Looking at diesel's (mainly Golf's)

dean_ham · 19 May 2008 at 18:17

Hi guys looking at getting a diesel, leaning towards the golf more than anything.

Here is my criteria....

- Must be 4 years old or under
- Lower the milleage the better
- Dont want to spend no more than £9000
- Must be able to do 50-60mpg easily.

Anything you can recommend off the top of your head?

Looking at the differences between a 2.0 GT TDI and a 2.0 S SDI, the difference in performance is massive (9sec to 60 compared to 16sec) but both got the same fuel economy.... how come is this?

MarkDavis · 19 May 2008 at 18:25

Avoid the SDI like the plague. It's 80bhp or something ridiculous like that and is one of VW's rehashed old tech diesel engines that they only use to keep the overall cost of the car down. The 2.0 TDI is VW's current common rail direct injection engine. Pretty thrusty. Only downside is the rattle at idle which doesn't go away even when the engine is warm. Neither car will be able to do 50-60mpg "easily". The SDi is so awfully slow, that you'd have to hate cars to do mega mileages in one of those. As for the 2.0TDi, I got an average of 35mpg when I was absolutely ragging it from Yorkshire to the Midlands. On a more gentle run it was about 42-45mpg. If you drive like a grandad and stick to 70mph on the motorway, I'm sure you'll probably average about 50mpg.

Provided you avoid the underpowered engines and the oversized wheels, the Mk5 Golf is a really well balanced package. For £9,000 I'd seriously consider the GT TDi with the DSG box. Probably one of the best diesel hatches out there.

NickXX · 19 May 2008 at 18:26

Don't consider the SDI - it's woefully underpowered, lacks a turbo and as you say is no more economical.

dean_ham · 19 May 2008 at 18:27

MarkDavis said:
Avoid the SDI like the plague. It's 80bhp or something ridiculous like that and is one of VW's rehashed old tech diesel engines that they only use to keep the overall cost of the car down. The 2.0 TDI is VW's current common rail direct injection engine. Pretty thrusty. Only downside is the rattle at idle which doesn't go away even when the engine is warm.

For £9,000 I'd seriously consider the GT TDi with the DSG box.

Struggling to find any GT TDi's anywhere near £9k for a 3 year old 40k example. They are asking more like £11k

DannyW · 19 May 2008 at 18:27

aviod SDI as said

had a passat for a month with the 2.0 tdi sounded horrid but performance was great considering such a big car although the mpg was pretty poor tbh.. should be much better in the lighter golf

Fr0dders · 19 May 2008 at 18:29

dean_ham said:
Struggling to find any GT TDi's anywhere near £9k for a 3 year old 40k example. They are asking more like £11k

well save a bit longer then. or compromise on age/mileage

because just like you, the rest of britain is going "omg no" and going diesel because they're car tax has gone up £70 a year.

So diesels are commanding a premium, especially VWs which have always held their value well.

MarkDavis · 19 May 2008 at 18:39

dean_ham said:
Struggling to find any GT TDi's anywhere near £9k for a 3 year old 40k example. They are asking more like £11k

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-u...&model=GOLF&min_pr=&max_pr=&max_mileage=40000

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-u...&model=GOLF&min_pr=&max_pr=&max_mileage=40000

I'm sure they'll be loads more. Incidentally the second one can't be 170bhp. Think it would have been 142bhp (or thereabouts) for that model year (unless he's remapped it). Have a look on PH as well.

dean_ham · 19 May 2008 at 19:01

MarkDavis said:
http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-u...&model=GOLF&min_pr=&max_pr=&max_mileage=40000

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-u...&model=GOLF&min_pr=&max_pr=&max_mileage=40000

I'm sure they'll be loads more. Incidentally the second one can't be 170bhp. Think it would have been 142bhp (or thereabouts) for that model year (unless he's remapped it). Have a look on PH as well.

Yea not bad not bad, didnt find them as im looking at 200mile radius of cardiff area...

Or will i be tempted to go down this route

NO HOTLINKING

2004 SEAT LEON 1.9 TDi 150 Cupra 5dr
Manual, 40,000 miles, Red. 3x3 point rear seat belts, ABS, Alarm, Alloy wheels, Body coloured bumpers, Central locking.air con 150 bhp high end i pod sound system upgrade. great condition. £8,495.

Try and knock it down to £8k that would be a great buy....

decisions decisions

[TW]Fox · 19 May 2008 at 20:47

£8500 for a 4 year old Seat diesel? You need your head checking if you consider that.

[TR]SweetSpotOz · 19 May 2008 at 21:06

BeatMaster · 19 May 2008 at 21:15

markyp23 said:
I have a 1.9TDI and you will not see 50-60mpg easily. This is the lowest size TDI engine I think too so it's not looking hopeful. I get around 40mpg.

I drive a Skoda Fabia vRS and I see 48-55mpg regularly with varied runs so can be achieved you just got to be a bit more sensible

Incidentatly I got my vRS for £5200, 3 years old albeit having done 90,000 miles but serviced every 10k miles

Personally I wouldn't be put off by a high mileage on a diesel as long as they've been looked after.

MarkDavis · 19 May 2008 at 21:20

BeatMaster said:
I drive a Skoda Fabia vRS and I see 48-55mpg regularly with varied runs so can be achieved you just got to be a bit more sensible

Don't forget that the Fabia is a lighter car for start, and that it also uses the older, less refined, less powerful but slightly more economical 1.9 engine.

BeatMaster said:
Personally I wouldn't be put off by a high mileage on a diesel as long as they've been looked after.

Piezo injectors on the VAG common rail diesel units aren't exactly the cheapest thing to replace.....though admittedly you are looking at 120k+.