2015 Volkswagen Golf 1.8T TSI Automatic – Long-Term Road Test Intro

2015 Volkswagen Golf 1.8T TSI Automatic – Long-Term Road Test Intro

The Wheels on Our Long-Term 2015 GMC Yukon XL Denali Are Heavy—*Truly* Heavy

October 16, 2014 at 10:55 am by Vehicle and Driver | Photography by Michael Simari

“It would price around $ 164,000 to send 1 of the Yukon’s wheels (tire incorporated) into orbit aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9.” – Charley Ladd, road warrior

Our long-term GMC Yukon XL is so big—well, it has “XL” right there in its name, does not it? It has a massive 6.2-liter V-8 engine. Its huge cabin seats 8 comfortably, plus their stuff. And its big 22-inch wheels look damn great, but Charley is right—shipping them into space (present price: practically $ 2K per pound) in one particular of Elon Musk’s rockets wouldn’t be cheap. We realized this when running our common entrance exam on the GMC—as we do for each and every one particular of our lengthy-term vehicles—and we removed the wheels to measure brake-pad thickness. (It’s a measurement we’ll take once again when the GMC leaves our fleet to analyze wear.) The wheel removal proved to be a workout.

Huge rims on SUVs—even from the factory—aren’t news any longer. But we had never ever especially sought out the wheels’ particulars, even even though we know they’re quite heavy. Following road warrior Charley Ladd—who is far from weak—struggled to wrestle the Yukon’s wheels off, we decided to weigh the beasts. As it turns out, each and every of our long-term Yukon XL Denali’s wheel-and-tire combos crushed the scales at 88 pounds.

As any amateur suspension designer knows, unsprung weight—essentially, anything in the suspension, brakes, and wheels—can have a large impact on overall automobile dynamics and wheel handle more than bumps. The Yukon, for that reason, ought to ride like a broken Radio Flyer wagon, but thanks to the Denali model’s regular Magnetic Ride Manage adaptive magnetorheological dampers and the XL physique style’s longer wheelbase, the truck rides very well. So why are we noting the precise weight of the wheels?

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Allow us to paint you a image: It is dark out, possibly raining, and a single of your Yukon’s 22-inch tires meets a nail. You’re a zillion miles from anywhere, and a tire modify is in order. Yep, have enjoyable pig-wrangling that giant chrome wheel and its dead tire up into the trunk—you didn’t have anything back there, did you?—all by your lonesome following installing the 17-inch spare. It hasn’t occurred to us however, but we suggest that any prospective or existing Yukon owners out there commence practicing their power squats—or familiarizing themselves with the location of the OnStar button.

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The Wheels on Our Long-Term 2015 GMC Yukon XL Denali Are Heavy—*Truly* Heavy

2014 Jaguar F-type V-eight S Long-Term Logbook: Crackin’ and Bendin’ and Fixin’ and Spendin’

October 10, 2014 at 6:14 pm by Automobile and Driver | Photography by Matt Landish and Michael Simari

“Took the Jag to Discount Tire to replace the rear tires, and it was discovered that there was a crack in the left-rear rim.” – Dave Beard, road warrior

Currently feeling the sting of $ 869 worth of new rear tires at 25,147 miles—ordered from Tire Rack for $ 416 per plus shipping—we were dismayed when one particular of our lengthy-term Jaguar F-type‘s rear wheels was discovered to have a crack just prior to the new tires had been installed final week. But this turned out to be only the tip of the iceberg. Whilst we visited our nearby Jaguar dealership to order a new left-rear wheel, the techs informed us that the left-front rim was bent and that the F-sort also necessary a 4-wheel alignment.

And just like that, our $ 869 penance snowballed into $ 928 for a new left-rear wheel—plus $ 21 in labor to mount the tire and $ 56 in tax—and yet another $ 949 for a new left-front wheel. (The wheels are 20s all about but do not expense the exact same for whatever purpose.) Thanks to the alignment, the labor on the front rim tallied $ 150 we also paid $ 57 in taxes. For those keeping track, yes, that adds up to an eye-watering $ 3030. Surely someone walloped a pothole or a piece of road debris, but the impact’s effects went unnoticed until the tire swap.

This would be the point at which we might toss out a trope about sports-car ownership being neither straightforward nor cheap, but numerous staffers own old Mazda Miatas, and wheels for these don’t expense anywhere close to $ 1K a pop. What sets apart the Jag is, nicely, that it is not merely a sports car, but a $ 25,000 sports car. Those replacement-wheel prices aren’t any more outrageous than what Audi or BMW charge, and neither are the Jag’s wheels any much less susceptible to the sort of spitefully neglected Michigan roads we drive on every single day.

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Our suggestion: If your dealer gives a single of these wheel-insurance policies, and you reside in a pothole-yptic wasteland like we do, and your hot new ride happens to roll on low-profile tires, contemplate getting the program. It could spend for itself sooner than you believe.

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2014 Jaguar F-type V-eight S Long-Term Logbook: Crackin’ and Bendin’ and Fixin’ and Spendin’

2014 BMW 328d Diesel Wagon Long-Term Update: Our Mileage Varies—Upward

Lengthy-Term Road Test Update

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Our mileage moves upward on the odo—and in the fuel log.

WHAT WE LIKE AND WHY: Our diesel 3-series wagon has proved desirable for lengthy trips, with logbookers praising the car’s comfortable ride and huge variety. We could feasibly venture from our Michigan workplace to areas as far flung as New York City, Des Moines, Chattanooga, or perhaps even Hearst, Ontario, Canada, with no stopping when for fuel. If you are into the round-trip factor, note that one particular of our editors drove to Chicago, tooled around for the weekend, and returned to his Ann Arbor residence with lots of variety to spare. We’re also digging the free scheduled upkeep incorporated with our wagon the oil change, inspection, and refill of AdBlue diesel-therapy fluid performed at 10,000 miles cost us practically nothing.

WHAT WE Do not LIKE AND WHY: 1 staffer declared that he didn’t like the diesel engine as a complete: “Once you get previous the ‘cool, it is a diesel wagon’ factor, you see that it’s loud and not as enjoyable to drive as a gas engine.” No other drivers have gone so far as to want for yet another engine, even though several have agreed that the diesel 4-cylinder could call much less consideration to itself. Leaving the automatic engine cease-start off technique disengaged would assist the shutdown and startup are unacceptably harsh for a luxury automobile, and they’re particularly annoying in quit-and-go site visitors.

WHAT WENT Incorrect AND WHY: At the exact same time as our 10K service, BMW performed a recall for the water-drainage grommet at the side of the engine compartment. Fundamentally, a grommet in an underside panel is supposed to let water out but can as an alternative gum up with debris. The answer is to remove it and let the water drain freely. At 14,500 miles, our vehicle threw a warning for premature brake put on and referred to as for the installation of new rear pads. Our dealer verified that the pads still had good, lengthy lives ahead of them and installed a software update that ought to, we hope, put an end to the false alarms.

Exactly where WE WENT AND WHY: As pointed out, the automobile has seen far more highway miles than it had by way of the beginning stages of our 40,000-mile test, venturing to Virginia to serve as a help car for our annual Lightning Lap extravaganza, as properly as to Maryland and the northern reaches of Michigan. The long-legging has resulted in our typical fuel economy jumping by an typical of 2 mpg to 35 general, and we’ve observed a couple of tanks typical far more than 40 mpg. We’re nonetheless quite pleased with the wagon as a entire, but will the bloom come off the diesel-wagon rose for much more of our staff members? We have 25,000 miles left to locate out.

Months in Fleet: 7 months
Present Mileage: 16,457 miles Typical Fuel Economy: 35 mpg
Fuel Tank Size: 15. gal Fuel Range: 525 miles
Service: $ Typical Wear: $ Repair: $
Unscheduled Urea-Answer Additions: $

Continued…

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2014 BMW 328d Diesel Wagon Long-Term Update: Our Mileage Varies—Upward

2014 BMW 328d xDrive Diesel Wagon Long-Term Intro: Lengthy Name, Longer Test

Lengthy-Term Road Test Intro

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Extended name, longer test.

Months in Fleet: 5 months
Present Mileage: 6938 miles
Typical Fuel Economy: 33 mpg
Average Variety: 495 miles
Service: $
Standard Put on: $
Repair: $
Unscheduled Urea-Remedy Additions: $

Yes, a diesel station wagon—could we be far more predictable? One particular of our more fervently held automotive proclivities notwithstanding, we added BMW’s long-haul hauler to our fleet to evaluate the first efficiency-minded 3-series diesel in America in a generation. (The burly 335d from the turn of the decade doesn’t count—it shunned economy in favor of making All The Torque.)

We could have requested the 328d sedan, but having already completed a 40,000-mile evaluation of the gas-fired 328i 4-door, we thought we would switch up the body designs. Plus, the diesel-wagon fetish.

It helped our choice, too, that the sedan’s spicy M Sport package—necessary to score our wagon’s beautiful Estoril Blue paint—is also on the 5-door’s choices sheet. Prior to we get there, even though, here’s what came with our vehicle for its $ 44K base cost: a 181-hp 2.-liter turbo-diesel making 280 lb-ft of torque, an 8-speed automatic with Sport programming, xDrive all-wheel drive, iDrive infotainment, Bluetooth connectivity, power front seats, and an adjustable chassis with Eco Pro, Comfort, and Sport settings. It also packed automatic climate control, auto-dimming mirrors, a power panoramic sunroof, and ambient lighting.

To that we added the aforementioned $ 3850 M Sport kit, which consists of 18-inch wheels with efficiency tires (enabling a tenacious .92-g quantity on our skidpad), sport seats, an M steering wheel, blacked-out exterior trim, aluminum interior bits, a black headliner, and sweet-searching physique add-ons. The paint price $ 550, and we also got the $ 650 M Sport brakes, the $ 250 rear-window sunshades, the $ 875 Harman/Kardon surround sound, and the $ 750 360-degree camera display. We also produced the no-cost selection to swap out the garish Estoril Blue plastic dash trim that comes with the M Sport pack for much more subtle gloss-black pieces.

Lastly, we spec’d a sextet (!) of packages. The rundown: Cold Weather (heated steering wheel, front and outboard-rear heated seats, headlamp washers $ 950), Driver Help (backup camera and parking sensors $ 950), Dynamic Handling (adaptive M suspension with Sport+ mode, variable steering $ 1000), Lighting (adaptive xenon headlamps $ 900), Premium (leather upholstery, proximity entry and start, adjustable lumbar assistance, satellite radio $ 2200), and Technology (navigation with touchpad, head-up show, BMW Apps, enhanced Bluetooth and phone integration, genuine-time site visitors information $ 3150).

So, yeah, we generally loaded up this mother, thereby creating a unicorn version of a model that is itself a unicorn. Get in touch with it a sub-unicorn, then. The only alternatives we skipped were auto higher beams and a bunch of ninny assistance things such as automatic parking, active cruise handle, active blind-spot detection, lane-departure warning, and collision warning. Our as-tested price of $ 59,950 falls just a few grand shy of maxed out.

As for the driving knowledge, reactions have largely been optimistic, with the ride, the superb 10Best-winning chassis, and the diesel’s tractable torque all coming in for praise. Staffers have so far bagged on the engine’s gruffness, fairly languid accelerator response, and, predictably, the lofty price tag. We also hate the automatic engine quit-begin, but we really feel that way about fairly significantly all of these systems, and at least there’s a button to turn it off. You have to do so right after each startup, though, which is another annoyance.

Difficulties? We’ve had 1: At 2500 miles, the headlights appeared to go into “truffle-hunting mode,” as one particular commenter put it, the beams becoming aimed far too low. A broken bolt for a proper-front leveling sensor was repaired beneath warranty.

The run to 60 mph was achieved in 7.1 seconds—0.6 slower than the basic gas-powered 320i, but the automobile is sprightly adequate in site visitors. Like most any diesel, our 328d runs out of steam north of freeway speeds witness the additional 14.2 seconds it takes to attain 25 mph from 60. Fuel efficiency so far stands at 33 mpg, just 2 above the city rating, but many tanks have topped 36 mpg. Once we get the vehicle out on some extended road trips—we haven’t ventured farther from our Ann Arbor base than Chicago—we expect general economy to go up. Even as it sits, we can count on practically 500 miles between fill-ups. Watch this space for a lot more updates as we roll deeper into our 40,000-mile test.

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Solid Rear Seats - 2014 Nissan Rogue SL AWD Long-Term Road Test

2014 Nissan Rogue: Strong Rear Seats

May possibly 30, 2014

Rear seats have a tendency to be afterthoughts in most crossovers. Other than the potential to fold, second row seats never often have significantly in the way of characteristics.

That is why I’;ve been pleasantly shocked by the rear seats in our 2014 Nissan Rogue. They not only have a decent amount of room for knees and toes, there is a solid quantity of headroom, as well. The seatbacks also recline which goes a extended way toward producing it really feel like there’;s much more space.

As you can see, the center armrest also has 2 great size cupholders, and as I mentioned in a prior post, there are 2 air conditioning vents as properly. Ultimately, our Rogue has the optional Panoramic sunroof, so even if you’;re in the back seat, it nevertheless feels very airy. All in all, it’;s a properly-made setup that requires some of the sting out of not calling shotgun.

Ed Hellwig, Executive Editor

Solid Rear Seats - 2014 Nissan Rogue SL AWD Long-Term Road Test

Hates Speed Bumps - 2014 SLP Panther Camaro Long-Term Road Test

2014 SLP Panther Camaro: Hates Speed Bumps

May possibly 26, 2014

Just based on my introductory animal sciences courses, I’;d have guessed that the major predators for a panther would be, in no order: Man, deforestation and extremely huge snakes.

Turns out, nonetheless, that the natural enemy of the Panther Camaro is the speed bump.

As opposed to earlier Chevys from the final couple of decades, the issue is not clearance. The SLP Panther tends to make it over the speed bumps just fine. No scraping. The issue isn’;t even the initial hit. That gets soaked up very effectively. The dilemma is with the rebound. Not positive what it is about speed bumps (and particular speed-bump-sized road imperfections that are prevalent around L.A.), but as soon as the wheel is carried out going up, it feels like it just freefalls down. KERTHUD! I’;ve in fact changed my route house to keep away from particular bespeedbumped neighborhoods.

Compared to how well the SLP Panther rides, this is odd. But it is a small tradeoff for a auto this capable, controllable and entertaining.

Mike Magrath, Functions Editor @ 9,495 miles

Hates Speed Bumps - 2014 SLP Panther Camaro Long-Term Road Test

Rev Limiter Blues - 2014 SLP Panther Camaro Long-Term Road Test

2014 SLP Panther Camaro: Rev Limiter Blues

Could 23, 2014

As considerably as I really like our extended-term 2014 SLP Panther Camaro, no auto is ideal.

The Panther’;s flaw is its rev limiter. I hate it. Hate it. Hate it. Hate it.

Hate it.

After living with this Camaro for 6 months and almost 10,000 miles, its rev limiter is the only point about this fine machine that doesn’;t hit me square in between the eyes with lust, and it really is the only thing I would change about the vehicle.

It isn’;t even a rev limiter. It is a difficult fuel cut-off. Bang the motor into it and it shuts off like appropriate now. It is like driving the automobile into a wall.

Of course, I believe the engine demands some protection from overrevving, but I’;ve driven many LS-powered automobiles over the years, from Pontiac GTOs to Camaros and Corvettes like far more than a handful of supercharged examples like ZL1s, ZR1s and Callaways. I don’;t remember any of them getting such an abrupt limiter.

When overrevved these automobiles spit and sputter. They sort of ask you for the next gear. But the Panther shuts you down. Difficult. SLP says this is by design and style. In spite of maintaining the rev ceiling at the factory spec 6,600 rpm, the company’;s engineers have reprogrammed the fuel cutoff for the a lot more aggressive really feel.

If you ask me, they need to change it back. That is all.

Scott Oldham, Editor in Chief @ 9,453 miles

Rev Limiter Blues - 2014 SLP Panther Camaro Long-Term Road Test

Carpool Savvy Nav - 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 Long-Term Road Test

This is the estimated average annual insurance premium getting charged in your state. The premium has been determined primarily based on annual premium information for defined coverages (liability, complete and collision) from a key insurer.

Whilst this data is distinct to car make, model, model year and physique sort, your private info is not taken into consideration and could significantly alter the actual premium quoted by an insurer. Variables that will affect your price include your age, marital status, credit history, driving record, and the garaging address of your automobile.

TCO® insurance coverage data for this vehicle coming quickly…

For an precise quote, get in touch with our trusted partner beneath.

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Carpool Savvy Nav - 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 Long-Term Road Test

Challenging-Wired for Americans - 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Z71 LT Crew Long-Term Road Test

2014 Chevrolet Silverado: Challenging-Wired for Americans

Might 20, 2014

A sofa, a loveseat (it’;s in there, but you can not see it), an old desk and chair in the second row, drawers under the seats. This is what trucks are constructed to do, and it is no surprise that it all fit in our 2014 Chevrolet Silverado. If ours was the 6.6-foot bed model, we most likely could’;ve secured the sofa against a closed tailgate (ratchet straps mitigate that minor compromise).

Certain, most individuals who reside in sub/urban density will hardly ever use more than 30 % of a complete-size truck’;s ability. Certain, you can usually rent a truck on the handful of occasions you need to do big function. You can often get a minivan which can manage most trips to Home Depot.

But that misses the point. Americans are challenging-wired for trucks. We settled the west in covered wagons, spiritual ancestors of the modern day-day truck. We’;re wired to construct big factors, in big spaces that demand massive tools, big materials and big breakfasts. Or we employed to be anyway. Increasingly, we build pc chips, credit schemes and social ne2rking Web sites.

If I lived in Texas or Colorado, with huge roads and parking spaces, and even if I built practically nothing bigger than a bonsai garden, I’;d drive a full-size truck (or a Suburban, far more most likely). These big sky spaces contact for a massive sky truck. My competitive bull-riding career would also demand it.

But as I live in suburbia, the upcoming Chevy Colorado/GMC Canyon would be a much better call for my life. A Colorado crew cab only provides up .3 inches of maximum bed length to the Silverado crew cab, but the Colorado is 15 inches shorter in general length and nearly 6 inches narrower (these from GM’;s preliminary Colorado specs). The Toyota Tacoma and Nissan Frontier prove that even with stagnant designs, a midsize truck is just the appropriate size for many purchasers.

Dan Frio, Automotive Editor

Challenging-Wired for Americans - 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Z71 LT Crew Long-Term Road Test

20,000 Mile Service - 2013 Volkswagen Passat TDI Long-Term Road Test

2013 Volkswagen Passat TDI: 20,000 Mile Service

Could 16, 2014

Our time with the 2013 Volkswagen Passat TDI is nearly over, but we had one particular more service item to take care of ahead of the car leaves. We powered through the 20,000-mile aim we set for all extended-term test cars thanks to Dan Edmunds’; biodiesel experiment. The Passat requires maintenance at 10,000-mile intervals, so the timing was perfect to get the automobile all freshened up before we return it to Volkswagen.

Volkswagen supplies complimentary scheduled upkeep for the first 3 years/36,000 miles. The 20,000-mile service involves regular products like an oil alter, tire rotation and numerous inspections. For our TDI, that also signifies topping it off with AdBlue and replacing the fuel filter.

We visited Santa Monica Volkswagen as we did with the Passat’;s very first service. I was greeted practically right away and referred to a service advisor. He went more than the things covered beneath the service, and informed me of an outstanding bulletin relating to a fuse box washer.

I was in no immediate rush to get the auto back but I preferred possessing it ahead of 2:00 p.m. the same day. I got a contact at 1:30 informing me that the automobile was prepared to be picked up. I did not spend far more than 10 minutes at the service center all day. Quick and basic, no hassles. Just the way I like it.

Cameron Rogers, Car Testing Assistant @ 20,736 miles

20,000 Mile Service - 2013 Volkswagen Passat TDI Long-Term Road Test

Initial Service, TSB - 2014 Mazda MAZDA3 S Long-Term Road Test

This is the estimated typical annual insurance coverage premium becoming charged in your state. The premium has been determined primarily based on annual premium information for defined coverages (liability, comprehensive and collision) from a main insurer.

Even though this info is particular to vehicle make, model, model year and physique type, your individual data is not taken into consideration and could drastically alter the actual premium quoted by an insurer. Variables that will impact your rate contain your age, marital status, credit history, driving record, and the garaging address of your automobile.

The Edmunds TCO® estimated monthly insurance payment for a 2014 Mazda Mazda3 in NJ is:

$ 266 per month*

* Explanation

Initial Service, TSB - 2014 Mazda MAZDA3 S Long-Term Road Test

Windshield Glare - 2014 BMW 328i xDrive Gran Turismo Long-Term Road Test

This is the estimated average annual insurance premium becoming charged in your state. The premium has been determined based on annual premium information for defined coverages (liability, comprehensive and collision) from a key insurer.

While this information is distinct to automobile make, model, model year and physique sort, your personal info is not taken into consideration and could drastically alter the actual premium quoted by an insurer. Elements that will have an effect on your rate include your age, marital status, credit history, driving record, and the garaging address of your car.

The Edmunds TCO® estimated monthly insurance payment for a 2014 BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo in NJ is:

$ 274 per month*

* Explanation

Windshield Glare - 2014 BMW 328i xDrive Gran Turismo Long-Term Road Test

Windshield Glare - 2014 BMW 328i xDrive Gran Turismo Long-Term Road Test

This is the estimated typical annual insurance premium being charged in your state. The premium has been determined based on annual premium information for defined coverages (liability, comprehensive and collision) from a major insurer.

Even though this details is certain to automobile make, model, model year and physique sort, your private information is not taken into consideration and could significantly alter the actual premium quoted by an insurer. Elements that will influence your price consist of your age, marital status, credit history, driving record, and the garaging address of your vehicle.

The Edmunds TCO® estimated monthly insurance coverage payment for a 2014 BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo in NJ is:

$ 274 per month*

* Explanation

Windshield Glare - 2014 BMW 328i xDrive Gran Turismo Long-Term Road Test

Eighteen-Inch Wheels Fit Effortlessly - 2014 Mazda MAZDA3 S Long-Term Road Test

This is the estimated typical annual insurance premium getting charged in your state. The premium has been determined based on annual premium information for defined coverages (liability, complete and collision) from a key insurer.

Whilst this information is certain to car make, model, model year and body kind, your private data is not taken into consideration and could greatly alter the actual premium quoted by an insurer. Variables that will have an effect on your price consist of your age, marital status, credit history, driving record, and the garaging address of your vehicle.

The Edmunds TCO® estimated monthly insurance payment for a 2014 Mazda Mazda3 in NJ is:

$ 266 per month*

* Explanation

Eighteen-Inch Wheels Fit Effortlessly - 2014 Mazda MAZDA3 S Long-Term Road Test