Topic: 2018 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen 4motion Trendline 6MT 1.8TSI

[draghon]

Awd wagon with a manual? You only missed on the colour (brown) 

[JohnnyMac]

Awd wagon with a manual? You only missed on the colour (brown) 

Also and it being diesel.

Congrats Pi on your new ride.  Have been loving my manual Golf R for the past 2.5 years with no real issues to think of.  I hope you have as good of an experience with your AWD Golf as I have.  I'm sure the new ride feels like a luxury vehicle compared to the Fit you are replacing.

[carcrazed]

Congrats on the new ride!  I really dig the dark blue colour.
The wheels actually look just fine, by the way.

I look forward to your feedback as the miles pile on. It's a very realistic next car for me when the time comes.

[tortoise]

Congrats Pi!!  I am pretty envious of that combo and sometimes wish I had waited for the 2018's.  We'll have to compare the two, I am really interested in driving a Golf with the 1.8T.

Clutch lacks any feedback. Boots aren't helping but wow.

There's a clutch delay valve that is probably the cause of the lack of feedback.  A lot of people remove it and claim it really improves the shifting.

http://www.vwroc.com/forums/topic/12185-tutorial-clutch-delay-valve-removal-manual-cars/

I really don't like how small the sideview mirrors are

Agreed. Coming from the large square mirrors in the Mazda5 was a big adjustment.  I'm used to it now but do wish they were bigger.  I am tempted to get a set of the aspherical mirrors.

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-european-volkswagen-audi-parts/heated-blind-spot-mirror-set/5g0857522akt/

Thanks to Tortoise I have the findway mats and I do really like them. Waiting on the cargo liner.

Glad to help.  They really are fantastic.  Which cargo liner did you get?

[pi314]

Thanks for the kind words, folks.

I've had a bit more seat time. I am really happy with the choice. I'll get more pictures eventually, including the interior.
I really like the felt lined door cubbies.

Nice choice, congrats! That’s a lot of equipment for base model.

I'm very impressed how well it is equipped. Especially compared to Subaru Impreza which is only AWD competitor.

Good choice - enjoy!  What's the price as equipped?

31.5k is MSRP inclusive of all fees and taxes. I was closer to 29k after all fees and financing charges.

That’s really nice. Congrats!

A friend got a Comfortline MKVII wagon a few years ago and I’m impressed. His is FWD and auto, but what a great car for the price. Manual & AWD is of course even more great!

Gotta lol at your gripes, though. I know exactly what you mean about the seat lever, but I think you’ll get used to it.    And I wonder if you can buy that under-seat cubby as a Euro part and install it yourself? IIRC, people were doing that with the MK6s. Lots of fun stuff in the VAG parts bin if you feel like playing around. Enjoy!

Looked at ecs tuning site and indeed there's a lot of customization I can do... it's indeed quite nice.  Not paying $150 for a under seat drawer though
I wonder if there's a custom seat lever

Awd wagon with a manual? You only missed on the colour (brown) 

Also and it being diesel.

Congrats Pi on your new ride.  Have been loving my manual Golf R for the past 2.5 years with no real issues to think of.  I hope you have as good of an experience with your AWD Golf as I have.  I'm sure the new ride feels like a luxury vehicle compared to the Fit you are replacing.

I wouldn't say luxury vehicle, but the Golf is much better on the highway. Less maneuverable and I'd say less fun though. Here's hoping for a good reliability experience though

[pi314]

Having owned 5 versions of the VAG 4 cylinder engine over the years from '87 twincam 1.8 through to the '14 2.0 Audi.
I have one tip.     Change the oil and filter  at 1/2 the recommended figure.  So do it every 8000km with a dealer filter and the VW50x spec  synthetic oil  whatever brand you like.

And, although I think the manual will have it in. Change the brake fluid every two years.   If VW have started using some magic non-hydrophilic fluid then the manual will say it is not required any more.


If you feel it matters too you, the tail lights  with the DRLS can be turned on with VCDS or the dealer official computer.   It has been a single bit setting for many years. 


Anyway congratulations.     The sportwagen is in the running to replace Mrs tpl's Fit as well.

Thanks for the tips. Why so many oil changes? Is that really necessary with modern engine oil and tolerances? I think the recommendation is 12 000 km not 16000 either.

I am not surprised someone else is considering replacing a fit with a golf sportwagen. It's hard to find a smaller vehicle as versatile. Will the mrs find ingress and egress easy with her mobility requirements?

Congrats Pi!!  I am pretty envious of that combo and sometimes wish I had waited for the 2018's.  We'll have to compare the two, I am really interested in driving a Golf with the 1.8T.

Clutch lacks any feedback. Boots aren't helping but wow.

There's a clutch delay valve that is probably the cause of the lack of feedback.  A lot of people remove it and claim it really improves the shifting.

http://www.vwroc.com/forums/topic/12185-tutorial-clutch-delay-valve-removal-manual-cars/

I really don't like how small the sideview mirrors are

Agreed. Coming from the large square mirrors in the Mazda5 was a big adjustment.  I'm used to it now but do wish they were bigger.  I am tempted to get a set of the aspherical mirrors.

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-european-volkswagen-audi-parts/heated-blind-spot-mirror-set/5g0857522akt/

Thanks to Tortoise I have the findway mats and I do really like them. Waiting on the cargo liner.

Glad to help.  They really are fantastic.  Which cargo liner did you get?

Absolutely we can meet up and compare.

Man that ECS tuning website is dangerous...

I think I'm going to order the aspherical mirrors because I'm still quite annoyed with the small mirrors.

https://www.ecstuning.com/News/Volkswagen_ECS_Adjustable_Clutch_Pedal_Stop_18733/ - Might try this too, for the clutch issue. Cheap and reversible (sorta; some drilling involved). Less likely to be a warranty denial.

Tempted to get an auto dimming mirror too.

Ordered the travall mat as per your recommendation as well - I really like the muddy buddy but I think I might end up using low floor mode so there's that.


Also got the insurance cheque for the fit settlement so this will make buying accessories much easier

[rrocket]

^^Unitronic are Canadian and have dealers in most provinces.

Almost used these guys for my TT.

https://www.getunitronic.com/ecu-tuning/vw-golf-sportwagen-18L-TSI-2017

Also, if you need to make the shifting better in your VW, I highly recommend DieselGeeks Sigma 6 shortshifters.

https://www.dieselgeek.com/collections/vw-short-shifters

[pi314]

Now you have me looking at tunes  .

I just meant the site was dangerous for accessories....

But damn an extra 70hp for $650??? Maybe after warranty....

[rrocket]

Now you have me looking at tunes  .

I just meant the site was dangerous for accessories....

But damn an extra 70hp for $650??? Maybe after warranty....

Ok...let's keep it cheap.

Bought one of these for IQ.

Sooo worth it.  Beautifully made and make shifting even more enjoyable.

http://www.raceseng.com/products/shift-knobs/volkswagen/6-speed-manual

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Imma leave this here: https://www.goapr.com/products/ecu_upgrade_18tsi_gen3_mqb.html

 

[pi314]

Imma leave this here: https://www.goapr.com/products/ecu_upgrade_18tsi_gen3_mqb.html

 

Have you tuned your passat?

[tortoise]

Huh, I had no idea that APR offer a powertrain warranty.

[JohnnyMac]

Huh, I had no idea that APR offer a powertrain warranty.

I think that might only be offered in the USA.  Not sure if Canada has the same warranty available.

[Noto]

Congrats, pi!!!  Happy motoring!

Imma leave this here: https://www.goapr.com/products/ecu_upgrade_18tsi_gen3_mqb.html

 

Have you tuned your passat?

beat me to it

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Imma leave this here: https://www.goapr.com/products/ecu_upgrade_18tsi_gen3_mqb.html

 

Have you tuned your passat?

 

[Ex-airbalancer]

Imma leave this here: https://www.goapr.com/products/ecu_upgrade_18tsi_gen3_mqb.html

 

Have you tuned your passat?

 

You haven't seen his seat covers   

[pi314]

 

No tuning. Maybe shift knob but not for now.

Yes aspherical mirrors. I hate the stock ones. And the clutch stopper is dirt cheap so I'll do that.

Pictures will come eventually. Loving the car.

Looking at roof racks. Colleague is offering me his used ones cheap and I don't know I'll carry stuff that much so I may go that route - he'll also lend me his box occasionally. However also found Whispbars for $227 USD online... not sure if it's worth the hype.

Also need hitch for bike rack. This will be an adventure car.

[Noto]

Personally, I wouldn't go with a roof rack unless you have actual plans on using it.  We've never once used the rack on our Fozzie (no crossbars, never needed them), and IIRC, we strapped a couch to the roof of the RX once in its 11 years with us.  Don't forget how much cargo space you now have with your ride! 

Bike rack on the back is a fantastic idea, OTOH

[tortoise]

If you're in no rush for a roof rack keep an eye out on kijiji.  They come up pretty often in the $100-$150 range.

I went with a square Thule rack, the fit kit you want is 450.

Or, outside of ski season ours just sits in the shed and you're welcome to use it if needed.  Same goes for our roof box.

[Scaerio]

Late to the game but CONGRATS!!!