TSI Wagon vs 125 TDI Wagon

[VWR36Fan]

Hi All,

Looking for some advice from current owners of VW Passat. As baby number 2 is on the way, Im looking at upgrading my Accord so I can actually have some interior space in the back seat! Think the Passat is the way to go, value and size wise. After giving the R36 some serious thought, it may be a bit of a stretch, so now focussing on choosing between a TSI Wagon or a 125 TDI Wagon. I think it sits a bit better on the road than the sedan, and could use the extra interior space, although I never thought I'd consider a wagon!

Which ever way I go, I'll be adding the following options:

1. Metallic Paint (I like Icelandic Grey best)
2. Sunroof
3. Leather
4. Chicago 18 inch wheels and suspension (dont see many on road with these wheels)
5. Bluetooth
6. MDI

Possible additions:
1. Sat Nav with rev camera

Would love to hear from current owners of either model, and what deals you were able to negotiate. Any options you feel are definitely worth having?

I've spoken to one dealer in Melb who can provide a Corporate discount so think now is best time to make a deal.

[V6Passat]

Hi All,

Looking for some advice from current owners of VW Passat. As baby number 2 is on the way, Im looking at upgrading my Accord so I can actually have some interior space in the back seat! Think the Passat is the way to go, value and size wise. After giving the R36 some serious thought, it may be a bit of a stretch, so now focussing on choosing between a TSI Wagon or a 125 TDI Wagon. I think it sits a bit better on the road than the sedan, and could use the extra interior space, although I never thought I'd consider a wagon!

Which ever way I go, I'll be adding the following options:

1. Metallic Paint (I like Icelandic Grey best)
2. Sunroof
3. Leather
4. Chicago 18 inch wheels and suspension (dont see many on road with these wheels)
5. Bluetooth
6. MDI

Possible additions:
1. Sat Nav with rev camera

Would love to hear from current owners of either model, and what deals you were able to negotiate. Any options you feel are definitely worth having?

I've spoken to one dealer in Melb who can provide a Corporate discount so think now is best time to make a deal.

Have you considered the V6 Highline? I have had mine (Pearl Black) for 8 weeks now and love it!! its worth the extra money just for the AWD in my opinion. Re the blue tooth, my advice is to organise your own through suppliers like Advanced ice. There was no way i was going to pay more than double for the same thing through the dealer. Happy shopping!!

[Swallowtail]

After giving the R36 some serious thought, it may be a bit of a stretch, so now focussing on choosing between a TSI Wagon or a 125 TDI Wagon. I think it sits a bit better on the road than the sedan, and could use the extra interior space, although I never thought I'd consider a wagon!

Which ever way I go, I'll be adding the following options:

1. Metallic Paint (I like Icelandic Grey best)
2. Sunroof
3. Leather
4. Chicago 18 inch wheels and suspension (dont see many on road with these wheels)
5. Bluetooth
6. MDI

Possible additions:
1. Sat Nav with rev camera

Would love to hear from current owners of either model, and what deals you were able to negotiate. Any options you feel are definitely worth having?

I've spoken to one dealer in Melb who can provide a Corporate discount so think now is best time to make a deal.

The wagon is cool - go for it. TDI is an awesome motor, depends really if you want to go diesel or not. What about the V6 wagon - gets you 4motion?

1. Icelandic grey is a great colour.. LOL.
2. Sunroof - love mine.
3. Leather - wouldn't buy a car without it now.
4. Chicagos - great choice, will look sweeeeeet.
5. Bluetooth - don't bother with VW BT - see my sticky in the Car Audio section.
6. MDI - absolutely. Brilliant piece of kit especially if you have an iPod / iPhone.

Re the Sat Nav - it is without doubt the best option in the car. Not cheap, but worth it. Not perfect, but works well, great screen, you can update firmware on it to support voice control (which can be wired when you get bluetooth fitted).

[PassatB6]

Hi All,

Looking for some advice from current owners of VW Passat. As baby number 2 is on the way, Im looking at upgrading my Accord so I can actually have some interior space in the back seat! Think the Passat is the way to go, value and size wise. After giving the R36 some serious thought, it may be a bit of a stretch, so now focussing on choosing between a TSI Wagon or a 125 TDI Wagon. I think it sits a bit better on the road than the sedan, and could use the extra interior space, although I never thought I'd consider a wagon!

Which ever way I go, I'll be adding the following options:

1. Metallic Paint (I like Icelandic Grey best)
2. Sunroof
3. Leather
4. Chicago 18 inch wheels and suspension (dont see many on road with these wheels)
5. Bluetooth
6. MDI

Possible additions:
1. Sat Nav with rev camera

Would love to hear from current owners of either model, and what deals you were able to negotiate. Any options you feel are definitely worth having?

I've spoken to one dealer in Melb who can provide a Corporate discount so think now is best time to make a deal.

I have a 2.0T wagon and its great but if I had my time again I would go TDI and DSG. Better economy, better trans and the torque! I have leather and bi-xenons and would definitely get the bi-xenons again. Black leather looks good but its quite hot in summer. Didn't have MDI option in 2006 when I got mine but I would definitely have that too unless someone else knows of a better option. Sat nav is expensive but lets face it, the separate units are a PITA and the genuine unit has a brilliant interface.

[Rthirsty6]

Hi All,

Looking for some advice from current owners of VW Passat. As baby number 2 is on the way, Im looking at upgrading my Accord so I can actually have some interior space in the back seat! Think the Passat is the way to go, value and size wise. After giving the R36 some serious thought, it may be a bit of a stretch, so now focussing on choosing between a TSI Wagon or a 125 TDI Wagon. I think it sits a bit better on the road than the sedan, and could use the extra interior space, although I never thought I'd consider a wagon!

Which ever way I go, I'll be adding the following options:

1. Metallic Paint (I like Icelandic Grey best)
2. Sunroof
3. Leather
4. Chicago 18 inch wheels and suspension (dont see many on road with these wheels)
5. Bluetooth
6. MDI

Possible additions:
1. Sat Nav with rev camera

Would love to hear from current owners of either model, and what deals you were able to negotiate. Any options you feel are definitely worth having?

I've spoken to one dealer in Melb who can provide a Corporate discount so think now is best time to make a deal.

My previous car was an Audi 2.0TDI with leather and I also needed a bit more space. One of the reasons I started looking at the R36 was the alcantara seats as I was a bit over the leather thing, but still wanted sports seats.
Have you considered maybe looking for a used R36? There is one on car sales at the moment (QLD) with 28,000 km and asking mid-50K (negotiable) It's not an Icelandic grey, but might still get you into the car you love.... at budget price....
As for the TSI vs TDI, personally I prefer the diesel due to its torqey nature and slightly heavier front-end. Suggest you try to test-drive both and see which you like best. Both will be great cars to drive!

Good luck

[apom]

Yep, having an R36 Icelandic grey wagon I can assure you its a nice piece of kit.

I have the SAT NAV and reversing camera built in and it brilliant that its all integrated although the GPS function is not flawless (or as good as the 3 year old Garmin NUVI in terms of finding an address correctly) . Having the DVD and 30GB on board is brilliant also.

Did the after market Kufatec Bluetooth (thanks Swallowtail) and thats all integrated as well and works flawlessly. Sunroof I am not fussed either way and as my car was on the showroom floor it didn't have one.

The MUST have option on the wagon however is the automatic tailgate...its brilliant, works off the remote and from inside the car. It has a press button to close on the lip so there is never any hands on the tailgate. Worth every penny IMO.

Between the TSI and TDI I would go the TDI also. Its just a pity you cant get the TDI with the 4Motion here as I think its an option in Europe. If you can stretch to the V6 4 Motion I would go that way.

[gregozedobe]

I agree with the suggestion to test drive both engines to see which one you like the most.

If you do lots of city driving in stop-start traffic I'd lean towards the petrol engine (the DPF on the 125Kw TDIs doesn't like too much short trips or heavy traffic, it needs a regular good run to regenerate the DPF ).

If value for money is important to you did you have a look at the Skoda Octavia vRS wagons ? There are probably a few pre-facelift ones still around, and the dealers should be getting very keen to sell them by now (and I prefer look of the front end of the pre-FL Octy anyway). The Octy boot is slighty deeper (height) than the Passat boot, which is wider and shallower.

[VWR36Fan]

Hey thanks to all for responses, after reading them I'm now leaning back to a R36 Wagon...I love the seats in that car, probably the best I've sat in. I agree that the TDI is probably the more sensible way to go, but not sure if I can deal with the diesel clatter, considering most of my driving is city.

I forgot to ask what type of economy I should expect with the diesel and 2.0 petrol, if the majority of my driving is city. My Accord does around 9.5l/ 100km.

Im considered the V6 Highline, but for the cash, would probably jump straight from 2.0petrol to R36..like the sound of the auto tailgate, have to ask the stupid question, does it close from fully raised position?

Having dealt with sat nav systems in a previous job, I think the vw sat nav is very nicely integrated into the car...

I've driven a VW with DSG and found it to be a bit jerky in traffic, although I'd take it over the std 6 speed auto. Although I dont mind the Skoda, I wouldnt buy one over a VW Passat..Im pretty sure I saw them being advertised a few months ago for around $32,990 driveaway..great value.

I thought I'd check the VW UK website last night, and found the 18inch Chicago wheel (and lowered suspension) option for around 885 pounds, around $1600Aus. Price here is $2500...why do we get ripped off here?

[passatpout]

Hi All,

Looking for some advice from current owners of VW Passat. As baby number 2 is on the way, Im looking at upgrading my Accord so I can actually have some interior space in the back seat! Think the Passat is the way to go, value and size wise. After giving the R36 some serious thought, it may be a bit of a stretch, so now focussing on choosing between a TSI Wagon or a 125 TDI Wagon. I think it sits a bit better on the road than the sedan, and could use the extra interior space, although I never thought I'd consider a wagon!

Which ever way I go, I'll be adding the following options:

1. Metallic Paint (I like Icelandic Grey best)
2. Sunroof
3. Leather
4. Chicago 18 inch wheels and suspension (dont see many on road with these wheels)
5. Bluetooth
6. MDI

Possible additions:
1. Sat Nav with rev camera

Would love to hear from current owners of either model, and what deals you were able to negotiate. Any options you feel are definitely worth having?

I've spoken to one dealer in Melb who can provide a Corporate discount so think now is best time to make a deal.

I went the TDI wagon as it fulfilled my basic criteria (wagon - planning a family at the time, auto, preferably diesel, leather, etc) after comparing with Peugeot 307, 308 and 407 wagons, Holden Commodore and Astra wagons, Mazda 3 and 6.

1. Metallic Paint (I like Icelandic Grey best): Not fussed on metallic paints, having had cars with all types in the past.
. Sunroof: Have one now, would definitely get it again.
3. Leather: Can't go past it. Has been easy to clean with 3 dogs and 1 bub on board.
4. Chicago 18 inch wheels and suspension (dont see many on road with these wheels): Not fussed on wheels.
5. Bluetooth: Don't have bluetooth, and didn't need it at the time, but thinking a Kufatec option would be the way to go.
6. MDI: Thinking about retrofitting this, now that myself and my wife have upgraded to iPhones..

1. Sat Nav with rev camera: Worth it, particularly if you're able to get traffic updates through it or travelling into new territory all the time.

I'm biased towards the diesel - at the moment I'm about halfway through a road trip that's seen me travel from Melbourne to Brisbane with a few detours, and I'm only on my third tank with about 300km worth left in it after about 2800km. Most of my driving is highway, with the odd bit of city thrown in, and I'm averaging around 6.3l/100km (genuine figures) since I collected the car in September 2008. Around town, I'm comfortably down below the 8s, but heavy traffic, AC, etc can see it up in the teens on occasion (although about 5-10km of smooth running will drop it dramatically).

Also, don't worry about the engine noise - inside the car is very well insulated (probably for petrol as well), and my engine is really only audible when working hard - above 3000rpm.

I'm also not fussed about the auto tailgate - I can't think of any situations I've been in where I've thought it would have saved time or helped out, but others who have it may say otherwise.

Whereabouts in Melbourne are you? There's probably enough friendly bods in here to let you have a drive of different models for you to get a taste of what suits... and also maybe refer you to friendly dealers as well.

[geoffp]

Hi All,

Looking for some advice from current owners of VW Passat. As baby number 2 is on the way, Im looking at upgrading my Accord so I can actually have some interior space in the back seat! Think the Passat is the way to go, value and size wise. After giving the R36 some serious thought, it may be a bit of a stretch, so now focussing on choosing between a TSI Wagon or a 125 TDI Wagon. I think it sits a bit better on the road than the sedan, and could use the extra interior space, although I never thought I'd consider a wagon!

Which ever way I go, I'll be adding the following options:

1. Metallic Paint (I like Icelandic Grey best)
2. Sunroof
3. Leather
4. Chicago 18 inch wheels and suspension (dont see many on road with these wheels)
5. Bluetooth
6. MDI

Possible additions:
1. Sat Nav with rev camera

Would love to hear from current owners of either model, and what deals you were able to negotiate. Any options you feel are definitely worth having?

I've spoken to one dealer in Melb who can provide a Corporate discount so think now is best time to make a deal.

Hi VWR36Fan,

Glad I found this post as I am in the throws of deciding which Passat to get before the end of Dec 09 - that way I can get the 50% Tax Deduction from our luvly gov. tax department

I currently have a 07 Jetta 2.0 TDi with DSG.
I fitted a Pioneer AVIC thread here

I am definitely leaning towards the 125TDi Wagon as well - family, new dog coming, more rear leg room, etc, etc - also can't believe I am getting a wagon!!

My main requirement is heated leather seats, no real fussed with other options.

I looked at the AVIC F910BT but am also considering the Clarion NX509A - both have BT integration, rear parking cameras, iPOD (I have an iPhone 3GS) interface, etc.

Can you tell me what the VW MDI is? Is it something to do with the VW Sat Nav?

[geoffp]

ooopps, double post

[apom]

Yep, the auto tailgate closes from the fully open position. you can press the button at any point and stop it also. You can also program it to not open fully so if you are in a restricted space it wont hit something.

It does not however work with the parking sensors, ie if you park hard up against a wall and open it, it will still open until it hits something. A rare event but worth noting.

As far the GPS function is.... its just OK and only just..... not brilliant and certainly not close to a Garmin Nuvi. for example... This morning I had to drop my wife into the city in Brisbane. We didn't know which end of Adelaide street to go to. so we dial in Brisbane, the Adelaide street, but no, there is no Adelaide street, only Adelaide street East (never heard of it) and then the number wasn't available. After several attempts we worked out the Brisbane is not Brisbane city, for that you need to chooses "Brisbane CBD" to find Adelaide Street and then the number becomes available. Last week we went to look at something outside of Brisbane on the way to Toowoomba. The GPS couldnt locate it FULLSTOP. Ended up using google maps on the iphone instead.

Whats the point on having a GPS if you need to be so exact!!!! AAAARGH The Garmin leave this type of GPS (including Tom Tom) where you need to know the exact suburb, for dead. You simply type in the street number, then the street and it will tell you EVERY instance of that address in Australia. Easy!

If you are going to rely on it... save the $3K (that what mine cost) and get something that works correctly just about every time.

[Lams]

we have the 2.0TFSI, with 18s, bixenon, leather and metallic
the autobox sucks, and it really has an effect on performance and fuel economy

If 125TDI was available we would have chosen that instead.

It goes pretty well (with a software upgrade as well) in manual mode, but sometimes it doesn't let you shift to the gear that you want. It can get a little frustrating..

[drbass]

Bit late to the party but here goes:

Which ever way I go, I'll be adding the following options:

1. Metallic Paint (I like Icelandic Grey best)
2. Sunroof
3. Leather
4. Chicago 18 inch wheels and suspension (dont see many on road with these wheels)
5. Bluetooth
6. MDI

General points:
Engine. Haven't driven any VW petrols - biased opinion follows. My 125 TDI is still the PD (pumpe-duese) version which may develop some issues. However, it's a lot of fun to drive, once the turbo spools up it's rather spritely (nothing like an R36 though, I suppose). Somewhat tractor at times but not as bad as people might think.
The Eos generally driven by my wife has the CR (common rail) 103 kW, and it's rather sweet. It does not sound like a petrol, but it rarely sounds like a diesel either. Very smooth power/torque delivery, not as peaky as the PD.
Both with good fuel economy.

Gearbox. DSG in Passat. Jerky at times, like others have done before I'm currently going through the motions regarding mechatronic/gearbox replacement. Once on the move it's pretty good though.
6-speed manual in Eos. Very nice, would have been my choice if available for Passat.

Your specific points:
1) Passat Deep Pearl Black. Nice when clean, impossible (nearly) to keep clean and scratch/swirl-free. Eos Candy White. Best non-metallic white, full stop. Personally I wouldn't choose anything grey, but the Icelandic seems nice.

2) Sunroof. Not a fan initially, I wouldn't miss it now. Very convenient for increased air circulation, and adds more ambience through more light. Doesn't contribute much to heating up (I believe).

3) Leather. The leather seats in the Eos are great (heated!) but they're more "sports-seat like". I believe the Passat leather seats are a little flat (I stuck with cloth). In my opinion, cloth is better for me since I sweat quite a bit.

4) Chicagos on Eos look great, and the (ever so slightly) lowered suspension adds firmness whilst maintaining a supple ride. I have seen the wagon with the Chicagos, and it doesn't work for me, can't comment on the ride.

5) Bluetooth. Don't have it, don't need it.

6) MDI. I have the iPod connector in the Passat. Shocking interface, good sound (RCD3100 or 310, not 100% sure). Didn't bother in the Eos, came with AUX IN in the armrest, and RCD510 comes with SD card slot.

I'm sure nothing of the above will be helpful at all, very subjective, and ultimately you'll have to make the decision.

Another personal statement: The wagon looks better than the sedan. Sorry, guys .

Seeya,
Michael

[VWR36Fan]

Passatpout, thanks for the offer re Passat drive, I've got a few dealers Im dealing with who are happy to supply cars for test drive...the more I hear about the TDi the more I'm liking the sound of 6-7L per 100km economy, pretty incredible for such a big car.

Dr Bass, you just proved that we all have different tastes in cars, white is becoming such a popular colour..good stuff.

Hey does anyone know if the current 125kw diesel engine in the Passat is the same spec as the current Golf Mark6 125kw diesel variant, in terms of common rail injection system (to be available in Aus 2010)? I see VW have also put the 125kw diesel engine into the 2010 Jetta. I drove the the Golf mark6 103kw diesel and couldn't believe how quiet it was.