Mk7 Golf - Australian Specifications and Prices (Base, Comfortline and Highline)

[Diesel_vert]

As it currently stands (November 2013), the 110TDI has a lower driveaway price than the 103TSI, so you'll be saving immediately in terms of fuel costs.

Interesting that no one has mentioned the power/torque difference between the two. Wouldn't you guys agree though that the TDI packs a meaner punch than the TSI?

The 110TDI produces more power between 1000 - 4000 RPM than the 103TSI, so it will be faster between those engine speeds, which is conveniently the range at which most people operate their engines in.

However, the 103TSI can rev for a further 2000 RPM and go on to 6000 RPM.

Power is the rate at which the engine can work, so being a function of time, the faster an engine spins, the faster it can accelerate. Thus, it is the 103TSI that will ultimately win full-throttle acceleration tests - despite the 7 kW deficit.

The 103TSI is also lighter than the 110TDI.

The German brochure indicates the 103TSI is faster from 0 - 100 km/h (8.4 vs 8.6 sec), level from 80 - 120 km/h in 4th gear (7.0 vs 7.0 sec) and faster from 80 - 120 km/h in 5th gear (8.5 vs 9.0 sec), but has a slower top speed (212 vs 216 km/h). FYI, these figures are for the manual gearbox. The acceleration times for 0 - 100 km/h are identical for the DSG.

Not aware of a need to replace the petrol filter, but besides the DPF regen I was also thinking of the $1200+ services to change the DSG oil.

The 60 000 km service for the 110TDI is capped at $791.00 (excluding pollen filter and brake fluid).

[Ryan_R]

haha, maybe I should just stop posting in here (Mk7 section)

[Diesel_vert]

I shouldn't think so.

I bet many other people share the same concerns as you regarding service costs (always the bug bear with European cars).

[AdamD]

Interesting that no one has mentioned the power/torque difference between the two. Wouldn't you guys agree though that the TDI packs a meaner punch than the TSI?

I've driven them both back-to-back at Phillip Island, and although the TDI did have substantially more urge just off idle, the TSI felt a bit more sprightly just about everywhere else - especially up high in the rev range, and at higher speeds (160km/h+). The TDI felt significantly more cumbersome dynamically, and I was surprised by how loud the diesel was from within the cabin, even at idle.

Prior to driving both I'd figured that if my use-case stacked up for a TDI, I'd buy a 110. But now, even at identical pricing, I'd go for the 103TSI no question.

[tonymy01]

I was definitely impressed with the Passat TDI I had as a courtesy car, for driving around in <80 areas, it's torque+DSG was a match for my stg1 R+ manual I think!

[ziggyboy]

Thanks for the replies.

What I've picked up from you guys is that on high revs the petrol engines are better, but for normal driving when majority is under 80kph with the occasional 120kph on freeways the TDI still seems like a better deal?

[Ryan_R]

Yes, although don't forget you need to do something like 20mins @ 100kph once a week to keep the DPF happy.
Test drive both cars and let us all know what you think too

If you need to move in a hurry in the TSI, just pull the lever back into Sport mode and it will drop to a few gears where you get the full benefit of the turbo.

[Arnold]

Metallic paint is included in the advertised driveaway price of the 90TSI manual, unlike the 90TSI DSG.

That explains $500 of the $1500 apparent advantage the DSG buyer is gaining on drive away pricing, presuming there is a $2500 different in list price between the DSG and manual 90TSI.

If that is so, why the extra $500 [edit: that should read $1,000] discount on the DSG 90TSI?

[tonymy01]

I have never owned a diesel before. I would think buying fuel is a slight more hassle (but getting 98 also is sometimes!). It definitely had good grunt at low rpm doing some traffic light grand prix, bit I would imagine if you were to go into manual and try to rev it would run out of puff very quickly.

[Diesel_vert]

Thanks for the replies.

What I've picked up from you guys is that on high revs the petrol engines are better, but for normal driving when majority is under 80kph with the occasional 120kph on freeways the TDI still seems like a better deal?

Objectively, the 110TDI has a stronger powerband between 1000 - 4000 RPM than the 103TSI.

Subjectively, I'm not sure if the 103TSI would feel noticeably inferior to the driver, as the 103TSI is also turbocharged, so it shouldn't feel like a slouch off the line.

But we can only tell you so much - you'd really have to drive them back-to-back and form your own impressions.



Things to consider on the test drive:

- The 103TSI is fitted with a dry-clutch 7-speed DSG, whereas the 110TDI is fitted with a wet-clutch 6-speed DSG. So as well as comparing the engines, you should also take into account the gearbox characteristics and see what you prefer (or don't prefer).

- The 103TSI is lighter than the 110TDI. Theoretically, the lighter car should ride and handle better, but I'm sure the differences are very minor (if any). Take care when evaluating ride and handling - note the wheel size fitted on each car, as this will have the most obvious effect.



Other things to consider:

- Fuel consumption of the 110TDI is superior to the 103TSI, but not by a huge margin, so I don't know if you could use that as an argument either way.

- The current promotional driveaway price structure favours the 110TDI in terms of fuel costs, so you'll be saving money straight away in that regard.

- The 110TDI is fitted with a DPF, which favours trips where the vehicle can get up to (and stay at) nominal operating temperatures.

- Availability of premium unleaded, particularly 98 RON, may not be as widespread as diesel in regional or rural areas.

- The new Golf is eligible for capped price servicing (up to 90 000 km / 6 years), so you can check out the costs upfront on Volkswagen's website.

That explains $500 of the $1500 apparent advantage the DSG buyer is gaining on drive away pricing, presuming there is a $2500 different in list price between the DSG and manual 90TSI.

If that is so, why the extra $500 discount on the DSG 90TSI?

I think Volkswagen (or a Volkswagen dealer) might be better placed to answer that.

I have never owned a diesel before. I would think buying fuel is a slight more hassle (but getting 98 also is sometimes!). It definitely had good grunt at low rpm doing some traffic light grand prix, bit I would imagine if you were to go into manual and try to rev it would run out of puff very quickly.

The useable (wider) rev range of the 103TSI (1000 - 6000 RPM) means that it will be quicker during full throttle in-gear acceleration tests, mostly.

Having said that, there's only a 0.2 sec difference in the 0 - 100 km/h sprint (in favour of the 103TSI). The 110TDI even has a higher top speed than the 103TSI (the actual figure is immaterial, but it's a demonstration of the power it holds) so it's no slouch compared to the 103TSI.

[Arnold]

I think Volkswagen (or a Volkswagen dealer) might be better placed to answer that.

I guess the question is: is that a $2500 DSG option priced at $1000 extra or is there some other reason the marginal cost of the auto is only $1,000?

In terms of diesel vs petrol, I cancelled my GT order and bought a GTI back in 08. It was the torque of the diesels that got me on to the GT in the first place. But now, with 350Nm from a GTI, the specific torque (per litre) of petrol engines would appear to be as good as, if not better than, the diesel's.

Of course, whether comparing normally aspirated or turbo charged engines, there is never any substitute for cubic inches and so the 1.4 TSIs will always struggle to match the comparable higher capacity engines.

[Ryan_R]

My 1.4 Golf (Stage 1) would disagree with that last sentence Arnold. The only real disadvantage in my experience is a drop in power on hot days due to the intake air being less dense.

[Arnold]

Yew, but the comparable higher capacity engine, eg 2.0, is going to have Stage 1 too, isn't it, and the 1.4 is going to struggle to match its torque isn't it?

[pologti18t]

103TSI is 250 Nm from 1500-3500 Rpm. Not bad for a car under 1300kg. Max power is from 4500-6000rpm

I think the 110TDI is about 85kg heavier. 320Nm 1750-3000rpm, max power is from 3500-4000rpm.

[AdamD]

103TSI is 250 Nm from 1500-3500 Rpm. Not bad for a car under 1300kg. Max power is from 4500-6000rpm

I think the 110TDI is about 85kg heavier. 320Nm 1750-3000rpm, max power is from 3500-4000rpm.

And that there is the key. The 103's generating maximum torque even lower than the diesel (thanks in part to the tiny turbo), and weighs a decent amount less. Together, these contribute to the petrol feeling almost as urgent from standstill, and generally more agile everywhere, despite a 70Nm deficit in peak torque.