Mk7 Golf TSI & TDI - Observations and Questions

[brad]

Is 44000 km out of the tyres OK? Mine are the Continetals that came with the car and look like needing replacement. Any recomendations about replacvement tyres that (a) aren't too expensive, (b) have decent grip, and (c) good durability? Or shall I just look for a unicorn?!

44k is around the money although tyre life is very much dependent on driving style, tyre pressure & conditions.

What do you call "not too expensive" and do you expect more km than the 44k you got from the Continentals?

More precisely , what size tyre are you running?

[LongValley]

My Mk VI 2.0 tdi is on its third set of tyres, still plenty of rubber before the TWIs.
Oh, did I mention its done 180,000km?

[Arturo]

Thanks for that, Brad. Subjectivity is the killer!

Doing some googling, it seems 45K is ok - some people were saying some tyres were giving them 20-30000km.

Price: looking at up to $125?

and "standard" Golf 92: 195/65 15

[brad]

Thanks for that, Brad. Subjectivity is the killer!

Doing some googling, it seems 45K is ok - some people were saying some tyres were giving them 20-30000km.

Price: looking at up to $125?

and "standard" Golf 92: 195/65 15

Continentals (various patterns available - ComfortContact, EcoContact, PremiumContact) will run about $99-$110.

You can get Toyo NanoEnergy3 for ~$90 (fitted some to GFs Mazda the other week - they seem OK for the money - She does 8,000km/pa so wear rate isn't an issue).

My pick would be Michelin XM2. You'll get awesome mileage out of them & I had the previous model Energy on an Avensis Verso & they stuck like poo on your shoe. About $120 each.

That's Tempe Tyre prices. Bob Jane & some of the others will price match if asked.

[gregozedobe]

Why not just keep your Mk VI ? By far the cheapest option, and if it is a good'un you should get lots more Kms out of it.

[Sharkie]

The 110TSI is right up there with the TDI in real world fuel consumption. I have never been able to come close to claimed consumption figures driving a TDI. 10l+/100km in town (given my driving style) has always been the case for me .... on our new 110TSI I am now actually able to do city driving in the low 6l/100km range driving exactly as I always do. Only 600km in and it has been amazing to be honest. The MFD says I'll do 800km on its first full tank! Big contrast to the Mustang that does almost 18l/100km and 300km on a tank .....

[Arturo]

Can anyone tell me what sets the driver fatigue alert off?

I have logged 60000km in my Golf and have never set the alert off. My wife did it first time she drove it and has done so several times since. In fact virtually every time she's driven it which isn't often and usually when we do road trips. This really annoys her because I think she thinks she is the better driver.

I thought that maybe she's a bit twitchier than I am. But when I googled it, I found an explanation that seemed to say she made less movements.

Can anyone help explain?

[Rooboy]

The VW video explains the parameters it uses and that it only works over 65 km/h

[Arturo]

Thanks for that. I also googled and came up with this explanation:

“When you drive, the steering wheel is usually moved a little, not only when steering. A tired driver stops doing this movement. These pauses are noticed by the system and when it happens frequently, the assistant triggers the coffee cup warning.”

I thought it was because my wife was twitchier but it could also be she's not as "smooth" a driver as me and, so,maybe she over-corrects and this is the reason the fatigue alert pops up?

[Blustone]

I bought a brand new 2012 Bluemotion Golf 77TDI.
It died last February with 220,000 kms
I was told by the wrecker who bought for $300 that they all do this around that many kms due to the "plastic" inlet manifold collapsing.
Not to sure about that engineering decision! but hope this is a warning to many.
I bought the TDI to save on fuel cost, over 220,000kms thats about $65 per 1,00kms over my last petrol car for a total fuel saving of about $14,000
Im not sure what I would have sold it for with this many kms but Im not convinced on Diesel as a money saver.
I have gone back to a petrol car.