VW Golf GTI Edition 30
In the end it had to be the GTI...
I have to admit since getting the keys to the GTI I do miss the sound of the R32’s gorgeous V6, which just makes 2.0 turbocharged FSI motor sound all the more flatter when I start it up. That aside there seems little not to like at the moment. The Edition 30, with its extra 30 horses over the 200bhp GTI, feels every bit as fast as
The MK5 GTI is the best looking since the MKII and one of the great advantages of a Golf has always been its classlessness – you really could turn up anywhere in it. After the disappointing MK3 and MK4 Golf GTIs, the MK5 grabbed back the hot hatch crown for VW. It is quick, sophisticated and practical. After seeing the white ones on the thread I kind of wished it was that colour, but the Tornado Red grows on you quickly and complements the Golf’s understated but subtly aggressive looks.
The only thing is the Golf’s quality does not come cheap. On the road the GTI Edition 30 is £23,045, but throw in £1,845 worth of DVD, sat nav and other techy bits, as well a multi-function wheel, tinted rear glass, and rear side airbags, and the price is going north of £25,000.The ‘Interlagos’ cloth trim harks back to Golfs of old and the seats are actually more comfortable and supportive than the leather buckets in the R32. There is even an old school 'golf ball' gear knob for an extra trip down memory lane.
The only thing I can’t get used to is the slightly dull sounding engine. Maybe I was spoilt by the R32 or perhaps I’m being picky but it doesn’t sound as sporty as it should. When you shut the boot you don’t know whether it is properly shut unless you open it again, and the big plastic fake air intakes on the front bug me. Apart from that the Golf seems to be ticking all the right boxes, but I will let you know when and if I detect any more foibles.
So far I’ve covered 700 miles in the Golf and tomorrow I’m going to put at least another 300 on it. I look forward to finding out if this GTI really does live up to its name…
Engine capacity (litres / cc) 2.0 / 1984
Power output (PS @ rpm) 230 @ 5500
Max torque (lbs ft/Nm @ rpm) 221/300 @ 2200 – 5200
Top speed (mph) 152
0-62 mph (seconds) 6.8
Fuel economy (mpg) Urban – 25.0; Extra-Urban – 44.8; Combined – 34.4
Extras - DVD touch-screen satellite navigation/radio system with 6½” colour screen, six-disc CD autochanger in front centre armrest, multifunction computer, 30 GB hard drive, SD card reader, MP3, WMA and DVD video data files compatibility, AUX-in socket for connection to external multimedia sources (e.g. iPod and USB) two rear air vents and cup holders (£1,845); luxury pack – including, electrically foldable door mirrors and reverse activated kerb-view adjustment on passenger’s door mirror (£110); winter pack – includes, headlight washers, heated windscreen washer jets and low washer fluid warning light (£225); rear side air bags (£235); leather multifunction steering wheel (£370); heat insulating tinted rear glass from B pillar backwards (£175)
)You'll probably need to give it until around 5,000 miles before it loosens up a bit & then will feel even better to drive. You should be getting around 240bhp in standard trim, whatever VW's figures may say. Put the exhaust on and you'll skip merrily up to around 260bhp (hopefully, we've got a Golf roller day this Sunday at AmD for me to verify this). Can get a little frisky at the front end when it's damp, mind......
Enjoy it, good choice, albeit a dfficult one. I struggled with it as well.
)I noticed Milltek do a Resonated and Non Resonated (Quieter/Louder) Cat Back System, which have you got? and does it make a difference to bhp.
£375 MORE for a steering wheel with buttons on?
Surely it only costs so much because they make one WITHOUT bloody buttons to start with, pushing up costs.
This is one of the things that puts me off alot of German cars, the options lists, EVEN on the GTi 30th Edition there is a bloody option list that can add 20% to the cars value!!! Options which can't really cost VW more than a few hundred quid in raw parts costs...
Top-end models should have it all the genuinely useful stuff on already.
Dave
i shall now look out for one in 2/3 years time.. and get some black bumpers
I agree it is a great car...but I changed it after a year. After having had a 'sports coupe', the GTI just was not what I enjoyed anymore. It's just a fast hatchback and no longer felt 'special'.
Before I get flamed, this is ENTIRELY personal preference - I just realised I had 'grown out' of the hot-hatch thing. I actually changed it for a new Freelander 2...which I am in love with. Such a different driving experience and a really nice place to be with the spec I chose. I tell you - in this day and age, luxury is the new performance.
P~
RX8 230 would be a much better bet too if you can stomach the fuel bills and don't need a hatch (I used to get 18mpg average out of mine, truly awful).
That's not to say the GTi isn't a great car and I am sure you will enjoy it a lot - I just really struggle with VAG's poor value for money these days....
Cheers,
Jerry
Gassing Station | General Gassing [Archive] | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff