118TSI - General Discussion

[Ryan_R]

Decided to drive to work this morning with the stage 1 tune off (DSG tune still enabled)... smoothest ride I've had in ages. I could get used to this 'luxury mode'

[cktsi]

I thought to make a song and dance about the 118 tsi and mk6 in general that i dont think is talked about much in these forums.

These cars are really quiet!!! I mean hushed. Serene. Stupendously so! Even at freeway speeds.

So much so that i feel like i dont have to raise my voice at freeway speeds and can hear passengers from the rear clearly.

It was a big step up from the mk5 and i would put it down to the laminated windscreen they introduced as well as the full length door seal that runs at the B pillar join between the front and rear doors.

Case in point... My comfy line is significantly more hushed than the new 2013 328i i just picked up. In this car there is more wind rush at 90kmh than the Golf. The Golf in comparison is whisper quiet.

Funny how as time wore on i forgot that about the Golf... But i do remember remarking about the silence when i first bought the car nearly 4 years ago.

Thought to make a huge noise about something the Golf doesnt have. Noise.

[Ryan_R]

Some sporty tyres and weathershields will take care of that

[ctan]

My car is coming up to 3 years in July. I've clocked up more than 90000 km and I have loved every drive. Yes, the car is whisper quiet when cruising along highways. It is exhilarating to push the supercharger when taking off from stop/start at traffic lights and junctions every now and then. The Dyna audio whilst not the top of the list has been enjoyable and the parallel Park Assist is magic. Whilst I drive in comfort mode most of the time, I do put the adaptive chasis into Sports mode very now and then for a sportier and firmer ride on motorways. It has been a small package of fun, luxury and comfort. The problem is the lease is coming to an end soon. I am going to pay the residual value and buy this up to replace the ageing family car but what do I get next? No more twincharged Golfs in the M7 range.

[cktsi]

My car is coming up to 3 years in July. I've clocked up more than 90000 km and I have loved every drive. Yes, the car is whisper quiet when cruising along highways. It is exhilarating to push the supercharger when taking off from stop/start at traffic lights and junctions every now and then. The Dyna audio whilst not the top of the list has been enjoyable and the parallel Park Assist is magic. Whilst I drive in comfort mode most of the time, I do put the adaptive chasis into Sports mode very now and then for a sportier and firmer ride on motorways. It has been a small package of fun, luxury and comfort. The problem is the lease is coming to an end soon. I am going to pay the residual value and buy this up to replace the ageing family car but what do I get next? No more twincharged Golfs in the M7 range.

If you are sticking with comfortline, i reckon the diesel over the petrol. The 0-100 is lineball, but will cane the 1.4 petrol for in gear acceleration and overtaking.

If i was to buy the comfyline again, that's the way i would definitey be heading.

If you can stretch, the base GTI of course.

[ctan]

If you are sticking with comfortline, i reckon the diesel over the petrol. The 0-100 is lineball, but will cane the 1.4 petrol for in gear acceleration and overtaking.

If i was to buy the comfyline again, that's the way i would definitey be heading.

If you can stretch, the base GTI of course.

I struggled between the Comfortline over the GTI when buying the MK VI. I know the GTI is a more establlished vehicale with more grunt and some nice features like XDS, Paddle shifts etc, but in the end I chose the Comfortline because of price and the quieter drive, and used that price difference on the options. The new MK VII will now have the XDS technology. I guess I am still struggling to find a justification for the GTI. I am gonna revisit the GTI vs Comfortline thread, think here is one somewhere in the forum. I am currently leaning between the TDI and the GTI. Spoke to dealer this week. $1K will book the car but how do you book a car when you do not know what the final price will be and what options you can choose? Wonder if anyone out there has placed bookings?

[Cavill]

the rattles and squeaks in my 18month old Gold Mark VI have been there since week 1.

they are slowly driving me batty - the VW technicians and service people cannot/do not want to hear anthing

I thought to make a song and dance about the 118 tsi and mk6 in general that i dont think is talked about much in these forums.

These cars are really quiet!!! I mean hushed. Serene. Stupendously so! Even at freeway speeds.

So much so that i feel like i dont have to raise my voice at freeway speeds and can hear passengers from the rear clearly.

It was a big step up from the mk5 and i would put it down to the laminated windscreen they introduced as well as the full length door seal that runs at the B pillar join between the front and rear doors.

Case in point... My comfy line is significantly more hushed than the new 2013 328i i just picked up. In this car there is more wind rush at 90kmh than the Golf. The Golf in comparison is whisper quiet.

Funny how as time wore on i forgot that about the Golf... But i do remember remarking about the silence when i first bought the car nearly 4 years ago.

Thought to make a huge noise about something the Golf doesnt have. Noise.

[hagviv]

I own a 2009 DSG 118tsi and i'm loving it, but there are some problems, first thing first, does any one else heard a little noise (comes and go every minute or so) when driving in "s" mode, or manual shifting. maybe it's something to do with revving the engine??
another problem is the steering wheel squeaks a lot! i've uploaded a video to youtub: squeaking steering wheel - YouTube. does anyone have an idea how to solve it?
and last but not least i have the famous wing noise (driving over 30-40 mph) coming from the front right driver door. dealer doesn't have a clue.

[Dux]

Hey guys,

I'm looking at upgrading from my '01 MK4 Golf to a near-new MK6 118TSI Comfortline w/sports package or MK7 90TSI Comfortline. It ticks all of my boxes (climate-control, auto[everything], DSG, peppy performance), but I'ma little hesitant due to all of these issues I've been seeing reported.

I'm looking at nothing less than a '12 model to maximize manufacturer warranty coverage. Are these issues where the engine just ****s itself limited to a specific year, ie only '09-'10?

[Lucas_R]

The 118's with the 7speed DSG are SUPER DOOPER reliable.


Sarcasm intended. Avoid.

[AdamD]

I'm looking at nothing less than a '12 model to maximize manufacturer warranty coverage. Are these issues where the engine just ****s itself limited to a specific year, ie only '09-'10?

I'm not aware of any 118s built since 2011 having experienced an engine failure, although there are some blurry lines with respect to second engines. The 7-speed DQ200 DSG continues to have problems in the Mk6... caveat emptor.

I wouldn't. Or, rather, I'd get a 90TSI in manual, or a 103TDI or GTI with the (better) 6-speed DSG.

[logger]

Hey guys,

I'm looking at upgrading from my '01 MK4 Golf to a near-new MK6 118TSI Comfortline w/sports package or MK7 90TSI Comfortline. It ticks all of my boxes (climate-control, auto[everything], DSG, peppy performance), but I'ma little hesitant due to all of these issues I've been seeing reported.

I'm looking at nothing less than a '12 model to maximize manufacturer warranty coverage. Are these issues where the engine just ****s itself limited to a specific year, ie only '09-'10?

Pretty much. In 2010 VW released a service campaign to address the engine issues. Since then the problems have not been as prevalent. They did keep occuring though. Perhaps because the damage was already done prior to the campaign. I would have thought with a 12 model you should be right and in any case you have the warranty. Second hand Pricing should be extremely keen too, due to peoples perception. DSG in mine has not missed a beat in the four years I have owned it. The current recall has resulted in my DSG getting an updated mechatronics unit and clutches, so I have no reason to think it won't be reliable for another four years!
I reckon my 118TSI DSG has been terrific value given I only paid 32.5k for it new, incuding APR tune to 152kw and $300 a year to service it. I could have paid heaps more for a GTI or R and while undoubtebly better cars, the cost benefit was not there for me. It has been a fun comfortable car to drive, which I enjoy owning.

[Dux]

I reckon my 118TSI DSG has been terrific value given I only paid 32.5k for it new, incuding APR tune to 152kw and $300 a year to service it. I could have paid heaps more for a GTI or R and while undoubtebly better cars, the cost benefit was not there for me. It has been a fun comfortable car to drive, which I enjoy owning.

Cheers for the detailed replies.

Could you tell me more about the APR tune? I've read about this but I don't know how much it costs/how it effects warranty/wear and tear on the car, etc. the ability to have near-GTI performance in a car costing almost half sounds appealing.

[logger]

Could you tell me more about the APR tune?

Have a look at the APR ECU Upgrade MK6 Golf - Customer perspective from 4 years ago. First 20 or 30 pages are about the 1118TSI ECU tune before it morphed into a Golf R / GTI discussion.
The basic APR tune (stage 1) adds a second enhanced software program to the Engine Contol Unit and cost $1500 when not on special. Increases performance by software modifying fueling and timing maps. So you end up with the stock program and a second program which differs by say 5% of the program, but in the areas that target performance. You can switch between programs using the Cruise control stalk when the Engine is off and Ignition on, using a simple but esoteric procedure.
Consensus is it will have no effect on warranty and it never effected mine. You may be able to pick up a second hand APR stage 1 tuned 118TSI, although some sellers may not highlight that it is fitted.

A side effect of the VW service campaign to address the Eng failures in 2009/10 was a change to hobble the stock ECU map, detuning the 118TSI to ~ 105KW making it a 105TSI! The APR tune retains the full 152KW or whatever it targeted. So the difference is even more marked when you switch between the two.

...the ability to have near-GTI performance in a car costing almost half sounds appealing

Thats what appealed to me too

[Dux]

Thanks, had a quick read of the first 10 pages and a lot of my other questions I had were answered there.

Did you get the sportspack with your car? I'm looking for models specifically with this option as I love the body-hugging seats.