Golf GTI or GTD? Which one would you have?
Discussion
I know the Golf R is a bit of a PH favourite but of the lesser performance models (GTI and GTD), which one would you have?
The GTD seems to have been elevated to the same status as the GTI now in the range. Obviously, the GTI has more power but the GTD counters with more torque. You can get an LSD on the GTI if you buy the Performance Pack but the GTD claims to be 40% more economical (I don't believe the claimed 47mpg for the GTI for one minute though).
Price-wise, there's very little in it new. The GTI has always enjoyed above average residuals for a hot hatch but new and used prices of Golf diesels have always been massively elevated over those of its non-premium rivals such as the Ford Focus. Is this for good reason? I don't know.
Four-pot diesels are rarely pleasant but get the job done and the GTI's engine is hardly the most charismatic engine either. I haven't driven a diesel Golf since the mk4/mk5 when they were still PD engines. My favourite diesel version was actually the GT TDI 140 and the GT TDI 130 on the mk4. The 170 and 150 engines respectively certainly ripped through the gears a bit quicker but I found them difficult to drive smoothly. Does this mean that the 150bhp TDI is the sweet spot in the Golf diesel range?
I guess this argument could also be applied to the Focus ST, Octavia vRS, 1-Series, Audi A3, A-Class and Seat Leon too. So, performance diesel or performance petrol?
The GTD seems to have been elevated to the same status as the GTI now in the range. Obviously, the GTI has more power but the GTD counters with more torque. You can get an LSD on the GTI if you buy the Performance Pack but the GTD claims to be 40% more economical (I don't believe the claimed 47mpg for the GTI for one minute though).
Price-wise, there's very little in it new. The GTI has always enjoyed above average residuals for a hot hatch but new and used prices of Golf diesels have always been massively elevated over those of its non-premium rivals such as the Ford Focus. Is this for good reason? I don't know.
Four-pot diesels are rarely pleasant but get the job done and the GTI's engine is hardly the most charismatic engine either. I haven't driven a diesel Golf since the mk4/mk5 when they were still PD engines. My favourite diesel version was actually the GT TDI 140 and the GT TDI 130 on the mk4. The 170 and 150 engines respectively certainly ripped through the gears a bit quicker but I found them difficult to drive smoothly. Does this mean that the 150bhp TDI is the sweet spot in the Golf diesel range?
I guess this argument could also be applied to the Focus ST, Octavia vRS, 1-Series, Audi A3, A-Class and Seat Leon too. So, performance diesel or performance petrol?
I for one am looking forward to another thread where PHers can espouse their hatred of four pot diesels, so thanks for giving them another platform OP
I'd buy whichever one I enjoyed driving the most, unless I did huge mileages in which case the diesel would probably work out as being more economical and that might tip the scales a bit. It's a radical and unusual position to take I know, but there it is.
I'd buy whichever one I enjoyed driving the most, unless I did huge mileages in which case the diesel would probably work out as being more economical and that might tip the scales a bit. It's a radical and unusual position to take I know, but there it is.
Definitely the GTi.
The TFSI is not a particularly great engine but it's not bad as turbocharged four-pots go - it's a bit laggy but it's got a nice flat torque curve and revs pretty well. The diesel is a typical mid-powered diesel; I find the early torque plateau and consequent lack of incentive to use what little rev range the engine has enormously frustrating. Ultimately the diesel is very easy to extract the performance from and I don't enjoy that in an engine.
Obviously the diesel will be more economical but if I was covering enough miles for that to be relevant I wouldn't want anything "sporty" at all.
The TFSI is not a particularly great engine but it's not bad as turbocharged four-pots go - it's a bit laggy but it's got a nice flat torque curve and revs pretty well. The diesel is a typical mid-powered diesel; I find the early torque plateau and consequent lack of incentive to use what little rev range the engine has enormously frustrating. Ultimately the diesel is very easy to extract the performance from and I don't enjoy that in an engine.
Obviously the diesel will be more economical but if I was covering enough miles for that to be relevant I wouldn't want anything "sporty" at all.
Edited by kambites on Tuesday 21st July 16:29
harrykul said:
Sort of relevant but....
If you only want a manual then GTI. I don't understand why people want manual diesels with their powerbands: you're throwing gears at them constantly.
Interesting. Yes, I would want a manual and that's kind of what I was getting at with the mk4 150 and mk5 170 TDIs, I had to change gear a lot! I don't like DSG much either with either of these high boost engines though (GTI or diesel).If you only want a manual then GTI. I don't understand why people want manual diesels with their powerbands: you're throwing gears at them constantly.
My wife has a GTD as a company car.
Good
+ Gets 50mpg and is fairly comfy
+ Quick enough and responsive enough to be enjoyable on a B road
Bad
- Sounds like a diesel
- Is a bit softer than a GTI (not a bad thing on a commute of course)
I'd happily buy a GTD with my own money, but the GTI would edge it if I was going heart over head.
Good
+ Gets 50mpg and is fairly comfy
+ Quick enough and responsive enough to be enjoyable on a B road
Bad
- Sounds like a diesel
- Is a bit softer than a GTI (not a bad thing on a commute of course)
I'd happily buy a GTD with my own money, but the GTI would edge it if I was going heart over head.
Firstly, what makes you think the GTD will reach any way near its claimed mpg figure? The GTI won't do 47, but the GTD will be equally off the mark against its claimed number.
Sounds like you prefer diesel regardless of what comments should follow below. I personally would go GTI every single day of the week. However, I wouldn't consider either of those two if I was in the market for that sort of car. Meg 265 please or Focus ST please.
Sounds like you prefer diesel regardless of what comments should follow below. I personally would go GTI every single day of the week. However, I wouldn't consider either of those two if I was in the market for that sort of car. Meg 265 please or Focus ST please.
kambites said:
Definitely the GTi.
The TFSI is not a particularly great engine but it's not bad as turbocharged four-pots go - it's a bit laggy but it's got a nice flat torque curve and revs pretty well.
Umm... laggy?The TFSI is not a particularly great engine but it's not bad as turbocharged four-pots go - it's a bit laggy but it's got a nice flat torque curve and revs pretty well.
GTFO.
I test drove a Mk7 GTI and managed 38mpg average including a cold start and 130mph hoon.
charltjr said:
I for one am looking forward to another thread where PHers can espouse their hatred of four pot diesels, so thanks for giving them another platform OP
I'd buy whichever one I enjoyed driving the most, unless I did huge mileages in which case the diesel would probably work out as being more economical and that might tip the scales a bit. It's a radical and unusual position to take I know, but there it is.
So you'd buy the car which was most fun to drive, unless the more boring car was more economic. Makes perfect sense.I'd buy whichever one I enjoyed driving the most, unless I did huge mileages in which case the diesel would probably work out as being more economical and that might tip the scales a bit. It's a radical and unusual position to take I know, but there it is.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff