Golf SE 2.0 TDI 140 - Initial thoughts

[Hotspur]

Well I collected my Golf this afternoon and have driven about 15 miles in it so far! Pictures have been posted separately.

It's a standard car in Deep Black Pearl and my first thoughts are;

Black was the right colour for me. The pics don't do it justice. When I went to collect the car it was next to a Graphite Blue one and to my eyes looked the business. The Graphite Blue looked pretty good as well!

The alloys aren't as shiny as expected so are understated but look better than I remembered from the ones on the showroom car.

The new 2.0 TDI is smooth and quieter than the 2.0 in my Mk5 GT TDI. The wheel and tyre size combination is the same as the Mk5 GT and I found that the suspension soaked up the bumps with an improved ride. Not sure how much that was because of the latest suspension set up, tyres (Michelin) or ride height - the SE not being lowered like I am used to.

The black trims inside are classy and enhance the interior. I thought losing the blue lighted dials was a step backwards but I've seen the light and been converted already. There are also automatic running (side?) lights. I initally thought I'd left the light switch on auto but no, they are on from start up.

Plugged my Samsung stick MP3 player in and hit media on the stereo and it picked up the tracks and was playing after a few seconds. Track title was displayed on the RCD310 as well. I'll have to read the book to find out what other display options there are. Given the limitations of a car the sound was pretty good and an improvement on my previous standard set up.

Steering wheel is a step down from the leather one in the GT but I'll get used to it so I'm really only missing the fogs and highline computer. The SE computer displays the key info anyway i.e. temp, miles to fuel, mpg etc. so it does its job.

Need to know anything else? Ask away and I'll try to help.

H

[WeegieBob]

Re the tyres - I've found Mitchelin probably one of the best tyres for ride comfort bar none.

I worked in a company who specialised in exotic rubber for high performance and rally cars, where Mitchelin was very often the preferred choice by our knowledgable customers for their daily-driver road cars. Granted they're expensive, but you only get what you pay for. I managed to get a set of nearly new Mitchelins for my Rover Sterling (remember them!) and the ride was totally transformed.

We (amongst others) supplied a tyre remould company, Tyron with all our Mitchelin casings to be used to manufacture rally remoulds. Tyron would only use that brand because as far as they were concerned Mitchelins were of a superior construction and could stand up to the punishment a rally car tyre has to endure.

Basically I've gone a very long way round to say - good tyres! :)

WeegieBob.

[JoseSpring]

Thanks for the mini write-up. Good to read it and I'm pleased to hear your v satisfied.
I only have one question...
How have you only driven 15 miles?!? I don't think I'll be able to do less than 50 the day I finally pick mine up, however busy I am.

[Hotspur]

I only have one question...
How have you only driven 15 miles?!? I don't think I'll be able to do less than 50 the day I finally pick mine up, however busy I am.

Well I nipped out to get it in my lunch break so work got in the way somewhat. I also have 3 days off now so will make the most of them :D

[icebun]

Hey Hotspur,

I put this in a separate post about this but what is the level of tyre noise with your setup which is I am guessing are based on 16" wheels?

Also how does the SE handle compared to your previous Mk V GT?

Thanks.

[Hotspur]

icebun,

Over 4000 miles on the clock now and the Mk6 is generally an improvement on the Mk5. New engine is smoother. A few minor niggles are a reduction of in cabin storage which isn't as versatile, and positioning on the interior door handle. I said they were minor.

I'm running on standard 16" alloys with 205/66 16 Michelin Enery tyres. Road noise is a big improvement on the Mk5 with the same wheel set up. I had Pirelli 6000's on the GT TDi. Overall in cabin noise is down as well,

As you would expect handling isn't up to the GT with the slightly softer suspension set up but it isn't bad and I only really notice it when pushing on round tight bends. I haven't managed to get it out of shape and am now used to adapting my driving to this softer set up.

I went for the SE as the GT didn't seem to offer that much more for the money and, as much of my driving these days is long distance motorway cruising, I didn't require the additional handling. I haven't regretted the change.

[icebun]

Hi Hotspur,

Thanks for the info.

I am also on a budget (around £21K) and if I go for standard wheels on the SE, I can spec up a lot more.

I once owned a Morris Marina and let me tell you that when I when round a corner it was hair raising to say the least! It's got to be one of the worst cars for handling.

Good to know that the standard suspension setup is still acceptable.

[Hotspur]

You're welcome.

As always I'd advise getting into a standard SE and GT to try for yourself.

The GT is lowered, has wider lower profile tyres and will handle better than the SE so it depends on where you drive. If it's twisty country roads all the time the GT might be best. Engine performance is the same for both. With your budget the GT may be a better option if you want fog lights, leather steering wheel/radio controls etc. Cruise and auto wipers was standard on my SE.

Whichever you choose I'm sure you will enjoy it.

[Nightowl4933]

Hi,

I did a comparison between the SE and GT, and felt if I specced the SE up to everything I wanted, I'd be just as well to get a GT, especially as some of the 'extras' for the SE were standard on the GT. Having said that, VW went to great pains to tell me the S, SE and GT were different cars and not upgrade steps (and I think there are one or two things standard on the SE that are optional extras on the GT.

Hotspur's absolutely right, though, have a good test of both models - as close to your specification as possible - and see what you prefer. As I said, I went for the GT and I love it!

Pete