Golf 1.4 TSI 150 GT DSG

[daydotz]

va1o said:

This is true, VW seem to reserve that engine for GT spec. It's the same story with the Polo BlueGT costing more than an A1 COD Sport

Wouldn't the blue gt be more comparable to a S-line

[acme]

the-photographer said:

Full report when it arrives please

As per previous posts on here/requests I committed to giving some feedback. It's only been a week/700 miles but here's my initial thoughts;

Engine

On start up it's silky smooth & inevitably this helps with the stop/start that I'd often turn off on my A3 1.6TDI. With the incredible NVH levels it really is a very relaxing car to drive - appreciate some might not want that in their car but this is just my daily driver/company hack so that's a real bonus to me. Inevitably I'm still running it in so can't really comment on power at the moment, but on the few times I've given it a quick squirt it seems to have plenty of kick down, in that respect it's diesel like - inevitable with a turbo & 185lb/ft.

To quote Dan Prosser in Evo when recently comparing & concluding the test on the Golf GTD & BMW 220D, 'they'll always be restricted due to their 4 pot diesel engines', well the 1.4TSI really shows this to be true, it's incredible how smooth it is. Plus with 85kg less weight over the nose as compared to the 2.0TDI it feels so much lighter on its toes, this is VERY noticeable when compared back to back with the 2.0TDI as I did.

Powertrain

Occasional jerks from the gear change and its interface to the engine, admittedly better than some manual gear changes, I've not really used manual so far, but seems good on the few occasions I have, worryingly neither have I really missed changing gear......(in my defence I've driven along some ste roads this week!)

NVH

Incredible in a word. Shut the doors and the world melts away, as above not all might like that but for what I do it's really appreciated.

MPG

First off it's clear it's not going to be as good as diesel. In my MK5 GT TDI (PD) I'd get OBC of 58mpg frequently on the commute, driven sedately the TSI's getting 48 - good but inevitably nowhere near 60 - as expected really. But, it's so much nicer than a diesel I simply don't care, I cannot get over how smooth it is in comparison, I'd defy anyone to do a back to back test with the diesel and prefer it, even non-petrolheads couldn't fail to notice the difference.

I've done four 120 mile trips this week, OBC of 45.9, 46.2, 47.9 & 49 - albeit 65-75 mainly with adaptive cruise on.

Quality/fitment

Some tests have suggested it's bank vault like, time will tell, but when Chris Harris tested the MK7 GTI he noted that VW were very good at making the common touch points feel like quality items but taking cost out of those outside peripheral vision - have to say I'd agree, some things i.e. the under seat storage appear quite cheap. But overall very good.

Interior/Comfort/gadgets

Personally I can't say the seats are perfect, apparently the non-sports seats (I think) won some back award.

Negatives

Ride - when I test drove one the first owner had part ex'd it because of the ride, he was retired apparently, and I can understand that for some it would be overly stiff. It's not as hard as a mates latter Mk5 GT (the ones which were badged GT) but MUCH stiffer than my early MK5 GT (wasn't badged as GT so I assume didn't have GTI suspension). It's OK for me as I appreciate the lowered suspension/17" wheels give a more 'sporty' ride but I can understand why one test I read suggested it spoilt the car.

Boot - it's suppose to be 30l bigger than the MK6 which I assume was the same as the MK5, it seems a LOT smaller in my eyes, and must be smaller than my old A3. If this was your only family car I think you'd have to consider very carefully if it was big enough, if you require pram/buggy space I think it would be far too small.

Looks - subjective I appreciate. I think it's a decent looking car, but of course it's a Golf, so rather 'boring' in many ways. With the GT spec I'd suggest the additional chrome/cherry red light clusters etc look good, especially against the darker colours. I appreciate a Golf is not suppose to be revolutionary, but I'd suggest this car is in terms of driving/living with and so you could argue VW are missing a trick, buyers will simply think it's another Golf.

Overall (bearing in mind I had a MK5 'til earlier in the year for 50k miles)

Couldn't be happier, I really wasn't sure if the diesel wouldn't be better for what I do and if a small 1.4 petrol would 'cope', as for DSG as oppose to my beloved manual........I'd say if you're considering one go for it.

As previously noted when this engine was launched in the Polo GT a couple of years back I did think then with the claimed MPG it would potentially give me a route out of diesel, coincidentally with a change of job and a company car I've now got the opportunity to find out. As a company car I'll be doing circa 20-25k miles so will report back in particular on MPG, of which (sadly) I'm logging on a spreadsheet!

Cheers

[LeoSayer]

Thanks for the write up.

All the reviews I've read say the the current Golf GT rides very well indeed in spite of it's 10mm lowered suspension and 17" wheels.

If my experience in the A3 is anything to go by, it's easy to achieve over 50mpg on the OBC without trying although this only started happening once the engine had a few thousand miles on it.

The best from a tank is 46 mpg over 467 miles.

[acme]

One test really was critical, but I do wonder if it's less about suspension harshness more that the chassis is very stiff- all part of MQB from what I understand.

I'd be surprised if 50 plus was possible, but could be once it's got a few more miles & perhaps not using the ACC.

On the first full tank OBC showed 46, brim to brim was 42.

[the-photographer]

acme said:

the-photographer said:

Full report when it arrives please

As per previous posts on here/requests I committed to giving some feedback. It's only been a week/700 miles but here's my initial thoughts;

Thanks for the info.

What do you think about steering feel?

This was the most disappointing aspect of the PoloGT I tried recently.

[acme]

This isn't an easy one to answer. After reading your comment & going out in the car I deliberately concentrated on it.

An ex had a current 1 series, I was amazed at how awful the steering feel was, there was none, not an ounce. You simply couldn't tell what was going on. Getting back in my then MK5 Golf was a revelation - electric vs hydraulic I guess. That said I had a long term loan of a 120D before getting this Golf & it seemed better (120D vs 116D (non ED) & 16's vs 18's???).

I'm very fortunate to have an air cooled 911 so steering feel is something I'm fairly familiar with. I'd say the Golf's ok but having driven it this morning straight after the 911 don't expect too much. Thing is I think I'm resigned to modern cars being anodyne so little expectation results in little disappointment. The fact that in all that blurb above I didn't mention it perhaps says a lot!

[the-photographer]

acme said:

This isn't an easy one to answer. After reading your comment & going out in the car I deliberately concentrated on it.

An ex had a current 1 series, I was amazed at how awful the steering feel was, there was none, not an ounce. You simply couldn't tell what was going on. Getting back in my then MK5 Golf was a revelation - electric vs hydraulic I guess. That said I had a long term loan of a 120D before getting this Golf & it seemed better (120D vs 116D (non ED) & 16's vs 18's???).

I'm very fortunate to have an air cooled 911 so steering feel is something I'm fairly familiar with. I'd say the Golf's ok but having driven it this morning straight after the 911 don't expect too much. Thing is I think I'm resigned to modern cars being anodyne so little expectation results in little disappointment. The fact that in all that blurb above I didn't mention it perhaps says a lot!

The MK5 does have electric steering, it was the steering feel that was the main disappointment with the PoloGT I had for a demo (compared to MK5 GTI).

I will have to try a MK7.

[acme]

Interesting, I didn't realise the MK5 had it too. Irrespective it seemed a lot better than the one series.

I have to say I have no complaints on the golf but steering feel is inevitably quite a personal thing.

Given the way i use the car it is fine, a mate is massively into steering feel and has spent considerable time investigating and trying to improve his car and I suspect he would find it lacking. He'll drive it soon, once he does I'll give some additional feedback.

[JackReacher]

My Leon 1.4 ACT was delivered yesterday, initial impressions are very good. Such a quiet smooth engine compared to the diesel it has replaced! Will provide a better write up once it's run in and I've spent more time with the car. First commute this morning, and it averaged just over 45mpg indicated, which seems good for a brand new engine, hopefully that will rise to 50 once run in.

[acme]

Glad you're enjoying it. As you say the engine is so smooth as compared to a diesel. I'm intrigued to see if you improve on the 45mpg. After 3.5k miles I'm getting 43.31 average tracked via an app. I drive it like a granny frankly & when on company business in Eco mode, where I'm getting 44-48 average on the 100+ mile work related journeys I do. Should be noted the OBC is usually a few MPG out on full tanks.

One query, what's the throttle response like, I find it quite poor? Plus did you go DSG, if so how smooth is it?

[va1o]

daydotz said:

va1o said:

This is true, VW seem to reserve that engine for GT spec. It's the same story with the Polo BlueGT costing more than an A1 COD Sport

Wouldn't the blue gt be more comparable to a S-line

I was more eluding to the fact that VW don't offer an option of having the 1.4 TSI ACT engine in a mid-range Polo, as per the A1 Sport.

[JackReacher]

acme said:

Glad you're enjoying it. As you say the engine is so smooth as compared to a diesel. I'm intrigued to see if you improve on the 45mpg. After 3.5k miles I'm getting 43.31 average tracked via an app. I drive it like a granny frankly & when on company business in Eco mode, where I'm getting 44-48 average on the 100+ mile work related journeys I do. Should be noted the OBC is usually a few MPG out on full tanks.

One query, what's the throttle response like, I find it quite poor? Plus did you go DSG, if so how smooth is it?

Mine is a manual, which I think are suppose to do slightly better mpg than DSG? Maybe 50mpg is slightly ambitious, but we'll see!

I haven't really driven it enough yet to a proper feel for the drive and throttle response, as it's the girlfriends car mostly, but I would say much better than the 1.6Tdi we had before, probably on a par with my old Mk5 Gti, but not quite as good as good petrol NA engines like a Type R.

Few pics...

[LocoBlade]

Eco mode does dull the throttle response noticably, we've not got our Leon FR yet but when playing with the settings on the test drive sport mode made the engine a lot more responsive to throttle input, and even normal mode was noticably better than eco.

acme said:

Glad you're enjoying it. As you say the engine is so smooth as compared to a diesel. I'm intrigued to see if you improve on the 45mpg. After 3.5k miles I'm getting 43.31 average tracked via an app. I drive it like a granny frankly & when on company business in Eco mode, where I'm getting 44-48 average on the 100+ mile work related journeys I do. Should be noted the OBC is usually a few MPG out on full tanks.

One query, what's the throttle response like, I find it quite poor? Plus did you go DSG, if so how smooth is it?

[Terzo123]

Terzo123 said:

Sounds great.

My wife has ordered an A3 SE with the same engine as a lease car through her work. We never had a test drive, as we were limited to what we could chose, although we did have a nosey about a few showrooms. Ultimately it was between the Leon and the Audi, but the wifes vote won and anything will be better than the athsmatic Nissan Qashqai we currently run.

With the reviews the 1.4 Act engine is getting im looking forward to it getting it delivered.

After a long wait the car will be arriving next week.

[JackReacher]

What does the eco setting do on a manual? I would expect it to have more impact on a DSG box where it can change up sooner, but other than a slower throttle response not sure on a manual.

Sport mode seems to improve throttle slightly but heavier steering is the most noticable change, other than changing the led door lights from white to red

[acme]

JackReacher said:

Mine is a manual, which I think are suppose to do slightly better mpg than DSG? Maybe 50mpg is slightly ambitious, but we'll see!

I haven't really driven it enough yet to a proper feel for the drive and throttle response, as it's the girlfriends car mostly, but I would say much better than the 1.6Tdi we had before, probably on a par with my old Mk5 Gti, but not quite as good as good petrol NA engines like a Type R.

Few pics...

If you take the VW claimed stats for the Golf the DSG is suppose to be better than the manual, though I suspect if you were 'hyper miling' you could perhaps get better from the manual. I'd be intrigued to know what revs/speed you're running at, in seventh the Golf is doing 1900 rpm at 70mph, which must contribute to the economy figures, it seems very long geared, not necessarily the issue you might suspect. As for the throttle response out of junctions there's a noticeable delay, I noticed this in the various ones I test drove too, so I don't think it's an issue with mine per se. I suspect VW will say it's due to it being turbo'd but I never noticed it in my MK5 Golf.

If you had a MK5 GTI, and you mention Type R, have you had one? I occasionally look for a DC2 ITR, a mate had one for 4 yrs/80k miles and still raves about it years later.

[acme]

LocoBlade said:

Absolutely agree, even before I got mine I read from one owner that he once tried Eco mode, but never again! Most of the time I drive it in individual mode, with the engine set to normal and ACC (adaptive cruise) set to Eco, normal for ACC is too abrupt in my opinion. Even in normal throttle response is very poor, I'm assuming this is what is often referred to in magazines as to why they prefer naturally aspirated.

[JackReacher]

acme said:

If you take the VW claimed stats for the Golf the DSG is suppose to be better than the manual, though I suspect if you were 'hyper miling' you could perhaps get better from the manual. I'd be intrigued to know what revs/speed you're running at, in seventh the Golf is doing 1900 rpm at 70mph, which must contribute to the economy figures, it seems very long geared, not necessarily the issue you might suspect. As for the throttle response out of junctions there's a noticeable delay, I noticed this in the various ones I test drove too, so I don't think it's an issue with mine per se. I suspect VW will say it's due to it being turbo'd but I never noticed it in my MK5 Golf.

If you had a MK5 GTI, and you mention Type R, have you had one? I occasionally look for a DC2 ITR, a mate had one for 4 yrs/80k miles and still raves about it years later.

Yes had a couple of civic type R's, excellent cars but require working hard to get performance from. The DC2 is even better than the civics, I'm also tempted by one having just sold my 350z, but finding a good one without rust is near on impossible!

[LocoBlade]

I'd imagine as well as more throttle lag, it also changes the ratio of the throttle pedal movement so you need more movement of the pedal for the same amount of engine throttle. Certainly felt that way when i test drove one

If you don't like sport mode steering, just set it up in individual to have sport throttle but standard steering

JackReacher said:

What does the eco setting do on a manual? I would expect it to have more impact on a DSG box where it can change up sooner, but other than a slower throttle response not sure on a manual.

Sport mode seems to improve throttle slightly but heavier steering is the most noticable change, other than changing the led door lights from white to red

[acme]

JackReacher said:

Yes had a couple of civic type R's, excellent cars but require working hard to get performance from. The DC2 is even better than the civics, I'm also tempted by one having just sold my 350z, but finding a good one without rust is near on impossible!

I've test driven a few EP3's, you could only drive them 'like you stole them'! Did you have EP3's or FN2's? I've also test driven a couple of DC2's, I can't say I was overwhelmed but I suspect it's a car you come to appreciate over time, from what I've read I understand the chassis is as sublime as the engine? Having seen a few pics of the inside of the rear arches the only way to inspect one is to remove the interior around said arches, some pics I've seen have been horrific, with seemingly minimal/no external sign!