Test drive Volkswagen Golf V 5 doors 2003 - 2008 hatchback

Money from the nightstand

When Volkswagen-Golf of the fourth-generation appeared in Russia in 1998, a grandiose hype was on the market. It seemed that everyone wanted to buy only him. Exactly a year ago, the fifth golf debuted in our market ...
 



Presenting the first-generation Golf in 1974 to the public, the Germans themselves signed a sentence. The compact front -wheel drive hatchback turned out to be so successful that it became the founder of the most popular class of cars. After such a triumph, every next golf was simply obliged to be the best. Actually, so it turned out. No matter how attractive in design, characteristics or price new competitors are, in Europe, Golf has always become a sales leader.
 

True, the fifth -generation model at first stalled. It was too conservative appearance to the novelty of Europeans to the novelty of Europeans. But when the reaction of the first impression passed and the time has come for objective assessments, Golf quickly restored the status quo. However, in Russia, the fifth still occupies the wrong share of the market that it is worthy. And the main reason is the price.


What is the price?
Golf price list starts at $ 19,987. For that kind of money you get a 3-door with a 102-horsepower 1.6 liter engine performed by trendoline. Sport-line is more expensive for $ 1963, and comfortline by $ 2357.

 
  
The three -door costs cheaper for $ 800 has something to think about. Sportline version is distinguished by moldings in the color of the body and cast discs R16

Access to the rear sofa in the three -door is quite convenient. The right chair with mechanical memory of the starting position does not have to be adjusted after the landing and ease of passengers


But which of the three versions you will not choose, do not stop at the standard configuration. For Volkswagen, every little thing requires surcharge, and the prices for most options, to put it mildly, are not children. For example, metallic coloring costs $ 546, air conditioning is $ 1514, and for a 5-door body you need to pay extra $ 800. As a result, the golf-1,6 equipped at the necessary minimum is $ 24,000 and $ 26,300 with the automatic transmission. If you take a comfortable or sportline as a basis and not very greedy in the choice of options, the price shoots at $ 27,00030,000. And this is for a car with an Old Testament 8-valve engine. When a 115-horsepower 16-valve with direct FSI injection will appear in Russia, the prices will still increase ...

Cars with a 2-liter 150-horsepower FSI motor are much more expensive. In trim levels corresponding to the prestige of the engine, they are offered for $ 35,00038,000.

 
   
Prerogative mirrors of prerogative versions Comfortline and Sportline

In a comfort and sport line on the ceiling console, a cover with a lid

In comfort and sportslane, the rear ceiling is equipped with reading lamps


Representatives of Volkswagen are trying to justify high prices by the fact that the golf, they say, refers to the premium segment. Well, cheeks can be inflated as much as you like. But only, excuse me, not on Senka a hat. In the concern, Volkswagen in the mentioned class segment C plays only Audi-A3. And when from the simplest A3 you transplant to the golf, you immediately understand which of them is premium and who is not very.
 

In fact, the golf was and remains a democratic model. And his direct competitors Opel-astra, Ford-Focus, Peugeot, 307, Toyota-Corollah. Another question is that starting from the third generation, Golf was a little more prestigious, slightly more noble and slightly older than his classmates. But this has a slightly definite price. Throughout the world, golf, ceteris paribus (motor, transmission, equipment) costs an average of 58% more than European and Japanese competitors. And in Russia for some reason by 1525%. It's just absurd. It is equivalent to the fact that the mustard loaf, which everywhere costs a ruble is more expensive than the rifle, in a single store, lay out the sorceress cake at the price of the cake ... It is not surprising that only 806 people have become for the full year of sales in Russia.

 
   
The rear armrest with a trendlin ski hat requires a surcharge of $ 203
 
In the basic trendlin, the floor console ends with an open tray for trifles (right). Boxing with an adjustable armrest and cup holders will cost $ 230.


In this situation, only prestigious 2-liter versions are more or less adequately perceived. When it comes to buying a class of class with more than $ 30,000, not particularly fundamental, it costs $ 32,000 or $ 38,000. But 2-liter modifications of the weather in the market do not. We will take a democratic 1.6-liter machine and try to find at least some excuse for its value. The calculation of our light blue golf looks like this:
 

Trendoline $ 19,987 execution

Five -door body $ 800
Separate climate control $ 1715
Winter package: heating of seats and nozzles of glass washer, washer
headlights, fluid level sensor in the washer tank $ 512
Packet Light and review: light and rain sensors, mirror
with auto -plate, backlighting the lower part of the cabin in front $ 203
RCD300 PLUS CD with 4 speakers from behind $ 415
Rear electric windows $ 251
Leather decoration of a sports wheel, levers of KP and handbrake $ 187
Metallic color $ 546
Total: $ 24 616
 

As you can see, it will not be possible to make golf much cheaper than ours. Options that most buyers choose (5-door body, climatic, winter bag, radio and metallic) are expensive. And for the rest of the side dish you can’t save much.
 
List of standard equipment

Trendoline execution:

ABS
ASR Antibux system
Frontal, front side and window pillows
Active front head restraints
Mounts for children's chairs of the Isoofix standard
Steering wheel drive
Immobilizer
Front electric windows
Electric mirrors and heating
Audio training (6 speakers in front, antenna)
Central Castle with DU
Make -up mirrors
Cup holders in front and back
Steering column adjustable in two directions
Adjustable driver's chair
Folding in the proportion of 40:60 the back of the rear sofa
The fabric salon Media
Black lateral moldings
Steel wheels with tires 195/65 R15
Enhanced suspension with increased road clearance
Carter steel protection

Execution of comfortline additionally:

Automatic turning on the headlights
Mirror with auto -plate
Cruise control
Front seats with pockets on the backs, adjusting the height and lumbar support
The rear central armrest with a hatch for long -meters
Brush of makeup mirrors
Reading lamps from behind
Roset 12 V and hook for attaching bags in the trunk
Opera velor salon with carbon trim
Light alloy wheels with tires 195/65 R15

Sportline execution in addition to trendoline:

Intracassentous mirror with auto -plate
Rain sensor
Sports front seats with pockets on the backs, adjusting the height and lumbar support
Sports 3-spoke steering wheel
Leather steering wheel finish, KP levers and parking brake
On-board computer
Brush of makeup mirrors
Reading lamps from behind
Additional 12 V and hook for attaching bags in the trunk
Shysical fabric salon with trim under the titanium
Side moldings in the color of the body
Light alloy wheels with tires 205/55 R16




Outside and inside
It seems that the fifth golf was developed primarily for special services employees. In the ability to not stand out from the crowd with him, even a recognized master of conspiracy by Koroll cannot compete. You look at the car to the eye to catch on the eye. The fact that it is golf in front of you is only invisible since the time of the golf II silhouette.
 

Of course, in the correct forms of golf, functionality visible. A tall roof and wide doors is the ease of planting and ease. The rectangular fifth door guarantees convenient access to the trunk. But be that as it may, to create a car so conservative in appearance, when the competitors of one another is more original, this is an act. It’s a pity only, the buyers did not appreciate it. Many of them reasoned like this: why spend money on the fifth golf, when my fourth is still very nothing, but it looks almost the same?
 

   


The interior in unison of appearance is correct and dreary at the same time. Looking at him, it is easy to believe that the Germans even have sex strictly according to the schedule and once approved scenario. However, this is an amateur. But the highest level of engineering development of the design, the quality of finishing materials and comfort, I believe, everyone loves.
 

You open the door around its perimeter two contours of powerful seals. The design of the door fixing mechanism in intermediate positions from the area of \u200b\u200bcomplex mechanics. The armrest was made as if a gypsum cast was removed from your hand and there was already a form of upholstery on it. The ceiling handrails rise smoothly, with the help of a microlift. The poster of lighting the rear sofa in versions comfortline and sports is equipped with lamps for reading directed light. The efforts on all keys and regulators are verified perfectly. Even the radio is equipped with a huge display, which is constantly displayed by the names of all six radio stations of this range. In such attention to the little things, a high class is felt.

 
  
Separate 2-zone climate control costs only $ 200 more than air conditioner

The display displays the names and frequencies of all radio stations of this range


But the most important convenience of landing-enthusiasm and scope inside. The close -up salon with uncomfortable access was perhaps the only drawback of the golf. All, forget it. The current golf is perhaps the most convenient for the Hatchback passengers in the classroom. High and wide doorways, a large supply of space in the legs and above the head. For complete happiness, it remains to order only the rear armrest and the front with adjustable deflectors of the blowing of the gallery.
 
    
In the basic configuration, 6 speakers are installed only in front. We recommend additionally order 4 rear speakers for $ 237. Better yet, the RCD-300-plus CD Magnetol with 10 speakers ($ 415)

The factory alarm costs $ 244 or $ 330C a volume sensor. Favorable option

Legage boxes under the front chairs and an elastic grid under the shelf of the trunk enter the bag of luggage devices ($ 187)


The quality of the interior decoration has always been considered the advantage of golf. However, the advertising avenues often shows top-and-tree interiors, seats, etc. Yes, unlike competitors, golf offers Sibarite options like a wooden wheel or super-fry of Nappa skin, considered a luxury even for business class models. But, as you know, they are very expensive and are extremely rare. The vast majority of golfs are sold performed by trendoline. How impressive is the interior in this form?
 

Yes, the salon is assembled neatly in German. Yes, the materials used in it really look more expensive than in French and most Japanese models. But I can’t say that, by execution of the salon, the basic golf clearly replays, for example, Astra or Corolla. If it is better, then very few.


Behind the wheel
How ergonomics is thought out here! The mutual arrangement of governing bodies and the logic of their work are close to the ideal. Volkswagen tidy sample, which everyone is imitated. The steering wheel and the seat are already good in the performance of trendoline. And even in a comfort and especially in the sportline, just cool. By the way, I recommend supplementing with trendy custom-made leather 3-spice steering wheel, like in our car. It is much more pleasant than a standard plastic bagel.

But the most impressive are the huge ranges of adjustment of the steering wheel and chair. They allow you to comfortably sit behind the wheel and guulliver of any complexion, and an inch. At the same time, the step of the longitudinal movement of the chair is so small that the fit is performed with pharmaceutical accuracy.

 
Governing bodies














1. Whell -windows buttons and mirror settings remote control. 2. The lock button of the central lock. 3. The central light switch. 4. Instrument lighting controller and headlight corrector. 5. The alarm switch. 6. CD Magnetol. 7. Climate control. 8. The disconnection button of the anti -wings system.


 
Dashboard










1. The clock buttons. 2. Tachometer. 3. Signal lamps. 4. Information display/ run counter. 5. The indicator of the temperature of the coolant. 6. Fuel level indicator. 6. Speedometer. 6. The zeroing button of the daily mileage counter.
 
Engine










1. The oil probe of the engine. 2. The tank of the washer of the glass. 3. The expansion tank of the cooling system. 4. The oil -packed engine cork. 5. The tank of the main brake cylinder. 6. The battery. 7. Block relay and fuses.


But so that the driver did not seem at all honey at all, the creators of Golf threw several jambs. I would like to look into the eyes of the blind color of the color blind, which stubbornly gives Volkswagena toxic-blue backlighting the front panel. And also to find the stylist who came up with a stylized security for the racing frame between the central and floor console. There is no sense in them, but the tall driver rubs his right leg ... The developers of the side mirrors are also handsome. On the fourth golf on the left there was a mirror of normal sizes, and on the right is flawed. On the fifth, two minimally sufficient ones were installed and repeaters of the turns of the turns were implanted into their housings. But who directs them into the eyes of the driver? When you turn on the turn signal in the dark, next to the car begins to annoy some UFO ...
 

The rear visibility is generally normal, although the headrests are somewhat interfered. However, I would not order a factory for $ 560 in any case. In place of dollars for 400, you can install both the rear and the front.
 



We load the baggage
Hatchback golf-class trunk is difficult to distinguish in size and ease of use, they are approximately the same for everyone. So Golf offers in Folkswagenovsky a rectangular chest of 350 liters with a wide lid. True, it closes it not very gently has to clap.

In the basic version, the back of the sofa is folded separately. At the same time, the rear headrests are not required to be removed, and the front seats retain the ability to move almost to the stop.

 
    
Trendoline offers the back of the sofa folding in the proportion of 40:60. If you need four seats when transporting long -meters, order an armrest with a folding hatch


Of the additional amenities in trendoline, you can order a bag of luggage devices: an elastic grid under the shelf of the trunk, drawers under the front seats, adjustable in height of the driver’s chair ($ 187). As well as the rear armrest with a folding hatch in the back of the sofa ($ 203), if you need to save four seats when transporting long -meters.
 

 
Car dimensions, mm
 
Salon dimensions, mm




Safety
In crash tests according to the Euroncap methodology, the fifth golf earned excellent 33 points in the amount of the frontal and lateral strikes. At the same time, the machines supplied to Russia are regularly equipped with all passive safety means that went into the test during a crash test. These are pretensors and restraints of belt efforts, six inflatable pillows and signalizers of non -set belts in front.
 

For a surcharge, the car can be equipped with rear side pillows ($ 325), the ESP dynamic stabilization system ($ 795), bixenon head ($ 1210) and fog ($ 207) headlights, as well as air pressure sensors ($ 62).
 

For the transportation of children in golf, fasteners are regularly provided for chairs of the isofix standard. Moreover, you can install a children's chair even on the front passenger seat with a back forward. For this, the right front pillow is turned off.
 

From personal safety means, you can note the central lock with the function of alternating unlocking the driver's door and all the others, as well as with a separate button of the trunk unlocking. While you are bored with the luggles, nothing will mumble from the locked salon. And having ordered a package of light and review ($ 203), you will receive remote switching and delay in turning off the headlights function of the track to the house.
 



On the roads and without them
Well, how are you, old 8-classic? Still alive, smoking room? Alive and, I must say, feels good. Confidently pulls from below and is quite cheerful in the zone of average revolutions. Yes, he sounds frankly eight -valve (rather, just noisy). Yes, it gets freezing after 5,000 revolutions. But it seems that Volkswagen engineers managed to squeeze the maximum from the ancient structure. Objectively, the engine is inferior to modern 16-platens only at high speeds, where it lacks steepness. But some sense of inferiority still does not leave. It sits somewhere at the level of prejudice: a car with such claims and for that kind of money and with a 8-valve ... This is like at an old gas station with blatant columns you take 20 liters, and the counter stops at the number 19.7. You start a motor, the fuel -dimenship arrow rises to the twenty -familiar mark after refueling, and you understand that if it was, if you were, you still won’t feel it. But the worm is still deeply sharpening.
 

But by the convenience of managing the dynamics of the power unit, the golf sample for imitation. Firstly, it is a very predictable clutch work and a clear gear shift. Anyone who has read the driving textbook will be able to move from the place on the golf: we release the clutch while adding gas, and went. Secondly, response to adding, gas supply. Golf-1,6 follows the pedal instantly and at the same time smoothly without any twig and delay.
 

And in everything else, Golf demonstrates the highest level of understanding with the driver. The brakes are so adequate that even during the first pressing on the pedal, you calculate the braking distance unmistakably. A car rides along a high -speed straight line like a stretched string. The trajectory in corners draws, like a circul, predictably straightening when adding and screwing inward during the discharge of gas. In general, the ability of the machine to hold on to asphalt is simply amazing. In the fired turns, even on winter tires, the golf until the glide starts longer than the expected. Nevertheless, it was not for nothing that an independent multi-link suspension was used on the fifth in the back instead of the elastic beam traditional for golf class.
 

Separately, it should be noted the operation of the steering power steering. Unlike most brothers, he only has an unnatural, synthetic reactive effort in the near -Zone. But with a more active taxiing, it behaves almost as refined as a hydraulic wrap at the fourth golf. For an electric power, this is a compliment.
 

Smoothness and noise insulation for most drivers they will be more important than honed handling. Well, the golf is quite quiet. At the same time, all sources of noise in it are well balanced. The solo batch does not intercept either the engine, the tire, or the wind. The suspension with an enlarged clearance adapted to the poor road is naturally harsh. At urban speeds, it makes the body repeat the road profile in sufficient detail and tremble on sharp irregularities. But it does not reach discomfort. But with an increase in speed, she acquires a pleasant elasticity, does not swing the car in the wave and swallows such holes without a hint of breakdown ...
 

As expected, adapted golf behaves well on the lane. Muscular suspension, almost 150 mm lumen under the standard steel protection of the engine, relatively short body overhang, framed by unpainted plastic. If you have to move off the asphalt, the golf can be considered.


Operation, service
The conditions of the after -sales service of the golf are standard for German cars. The warranty is two years without limiting the run, planned after 15,000 km. There are no serious pitfalls in the warranty conditions, and dealers perform the guarantee in good faith.

There are no deficiency of service services in the form of queues, since the dealer network of Volkswagen is quite branched. There are 15 authorized technical centers in Moscow alone, and there are 40 of them in total. Almost all dealers have a remote diagnostic system that allows operational consultations with the involvement of specialists of the Moscow representative office, and, if necessary, headquarters in Germany. The supply of spare parts is also debugged. The dealers quickly receive them from the central Moscow warehouse.
 

But in matters of the cost of the service and spare parts, dealers (in any case, Moscow), it seems, finally believed that they work with the brand of premium segment. Normally, work costs an average of $ 50, and you can see the prices for indicative spare parts in our table. The difference between Volkswagen and European competitors here is about the same as when buying a car.

 
We liked
 


The suspension adapted to bad roads and steel engine protection in standard configuration

Very clear gear shift
 
Very spacious rear salon

The quality of finishing materials, thought out ergonomics, comfortable chairs with huge adjustments ranges


As well as:

Sensation of an adult, solid car
Great sled qualities
The possibility of individual setting of configuration


 
We didn't like it
 


Small side mirrors with irritating in the dark repeaters of turns indicators

Decorative stretch marks on the central console rest on the leg


As well as:

Unjustifiably high price



 
 
Volkswagen Golf 1.6 m/t

common data
 
Body (number of places/doors)
hatchback (5/5)
 
Equipped mass, kg
1175
 
Complete mass, kg
1800
 
Speed, km/h
184
 
Acceleration 0-100 km/h, with
11.4
 

Fuel consumption, l/100 km highway/city
5.6/9.8
 

Fuel supply, l
55
 

Engine
 
Location
Front transversely
 
Design
gasoline, 4-cylinder, in order, with one upper camshaft
 
The number of valves per cylinder
2
 
Diam. cylinder x Piston stroke, mm
81x77.4
 
Working volume, SMZ
1595
 
Compression ratio
10.3: 1
 
Power, L.S. at rpm
102/5600
 
Torque, kgsm at rpm
15,1/3800
 

Chassis
 
Drive unit
On the front wheels
 
Transmission
Mechanical, 5-speed
 
Gear rates I; II; III; IV; V; Z.Kh.
3.46; 1.96; 1.28; 0.98; 0.81; 3.18
 
main gear
4.53
 
Suspension:
Independent, multi -link, with stabilizers of anti -resistance stability
 
front
Type McEzerson
 
behind
Mollycent
 
Steering
rack type with amplifier
 
Brakes:
With ABS
 
front
disk, ventilated
 
behind
disk
 
Tires
196/65 R15


 
Prices for spare parts and that, $

TO1 (15,000 km) 270
TO2 (30,000 km) 430
TO3 (45,000 km) 325
Oil filter 16.5
Air filter 56
Fuel filter 33
Spark plug (1 pc.) 13.7
Front brake pads/rear 151/100
Tip of steering thrust 63
Steering thrust 58
Ball support lower 67
Front shock absorber/rear 188/165
Front/rear wing 198/257
Hood 411
Front door 318
The rear door 312
Front bumper assembly 443
Rear bumper assembly 408
Windshield 308
Side glass 61
Front headlight assembly Galogan/xenon 252/556
Rear lamp assembly 94
    
We decided:

Golf still remains the standard in the classroom. In almost everything, he turns out to be at least a little better than competitors. However, Golf can only be recommended for acquisition only to those who fell in love with it so much that the price no longer interests him. Or someone who is used to taking money from the nightstand. As much as needs...
 
Alexander Konov, photo of Maxim Goncharov

 
 

Source: Magazine buy a car [07/2005]