2008 Golf Mk5 2.0L TDI 140 throttle response issue

[Ben Ja Min]

I wondering if anyone else has or knows of this 'characteristic' (It maybe like this by design but I think its a problem) of the 2.0 TDI 140 in the Mk5 golf?
First gear seems to be very lethargic, it seems the throttle response is utterly inadequate. best way to describe it is that you need to put alot of travel in the pedal to get any decent response from the engine. At roundabouts it can be dangerous, you either put to much in you trigger the traction control or not enough and you bog down, it seems as if your on a knife edge all the time. I've driven an A3 with the same engine and response was fine, same with an older 1.9 TDI. I might be over sensitive to it but what do you guys think? Any other Mk5 2.0 TDI drivers having a similar problem?

[nevbadger]

I've just bought an A6 2.0 TDi (2008) which I guess is the same engine.

Agree with you completely - in 1st it jumps off the line quite well, and then hits a flat spot until you get back to 2,500 rpm and then it's fine.

But in any other gear it's not a problem - so I end up being in first for only a couple of seconds and then whacking it straight into second to make better progress.

All I could think of was that it was more economical to do it that way and they had engineered it in to get better C02 figures.

But I'm glad it's not just me!

[Tame Technician]

Engine management restricts the boost in first gear to stop you blowing up the clutch and flywheel, and reduce the chance of wheel spin. However full throtle will overide the feature and restore full boost.

[Ben Ja Min]

Thanks for the answers TT. I'm thinking about either a REVO or Superchips remap so hopefully they have mapped the first gear throttle response a bit smoother than VW efforts!

[V]

I always used to notice the same with the MK5 1.9 TDI, didn't really seem to agree with my driving style. The newer common rail diesels don't seem to have the same issue.

Edited by V on Tuesday 16th March 22:36