Volkwagen Golf Estate 1.9 TDi S Review

Good Points
good economy from PD engine ( better than my old 110 VW diesel ) the obvious loadspace, quality cabin, good seating./ pedal position, ESP for tracton when you "chip" it to give more torque ( I 'd recommend doing that - I ve done it on my last few diesels )

Bad Points
The creep of cost engineering into VW- heater control light binnacle seems to blow occasionaly, usual golf propensity to blow (light) bulbs, sticky door handles ( has always been a fault on the MK4 and to an extent 5 Golf) - tends to be a bit sketchy on slippery surfaces and handling no as sure footed as hatchback, could do wth a 6th gear even in s spec with the 100 bhp engine for better motorway work.
also your mates will always want you to go to ikea.

General Comments
I ve had (literaly ) dozens of vws over the years and 9 golfs from mk2 to present 03 estate. This one is my first estate ( save for a fastback) This one is a great combo of practicality, economy and driver comfort. better load space than my old 3 series estate nad more reliable than my brothers alfa ( shock horror! ) I ve already mentioned remap or chipping whichhas given much more torque and improved already reasonable performance- i do a 70 mile round trip a day and manage to not be held up shall we say whilst still managing to get 600 miles to the tank.Even without that I still managed to get 500 mls to the tank It seems a better put together car than french equivs, less ubiquitous than the passat - and focus for that matter, good forward and all round vision- reasonable levels of equip ( although wheel mounted stereo controls would be good ) Interiors tend to hold up well, best to go for the darker colours if at all poss. as with all the pd engined diesels, get the right oil n they ll run mechanicaly like clockwork with only a few quality niggles in day to day life.