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| VW Vento 1.5L Diesel DSG Comfortline (Automatic) - The Roadrunner Oct 17 2014: It was raining cats and dogs in Kerala. This is the day when he came home with a beep-beep, the all too familiar sound that my kid is a big fan of - of the Road Runner (not really! but this is the name that popped up). Here's the Night Blue Vento Diesel DSG CL 1.5L TDI. Do I look good! ![]() We have a Getz 1.3 GLS for the last 6 years, done 65K and I love to drive it. It's time to upgrade as the requirements to upgrade outweighs continuing with the current one for family drives. My buying decision of the cars, both the Getz and the Vento have been highly influenced by the sea of information available on our beloved T-BHP. With the Getz, we were a happy family for years. I didn't test drive any other cars. T-BHP was my virtual test drive platform where a lot of knowledgeable people shared their views after test driving every brand and model available in India. Here's a list of influences in making the decision to go for the Vento and the DSG.
![]() ![]() ![]() The T-BHP review of the Vento covers all aspects of the car in detail. This refresh is mostly about the DSG and the Double barrel headlamps and a set of security features that came as a package with DSG. This review might have some repetitions. The link to the original T-BHP review is given below. http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/offici...ve-review.html New Headlamps ![]() The Likes:
![]() Why Vento:
![]() The New 1.5L TDI Engine: The specs taken from VW brochure is here, ![]() As already mentioned elsewhere, this is the same 1.6L VW engine downsized to 1.5L. Apart from any savings on the tax/duty, I'm not sure what would have prompted this downsizing. The engine:
![]() ![]() ![]() The DSG: Not for the looks, not for the engine and definitely not for the brand value but, it is ONLY for this technology pack that my choice has to be the Vento. Appreciate VW for giving cutting edge technology in their affordable cars (Polo TSI, Vento TSI and now TDI).
![]() First impression on driving: The suspension is really good in masking undulations of the road, though the rear suspension makes some noise at high speed. (Updated on 18th Oct - The noise seems to be due to the 44PSI all around. Reduced to 32 in front and 33 in back. The car is much smoother now. Also did the alignment) Other impressions on first drive:
![]() ![]() Handling
![]() ![]() Overall Driveability, Response and Refinement: The brake pedal is pressed and the gear is put into "D" - there is a split second wait before the engine becomes attached and starts moving. I had test driven the TSI earlier and didn't feel any difference in response from the gearbox/engine combi when we try to build speed gradually. It is nice and smooth. Don't really notice the gear shifts too. The engine feels well refined while driving sedately. Felt the difference while driven with a slightly heavy foot. The response from TSI was quicker and the refinement too was better with the petrol. With the 1.5L diesel, there is very good power on tap once you touch 1500pm and the torque is enjoyable. A little more refined engine would be welcome.
![]() ![]() Fuel Efficiency:
![]() Other niceties:
![]() ![]() ![]() Experience so far:
Last edited by rejeen : 27th October 2014 at 12:03. |
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BHPian ![]() Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Bangalore
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| re: VW Vento 1.5L Diesel DSG Comfortline (Automatic) - The Roadrunner The whole buying experience from booking to delivery is detailed for anyone interested. Feel free to skip if it is boring. The Booking: My wife and I were coming back after a drive from Ernakulam (Cochin) on Feb 27th this year. It was a Holiday in Kerala. When I saw the VW showroom, my head was taken over by the heart who manipulated it to make a quick stop there and to take a test drive of the TSI. 10 minutes later I was driving a Polo TSI with Mr. John (more about him later) on my left and my wife at the rear. That was a short test drive and I was in love, in particular with the "S" mode. 30 minutes and we were out of the showroom with a booking for Pepper Grey/Shadow Blue Vento TSI to be delivered in 4-6 months. The wait: Not really bothered with the long wait as we had other priorities. Towards September (Onam), I was again thinking about the car and started following up. In between I had got calls from the showroom asking whether I'm interested in a Black (on the day of booking itself), Terra beige or White colors which were available. Wasn't interested in those colors and declined politely. Coming back - in September when I followed up, got a shock as I was told that both pepper Grey and Shadow Blue are no longer produced/available for the Vento TSI. The Cancellation (that never happened): I couldn't be sure if they were playing games with me, so days passed while I was gathering information about the availability of colors and almost confirmed what they told is the fact. So I called up the dealer and told I'm going ahead with the cancellation and sent them email. Also dropped a note to VW through the portal. At this point we were thinking about the XUV500 among potential choices, though my heart was reluctant to let go the DSG. The Turn: Out of the "blue", got a call from the dealer and was told that the diesel Vento is launching in a week and I could get one of the first and that could be in blue shade. No information about the variant was available. I was excited and put the cancellation on hold. The Process: Indeed the launch happened, dealer got a couple of cars and I got to see both of them in their yard. Too early for a test drive as some papers were not ready for their approvals on the new model with RTO. It was the CL variant and by then I had done my study and didn't feel I miss a lot compared to HL (considering my plans to buy alloys when available, Stanley leather pack in few months hopefully and ICE upgrade to something better than in HL - Philly 835??). Most importantly, there is no compromise on safety features . The Delivery: Fixed Friday the 17th after discounting a couple of days that were marked as not so good days by the calendar & elders. Initially the delivery was supposed to be at 11:30, but the time period between 10:30am to 12:00pm was associated with the evil "Rahu" (google Rahu Kalam), therefore had to reschedule to 12:45pm. Reached around 12:45 and was met with "the guy" who had been assisting throughout. After giving a guided tour of the documents list that also includes some to be submitted at my local RTO, we were handed over to the "other guy" who explained in detail about the features of the car, showed how to remove engine cover, how not to pull up the driver side wiper during water service and why not to wash the inside of engine compartment and under body of the car. Also to assist was "the lady" who helped in taking few snaps during delivery with my phone while the "other guy" took few shots of the same using a camera. A print-out of the picture framed nicely was given to us as a souvenir. ![]() Gifts: From VW:
They're good, but as they say nothing less than "excellent" is acceptable. Could improve overall customer experience if they pay a little more attention and treat every visitor as a potential customer. Premium products that has premium pricing should have customers who too are premium and need to be treated so (from a VW "premium" point of view). Mr John (the guy), the "other guy" and "the lady": All my communication with the dealer was through the super friendly Mr. John Paul (yes, he has a famous name). He's the Sales adviser who won't get tired of my call even if he had just completed another call with the same "me", a minute back. Appreciate him for all the help. Mr. Sharath is the "other guy" who explained all the features of the car nicely, in no hurry at all and gave a short tour of the service station along with a few cards with important contacts. He is a fan of DSG and wants to drive cars, but couldn't do so as he is a law abiding citizen yet to get a drivers license. "the lady" Ms. Rincy gave company to my family while I was away with Mr. Sharath and also helped with the pictures. They are all nice people and did well to instill a good overall feeling! The Loan: ICICI offer: approval in a day @10.45%, 0.1% processing fee with half waived off. Documents: just the salary slip. No prepayments allowed. Pre-closure anytime after 6 months with penaly of 4.2% on outstanding. SBI offer: approval in a week @10.4%. Huge list of documents required. 0.1% fee (waived till end of the year). any number of prepayments allowed and no charges. What would you go for ![]() The Insurance: Had to go with dealer (Tie-up with Bajaj Allianz) as outside offers were not different by a big margin. Couldn't check online as websites were not updated with new model info. The cost: 12.49L on Road. No discounts. This would be a family car mostly to be used on Holidays and weekends when I'm home in Kerala. Have the Getz for office commute and use in Bangalore as it is KA registered. "One more thing" - Actually a few:
![]() Something Personal: DSG has got enough reviews, positive for its efficiency and negative for its reliability. I would say it's really good. Just because something might fail after 4 years (after warranty expires and that too a probability), why should I miss the fun and compromise for something lower. That's the "End of the beginning" of this Initial review, from a Happy Driver. Thanks for reading. Any queries would be answered and appreciate any advise. Very Basic! ![]() Last edited by rejeen : 27th October 2014 at 00:37. |
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Team-BHP Support ![]() ![]() | re: VW Vento 1.5L Diesel DSG Comfortline (Automatic) - The Roadrunner Thread moved from the Assembly Line to the Initial Ownership Section. Thanks for sharing! |
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Senior - BHPian ![]() | re: VW Vento 1.5L Diesel DSG Comfortline (Automatic) - The Roadrunner Quote:
![]() I may be wrong here, but I guess this is the first ownership thread of the Vento TDI DSG on the forum. Coming from Getz, I know exactly how it feels since my previous car was a similar one. Wish you many more happy mile crunching and drive safe. ![]() | |
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| re: VW Vento 1.5L Diesel DSG Comfortline (Automatic) - The Roadrunner Congratulations on your new car. Please do keep updating it with your observations. your thread will be keenly watched as it is the first one with the 1.5 TDI and DSG combo. all the best for many years of trouble free ownership. |
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| re: VW Vento 1.5L Diesel DSG Comfortline (Automatic) - The Roadrunner If 80 kph is at just 1500 RPM then the 7th gear ratio is way taller than the 5th in an manual car, the quick down shift when you tap the accelerator for more torque must be what allows such a tall 7th gear aiding in fuel efficiency. The 1.6 manual is known to give 22-23 km/l with single occupant on high way speeds under 80, once properly run in you may get better here. Rahul |
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| re: VW Vento 1.5L Diesel DSG Comfortline (Automatic) - The Roadrunner Congrats on your acquisition. You may realize the true efficiency of AC in summer :( For a tech laden gearbox, the gear lever and gates is not so great looking. Its been the same for more than a decade that I have been seeing them. |
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| re: VW Vento 1.5L Diesel DSG Comfortline (Automatic) - The Roadrunner Congratulations on taking the plunge rejeen. May you clock many more miles with your Road Runner ![]() |
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| re: VW Vento 1.5L Diesel DSG Comfortline (Automatic) - The Roadrunner Congratulations Rejeen ! This car seems like an ideal vehicle with a striking combo of fuel efficiency and performance. I own a Polo 1.5 TDI and can safely say that the engine response will get even better with good run in. I could identify with lots of things you mentioned. Yes, the initial clatter is there and engine could have been more refined but when it nears the turbo mark, bye-bye to most of the vehicles on road. Plus you get amazing stability at high speeds and all the safety features. Wish you million miles. This would be a keenly watched thread, eagerly waiting for updates. Congrats again ![]() Zigor |
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| re: VW Vento 1.5L Diesel DSG Comfortline (Automatic) - The Roadrunner congratulations rejeen. Nice Write up. A rarity nowadays for a Vento. Well built European Sedan but underrated for its sheer understyling. In my honest opinion, the look is timeless and perfectly resembles the Volkswagen lineage. Hope they stick to it. P.S: Look what they did to the new Punto. Taking a cue from the Hyundai stable and the fluidic fever. The new Punto seems to be having that korean/chinese hangover. |
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| re: VW Vento 1.5L Diesel DSG Comfortline (Automatic) - The Roadrunner Congrats on the purchase! Even i took the delivery of Vento 1.5 TDI DSG(highline) in the same shade couple of days back!Must say that i was totally in love with DSG ![]() Agree with you on the sound from rear suspension,However i dint check the air pressure yet! The dealer here told me that extended warranty is available(4 years/1,00,000 Kms) and i have purchased it at the time of delivery.I am yet to get the documents for the same! |
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| re: VW Vento 1.5L Diesel DSG Comfortline (Automatic) - The Roadrunner Dear Rejeen, Great review of the 1.5 TDi DSG. I would advise you to go for the extended warranty in the first year itself as the price goes up twice in the 2nd year. Check with the dealer, the price for the extended warranty is on the VW India website. |
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| re: VW Vento 1.5L Diesel DSG Comfortline (Automatic) - The Roadrunner Quote:
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I'm keen to upgrade the HU and going thru the threads. Quote:
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Yes, the gear lever looks dated. Many people say the car looks dated too and they're right as the looks have remained same for long, but it still has decent and graceful looks. Personally, I was looking for DSG at an affordable price in a car that has reasonably good safety. I wouldn't have bought this with Manual Transmission as there are other options in the sedan space to choose from! Quote:
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![]() The Cochin dealer is yet to confirm availability of Ext. Warranty for the New Vento. I think it is not updated yet on the VW site. Please confirm once you receive the documents from VW so that I could also follow up with the dealer. | ||||||||
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| re: VW Vento 1.5L Diesel DSG Comfortline (Automatic) - The Roadrunner Hi Rejeen, Congratulations on your new car. A very nice choice indeed. The night blue seems slightly darker than the shadow blue. I need to see the colour in person to gauge the difference. Few quick things: - In the pictures I noticed that you have kept both cabin lights at off. Keep one or both to switch on and off with the door. It has a nice dimming action and also a good indicator that the doors are closed. - All the doors can always be opened from the inside. This is supposedly a safety feature. Earlier I was paranoid about it, but with the recent news of car fires I am thankful. If you have kids at the back, please engage child locks. If not, inform your family members about this "feature". - There is a thread about the hidden features in Vento. Please go through it and you may find something useful. Last but not least, enjoy your car ![]() Regards, Prasad |
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Senior - BHPian ![]() | re: VW Vento 1.5L Diesel DSG Comfortline (Automatic) - The Roadrunner Fantastic review. So you too didnt get a test drive. Regarding the steering not weighing up to your liking, is it still the case after reducing the tyre pressure from 44psi to 32 psi ? Can you let us know the cost of extended warranty ? |
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