103TDI - General Discussion

[barges]

well i finally got my pro-bitz tuning box from the uk this week. installing it was a breeze and now the golf really pulls, still really smooth and the best thing is the massive turbo lag is reduced.
i can finally say im happy with my 103 tdi.

[kaanage]

Does it smooth out the drive train when crawling around in traffic?

If it does that and the other benefits they mention (and has no ill effect), then 99 pounds seems very cheap.

[NovaArtist]

Update on our 103TDI that we bought 9 months ago. We have not driven it a lot - although I do enjoy driving it when I get a chance - normally in my other leased car. However, the better half had an engine meltdown yesterday with the glowplug symbol flashing on and off and power getting very sluggish. Owners Manual claims this symbol does this when there is a engine management system failure and it needs to get to a VW service centre quickly. Turns out some sensor has packed it in, but no-one holds them in Perth, so need to wait a few days while one makes its way from Sydney. Good thing we were not in Esperence (as we were, only 2 weeks ago - although we took the 4WD in any case). Not crazy about getting substantial engine problems with only 2900 km on the clock (and I'm not missing a zero - it really is less than 3000 km after 9 months). This is why we have warranties - so not concerned about the sensor to much - always a nuisance when your without your car for a few days. I assume most 103TDI owners have not had engine system problems at this time?. I would guess we are just one of the unlucky ones to have this happen, most responses on this forum suggest these cars are quite reliable.

[khamtran]

I've had my 103TDI manual with sports package for nearly 11 months now and absolutely love it.

Some of the things I love about the car include the build quality, the great ride, handling and balance, heaps of usable torque especially at highway speeds and the superb fuel economy. I'm averaging 6.23 litres per 100km (measured at the pump and not with the trip meter which I find is a tad optimistic) and I'm quite heavy footed as well.

I wouldn't mind a bit more power though. Something like GTD power I reckon would be sweet.

[kaanage]

I would guess we are just one of the unlucky ones to have this happen, most responses on this forum suggest these cars are quite reliable.

Stay away from the diesel forum where they discuss EGR intake clogging, fuel tank algae and DSF failures and also the Passat forum where at least 3 TDI's have had injector failures that instantly disabled the car

Do other people find that the MDI is about 10% optimistic with its fuel consumption figures?

[jazd]

Back on topic, our TDI is very nice, aside from the 10% optimistic fuel consumption figures from the MDI and the snatchiness of the DSG in traffic and reversing. And find myself manually selecting gears a fair bit so I'd love the GTD's paddle shifters.

I *think* you can fit a GTI/GTD DSG steering wheel and get the paddle shifters to work.

[Corey_R]

You can. But it's prohibitively expensive.

[jazd]

You can. But it's prohibitively expensive.

So its not just a matter of fitting the steering wheel paddles? You have to wire them up to the gearbox or something?

[Frankenstrat]

Mine's almost at 16,000km now and it has never missed a beat. I had the rattling B-pillar noise, but I was told at the 15,000km service it was the hinge and lock that needed re-greasing as they were both dry. It seems to have done the trick. I get a slight whistle from the driver's door seal, but I can live with that.

Some one was asking if the brakes on Golf TDIs with manual gearboxes were sensitive, they most certainly are, but I got used to it very quickly.

[kaanage]

I asked about the brakes and my problem with them being so over-servoed is when you have to switch back and forth between different cars.

[Frankenstrat]

Ah, OK, my son inherited our 1992 Toyota Camry, and compared to the Golf it's like driving a tractor (ironic really considering the Golf is a diesel engine). The clutch on the Camry is really heavy, I mean REALLY heavy. The brakes too take a lot of pedal pressure to get them to react. Steering is heavy, particularly at slow speed like parking. Maybe the vacuum assist is no longer functioning, it always had a heavy clutch even when I drove it on occasions (it was my wife's car, I had a Hi-Lux ute at the time).

The Hi-Lux ute was more like the Golf so far as the lightness of the controls were concerned, but was a wallowing whale when it came to parking. I don't think I ever manged to park it in a shoppers' car park without doing a 58-point turn.

[kaanage]

Sorry about the terse reply - I was posting at work...

My 1st car (old Fiat coupe) had overservoed brakes too, to the point where I would disconnect the servo for track days. All the other controls on that car were REALLY heavy, especially the steering after I changed to wider tyres and a smaller steering wheel and the clutch, before I got around to changing the cable. Still, there's nothing quite like shifting a manual where the gear lever is moving the dogs, directly

My wife quite disliked driving the Golf at first as she would mainly drive a small Japanese car and couldn't adjust on the odd occasions that she drove the Golf. Now that it's her everyday car, she is enjoying it due to the refinement and space.

[barges]

my mk triton dual cab ute has an even bigger turning circle than the hilux, extremely funny to maneuver in traffic, even worse when 4x4 is selected.

going to post an update on my tdi soon, when i finally work out pre and post tuning box fuel consumption.

[Jenneth]

It's Jan 2011 and we are SERIOUSLY, and I mean seriously considering a 2010 build/2011 rego TDI 2 litre DSG Comfortline wagon (no Ks). It will be our first brand new car and first VW. Accessories, the MDI and a cargo mat. Can anyone here tell us what you paid DA in 2010? Iwant to get the best deal. I know we will lerve the car,

Ta, Jen

[Frankenstrat]

There's a thread devoted to a dealer negotiations:

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/f112/golf-mk6-dealer-negotiations-spreadsheet-31714.html

Click on the link and see if that gives you an idea.