Advice on Golf GTE

[anonymous-user]

I am possibly looking to change my current car to a Golf GTE as I like the idea of using it fully electric or hybrid etc. It suits my commute to work etc.

Now has anyone owned one? Any issues or problem areas? Is it possible to get Apple Car Play on a 2015 plate?

[dmsims]

Had one for 16 months

Nippy on pure electric, 25 miles in summer, GTE button (both drive systems) for fun

Hybrid system is very smooth and seamless

No Car play on a 15

55mpg on a long journey

HV battery recall on (some) early cars - leaky joint

VW comprehensive warranty (no excess) is £200 p.a.

Overall has been a great car

[anonymous-user]

dmsims said:

Had one for 16 months

Nippy on pure electric, 25 miles in summer, GTE button (both drive systems) for fun

Hybrid system is very smooth and seamless

No Car play on a 15

55mpg on a long journey

HV battery recall on (some) early cars - leaky joint

VW comprehensive warranty (no excess) is £200 p.a.

Overall has been a great car

Thanks for that. Do you know how much a service is from VW for the GTE? Also I assumed that the Car Play would work by plugging in your iPhone via USB.

[PSRG]

We had a 2014 A3 E-Tron, which is fundamentally the same car. It didn’t have carplay, but the MMI system in the A3 was good enough that I didn’t miss it.

Ours wasn’t on long life servicing so needed servicing every 9k miles. While the absolute cost of servicing wasn’t that expensive, the frequency meant the costs racked up. In the 34k miles we had it for it was serviced three times compared to the once of the M235i we had at the same time! Was surprisingly easy on was on 18” wheels with continental tyres) but did have a replacement mechatronic unit under warranty - symptoms were increasingly jerky gear changes at low speed. But overall a very good car for what it was used for, and always felt worth the rather high cost. Just didn’t fancy owning it out of warranty, partly because of the complexity and partly because I (incorrectly as it turned out) assumed that it’s short range on battery power would soon be laughable compared to newer cars. But actuall, though we got rid of it nearly 3 years ago, PHEV ranges haven’t really improved

[Baldchap]

rdb85 said:

dmsims said:

Had one for 16 months

Nippy on pure electric, 25 miles in summer, GTE button (both drive systems) for fun

Hybrid system is very smooth and seamless

No Car play on a 15

55mpg on a long journey

HV battery recall on (some) early cars - leaky joint

VW comprehensive warranty (no excess) is £200 p.a.

Overall has been a great car

Thanks for that. Do you know how much a service is from VW for the GTE? Also I assumed that the Car Play would work by plugging in your iPhone via USB.

MIB2 head units were from Feb 2016 IIRC. MIB1 did not support carplay or android auto.

[anonymous-user]

PSRG said:

We had a 2014 A3 E-Tron, which is fundamentally the same car. It didn’t have carplay, but the MMI system in the A3 was good enough that I didn’t miss it.

Ours wasn’t on long life servicing so needed servicing every 9k miles. While the absolute cost of servicing wasn’t that expensive, the frequency meant the costs racked up. In the 34k miles we had it for it was serviced three times compared to the once of the M235i we had at the same time! Was surprisingly easy on was on 18” wheels with continental tyres) but did have a replacement mechatronic unit under warranty - symptoms were increasingly jerky gear changes at low speed. But overall a very good car for what it was used for, and always felt worth the rather high cost. Just didn’t fancy owning it out of warranty, partly because of the complexity and partly because I (incorrectly as it turned out) assumed that it’s short range on battery power would soon be laughable compared to newer cars. But actuall, though we got rid of it nearly 3 years ago, PHEV ranges haven’t really improved

[anonymous-user]

I may look at the Audi also as I’m just looking for an economical car as I only do around 4000 miles a year. As I need to carry tools. So a plug-in Hybrid would be a good option as I could use just the electrical for work.

I’m also open to other cars too.

[dmsims]

If your journey profile fits (i.e. range) - a Leaf ?

[flatso]

How does it compare to the BMW 225xe ?

[Mouse Rat]

flatso said:

How does it compare to the BMW 225xe ?

We've had a GTE for 24 months.

Fantastic car and a better hybrid than the 330e and 530e I've ran as company cars in that time.

We get 25miles summer and 15miles winter on batt.

Not sure if ours has Apple car play or not as I don't really know what that does. It does play CD's.

Cons.

Hard ride.

Eats tyres.

[anonymous-user]

I will have a look at one. I’ve also considered a Leaf and a BMW 225xe. But I’m not sure what they are like either.

[ZX10R NIN]

You're spending a lot of money to do 4000 miles a year you'd be better off keeping your IS250 until you've cleared your loan then go looking for a new car as you'll have your loan plus the cost of the GTE to cover & no amount of fuel economy is going to bring that money back.

[anonymous-user]

ZX10R NIN said:

You're spending a lot of money to do 4000 miles a year you'd be better off keeping your IS250 until you've cleared your loan then go looking for a new car as you'll have your loan plus the cost of the GTE to cover & no amount of fuel economy is going to bring that money back.

That’s a possibility, if I keep it another 6 months then I could VT. just seems a lot of money spent to hand it back. As I’ve got about £5k left to pay and the car on a trade in is work £3500 - £4000. Hence the reason I was looking at changing.

[ZX10R NIN]

rdb85 said:

That’s a possibility, if I keep it another 6 months then I could VT. just seems a lot of money spent to hand it back. As I’ve got about £5k left to pay and the car on a trade in is work £3500 - £4000. Hence the reason I was looking at changing.

Trade in will always be lower as people want to make money you could always sell it privately & make more money.

[anonymous-user]

It’s a hard car to sell, as they are not that popular as people are put off by the engine and fuel economy, plus they are only bought by people loyal to the brand.

I tried selling it privately but had no interest in it and it was priced below average. I’m just worried if I keep it till the end of the agreement I think it would only be worth about a £1500 - £2000.

[ZX10R NIN]

Your only 4k a year your car will be below average miles so will be desirable they seem to sell well & I've purchased a fair few for clients over the years tax isn't savage unless you have the manual, also by keeping the car your saving on a chunk of interest on a 15k Loan/PCP.

Just keep the Lexus you'll be better off.

[anonymous-user]

ZX10R NIN said:

Your only 4k a year your car will be below average miles so will be desirable they seem to sell well & I've purchased a fair few for clients over the years tax isn't savage unless you have the manual, also by keeping the car your saving on a chunk of interest on a 15k Loan/PCP.

Just keep the Lexus you'll be better off.

I think your right. As the car has not thrown up any major bills. It’s not too bad on fuel, and I just pay the tax and insurance monthly.

Suppose the only blessing with Lexus are they are very reliable.

[ZX10R NIN]

rdb85 said:

I think your right. As the car has not thrown up any major bills. It’s not too bad on fuel, and I just pay the tax and insurance monthly.

Suppose the only blessing with Lexus are they are very reliable.

I don't think they're a bad steer (they could do with a bit of noise) you can easily get some induction noise by buying a performance replacement filter.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-Premium-Coswort...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HKS-SUPER-AIR-FILTER-Fo...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/KN-AIR-FILTER-REPLACEME...

[anonymous-user]

ZX10R NIN said:

I don't think they're a bad steer (they could do with a bit of noise) you can easily get some induction noise by buying a performance replacement filter.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-Premium-Coswort...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HKS-SUPER-AIR-FILTER-Fo...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/KN-AIR-FILTER-REPLACEME...

I agree it could do with some noise. You can get a K&N induction kit but it’s quite expensive. Also you can’t buy an aftermarket exhaust as Lexus own the patent for it.

I may get one of those filters.

[ZX10R NIN]

When & if it goes then talk to Powerflow they'll build you one or you can buy the aftermarket back boxes:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fox-Stainless-Steel-Dup...