Multivan TDI versus V6 petrol

[gregozedobe]

Just wondering if the same applies to the Multivan. How will the TDI and V6 compare at passing a road train, when there is a car coming the other way?

I've done a lot of overtaking of road trains with my TDI (FWD, manual, usually approx 500Kg load). I'm impressed, it really gets up and boogies when you ask it to. If I want to get past quickly I change back to 4th and typically I'm doing 140+Kmh and backing off when I go past the cabin of the truck). If you leave it in 6th it still gets past easily, but not with quite the same "zing". Out on the highway you would have to class it on the "fast" side of overtakers rather than the slow side - it is very confidence inspiring.

I can't comment on the V6, as I haven't driven one.

How does the Multivan TDI go in a similar situation, ie pulling out of a corner in third? How high is maximum revs, and is it willing to rev?

The 124Kw TDI obviously pulls much better than the Navara at low revs. In 3rd gear mine starts to pull with some power at 1200rpm, by 1400 it is getting perky and by 1800 it is seriously accelerating. It starts to run out of power at 4000rpm, so I usually change by 4200. I remember my first test drive of a 124Kw TDI, I laughed out aloud at how well it accelarated in 3rd

The manual is not great off the mark, as 1st and 2nd are quite low geared (and easy to spin the wheels in the FWD version). So it goes harder than you would expect from its official 0-100 times once it is in 3rd (and higher gears.

The AWD version won't spin the wheels so much, but you are always carrying that extra weight and drag, so this will reduce the performance slightly and increase the fuel consumption (but if you are considering a petrol V6 then fuel consumption doesn't appear to be a big concern for you).

Another thing to remember is that the V6 will probably need (expensive) 98 octane petrol, while the TDI will need (expensive) diesel (and because it has a skinny filler pipe you can't easily fill up at the truck fuel pumps).

Hope that helps, but you need to drive both versions, as the engine characteristics are very different.

[Seano]

Personally, given the grief that has been associated with the T4s with the VR6 and an auto box........I wouldn't touch a T5 with that combination. Besides they are as rare in their home market as hens teeth let alone here....

...and for Hueys sake.....it's an auto box!!!

[rymi]

Thanks guys,

I will report back when I have test driven both (may not be for a while as I live in the country).

Ryan

[shogun2]

Go the TDI!
I've had mine for three years now, and couldn't be happier.
The Adelaide to Alice drive that Jets was mentioning is soooo easy in the TDI. It's better than driving a car because of the room and the diesel engine is a treat on the open road. I was getting somewhere near 8.5 l/100Kms cruising. The road trains were not a problem. As Greg was mentioning, when you're past them you are doing over 140K - seriously fast in a van, and stable as hell.
No problems about cabin noise either. Easy to have conversations with others when you are carrying the tribe. Even goes great on corrugated dirt roads - as long as you find the speed sweet spot. I've even had ours on the beach at Aldinga - had some strange stares when the whale is boogying through the soft sand.
I drove the petrol version when I wanted a demo, as they didn't have a diesel at that stage. But it was an auto, and I didn't like the way the auto seemed to hunt for a gear. So manual is the only option we would recommend.

[phaeton]

Having ridden in shogun2 (Rod's) MV I can agree with the TDIs quietness at freeway speeds.

[coastie]

I've driven both in a test drive situation, they both have good power but I only did a suburban drive around the streets on the Sunny Coast. I bought the TDI, but I was always going that way. I've passed road trains on a trip back from Victoria when it was 5 weeks old and the throttle felt like it had a second stage that kicked in and I was quickly up to 140+ before the head of the truck passed us.

There is a different note in the engine T5 vs V6 but my brother in laws Touareg is the V6 TDI and that note is different again from the petrol V6. Cabin noise was not something I picked up on as it was quiet compared to my old Discovery TDI (everything seems quiet).

The only test as mentioned before is to drive them back to back. My tests were about two months apart so not really a great comparison.

[Sharkie]

The only test as mentioned before is to drive them back to back. My tests were about two months apart so not really a great comparison.

Make sure by making an appointment that the dealer has both available to drive. Point out that you will be coming in from the country specially to test drive.... AND make sure the salesguy understands that you will walk away if he hasn't bothered to ensure availability.

I did this when I bought my car. The dealer failed to get what I wanted for the testdrive so when I showed up and he wasn't ready I went somewhere else. When he phoned up later to rebook I told him I purchased at another dealer. (which I did)

[rymi]

There is a different note in the engine T5 vs V6 but my brother in laws Touareg is the V6 TDI and that note is different again from the petrol V6. Cabin noise was not something I picked up on as it was quiet compared to my old Discovery TDI (everything seems quiet).

Coastie,

How does the performance and driving characteristics of your T5 TDI compare to your old Disco TDI (was was yours a series II TD5?) The Disco TD5 has a 2.5L 5 cylinder also, however it had only about 101 kw from memory.

[rymi]

Shogun2 (Rod),

Do the Adelaide VW dealers usually stock any Multivans?

I visit Adelaide periodically so might test drive 1 (or 2) next time I'm down.

Ryan

[Seano]

Coastie,

How does the performance and driving characteristics of your T5 TDI compare to your old Disco TDI (was was yours a series II TD5?) The Disco TD5 has a 2.5L 5 cylinder also, however it had only about 101 kw from memory.

Rymi....I used to drive a TD5 power Defender 130 for work whilst I also had my T4 TDi as well as a daily driver. Frankly, whilst the T4 gives away 25kw plus quite a few torques....it was still the better tourer engine. Where it lost out was low down in the rev range which is what you'd expect. However, there was never a time where I'd say to myself....I wish the T4 had this engine.

The same can not be said for the V6 TDi that lies under the bonnet of the current Disco......that thing is truly truly awesome. And in its twin turbo guise (in the Jagaur & Peugeot tourers).....sensational.

By the by I think the new Transporter/Multivan due next year might actually have the VW V6 TDi as one of the engines of choice....he says hopefully.