GTI Vs GTD

[Danny]

Read the January Wheels comparo - it has some good performance and fuel consumption comparisons.

Then go drive both. They do drive differently, and chances are you'll develop a preference for one over the other once you've experienced them personally.

Ref the DPF Delete - that's the removal of the diesel particulate (soot) filter. Good for reduced back pressure and better performance AFAIK.

Mate of mine did it in a Touareg. Funnily enough there were good results, however it used to puff nice little clouds of smoke on initial take off.

[stormshark]

Personally i haven't seen many on the Rd, they look good (the GTD) but are priced too close to the GTI, maybe they are not selling so well and prices may come back in 3-4mths?

[peedman]

Maybe if the gtd came in 3 door and came with better wheels i would consider it but its gti for me. I do miss having a diesel as a daily esp the fuel economy and the torque!

[triode12]

Essentially yes it is just a GT TDI dressed up as a GTI.
However it includes all of the extra safety features of the GTI such as XDL and other electronic aids.

Sounds like it would be cheaper/more prudent to buy a low km used GT TDI and save a lot of $$.

Besides XDL and a knee airbag, what other electronic aids are there over the GT?

[elephino]

Personally i haven't seen many on the Rd, they look good (the GTD) but are priced too close to the GTI, maybe they are not selling so well and prices may come back in 3-4mths?

Considering for most cars on the market, the diesel version is more expensive, the GTD represents good value.

[Corey_R]

Considering for most cars on the market, the diesel version is more expensive, the GTD represents good value.

And if the GTI and GTD were the same car, you could say that...
But from what we've been told, the GTD has different suspension and brakes than the GTI... I'm sure there are other differences too.

[elephino]

And if the GTI and GTD were the same car, you could say that...
But from what we've been told, the GTD has different suspension and brakes than the GTI... I'm sure there are other differences too.

Unfortunately the brochure doesn't mention brake size - but it does note that the GTI suspension is lowered 22mm at the front and the GTD only 15mm (both 15mm at the back).

But it's fine there are differences, the point is that they are sports equivalents not identicals.

[Tigger]

When you look at them in person, they look as low as one another... wonder if the extra weight of the diesel motor helps it sit better?

[triode12]

And if the GTI and GTD were the same car, you could say that...
But from what we've been told, the GTD has different suspension and brakes than the GTI... I'm sure there are other differences too.

If the brakes are identical to those of the GT, the rear brakes will be smaller. And the suspension will not be as stiff as those on the GTI.

[fiendish]

I have had my GTD for roughly 6 months now and I love it! I do a fair amount of long distance driving and the fuel economy is fantastic. If i have it sitting at around 110kms/h from Canberra to Melbourne, Canberra to Sydney I average around 4.9 - 5.1 litres per 100kms.

The extra torque at the higher speeds is brilliant as well as it makes overtaking very quick although sometimes i have to catch myself as it will climb from 100 to 140 real quick!

It also a lot of fun to drive around town as when I feel like a bit of a hoon I can. Slip it into Sports mode or Manual on the DSG or Manual and zip around. Saying this supposedly gear changes aren't as smooth as the GTI's which you notice in the GTD in stop start traffic however thats really much of a muchness for me. It actually makes it feel slightly more like a manual if anything which I like.

I have it booked in for its first 15000 km service this Wednesday and I will mention a couple of common complains with quite a few Golf's with the A pillar rattling and the tyre pressure sensors going mental on a couple of occasions.

If anything with the varying road standards throughout Australia I have often wondered if it would have made a difference if I got the Adaptive Chassis Control. As with most/all sports tuned suspension it is quite firm however saying this I recently drove from Canberra to Coffs Harbour (10.5 hours in car each way) and I was extremely comfortable.

[Tigger]

Can we order a manual GTD, or are they only DSG?
How responsive would a manual be compared to a manual GTI?

[Greg Roles]

On boost probably better, off boost way worse. It's not an easy car to drive in a manual, very busy with the gears and avoiding off boost situations, but the MK6 GTD I recently drove was a lot better off boost than the MK5, but had less of a wack of power which is the very reason I bought the MKV TDI. More refined for sure, but less exciting to me.

It's definately something you should drive before ordering, I'm the first to admit diesel won't be for everyone.

[Angryman]

After a procession of performance cars over the years, EVO 5, WRX, STI, assorted other rice burners) I went and bought a MkV GT Tdi back in 2007 because of the fuel economy issue. I've now had it for over 3 years and still drive it like I stole it (lets be honest here, if your considering a GTI then economy is not your primary issue )

I found the fuel economy compared to my old rexy great, although in saying that a full tank of juice on my old 100k trip to and form work in Brisbane would need refuelling after about 800km's which was awesome compared to the rex however, was a little less than I was expecting. Now the beastie has 94k on the clock and will be going up for sale next week in preference for a Golf R, what can I say..I miss the performance. The GT is quite quick and impressive for a diesel but its got nothing compared to a rexy or the new R. If you love the performance I would steer clear of the diesel because it really is in its element on the highway with economy but that's about it. And the fuel consumption between the two at the end of the day is stuff all

[Big T]

Hi there,
New to this forum since deciding a Golf was the way to go. I've gone from wanting a 103 with a bunch of options to the GTD.

Alf13, how are you finding your car 12 months (almost) on?
Where did you get it from? Unfortunately the big deals at the moment dont include the GTD but there is a standard 2010 demo here in Adelaide for $42K which sounds rich compared to your price (pricing yours up with the 2011 price list comes to over $50K. Was that a hard bargain to get that price? Would you recommend the dealer?

Cheers.

[triode12]

Hi there,
New to this forum since deciding a Golf was the way to go. I've gone from wanting a 103 with a bunch of options to the GTD.

Alf13, how are you finding your car 12 months (almost) on?
Where did you get it from? Unfortunately the big deals at the moment dont include the GTD but there is a standard 2010 demo here in Adelaide for $42K which sounds rich compared to your price (pricing yours up with the 2011 price list comes to over $50K. Was that a hard bargain to get that price? Would you recommend the dealer?

Cheers.

A low kilometre and late model Golf GTSport TDI with original warranty remaining will be a better buy than the GTD as they are essentially the same car. You'd be saving yourself at least $10K over buying the GTD new.