Comments on: 2008 Volkswagen Golf GT Sport TSI vs TDI review

By: Fenix Tour Players

Fenix Tour Players — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 21:36:55 +0000

Generally I don’t read post on blogs, but I would like to say that this write-up very compelled me to take a look at and do it! Your writing taste has been surprised me. Thanks, very nice post.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 02:33:21 +0000

I have recently signed up to purchase a manual 2008 GT TDI Golf with 25ks on the clock and 18 months of manufacturer’s warranty. I have a VR6 which I am really happy with but need to upgrade. I have tested an R32 DSG (awesome) and a GTI which were both impressive, however I’m hooked on the TD red-eye and should be taking delivery of the fully optioned next week. I have one question. “Are there any vibrations evident from engine to clutch?” At the point of depression of the clutch there is a noticeable vibration (short wave – not a shudder) felt at the clutch pedal. This disappears when the pedal is depressed and is not apparent when the clutch is let out until the last 10% of travel.
Any comments here – apart from ‘dont ride the clutch!’

By: triode12

triode12 — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 15:10:38 +0000

I purchased an 07 TSI DSG GT (not GT Sport) a couple of weeks ago with 14500Kms on the Odo. And in that time I have covered 3500kms in the car on a trip to Melbourne and back.

Not once have I encountered the following: “‘box tends to shunt and clunk a little, not to mention the indecisive changes which go along with it.”

As a matter of fact, it has been smooth as. Gear changes have been seamless, as has been the handover between the supercharger and turbo. You can hardly hear the supercharger working or the turbo blow off. As a matter of fact, it was only yesterday that I noticed the faint whine of the SC and only bec I was in a very quiet street with the windows down and the radio turned off.

The dash sizzles occasionally and there is a rattle in out of the aircon outlets when the car is driven on rough roads. But on good bitumen, the car is near silent. NVH levels are pretty decent.

I’ve easily overtaken larger cars and 18 wheelers with ease in the GT. There is a little amount of lag from stand still but after that there is heaps of torque and acceleration is smooth through the gears. I’ve blown past many a surprised motorist (doing a double take) in their falcdores with the GT sporting a big grin on my face.

The ride is a lot more comfortable compared to my Pirelli GTI and not as grippy round the corners. Nothing a suspension and tyre change will sort out. But the GT has been setup for long distance comfort which it excels in.

Fuel economy has been fantastic for long distance driving – the GT truly lives up to it’s name, averaging 700-750 kms (7.4km/100) on a single tank mostly highway driving (filling up before the low fuel light had even come on) and not driving like an old lady. Two people in the car with a full boot.

However, it doesn’t do as well in the city, averaging about 600-650 kms per tank which is slightly better than average. But I do fang it a bit.

All in all, I am very satisfied with my purchase. It has torque throughout it’s rev range which is great for quick overtaking, fuel economy is amazing for a car this size. It is however not as nimble as I would have liked -probably because of the way the suspension has been setup (comfort).

By: S

Mon, 28 Dec 2009 17:01:21 +0000

i have a 2007 gt tsi, and done around 64,000kms. if you push this car hard, better be careful, i have already blown up my turbo twice. ofcourse they replaced it under the warranty. what’s up with rev limiter they are supposed to have ????
and also its a terrible car to drive with load or say another couple of poeple in the car.
excelled fuel economy, even when i push it i get about 8/100
bad suspension, and sunroof leaking
otherwise a good car

By: michael

michael — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 08:52:51 +0000

? worth upgrading to tdi 6 from 5( 103KW)

By: TSI17

TSI17 — Fri, 01 May 2009 01:28:31 +0000

“In TSI form, the ‘box tends to shunt and clunk a little, not to mention the indecisive changes which go along with it. However in TDI, the grunty bottom end glosses over these imperfections, meaning smoother changes, and a more liveable daily drive.”

Hi,

can you please describe me more detailed why is TSI and DSG not such a good option?

Thank you.

By: Golfschwein

Golfschwein — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 14:40:03 +0000

Eeek, Rob! Makes me happy for my 1.9′s 15″ alloys that only needed $149 Michelin Energy XM1+s.

By: Rob

Rob — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 04:36:52 +0000

I have now done 44000 K’s in my 11 month old GT TDI apart from a minor glitch, fixed under warranty, I have had no issues.
Not sure why the current series are considered inferior either.
Economy is unbelievable on my trips, 900 – 950 per tank avg. but almost 1100 from I run.
Tyre wear is OK, still running originals, but anybody got ideas on a suitable tyre replacement that doesn’t cost $550 per tyre?

By: Adam

Adam — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 05:13:05 +0000

Cheers Golfschwein, just the encouragement I need, now that drive away deals are being splashed around in the event of the new series coming out, things are looking better from a $ perspective too

By: Golfschwein

Golfschwein — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 23:48:20 +0000

No bad news, Adam. Brake rotors, maybe? My front ones have been wobbly since 25,000 kms, but my original brake components are still hanging in there at 60,000 kms.

It depends how you drive it. I follow some drivers over a kilometre stretch where they dab the brakes for no reason seven or eight times. They’re the ones who deserve their 30,000 kilometre rotor replacements.

The job will cost between $750 and $900 using quality non-original gear.

I had a minor engine management glitch fixed under warranty and might ask them to look at the trip computer cluster whose numerals’ bottom edges are fading, at the next service that’s due right now.

And that’s it. Go get one.