VW Golf TDI 1.6 Question

Looking into one of these at the minute and the majority seem to be 5 speed manuals – does anyone know why they aren’t offered in 6 speed? Would the 6 speed be beneficial economy wise? 30 mile a day commute at an average of around 55mph is what it’s being used for mainly.

If its the same engine as the 1.6 TDI that came in the Caddys, I’d steer clear unless you have spare cash for injectors every 6 months.

I test drove a 1.6tdi octavia with the 5 speed box. Went onto the motorway and was looking for 6th at around 75. Didn’t know that the car was 5sp so the change into 4th was quite tuneful.

Now have a 6sp 1.6tdi and it’s better – more relaxed – than the 5sp. Not as economical as I’d like unless speed is <75 but it’s OK while running in (8k at present).

I suspect the 5 so wouldn’t be great if you spend a lot of time on the motorway (which I do).

We had two of these engines, one in a Mk6 Bluemotion and one in a Mk6 Estate. Both 105 PS and 5spd. Bluemotion was ok but estate was under powered. Had no issues with either however I personally would ignore them and get the 2L at around 150PS. Its much nicer to drive (currently got a 2l Mk7 estate).

I had a 2009 estate with the 1.6 bluemotion/5 speed. Loved it, never missed a 6th gear to be honest as the ratios seemed decent for the power available. Most economical car I’ve ever owned – easily saw 60mpg+ on a run (I do drive very steadily though!). Seats were uncomfortable though!

a 6th gear has little to no effect on fuel economy. The fuel is being burnt to overcome the things that stop the car moving forwards, the only one of these which changes with another gear is the friction within the engine which at motorway speeds is such small amount of the total fuel used as to be negligible.
I’ve got the 1.6tdi in a caddy with 5 speed box and have had 60mpg on a run and always get over 50mpg per tank.

1.6 bluemotion golf here. 80k and no injector problems although there are two others in the extended family that have both had injector faults.
But those are both low mileage cars that sit for long periods so maybe this is a factor.

5speed is fine on the motorway – fully loaded it does about 54mpg with cruise on 82mph.
Never thought it was noisy we had a 6 speed 2.0L diesel before that which was more fun.

I had a 17 plate 1.6 TDI SE for 18 months and did 35k in it. The lack of a 6th gear annoyed me as most of it was motorway meant the revs were a little high at 70 or above.

I tended to find myself sitting at 60-65 and doing that saw excellent MPG, the trip computer showing up to 80’s on good runs in to London. I suspect they didn’t bother with a 6th as it would have meant shortening the other gears or the car struggling to pull above 70 and making it less efficient as opposed to more.

Vw Caddy 1.6tdi highline (late 2013) here, the injector fault was on pre 2013 cars and was due to a breakdown in electrical insulation which led to the vehicle going into limp mode, injectors can be replaced for between £150 to £300 depending on how well you know your local motor factors/mechanic and need coded back in to the canbus.

Never had an issue with my engine nor gearbox nor dpf in over 130,000 miles (still on original clutch and its perfectly fine) despite it being fitted with a larger turbo, intercooler and remapped to 160bhp/320nm torque, still get above 50mpg easily but i have always used shell v-power diesel, being an ex mechanic i drive it with sympathy and regular oil (millers oil) and filter changes every 6000-8000 miles helps.

A brilliant wee van that drives well but it’s now given to my bro as i’ve just got a new vw 2l dsg Tiguan.

I read around the forums and went 2.0 6 spd 140. This is the emissions scandal engine I think, and wanted the longer 6th gear. Its just eaten an EGR valve and thank you VW for burying it on the bottom of the engine at the rear and making it more complex by including a cooling jacket. Top work you designers.

Also, thank you for the mechanical warranty that paid 60% of the total bill. My 40% was €500 and it had to be done at the main dealers…

The 1.6 is also emissions scandal engine.

Petrol engines don’t seem to do all these odd things as often, but yeah look st the cheating emissions and mpg figures…

We have a 1.6tdi ’14 place Estate with a 5 speed ‘box. It’s done nearly 100,000 miles without fault. Goes well enough, it’ll never win the traffic light grandprix, but who cares nowadays.

5th gear at 70-75mph is fine, not intrusive noise-wise and over longer journeys we’ve had 70mpg-ish loaded up with the family etc.

Thanks for the posts folks.

I’ve got a 15 plate Golf 1.6 tdi. 5 speed box and my 30 mile commute returns over 60mpg.

As its been said, it might not set your hair on fire, but every motor I’ve had in the last 15 years has been a banger so this is a massive improvement.