro-mechanical control unit wiring insulation decomposition woes) and having always had the newest firmware too. It drives like a TC auto most of the time - including low speed maneuvering.
Ideally I think it would be nicer if I could override it when I feel like changing gear, this is possible of course via the 'gear lever' (the wheel mounted controls would be nicer too but we don't have them), however it is either fully auto-mode or fully manual, an auto-mode but with manual override would be nice. Generally it gets things right but with a tendency to change up very early for economy or very late in sport mode. Can't fault the economy though - averaging 35mpg and giving 50mpg on a run in ideal conditions (without mimsing).
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I should have added, we have a 100kmh / 62mph speed limit on most stretches of road and it's rigidly enforced and adhered to. Probably helps a lot with the fuel economy I suspect. Makes a 200 mile drive very boring indeed.
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>> It amuses me that SWMBO habitually goes to the DSG 'gear lever' when approaching a
>> junction, on balance I think we'd both prefer a manual
>>
Does she also stab at the brake pedal as she goes for the clutch? :) Touch wood, I've never done it myself (my car is auto, Mrs BP's is manual) but was in a car with someone who did and nearly broke my ribs as the seat belt dug in!
>> but in the car market around here auto (DSG in VW's case) is pretty much obligatory.
>>
Is there still the same price difference between manual and auto as in the UK, or do most cars come with auto as standard?
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>> Does she also stab at the brake pedal as she goes for the clutch? :)
>> Touch wood, I've never done it myself (my car is auto, Mrs BP's is manual)
>> but was in a car with someone who did and nearly broke my ribs as
>> the seat belt dug in!
Haven't had that one I'm glad to say, although my early attempts at left foot braking had similar results.
>> Is there still the same price difference between manual and auto as in the UK,
>> or do most cars come with auto as standard?
>>
Many cars are simply not offered as manuals e.g most Golf models, all Passats, Mondeos etc. Oddly Holden Commodore / Ford Falcons do come with a manual option for the more powerful/sporting derivatives. IIRC auto (DSG) carried a GBP 1,000 premium over the manual where available a year back when I bought mine. It seems that many (most) young people learn to drive in autos now and are unconcerned that their licenses are endorsed for auto-only.
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Cheers Avant, I thought the manual diesel would have turned in a bit more than that, but thinking rationally, in my Fabia VRS I could get 55mpg at a push in the right conditions so I suppose 50 for the heavier Octavia would be about right.
Were they all estates? Was the original one the PD or CR engine?
I wish I hadn't loved my Fabia so much then I wouldn't even contemplate getting a taxi, I mean Octavia vrs.........
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Yes, all estates: not much longer than the hatch and a more practical shape with better visibility at the back. First one was a CR diesel, which followed a PD Golf 2.0 TDI estate: a great improvement as the power delivery was much smoother and it was much, much quieter.
The manual Octavia diesel was a great car: I PXed it after 2 years only because there was an offer on which meant I paid £80 a month less for a new one.
(I've never seen a vRS taxi yet - there are of course those on here who drive taxis, but they call them Large Estate Cars.....)
Last edited by: Avant on Tue 13 Aug 13 at 23:13
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(I've never seen a vRS taxi yet - there are of course those on here who drive taxis, but they call them Large Estate Cars.....)
Maybe no taxis, but plenty of ambulances, and some use them as dog carriers - I speak as the owner of a 'taxi silver' Octavia myself!
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My car's due a service soon so booked it in today. And asked could I borrow a new Golf GTD for the day - looks like it's possible :-) Will let people know what I think when I've driven it in 4 weeks time.
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Volkswagen - New Golf - R.P.
