Golf 118TSI vs. 103TDI

[bmck]

I just got 850kms in my 118TSI

850 is impressive!

Did you happen to note what the reported range was just before you filled?

[prise]

From the sounds of it, TDI does suit your driving style Frankenstat.

I'm finding it difficult to find numbers on the internet to justify this claim, but I suspect for freeway overtaking your 80-120 km/h times will be better in a TDI than the TSI.

My seat of the pants feeling was that the grunt of the TDI will keep you on the wrong side of the road in highway overtaking for less time than the TSI.

If I regularly drove single lane freeways I would definitely think about the TDI ahead of the TSI.... but I don't ! :-P I spend the far bulk of my time on dual carriageways.

With the 7 speed DSG, the TSI should be faster 80-120 than the TDI as the gearbox is able to keep the engine close to its best power RPM. With a manual box and a driver thats not prepared to shift down 3 gears, the TDI may well be quicker due to its higher torque. I suspect that the majority of drivers with manual gearboxes are not comfortable with the revs required extract the best performance from their petrol engine engine and tend to either start an overtaking manoeuvre in too high a gear (how many drivers are prepared to shift from 6th to 3rd to overtake?) or don't notice the approaching red-line and only shift when the feel the rev limiter - either option is going to lose time.

[coastie]

When test driving the 118TSI on Saturday, it didn't feel faster than the 103 TDI, yet the instantaneous fuel consumption figues were quite high during acceleration, yet I can't help thinking that if you drive it even moderately quickly you would use a lot more fuel than its official ADR rating of 6.3 (or so) L/100km. Yet I could quite believe that the Diesel could do the fuel economy as stated in the real world. However, I am comparing the 118 TSI manual with the 103 TDI DSG which I drove earlier in the week - as the one and only 103 TDI that was available for a test drive on Saturday apparently sold 10 min before I got there to drive it.

I've done over 20000 k's now in my 118TSI and the fuel economy is very much towards the ADR nominated amounts even on Watercooled runs like the Dave Mack cruise earlier this year and our more recent one through South East Queensland it has achieved around 6.0 - 6.3 l/100km. These cruises aren't economy drives they have lots of goods driving bits. Average for the first 15000km using the odometer and litres put in not the MFD is 7.02 l/100km. I think the MFD can be very optimistic at times but that has included alot of the driving in suburbia.

[hoi polloi]

Well, I took both a 118TSI and a 103TDI for a test drive today (both were DSG gearboxes rather than manuals though)... Both were different but found the diesel more elastic in when moving from rest (as if the TSI had a slight hesitation).. Probably more my driving style with the DSG than any problem with the car

Then I did something really foolish - I took a GTI for a drive...

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Although I loved the GTI (and initially signed for one) I couldn't really justify it in my case at least.

I confirmed an order for a 103TDI but not the manual - I bought the DSG.




VW Golf 103TDI DSG - United Grey + Sports Pack + Leather + Sat Nav/Audio
Expected delivery July...


Regards,
- Anthony.

p.s. Thanks to Dave Crofton at Central Coast Volkswagen for putting up with me pretty much all yesterday afternoon - a true gentleman..

[Frankenstrat]

Say thankyou to Frankenstrat, as im sure he bought it.

Yes, that would most likely have been me. Don't dispair NovaArtist, I've no doubt you'll get to drive a 103TDI manual. You'll be mightily impressed with the performance, I certainly was.

[NovaArtist]

I thought that was you - as you mentioned Wangara in an earlier post - but was not sure if you were referring to Saturday just gone. Well, even though we did not get to drive what turned out to be your car in the end, I was happy enough with the experience with the manual and an earlier drive of the Diesel, even though it had the DSG, that I decided to bite the bullet and order one, which must have been about an hour after you.

Also, I stand corrected on the 118 TSI, it appears my suppositions over fuel economy over a 15 minute drive are incorrect, as people are getting close to ADR fuel economy out of the 118 TSI in the real world.

[cktsi]

Also, I stand corrected on the 118 TSI, it appears my suppositions over fuel economy over a 15 minute drive are incorrect, as people are getting close to ADR fuel economy out of the 118 TSI in the real world.

What I wrote in my post is that you will consistently get lower fuel consumption in TDI vs TSI. The more accurate conclusion is you can get ADR figures in a TSI, but less frequently than you will in TDI.

There are so many factors influencing fuel economy such as whether you live in a hilly area or extreme climate. In summer I'm finding it harder to get close to ADR - or last week in Sydney's heavy rain when traffic isn't moving, you will burn more fuel.

The TDI will consistently use less fuel than TSI. After memory 2 reset on the trip computer I'm now averaging 7.7l/100km instead of 7.2l/100km now that the weather is more humid & warmer - and I drive through really hilly areas.

[waterboy]

850 is impressive!

Did you happen to note what the reported range was just before you filled?

It usually says about 650. I fill up with nothing but BP ultimate so yeah.

[bmck]

It usually says about 650. I fill up with nothing but BP ultimate so yeah.

No - I meant when you filled up after 850 km, what was the reported remaining range? 0km? 20km? 45km?

In other words, exactly how "empty" were you when you filled?

[waterboy]

No - I meant when you filled up after 850 km, what was the reported remaining range? 0km? 20km? 45km?

In other words, exactly how "empty" were you when you filled?

ohhhh haha
silly me
30kms champ

[Frankenstrat]

I thought that was you - as you mentioned Wangara in an earlier post - but was not sure if you were referring to Saturday just gone.

Yes, it was Saturday 06/02/10, we'd arranged to be there at 10:30am.

I presume you've ordered a 103TDI manual? Which colour did you go for?

[NovaArtist]

I didn't really have any choice - the only one heading this way during the month of Feb is grey one (so I've been told)- so I took that. I hope to collect it before the end of the month. If I ordered it from scratch, it would probably take over 3 months. Yes, a 103 TDI manual.
Regards,

[Frankenstrat]

Well, I was given a choice of grey, grey, grey, grey or grey. My wife and I discussed it at length and we decided to go for grey. Like you, I was faced with a 4-5 month delivery had I gone for Candy White. It simply wasn't an option for me to wait that long, that plus the deal they have going at the present time made it an easy decision for me.

You won't regret your choice NovaArtist, United Grey isn't bland, it's tastefully understated. It says, this driver has class and refinement. Well, I suppose what it really says is I just couldn't wait that long to get behind the wheel of a Golf.

[x_rotary_rasp]

I'm getting 810km when the fuel warning tone goes off. I have about 70kms till empty when this happens.

I also have a United Grey 103TDi. Perfect colour since it doesn't show up as much grit/dust on the vehicle even after a light drizzle.

I also have a black car... I have spent some money in equipment in keeping it looking immaculate (rotary, DA orbital... you name it... I have it!). I am sooo over detailling the car. Hehehe... I would probably do a touch up detail once I wash the car.

Most times, I use BP Diesel.

Overall, I am satisfied with the car. I had an annoying door rattle which I have fixed myself. Removing the inner door panel is a piece of cake. This is the only thing that bugged me.

[hoi polloi]

Well now I've made up my mind the waiting begins - how to cope with a 5 month wait?