My new commuter - 2013 VW Golf TDI

[Mo87NA]

I currently own a 2007 Jeep Commander which my company purchased for me back in 2009. Upon purchase, it had 38k miles. Today it now has 160k! I am averaging about 40k-50k miles annually for work. Since it was a company car, the car was meticulously maintained (on thier dime of course). No issues whatsoever and still running strong (has the crappy 3.7L but it serves it purpose).

I had given some thought to buying another vehicle to help cut down my fuel expense. I had contiplated purchasing a TDI back in '09 when the Sportwagon was first released. At the time, I was being reimbursed by the mile so my company saw it fit to buy me a SUV instead (explain that logic!)

I finally bit the bullet and purchased a 2013 VW Golf TDI 6-speed. My good friend works for a dealership in Westchester County. I was able to buy it brand new for $3k under invoice! It's fully loaded with the sunroof and navigation package. The only thing it does not have is the technology package which would have come with the daytime running LED lights (Audi), 1" lowering springs, and a few other small details.

47.8mpg is my best average mileage so far. I'm getting around 38mpg-41mpg around the city. Stock they come with 140hp and 236ft./lbs torque. However, I had the ECU reflashed using the Unitronic softwar upgrade. It is now rated at 170hp & 295 ft./lbs - the same as the GTD offered in Europe. By no means is it fast, but it sure is a fun little car to drive.

I don't plan on modding it much since it is a DD, but if you have any suggestions, I'd love to hear them!

Enjoy the pics. I'll try and get some interior and motor shots up soon.

Thanks,
Mo

 

[scottiedawg66]

Nice! I just bought a jetta sport wagen tdi for the wife. When you reflashed the ecu did your fuel economy change? We get about 43 mpg overall with our car.

 

[dubsupra209]

Sick I had 2001 Jetta Wolfsburg edition 5 speed was a nice car. I always liked the gti more.

 

[empera]

Great pick up man! Love the TDI's only VW i'd actually want heh. Well now you can make more frequent trips down to philly too

 

[Mo87NA]

Nice! I just bought a jetta sport wagen tdi for the wife. When you reflashed the ecu did your fuel economy change? We get about 43 mpg overall with our car.

I've seen about a 3-5mpg increase! However , she's really opened up since the tune so I find myself getting on it a bit more than usual. Kind of a catch 22.

 

[Mo87NA]

Great pick up man! Love the TDI's only VW i'd actually want heh. Well now you can make more frequent trips down to philly too

Ha! Hell yeah man. It's not a bad little ride. It certainly doesn't ride like a hatch that's for sure. Not to mention getting 700 miles per tank is something I'd never complain about.

My buddy has a '97 Jetta TDI with 375k mikes on it. Still going strong!

 

[scottiedawg66]

I've seen about a 3-5mpg increase! However , she's really opened up since the tune so I find myself getting on it a bit more than usual. Kind of a catch 22.

damn! i gotta look into that.

 

[te72]

Kinda reminds me of the old EG Civic hatch. Not bad looking, and the mileage can't be mocked either. Hybrid what?

Actually... I wonder when we'll start seeing diesel-electric hybrid setups in cars and trucks. They work brilliantly in trains and heavy equipment...

As for suggestions, if I were in a car like that, I would do my best to optimize what it is good for: mileage. First stop, as light of a wheel/tire setup as you can justify spending money on.

 

[Mo87NA]

Kinda reminds me of the old EG Civic hatch. Not bad looking, and the mileage can't be mocked either. Hybrid what?

Actually... I wonder when we'll start seeing diesel-electric hybrid setups in cars and trucks. They work brilliantly in trains and heavy equipment...

As for suggestions, if I were in a car like that, I would do my best to optimize what it is good for: mileage. First stop, as light of a wheel/tire setup as you can justify spending money on.

Well said. Although these wheels are not bad looking, I'm sure I could find something much lighter.

The mileage really is incredible. I drove from New York (Hudson Valley area) to Cleveland on about 3/4 of a tank and I averaged 48.6mpg. I was averaging 72-74mph.

 

[te72]

That's pretty awesome man, I'm happy when I got around 30 in the Lexus or Supra. If I were to make a suggestion, I would put as close to the size (so you can easily reuse tires) that the OEM wheels are in something like an RPF-1 or Kosei K1. Basically hit up your autocross buddies, they should know the lightest setups possible.

 

[HMNGSupraMKIII]

Nice, I want me a car with hile mpg. The supra is a gasoholic

 

[Mo87NA]

That's pretty awesome man, I'm happy when I got around 30 in the Lexus or Supra. If I were to make a suggestion, I would put as close to the size (so you can easily reuse tires) that the OEM wheels are in something like an RPF-1 or Kosei K1. Basically hit up your autocross buddies, they should know the lightest setups possible.

Good deal! Thanks for the suggestion buddy.