MkV Jetta: 77TDI vs 103TDI

[mr_walker]

We have friends who are looking at the 77TDI Manual Jetta, but can't get hold of one for a test drive. They are concerned as to whether or not it will be underpowered (but bear in mind this will be a family car, not a weekend track car). They really want a manual, so haven't considered the DSG.

I drive a 103TDI DSG Jetta, but have not driven the 77TDI. Has anybody had experience with both for comparison?

I also have a 74TDI Manual Polo which is able to tow a trailer without breaking a sweat, so I'm guessing its probably not going to be a big issue.

Cheers,

Walker

[WEDEL.1]

I chose the 77KW when we bought ours new in 08. The 103KW was another $4500, which was beyond me, so I had ours oettingered by GTI-Andrew from Hobart for much less than half the difference. The only reason I did that was because we tow a camper trailer.

For family driving, thre'd be no problems with the 77KW.

Maris

[jessv3]

I had a 77kw dsg as a loan car from vw a few months ago. I found the experience fairly unpleasant. Family car or not its slow (0-100 time of 12 secs) I guess it depends how patient they are and what they expect from a car but personally I found it frustrating, considering the 103tdi only sips an extra 1ltr per 100kms, you get all that extra power without sacrificing much fuel consumption.

Are they looking at the 1.6tdi or 1.9tdi? (both are 77kw). The 1.9tdi is an old engine, with outdated technology (no offense to your polo) its sohc and 8v where as the 103tdi is relatively new and awarding winning, its dohc with 16v common rail with DPF which is why there is such a big power difference without it being that much bigger of a displacement. The 1.6tdi has the up to date technology but its a small engine for a car that is almost 1400kg's.

I think vw have dropped the manual 2.0tdi which means if they do opt for the 103 it will have to be a DSG. Have they driven your 103 with the DSG? If its just a family car then I don't see why they wouldn't consider a DSG considering its so much easier to drive without taking away any power or economy.

Everything Ive said is without considering their budget. New the 103tdi dsg is almost 10k more then a 77tdi manual. From that point of view then the 77tdi is the best value for money, but if it was my choice I would buy a 103 a few years older.

[Transporter]

The 77 kW MK6 with 7sp DSG compared to our 103kW MK5 with 6sp DSG feels allright, you wouldn't noticed too much of the difference unless you drive up the hill in hurry. It's mainly because of the 7sp DSG does a very good job at keeping the engine at the optimum torque band. The manual one could be a different story.

[gh172]

I test drove the 77 kw TDI manual jetta when looking for a new car for the wife. I thought it was very laggy on take off which made it frustrating when entering traffic. A nice car but very slow and not at all fun to drive. 5 minutes behind the wheel and I was ready to head back to the dealership.

[mr_walker]

Thanks guys - I'll pass the comments on.

[Greg Roles]

I've always said the higher power car makes for safer and more relaxing driving, as there's always headroom if ever you need it in a rush, such as a dangerous merge, overtake or someone just doing something stupid. Well, it's always been my excuse anyhow....

[rory]

I've always said the higher power car makes for safer and more relaxing driving, as there's always headroom if ever you need it in a rush, such as a dangerous merge, overtake or someone just doing something stupid. Well, it's always been my excuse anyhow....

I have a 2009 Jetta 77TDI (1.6 litre) with DSG. I find the acceleration "adequate" and don't really feel I'm suffering if I want to get going till over 80Km (supposed to get to that in 8 seconds). The 7 cogs of the DSG manage to keep the engine on the boil at the optimum speed brilliantly.
Think it turns and stops as quickly as all the other (standard) Jettas.
My other car is a 93 Mitsubishi Lancer GSR which used to get to 100 in 7.2 and hasn't slowed much in its 17 years.
Sorry. This doesn't relate to a comparison with a manual one. Just felt I had to put a good word for a good car .
Cheers all
rory

[kaanage]

Are they looking at the 1.6tdi or 1.9tdi? (both are 77kw). The 1.9tdi is an old engine, with outdated technology (no offense to your polo) its sohc and 8v where as the 103tdi is relatively new and awarding winning, its dohc with 16v common rail with DPF which is why there is such a big power difference without it being that much bigger of a displacement. The 1.6tdi has the up to date technology but its a small engine for a car that is almost 1400kg's.

The 1.9 PD engine in the Polo has 74kW (but LOADS of torque). The Jetta 77 TDi will be the 1.6 but the "up to date" technology means that it will have substantially less torque than the older engine as it is tuned more highly. With a Jetta sized car, the "outdated technology" engine would actually be a much better performer although the new CR engines are far more refined

BTW The DPF is not a feature to recommend but all new diesel cars have them so the only way to avoid them is to buy a car with some "outdated technology"

[maca]

I got given a manual 103TDI Jetta as a loan car replacement for my DSG103TDI and IMO; it felt just so gutless compared to the DSG. Perhaps it was because I was used to the constant power of the DSG, but it would make me think twice about getting a manual diesel.

[jessv3]

The 1.9 PD engine in the Polo has 74kW (but LOADS of torque). The Jetta 77 TDi will be the 1.6 but the "up to date" technology means that it will have substantially less torque than the older engine as it is tuned more highly. With a Jetta sized car, the "outdated technology" engine would actually be a much better performer although the new CR engines are far more refined

BTW The DPF is not a feature to recommend but all new diesel cars have them so the only way to avoid them is to buy a car with some "outdated technology"

Actually the old 1.9tdi and the new 1.6tdi have identical torque and power figures 77kw and 250nm. Apart from maybe durability (as its been around longer) I cant see any advantages the 1.9tdi would have over the newer small engine.

Anyway I just released I stuffed up in my original post, according to redbook the 1.9tdi was never released in the Mkv Jetta, it was only ever available with the 2.0tdi (103kw) and now recently the 1.6tdi (77kw). The golf and the Polo both got the older 1.9tdi stonk though.

[kaanage]

OK, it looks like in the Golf, the 1.9 PD TDi was tuned up a smidgen from the Polo. Which to compare with vs the 1.6 CR is a moot point since the difference is SFA and neither were available in the Jetta anyway.

That said, the lack of DPF in the older engine is a plus point as they are guaranteed to clog up over time requiring an expensive replacement ($7000 is the current rate).
And spec sheets don't give an indication of power delivery else Japanese engines would be unquestionably superior to european engines in this class of vehicle (and of course, they aren't).

I'm not saying the 1.6 CR is inferior to the 1.9 PD - it is much more refined and MAY get better economy with light running (which it wouldn't lugging a Jetta about) - but both engines have their pluses and minuses - it's not as simple as "newer is better"

[anthony]

I personally would test all the options,but just getting into a new Jetta is a WIN WIN situation...