I rented one of these at Hamburg airport a few years back. I was 2 hours and 300km down the autoroute in fifth, before I looked down at the gearknob and realised there was a sixth gear....!
Is the Golf big enough for your family and holiday outings, DP? It's a lot smaller than the Scenic.
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It is a lot smaller, but our circumstances have changed. When we bought the Scenic we had two kids in prams and they needed to be lifted in and out of car seats hence the height of the Scenic was handy, as was its vast boot to cart around all the baby paraphernalia. Now they're walking everywhere and can get themselves in and out of the seats, and we rarely have to take anything with us apart from a small bag. The youngest might need a small buggy occasionally, but this comfortably fits in a Golf boot.
We thought about the holiday aspect, as the Scenic was brilliant on our jaunt to Italy, but as SWMBO says, should we let one or two weeks out of the entire year dictate our choice of car? There's always the roof box route in any case. The Golf is as accomplished on the motorway as the Scenic was.
SWMBO is so anti remapping, tuning or modding in any way that I haven't even bothered to suggest it. I'm rather attached to that surge at the bottom end already ;-)
Cheers all.
DP
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SWMBO is so anti remapping tuning or modding in any way that I haven't even bothered to suggest it. I'm rather attached to that surge at the bottom end already ;-) >>
Thats the beauty of the 5 hour trial, you both get to drive it, she'll prefer the even lazier way it drives in traffic.
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Just chip it on the quiet and blame it on a tankful of V-power or similar fuel - she'll soon get used to the extra power and appreciate the car all the more!
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Dox - who does the 5 hr trial?
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i had a 130bhp gt tdi i traded in 2yrs ago . One of the best cars ive ever owned fast frugal and fun to drive. The 130 pd tdi was the best and most reliable of vw pd engines . Enjoy
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tinyurl.com/c9o6j4
Its a 6 hour trial, I think you'll find all APR dealers do it.
tinyurl.com/crkjsx
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Wow - Just read the stats that they can get out of a 105bhp PD - that would make the Roomie fly.
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Its the torque that matters and yes it will fly
;o)
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>>Its the torque that matters and yes it will fly
I'll second that - I had my Fabia vRS remapped to 170 bhp (it had 139 bhp as standard not 130 as I expected) and it made it seriously quick for a diesel hatch. I felt that at times it had just a bit too much power and when pushing on a bit, as you do, the car's brakes and handling weren't quite up to it. The amount of bigger brake and improved handling upgrades on offer seem to confirm my suspicions. It is a ridiculous amount of power increase for a relatively low spend.
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(it had 139 bhp as standard not 130 as I expected) \
I was doing a little research last night, and there are a lot of reports that these engines make more than claimed as standard, as do certain Ford TDCi engines, and the Volvo D5 unit. I wonder why this should be the case.
A friend is also toying with the idea of getting his vRS done now it's nicely run-in at 28,000 miles.
All the tuners talk about the level of safety margin built into the engine, but nowhere does it mention the long term effects of 85NM more torque through a standard gearbox. Do VW really build that level of margin into their transmissions?
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Our 2001 car was rechipped at 3 months old (eight years in may), the gearbox is still going fine, you can however get the clutch to slip if you tramp on the loud pedal in 6th.
The overtaking abillity on a single carriageway in fourth is fantastic.
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I was doing a little research last night and there are a lot of reports that these engines make more than claimed as standard as do certain Ford TDCi engines and the Volvo D5 unit. I wonder why this should be the case.
I think it might be tolerancing of the fuel supply components as they are made. If the tuners are able to release so much extra power relatively easily then it kind of implys that the engines are being held back in their standard form. If there was a slight variation in say pump pressure to the common rail then maybe there is a sharp upward response in power out put? I say this because I'm sure this "chip" tuning doenst actually mess with the boost pressure in itself but concentrates on the fueling.
Just a stab, but you never know.
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I was doing a little research last night, and there are a lot of reports that these engines make more than claimed as standard, as do certain Ford TDCi engines, and the Volvo D5 unit. I wonder why this should be the case.
I always believed it was to deal with fuel quality. They say a car is 130PS and it needs to provide 130PS in all countries where it is sold. So where the fuel quality is better you probably have more power. It is said the later TDCi 130PS units put out as much as 147PS.
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I've just got a seat cordoba 1.9 TDi 90bhp, will the remap mean it'll get more MPG when i'm not flooring it and will the gearbox/clutch hold up ok? it has 95,500 miles, just had cambelt and pulley change.
thanks
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>>I've just got a seat cordoba 1.9 TDi 90bhp, will the remap mean it'll get more MPG when i'm not flooring it and will the gearbox/clutch hold up ok? it has 95,500 miles, just had cambelt and pulley change.
The consensus of opinion (and I agree) seems to be that a quality remap especially on VAG diesels does smooth out the power delivery across the rev range. In practice it means you don't have to drive in the narrow torque band to progress and you don't always need to drop down a gear to build up speed so you're using less revs and I guess a little bit less fuel. I found after remapping that I wasn't using any more fuel but I was definitely enjoying the extra torque and driving quicker.
Regarding components, the advice I was given by the VAG tuner was not to impress your mates and put it in 6th at 30 mph and floor it as this type of driving stresses the clutch and flywheel a lot and not to red line it (don't think I've ever deliberately red lined a turbo diesel.) They said use the revs, torque and gearbox. I did a total of 130,000 miles in a remapped (115 to 136) Passat and the vRS with no issues. I also had a 90bhp Picasso and the remap to 110 bhp made more of a real world difference as it was ponderous before but much nicer to drive whereas the Passat, vRS weren't slow to start with.
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I was considering getting my PD 130 Passat remapped as i would like more overtaking ability for 'A' road driving but was wondering if it would cause clutch slipping. I sometimes let the revs get down to 1500rpm in 6th then accelerate back up to about 2500ish (70 mph). As long as I don't bury the accelerator should i be ok or should I start using the gearbox more?
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A friend of mine is a Driving Instructor and runs a 2 year old Golf GT TDI....presumably the 140 bhp version, and covers approx 45k pa. It has always struck me as being an 'unusual' car to have for learner drivers. He is very pleased with it. I only wish I had been able to learn in such a vehicle...I had to make do with a Triumph Toledo!
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First refill today (with 1/4 tank still showing). 398 miles on 40.04 litres of diesel. I make that a whisker over 45 mpg.
Of that 398 miles, 150 was motorway, and the rest short, local A to B running about. This had the Scenic down into the 30's although in fairness it was a bigger, heavier car.
I have just reset the "2" readout on the computer to see how far out the running average is on the computer, as the "1" readout resets after the car is parked up for more than an hour or so.
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DP, the "1" computer readout resets if the car has been switched off for 2 hours or more, the "2" readout resets automatically after 100 elapsed hours of driving.
Hope the experience continues to be positive.
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Next tank saw a 46 mpg average calculated brim to brim. Computer reckons 50.1 so the usual VAG computer optimism, it seems.
Midrange grunt is still grin inducing, yet even with the odd prod of the loud pedal, and a few short runs, it's still refusing to give less than 45 mpg. I have no doubt, given the readings on the display, and the known (in)accuracy of the computer, that a real world 55 mpg would be an achievable touring range. We may test this on a jaunt to France or Italy in late Summer.
The first few weeks with a new used car are usually spent discovering niggles or possible upcoming bills, but we seem to have found a good 'un. There's the lumpy idle on cold starts I posted in Technical which is a feature of these engines, and other than an intermittent flicker and missing line of backlighting in the computer display (done it twice), and a slightly low PAS fluid level which I topped up and has stayed put, I just can't fault it. Hasn't used a drop of oil or coolant, starts instantly hot or cold, and everything seems to work.
Great fun coming out of 30 limits into NSL's too. It's quite surprising what needs to drop a gear and make a bit of effort to keep up. And what seemingly can't! :-) While this is not a traffic light dragster by any stretch, 310NM of torque lobs a Golf up the road quite convincingly when you open the taps in the engine's sweet spot. :-)
Cheers
DP
Edited by DP on 05/04/2009 at 22:26
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A couple I know had Golf GTi diesels. One was a 150 and the other a 130. I drove both and of course wanted to like the more powerful one more. Reality was that the 130 felt a much better car. Glad you are pleased with yours. Heart still fancies an R32 though.....Head winning so far. Glad it's too small for me, I think.
I find it hard to think of something which could concurrently suit my space, cost and pleasure needs and wants. Maybe an ST155 estate......
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I did a fair amount of research before buying a PD and came to the conclusion that the 130 was much the best version. I bought the cheapest Passat sized vehicle (Skoda Superb) with the AWX engine I wanted. I use it to tow a heavy trailer.
This engine certainly lives up to my expectations and is astonishingly frugal when gently driven (set the cruise to 65 mph on a motorway and you can get 800 miles from a 65 litre tank) and yet it will pull 1.5 tonnes of brick-like trailer at an impressive rate. I'm well pleased with it.
It's a shame that the marketing requirements to play the BHP numbers game to keep up with Ford and others have spoiled the reliability of this fine engine.
The subsequent fitment of a DPF has ruined it. If you have a 130 PS PD - look after it. You won't find another diesel as good as this now.
659.
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In terms of in-gear grunt, I once timed a series of in-gear 40-60 and 50-70mph runs in 4th on a flat private road, both ways, in my old Passat PD130 (6-speed box).
5 runs each way (10 total) gave an average of 5 seconds dead in 4th for 40-60, and a further 5 runs each way gave an average 5.4 seconds for 50-70. That's cruising at a steady 40 / 50, then nailing it and stopping the watch at 60 / 70. The average of 10 runs levels out timing variations.
For comparison, those in-gear figures are quicker than the same 4th gear increments in a standard mid-90s Escort Cosworth or 911 Carrera 4.
So the "real world" performance of the PD130 motor is pretty good.
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The subsequent fitment of a DPF has ruined it. If you have a 130 PS PD - look after it. You won't find another diesel as good as this now.
Except maybe the 105. Sure it dont have the ultimate grunt or raw power of the 130, but its 105 horses is all faithfully delivered most of the way round the rev counter. It feels much more powerful at lower revs and is more relaxed. (as relaxed as that noisy old bag of nails gets!!)
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Had it's first service in our hands yesterday, where my trusted VW tech mate had it up on the ramps for the first time, and spent a good hour prodding, poking, draining and refilling. I'm always nervous the first time this happens, as I never know what he's gonna find. I'd asked him to nitpick, as I always do the first time he looks at a car I've just bought. I want to know what I'm up against.
It was good news - she's fit as a fiddle overall. It's going to need rear pads and a CV gaiter in the not too distant future, and front tyres down to just over 2mm (which I knew) but other than that he reckons it's a nice example.
Clean oil seems to take some of the rough edge off the PD, or is it my imagination? Still impressed with its sheer guts and "never less than 40 mpg however it's driven" economy. Since the oil change, the turbo seems a little bit keener to spool up - this is something I've noticed on other turbodiesels I've owned too. Not that it was a problem before, but the response when coming back on the power seems a little keener, and the boost seems to come in slightly more progressively at the bottom.
Apart from a leaky sunroof which seemed to be down to nothing more than a blocked drain, it has a 100% reliability record so far too. Long may that continue!!
Still well pleased. New front boots to go on after payday, and then I'll get the pads and gaiter done in August (car will do probably 3k in that time), together with another good check-over, in time for our annual jaunt down to Lake Garda. IT's going to need a roof box though - the space of the Scenic will be sadly missed for that particular gig.
Cheers
DP
Edited by DP on 06/06/2009 at 09:24
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Good stuff, DP, you've got a minter there :)
One thing I used to do every couple of months with my Passat was to exercise the VNT mechanism on the local dual carriageway with NSL, when traffic allowed.
In 5th gear I used to bimble at 1750rpm, then give it half throttle and accelerate to 3k rpm (i.e. full boost), then lift off and let the revs die back to 1750rpm, then accelerate again. Doing this about 5 or 6 times would give the VNT system a good workout ...
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You can exercise the VNT movable nozzle system without endangering your license - although it's not nearly as much fun.
At every service and sometimes in between, I remove the push-on rubber vac hose to the VNT actuator and replace it with a longer spare piece. You can then fully exercise the VNT system by mouth suction, feeling underneath the actuator for full travel which is about 20mm.
Putting your tongue over the end of the pipe checks the actuator diaphragm for leaks.
Glad you got a good PD engine. I would favour 507.00 oil changed at least every 10k miles. Prices of oils such as Fuchs have actually come down as they have managed to make oils which meet multiple specifications, eg. VAG, M-B and Renault.
VAG's idea of air filter life is a bit optimistic - these engines draw huge volumes of air and any undue flow restriction in the air cleaner will cause the turbocharger compressor to pull crankcase oil out of the breather. This should be avoided at all costs on any diesel. 20k miles in a clean driving environment is as far as I would allow an air filter to remain in service.
659.
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I've had my 2002 GTTDI 130 (02) since 2003. It's a pleasure to drive, not caused too much trouble, serviced by trusted independent. I hope it continues for a long time yet, great car.
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Sounds nice that DP. I have always liked VW diesels (never owned one) but have drove a 1.4 Tdi Fabia and two cars with non-PD 110bhp engine. The 1.4 Tdi 3 cyl is my favourite because it sounds really sporty and much better than 4 cyl 1.9 on which it is based. Plus in the Fabia it seems really quick. The 1.9 110bhp is a very nice engine too.
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Thanks for the encouraging comments chaps, and very useful info on the VNT mechanism. I will bear that in mind. A work colleague is currently having VNT trouble on his Audi A3 2.0 TDI and is hopeful he's managed to free off the mechanism. He'll be roadtesting it about now I would think. Will probably hear the swearing from space if it hasn't worked, given the mood he was in on Friday! ;-)
To be honest, the Golf's not a minter. When I first washed it, I found a scratch repair running down the nearside which I didn't notice when I bought it. It's a good repair - it requires direct strong sunlight and a particular angle to be visible. Annoying though - I pride myself on spotting these things when I view a car. I'm also finding the odd minor mark that I didn't notice, but hey it's nearly a 7 year old car. I hate those first few washes and polishes where you pick up on every imperfection.
I have no idea what oil went in it, but given what the dealer sells, and what's on the drums in the workshop, I suspect it's the Quantum PD Diesel stuff. That's what he recommended I top up with anyway.
Cheers
DP
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I would echo 659's point about the airfilter, I had a look in the airbox of my Passat after 20K miles (filter interval is 40K) and was horrified at the amount of detritus in there -- feathers, twigs, bits of plastic bag, grit etc. I'm not exaggerating when I say it was literally two cupped handfuls of rubbish.
They DO suck a lot of air, indeed :)
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Six months have now passed and still nothing has gone wrong apart from the sunroof leak. Mileage is now 92,000 and the car continues to provide reliable, economical and surprisingly quick transport. Overall, I can't fault it apart from a disappointingly rattly interior which is shamed by my 150,000 mile Volvo S60 which is noticeably more "together".
We opted to fly to Italy this year, so the planned big mileage jaunt didn't happen. Instead, the Golf has been ferrying SWMBO to and from work, and running the kids about here and there. We're getting 45 mpg in town, and 55 mpg on a run.
I can highly recommend these cars if ours is typical. Reliable, frugal and surprisingly good fun.
Cheers
DP
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I have a 2003 Golf GT TDI 130, I bought last year with 140,000 on clock, Now at just over 155,000 and had no issues driving it in that time. I've had a very minor oil leak from the intercooler which was due to pipe becoming loose but it sounds like I also need to check the air filter has been changed.
I think the Mk4 Golf PD130 is probably one of the best cars of its type. My other car is a Passat 140PD and the Golf is still far more fun to drive and use. It may not be the smoothest engine but it seems pretty reliable and great economy for the performance you get.
Mine is booked in for a remap tomorrow so I'll see how that affects the economy and performance but out of all the Golfs I've had this has definitely been the best. Probably why they seem to keep their value so well!!
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