103TDI - General Discussion

[hoi polloi]

I'm curious how that could be possible, since both cars are essentially manual, and when cruising in 6th gear, they are both cruising in 6th gear......

I seem to recall reading the 6-speed DSG in particular has to pump lubricant around whereas in a conventional manual the gears just sit in a bath of lubricant. This, if true would add a bit of extra load to the engine...

Regards,
- Anthony.

[neil]

We have Mk V for almost 3 years and so far there are no squeaks and rattles in our car!


and we're very happy with it.

Same here.
3 years in November and not one issue.

[Corey_R]

I seem to recall reading the 6-speed DSG in particular has to pump lubricant around whereas in a conventional manual the gears just sit in a bath of lubricant. This, if true would add a bit of extra load to the engine...

Regards,
- Anthony.

One of the things I know is that the Australian and European fuel consumption tests use a set process for testing cars. This includes shifts at specific rpms, regardless of the car / gearbox. Depending on the ratio of the gears in the gearbox and the engines in use, this can cause the official fuel figures to result in readings which are not representable in real life.
For example, the fuel tests actually favour petrol - yes, diesel is still better in the tests, but in real life the gap is often even wider. Other cases have been where the fuel test shows the manual as being more efficient but in real life the DSG is.

I'm not saying that is the case for the 103TDI manual vs DSG, all I'm saying is, the official figures are simply a guide, and need to be viewed just as that, a guide and not what is necessarily true in real conditions.

[pologti18t]

One of the things I know is that the Australian and European fuel consumption tests use a set process for testing cars. This includes shifts at specific rpms, regardless of the car / gearbox. Depending on the ratio of the gears in the gearbox and the engines in use, this can cause the official fuel figures to result in readings which are not representable in real life.
For example, the fuel tests actually favour petrol - yes, diesel is still better in the tests, but in real life the gap is often even wider. Other cases have been where the fuel test shows the manual as being more efficient but in real life the DSG is.

Tests are only valid when comparing different cars. They aren't really meant to be accurate for all drivers and conditions.

C02 g/km will always be skewed towards petrol (given comparible l/100km) as diesel fuel has more carbon in it.

[Corey_R]

No that's not what I meant at all. The tests only give an INDICATION when comparing cars.

Just say car 1 is most efficient at 3000 to 4000rpm, but car 2 is most efficient at 5000 to 6000rpm.
The test then has you shifting cars at 4000 rpm.

The test is then going to favourite car 1, even though in real life, car 2 could be more efficient (unlikely, but just giving you an example).

Likely, what the manufacturers say is that because the SAME economy test is used for petrol and diesel cars, if the shift point was say at 4000rpm, and that change gear brings you at 3000rpm in the next gear, you're totally NOT using the benefit of your diesel engine of low end torque 1750 to 3000rpm.

So as I said, take the results with a grain of salt because for some cars you'll NEVER match the economy results, with other cars you'll SMASH the economy results!

[pologti18t]

No that's not what I meant at all. The tests only give an INDICATION when comparing cars.

Just say car 1 is most efficient at 3000 to 4000rpm, but car 2 is most efficient at 5000 to 6000rpm.
The test then has you shifting cars at 4000 rpm.

The test is then going to favourite car 1, even though in real life, car 2 could be more efficient (unlikely, but just giving you an example).

Likely, what the manufacturers say is that because the SAME economy test is used for petrol and diesel cars, if the shift point was say at 4000rpm, and that change gear brings you at 3000rpm in the next gear, you're totally NOT using the benefit of your diesel engine of low end torque 1750 to 3000rpm.

So as I said, take the results with a grain of salt because for some cars you'll NEVER match the economy results, with other cars you'll SMASH the economy results!

I am not sure rpm is a factor in the test.. Just road speed. Otherwise how would you test auto, cvt cars?

There is a graph in this document that suggests what the test cycle is like. Looks km/h based to me

http://www.ephc.gov.au/ltec/pdfs/ADR_81_01_Discussion_Paper.pdf

[Corey_R]

That's a discussion paper to determine the labelling which goes onto vehicles. It doesn't actually go into detail about the test. You can still manually shift autos - although I guess there are probably some auto's that you can't manually shift.

I haven't got time to find specifics in relation to the ADR test, but This is published by Volkswagen and page 4 and 5 discuss how the European test is done and the fact that there are specific shift points which may favour one car over another.

[rosslm]

I have a 103 TDI DSG going on 2 months now and I have covered about 1800 Km I have had two trips to the central coast achieving 5L per 100 which included a fair bit of peak hour traffic getting to the freeway. Around town anything from 5.5 to 8.5L per 100 but a lot of this is short trips with the motor still warming up. I find once the engine is warm the economy improves dropping in the 6L per 100 around town, overall average so far 7L per 100 no doubt the motor has a long ways to go to be fully run in.

The options I selected Sports Pack with ACC, RDC510 DynAudio 300W and RVC are all worth getting. So far the car has been trouble free no faults, I find the DSG 6 speed fantastic no take off problems, gear changes are smooth as silk, ride fantastic, comfort mode great for Sydney slow speed concrete slab roads like Lyons Road, Drummoyne.

The fit and build of the car overall is exceptional every design detail has class written all over it. I hope to give it a good open road run soon so should get well into sub 5L per 100 economy. In terms of power I find the torque of the diesel fantastic, I would say this motor revs about the same as my previous car a 5L V8 Commodore, it will happily go up hills in 5 gear at 1300 rpm quite amazing so I love the torque and also the extra engine braking of the diesel. The diesel has a solid smooth unbreakable feel to it with more power than you need for normal driving. So I'll say VW have built a ripper of a car here, Love my car!!

Just an update, I had a 400 km day run over Easter up to the Hunter Valley traveling through Wollombi then back to Sydney on the Freeway. The trip including 20 km of dirt road and 50 km city driving returned an average at the pump of 5.2 / 100 km so after 2500 km overall average is at 6.6 at the pump or 6.3 according to the MDI. The dirt road was a revelation in how well the suspension coped with corrugations and ruts using ACC Comfort mode there is no way you would imagine the car was running 225/45 17R low profile tyres, so here’s another plug for ACC with Sports Pack Cloth it’s $3000 well spent. Bags of power for all situations the more I drive this car the more it impresses. As an aside I can recommend the pizzas at the Firestick Cafe, Pokolbin

[Stjohn]

My 1st Diesel/DSG after owning an '05 FSI manual and a '97 GL Classic manual, both petrol...Great car and lots of fun and still very happy..btw the guys at Burwin VW were great as well...

[Frankenstrat]

Given the criterium for this thread: For those who have purchased the new (Mk6) 103TDI Golf I don't qualify, but I did choose the Mk6 Golf 103TDI for my company vehicle to replace the HiLux Ute I used to drive. Suffice to say that I am very happy with my choice, and so too is my employer. It's the smallest car in the fleet, but by far and away the most fuel-efficient. And I'd hazard a guess that it's the most fun to drive too, it's definitely more responsive than the Hi Lux could ever hope to be.

[hoi polloi]

Given the criterium for this thread: For those who have purchased the new (Mk6) 103TDI Golf I don't qualify, but I did choose the Mk6 Golf 103TDI for my company vehicle...

So basically you got one as a company car and now you're rubbing it in?



Regards,
- Anthony.

p.s. looks like my car will be delivered late June rather than mid-July as originally informed.

[Frankenstrat]

So basically you got one as a company car and now you're rubbing it in?

Well, I wouldn't go as far as to say I'm rubbing it in, Anthony. Maybe just a gentle application.

[jimmyjames]

I can't remember if I answered this thread or not.
But just in case, I love my 0n3 year old Mk6 103 TDI.
Traded a Mk5 103 TDI in on it so I knew what I was getting in to.
Option were - Sportpack.
Nuthin' else ..... I consider cameras and glass roofs and leather and megabuck noise systems and laser headlights and $3000 dollar GPSs and all that bling adds about 48 cents to resale value and has NOTHING to add to DRIVING the beast.

Did I say I love my little soot blurter

Oh, hang on, it's a Mk6 isn't it, well then, no soot from me

[Frankenstrat]

For Perth owners of diesels, here's an updated list of BP Ultimate Diesel sites .

[Frankenstrat]

I went along to BP Applecross this afternoon to fill up and they were displaying the "BP Ultimate diesel not available" notice.