Team-BHP
(
https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/)
It wasn't an easy task buying a car here in Germany. Makes and models are too many to make any realistic decision analysis.
Finally, I left my heart decide and it was a Volkswagen Golf VI 1.4 TSI Petrol.
My requirements were mainly good power, interior space, looks, easy maintenance and decent FE. I wanted a hatch as my wife would be driving it too and she is never confident driving a sedan.
It was a long 3 months wait till my name appeared on the screen at Autostadt, the VW factory in Germany where I picked it up.
Buying experience has been amazing. I bought the new car completely online. Of course test drive wasn't online ;) I have my buying experience in a separate thread here
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/test-d...ml#post1879960.
Here are the basic configuration info and initial impressions:
- 1.4 Litres Petrol TSI
- Power: 122 PS/ 5000
- Torque: 200Nm / 1500 - 4000
- Tyre: 205/55 R16
- Music System: RNS 510 with Navigation and DVD player
- 5 Airbags (front) + 4 Airbags (back)
- Rain sensor
- Park Assist
- Seat heating
- Cruise control
Engine
TSI is simply amazing. Downsizing has really worked for VW. The small 1.4L engine produces 122PS of power (the next higher one in the series produces 160PS with the same engine size). The power and torque are available whenever you need it. You don't notice any turbo lag on this petrol engine (due to the active super charger at lower RPMs).
I have been getting a FE of around 14Kmpl (city + highway) which I feel is pretty ok based on whats promised by VW.
Handling
Rock solid. Gets the feel that you are driving a sedan with the way it plants on the road.
Gears 
Smooth as butter. Took a while getting used to shifting to the 6th gear.
Comfort and space 
The interiors are really really spacious. A big plus for Golf here. The front seats are really comfortable. Both front seats have lumbar support with a lumbar support adjustment. It isn't really warm here yet. Hence couldn't really test the air conditioning. There are store spaces everywhere..in the dash, under the seats, on the doors.
Styling 
I bought a special edition model called "Team" which had couple of nice additions in series like Park assistant (which automatically parallel parks the car), 16'' alloys (a plain old design), seat heating, multifunction display, multifunction steering wheel etc.
Music system 
RNS 510 with 8 speakers sounds good for the ears and produces decent bass. The integrated navigation is really cool. Finds satellites as soon as you switch it on. The mobile phone integration with bluetooth worked out of the box (without the use of any costly adapters). The car uses it own GSM antenna and uses the SIM on the mobile in my pocket (using rSAP bluetooth protocol). The makes it possible to browse address book and read SMS directly on the screen.
Quality 
You see it everywhere. Its miles ahead of Golf V w.r.t quality. The folks at VW have given attention to detail in all areas.
Drawbacks 
- I think the headlamps and foglamps of Polo (left) looks more stylish than the one on Golf (right).
:OT
There is a little dead spider inside my headlamp. I saw it walking around inside the headlamp a day before and now it is lying dead inside :eek:
- Engine is a bit noisy at cold start.
- The door has two halting positions. You can keep the door only in these positions. The first position is too small and makes it tough to get in and out of the car. The second position makes the door too wide open and would mostly touch the door of your neighbour in parking spots.
- It is not easy to close the boot lid by holding on the hooks. Mostly you have to place your hand on the boot lid from outside and press it down again.
- Plastic looking alloys on special edition
Let me be the first one to officially express my envy:mad:.
Man!! I love this metal.
Ah, the joys of living in a developed nation!
If I can sum it all up in one word~ CHOICE!
The likes of which we do not have here in India.
A few of us pay the price because the many will not pay for a decent hatch.
Congratulations! Das (auto) is sehr gut.
The Golf would have been my choice if it was available here in India, too. Since that isnt likely to happen, I pinned my hopes on a decently specced polo. And we are saddled with a cheap clone.
I can only envy the fact that you can choose between engines, and also spec. Love the fact that navigation and things work out of the box, and that auto parking is an option. I've seen some videos of that working on You Tube, and its phenomenal.
Congrats Nirmal. Excellent Pictures ! But why you had to wait for 3 months for delivery? Do we see such long waiting periods even in developed markets.
The white Golf looks drool maal .. no two ways about it. And for such an engine I think 14kmpl is really good!
Also, that "TEAM" logo reminded me of the "TEAM in the TEAM BHP" sticker!
@quadmaniac,
Awesome man , be in Germany - own a german car - drive through autobahn - nothing can match that if you are an auto maniac!!! ..Cheers mate on the purchase
So how much did this Golf cost you ? Also the prices and specs for our own Polo ? In some of the videos that I have seen , except for the interior trim and some optional packs. Am I right here ?
14kmpl for such a well equipped vehicle sounds decent
Congrats again
Loved it! Congratulations!! I wish we had access to such cars in India.
I'm starting to like the VW designs even more now. I did like the Vento pictures that came out a few days ago. To my taste, I guess. But it's sad that we'll not be anywhere near the feature levels you get abroad.
Regarding polo vs. golf head lights & fog lamps, I agree with you if I look at them in isolation. But I guess the golf ones do fit the overall design better.
Enjoy your car!
Excellent choice Nirmalts!
May I ask why not the diesel? :)
Your explanation of what "internet brokers" do was very informative..Thanks for that! No one can ignore a 28.5 % discount!
Classy looking hatch but we may not see it in India ever because of our obsession with the third box.
nice classy stuff there mate! i think the special edition should have been named 'team bhp' instead of just 'team'. Look at the interiors. Speaks of Europian solidarity. (actually German solid build quality!) Seats look rather nice too.
Congrats nirmalts on becoming the first team-bhpian to become an owner of this Euro bestseller.
The quality, design and engineering speaks for itself and that 1.4 twincharger is a dream to drive, isn't it?
Some more pics of the golf and polo, please!
Congrats Nirmal. The Golf looks really awesome. It looks more sturdy for the size it actually is. One of my colleagues has Golf Plus which to me looks like a tall boy design. But this one in the pic is really awesome.
By the way, I live in Bonn. Let's organize for a Team-BHP meetup here in Germany. It is summer time here in Germany.:)
Congrats Nirmal for your new car!! amazing car and the procedure to take delivery from the Factory, I think the most busiest site for car delivery in the world.
Lucky enough that you need just a sticker of "BHP" as your car has already "TEAM".
Congrats Nirmal on your purchase. Wish you happy driving.
Congratulations!! Lovely car and lovely color! The way an owner takes the delivery of a new VW car in Germany is amazing! Do you have more pics of the delivery towers?
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