Comments on: 2010 Volkswagen Golf TDI: The Return of the Diesel Golf

By: Prince Eno Bassey

Prince Eno Bassey — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 22:39:51 +0000

I need to do an entire rebuild on my Touran 2011 2.0 TDI, I had a nasty lower carriage accident that tore off the Samp and a part of the engine block (as well as other suspension components) , my question is, can I use the golf V TDI 2.0 as a replacement engine block? the factory parts for the Touran is sending me to the cleaners.

By: Paul S.

Paul S. — Sat, 18 Dec 2010 09:48:00 +0000

I own a 2002 Golf TDi. Real-World results after 80000 miles. Ave Fuel economy short trips 38 mpg year-round. Long trips 55 mpg. Best is 818 mi on 14.1 gallons US (58 mpg). The conversion to Ultra-Low-Sulfur Diesel since 2007 has been a plus (no, not a mod. just the fuel itself was changed at all diesel pumps). Burned out lotsa dino-crap. Car runs much better. BTW, sticker at sale was 42/49 mpg. So what if its rated 90 hp (75kW), its still loves 2400-2500 rpm at 70 mi/hr to get the 55mpg. But then, I must “keep right” around here. I had put 50k miles on this car in two years commuting to/from work, now the job is very local.

Point #1: To hear these excessively low numbers of 32/42 and 30/40 for a diesel with fewer than 6-cylinders is atrocious. Buy gasoline instead. Really, what an insult to the principles of economy that diesel fuel offers. I agree, VW TDi’s have been dumbed-down for a power-addicted USA. Go back to gasoline, and stay there!, Buy a Fusion, or a hybrid, and stay there.

Point #2: the 2002 year and others from that era were German/Brazil. Some were German/Brazil/Mexico. The latter can be identified by increased electrical problems associated with shipping the partially assembled car a 2nd time. Bottom-Line is very, very little is USA, in fact one of the least American cars you can buy.

Point #3: I was reading about the Polo back then and now here in the thread. Much like the BMW 118d, us steenking Americans will NEVER see such a car here imported or sold to the general population. BPW&M all you want. At least the Aussies get a VW TDi77 which is essentially the same car as mine fuel-mileage wise. But an Audi A3-1.6D has a slim chance, if you really, really want one. But realize what you’re up against.

Point #4: I am aware of where I am… If you told me in 1970 that you could go 70 mph and get 55mpg, I would think you were nuts, but here we are, and other car co.’s have upped the ante to 65 mpg. But, it is not for us. Instead, we’ll be seeing gasoline-like performance and fuel-consumption from a diesel. Thats because its what we want, not what we deserve.

By: talan

talan — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 22:32:45 +0000

thinking of getting a tdi which has around 100000 miles. should i be concern about timing belt to replace or any one had that done since vw don’t specify an intervel

By: Maurice

Maurice — Sun, 17 Oct 2010 18:50:30 +0000

As a previous owner of a 1987 Volkswagen Jetta which gave me no issues for eleven years, I did not hesitate to consider purchasing a two door TDI Golf in June of this year. Here we have a car with a four cylinder diesel engine that has the torque of a small V-6 and VW’s reliability with its diesel technology, in my opinion, is a hard combination to beat. I smile every time I pass one of those Toyota Prius-es on the highway knowing that I have just as much fuel economy as they do even while hauling three other passengers with the added performance of low end torque. I don’t see too many Prius-es hauling four passengers in them on the highway today. Yep, the TDI is the best kept secret on the road and the VW Sportswagen is not a bad pick either. In addition, everyone that has driven my TDI wants to get one. The golden moment for me is when I tell my friends that it is a diesel and they do not see any smoke or noise coming from the engine. Now that gets their attention! I guess those of who have one are on to something. This is my version of a two-door hybrid sports car!
Das Auto!!

By: Dan in Vermont

Dan in Vermont — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 19:00:40 +0000

Russ,

I have been looking at one too. It seems like a great car for highway commutes. But it is likely that Toyota and Honda have VW beat when it comes to trouble-free riving several years down the road.

But one thing to consider, in Maine, is winter driving. The Prius may pose a problem here. I am in Vermont, and multiple friends owning Prii have mentioned that in snow, when a wheel loses traction, the power is cut off and they are stuck. I don’t know if this applies to the Insight.

A Golf with good snows mounted may be a much better bet. Also, you could run the TDI on alternate fuels. Can’t do that with a Prius!

–Dan

By: Russ

Russ — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 00:17:24 +0000

We are thinking of buying a 2011 Golf TDI DSG 4 door HB. I’d like to get some honest opinions of experiences of Golf TDI owners. My wife drives 25 highway miles to work each way every day. We need a good vehicle that will last us a minimum of 6 years. This could be our first diesel car and we aren’t sure about owning one. I know the new diesels are no where close to the diesels of old. We have been looking at the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight, both hybrids. For longevity, we are looking at the VW. You can’t beat German engineering.

I’d appreciate your help

Russ in Maine

By: Kai

Kai — Sat, 01 May 2010 16:57:44 +0000

I know, this is the Golf TDI blog, but since we couldn’t find one, we ‘settled for the next best thing’, and it has actually turned out to be even better!!

We love our Jetta Sport Wagon! The interior is incredibly roomy and practical, and we’re getting a “real world” 36 mpg in my wife’s daily commuting. On some errand runs around town, we’ve gotten 40, and on a highway trip, I’m sure we could achieve 50 or better. Of course, if you do a lot of hard accelerating, and enjoying the amazing low end torque, you mileage will go down.

This is a great driving car!

By: Rene

Rene — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 15:36:50 +0000

i am NOT sold. the fact that it says it is CAPABLE of 42 mpg highway..and only 29 mpg city…my scion xa, GAS gets 35 mpg city!..i want a golf really bad..I want to mpg that i got with my cabriolet that my father put a diesel engine in, and got 48 mpg city. everybody wants TOO much power..i live in a rural town, most of my business i have in a city about 20 miles away (and thats just getting there)..i want my car to have the most mph it can possibly get..the fact that the new tdi gets WAY less mpg than my GAS scion is not impressive at all…I thought that was the point in getting a TDI..what is the point now? i would rather buy one used

By: TDI Owner

TDI Owner — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 12:37:41 +0000

I had my 2010 TDI manual for three months. I had a 2000 Golf TDI before that.

My average in the city commuting is around 48mpg with a stint of 60.7 over a 100 miles trip. The old one would hover between 50 and 53mpg.

Pros:
Great handling
Radio with iPod/SD/bluetooth/Sat

Cons:
shallow trunk (!!)
few cheap details

I have not seen another one yet!! Am I the only one???

By: Peter

Peter — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 17:05:21 +0000

Picked up my 2010 Golf TDI Wagon mid January. I ordered my Golf wagon in November 2009 but waited til now to pick it up due to the lease expiry on my previous car.

Fantastic a car!!!! Fantastic torque!!!! Fantastic styling!!!!! Fantastic mileage!!!
I will never buy anything but VW from now on.

By: Kai

Kai — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:44:51 +0000

Since the manual Golf TDI does not seem to be available for the foreseeable future, as least in our area, we decided to buy the 2010 Jetta SportWagon instead, with a 6-speed manual of course. It drives like a Golf, and it has more cargo room, thus being more suited for longer trips with the family. We love to car! A little sad to see the BMW go, but not so sad to “give up” the high BMW maintenance cost!

Jim Y.: Regarding highway cruising speed, it is my understanding that the optimum cruising speed is around 65 mph. Take a look at the Top Gear ‘eco-challenge’ for some ‘inspiration’ from Richard Hammond.

By: Kham

Kham — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 02:37:49 +0000

I’m from Australia and I recently bought a Golf VI with the 2.0-litre 140 hp TDI and 6-speed manual. The car is absolutely awesome! It’s got loads of torque, excellent fuel economy and a superb interior for its class.