new passat with 118TSI engine... anyone got one?

[blutopless2]

as the title says....
am looking at replacing my jetta late in the year or early next year with possibly a passat wagon.
I was thinking of the 118TSI but wondering what the performance is like considering it must be quite a heavy car.
Does anyone have one that can tell me what they think of it?
And I realise that everyone is different etc and what they want from a car is different etc... just want some comments on whether people think the motor is underpowered etc...
Thanks.

[guthrie]

I have the 118tsi with 7 speed DSG in the old shape (MY10.5). I think the weight is similar to the new shape so comments on the performance should be valid... I also had the old shape 103tdi for 3 years.

Anyway I really enjoy the car when ever I drive it (my wife uses it most of the time). I goes quick enough for most of my needs.. It absolutely spanks the 103tdi in every area except economy. I wouldnt be surprised if it was faster than the 8.5sec 0-100km time quoted. I need to be measured with throttle inputs out of corners as it will wheel spin very easily with any steering wheel look applied. The new shape might have the electronic diff lock which would help with getting faster out of corners..

On the open road with 4 aboard it passes rows of slow cars with ease ... getting to "hoon" speeds within seconds.

It sounds pretty nice (for a 4cyl) when you accelerate hard and seems to have a slight noise on upshifting similar to gti's (the muffler pop thing).

[Buzy_Robot]

I've got a 125TDI B7 Passat sedan and a family member just picked up a 118TSI B7 Passat sedan. Puts me in the position of having driven both and there are definitely significant differences between the two variants:

1) petrol engine is quieter and smoother, but VW deserve kudos for making the diesel donk as refined as possible. Easy to live with both and the diesel has a nice growl to it;

2) diesel has more usable torque, but does feel heavier - particularly in terms of steering. In comparison, the petrol is lively and agile. Keep in mind the petrol variant is significantly lighter than the diesel. I think about 80 kgs from memory? The petrol variant is definitely not under powered and will accelerate briskly; however, the diesel has some delicious torque to play with, so to speak. Diesel comes with 6spd and petrol with 7spd, but this really doesn't make a big difference to the performance of either variant. I believe the 6spd goes with the diesel because it can cope with the extra torque. Trust me, one speed more or less on the DSG should not be a deal breaker;

3) brakes seems to have more grip in the diesel than the petrol ie. they "bite" quicker;

4) diesel fuel economy is spectacular. I've done 434 kms of city driving and I'm just inching towards the half way mark on the fuel gauge;

5) the petrol variant doesn't have the stop/start system like the diesel (there are pros & cons to this feature). Some people love it, others are in two minds about it and some will find it annoying;

6) the DSG behaves differently in the diesel. It will creep forward when taking your foot off the brake, take offs are smooth and roll back on inclines when releasing the foot brake rarely happens. The opposite is true of the DSG coupled with the petrol engine. There is a little bit of jerkiness from standstill and roll backs happen regularly when releasing the foot brake even on slight inclines. Best to use the auto hold function in the petrol variant if this sort of characteristic is off putting to drivers of a regular auto box;

7) features are similar, but diesel gets the Nappa leather seats over the Vienna leather seats in the petrol. Both are comfy and have heated seat functions. Diesel has more chrome / aluminium highlights inside and out. Just download the brochure for specifics, but really there isn't that much difference between them in terms of trim.

Cheers!

[blutopless2]

thanks for the responses... has given me confidence it will do the job.... test drive will be the clincher but dont want to yet as i know i will want one NOW! lol.
Think it will just be a matter of convincing the boss as she will need to drive it too... she is worried about the size etc.
Petrol will be the go if i get one as we are not fans of the diesels.
Chipping would be on the cards also to improve its performance. Our jetta has 180kW and is magnificent to drive.
Need to see what the cargo area is like and the options for barriers etc...

[maxim]

Chipping would be on the cards also to improve its performance. Our jetta has 180kW and is magnificent to drive...

blutopless2, just thinking about this you might want to check out the DSG if you're going down that road. I think there are 3 DSG's now:

1. 6speed wet clutch (fitted to Passat TDI and I think the V6?)
2. 7speed dry clutch (fitted to Passat TSI, Golf - but not GTI or R?)
3. 7speed wet clutch (fitted to Tiguan, Touareg etc)

I think the 7sp fitted in the Passat is the smaller, lighter dry clutch unit as opposed to the heavier bigger wet clutch unit.
If it is, I don't know how well the dry clutch unit will stand up to that sort of power when chipped (180kw and probably around the 400Nm of torque that will be the killer).

The DSG in your Jetta was probably the 6sp wet clutch unit that the TDI, V6 Passat has in it to cope with the torque.

But I'm sure someone here can verify all this. Just my thoughts.

[dopey]

What we think about performance doesn't really matter in the end - go drive it yourself and find out I'm going to bet that coming from a chipped Jetta you'll think the 118TSI is too slow.

Regarding the size - my wife was worried as well (we're usually Golf drivers) but the parking sensors and rear view camera put her mind at ease. She is quite comfortable and confident parking it with the help of those tools.

New updated Jetta is coming soon by the way

[FSI 220]

QUOTE=blutopless2;698812]Need to see what the cargo area is like and the options for barriers etc...[/QUOTE]

The cargo area is large (600 odd litres give or take a handfull whether it is FWD or AWD) and comes with retractable net cargo barrier

If you are concerned about power... there is the V6!

Cheers!
John

[anthony]

Rather consider the all new Jetta 2.0 TSI,that will be out in September...

[Buzy_Robot]

Keeping in mind this conversation I took the 118TSI to work this morning and there is no way I would give up the 125TDI. Going up inclines there is a huge difference. So be aware, that on flowing freeways the petrol Passat is a glorious piece of kit, but up inclines it is under powered when compared to the rich torque available in the diesel. I'm not a hoon driver, but I found I had to push the accelerator pedal all the way down to the firewall to get it to try and match the effortless ease of the diesel on inclines. Test drive both thoroughly before signing the contract.

[blutopless2]

i have considered the new jetta but just looking at something with a little more cargo area and wanted to have something different.
I will definitely be driving all 3 models before purchasing, hopefully for more than just around the block etc..
i have thought about the limitations of the gearboxes etc when it comes to chipping.. i would be talking with APR prior to purchasing also to make sure what i buy is suitably upgradable. I am disappointed that the 147TSI model has been deleted from the range.
just researching at the moment for the upcoming purchase as there are a few other cars we want to look at.
Unfortunately our main preference is a manual...but damn they are getting harder to find in a decent car...

[bang chong]

blutopless2, just thinking about this you might want to check out the DSG if you're going down that road. I think there are 3 DSG's now:

1. 6speed wet clutch (fitted to Passat TDI and I think the V6?)
2. 7speed dry clutch (fitted to Passat TSI, Golf - but not GTI or R?)
3. 7speed wet clutch (fitted to Tiguan, Touareg etc)

I think the 7sp fitted in the Passat is the smaller, lighter dry clutch unit as opposed to the heavier bigger wet clutch unit.
If it is, I don't know how well the dry clutch unit will stand up to that sort of power when chipped (180kw and probably around the 400Nm of torque that will be the killer).

The DSG in your Jetta was probably the 6sp wet clutch unit that the TDI, V6 Passat has in it to cope with the torque.

But I'm sure someone here can verify all this. Just my thoughts.

You are quite correct

IMO I've had nothing but dramas from that engine and gearbox combo, just some food for thought. Misfiring(replacement engines) with that engine and clutch shudders(replacement clutches) with that gearbox.

[Hammerhead]

Bang Chong - You mention nothing but dramas with the 7sp. You mean in a Passat with the 118TSI engine? I just put a deposit down on one of these today. What problems have you seen? With your own car? How old? Any issues with VW and warranty?

Has anyone else had any experiences with 118TSI engine/7sp DSG combo? Please tell me they aren't all bad!!

[guthrie]

Mine has been great so far (10 months Ive had it)...touch wood.

[maxim]

Has anyone else had any experiences with 118TSI engine/7sp DSG combo? Please tell me they aren't all bad!!

Don't worry Hammerhead, VW have produced over 1000000 DSG boxes! Sure, the new dry clutch ones are newer and built for a purpose, but as long as you don't go chipping etc, I'm sure you will be fine. Forums are fantastic for getting lots of info (particularly specialised info like whether the dry clutch DSG can take 200kW / 400Nm!), but if you use your car as intended, you really shouldn't have any problems - it's a new VW after all. And honestly, if we made our buying decisions based on forum posts, we'd never buy any car, not even a push bike! Relax and enjoy your new Passat, I'm going to as soon as I can get it!

[Hammerhead]

And honestly, if we made our buying decisions based on forum posts, we'd never buy any car, not even a push bike!

Maxim - Quite true. Thanks for being the calming voice of reason! I had been checking the other forum posts re: extended warranty. I'll see how the first 3 years go...