VW Golf GTE v eGolf review...

KCross · 04-10-2017 05:54PM

The dealer should be able to loan you one for a day or two... maybe a weekend.
The other EV dealers do.

Shefwedfan · 04-10-2017 06:18PM

billy few mates wrote: »

Thanks Shefwedfan, great information there. I wonder how many people (possibly like me) would be needlessly put off EVs over range anxiety issues that really aren't an issue? Perhaps the manufacturers should do more to allay our fears?
I'd love the opportunity to borrow one for a day or so to see how I'd manage that particular trip that's the main stumbling block to me buying a full EV, once I'd seen for myself that it was easily manageable I'd be more likely to take the plunge and buy one.
Guesstimated figures on a website will always be taken with a pinch of salt (especially after dieselgate), if I thought I'd never be able to do that trip there and back without a lot of careful planning and a good deal of luck I probably wouldn't buy one, if I thought I'd be able to do it with the minor inconvenience of a short tea break on the way, I think I probably would.

I would go to dealer and ask for loan, I did a loan of Leaf to see if I wanted to go electric and then bought eGolf. Took it over a weekend to see if it worked for me. To be honest when I first started looking at electric cars I never knew eGolf existed. Once I seen it I knew I wanted one :P

I think the manufacturer have tried to allay our fears, the issue is the salesman in the local garage doesn't have a clue. They don't know how to sell it. I have said it before, how many people in Dublin buying Diesel/Petrol Golf should actually be buying an electric one only the dealer never offers it or doesn't know how to sell it.

In US/Europe the eGolf is flying out the doors, they can't get enough stock of them. In Ireland I think we have a total of 5, at least 2 are imports from UK(mine is). So that is 3 new ones sold. Joke.

No guesstimate with me. I get 16kWh/100km. That is after driving since March in it. So on the newer version that would work out over 220km. The onboard computer holds long term performance information.

Another eGolf user in Ireland is getting around 12-13kWh/100km. He has a lighter foot than me. So he would be closer to the 300km but I have chatted to him and 220-240km on new eGolf should be well within limits. If you stay within the 100-110km. At 120km I don't know, I only do short distances at 120km and never track it.

I do recommend taking one for test drive, I swapped an A6 for it and I have never looked back.

billy few mates · 04-10-2017 07:14PM

Thanks Shefwedfan, pardon my ignorance but what does the '12kwh/100km and 16kwh/100km' translate to in layman's terms...?
I know it's a measure of him many miles you can get for the amount of electricity you put into it but what does it roughly equate to or compare with in real terms?

cros13 · 04-10-2017 07:57PM

Well we pay for electricity in kWh (which is analogous to "units" on your bill).
I'm with energia who have a 6.65 cents per kWh night rate including VAT.
It's as simple as multiplying your unit rate by then kWh/100km efficiency to get what 100km of driving is going to cost you.

So for my 187km commute in a 15kWh/100km EV:

Efficiency * distance * unit rate = cost of my commute in cents
15 x 1.87 x 6.65 = 186.5325

So excluding the ~10% losses during charging my commute costs €1.87 in 'leccy.

The same commute in a Tesla Model S 100D (21kWh/100km):

21 x 1.87 x 6.65 = 261.1455 (€2.61)

Shefwedfan · 04-10-2017 10:08PM

billy few mates wrote: »

Thanks Shefwedfan, pardon my ignorance but what does the '12kwh/100km and 16kwh/100km' translate to in layman's terms...?
I know it's a measure of him many miles you can get for the amount of electricity you put into it but what does it roughly equate to or compare with in real terms?

Ok so your standard car(petrol/diesel) give you x.xltr/100km. So my current Galaxy does 7.7ltr/100km. So to do 100km it takes 7.7ltr of diesel. So the Galaxy has a 70ltr tank then you should get 900km per fill. Very rough maths

So my current eGolf, I get 16kWh/100km. The battery is 24.2KW. So I should get circa 150km per charge. I never get down to below 20km apart from last week and that was because I forgot to charge. On a standard day I only would use half the battery.......

The new eGolf has 35.8KW battery. Based on 16kWh/100km I am currently getting you should expect 223km per charge. Again rough maths

As mentioned I have heavy foot so conservative driving could drive up that number.

cros has done the maths in terms of cost per charge.

Also this could be an option longer term :P:P
https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/this-startup-nearly-tripled-the-vw-e-golfs-battery-capacity/
With that battery I could do a nice 360km

pearsefitz · 12-10-2017 02:19PM

Great thread on the topic. I am going to test drive the vw 2015 egolf and a 2017 vw gte. My question is I like to drive a car at a decent pace occasionally and want to be eco for my short work commute 20-30 mins. I don't do long journeys in my car.i do 6000-7000k a year.
Should I get rid of my 2015 (1) VW diesel for the 2017 gte or the 2015 e-golf?
Should you buy just brand new electric or hybrid?
I presume the grants are for the brand new models. I think Ireland taxing on them is backward like all car related things here.
Another question running cost per month/ #km's?
Any GTE owners got two cents...
Thanks for any replies

grange girl · 12-10-2017 02:45PM

Hi Pearse, I'm relatively new with my GTE and loving it, fits our bill exactly - lots of local driving on electric with my work and the petrol for return trips to look after elderly relatives (yesterday's trip took 6 hours, including travel to doctors etc, and was 260km, mostly motorway).
But if you don't do lots of long journeys, why bother going for the GTE - you are carrying round a petrol engine when you don't need it. And once you drive electric, you won't want to hear the petrol engine ever again.

Casati · 12-10-2017 03:52PM

grange girl wrote: »

Hi Pearse, I'm relatively new with my GTE and loving it, fits our bill exactly - lots of local driving on electric with my work and the petrol for return trips to look after elderly relatives (yesterday's trip took 6 hours, including travel to doctors etc, and was 260km, mostly motorway).
But if you don't do lots of long journeys, why bother going for the GTE - you are carrying round a petrol engine when you don't need it. And once you drive electric, you won't want to hear the petrol engine ever again.

What kind of economy do you get on the motorway?

unkel · 12-10-2017 04:47PM

pearsefitz wrote: »

My question is I like to drive a car at a decent pace occasionally and want to be eco for my short work commute 20-30 mins. I don't do long journeys in my car.i do 6000-7000k a year.

eGolf.

Shefwedfan · 12-10-2017 05:06PM

pearsefitz wrote: »

Great thread on the topic. I am going to test drive the vw 2015 egolf and a 2017 vw gte. My question is I like to drive a car at a decent pace occasionally and want to be eco for my short work commute 20-30 mins. I don't do long journeys in my car.i do 6000-7000k a year.
Should I get rid of my 2015 (1) VW diesel for the 2017 gte or the 2015 e-golf?
Should you buy just brand new electric or hybrid?
I presume the grants are for the brand new models. I think Ireland taxing on them is backward like all car related things here.
Another question running cost per month/ #km's?
Any GTE owners got two cents...
Thanks for any replies

If you are doing a short commute and loads of short trips why bother going for GTE? The eGolf will be perfect. I have the 2015 model, 60km round trip to work so then have over "half a tank" left for other running around during the day.

You can get a charge point installed fairly cheaply but I would include in your maths. Worst case keep 1k in there.

The eGolf is a joy to drive. I get 120-140km per charge. Another eGolf user is getting 170km per charge so it does depend on your driving style. I would be more aggressive and 120km is very easily done.

Don't mind the grants, they are on new cars. You can pick up eGolf second hand at a decent price and should be able to trade in the diesel Golf for good money as garage will sell to the many diesel lovers out there.

Not sure how much it costs per charge at home. I swapped to night/day meter when I installed. I have washing machine/dish washer etc with delay button on them. so at 1 in the morning everything kick in....I think my bill might have gone up by 10 euro per month but hard to know if it was car as number of extras was added in house at same time.....

Casati · 12-10-2017 06:13PM

You've a 151 Golf TDI and do 7000km per year? My advise would be to get a Golf GTi or Golf R and enjoy the performance, whatever car you drive your fuel costs will be tiny

billy few mates · 12-10-2017 07:39PM

I would definitely get the eGolf...

pearsefitz · 13-10-2017 12:19AM

Thanks for the feedback. I drove the GTE in busy M50 traffic and the automatic and quiet electric is awesome. But later this evening I went a good length on and off an empty motorway with GTE on. The km range for electric dropped loads but to be fair I was slow to. 0-60. As a former 2000 GTi owner it brought me back. Was very nippy. I walked around the egolf and it is what it good. But the GTE appeals to me so much more. It says when in traffic I'm sensible and eco friendly, lt also says when ye want to cruise or enjoy a good drive ye can.
Forgot to ask the dealer what happens when all the electric battery is gone is it a petrol sipping only mode a slow car. Looking at them both side by side it comes down to desire over practicality. Will crunch the numbers and see if I change.
A different option was a passat GTE also but I won't change topic. So far I'm very GTE swayed. Unless there is a very well specked egolf in 2018

unkel · 13-10-2017 08:40AM

Don't make your mind up until you have driven the eGolf, pearsefitz! Do some sums as well.

Shefwedfan · 13-10-2017 09:25AM

pearsefitz wrote: »

Thanks for the feedback. I drove the GTE in busy M50 traffic and the automatic and quiet electric is awesome. But later this evening I went a good length on and off an empty motorway with GTE on. The km range for electric dropped loads but to be fair I was slow to. 0-60. As a former 2000 GTi owner it brought me back. Was very nippy. I walked around the egolf and it is what it good. But the GTE appeals to me so much more. It says when in traffic I'm sensible and eco friendly, lt also says when ye want to cruise or enjoy a good drive ye can.
Forgot to ask the dealer what happens when all the electric battery is gone is it a petrol sipping only mode a slow car. Looking at them both side by side it comes down to desire over practicality. Will crunch the numbers and see if I change.
A different option was a passat GTE also but I won't change topic. So far I'm very GTE swayed. Unless there is a very well specked egolf in 2018

It does depend on your driving style. I prefer spinning around back road, corners/turns etc than flat out speed on motorway. In that situation I find the eGolf is brilliant. Better than the 2Ltr Golf I had before....

Then for day to day driving I spend majority of time in Dublin or on M50 area so it is perfect as well for that because you are normally averaging at 60km at most per day. Also in the city the performance of electric is perfect for getting around the inner city roads.....

grange girl · 13-10-2017 10:26AM

Casati wrote: »

What kind of economy do you get on the motorway?

For our longer trips, looking at the data in the car (I got the distance wrong in my comment from memory yesterday, it was more like 400km), it's up to 50mpg. But that would be motorway at 120 km almost all of the time. (and the hubby was doing the travelling the other day and goes on hybrid only, 'this electric does my head in'). When I am doing the trip, I slip between electric and hybrid and get better mpg.

I don't use electric on my GTE for any driving over 80 kmh (unless I know I have loads in the tank to get home), it kills the battery levels, prefer to keep them for the city driving.

When you run out of battery on the GTE, you are on petrol only but that doesn't make any sense. You have control, so flick between electric or hybrid depending on what driving you are doing. If you are at 0, the car automatically changes to hybrid and will use the petrol motor to build up the level of the electric battery a bit.

Try the egolf, unless you need the petrol engine, it's crazy to have it, it's an expensive dead weight.

unkel · 13-10-2017 10:41AM

grange girl wrote: »

unless you need the petrol engine, it's crazy to have it, it's an expensive dead weight.

Worse than a dead weight. There's a lot extra motor tax, insurance, maintenance and fuel costs...

billy few mates · 13-10-2017 11:21AM

unkel wrote: »

Don't make your mind up until you have driven the eGolf, pearsefitz! Do some sums as well.

I’ve never driven the EGolf, I didn’t think any of the dealers had any to drive, I’ve driven the GTE a couple of times and I love that.
I’ve only seen the online reviewsand videos of the EGolf and I just know I would love that. I’ve seen a couple up close on the continent recently and I thought it a pity they didn’t make it look a bit sportier like the GTE but then again I suppose that’s not what they’re trying to do. This is a fully functional Golf that looks exactly like the rest of its non sporty stablemates except it’s electric and doesn’t scream it at you.
I’d buy one in the morning if I could find a slightly used one at the right price.

unkel · 13-10-2017 11:29AM

billy few mates wrote: »

I’d buy one in the morning if I could find a slightly used one at the right price.

Did you try ringing Phil? He might be able to source one for you. I think that's how Shefwedfan got his too.

Shefwedfan · 13-10-2017 11:47AM

unkel wrote: »

Did you try ringing Phil? He might be able to source one for you. I think that's how Shefwedfan got his too.

Phil has none at the moment, was just down with him:p

He has new guy working with him....Mark.....very nice....he never knew an eGolf existed till someone walked in last week asking about it

Shefwedfan · 13-10-2017 11:48AM

billy few mates wrote: »

I’ve never driven the EGolf, I didn’t think any of the dealers had any to drive, I’ve driven the GTE a couple of times and I love that.
I’ve only seen the online reviewsand videos of the EGolf and I just know I would love that. I’ve seen a couple up close on the continent recently and I thought it a pity they didn’t make it look a bit sportier like the GTE but then again I suppose that’s not what they’re trying to do. This is a fully functional Golf that looks exactly like the rest of its non sporty stablemates except it’s electric and doesn’t scream it at you.
I’d buy one in the morning if I could find a slightly used one at the right price.

http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/volkswagen/golf/used-2015-151-volkswagen-golf-e-golf-dublin-fpa-5001655738401152932

Where are you based is main question?

KCross · 13-10-2017 01:31PM

The Golf GTE got a favourable review over the Ioniq on almost all points...
https://www.whatcar.com/news/hyundai-ioniq-plug-in-vs-volkswagen-golf-gte/

billy few mates · 13-10-2017 04:29PM

Shefwedfan wrote: »

http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/volkswagen/golf/used-2015-151-volkswagen-golf-e-golf-dublin-fpa-5001655738401152932

Where are you based is main question?

Thanks for that, nice car, unfortunately I'd need the later version with 300km range to be to be 100% certain I could manage on full EV. I'd definitely be interested in driving it to get a feel for it myself if the only difference between them is the range.
That's actually not a bad price for it, I would have thought they'd be a bit more expensive than that.

Shefwedfan · 13-10-2017 04:55PM

billy few mates wrote: »

Thanks for that, nice car, unfortunately I'd need the later version with 300km range to be to be 100% certain I could manage on full EV. I'd definitely be interested in driving it to get a feel for it myself if the only difference between them is the range.
That's actually not a bad price for it, I would have thought they'd be a bit more expensive than that.

That garage is also the eGolf garage in Ireland. I have been pointed to them a number of times by VW. They will have the 300km version.

I would guess that car for sale is there old demo model.

Same money for what I paid but I bought back in March

billy few mates · 13-10-2017 07:12PM

Shefwedfan wrote: »

That garage is also the eGolf garage in Ireland. I have been pointed to them a number of times by VW. They will have the 300km version.

I would guess that car for sale is there old demo model.

Same money for what I paid but I bought back in March

Thanks, I'll give them a shout.
Believe me if my typical mileage allowed it I'd be all over that thing.

billy few mates · 13-10-2017 10:04PM

Does that car have the adaptive cruise control....?
There doesn’t seem to be any buttons or switches on the steering wheel, after driving a few VWs recently the ACC is one of the must have features whatever model I choose, I thought they were standard on all VW models in the last couple of years..?

Shefwedfan · 14-10-2017 11:46AM

billy few mates wrote: »

Does that car have the adaptive cruise control....?
There doesn’t seem to be any buttons or switches on the steering wheel, after driving a few VWs recently the ACC is one of the must have features whatever model I choose, I thought they were standard on all VW models in the last couple of years..?

Mine has it.....thats all I know

KCross · 04-01-2018 08:27PM

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/orders-suspended-volkswagen-golf-gte

Surely this is down to battery shortages as everything else is just normal Golf stuff?

billy few mates · 04-01-2018 11:01PM

I can't see too many VW sales people here in Ireland being upset at this news...

pearsefitz · 18-06-2018 03:34PM

Hello again all,
So I recently test drove the eGolf and as previous posters stated its a very nippy and enjoyable drive.
I am just trying to see can more light be shed on why the PCP rates and why future values vary?
So option 1 is a 182 eGolf PCP 36 months at 3.9% (with max deposit) and future value of say 11500
and option 2 is a 182 mk7 GTE (not the new one with facelift) PCP 36 months at 0% and future value of say 12500
the monthly bill on the GTE are less due to APR and future value.
Q: should i get the eGolf and risk it drops value loads because battery advances in 3 years
or take a good deal on the hybrid even though its not the facelift model.
Is there any GTE drivers out there that can say if they have apple/android car connect app
thanks for any feedback

VW Golf GTE v eGolf review...

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