Hello there...

[dr_jode]

Hi guys been lurking here for a few weeks reading up on all your great advice. As a never before VW owner, (unless your Dad driving you around in his Kombi as a kid counts) I am after some advice??

I am thinking about trading in my Subaru Forester on a Golf TDI Pacific. My idea's for doing this are mainly fuel economy as i live a fair distance from work and am not getting the greatest economy out of the Forester. I have test driven one and really love the comfort and room that comes with such a small car, however what about towing capability? Who tow's with there Golf and how does it go?

About a half dozen times a year we pack the Subaru up and tow a bike trailer with a bike to go do track days and just general holidays. Will the Golf handle this??

Any other advice you can give is greatly appreciated...

Cheers!!

[nayfen]

welcome Dr
I have a tdi golf with factory towpack and use for towing. From memory about 650kg unbraked and 1100kgs braked. I have never had to test the car at maximum weight capacity but thus far no problems. i also have an otteinger ecu upgrade which gives some additional power. that said the diesel will have no problems coping. i driven an earlier model 2 litre forester no comparison the forester was gutless when towing compaired to the tdi.
The xt turbo forester was much better but had a a thirst like a first year engineering student.

[Logzy]

Welcome. No problem at all with a bike on a bike trailer.
The TDI is the way to go although thats my biased opinion.

If you want some more berries out of it you can also get the ChippedUK ST3 which will give you more torque and power but really you wont need it. (Until the more power bug bites)

Did you drive the manual or the DSG ?

[dr_jode]

Thanks very much for the reply guys, sounds like the Golf will be a fine drive with the trailer then...

Nayfen: I seriously looked at the XT Forester however like you said the thirst for fuel is crazy!!

Logzy: I drove the manual, as i am a definate manual fan!! Could you explain this (Chipped UK ST3) added power source to me and what kind of price are we looking at?

[nayfen]

Dr
make sure you give the dsg a go as well. manual on hwy is great. the narrow rev ban of the tdi in suburbs and traffic means alot of gear changes. both dsg and manual very good options. You maybe pleasantly surprised.

[Logzy]

Thanks very much for the reply guys, sounds like the Golf will be a fine drive with the trailer then...

Nayfen: I seriously looked at the XT Forester however like you said the thirst for fuel is crazy!!

Logzy: I drove the manual, as i am a definate manual fan!! Could you explain this (Chipped UK ST3) added power source to me and what kind of price are we looking at?

Before you make your decision on the manual or DSG you must take the DSG for a drive.
Many manual fans have gone for the DSG, it is a wonderful gearbox.
The ChippedUK ST3 is basically a performance tune / ECU remap for your car.
There are a few different chips about and im sure you would have read a few posts on them.
I think it basically comes down to personal choice when purchasing one and value for money.
The ChippedUK ST3 gives you the ability to flash the car back to stock yourself with the handheld device as does the bluefin however in my opinion the ST3 is better value for money. Its priced better, it doesnt have to be sent back to the UK for upgrades and you get 2 maps included in the price
If you google ChippedUK ST3 you will find many reviews and their website with more info.

[WEDEL.1]

We have just ordered an Edition 1.9 TDI with DSG. That will be used for towing a small camper trailer one day, when we dispoae of the Green T4 Transporter.

Braked trailer mass is 1200KG.

Maris