Ask It: 2010 Volkswagen Golf TDI

Would you describe the throttle response as any different from the old Pumpe-Düse 1.9 TDI? While I love me some TDI, I do remember the occasional peaky torque surprise at particular points in the rev band; especially fun for the uninitiated. Even though it wouldn't keep me from buying one, I'm still curious.

How does the rear seat room/hatch space compare to the Jetta Sportwagen? Tough choice!

Since you are on snow during your test period, what kind of tires are on the car? (all-weather or real snow) Pls report on ease of starting, any fuel gel issues?

Do you have winter tires on it?

If this gets the same mileage as the Jetta TDI sedan and wagon, why by the Golf? ps and what is the real world mileage?

Will VW allow biodiesel conversions while also honoring the warranty?

My wife's 2000 diesel Bug is going strong at 200,000 relatively trouble free miles. From driving a new TDI demo, this engine seems a whole lot stronger (Ve haff vays of making you torque.) Any guess on whether this baby will be going strong in ten years?

My 2000 NB TDI with 273k miles is still running strong. tNo rust anywhere, and the 5 speed transmission is trouble free. Turbo and A/C all original. Only the radio has some problems, and one power window mechanism. But these are minor. My next vehicle will be an Audi Q7 TDI which will last me the rest of my life.

How well does the heater/defroster work in a Michigan winter? "Canadian Driver" claims that the car is very chilly cruising on the highway, do you find this to be true?

Chilly in Canada? You know the windows can close!

Does the TDI really have the same suspension as the GTI? Is it as much fun to drive as the GTI? Is there any other cars that are more fun to drive than the GTI/TDI with the same comfort level, ride, utility and decent mpg (I'm talking daily driver here)?

PCRO, if you go to the VW web page, for each car under 'Complete Spec' you will find that both the Golf and the Wagon share the same platform, the wagon is 14 inch longer, but the price difference is about $1,300 more. It just depend if you need to park in a city (easy to find parking spot) or travel (larger trunk). Wheelbase 101.5 in (2,578 mm) - Golf and Wagen Length 165.4 in (4,201 mm) - Golf Length 179.4 in (4,556 mm) - Wagen http://www.vw.com/golf/completespecs/en/us/#dimensions http://www.vw.com/jettasportwagen/completespecs/en/us/#dimensions

It seems there are limited numbers of the vehicles available. I was looking to purchase one and the dealer was sort of befuddled about getting one " it could take 6 months". I'll keep my 06 GTI and enjoy the ride and decent gas mileage. VWoA seems out of touch what the real VW OWNERS, why is it? No Scirroco, no POLO, maybe no UP,etc

I've got a 2006 Jetta TDI and love it--in 46K miles, have averaged 43-46 mpg on the freeway (65 mph), and about 34 mpg around town. But my warranty is very specific about NOT honoring the warranty if bio-diesel fuel is used. Bummer....

To run BIODIESEL there is NO modification needed to any part of the car. Biodiesel is an exact, and superior, fuel as Dino-diesel and when it is made properly the fuel system will not know the difference. The Biodiesel will, however, gain you power and a little bit of economy overall. Biodiesel is NOT to Diesel as Ethanol is to Gasoline. There are many places around the nation to buy 100% Biodiesel, maybe not in Dec-Feb up north, but many stations carry a B20-B100 option and running that will in no way hurt or affect your warenty. In fact, here in MN we have a state Minimum of 10% Biodiesel in all of our diesel fuel. I think what you are referring to is Waste Vegetable Oil, or WVO, and this fuel always requires modifications as it is a raw oil source and has not been treated or 'turned into' Biodiesel.

When can I get one! It came out in the fall and there are hardly any in the U.S.

You are very much correct (Stuart Raimer Smith) to suggest I was inquiring about WVO, improperly referring to it as biodiesel. I need to get that terminology straight and I appreciate the clarification. I was definitely referring to waste vegetable oil (WVO) / straight vegetable oil (SVO). That said, my question still stands. Are the modifications required to run WVO/SVO mods that would impact my warranty (I'm assuming yes, but wondering if anyone has heard otherwise). I suppose I could always give VW a call. But since there is a forum for discussing the Gold TDI, I thought I'd throw it out there.

My problem w/all VW products has been build-quality and dealer support (mostly lack of!!). I decided to never buy another VW (and I haven't) after an awful experience. Parts fell off, parts didn't work, the dealer made em worse and this was an under warranty GTI . I finally wound-up taking the dealers Audi and refusing to return it until the dealer said it was ok and then promptly selling it. mI now have afriend who tells me their new "new" bug is the worst car they have ever owned. Build quality and dealer are terrible. So what has changed?

Should've gotten the DKG automatic...always get an autobox with a CDI engine... Bet you're sorry you didn't

I drive a 2002 VW Beetle diesel (46 mpg) and think its a great car. I could use the room of a Golf and like to ski. Give us a lot of info on driving in ice and snow and compare the Golf to similar makes, domestic and abroad. Thanks!

I have the 09 JSW TDI and it is smooth as silk. There isn't much not to like about the car. My only wish is that VW/Audi would see fit to pair it with Quattro. I have snow tires on it...live in PA...but it could use Quattro/4-Motion. I also own a TT QC and that thing is an absolute tank in the winter with snow tires and Quattro. There is no stopping it! I wish the JSW was offered with the same.

I get 40+ hwy with my JSW. 38 commuter travel.

Which is better, this or a used 2004 R32 with snow tires?

I have a 2009 TDI Sportwagen - it's a great car. To answer your question, you will void the warranty if you run 100% biodiesel. I believe the warranty allows 5% bio to petro-diesel. But not 100% bio.

Yes & yes. My sister in law has the GTI- my TDI has the same big brakes, same big anti-roll bars, very similar grin factor, but with incredible mileage. The machine is brilliant. Ray W (09 TDI Sportwagen)

Back to the earlier posts on using bio-diesel or bio-diesel blends - the latest VW/Audi TDI engines are fitted with diesel particulate filters [DPF] and these are very prone to clogging with carbon particulates if blended diesel with more than 5% bio-diesel is used. The engine management system apparently cannot check the type of fuel in the tank and recalibrate the settings to allow for the different combustion characteristics of pure bio-diesel/bio-diesel blends. The latest TDI engines are very fuel-efficient as a consequence of the precise control of fuel injection into each cylinder and soot generation is largely eliminated - stop/start city driving is worst for soot generation.. Here in Australia, I am aware of one instance in my region where a TDI owner used bio-diesel in a MY09 TDI and ruined the DPF filter - VW refused warranty replacement citing the use of bio-diesel [virgin bio not reclaimed vegetable oil] contrary to their fuel specification [5% max bio-diesel]. We have a MY09 Eos TDI and it is an outstanding vehicle - the only time you are aware it is a diesel is when you open the fuel cap every 1000Km [625 miles] to refuel.

I generally like and always chose manual transmissions, but hands down (i never thought I would say this) the TDI works much better with the DSG transmision, which is actually a "manual" transmission without a clutch. Definately no slushbox. It shifts exactly where it should to make the best use and enjoyment of the TDI .

I think (hope) there may be a difference in build quality between VWs assembled in Germany (GTI, Golf TDI) and those assembled in Mexico - I also had a very disappointing experience with an '04 Beetle.

Thanks for the info, 1fasttt. I agree about more options being better. They seem to force U.S. customers to uption-up for thing like AWD when it's even available. I remember being amazed & then dissapointed upon learning how many choices the Euro market has with these cars. Pricing a Golf/Jetta in the UK? You'll have to choose from one of nine engines. NINE! Granted, many of them are puny but choice is still the point. I remember seeing MkIV Golf wagons & MkIV Bora/Jetta wagons in Germany years ago. The only discernable difference being the front clip. You could get them w/ 1.6L, 1.8T, 2.0L, 2.3VR5, 2.8VR6 gas engines and 1.6L & 1.9L diesels; those are just the ones I can remember. Some were even AWD/4Motion. Choice indeed.

Interesting. Of course, in response to Stuart Raimer Smith, I posted that I was actually inquring about straight vegetable oil (SVO), not biodiesel. Though, I'm glad I inadvertently asked about biodiesel, because it seems the VW owners here (including silvershadow... see further down the page and JoeCamaro) disagree with Stuart Raimer Smith. Stuart Raimer Smith claims the car (though, he seems to be speaking broadly, not specifically about the VW Golf TDI) won't know the difference between petrol diesel and biodiesel. JoeCamaro above and silvershadow below disagree, suggesting that VW owners will void their warranty if using diesel with great than 5% biodiesel --- and silvershadow claims to know of an instance where someone in Australia ran a 2009 TDI (specific model not specified) on biodiesel and ruined the diesel particulate filter (DPF), for which VW refused warranty replacement. So, there seems to be disagreement here. Who is telling the truth?!

However, there have already been 2 recalls of the DSG with this tdi engine and I've read that service on it is very pricy. I think I'll stick with a "bulletproof" manual and save myself money and potential headaches Bob

I have a 2010 Gold TDI with DSG. I did lost of research and have heard that the early DSG woes have been corrected. I am a big fan of manual transmissions, but this is the first auto that I can honestly say is better than the manual and perfectly matched to the drivetrain. The tdi does not need to be wound under any conditions - 2K shift points are perfect. Even if you want to flog the car and use the paddle shifters, you can short shift at 3K and the DSG bangs those shifts lightning quick and the car moves. Also if going downhill and lifting the DSG will shift down quickly and you get real engine braking (the car behaves like a manual). I ordered the DSG for the wife and my 17 year old son, but after using this car for 4,000 miles, I am glad I did. It makes for a serene driving experience. 33.5mpg average since new - mix of highway/local with few long trips. My high mark was on a 100 mile roundtrip highway trip at 50.5 mpg. This in cold weather (upstate NY) and on a tight motor.

After a good overnight cold soak, is the interior slow to heat up? I have heard it can be as long as 15 minutes of driving before a TDI will begin to blow hot air.

I believe VW is purposely holding off on 4Motion for the simple reason that it eats into the fuel mileage. They need to show every mpg they can to battle with the hybrids. Maybe once the TDI gets a foothold VW will 4Motion.

Hence, VW's refusal to replace the DPF. Note that my point was in reference to the VW warranty, not the ability of the engine to run trouble-free on SVO. My gut feeling is that VW wants to avoid issues with customers using SVO manufactured without "stricter" quality control practiced by a petroleum company (versus a food manufacturer producing SVO for other than fuel use).

Do lots of research before puring WVO or BioDiesel in the tank. I've read there are some elements of the fuel system that will not take kindly to the extra particulates.

Tires: Continental ContiProContact 225/45R/17 Good all-seasons, not real snows. We were actually driving around over a fair selection of snow-covered roads yesterday, and didn't run into any problems bigger than some front wheel slippage here and there. As you'd expect, these don't bite as hard as dedicated snow tires.

I'd bet a fair sum that the answer is "no" but I'm not sure. I'll see what I can find out from VW PR and report back.

Good point. If something goes hincky with my TDI and VW blames the fuel, I'll point my finger at Shell and Sunoco.

I've had two MkIV TDI Jettas, and we currently have an '09 TDI Jetta and a '10 TDI Golf. Diesel engines are more efficient than their gas counterparts, so they make less waste (heat). That means that they do take longer to heat up in the winter than gassers. We have heated seats in both of our current TDIs, and they really make this a non-issue. The heated seats in the Jetta are pretty good. The heated seats in the Golf are amazing. They heat up really quickly and get plenty hot. I was almost to work today when I was wondering why my feet were cold. I realized that I'd forgotten to turn the the heat on, but I was plenty comfortable otherwise. The Golf is sportier than the Jetta. It is a bit lower, with a considerably tighter suspension. The cloth seats and the Mk6 interior in the '10 Golf (White MFD, touch-screen stereo, etc) are quite a bit nicer than the leatherette and the other standard features in the '09 Jetta.

I haven't been able to catch a Golf TDI on the dealer lot so far this year . They sell them before I see them in their inventory. Talked with one of the dealers at the Houston Auto Show and sounded like VWoA would only get 2500 allocated to US in 2010 so they will most likely be pretty scarce all year.Texan

I still like not having to service a manual transmission. I'm currently on the brink of ordering a Golf TDI (as soon as the raise I've been promised comes through), but my '03 Pontiac Vibe with 148k miles still shifts like the day I bought it (new). I also got over 130k miles out of the original clutch of my manual '93 Plymouth Sundance. It may still be working fine, but I wrecked the car (then bought the Vibe). The other thing I've found in the several times I've driven a "manumatic" is that I forget to shift when in manual mode. I NEVER forget in an actual manual, but in the auto I find myself wondering why the engine is spooling up so high, then go "Doh!" and dopeslap myself. The VW sales guy said he has a buddy who went from a manual to a DSG TDI and did the same thing. On a related question, it appears from your post that the DSG DOES come with paddle shifters? I know the Jetta TDI doesn't. I've only driven the Jetta - my dealer doesn't have any Golf TDI's in stock, but I've been unable to tell for sure from photos I've seen of the interior and the specs on vw.com don't mention paddle shifters. One final note - even if I didn't want the TDI over the GTI for the efficiency, it would be worth getting the TDI just so I didn't have to sit on those atrocious plaid seats in the TDI. I notice vw.com doesn't even show the plaid interior on their GTI 360 view page - only the black leather. I wonder why... ;)

Oops, I meant the plaid in the GTI. Doh!

Well that explains the scarcity of the VWtdi. Why would they hype the car and send only 2500? I guess they want to whet our appetite and see if the USA really wants diesels. Thanks for the response.

Okay, that's what I thought, thanks. I can't use a car that doesn't blow hot air. That was my '65 Corvair. I need a clear windshield.

Hi Tom I've been driving my '10 Golf in norwegian winther wether, well bellow 0 Celcius, since mid December. I can confirm that heating up the engine some times will take more than 15 minutes, depending on driving conditions. Despite that, a clear windshield has never been a problem. The Golf Vl is a superb car. 140 BHP diesel in conection with DSG and adaptive suspension makes a perfect drive for that kind of car. I will also recomand Bi-Xenon light and uppgraded radio/speakers if you value that.

I'm really interested in a Golf TDI, but I've heard from several different sources that typically the cabin heating systems are pretty weak in diesel cars since the engines just never really get that hot. Is this true? I understand that in Canada the Golf TDI actually gets an extra electrical heater to help the car heat up faster, but that US bound Golfs don't get this. I'm from Michigan, so I need a strong heater in a car, the hotter the better.

Robert, Based on the answers, it is really starting to become clear that the heaters aren't that great in a TDI. Seat heaters are no substitute for a strong fan and lots of hot air. If VW wanted to remove the issue, they could use electric heat and a resistance glass defroster in the windshield. Probably a cost issue. It sounds like a lot of people have just grown accustomed to it. However, I am used to having warm air in under 2 minutes and hot air in 4 minutes in my Accord. Hard to give that up. Can anyone offer another view on the TDI in winter? Tom

For what it's worth, I live in West Michigan. As I said above, the cars take a bit longer to warm up than their gas counterparts. However, once up to temp they definitely blow hot air. It's a non-issue for me. If you're worried about it, go to a dealership and test drive one on a cold day...

I've got the '09 TDI Sportwagen. The past couple of weeks here in the mid-Atlantic have been very cold. I only drive 7 miles to the subway, and by that time (about 10 minutes), the heater is blowing hot air. In fact, I have to keep the heat on the lower end of the temperature scale because the cart gets too hot. It's true that it does not warm up as quickly as a gas engine - my '06 MX-5 blows hot air after maybe 5 minutes. But the heated seats in the TDI make it a much more endurable experience when the heater isn't warmed-up.

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I just traded a 2006 jetta TDI for the newer 2009 clean diesel and for some reason this car interior warms very quickly. The 06 took until the engine got up to 190 dgrees while this one is blowing warm and even hot air when the engine is running about 5 minutes. I think it has an extra heater.

Does anyone know if the Golf TDI (or the GTI) is rated for towing? If so, I surmise the limit would be on the order of 1,500lbs max (which is not a problem as I intend only about half that). Also, how would a DSG equipped vehicle take to towing? Thanks in advance.