New member .... just bought a 1.9 TDi Sport

shamus · Post by **shamus** » Mon Sep 27, 2004 9:21 pm

Hi - just got a 52 reg 1.9 TDi Sport this afternoon.

Had a Seat Toledo 1.8 20v for a year and was wanting to switch to a diesel (for economy). Have been watching this site behind the scenes for a few days and must say I was a little concerned about the 'quality' issues with the 9N.

However, the more I read the more I realised that the 'issues' mainly revolved around rattles rather than breakdowns. So I went for it. My Seat was very well specced, which meant that I had to go for a Sport model Polo to get near the creature comforts.

One things that I have learnt - Seats (esp Toledos) do not hold their value - which is something I shouldnt suffer with the VW.

Anyway, about my car ... I already love it - unbelievable pickup in 3rd and 4th and even 5th at motorway speeds. Diesel power is so smooth and effortless. I may already be converted.

I've driven about 50 miles and the MFA shows 51 mpg ... not bad.

My first question for you guys - does a diesel have to be driven differently ? 1st and 2nd seem to be of little use whereas 3rd and 4th pull like a train, but only over 2000 revs. Its almost as though I'm having to change my driving habits ... any advice (for optimum economy) would be helpful.

Many thanks

sylonien · Post by **sylonien** » Mon Sep 27, 2004 10:39 pm

Hello new person.

I have driven a TDi before, but I just hate the noise it makes. Switched to a 1.4 petrol now. But I must say the diesel is way more economical.

carmadaaron · Post by **carmadaaron** » Tue Sep 28, 2004 9:21 am

welcome to the forum mate!

yeah diesels are sooooo powerful now and torque figures are getting silly

(jk)

enjoy it!

Cheers
Aaron

des_pd_ tdi · Post by **des_pd_ tdi** » Tue Sep 28, 2004 10:27 am

You definately need to change driving style.

1st gear I take it round to 2/2.5 then change into second, if I'm taking it easy change up through the rest of the gears at 2500/3000 revs or 3500/3750when I'm booting it.

There's absolutely no need to rev the hell out of the car as you'll only end up wasting the low down torque available and economy will suffer a little.

The main thing is this car is very rapid with very few RPM, the only downside is on the motorway, it's just so easy to break the speedlimit - without even realising it.

Des

shamus · Post by **shamus** » Tue Sep 28, 2004 10:46 am

Yeah its weird on the motorway. Yesterday I was doing about 70 and decided to overtake a car - it just accelerated so smoothly and quickly to 90 it was unreal - could become use to it.

It is definitely a very different drive to a petrol once the torque has kicked in (lack of 1st and 2nd will take some getting used to though).

I am used to putting me Seat into 5th as early as possible (even from 20mph it pulled) - the Polo doesnt seem to like that - I thought a diesel would pull better with high gear and low speed ??

My plan was to chip it to 130 but i might not bother as the 100 appears to be enough for me (and the car ?).

jrw · Post by **jrw** » Tue Sep 28, 2004 7:43 pm

Yeah mines the same anything b4 45-50mph it doesn't like being in fifth.

1st is definately useless for accelerating and 2nd just slightly useless. I still get a 0-60 of 9.1 secs on mine though. Oh yeah that's mine the black polo, I almost forgot i'd got it now its into its 4th week at the dealer and i've got a crappy 1.4tdi Polo.

Hope you have more luck with it than mine, i'm sure its jinxed, or the dealer is a bunch of incompetent w***ers

Oh how I long for the tourque of my 1.9........

GaryUK · Post by **GaryUK** » Tue Sep 28, 2004 10:42 pm

Good choice of car mate!

Are you gonna get some pic's up?

I didn't realise you had to change your driving style for a diesel,

Was thinking of getting one for my next car.

shamus · Post by **shamus** » Tue Sep 28, 2004 11:45 pm

I'll put some pics up at the weekend. Its the Rosewood Red (ahem ... purple ....) colour in 5 door. Not sure if I like the colour but the car is in such short supply that I thought what the hell and went for it. Its different anyway.

Yes, i am finding it different to drive. With petrol, usually for economy you change gear as early as possible. With diesel 1st and 2nd are to get moving, 3rd and 4th you need to be 'in the zone' to change and 5th is definitely a tall gear for cruising.

At the moment I have to think about it and watch the rev counter - but it time it should soon become instinctive.

I know its early days but the build quality looks pretty good to me - the dash only groans when going over big bumps but with the stereo on and the diesel rattle, its not (that) noticeable. Although not as plush or well equipped as my Seat Toledo, even though its VWs budget car, my Polo has a certain feel good factor when I get in it. I'll write a proper review for the reviews section after a few weeks.

Scorpio1 · Post by **Scorpio1** » Wed Sep 29, 2004 12:15 am

Ah, the 1.9!

I really miss the sound of the turbo spinning up, it turned heads!

jrw what's wrong with your car??

n3oNx · Post by **n3oNx** » Wed Sep 29, 2004 11:56 am

This motor is really good. I have driven the 100bhp, the 130bhp and the 150bhp (186bhp dyno) and it is superb.

As far as the driving style it depends on what motor we are talking about.

jrw · Post by **jrw** » Wed Sep 29, 2004 7:18 pm

Scorpio, whats right with it!

It was only going in for the air-con blowing hot air when its on cold but they have damaged it (again), well a customer did it 'apparantly' on the car park.

Sorry for being so stupid but what the hell was it doing on the customer car park?

At the moment i'm refusing to have the car back as they have fillered the front wing and the service manager is adament that if inspected is un-noticeable although even I can see where the damaged has been sprayed from last time.

The case is now being investigated by head office (VW UK will not get involved). My dealer is refusing to buy the car back, only p/x which I think is unacceptable after damaging twice, don't you. Which is why it is with head office who are contemplating it.

The tax is up on the courtesy car 2moro and i go to Florida next week so I may have to park it outside a police station!

Scorpio1 · Post by **Scorpio1** » Fri Oct 01, 2004 5:44 pm

Blimey

Are the taking the P?

Go to the papers and watchdog etc. They'll soon buck up their ideas...

jrw · Post by **jrw** » Fri Oct 01, 2004 6:50 pm

I've already emailed watchdog.

Might have to go to the dealer 2moro and tell them its '9' for an outside line as they are so incapable of ringing me.

shamus · Post by **shamus** » Sat Oct 02, 2004 5:38 pm

I'm reading all this uk-polo stuff with some trepidation nowadays.

I sold my Toledo after one year of ownership - no problems whatsoever and only changed because a) wanted something newer b) wanted something more economical and c) wanted to 'move up' to a VW.

I hope that i made the right decision.

For now, every time I drive my Polo I find the power and smooth delivery of that power, quite astonishing. I think I'll enjoy it and not 'focus' on potential problems. I do have my 1.5 years of VW warranty left though - I'll just make sure I stick to the servicing regime to keep that warranty intact ....

Nelson_Wilbury · Post by **Nelson_Wilbury** » Sat Oct 02, 2004 7:08 pm

shamus wrote:I'm reading all this uk-polo stuff with some trepidation nowadays.

I sold my Toledo after one year of ownership - no problems whatsoever and only changed because a) wanted something newer b) wanted something more economical and c) wanted to 'move up' to a VW.

I hope that i made the right decision.

For now, every time I drive my Polo I find the power and smooth delivery of that power, quite astonishing. I think I'll enjoy it and not 'focus' on potential problems. I do have my 1.5 years of VW warranty left though - I'll just make sure I stick to the servicing regime to keep that warranty intact ....

I wouldn't be too worried to be honest. Your car is about the same age as mine and Petrifieds previous car (both FSi's) so its one of the better built ones.

I had plenty of problems with my previous car, and yes, there were times when I felt like pushing it into the nearby river. But I always thought it was a great car, just the early quality problems combined with the abysmal dealer service seemed to be a good combination for an irate customer!

However, I always tried to look at the benefits of the car and enjoy what did work/when it worked, hence the reason I bought another one, which apart from some stiching coming loose on the seat has been fine! There seems to be far too many Killjoys on here nowadays content on reminding us every day how unreliable and awful there cars are. Fair enough, I think people are more than welcome to vent themselves on here, but when they do it on a daily basis they are they are making this forum a much quieter and unpleasant place to be.

So, just turn the Gamma radio up and enjoy that torque!