New car - 110 TDI vs 103 TSI

[rosslm]

Hi guys,

I'm thinking of getting a new car this year. I use it primarily just to commute to and from work. I do about 35,000kms per year and 95% of my travel is on the Bruce Highway.

I would say with 35,000 km per year the diesel is the way to go, I have a MKVI 2.0 TDI DSG just done 61,000km in 4 years 90% city short trips overall 6.39 L per 100 km and easily get low 4s L per 100 km on the open road. Diesel most likely around the same price as 95 RON as mentioned the 6 speed DSG is bulletproof it's wet clutch used in the GTI also. Diesel torque is fantastic lugging around town and a breeze on the open road. I Suggest pay a bit more go diesel.

[Mountainman]

Not according to my 26,000km experience with my 90TSI Lucas. It is the least economical of the new Golf versions and yet my 3 long term averages have been 5.2L/100km, 5.4L/100km and 5.3L/100km. I have to be breaking the law to go over 5L/100km on the open road. For example, I have just driven from Toowoomba to Blackheath in the Blue Mts via the New England H'way and when filing it at Richmond it showed 4.6L/100km average after 940km and 190km still in reserve. It actually took 45L for a true 4.7L/100km. This is just so typical of the long distance driving I've been doing Earlier in the week I travelled from Toowoomba to Redcliffe north of Brisbane return including the peak hour traffic through Brisbane itself. The MFD said 4.4L/100km average for the 351km and it actually took 16L to fill for a true 4.5L/100km. VW claim a combined of 5.7L/100km and an extra urban of 4.9L/100km. To achieve these figures I simply travel on the very edge of the law - few people overtake me. So don't under estimate the new petrols. My friend's Mk5 1.9TDI manual struggles to match it.

I also notice someone doing the calculations using a price differential between diesel & 98RON of 20c/L. Not where I drive - it is usually less than 10c/L and even less again at the low part of the petrol cycle. Diesel doesn't get that advantage.

In the real world, the 103TSI will use more than 4.6L/100km. I'd re-do your maths using 6.0L as a more realistic figure for highway driving.

The diesel, on the other hand, will be sub 5.0L

[AJD]

Not according to my 26,000km experience with my 90TSI Lucas. It is the least economical of the new Golf versions and yet my 3 long term averages have been 5.2L/100km, 5.4L/100km and 5.3L/100km. I have to be breaking the law to go over 5L/100km on the open road. For example, I have just driven from Toowoomba to Blackheath in the Blue Mts via the New England H'way and when filing it at Richmond it showed 4.6L/100km average after 940km and 190km still in reserve. It actually took 45L for a true 4.7L/100km. This is just so typical of the long distance driving I've been doing Earlier in the week I travelled from Toowoomba to Redcliffe north of Brisbane return including the peak hour traffic through Brisbane itself. The MFD said 4.4L/100km average for the 351km and it actually took 16L to fill for a true 4.5L/100km. VW claim a combined of 5.7L/100km and an extra urban of 4.9L/100km. To achieve these figures I simply travel on the very edge of the law - few people overtake me. So don't under estimate the new petrols. My friend's Mk5 1.9TDI manual struggles to match it.

I also notice someone doing the calculations using a price differential between diesel & 98RON of 20c/L. Not where I drive - it is usually less than 10c/L and even less again at the low part of the petrol cycle. Diesel doesn't get that advantage.

Just on the 1.9TDI - they were a bit of a failure in the consumption stakes - they were less efficient than the 2.0TDI. Unfortunately a number of people that picked the 1.9 thinking they were going to get better economy were sadly mistaken.

[Disciple]

Not according to my 26,000km experience with my 90TSI Lucas. It is the least economical of the new Golf versions and yet my 3 long term averages have been 5.2L/100km, 5.4L/100km and 5.3L/100km. I have to be breaking the law to go over 5L/100km on the open road. For example, I have just driven from Toowoomba to Blackheath in the Blue Mts via the New England H'way and when filing it at Richmond it showed 4.6L/100km average after 940km and 190km still in reserve. It actually took 45L for a true 4.7L/100km. This is just so typical of the long distance driving I've been doing Earlier in the week I travelled from Toowoomba to Redcliffe north of Brisbane return including the peak hour traffic through Brisbane itself. The MFD said 4.4L/100km average for the 351km and it actually took 16L to fill for a true 4.5L/100km. VW claim a combined of 5.7L/100km and an extra urban of 4.9L/100km. To achieve these figures I simply travel on the very edge of the law - few people overtake me. So don't under estimate the new petrols. My friend's Mk5 1.9TDI manual struggles to match it.

I also notice someone doing the calculations using a price differential between diesel & 98RON of 20c/L. Not where I drive - it is usually less than 10c/L and even less again at the low part of the petrol cycle. Diesel doesn't get that advantage.

Thanks for the post mate. Last tank of 98 RON I put in my car was $1.82, diesel was $1.60. I think petrol will stay around the $1.60 mark, meaning 98 RON will be around that $1.70-$1.80 mark. It's all a guess, but the figures of your TSI is about what I would expect in the real world on the highway. I'd expect around 5L/100km pure highway driving in the real world.

[jdbrown1953]

Thanks for the post mate. Last tank of 98 RON I put in my car was $1.82, diesel was $1.60. I think petrol will stay around the $1.60 mark, meaning 98 RON will be around that $1.70-$1.80 mark. It's all a guess, but the figures of your TSI is about what I would expect in the real world on the highway. I'd expect around 5L/100km pure highway driving in the real world.

After 6k in my 110 TDI Highline I'm getting very low 5's per 100 k mainly short runs with the occasional longer run. I chose the diesel because of the extra torque and haven't regretted the choice

[Mountainman]

Thanks for the post mate. Last tank of 98 RON I put in my car was $1.82, diesel was $1.60. I think petrol will stay around the $1.60 mark, meaning 98 RON will be around that $1.70-$1.80 mark. It's all a guess, but the figures of your TSI is about what I would expect in the real world on the highway. I'd expect around 5L/100km pure highway driving in the real world.

I try to fill up in Toowoomba as much as I can as 98RON is 167.9c/L there and I'm always passing through the place. Diesel there is 158.9c/L. Their prices don't change like in Brisbane or the coast. I got caught short in Brisbane recently and had to pay 181.9c/L.

[Mountainman]

After 6k in my 110 TDI Highline I'm getting very low 5's per 100 k mainly short runs with the occasional longer run. I chose the diesel because of the extra torque and haven't regretted the choice

That's why I would buy the diesel too. However VW's fixed price servicing puts it many hundreds of $ more than all the 1.4 petrols, man or auto up to 90,000km and all because of its gearbox service

[GeckoZAO]

ive done just over 4k on my 103tsi, consumption is about 6.3, on 'eco' most of the time.
dont think there is any adv. for tsi comparing to tdi now?
maybe only the 7speed dsg and more quiet?
ron95 is more expansive than diesel
consumption on tdi is better
diesel has more torque

the price of tdi last month was very close to the tsi, all under 36k drive away i think, but now its 2.5k difference again.

[Lucas_R]

According to the Mk7 owners in this thread, most are getting between 5.5-7.0L/100km depending on whether they are doing city or highway driving. http://www.vwgolf.net.au/showthread....ures-(L-100km)

[DV52]

Hi guys,

I'm thinking of getting a new car this year. I use it primarily just to commute to and from work. I do about 35,000kms per year and 95% of my travel is on the Bruce Highway.

My question is; Do I go with the 110 TDI or the 103 TSI? Fuel economy is a big factor for me considering the amount of K's I do.

Thoughts? Opinions?

Cheers.

Disciple: Bet that you didn't expect so many different responses to what must have appeared (at the time that you wrote your post) to be a very simple question. Fact is that there are probably as many varied views on the TDI-versus-TSI debate as there are buyers of cars (in this market sector). The rich tapestry of responses to your question here only confirms that people find value for their purchases in very different places. Just out of interest (and only if your prepared to share) would like to know what decision you make eventually (and why)

[DV52]

Wow -Can anyone tell me how did I got to be a "Volkswagen Fan"? I was enjoying my status as a "Dubber" up until my last post. How do I get to be a "Dubber" once more?

[Disciple]

The last question would have to do with hitting 50 posts I would say.

As for your previous post, DV52; I had anticipated a lot of responses, but was hoping for some different perspective and points of view I haven't already considered. The Skoda point was out of left field and actually got me thinking slightly.

What if I was to buy a used car? Maybe 1 year old, let someone else take the big hit in depreciation. So, I started looking. I've found a few GTD's that are around $30k-$35k with 20,000-40,000kms on them. This represents HUGE value for dollar to me because I actually prefer the interior on the MK6 to the MK7 and also, we currently have a MY12 Polo GTi, so the interior is also very familiar in the MK6 and I find it extremely user friendly.

GTD should still do around 5L/100km on the highway and it has a 5L bigger tank than the Mk7 at 55L compared to 50L.

My only issue is the lack of Bi-Xenon headlights in GTD's available for sale in Australia at the moment. They're pretty much essential for me with the driving I do, but I guess I could always do a retrofit with some proper reflector lenses.

Much thinking to be done.

[brad]

It's a Skoda. Maybe not an issue for some people, but it is for me. I was set on an Audi A3 sedan, but the Golf is basically the same car for $15k less...

You've obviously not looked at the latest Mk3 Octavia, nor do you know much about Skodas.

Don't look at the price or the badge - just look at the car.

[AdamD]

You've obviously not looked at the latest Mk3 Octavia, nor do you know much about Skodas.

Don't look at the price or the badge - just look at the car.

To the OP: the point Brad is making is that the new Mk3 Octavia is a Golf 7 under the bodywork and slightly extended platform - just like an Audi A3. Skodas are very well built (they frequently top owner satisfaction surveys in the UK, well above VW and Audi), and very well priced. The only downside to owning a Skoda is short-term resale, as the brand is relatively new to Australia (this time round; since it's been VW owned). Do yourself a favour and check them out - the Octavia is an excellent car.

Ref the TDI vs TSI discussion - I also had extensive driving with both last year at the VW Driving Experience drive days. I was surprised by the extra torque and overall power of the diesel, but was disappointed by the intrusion into the cabin of the 'diesel clatter'. On a racetrack, obviously the TSI is faster and more agile, but there's very little between them in a straight line, and as a daily driving proposition I'd likely still favour the TDI. I'd also (personally) avoid any vehicle fitted with the 7-speed DQ200 (in the TSI); the 6-speed DQ250 (in the TDI) is a far more reliable gearbox as things stand at the moment.

[Disciple]

You've obviously not looked at the latest Mk3 Octavia, nor do you know much about Skodas.

Don't look at the price or the badge - just look at the car.

Hmmm. Few assumptions there. Anyway, I just don't like the look of the Skoda's, and, call me a badge snob, but it's still a Skoda, and to me that's like buying a Cherry or Great Wall.

Thanks for the input so far, guys. I'm looking into the second hand avenue a bit now. It seems to offer great value for money when you consider a GTD was $50k a year ago and is now $30k.