The Motor Forum

Roadrunner · Posted: Fri Aug 21, 2009 7:13 pm Post subject: VW Golf 2.0 TDI 140 GT

The courtesy car while dibble's dent is sorted on the Mondeo. First impressions on a Mondeo / Golf comparison. The VW cabin is soooo much nicer than inside the Mondeo, not that that would be much of a challenge anyway. Nicer plastics (although still not as nice as I would like), nicer fabrics, better switchgear and a much more grown up look, compared to the Ford's 'trying too hard to be fashionable' styling. The 2.0 TDI engine will never fool you into thinking it is anything other than a 4-pot diesel when accelerating, but is almost silent when cruising and thankfully free from the Ford’s tractor-like vibrations at start up, idle and when switching off. With only 102 miles on the clock it is still tight, but goes well, gathering speed in a more progressive way than the Ford’s rather crude all or nothing power delivery. Pulling away is much easier in the VW, not having the Mondeo’s dreadful flat spot.

When it comes to road manners, the Mondeo is a clear winner. While the VW performs well, soaking up bumps without too much harshness, it never rides as well as the Ford, becoming quite unpleasantly choppy on B-roads. The VW’s steering is numb, compared to the talkative helm on the Ford and the whole car feels as if it would be more easily unsettled when pressing on really hard. I remember being greatly impressed by the Mondeo’s composure when first driving it and this comparison has only reinforced that.

So, a Golf with Mondeo suspension and steering would be a very fine car indeed.
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"Whatever is rightly done, however humble, is noble." Henry Royce

Martin · Posted: Fri Aug 21, 2009 8:20 pm Post subject:

Is it a new MKV1 or a MKV?

If it's a MKV, then based on my almost identical spec Jetta 2.0TDI Sport, I don't really disagree with anything you've said.

My build would be that there are areas of cheapness that are surprising (exterior door handles, door 'clang', tops of the door cards and some plastics), but overall it's nicer inside than a Focus or Astra. However, the Passat has much better materials and a more solid feel.

In terms of the driving experience, the engine felt quite tight and noisy at 600 miles, but now it's almost at 4,000, it's much smoother/quieter, more willing to rev and a lot quicker. The road and wind noise are a bit higher than I'm used to as well, but quieter than the MINI.

The steering and general stability are very disappointing. You really can't feel what's going on through the steering and it's too light. It also moves around too much at speed (85+), which is a shame as otherwise it would make a really good long distance car as the seats are comfortable and the engine is silent at motorway speeds (apart from a strange wooshing noise from the turbo)

My final complaint is the stella gearing, which means you need to change down more than you should, but I suppose the upside is the fantastic fuel economy, which means I can do 550-600 miles on a tank, which is great when you hate stopping for fuel as much as I do!

I've not driven a new Mondeo or Insignia unfortunately, but I would pay the little bit extra and get a Passat.
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DaveGibson · Posted: Fri Aug 21, 2009 9:35 pm Post subject:

Martin · Posted: Fri Aug 21, 2009 10:01 pm Post subject:

Probably!

Did I mean Interstellar??!!
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Roadrunner · Posted: Fri Aug 21, 2009 10:10 pm Post subject:

Martin · Posted: Fri Aug 21, 2009 10:50 pm Post subject:

Does it look like this?

If so, it's a MkV1
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Roadrunner · Posted: Sat Aug 22, 2009 10:48 am Post subject:

Yes, that's the one.
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"Whatever is rightly done, however humble, is noble." Henry Royce

Martin · Posted: Sat Aug 22, 2009 5:12 pm Post subject:

It doesn't sound like that have made much of an improvement then, as it sounds the same as the Jetta.
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scamper · Posted: Mon Aug 24, 2009 2:36 pm Post subject:

The new cabin is an improvement over the the mark 5, though.

Martin · Posted: Tue Aug 25, 2009 12:32 pm Post subject:

scamper · Posted: Tue Aug 25, 2009 2:03 pm Post subject:

Roadrunner · Posted: Tue Aug 25, 2009 3:32 pm Post subject:

I had a B-road blast to Chipping Campden this morning. The engine seems to becoming smoother as it runs in, but the ride is definitely more choppy than I would like. It does become quite unsettled when hurrying over the bumps, making me wish it were either firmer and less bouncy, or softer, with less jiggling.

There are some nasty hard plastics inside, particularly on the lower sections of the doors, but the interior quality is far superior to the Mondeo's.
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"Whatever is rightly done, however humble, is noble." Henry Royce

Martin · Posted: Tue Aug 25, 2009 4:37 pm Post subject:

Dr. Hfuhruhurr · Posted: Tue Aug 25, 2009 4:53 pm Post subject:

Does it have the electronic adjustable suspension?

Roadrunner · Posted: Tue Aug 25, 2009 5:51 pm Post subject:

No.
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"Whatever is rightly done, however humble, is noble." Henry Royce

scamper · Posted: Wed Aug 26, 2009 10:21 am Post subject:

Martin · Posted: Wed Aug 26, 2009 10:24 am Post subject:

You should take a look at the new Impreza. I don't know what yours is like (but you have been positive), but it has to be a million times better than the new one. Worst interior I've seen in quite a while.
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scamper · Posted: Wed Aug 26, 2009 11:11 am Post subject:

The problem with the (my) Impreza is not so much the quality of plastics, but the dash architecture - its very 1990's. The plastics themselves are generally ok, nothing special, but at least don't look as cheap as some in the mark 5 golf and are more durable. The fact nothing falls off or rattles adds to the solid feel.