Golf 118TSI with Stage 2 Tune vs GTI or R

[Digger11]

Having just bought a basic Golf for the family and absolutely loving it, I think I might buy another for fun.

I am 40+ so am not really a boy racer and prefer comfort over rock solid Sports suspension and 19" low profile tyres.

So my theory is the following
118TSI DSG
Tune to 150kw +
Leather
17" Tyres

I don't want to look like a boy racer or mid life crisis old bloke - just want a nice quality car that goes pretty hard.

I Know you all love the looks of the GTI and the R but I don't, I hate the R's exhaust, and dislike the GTI tartan interior and don't like the grill.
Don't get me wrong, I realise most people love these looks - they are just not for me.

I prefer the "sleeper" look in a car.

So, any opinons, I know I am a bit strange - but I think a 118TSI with 150kw+ and in White will be my weekend fun car.

[easeup]

Digger- although i personally disagree about the looks i appreciate that everyone has different tastes. But i must ask: have you test-driven a GTI? If you haven't, go for a blast and don't be afraid to give the salesman a bit of a scare. It sold itself to me

[nat225]

just a note, i had a mk6 118tsi and had to have an engine replacement.

personally i wouldn't touch any tune for the 1.4L twincharge.

get a GTI and be done without any troubles.

[Brendan_A]

Nothing wrong with a tuned 118. It's good to be different.

[Transporter]

Having just bought a basic Golf for the family and absolutely loving it, I think I might buy another for fun.

I am 40+ so am not really a boy racer and prefer comfort over rock solid Sports suspension and 19" low profile tyres.

So my theory is the following
118TSI DSG
Tune to 150kw +
Leather
17" Tyres

I don't want to look like a boy racer or mid life crisis old bloke - just want a nice quality car that goes pretty hard.

I Know you all love the looks of the GTI and the R but I don't, I hate the R's exhaust, and dislike the GTI tartan interior and don't like the grill.
Don't get me wrong, I realise most people love these looks - they are just not for me.

I prefer the "sleeper" look in a car.

So, any opinons, I know I am a bit strange - but I think a 118TSI with 150kw+ and in White will be my weekend fun car.

Welcome to the forums! Have a look in other sections incl. this one Tuning and Performance (inc ECU upgrades)

[khonfahm]

I went with a Mk6 90 TSI, with a stage 1 ECU from Blue fin. (Bought the car 2nd hand) and did it all for under $20k!

VERY VERY HAPPY with the results!

I think 118TSI with a stage 1, is a great idea. They have amazing amounts of torque with the ecu remap, and also you get to maintain the fuel economy of a 1.4litre motor as opposed to a 2litre turbo ( GTI ) !

You should do it !

If you want the car to look a bit more flash ( consider investing in a reiger tuning kit )... I did that, and I think it looks great.

[qt25]

Digger- although i personally disagree about the looks i appreciate that everyone has different tastes. But i must ask: have you test-driven a GTI? If you haven't, go for a blast and don't be afraid to give the salesman a bit of a scare. It sold itself to me

what he said. I test drove a GTI for 15 mins, called nissan to take back the deposit for the 370z, bought the GTI, saved 15k.

[Ideo]

Ignore the naysayers.

Get the 118. Get the DSG. Void the warranty.

Whats the worst that can happen?

[moniker]

So, any opinons, I know I am a bit strange - but I think a 118TSI with 150kw+ and in White will be my weekend fun car.

Make sure you have another weekend car for when the Golf's in getting a replacement motor...

[chylld]

I was going to do the same thing (118TSI + APR stage 1 instead of GTI) but decided against it after reading about engine failures.

Also note that engine power isn't the only thing the GTI has going for it - test drive one back-to-back with the 118 and you'll be surprised how differently it handles. No point having so much power if the chassis can't come to the party too!

[Brendan_A]

Haven't heard of any engine failures in the last 12 months. It was the 09 plated cars that had the problem. Cars built after 03/10 had the new ecu software. Don't know why your trying to scare the OP off from buying a car when there is nothing wrong with them.

[chylld]

Don't know why your trying to scare the OP off from buying a car when there is nothing wrong with them.

We're not, just simply recalling previous 118tsi issues.

But now that you mention it, it could be scary, yes. I certainly wouldn't want an engine to go belly-up on me after tuning it.

[Brendan_A]

GTI engines have problems too. Doesn't matter what you buy you can have problems.

[chylld]

GTI engines have problems too. Doesn't matter what you buy you can have problems.

Very true. I guess the most reliable method is to not tune it at all then and just buy the car which has the desired performance from factory?

[Alok]

Very true. I guess the most reliable method is to not tune it at all then and just buy the car which has the desired performance from factory?

It wasn't tunes that was causing engine issues in early model 118TSI's...