Golf Deisel 1.9 TDI - Kits for a). improve power from 130BHP to 150BHP b). cruise control(??)

Hmm. But that's the noise outside of the car, compared to in the car. Also the TDI will be at a lower engine speed.

Some people just don't like the diesel noise, others can put it into the background and ignore it...

Probably. Or some string? :-)

It'll depend where the noise is coming from. If it's coming from the back of the car it may be a leaky exhaust rather than the exhaust system absolute.

Hmmm. To a degree, except, depending on the variant, the VAG's key strength is its willingness to pull hard from ~1,500 rpm.

Yes but...

That's only a relative perception; perhaps it's true to some small degree, but this is almost certainly because the difference between the TDI 90 pulling hard at 1,500 rpm and 3,000 rpm is much smaller than the TDI 130 at the same engine speeds. if you see what I mean.

Yes, but there's pulling happily and wheelspinning. :)

One of the key strengths of the 1.9 TDI 130 is that it's arguably the best blend of the 1.9 range (some argue that the original TDI PD 115 is a better compromise because it's quieter). The 150 has a reputation for being noisier and thirstier, but I suspect a chunk of this is associated with the owners using the power. The TDI 90 is a good economy choice, the 110 is a better one (it tends to be just as economical but is quicker). The latest ~100 PS is probably a decent compromise between the two...

The key VAG 1.9 TDI weaknesses are the unwillingness to rev as hard as more modern, multivalve peers. And their homes, but that's another argument... ;-)

In my opinion stay clear from these cheap "tuning boxes". All they do is trick the car's ecu to think it is cold so it adds more fuel. As mentioned before, have a look here

My experience of the 130BHp engine doesn't tally with this - it should pull pretty well from about 1200rpm. The same engine (& gearbox?) in the B5.5 Passat is adequate from 40mph in 6th, and by ~55mph pulls like a train.

As this isn't a new car, it may be worth having the AFM (air-mass flow meter) checked - they can and do conk out after a couple to a few years. In my case one of the primary effects was a lack of any power below

Yeah, but the torque has only doubled, or thereabouts. They don't feel gutless at ~1200rpm.

Following this thread, I took note of (indicated) road speed and RPM in my Fabia vRS. 1500 rpm in sixth gives me about 50mph, and there's lots of acceleration.

That would be the same gear box as me then. (Have you seen 3750rpm in 6th yet? ;) )

Isn't that 125mph? Oooo....

I wouldn't know *cough* nor would I know what that dose to the MPG.

If you want a quiet, fast car do not buy a diesel.

Cruise control can be fitted to drive by wire cars. The OEM cost (exluding fitting) is around £60. It can be fitted yourself, you may need someone with vag-com to enable cruise control on your ecu.

Why not? I have two quiet cars both capable of license risking speeds, both diesel. They have chopped about 30% off the running costs of my cars but made no difference on my point to point times.

All well and good, but could they really be considered as devastatingly fast cross-country weapons, and do they have cup-holders, an electrically adjustable driver's seat and a soft-touch dash?

Well, I'm sure at least one does heh.

It's all down to the driver, though, not the car. So yes heh.

The scary thing is that two years ago I genuinely don't think you'd have written that. :p

Hmmmm

1. I think so
2. Not in the merc
3. Not in the toyota
4. Not in the toyota

Given the choice between my cars and the equivalent priced petrol models, I'd choose the petrol ones if someone else was paying the running costs.

Most people would. I'm, hmm, undecided. I like the diesel-ness, especially when filling up.

But, the Mustang is only available with petrol as standard...

DervMan ( snipped-for-privacy@gmail.com) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying :

Nurse! Quickly! Bring that nice jacket with the extra-long sleeves. Yes, the one with the VERY HEAVY DUTY straps...