Golf GT - Status update

[shadow-walker]

@1776

this is absolute? has atmospheric pressure been accounted for? 2.5 ni mingi baba…
you’re car can take off. literally.
when you’re planning your run let me know. this i have to see.

This is where the twincharged VWs get their kick from.

[ATTACH=full]96304[/ATTACH]

Source: http://www.motoring.com.au/volkswagen-golf-gt-14-tsi-twincharger-2023

[crazywizard]

@1776

this is absolute? has atmospheric pressure been accounted for? 2.5 ni mingi baba…
you’re car can take off. literally.
when you’re planning your run let me know. this i have to see.

I’ve got a challenge against a C200 kompressor on who gets to Nanyuki first. Awaiting the challenger to pick a date.

[1776]

@crazywizard

I’ve got a challenge against a C200 kompressor on who gets to Nanyuki first. Awaiting the challenger to pick a date.

when you get the date let me know. i’m joining you for this.
by end of this month my fozzy project should be on the road.
witness german getting japped!

[1776]

@shadow-walker

This is where the twincharged VWs get their kick from.

[ATTACH=full]96304[/ATTACH]

Source: http://www.motoring.com.au/volkswagen-golf-gt-14-tsi-twincharger-2023

36 psi is INSANE!

[shadow-walker]

@1776

36 psi is INSANE!

Yes it is way insane. But I have a feeling that this is absolute pressure (i.e, including atmospheric pressure) as you stated above.

[system]

@crazywizard

[SIZE=5]Equipment[/SIZE]
VW Golf MK5 GT(2009)
1.4ltr TSI
BLG - 170hp
Owned ~1yr
Driven ~14,000KM
Maintainer - DT Dobie

[SIZE=5]Background[/SIZE]
The internet can be a cruel place. Stories abound about the fragility of this little fun sporty car. Don’t listen to the doomsayers! Acquired as a project car(not to build but to own). Wanted a sensible but quick experimental car.

[SIZE=5]Experience[/SIZE]
Harder suspension than what you’d ordinarily find on other Japanese models. The 17inch wheels also add to this. However on smooth roads(which is where it should be driven), excellent handling with minimal body roll. A breeze to drive. The DSG(dual-clutch)gearbox is sublime; I find myself using it over the manual paddle shifts.

[SIZE=5]Maintenance[/SIZE]
I found DT Dobie very agreeable at 9,900 for a minor service and 26K for a major one. So far had 2 repairs done to the vehicle after loss of power under heavy acceleration. Intake manifold flap vacuum actuator had gone and 1 ignition coil on cylinder 2 was failing causing a misfire. DT Dobie diagnosed the first issue and fixed it(13K), but on later reporting loss of power above 100KPH , they took it back and diagnosed the second issue together with fixes(13K).
I’m due for a field campaign(a.k.a TSB) for FREE replacement of ABS/ESP package for my particular model(8 years later!)

I once took it to a “specialist” garage for a full service and the bill almost made me weep(~->60K). Decided to stick with the dealer, they usually give me deep discounts(upto 40%), though during busy periods, they can take weeks to finish up on your car. I also like the free car washes though I suspect they’re starting to wear on my wax polish(might need to get it buffed).

I have tried shopping around for parts(spark plugs, poly-v belts, shock absorbers etc) from the independents but NO ONE has been able to underquote the dealer(even before I ask for a discount). Their labour at 6K an hour though is quite pricey.

[SIZE=5]Reliability[/SIZE]
I don’t use it as a daily driver so this should be considered. In all, I found these cars don’t like to be driven short distances. The engine is a bit rough on cold start and the gearbox slightly notchy on low gears(1&2) in traffic with the suspension feeling stiff. However on a long road trip, the car comes to it’s own. Fuel consumption stabilises to an acceptable 14kpl on the highway and the car is very fluid and smooth. Suspension softens(do shock absorbers need warm-up?) with small potholes and general bumps on roads soaked up comfortably.
I have driven ~500KM with the engine light on and never once did it leave me by the side of the road. With an intake manifold flap stuck in the closed position and a misfiring cylinder, I’d say this is quite good. Just don’t do this for long!!! Get it fixed ASAP.

[SIZE=5]Resale value[/SIZE]
None to write home about. Depreciation is massive peaking at 20% per annum. But I have it for keeps, so not worried about that. Target is to drive it to 200K over a period of 4 years then write it off after that. Keeping it OEM(stock) to see how long it will last.

[SIZE=4]Pros[/SIZE]
[ul]
[li]Excellent Grand Tourer(obviously from the name). Very enjoyable on long road trips. Great comfortable bucket seats.[/li]
[li]Great handling giving confidence in tricky scenarios like narrow passes and overtakes. Also has the power to complete those near-miss overtakes.[/li]
[li]Practical, can carry 5 people; but why should you?(Hint: people=weight=slow)[/li][li]Affordable service/maintenance costs.[/li][/ul]

Cons
[ul]
[li]Difficult to stay within speed limit :)[/li][li]Kenyan erected (tall) speed humps are a pain to cross[/li][li]Terrible daily driver. Short runs before car parts have “warmed up” are terrible and harsh. All round visibility in crawling traffic is crap with blindspots around the B-pillars and the huge bucket seats obstructing rear-side view. Rear view mirrors are the size of pin-hole cameras, always jumps my heart a beat when I see a motor-cyclist at the very last second coming up on my wrong side.[/li][li]Recommended fuel is 95RON, so V-power(25/= more per litre) is an extra expense.[/li][li]Depreciation(especially in the Kenyan market) is brutal.[/li][/ul]
[SIZE=5]Conclusion[/SIZE]
I think the best way to judge a car is by asking yourself this question – “Would you buy it again?”. The answer is, given the same conditions; yes. However, given a choice, I would go for the GTI because I feel the GT(while quick) is just not fast enough for me. Also, it feels like a settled for a lesser version instead of the real deal(GTI). Kinda like Jacob settling for Leah instead of Rachel.

Excellent review.

[ochithunder]

@1776

when you get the date let me know. i’m joining you for this.
by end of this month my fozzy project should be on the road.
witness german getting japped!

Can I also be invited or is it only the sub 2liters allowed? And I would prefer straight roads, am getting too old for twisters. And choose roads without much traffic, it will be pedal to the metal, we see how well your sub one tonners can hold up to a sub 2ton tank;);)

[1776]

@ochithunder

Can I also be invited or is it only the sub 2liters allowed? And I would prefer straight roads, am getting too old for twisters. And choose roads without much traffic, it will be pedal to the metal, we see how well your sub one tonners can hold up to a sub 2ton tank;);)

haha! excellent! I like where this is going! you’re welcome to bring your 3.5(?) litre beema… but rest assured i’m kicking all butts.

[vuja_de]

@1776

haha! excellent! I like where this is going! you’re welcome to bring your 3.5(?) litre beema… but rest assured i’m kicking all butts.

hiyo W201 yako haiwesmake

[1776]

@vuja de

hiyo W201 yako haiwesmake

soma juu kama post mbili tatu hivi uone…
W201 naiwacha nyumbani. very useless hiyo kitu time ya mbio

[incognitus]

Nice review. Naweza wajoin na probox TSI?

[system]

@1776

soma juu kama post mbili tatu hivi uone…
W201 naiwacha nyumbani. very useless hiyo kitu time ya mbio

Hehehe.
Naweza wa join second round?

[crazywizard]

[ATTACH=full]96336[/ATTACH] Suggested route
https://www.google.co.ke/maps/dir/Nairobi,+Nairobi+County/Nakuru/Nyahururu,+Nyandarua+County/Nyeri,+Nyeri+County/Nairobi,+Nairobi+County/@-0.6248827,36.1137535,9z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m32!4m31!1m5!1m1!1s0x182f1172d84d49a7:0xf7cf0254b297924c!2m2!1d36.8219462!2d-1.2920659!1m5!1m1!1s0x18298d90cf610bef:0xf2f21833bc7cc21a!2m2!1d36.080026!2d-0.3030988!1m5!1m1!1s0x178763be4e5dcb1b:0x462f1d0ccb0352e3!2m2!1d36.3642919!2d0.0351644!1m5!1m1!1s0x18285dfed09e0ebf:0x829716f702f65e9e!2m2!1d36.9433591!2d-0.4277809!1m5!1m1!1s0x182f1172d84d49a7:0xf7cf0254b297924c!2m2!1d36.8219462!2d-1.2920659!3e0?hl=en

[holycow]

Sorry for intruding when billionaires are discussing racing. The Isiolo-Merille-Marsabit road is very good for racing/speeding because of minimal traffic. Watch out for elephants and camels.

[crazywizard]

@holycow

Sorry for intruding when billionaires are discussing racing. The Isiolo-Merille-Marsabit road is very good for racing/speeding because of minimal traffic. Watch out for elephants and camels.

What about security concerns?

[holycow]

@crazywizard

What about security concerns?

There is a section around junction to Wamba that used to have bandits, not anymore but you never know. Last used the road in February. Try Emali-Loitoktok, road full of curves, wild animals and grazing cattle.

[1776]

@holycow

There is a section around junction to Wamba that used to have bandits, not anymore but you never know. Last used the road in February. Try Emali-Loitoktok, road full of curves, wild animals and grazing cattle.

ochi doesn’t want curves.
so for me that looks like a budget of 6000 + 4000 + 1000 for fuel, food and emergency
i’m game with that route.

[crazywizard]

@1776

ochi doesn’t want curves.
so for me that looks like a budget of 6000 + 4000 + 1000 for fuel, food and emergency
i’m game with that route.

Ochi has 3500cc twin scroll turbo. We have to handicup him a little. Also, a straight road American race is boring my in opinion. The route I posted has sections with 200kph speeds on it.

Also, 4K for food, really? I have budgeted 300 for 2 Redbulls

[system]

@holycow

Sorry for intruding when billionaires are discussing racing. The Isiolo-Merille-Marsabit road is very good for racing/speeding because of minimal traffic. Watch out for elephants and camels.

It’s perfect, actually!

[ochithunder]

@crazywizard

I’m due for a field campaign(a.k.a TSB) for FREE replacement of ABS/ESP package for my particular model(8 years later!)

Are you by any chance imputing that DT Dobie is still offering you warranty and extended particular warranties on your car? Did you but it locally, as in was it originally sold by DT Dobie? This is the first time I have heard a dealer extend warranty to a second user. If that is true I may consider a Benz!!! Clarify.