Mk7 Golf Wagon

[Dutch77]

This would almost certainly keep me in a VW next time around, but as Paul_R said its unlikely to make its way to our shores.

[agentthumb]

Hey guys, I'm hoping someone with a MY15 wagon can shed some light on this for me.

I just read in the brochure that the wagons have an automatic 2 stage luggage cover. How does it work? And is it really automatic? (Ie. Push button open close? Or just fancy words for spring loaded cover retractor?)

I test drove a MY14 wagon today and the luggage cover appears to be quite manual...


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[dero]

Been doing some looking over the weekend and considering the whole want vs need equation and trying to fall to an understanding of the differences that really would come and applying reality checks to things.

Basic premise would be a consideration of three wagon variants. R, GTD, 110TDI in R-Line pack spec.
For the R, the biggest would be that it's an R. Bigger more powerful engine, 4Motion and the awesome blue colour and R badges.
For a GTD, it'd be the diesel. Better economy than the R, not as great performance, high spec and slight body styling differences.

But here lies the twister for me. 110TDI in R-Line pack. I'd get a very similar body kit for nice looks, nice R line badges, the lowered suspension would also make for a better look as well. On top of that, there's the practical side of good fuel economy, decent in-town performance, would handle the odd drives in country trips well and the lowered suspension would also probably make for a better handling of the twisty stuff as well.

The 110TDI would be as close to the GTD as you can get without actually getting the GTD. What would the major differences be? GTD vs R Line badges, slight body trim differences, higher rated engine? (110 vs 137kW?) and is there much else? Reading the GTD debut articles, the acceleration is around 1 second quicker than the standard TDI engine. Understand some of the reasons why VAGAu isn't as interested in bringing a GTD here. Against the R, obviously there's the petrol vs diesel engine differences and relative fuel economy that comes from it.

Aside from that, in real practical terms of it being a car for a family with young kids, hauling the variety of associated kids' gubbins and then having a nice looking car for a practical daily commute to and from work each day, it'd really have to be the TDI with R-Line kit wouldn't it?

[agentthumb]

Aside from that, in real practical terms of it being a car for a family with young kids, hauling the variety of associated kids' gubbins and then having a nice looking car for a practical daily commute to and from work each day, it'd really have to be the TDI with R-Line kit wouldn't it?

I think you hit the nail in the head @dero. For me personally, the GTI, GTD and Rs are all over-kill. I mean sure, they are fun to drive, but at the end of the day, as you have said, you are buying a car for daily commute and to use as a family taxi. Me personally, I can't justify spending another 25k+ to go from a 103TSI to the R. The value proposition in a "performance premium" just doesn't add up for me.

I think you will do alright getting the TDI with R-Line kit. I test drove a TSI with R-Line last Friday and found the ride to be a bit harsh compared to the stock 103TSI, but that's just personal preference. The R-Line does look much sportier and I guess less boring.

We currently own a TDI hatch and was set on getting a TDI wagon. But having test driven the 103 TSI, have decided it's more cost effective in my case to get the petrol (60,000 km over 4 years). The petrol is also very quiet, even compared to the Camry Hybrid I have now!

The 320nm of torque in the TDI is hard to say goodbye to tho

[dero]

Thanks for the response agentthumb. Inspires a bit more self confidence when reading that others have similar thoughts/feelings towards considerations.

The value proposition is definitely one strong consideration towards a purchase of what ultimately is the family taxi as you put it (very apt description) but it shouldn't mean that because it's a family taxi that I shouldn't be able to enjoy the look, feel and emotions I am given in owning something.

I currently own a TDI Passat and I had it optioned to have the adaptive chassis control. It's quite a perceptible difference of feel between the Comfort/Normal/Sport suspension response settings. I call the Sport setting the kid-sleeper. Any time I want my son to fall asleep in the car, stick it into Sport mode and he's out like a light in 5 minutes.

From further reading this morning, it also seems that the boost in power between the TDI to GTD engine variants is an engine mapping so it's something of similarity which can be achieved after market even if the GTD isn't going to be coming to Australia.

I really enjoy the efficiency of the TDI from having the Passat and its something I have a preference of keeping going forward if possible. Not knocking the TSI - wife has the 90TSI hatch and I think it's a wonderful drive. Works for her because she's a really low mileage driver (~5000km so far over 2 years)

Still there's that other consideration that instead of getting a whole new car, if I can find the R-Line kit for the Passat, I should get that instead and it'd be a much cheaper visual and emotional improvement for what I already own!

[agentthumb]

The value proposition is definitely one strong consideration towards a purchase of what ultimately is the family taxi as you put it (very apt description) but it shouldn't mean that because it's a family taxi that I shouldn't be able to enjoy the look, feel and emotions I am given in owning something.

Agreed! But if the sporty element is high on the wishlist, and when you look at value proposition in the R-Line package vs. going to a R, the $2,200 they are asking for the R-Line is a no brainer. You'd have enough change left over to hire a Ferrari a couple of times a year over 4 years to sooth the need for speed so to speak

I currently own a TDI Passat and I had it optioned to have the adaptive chassis control. It's quite a perceptible difference of feel between the Comfort/Normal/Sport suspension response settings. I call the Sport setting the kid-sleeper. Any time I want my son to fall asleep in the car, stick it into Sport mode and he's out like a light in 5 minutes.

I've heard DCC works wonders with ride quality, but didn't think it was available as part of the R-Line package? (happy to be told I'm wrong) You get 15mm lowered suspension and 18" rims. The ride is a fair bit firmer, and I think the novelty would wear off very quickly in my daily commute to work.

I really enjoy the efficiency of the TDI from having the Passat and its something I have a preference of keeping going forward if possible. Not knocking the TSI - wife has the 90TSI hatch and I think it's a wonderful drive. Works for her because she's a really low mileage driver (~5000km so far over 2 years)

That was my decision to go to TSI. The 103TSI drives very well, is smooth and very quiet. The fuel economy is between TSI and TDI is quite comparable now, 0.5L/100km difference. Take into account 95RON is still cheaper than diesel, servicing the TSI with 7 speed DSG is way cheaper and then factoring in the initial outlay for a diesel, TSI was a no brainer for my situation. Granted I'm sacrificing a bit on the "fun" element, but I still had a blast flogging the TSI test car

Still there's that other consideration that instead of getting a whole new car, if I can find the R-Line kit for the Passat, I should get that instead and it'd be a much cheaper visual and emotional improvement for what I already own!

I think end of the day, depreciation and potential mechanical issues are not a concern for you, and there are nothing in the new car you "need" or want (come on now, don't lie ), then there is no reason not to hold onto what you have and improve it where you can Saves $$$ and improves on the status quo! It's a win After all, there's nothing more rewarding than driving around in something you had a part in building yourself

[dero]

Agreed! But if the sporty element is high on the wishlist, and when you look at value proposition in the R-Line package vs. going to a R, the $2,200 they are asking for the R-Line is a no brainer. You'd have enough change left over to hire a Ferrari a couple of times a year over 4 years to sooth the need for speed so to speak

Hmm.... Ferrari...

I've heard DCC works wonders with ride quality, but didn't think it was available as part of the R-Line package? (happy to be told I'm wrong) You get 15mm lowered suspension and 18" rims. The ride is a fair bit firmer, and I think the novelty would wear off very quickly in my daily commute to work.

From the read of things, internal changes for R-Line pack inclusion is the steering ratio changes. DCC isn't included and that would be a plus for maintaining ownership of what I have already. I'd be interested in figuring out if I could lower the springs by the 15-20mm for looks but I wonder what it would do to the ride and comfort levels and whether or not it would affect the tune/configuration/calibration of the DCC by altering the springs. This is diverging off a bit from the thread so I'll go find somewhere else to ask this question.

That was my decision to go to TSI. The 103TSI drives very well, is smooth and very quiet. The fuel economy is between TSI and TDI is quite comparable now, 0.5L/100km difference. Take into account 95RON is still cheaper than diesel, servicing the TSI with 7 speed DSG is way cheaper and then factoring in the initial outlay for a diesel, TSI was a no brainer for my situation. Granted I'm sacrificing a bit on the "fun" element, but I still had a blast flogging the TSI test car

I guess it depends on what you classify as your fun element. The big torque to drag anyone off the line in the TDI if I wanted to is fun. Though that said, the quick response high revving TSI is also great fun.

I think end of the day, depreciation and potential mechanical issues are not a concern for you, and there are nothing in the new car you "need" or want (come on now, don't lie ), then there is no reason not to hold onto what you have and improve it where you can Saves $$$ and improves on the status quo! It's a win After all, there's nothing more rewarding than driving around in something you had a part in building yourself

I might explore how I could upgrade my Passat a bit more before further consideration of making a fundamental change of the family taxi.

[random101]

Is this where we talk about the Golf R wagon?

[AdamD]

Is this where we talk about the Golf R wagon?

Yep, here (typically for wagon-specific convo) or Mk7 Golf R Discussion Thread for anything that's just about the Golf R in general.

[sillyboy]

.
From further reading this morning, it also seems that the boost in power between the TDI to GTD engine variants is an engine mapping so it's something of similarity which can be achieved after market even if the GTD isn't going to be coming to Australia.

That is not true, the 136kw GTD has stronger parts and internal to cope with the extra power, a mapped GTD can achieve better power than a mapped 110TDI, you might want to consider the Octavia RS Diesel in the absence of GTD Wagan/hatch in Aus, as it has the same engine and sits on the same platform(both MQBs).