Mk7 Golf Gti PP Dsg

[rob_benton]

[url]

|https://thumbsnap.com/v9ZePQPW[/url][url]

|https://thumbsnap.com/SGXwMEcg[/url]

thought I’d add my Mk7 Golf Gti PP Dsg as there’s not many Mk7 Gti’s on here.
Previously I owned a 2005 BMW Z4 3.0 for 4 years. I really enjoyed the car and the straight 6.
But having two boys meant it wasn’t practical. I have always wanted a 996 but couldn’t justify the possible running costs and the the rear seats so decided on my first hot hatch.
After deciding on a Gti I wanted the Discovery Pro, heated leather seats, Dsg and the Performance Pack.
I also said again I wouldn’t get another black car. Well for the 3rd time that didn’t happen. I’m into detailing and there’s nothing worse than spending hours detailing a black car and it’s dirty again the next day.
So the Gti has fitted my requirements. It’s not the most exciting car to drive but does everything well.
I thought I’d try a Dsg for the first time. Day to day is great but if I want a bit of fun I do miss a manual. If I was to choose a hot hatch again I’d for a manual.

In the year I’ve had it I’ve done the following

2 services
Dsg service
Diff service
PS4’s
Air con service
Rear boot badge drain pipe
Alloys refurbished

I’ve also fitted the 034 dog bone mount to stop the tramping when pulling away quickly. It’s been successful and worthy.
I love the Acc. I’ve got a Vw Touareg the same age with just cruise control and wouldn’t buy a car with just cruise control again. Mpg seems to be around 34 which I’m happy with.
I plan on keeping it a while and see how I get on.

Edited by rob_benton on Sunday 23 February 21:35

[jonny_frs]

Lovely looking car and really nice in black! Quite interested in following your journey as fancying one myself as a daily. I’d like one with PP, 3 door, heated cloth seats and a sunroof. I’ve been looking for that combo with Santiago wheels but they seem rare so happy enough to stick with standard wheels which do suit the car well.

Any plans for modifications? I’ve noticed big gains can be had off a revo map.

[Pistonheader101]

Lovely spec on that gti

[rob_golfgti]

jonny_frs said:

Lovely looking car and really nice in black! Quite interested in following your journey as fancying one myself as a daily. I’d like one with PP, 3 door, heated cloth seats and a sunroof. I’ve been looking for that combo with Santiago wheels but they seem rare so happy enough to stick with standard wheels which do suit the car well.

Any plans for modifications? I’ve noticed big gains can be had off a revo map.

I wanted Santiago’s but they look a nightmare to clean. And being 19’s the tyres are a lot more expensive. I ended up refurbing my Austin’s for now.

Modification wise the dsg is supposed to handle a remap better than the manual as the standard clutch can be weak. But for now I’m happy with the car as standard.
I would like to try a car with a remap to see the gains.

[jonny_frs]

rob_golfgti said:

jonny_frs said:

Lovely looking car and really nice in black! Quite interested in following your journey as fancying one myself as a daily. I’d like one with PP, 3 door, heated cloth seats and a sunroof. I’ve been looking for that combo with Santiago wheels but they seem rare so happy enough to stick with standard wheels which do suit the car well.

Any plans for modifications? I’ve noticed big gains can be had off a revo map.

I wanted Santiago’s but they look a nightmare to clean. And being 19’s the tyres are a lot more expensive. I ended up refurbing my Austin’s for now.

Modification wise the dsg is supposed to handle a remap better than the manual as the standard clutch can be weak. But for now I’m happy with the car as standard.
I would like to try a car with a remap to see the gains.

I’d agree that the Santiago's look a nightmare to clean. Have you ever driven a non PP car? Interested to know how notable the diff is on PP cars.

[rob_golfgti]

No I haven’t driven a non PP.
I’ve read from other owners it’s hard to tell normal driving.
I do notice the diff work if I accelerate off a roundabout in the wet. It pulls you round instead of running wide.
The extra 10bhp over non PP is lost because of the extra weight from the diff. So the performance is supposed to be the same.

But I do like the bigger brakes with Gti printed on them !

[dontfollowme]

Very nice car OP

I'm currently looking for a manual 5 door. How much should I be looking to spend for a reasonably specced early car? I can see some around £10K on Autotrader and Facebook but these are private sales I could do with buying from a dealer due to needing to part ex my current Golf.

Also I wish there wasn't so many white ones for sale!

[rob_golfgti]

dontfollowme said:

Very nice car OP

I'm currently looking for a manual 5 door. How much should I be looking to spend for a reasonably specced early car? I can see some around £10K on Autotrader and Facebook but these are private sales I could do with buying from a dealer due to needing to part ex my current Golf.

Also I wish there wasn't so many white ones for sale!

I think it’s just a question of constantly looking and willing to travel. Prices vary and some are greedy.
Also check the photo’s on an advert closely as some sellers may not be aware as what were options and may not have listed them.
Hardest thing is spotting the PP front brakes. I learnt how to tell by the shape of the Calliper if you cant see the Gti logo through the alloy spokes.
Check to see if the PP front diff has been serviced as a lot of dealers aren’t aware. I think it’s supposed to be 30,000.
It’s important to see if the thermostat/water pumps been replaced.
That’s the weak point and costs about £900. But most would have been done now.
Check the anti freeze, if it’s low that could possibly show there’s a water pump leak.

I’d try to find one that’s been loved and looked after with good history. A few I saw had been neglected.

[chrismc1977]

It’s a shame to read a Golf GTi thread noting it ‘isn’t the most exciting to drive’

I do think many so-called hot hatches have lost their way in the modern world and lack a bit of edge.

https://www.topgear.com/car-news/opinion/opinion-w...

That article really sums it up for me. Modern offerings are too heavy to be chuckable, light on their toes & ‘fun’

Edited by chrismc1977 on Thursday 27th February 16:40

[rob_golfgti]

According to the reviews there’s better chassis and engines out there but the Mk7 covers all day to day tasks well and has a lot going for it in my opinion.

Nice interior
Build quality
Good use of interior space
Good spec as standard
Parts and servicing aren’t too expensive
Can easily modify
And they hold their value pretty well.

[dontfollowme]

rob_golfgti said:

I think it’s just a question of constantly looking and willing to travel. Prices vary and some are greedy.
Also check the photo’s on an advert closely as some sellers may not be aware as what were options and may not have listed them.
Hardest thing is spotting the PP front brakes. I learnt how to tell by the shape of the Calliper if you cant see the Gti logo through the alloy spokes.
Check to see if the PP front diff has been serviced as a lot of dealers aren’t aware. I think it’s supposed to be 30,000.
It’s important to see if the thermostat/water pumps been replaced.
That’s the weak point and costs about £900. But most would have been done now.
Check the anti freeze, if it’s low that could possibly show there’s a water pump leak.

I’d try to find one that’s been loved and looked after with good history. A few I saw had been neglected.

Thanks Rob. It's the practicality and refinement that draws me to them.

[tvrfan007]

Nice looking car, bet the black is fun to keep clean and swirl-free! Nobody is ever going to notice 10 bhp difference across two cars and the reference to the diff above reads like the non-PP one doesn't have a diff at all! Personally I thought it was a bit of a daft marketing gimmick.

Compared to most multi-spoke wheels Santiagos are fine to clean, with the exception of an inappropriately placed groove behind the spokes which is tricky to get clean and collects the crap you wash off the wheels. Wash mitt and a good wheel brush for the barrel are all you need. I am not a fan of Austins at all, and wasn't so fond of the standard Nogaro on the GTD either so I plumped for Santiagos when mine was built which are a super wheel design. Still, diamond cut alloys should have no place in the UK. I will be powdercoating mine when they need a refurb. Tyres are expensive, but hardly cheap in 18" - most cars are overwheeled and undertyred now for our appalling roads.

Regarding handling, my GTD wouldn't see which way my 306 went in the twisties but it's still a fun steer. Mine runs 19's and adjustable shocks though, which according to various articles (e.g. EVO) was the VW chassis engineer's preferred configuration, but you're still nerfing 1400 odd kg around a bend. It's never going to be a hot hatch of old, and i'm sure that a purposely party-trick designed hot hatch like a Hyundai N could show it a few tricks, but it still sells.

[rob_golfgti]

tvrfan007 said:

Nice looking car, bet the black is fun to keep clean and swirl-free! Nobody is ever going to notice 10 bhp difference across two cars and the reference to the diff above reads like the non-PP one doesn't have a diff at all! Personally I thought it was a bit of a daft marketing gimmick.

Compared to most multi-spoke wheels Santiagos are fine to clean, with the exception of an inappropriately placed groove behind the spokes which is tricky to get clean and collects the crap you wash off the wheels. Wash mitt and a good wheel brush for the barrel are all you need. I am not a fan of Austins at all, and wasn't so fond of the standard Nogaro on the GTD either so I plumped for Santiagos when mine was built which are a super wheel design. Still, diamond cut alloys should have no place in the UK. I will be powdercoating mine when they need a refurb. Tyres are expensive, but hardly cheap in 18" - most cars are overwheeled and undertyred now for our appalling roads.

Regarding handling, my GTD wouldn't see which way my 306 went in the twisties but it's still a fun steer. Mine runs 19's and adjustable shocks though, which according to various articles (e.g. EVO) was the VW chassis engineer's preferred configuration, but you're still nerfing 1400 odd kg around a bend. It's never going to be a hot hatch of old, and i'm sure that a purposely party-trick designed hot hatch like a Hyundai N could show it a few tricks, but it still sells.

Without checking, my understanding is the non PP relies on the electronics rather than the mechanical limited slip diff on the PP.

[ricotansky]

Nice car 😁

Do you mind if I ask where you got the wheels refurbished and how much it cost? Mine are looking a bit sad and need a spruce up. Last time I have diamond cut wheels if I can help it!

[rob_golfgti]

ricotansky said:

Nice car ??

Do you mind if I ask where you got the wheels refurbished and how much it cost? Mine are looking a bit sad and need a spruce up. Last time I have diamond cut wheels if I can help it!

I used Pristine Wheels in Woburn who closed the day after I used them ! I think I paid around £440.
I agree about avoiding diamond cut. I would have just had them powered coated silver but looking online silver Austin’s just don’t look right to me.

[doogle83]

tvrfan007 said:

Compared to most multi-spoke wheels Santiagos are fine to clean, with the exception of an inappropriately placed groove behind the spokes which is tricky to get clean and collects the crap you wash off the wheels. Wash mitt and a good wheel brush for the barrel are all you need. I am not a fan of Austins at all, and wasn't so fond of the standard Nogaro on the GTD either so I plumped for Santiagos when mine was built which are a super wheel design. Still, diamond cut alloys should have no place in the UK.I will be powdercoating mine when they need a refurb. Tyres are expensive, but hardly cheap in 18" - most cars are overwheeled and undertyred now for our appalling roads.

Being a 19" Santiago owner I agree with these two points. They are a bit of a pain to clean but the bigger problem by far is just the fact they're diamond cut. First time I've had that finish and will definitely be avoiding in the future!

Car looks great OP, I've had mine since June and the biggest problem I can see will be justifying how to get rid of it! ...it seems to do everything I need well enough (and is better looking that the mk8!)

[burger81]

I've got a Mk7 pp GTI 3 door in white. Got a few mods too. Revo stage 1, Revo RV019 wheels, lowered and bigger turbo hose, engine mount, induction kit, resonator delete.

Can certainly agree with the OP on the engine mount making a big difference to wheel hop.
Also the map makes a huge difference, mine is manual so I have an uprated clutch as mine went almost immediately.
It handles the power with no issues at all. The chassis is the best thing about this car. It handles so well and never seems unsettled which I can see may be a bit boring to some.

It lacked a bit of noise to me but the above mods have helped. It's a cracking little car.

Mine might be for sale soon....so jonny_frs if you're interested pm me
Has heated cloth seats and a Pano roof too!

Edited by burger81 on Sunday 1st March 09:19

Edited by burger81 on Sunday 1st March 11:47

[burger81]

I didn't like the Austin wheels at all. I don't know what is up with the VAG group and alloy design recently. The wheels on the 7.5 and the new 8 are hideous.
And then you see ones like the Pretoria which are so nice. Clean and simple spoke design really helps the look of the golf I think.

I actually really like the GTI in black, if I had the choice I think I'd have preferred that to white.

[chrismc1977]

We have a 7.5GTD with DSG as family wheels & I got given a standard spec GTi loaner yesterday.

Suspension was good- engine ok between 4-6k but characterless & doesn’t like to Rev out. It was a bit disappointing given it’s ~+50hp over the D. Exhaust was boomy- & my Mrs commented that it felt slow when 4-up.....

The worst thing was the DSG seemed lazy & wanted to be in too high a gear constantly despite trying sport mode. Flappy paddles helped keep it alive but I must agree that a GTi really suits being a manual.

With sub 230hp as standard the box made it feel a bit flat unless absolutely hooning it- & then it had limited traction on boost from the hopeless factory Pirelli’s (GTD is even worse with the extra torque!)

I feel a GTD makes for a better daily - & probably would be every bit as fast in the real world with a simple remap (better tyres required though!)

I suspect the PP would be better with a bit more puff and slip diff. I’d immediately be adding PS4’s & a remap to make it go as it should from the factory.

I’ve seen DSG remaps advertised- I wonder if the software can be adapted to make the box more GTi- suited??

Edited by chrismc1977 on Thursday 5th March 15:56

[rob_golfgti]

chrismc1977 said:

We have a 7.5GTD with DSG as family wheels & I got given a standard spec GTi loaner yesterday.

Suspension was good- engine ok between 4-6k but characterless & doesn’t like to Rev out. It was a bit disappointing given it’s ~+50hp over the D. Exhaust was boomy- & my Mrs commented that it felt slow when 4-up.....

The worst thing was the DSG seemed lazy & wanted to be in too high a gear constantly despite trying sport mode. Flappy paddles helped keep it alive but I must agree that a GTi really suits being a manual.

With sub 230hp as standard the box made it feel a bit flat unless absolutely hooning it- & then it had limited traction on boost from the hopeless factory Pirelli’s (GTD is even worse with the extra torque!)

I feel a GTD makes for a better daily - & probably would be every bit as fast in the real world with a simple remap (better tyres required though!)

I suspect the PP would be better with a bit more puff and slip diff. I’d immediately be adding PS4’s & a remap to make it go as it should from the factory.

I’ve seen DSG remaps advertised- I wonder if the software can be adapted to make the box more GTi- suited??

Edited by chrismc1977 on Thursday 5th March 15:56

I’m surprised you thought it lacked torque as the engine is well known to perform well from low down torque.
I find once the turbo starts to work, the engine will pull well without needing to drop a gear.
I know what you mean about the dsg always wanting to be in a higher gear. Can get caught out sometimes but it will quickly drop a gear if necessary.
I too would like to try a gearbox remap. They are common in USA but I’ve only seen a couple of tuners in the UK and it’s not cheap.
I think the exhaust sounds ok with the soundaktor turned down or off. The farts make me feel 17 again !