VW 'Climatic' airconditioning not semi-auto anymore?

Elessar · 11-08-2011 07:39PM #1

I've noticed that 2011 models of VW cars no longer have temperature numbers displayed on the temp control with the standard "climatic" system.

This is advertised as being semi-auto in that it will maintain the temp selected, while leaving the air speed and direction manual. However 2011 models I've noticed don't have the temp numbers to "select" (only LO and HI) so it looks as if it's a fully manual system?

Can anyone confirm/deny this? Does it still maintain the selected temp on the knob or is it a cheap manual system now?

colm_mcm · 11-08-2011 07:53PM

Isn't climatronic the better one?

Elessar · 11-08-2011 07:55PM

Yes but I'm talking about the standard "climatic" version.

colm_mcm · 11-08-2011 08:07PM

http://www.golfmk6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12974

Elessar · 11-08-2011 08:12PM

Yeah I read that but nothing is conclusive it seems. I've sent a mail to VW asking for confirmation. Does anyone else here have a 2011 VW? How do you find the system works?

If they have changed it back to a regular manual system (while still advertising it as semi-auto) that sort of underhanded cheapness would sway my decision to buy a new Golf next week.

pajo1981 · 11-08-2011 09:31PM

Just because there are no numbers printed on the dial doesn't mean it's not thermostatic.

Also, how mental do you have to be to mail a car manufacturer about something like this :pac:

Elessar · 11-08-2011 09:43PM

As mental as me

Someone who soon might drop a lot of money on one of their cars! I want to be certain of what I'm getting!

pajo1981 · 11-08-2011 09:47PM

Does it actually say " maintain the temp selected" on the brochure?

If so, then there is no way it's not thermostatic. I just can't imagine a huge player like VW making fraudulent claims on there brochures!

ed: in any case go for the climatronic. The standard controls make the car look a little .. cheap?

Elessar · 11-08-2011 09:56PM

I would but that would require ordering from the factory - about 3 month wait. My own cars nct and tax is up very soon which would require €300 at min to keep it on the road until then, dead money.

Reports from the US suggest vw may well have downgraded the their standard setup!

pajo1981 · 11-08-2011 10:00PM

Sounds like you're just itchin' to get a new motor.

If I were you I'd order the actual car you want for jan '12.

fletch · 11-08-2011 10:25PM

As far as I know, there are 3 different types of air con
Manual Air Conditioning - Temperature dial won't have numbers on it and system will just blast out the heat depending on the position of the dial
Climatic - Temperature dial will have numbers indicating the temperature that the system will try and maintain in the cabin. The system has sensors to measure the actual cabin temperature and will pump out cold or hot air in order to keep the correct temperature.
Climatronic - Full automatic climate control, dial in the temperature you want and the system will control fan speed and which fans to direct air from in order to get the cabin to the desired temperature.

I did read a few Skoda forums where people were sold cars based on the demonstrator having Climatic but a spec change in MY12 dropped the spec to Manual Air Conditioning

lomb · 12-08-2011 10:40PM

Id second the idea of ordering for Jan 12. And getting the climatronic option, its actually more desirable than any other option I think.

colm_mcm · 13-08-2011 03:49AM

I see where the op is coming from. Thermostatically controlled heat is.really handy, and if something is being sold as that and not actually it, itd hack me off no end

Elessar · 13-08-2011 04:31AM

Confirmed by vw. It's fully manual now. I'll post up the email later.

I am in a bit of a conundrum now! I could wait until January and order climatronic but that would mean putting over 300 euro into my own car to keep it on the road with tax and nct. Plus it would cost me an extra 1000 euro or so as i won't be offered as good a trade in on my car (incl cost of climatronic).

Or I could buy a std highline model next week and live with the manual aircon and get a better price/trade in and start saving on running costs.

Opinions?

lomb · 13-08-2011 07:22AM

There is no saving on running costs with new cars. That 300 euros your not thinking of spending costs 3500 because your new car would be a year older on resale. Id spend the 300 and order what you want. Out of interest which engine are you looking at?

Elessar · 13-08-2011 08:28AM

lomb wrote: »

There is no saving on running costs with new cars. That 300 euros your not thinking of spending costs 3500 because your new car would be a year older on resale. Id spend the 300 and order what you want. Out of interest which engine are you looking at?

That's a good point. I don't know if I really want climatronic... I guess since I've had climate control on my current car for 4 years I'm just used to it. But on reflection it can be a pain sometimes.

I'm looking at the 1.2 tsi 105bhp. I was surprised such a small engine could have so much torque, more than enough for me and decent on the mpg aswell.

pajo1981 · 13-08-2011 12:17PM

The money you spend now on your current car (including depreciation) is nothing compared to what you'll lose on a brand new car.

It never costs more not buying a new car.

Also, VW add more kit to their cars' standard list with each year.

joolsveer · 13-08-2011 02:14PM

Elessar wrote: »

That's a good point. I don't know if I really want climatronic... I guess since I've had climate control on my current car for 4 years I'm just used to it. But on reflection it can be a pain sometimes.

I'm looking at the 1.2 tsi 105bhp. I was surprised such a small engine could have so much torque, more than enough for me and decent on the mpg aswell.

I wouldn't buy a new car without climate control. My last car had manual a/c and it was a pain to get a comfortable temperature. It's much better to dial in 20 degrees!

Nissan doctor · 14-08-2011 01:18AM

And I thought the geekyness of the VAG heads couldn't get any worse:eek:

Seriously, the exact way that the climate control works will effect your decision on buying the car or not??

lomb · 14-08-2011 06:39AM

What colour are you going for?
Ive read the figures for the 1.2tsi are no where near the paper figures quoted for mpg. More like mid thirties than late forties I think. The tdi also gives much lower figures Ive heard but best has on a VAG forum.
Climatic might be rereleased shortly again so maybe hold fire?

Elessar · 14-08-2011 10:56AM

Metallic grey. I've heard a few conflicting reports on fuel economy. Seems motoring journalists who put their foot down get the worst economy. Regardless I know official figures are never accurate but even if I got 30mpg urban it'll still be a hell of a lot better than the 20mpg I'm getting now.

I have to admit it's tempting to buy now, I'm coming around to the manual air con. I'll be going to a few dealers tomorrow for prices. Either way you can't win as if I wait ill be paying more but better resale and if I buy now ill get a better price but worse resale.

Eric Cartman · 14-08-2011 05:13PM

pajo1981 wrote: »

The money you spend now on your current car (including depreciation) is nothing compared to what you'll lose on a brand new car.

It never costs more not buying a new car.

Also, VW add more kit to their cars' standard list with each year.

unless you like cruise control, climate control or probably rear seatbelts next year...

mickdw · 14-08-2011 05:32PM

Nissan doctor wrote: »

And I thought the geekyness of the VAG heads couldn't get any worse:eek:

Seriously, the exact way that the climate control works will effect your decision on buying the car or not??

Ah now, there are serious differences in AC systems and the point here is that vw have downgraded the standard spec too.
The system in my car that displays a temperature figure selected works very well. I seldom if ever have to adjust it. It controls the direction of airflow & the fan speed automatically and is smart enough to not have the fan going flat out blowing cold air in my face on a cold morning until engine can supply some heat. The windows are clear 100% of the time too without selecting anything. Compare this to a basic AC system that just allows you to select hot / cold and with no intelligence built in and there really is a very big difference.

Its a bit silly to say this is VAG heads being geekish when any fool car see one system is clearly advantageous not to mention the fact that all car makers offer varying levels of climate control based on price/spec.

Eric Cartman · 14-08-2011 05:40PM

Nissan doctor wrote: »

And I thought the geekyness of the VAG heads couldn't get any worse:eek:

Seriously, the exact way that the climate control works will effect your decision on buying the car or not??

if people didnt care it wouldnt be an option on cars.

my kia had fully automatic climate , my isuzu has manual aircon and it annoys the sh*t out of me , id kill for climate back as it was so handy , set to 18 degrees and leave it

Nissan doctor · 14-08-2011 07:56PM

I didn't say there weren't differences, or that one type isn't better then another, or even that VW have changed its basic spec, but surely if you want a Golf, you are going to buy a Golf and the type of climate control it comes with as standard isn't going to change your desicion surely?

And on a light hearted note about VW geeks and their options...I had a Mk4 golf GTI in the other day that had a VW branded bottle opener set into a specially made little holder in the center storage area....I mean, someone paid money to have that in their car:eek::D

SomeDude · 14-08-2011 08:54PM

Nissan doctor wrote: »

I had a Mk4 golf GTI in the other day that had a VW branded bottle opener set into a specially made little holder in the center storage area....I mean, someone paid money to have that in their car:eek::D

No, it was standard.

whippet · 14-08-2011 09:30PM

buy a skoda and get it all as standard ......

Nissan doctor · 14-08-2011 11:27PM

SomeDude wrote: »

No, it was standard.

I've never seen one before I have to say....and why the hell would you need that in a car? Do many people entertain guests in their Golfs?

EPM · 15-08-2011 12:42AM

Nissan doctor wrote: »

I've never seen one before I have to say....and why the hell would you need that in a car? Do many people entertain guests in their Golfs?

Last new nissan my father bought had golfing extras as an option...I drive a VAG, it's quite obvious I'm not a fanboy but as much as I hate to say you are scraping here dude:p

EPM · 15-08-2011 12:43AM

whippet wrote: »

buy a skoda and get it all as standard ......

And a warranty card...

Nissan doctor · 15-08-2011 01:15AM

EPM wrote: »

Last new nissan my father bought had golfing extras as an option...I drive a VAG, it's quite obvious I'm not a fanboy but as much as I hate to say you are scraping here dude:p

I didn't say that VAG where the only ones to try to sell rediculous extras, but this thread is about a Golf. Most dealers especially VAG, BMW, Merc are filled with insanly priced keyrings, clothes and other random non car related rubbish.

Nissan don't have golfing stuff on their normal options lists, I'd imagine that was something to do with them supporting the Irish open or whatever it was a while back.

Anywho, off topic methinks.

On the topic of climate control or not, I can't imagine it would be a deciding factor in buying a car you like. I personally have never found the AC controls that far away from the drivers seat. Its like auto wipers, auto headlights, electronic handbrakes etc, I'm surprised people aren't complaining that they still have to use the steering wheel.

VW 'Climatic' airconditioning not semi-auto anymore?

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