RE: Driven: Golf GTI Edition 35

[amokwa]

NicDale said:

I own a mk1 GTi (heavily modified now), mk2 16v, mk3 VR6, mk4 GTi.18T and have owned a mk5 GTi. Mk5 is a great car, better in many ways than a mk2 16v but not every way.

I missed out on the mk2 16v, always wanted one and still can't figure out why I didn't own one ! Also had a mk3 VR6, took it on an epic journey to Dundee from London in convoy with my friend who had the same model.

Mine was debadged, had a memorable encounter on the way back down with a mk3 GTI. He let my friend go when he saw his VR6 badges and proceeded to hold me up, managed to get in front of him and gradually upped the pace until he realised I also had six cylinders

[Cassius81]

Tomatogti said:

Tomatogti said:

Cassius81 said:

Tomatogti said:

I love my MkV gti for the simple reason is it does the many things I want from it very well. It's been chipped to 240bhp so has the extra power some reviewers felt was lacking, it is fun to drive (for a FWD hatch), it's decent quality inside, it's got good residuals and running costs so overall costs are probably comparable to the ST and fast Meganes. It's practical and I don't think it screams look at me (like as RS) or has a badge problem (you can always get an Audi if you must have the badge). I can't afford separate cars for separate things and for my budget and requirements this is the best do it all car out there.

It's interesting to see how many times it's the everyday car for the final page of Evo titled "Me and my car". I seem to remember a land speed record holder having one as well as a couple of other featured drivers. This month's Evo (which landed on my door mat an hour ago) has racing driver Marino Franchitti saying what a wonderful car his Mk V GTI Ed 30 is.

Well put. Am interested to hear more about the re-map you mention. Cost, effect on MPG etc? My car is now out of warranty so considering a bit of a performance upgrade...

I got the Superchips Bluefin re-map. I went for it because it had good reviews by many people, you can do from home (they send you the gadget and you download the software), it's reversible back to factory mapping and it feels like the standard VW map but with 20% extra across the band (versus for example the Revo map which is a more aggressive map lower down I believe). I've got DSG so was playing it safe with a tamer map. I have loved the extra power. Provided you stick to the service intervals then it should be fine. I also use the higher RON fuel as recommended by most of the maps. I've got 80k miles on clock and it's been mapped for last 30k with no issues. Have told insurance company which added 20% to cost (seems reasonable as it's 20% more power). The 2.0 TFSI engine from the MK V GTI (and many other VAG products) is meant to be a strong engine well suited for chipping and I don't regret it for a moment.

And to answer your question re: cost and mpg. Cost was £400 (usually £500 I think) - similar to Revo and others. MPG - haven't noticed much difference - obviously a bit more power means it has the potential to be a bit thirstier. I get up to 34/35 if I'm taking it easy on the motorway but a proper thrash can see it drop to low 20s. I average about 30mpg and it hasn't changed since remap.

Thank you - that is helpful and interesting... Not too keen on the insurance aspects (as it already lives on a London street) but will do some research...