2009 Golf 118TSI - dodged a bullet?

[rangefinder80]

I foolishly made an offer on a 2009 Golf 118TSI with the 7 speed DSG before reading these forums.


I just pulled out of the deal and lost my deposit which seems fair. But surely this is better than the alternative?


The car was immaculate and felt amazing while test driving...but I just can’t bear the thought of having to pay literally the price of the car or more on repairs if something goes wrong.


A learning curve I guess

[rangefinder80]

Would a 2011 Golf 103 TDI with 6 Speed DSG be a better option? I have seen one of these available in my local area. My budget is around 10k

[Lucas_R]

Would a 2011 Golf 103 TDI with 6 Speed DSG be a better option? I have seen one of these available in my local area. My budget is around 10k

Yes you most certainly dodged a bit bullet by avoiding the 118TSI, even if you did lose a deposit. The 103TDI with the 6 speed DSG is a much more robust and reliable combination, although diesels do not like short drives (stop/start city driving etc). So my advice would be to not get the 103TDI unless you regularly do 30+ minute drives on the motorway to let the diesel engine warm up properly and this will also allow the DPF (special filter in the exhaust on modern diesel cars) to do a clean off burn when required.

[rangefinder80]

Ok thank you for your reply. I feel a bit better about losing my deposit.

The car is primarily for longer trips on weekends out of town. I'm sure there'll be a few infrequent short trips (maybe once a week), but I live in an area where nearly everything is accessible on foot. It will spend a good chunk of the week just parked. Is a diesel suitable for this?

[VW Convert]

I foolishly made an offer on a 2009 Golf 118TSI with the 7 speed DSG before reading these forums.


I just pulled out of the deal and lost my deposit which seems fair. But surely this is better than the alternative?


The car was immaculate and felt amazing while test driving...but I just can’t bear the thought of having to pay literally the price of the car or more on repairs if something goes wrong.


A learning curve I guess

Dodged a bullet? Two actually, twincharger and DQ200!

[Lucas_R]

Ok thank you for your reply. I feel a bit better about losing my deposit.

The car is primarily for longer trips on weekends out of town. I'm sure there'll be a few infrequent short trips (maybe once a week), but I live in an area where nearly everything is accessible on foot. It will spend a good chunk of the week just parked. Is a diesel suitable for this?

In this scenario a diesel will be fine. Its just if you did a lot of short drives then i would not recommend a modern diesel.

But for the occasional city drive, mixed with longer trips on weekends a diesel will be fine and you can enjoy the torque of the diesel engine and great fuel economy.

[The_Hawk]

I keep saying the same thing... they are a beautiful engine right up until they aren't. But yeah, not going there is the best choice. I hope it wasn't too bad of a hit.

I think the diesel is a cracking buy, great power and economy as long as you're giving it a decent run and not just going to and from the local shops. Otherwise the GTIs are coming down in price and get close to your budget, although on the low end they are usually older models with high km.... although looking at the options, most things seem to be in the mid 100,000 range anyway with a few options under 100,000. In all cases it's worth checking the service history and what the next one on the agenda is going to be.

[vorleys1982]

I foolishly made an offer on a 2009 Golf 118TSI with the 7 speed DSG before reading these forums.


I just pulled out of the deal and lost my deposit which seems fair. But surely this is better than the alternative?


The car was immaculate and felt amazing while test driving...but I just can’t bear the thought of having to pay literally the price of the car or more on repairs if something goes wrong.


A learning curve I guess

I personally think you have made the right decision. Did you lose very much? The other thing with that particular car is that the DSG gearbox was also a massive lemon in this era as well so you would have had double the misery. Whatever you may have lost deposit wise I would suggest that it was a lot less than it would have cost you long term...

[Shafs]

well, I was just looking at a 2010 golf tsi118 wagon with a full-service history. And it's walk away time! Is there an mk6 that are worth buying ?

[Sharkie]

well, I was just looking at a 2010 golf tsi118 wagon with a full-service history. And it's walk away time! Is there an mk6 that are worth buying ?

Depends on you budget really. MK6 R, MK6 GTI and MK6 TDI are all viable options, with the best really the R or the TDI (GTI of some years can have timing chain/belt issues). Stay away from anything with a the 1.4twincharge or the 7 speed DSG.