103TDI - General Discussion

[hoi polloi]

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

Well we have never been able to get it here in NSW...

I guess the best option for us is Vortex diesel??..

- Anthony.

[Frankenstrat]

We only have one refinery here in WA, BP Kwinana. I have no idea if they provide fuel to all WA outlets under various brand names or if the non-BP outlets get their fuel delivered from the Eastern States. Does anybody know?

Given that BP Ultimate Diesel deliveries in WA were suspended in December 2009, you'd think they'd have it sorted by now.

[rosslm]

I thought it time to give a 10000K report, well there is nothing apart from the car continues to impress, diesel at the pump since new is an average of 6.37L per 100K, 80% city short duration driving unfortunately, best open road consumption 4.1L per 100K, using Vortex premium diesel since new. I am happy with all the options I picked RVC is great for parking no rims scrapping the curb and no problem in tight parking spots. Dynaudio 300W is great and SD memory chip has made CDs unnecessary. Adaptive Chassis Control with the Sports Pack also a good option, ride is supple even on 17” low profile tires, sports seats are very good. The diesel has bags of power for every day use and on the open road twisty bits and hills are a breeze, stability at all speeds wet and dry is outstanding. DSG love it smooth almost imperceptible changes. It’s no wonder the Golf VI has taken so many awards beautifully put together and the best part I still look for any excuse to go for a drive.

[rs73]

Lower quality cars often feel faster. I've had several friends drive my car, immediately accelerate up to 120kph at which point I tell them to look at the speedo, and they exclaim "I thought I was only doing 70!"

lower quality cars uses less sound deadening material, and the impression of speed often comes to people's senses through NVH level in the cabin... if that was a 7 series they're driving they'd probably already done 160kph in it without realising they've crossed the 100 mark on the speedo!

[moniker]

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

Yeah, Karrinyup BP is on that list too, they have had no Ultimate diesel for the past 6 months in my experience, still "Unavailable"

[Frankenstrat]

I have it on authority that BP Kwinana were experiencing technical difficulties with Ultimate Diesel. I don't know if the problem has been resolved yet.

[triode12]

lower quality cars uses less sound deadening material, and the impression of speed often comes to people's senses through NVH level in the cabin... if that was a 7 series they're driving they'd probably already done 160kph in it without realising they've crossed the 100 mark on the speedo!

That is why an increase in refinement can sometimes mean a loss of fun or excitement in the driving experience. And a lower quality car with less power may actually be more fun to drive than one that is more powerful and more refined because the perception of speed is more evident in the cheaper car.

One of the reasons racing go-karts are so much fun even though you are only going at 80-120km/h.

[HFTDI]

Very Very Happy

Was looking at a cheaper I30 also as it's a class leader in it's price range but the moment I drove my 103TDI out of the showroom, I had no regret at all. First 2 options I would get on the 103TDI is the DSG and the Sports Pack. It is such a balanced, refined , quality and well designed car and it feels so solid. You won't regret getting one if you do

[kaanage]

That is why an increase in refinement can sometimes mean a loss of fun or excitement in the driving experience. And a lower quality car with less power may actually be more fun to drive than one that is more powerful and more refined because the perception of speed is more evident in the cheaper car.

One of the reasons racing go-karts are so much fun even though you are only going at 80-120km/h.

Or try a Ducati Monster vs any Japanese 600cc sports bike.

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.

[rs73]

That is why an increase in refinement can sometimes mean a loss of fun or excitement in the driving experience. And a lower quality car with less power may actually be more fun to drive than one that is more powerful and more refined because the perception of speed is more evident in the cheaper car.

One of the reasons racing go-karts are so much fun even though you are only going at 80-120km/h.

true - they are fun... but on the street doing daily commuting, as my bones are getting older - it'll always yearning for a little bit of pampering... golf still cut it well for now, but in 10 yrs i might have to opt for something a lot more smoother...

[Mountainman]

My list of options (prices are approx retail per item):

• $45 - Leather Protect
• $120 - Fitted Floor Mats
• $270 - Media Device Interface (MDI)
• $500 - Metalic Paint
• $500 - Rear View Camera
• $595 - Dark Window Tint
• $695 - Paint Protect
• $1,400 - Park Assist
• $1,900 - Sunroof
• $2,000 - Extended 3 Year / 75,000km Warrenty
• $3,000 - Satellite Navigation RNS510
• $3,300 - Leather Comfortline

What is the experience with returns on this sort of optioning - around $14000 - at a 3 to 5 year changeover? It seems so easy to make a $35000 car a $50000 car. Do the options depreciate quicker than the car itself?

[kaanage]

Yep. A higher model in a range will depreciate less than a lower model that has been optioned up to the same price

[kaanage]

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 forgot to mention the brakes - they are so overservoed it's ridiculous. This is probably the biggest weakness of the car, IME.
Are manual or TSI Golfs different in this regard?

[REXman]

What is the experience with returns on this sort of optioning - around $14000 - at a 3 to 5 year changeover? It seems so easy to make a $35000 car a $50000 car. Do the options depreciate quicker than the car itself?

My Golf R is $68,300 rrp on road. Good luck getting $50K after 3 years.

The more expensive the car, the worse it gets. You buy a 335 BMW brand new for around $130K. In less than 3 years.. 60K. Ouch.

You look at say a 325 BMW. That is $75,600 rrp. Add options of about $12K. All up on roads + taxes $99K. You pick it up for $93K. Awesome. Resale?

In 5 years time 50K tops If its got less than 40K km's on it. Less with higher Kays.

Do not option up a car for the purpose of resale value. Just do it for stuff YOU like or cant do without.

I guess the only thing is when you are on the buying side of the market, would you want one that is bone stock, or would you pay a couple thousand more for an optioned one (Sat Nav, Audio, Xenon etc)?

(The difference definitely wont be the $10-15K that the options cost you though, thats for sure)

I reckon the more expensive the car, the worse the resale of the options, because, at least I think, the kind of person say buying a Merc or BMW will just want to get one brand new, and wont dream of paying near new price when they can just get.. new!?

So you are selling the car to a different market (used luxury market) = less financially able people. Where you buy a WRX for $40K, in a years time you can sell for high $30's no problem.

Seller is a bit tighter.. Buyer is a bit more leniant..

Demand at luxury cars is different for "normal" cars I think. Hence the massively different proportional depreciation values.

(Just look at a 5 year old STI, or R32 compared to an M3 or Boxter)

(and even more so, in the girly market for cute hatches - barina's, corollas astra's.. man they still hold very well!! My sisters 2004 corolla worth $20K brand new still fetches $10K.. amazed when I saw how well the small cheap hatch market holds value.. again due to the type of seller and buyer as oppsoed to the condtition of the cars)

[Mountainman]

It appears that there is always a big drop after the first year too. A couple of weeks ago a friend picked up a 18 month old Passat 125 TDI wagon with 25,000km for $34,000. It was an ex church car and in immaculate condition. He got it wholesale because of contacts he had - best friends with the user. I don't know what options it had but he said it cost $54,000 new. That seems a big depreciation hit after 18 months to me but then probably nothing like a Falcon owner would experience.