Yesterday on the way home, had a race with a Golf 2.0 TDI up a very long stretch of sliproad. Didn't know he was racing at first, as I pulled off pretty gently (but got off first), the next thing I know I can hear mr TDI's engine revving away.... now at this point I am probably doing about 15-20 in 2nd, so am hardly in the ideal gear for racing. So, unsurprisingly he went past, on the left lane! so, bugger this, thought I, decided to put my foot down, but in fairness, the race was already lost, because I just couldnt catch him up. He kept edging slightly further away, then comes a sharp corner, so i thought I'll have him here but ultimately, it went round the corner pretty well I have to say, and although I may have gained a slight amount on him through the corner, once out of the corner, he just pulls away again.

So what was the point in this post? Well I'd always wondered how much difference, in real terms, there was in between a Fabia vRS (which I'd regard as similarly performing to what I just had a race with) and my car, and now I know. I wont be picking on any Fabia vRS's.

In fact its made me doubt slightly that this thing can really do 0-60 in 8.3 seconds, like some places claim.... well maybe it can, but above that its obviously not much cop :(

The new Golf handles pretty well though, probably better than the Furby vRS when it corners I'd imagine.

thats the difference with petrol and deisel

0-60 can be deceiving

depends how well your mk2 is running, remember it will be a little tired after all this time. mine managed to do 0-60 in about 8.5sec at that time it did beat a mk4 pd130 off the line but when deisels get going they have much better mid range.

I'll agree the Mk5 2.0 TDI is hell of a good handling car - My Dad's seemed to corner very well indeed when I last had a go.

depends how well your mk2 is running, remember it will be a little tired after all this time. mine managed to do 0-60 in about 8.5sec at that time it did beat a mk4 pd130 off the line but when deisels get going they have much better mid range.

You're probably right. Had I known he intended to race me from the beginning I think I would have had a better chance, at least maybe being level come 60 mph, but judging by what I seen, it would probably still pull away after that.

It did corner impressively well I must say, as I was expecting to have him in the corner.

yeah new technology does make a difference, but mk2 with good tyres and uprated susp you would have as you are much lighter car. but enjoy your car, dont be downhearted as they are a true hot hatch of their time.

112bhp isnt that much these days and it will make ur car suffer the higher mph you do, really runs out of a fast pace after 70

To be honest Kenny... although I can appreciate the diesel was faster, I still felt ultimately they deliver it in a "soul-less" fashion in some ways, but you are right, when up to speed 112 bhp aint much really.

I'm not too bothered about the defeat really Just know not to go messing with VAG turbo diesels in future!

just make sure your prepared next time they way diesels perform isnt my thing personally either, im definately a petrol engined driver.

To be honest Kenny... although I can appreciate the diesel was faster' date=' I still felt ultimately they deliver it in a "soul-less" fashion in some ways, but you are right, when up to speed 112 bhp aint much really.

I'm not too bothered about the defeat really Just know not to go messing with VAG turbo diesels in future![/quote']

How things change...when the Golf GTi came out, it was criticised for not having the 'soul' of sports cars, but ultimately was partly responsible for killing off MG and Triumph (when I say MG, I mean MG up to 1980: not the Austin Rovers with MG badges made after that).

The Mk1 Golf is actually pretty horrible inside, but fun to drive. The MK2 looked positively stodgy by comparison, but is now considered a light car!

How things change...when the Golf GTi came out' date=' it was criticised for not having the 'soul' of sports cars, but ultimately was partly responsible for killing off MG and Triumph

[/quote']

... you mean old technology being shown the door by a new VW Golf?

must be some irony there