Economical Golf MK6 Help

[nickpan]

Hello Gents

Mrs P begins a 80 mile return commute 3 times a week in a few weeks which will take her through Central London (25%) and then the M40 (75%).

I have been tasked with buying something economical.

I like the look of the Gold MK6.

It has to be an automatic (unfortunately...)

We need economy - lots of miles to the tank... And my budget is £9000.

Has anyone had any experience of the Golf Bluemotion in DSG guise? With only 105bhp, is that adequate for mixed driving?

If we weren't constrained by an automatic, I think the 2.0TDI 140 Bluemotion has got to be the one to go for but the only 140 with DSG seems to cost much more to tax (£145?) and offer 20% less fuel economy?

I am open to other marques but I would prefer to buy German.

Help!

Cheers

Nick

[va1o]

I've got a 2011 140 TDI DSG which has just reached 100k miles. I never drive it with economy in mind and it always manages to average mid 50s easily on my motorway commute equating to 600 miles from a tank. If you slow down a bit and stay below 70mph then 60mpg is achievable without much effort.

A couple of friends have Manual 1.6 TDIs and they seem to get exactly the same MPG as me. It seems the smaller engine has to work harder and it misses having a 6th gear,

Maintenance items to watch for are the belt due at 120k (or 5 years) and DSG oil every 40k.

[nickpan]

Very very good advice - thank you!

I'm very tempted by the 140.

The only frustrating thing is higher tax and more to park in Central London. Possibly higher insurance as well but I guess we're only talking a few hundred quid a year.

Miles to the tank is key for me.

Thanks

Nick

[nickpan]

What's the DSG box like paired with the engine?

[va1o]

nickpan said:

What's the DSG box like paired with the engine?

They suit each other quite well, the box generally keeps it in the right power band which is obviously what you want for a diesel! I had a Mk5 GTI DSG before I started doing silly miles and the box worked well in that also.

[nickpan]

va1o said:

They suit each other quite well, the box generally keeps it in the right power band which is obviously what you want for a diesel! I had a Mk5 GTI DSG before I started doing silly miles and the box worked well in that also.

Thanks - what happens when it kicks down? I'm assuming it doesn't drop gears like a petrol and send it up the rev range?

[va1o]

nickpan said:

Thanks - what happens when it kicks down? I'm assuming it doesn't drop gears like a petrol and send it up the rev range?

Unfortunately it does still do that! But that seems to be the same with all diesel automatics, you get the same even in a BMW 35d with its sophisticated ZF 'box.