RE: PH Carpool: Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk7
Discussion
Alan_I_W said:
Al U said:
When can we expect to see a car pool of your S65 Alan/Aaron?
Not too sure why you think it's an insult to use my kid's name... Tinfoil hat time already is it?Got any custard?
Scottie - NW said:
Thanks, some useful info. If I could get 35mpg I'd be happy though, it's 11 miles each way on 40 to 60 mph A and B roads so a nice commute 
Just for reference, on a 14-mile B-road commute I was getting 28/29 out of the Civic (it was a NICE drive! 
).So modern hot-hatch economy will be very dependent on your journey, your right foot, and how many revs you tend to keep before shifting up...
Must say these appeal, so good choice sir.
Interestingly (or not), my Octy exhibits the same characteristics of sometimes slapping on the huge dash warning light and then applying the brakes (when, as any fule no, I can squeeeeze through that gap!), and also that of the sat nav that gets bored and wanders off, leaving me devoid of direction (SWMBO says that is a characteristic I often exhibit anyway)
My local Skoda. Dealership (Gordon Lamb of Chesterfield) have been brilliant, replacing the head unit twice before finally relaxing the box of tricks in the glovebox. Which has cured the issue. So far.
Not sure why some people diss these, they are such a competent all-rounder, could I venture that they are to hot hatches as the 911 is to junior-ish super cars?
Interestingly (or not), my Octy exhibits the same characteristics of sometimes slapping on the huge dash warning light and then applying the brakes (when, as any fule no, I can squeeeeze through that gap!), and also that of the sat nav that gets bored and wanders off, leaving me devoid of direction (SWMBO says that is a characteristic I often exhibit anyway)
My local Skoda. Dealership (Gordon Lamb of Chesterfield) have been brilliant, replacing the head unit twice before finally relaxing the box of tricks in the glovebox. Which has cured the issue. So far.
Not sure why some people diss these, they are such a competent all-rounder, could I venture that they are to hot hatches as the 911 is to junior-ish super cars?
Escort Si-130 said:
I don't know why, but I don't see that much of the GTI mk7. I tend to see more Golf R mk7 than anything else. Is it the underperformance or not as value for money as the Golf R.
I'd assume its down to the mountain of R finance deals out there. Every tom dick and harry seems to have snapped up the chance for the 4wd version. I would like to think the gti would make a sensible investment long term, when all these R's come flooding the second hand market soon. 
FN2TypeR said:
I prefer these to the current R, but I couldn't quite tell you why.
Three doors, manual, performance pack and black paint. That'd be my choice
Great car!
I'm the same - except I now need a 5 door car - theres something about the Golf GTI I prefer to the R. May be its the looks and detailing, I don't like the R's crome mirrors and grille stripe - and there is just something about those tartan seats in the GTI. Three doors, manual, performance pack and black paint. That'd be my choice
Great car!
Dale487 said:
FN2TypeR said:
I prefer these to the current R, but I couldn't quite tell you why.
Three doors, manual, performance pack and black paint. That'd be my choice
Great car!
I'm the same - except I now need a 5 door car - theres something about the Golf GTI I prefer to the R. May be its the looks and detailing, I don't like the R's crome mirrors and grille stripe - and there is just something about those tartan seats in the GTI. Three doors, manual, performance pack and black paint. That'd be my choice
Great car!
Dan Trent said:
My mistake, it's not part of VAQ, it's a part of the XDS system on the GTD and described as an 'anti tramp function' in the UK brochure. I knew I'd seen it somewhere in VW literature though. See attached.
They're being technically correct by omitting the 'axle' prefix of course. But inadvertently raising a chuckle by doing the same.
Dan
Since that's under the safety and security sections are you sure its not simply VW speak pointing out that the door locks prevent homeless people sleeping in it ? They're being technically correct by omitting the 'axle' prefix of course. But inadvertently raising a chuckle by doing the same.
Dan
I do like the Golf , I have its cousin the Octavia but I'm thinking about the GTI next time around, think I've had a best of 42mpg out of mine on a continental road trip , usually average about 34-36mpg out of it but its the DSG version which arent quite as good on fuel
I find the lack of limited slip diff in mine the worse thing and a real pain on B road blasts
Really interesting to read this report from another Mk7 GTI owner which largely mirrors what I have thought myself about the car.
My wife and I have both a MK7 GTI and Golf R Estate. They are both great cars. The GTI is the non-PP 5 door version and the wife absolutely loves it. It's also a manual which is ok but I have to say I find the gear change a little notchy for my liking.
As has been alluded to in other comments, the GTI feels pretty quick even in non-PP 220hp form. This is partly due to the healthy torque level of just under 260 lb/ft which is only about 20 lb/ft short of the R. It also sounds good (IMO) in sport mode.
In terms of economy, it is definitely possible to see 40mpg from it but, to be honest, we find it hovers around the low to mid 30s in most situations. In comparison, the R estate tends to only be a few MPG away from this day-to-day albeit the Rs economy definitely falls the fastest if pressing on.
Personally, I prefer the R and spend most of my time in that. In my view it sounds better, pulls harder and is more exciting to drive. Having said that, I think the GTI looks better, particularly the wheels and the seats (love the tartan also). In some ways, I think the R looks a little boring whereas our red GTI definitely stands out as one of the sportier versions of the Golf.
Both of our cars have been completely fault free thus far and this includes the infotainment systems in each of them. My only criticism being the sat nav system in the GTI which is completely pants if you want to drive around, for example, the M25 as every route it offers you seems to be directly through London and not around the motorway. I've yet to find a setting which avoids this issue. The app connect/car net option though works much better as it allows you to use Google maps as the nav system and this has so far proved brilliant.
I would happily have either version again.
My wife and I have both a MK7 GTI and Golf R Estate. They are both great cars. The GTI is the non-PP 5 door version and the wife absolutely loves it. It's also a manual which is ok but I have to say I find the gear change a little notchy for my liking.
As has been alluded to in other comments, the GTI feels pretty quick even in non-PP 220hp form. This is partly due to the healthy torque level of just under 260 lb/ft which is only about 20 lb/ft short of the R. It also sounds good (IMO) in sport mode.
In terms of economy, it is definitely possible to see 40mpg from it but, to be honest, we find it hovers around the low to mid 30s in most situations. In comparison, the R estate tends to only be a few MPG away from this day-to-day albeit the Rs economy definitely falls the fastest if pressing on.
Personally, I prefer the R and spend most of my time in that. In my view it sounds better, pulls harder and is more exciting to drive. Having said that, I think the GTI looks better, particularly the wheels and the seats (love the tartan also). In some ways, I think the R looks a little boring whereas our red GTI definitely stands out as one of the sportier versions of the Golf.
Both of our cars have been completely fault free thus far and this includes the infotainment systems in each of them. My only criticism being the sat nav system in the GTI which is completely pants if you want to drive around, for example, the M25 as every route it offers you seems to be directly through London and not around the motorway. I've yet to find a setting which avoids this issue. The app connect/car net option though works much better as it allows you to use Google maps as the nav system and this has so far proved brilliant.
I would happily have either version again.
Edited by madmatteo on Tuesday 22 November 09:53
Dale487 said:
FN2TypeR said:
I prefer these to the current R, but I couldn't quite tell you why.
Three doors, manual, performance pack and black paint. That'd be my choice
Great car!
I'm the same - except I now need a 5 door car - theres something about the Golf GTI I prefer to the R. May be its the looks and detailing, I don't like the R's crome mirrors and grille stripe - and there is just something about those tartan seats in the GTI. Three doors, manual, performance pack and black paint. That'd be my choice
Great car!
1. Weight - 1270 vs 1400kg?
2. 4wd is not what I would call a "proper" one as in rear biased
3. R and GTi have different images IMO - perhaps something to do with lease deals as above
4. Cost - GTi is significantly cheaper
5. Stage 1 remaps - as above the torque is so high on a Mk7 GTi that a remap and downpipe should be seeing 325bhp and 370 lb/ft of torque (yes I know the R remaps well also) but that power is great for me as a daily
Weighing up the above that is what makes the GTi appeal to me as a daily
I'm sure it the other way around for some though.Dale487 said:
FN2TypeR said:
I prefer these to the current R, but I couldn't quite tell you why.
Three doors, manual, performance pack and black paint. That'd be my choice
Great car!
I'm the same - except I now need a 5 door car - theres something about the Golf GTI I prefer to the R. May be its the looks and detailing, I don't like the R's crome mirrors and grille stripe - and there is just something about those tartan seats in the GTI. Three doors, manual, performance pack and black paint. That'd be my choice
Great car!
The standard ones in the R are God awful, I'd have to pay the extra for the leather.I appreciate that a Golf is a fairly anonymous car but the GTI looks better to my eyes too, although they are hardly poles apart in the visual stakes, but it does look better IMO.
Ahh the one week I'm not constantly procrastinating at work and my car features on PH Carpool!
In response to some of the discussion around fuel economy.. While 45mpg can be achieved (when consciously trying, short-shifting, off boost etc), its usually somewhere between 39-41 on my commute, which includes a couple of short spurts between roundabouts. Generally though, the route is mainly 40mph cruise in 6th gear.
It's important to me to have the flexibility the engine offers as 95% of my time in the car is spent commuting where no real progress can ever be made, so the other 5% I'm more of a hooligan
The car tends to have a monthly infotainment wobble, usually CarPlay connecting/disconnecting my phone on a loop, but I now know to hold the power button down for >10s, reset the unit and that resolves it (until next time). Not perfect, but not worth the hassle of going back to the dealer either. Cold start this morning brought it on too..
On the basis that VW seem to struggle to achieve perfect reliability with their car tech, I'd approach the facelift's virtual dash etc. with extreme caution!
It's quickly approaching the second service and will need some new tyres soon (finally can replace the standard fit Bridgestones). I've not seen any unexpectedly high oil consumption and mechanically the car has been faultless.
Still hold the opinion that it's a fantastic all-rounder and I'll keep it for many years.
Since submitting this carpool I've attended a couple PH Sunday Services. First at Volkswagen to celebrate 40yrs of the GTI in August and more recently to Ginetta last weekend.
More pics for those who are interested:
..aaand a Viper making the Golf look extremely ordinary
Thanks for reading
In response to some of the discussion around fuel economy.. While 45mpg can be achieved (when consciously trying, short-shifting, off boost etc), its usually somewhere between 39-41 on my commute, which includes a couple of short spurts between roundabouts. Generally though, the route is mainly 40mph cruise in 6th gear.
It's important to me to have the flexibility the engine offers as 95% of my time in the car is spent commuting where no real progress can ever be made, so the other 5% I'm more of a hooligan
The car tends to have a monthly infotainment wobble, usually CarPlay connecting/disconnecting my phone on a loop, but I now know to hold the power button down for >10s, reset the unit and that resolves it (until next time). Not perfect, but not worth the hassle of going back to the dealer either. Cold start this morning brought it on too..
On the basis that VW seem to struggle to achieve perfect reliability with their car tech, I'd approach the facelift's virtual dash etc. with extreme caution!
It's quickly approaching the second service and will need some new tyres soon (finally can replace the standard fit Bridgestones). I've not seen any unexpectedly high oil consumption and mechanically the car has been faultless.
Still hold the opinion that it's a fantastic all-rounder and I'll keep it for many years.
Since submitting this carpool I've attended a couple PH Sunday Services. First at Volkswagen to celebrate 40yrs of the GTI in August and more recently to Ginetta last weekend.
More pics for those who are interested:
..aaand a Viper making the Golf look extremely ordinary
Thanks for reading
Turbobanana said:
"Bought on the strength of the infotainment system ... "
Really?
A bit of artistic license used here, but when compared with my previous car, the difference was night and day. Other factors (lighter, more discreet, more efficient, higher spec) were the main strengths I bought the Golf on. Really?
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