VW Golf BlueMotion

[Aaron ADI]

Hi Everyone,

I'm currently training to become a Driving Instructor and am considering a new VW Golf BlueMotion for the task. I'm attracted by it's build quality, lease costs, and fuel economy.

Does anyone here have one as a daily drive?

If so I would be interested to read any feedback you could offer on the car?

The model I am looking at is the standard BlueMotion, with the 99 C02 rating.

I will be taking a test drive in one this weekend although it will be the Match version, but should give me a good insight.

I have been driving a new Passat BlueMotion for the last couple of weeks and must say I'm very impressed, so hope the Golf lives up to expectation too.

Many Thanks

Aaron

[Toaster Pilot]

Just bear in mind that the amazing fuel economy figures probably aren't going to be realistic with learners driving, and consider how many miles you're going to pile on it (my driving instructor did a crazy amount of miles, his lease costs must've been insane)

[Aaron ADI]

Toaster Pilot said:

Just bear in mind that the amazing fuel economy figures probably aren't going to be realistic with learners driving, and consider how many miles you're going to pile on it (my driving instructor did a crazy amount of miles, his lease costs must've been insane)

Over the lease period, the authorised mileage is 30k per year, so I'm confident I won't exceed that. Lessons will be local, and have researched this aspect. You're right to bring it up though as many don't realise how many miles can accumulate with this job.

As for fuel economy with L's driving, absolutely, it will likely be lower than I'd like, but still far higher than say that of the normal Fiesta/Corsa range of vehicles. Plus with the (IMO) better build of the VW it's all positive so far, but would be nice to hear some 'real' feedback.

[Aaron ADI]

I should add also, that the quote I have received, is inclusive of maintenance and tyres. So I will be putting fuel in it and that's it.

[jamei303]

The main issue I found with this car that might affect learners is the gearing. It's different from any other small car I've driven in that it's often necessary to drop down to first to make basic manoeuvres such as turning left into a side road.

[10 Pence Short]

I'd rather learn in something smaller and petrol.

I wouldn't believe all that 'build quality' (whatever that means) impression, either.

If it was me, my thought process would be go with the Golf for the marketing value of using a decent car for learners, rather than any benefit in actually using that car over another in a lesson environment.

[Toaster Pilot]

Aaron ADI said:

As for fuel economy with L's driving, absolutely, it will likely be lower than I'd like, but still far higher than say that of the normal Fiesta/Corsa range of vehicles. Plus with the (IMO) better build of the VW it's all positive so far, but would be nice to hear some 'real' feedback.

True - my instructor's 1.4 (petrol) Corsa returned 30MPG

[Aaron ADI]

jamei303 said:

The main issue I found with this car that might affect learners is the gearing. It's different from any other small car I've driven in that it's often necessary to drop down to first to make basic manoeuvres such as turning left into a side road.

I noticed this on the Passat, you do have to work the gears. In most other Diesels I've driven it's possible if you're feeling lazy to pull away in second for example, but you do need to gear it like a small engined petrol it seems.

I'm ok with this though, if anything it will keep pupils attention to appropriate gear for appropriate speed/situation.

[cptsideways]

Build quality

[Targarama]

Isn't the Golf a bit big for many learners? Especially shorter people? I think I'd prefer something like a Punto or similar. Whatever you choose, you students will probably thank you for picking a car with good rear/rear quarter visibility.

[Aaron ADI]

10 Pence Short said:

I'd rather learn in something smaller and petrol.

I wouldn't believe all that 'build quality' (whatever that means) impression, either.

If it was me, my thought process would be go with the Golf for the marketing value of using a decent car for learners, rather than any benefit in actually using that car over another in a lesson environment.

What I mean by the build quality comment is that the new VW's seem to me to just be 'better put together', a solid feel to instrument panels, switches and interior etc. And bearing in mind I will be spending a lot of time in this car it's important I feel, kind of 'impressed' with it's interior function and style.

I agree that the Golf should give a better impression for pupils. I think the BlueMotion attracts both ends of the potential market in that the pupils (predominantly aged 17-18), will be attracted to it's looks, with the air efficiency bodywork additions, and the parents of potential pupils in that it's a leading 'Green' car of the moment. And it's a Golf, it's established, trusted, owned at some point by many. It ticks an awful lot of boxes, and I'm struggling to find negatives with this choice. Hence my opening it up to 'real world' feedback.

[jamei303]

Aaron ADI said:

jamei303 said:

The main issue I found with this car that might affect learners is the gearing. It's different from any other small car I've driven in that it's often necessary to drop down to first to make basic manoeuvres such as turning left into a side road.

I noticed this on the Passat, you do have to work the gears. In most other Diesels I've driven it's possible if you're feeling lazy to pull away in second for example, but you do need to gear it like a small engined petrol it seems.

I'm ok with this though, if anything it will keep pupils attention to appropriate gear for appropriate speed/situation.

I didn't mean it's like a small petrol - 2nd gear is particularly tall so you can't use it as you would normally in the vast majority of other cars. If I was a learner I'd want to learn in a 'normal' car as possible.

[10 Pence Short]

I'd be more worried about losing time and money with the car in the garage than how nice the switches feel. I'm not saying that the Golf will be unreliable, just that there's no reason to suspect it will be superior to anything else. Well, maybe excluding something French.

[Aaron ADI]

cptsideways said:

Build quality

Is that really such a funny comment? The build quality of a City Rover is far less than that of new German car. Extreme example? Yes. However the scale is still tipped slightly when going from car to car so I don't see how the comment is being laughed at? You know what I mean by it, and if you didn't I've explained it, so how is that funny? It's an important purchase for me, as for many others also whether buying/leasing, or whatever? So all aspects/features of the car will be considered.

I apologise if I come across as rude here but I just don't get the fascination with this comment?

[Papa Hotel]

10 Pence Short said:

I'd rather learn in something smaller and petrol.

What he said.

If it was me, I'd buy a 1.2 Panda, I'd reckon one of those is in with a good shout of being the perfect learners' car. Small, great visibility, cheap to run, 6 grand to buy new... I don't see how leasing a Golf would work out cheaper. Diesel too, that's going to be hard for a learner to get to grips with, heavy clutch, crap power delivery, a small petrol is the way to go.

[Aaron ADI]

10 Pence Short said:

I'd be more worried about losing time and money with the car in the garage than how nice the switches feel. I'm not saying that the Golf will be unreliable, just that there's no reason to suspect it will be superior to anything else. Well, maybe excluding something French.

Is that not true with any car? I've not heard of any reliability issues with this particular car? If you have I'd be grateful if you could point me in the right direction?

I'm fortunate that if I was to go with this particular car, the company I am a part of already has a few VW's on fleet, and therefore we have a pretty good relationship with the lease desk. Should anything happen, I'm sure I'll be ok for a car. It's happened before and the outcome was fine.

[cptsideways]

Aaron ADI said:

cptsideways said:

Build quality

Is that really such a funny comment? The build quality of a City Rover is far less than that of new German car. Extreme example? Yes. However the scale is still tipped slightly when going from car to car so I don't see how the comment is being laughed at? You know what I mean by it, and if you didn't I've explained it, so how is that funny? It's an important purchase for me, as for many others also whether buying/leasing, or whatever? So all aspects/features of the car will be considered.

I apologise if I come across as rude here but I just don't get the fascination with this comment?

Perception is rather different to reality, so many people have been hoodwinked into thing a soft squidgy dash etc is good build quality, thats whats funny imho.

[Aaron ADI]

Just to address the comments of the car possibly being too big, or that the diesel engine is not 'normal' enough,

As for size, it is not a great deal bigger than a small hatch, bear in mind that this will be my work car, for teaching, and also my car for myself and Mrs. I am not in a position to get one car for work, and another for me, therefore the car has a bigger task to achieve than normal. I know of quite a few Golfs, new generation, and older, being used as ADI cars and there is no problem with size.

As for the engine, it was true years ago that the small engined petrol model was the better choice, I agree. However I do feel that nowadays there is more to be said about the car's fuel efficiency, impact on environment, and kerb appeal for my potential market. I think in this current climate the Golf better serves this purpose. I absolutely agree that the small engined petrol car has it's plus points, after all the vast majority of pupils once they have passed are not going to jump into a brand new Gold diesel, they are FAR more likely to be getting in a 5-10 year old Corsa, Fiesta etc...

However, I'm not teaching them to drive a Golf BlueMotion, I'm teaching them to drive a car.

Thanks for the comments though you are certainly making me take everything into account!

[Roadrunner23]

Would there also be problems with the DPF not regenerating due to the low speed journeys?

[Aaron ADI]

cptsideways said:

Perception is rather different to reality, so many people have been hoodwinked into thing a soft squidgy dash etc is good build quality, thats whats funny imho.

Ahh I see, I agree with that, there does seem to be a bandwagon approach to the way in which we perceive a car to be, i.e German car = great solid car. I realise it's not always the case but my opinion of the new VW interior is that it's simply a nice place to be, in my opinion of course.