Thoughts after 4 days

[sgtpeper67]

I picked up a Golf TDI last Thursday and so far, I LOVE it. I've always driven Japanese cars but made the change because it's getting harder to find a manual transmission in upper trim level Hondas.

Things I like:

1. Awesome on the highway
2. Very peppy
3. Nice looking car
4. Bluetooth and iphone pairing has worked quite well
5. Little confusion with the MDI/MFI or whatever it is
6. Handles great!
7. Avging ~42mpg so far

Quibbles:
1. Base sound system isn't great - anyone care to post a link discussing audio upgrades? I'm not interested in adding a sub or amp but would like to upgrade the speakers
2. Like Honda's cruise control controls better - not that I've been using it of course due to engine break in
3. Sometimes I plug the iphone in and the display indicates a track is playing but I hear nothing - always solved by unplugging and plugging phone back in. It would be nice if the cable was longer.

Surprises:
1. It heats up much faster than I was anticipating. Probably because I've read numerous posts from people who live farther north. It doesn't seem to take any longer than our Civic or CRV.

Wimpog, I didn't respond to your notification because I figure I'd write this thread at some point. Hope you're enjoying the wagon.

[wimpog]

Regarding the cruise controls and iPod cable - I noticed the same thing.
I'm glad you like your new vehicle.
Make sure to check your tire pressure - mine was lower that it was supposed to be.

[golfTDI1]

Yeah, you know, I'm not so impressed with the cruise either...I like that it tells me the speed its set for (not that thats really necessary) but the buttons are a little awkward and I dont like that when I lower or raise it continuously it'll go 5 or 8mph in that direction and then jump back to where I started. Its really annoying...maybe I'm missing something? I mean I know I can do it incrementally but then it just takes forever!

[2wheelmike]

[QUOTE=sgtpeper67;46303]Quibbles:
1. Base sound system isn't great - anyone care to post a link discussing audio upgrades? I'm not interested in adding a sub or amp but would like to upgrade the speakers
2. Like Honda's cruise control controls better - not that I've been using it of course due to engine break in
3. Sometimes I plug the iphone in and the display indicates a track is playing but I hear nothing - always solved by unplugging and plugging phone back in. It would be nice if the cable was longer.
[QUOTE]

I found that the car gets confused when the BT is connected and the cable too. Turning off the BT if the cable is connected and it works like a charm -or- turn on the BT, but leave it off the cable (or use a conventional charger). I don't know if the iphone cable was included or was a purchased option. Did your car come with iphone cable, droid cable, etc.?

I too find the CC control (and wiper controls) a bit awkward, but mostly the cancel feature is not as convenient as a dedicated button like on most cars.

As for sound, I don't have Dynaudio, but find the thing sounds pretty good. Tire noise, which is considerable, is more of an issue than anything else for my aging ears.

[golfTDI1]

Originally Posted by 2wheelmike

Tire noise, which is considerable, is more of an issue than anything else for my aging ears.

YES...what kind of tires do you have? I have the Continentals and they absolutely S#@& for, among other things, road NOISE!! (Other things being, hydroplaning, marginal snow and ice traction, terrible treadlife...) My WINTER TIRES are QUIETER than those dang Contis!!

[wimpog]

My JSW came w/Bridgestone tyres. They're noisy, but bearable.

[2wheelmike]

Yes, mine are ContiProContact or some such. 225/45-17s. On new pavement, they're beautiful, but on typical Cali patch-on-patch, they're horrible noise-wise. There's a wide variety of quieter tire designs out there. As always, it's a trade-off for wet/dry traction, etc. I will opt for more warm-weather specific tires next time as that's where I drive predominantly.

[sgtpeper67]

It just came with the standard short cable that plugs into the bottom of an ipod/iphone. I've kept bluetooth on and always plug the iphone in too. The only issue I've had is sometimes no sound upon first plugging it in. Unplugging it and plugging it back in always works. No issues with bluetooth at all. I've never had bluetooth before and man what a great invention!

[RTEREMI]

Originally Posted by sgtpeper67

It just came with the standard short cable that plugs into the bottom of an ipod/iphone. I've kept bluetooth on and always plug the iphone in too. The only issue I've had is sometimes no sound upon first plugging it in. Unplugging it and plugging it back in always works. No issues with bluetooth at all. I've never had bluetooth before and man what a great invention!

I had a Kenwood radio in my BMW with USB; it was iPod/iPhone compatible, but had many occasions to need a plug/unplug/replug to get the sound working (The second time was seemly always the charm…so I got in the habit of connecting and reconnecting it before even trying it). Bluetooth on or off didn’t matter.

[ksing44]

I have to say I love the digital cruise control and precise speed adjustments. It sure beats my 1995 Mercedes in precision and readout, although that old 1995 cruise control worked fine too.