Golf 118TSI vs. 103TDI

[NovaArtist]

Thanks for your reply,Frankenstrat.

When I bought my Astra SRi back in 2002, I thought that all examples had Michelin Pilot Sport tyres, and the Same with the Pajero - Dunlop Grandtrek AT20's. Really though, it doesn't really matter, as long as they are all good quality tyres, but I was surprised that the tyre combination was not as uniform as any other part of the car. I wonder how many brands are used?. What do others have? - and because they use different tyres - has anyone ended up with a variety of different tyres on the same car (Can't see the Germans getting caught out on that though).

Regards,

[Corey_R]

There are a few threads around the forums on the topic of tyres already, like this one, so just have a look around. There are at least 5 different brands used on the Golf at this time....

[Cossor]

Do you later wish you had bought 103TDI instead of 118TSI?

I loved the rush of power, especially up hill, with 103TDI. really pushed back in seat.
Considered 118TSI a lot smoother, "refined" and qiuieter driving around town.
Had a couple of small hickups test drive 118TSI DSG, BUT nothing like the the couple of screamers
with 103TDI DSG. Could understand motoring writers claiming DSG still a work in progress.
Now after reading still another 118TSI major engine failure, wondering how many regret ordering 118TSI instead of 103TDI

[cameronp]

I found the TSI a lot more pleasant to drive than the TDI. I'm choosing to trust VW when they say that the engine problem is now fixed - amongst other things, if that wasn't true, they'd have a hell of a lot of warranty claims on their hands, and those are expensive. So for the moment there's nothing to suggest I made the wrong choice there.

And despite all the people complaining about the DSG's quirks - myself included - if somebody gave me the choice of having my car with a standard automatic, a manual or a DSG, I'd still go for the DSG.

[Stoney!]

Not a hope in hell. I have had a 103TDI twice from bill buckle when I have had a service or a couple or warranty repairs done and the first time I had it for 5 or so days and I hated it by the end. second time I just wasn't even happy from the start.

They are loud, they vibrate and most of all the turbo lag is just really annoying! I'm glad the 1.4 tsi came along, cause I was going to buy a diesel, but the 118tsi showed how agricultural and terrible these diesel engines are. the 118tsi has enough punch if you need it and with an APR chip (or other) can pump out just as much torque as the diesel over a more usable rev range.

The two things I loved most getting back into my car was the lack of NVH (mostly noise) and the sweet sound of the supercharger.

So i repeat, no way do I wish I bought a 103TDI

Stoney!

[prise]

Happy with the TSI (I've driven both) Better performance, quieter, less vibration and cheaper BUT uses 1 l/100km more fuel. At 15000 km a year it was going to take over 15 years to recover the extra outlay for the diesel after taking into account interst on the higher purchase price so I just don't see the point given the current cost of fuel here. Now if we were paying UK/EU prices for fuel it would be different.

[hoi polloi]

I think TDI and TSI buyers are a different breed to a certain extent... Probably a better question would be "Are you sorry you didn't shell out the extra (or forego some options you bought) and get a GTI instead?"...

- Anthony.

[Stoney!]

And my answer once again would be no. I have entered a world that I have clinged onto since buying the 118tsi. The world of forced induction fun with little to no lag what so ever.

I can Push the poor little 1.4 to GTi power and surpass its torque outputs with a revo tune if I wanted to, and I'd sooner do that that buy a GTi. GTi and R have the looks for sure but it's mainly about the driving experience for me.

Stoney!

[Cossor]

Thanks folks for supportive comments, Had just started to wonder If I was too critical of residual diesel noise, and a bit worried when DSG a couple of times caused motor to rev flat out. (Very quickly took foot of the pedal!) The 103TDI for test drive was fitted with sports pack. Sales guy told me no differance in noise level between 118TSI and 103TDI on highway, but unable to test on good road surface.
Took Honda civic for a test drive before ordering Golf. good car for price (Was on drive away special) but happy to pay a LOT more for Golf
Also ditto for Mazda 6. Nice car, good performance. Hated the seats. felt every bump as if sitting on a tractor seat. Also not much pickup on acceleration.
Did not test drive Jetta, although I really like the appearance inside and out. Prefer the hatch back, Think Golf better value.

[dopey]

To be sure I bought both

[Cossor]

EH?!

[Maverick]

I can Push the poor little 1.4 to GTi power and surpass its torque outputs with a revo tune if I wanted to, and I'd sooner do that that buy a GTi. GTi and R have the looks for sure but it's mainly about the driving experience for me.

Sure you could do that at the cost of longevity and without the handling/safety of the GTI it won't be a fun/safe experience so not sure what you mean by "driving experience".

Of course the GTI with or without a tune will still leave it for dead, there's a reason why they offer the GTI as a package and not just an engine and that's the complete package of suspension, brakes, transmission, engine, wheels/tyres etc.

[darkfriend]

Love the TSI responsiveness, and like having the manual gearbox. Don't theink the extra cost of the 103TDI is worth it... what is it? an extra $6000?

[cameronp]

Love the TSI responsiveness, and like having the manual gearbox. Don't theink the extra cost of the 103TDI is worth it... what is it? an extra $6000?

It's an extra $2500. It'd be easier to justify buying a diesel it if it was cheaper than the TSI, but it'd take a lot of driving to make back in fuel costs the extra cost of the diesel engine, and in the mean time you have to put up with having less money in the bank while driving a slower car that idles like a tractor...

As hoi polloi suggested earlier in the thread, it took me a lot of willpower to not even test-drive a GTI. With the TSI I was already spending more on a car than I'd intended to, so realistically the GTI would have been pushing my budget a little bit too far.

[cme2c]

Like Prise very happy with the 118TSI, and the miles didn't justify the diesel.The VW is my wife's car and I keep having to stop saying "Your car is amazing." Love the diesel like surge, but it revs to 7000! Also, how did they get that deep engine sound out of 1.4l. The car was bought for comfort, and it delivers. The GTI wasn't released when we purchased.( and we signed the order a year ago), but it wasn't what she was looking for. Still very happy.