VW Golf GTI Mk7 PP
Discussion
Just picked this up to replace my trusty Alfa 159 as a daily. The brief was it had to be fuss free, quick, handle well, petrol and get 2 suitcases in the boot. The Golf GTI fitted the bill nicely, although my car choices are usually a bit more left field, after a few goes in them I was convinced this was the right choice, although one appeared to be down on power and the other had a slipping clutch. Not a good impression of my 1st German car! However I found this one in a 2nd hand car dealer and although it was white (never my 1st choice), the red badging, calipers and lining contrasted nicely with the body colour and silver/black wheels. Mileage is 55k, it had just come off a company lease deal and is 3.5 years old. It’s a manual (preferred), doesn’t have satnav or heated seats, but it does have the driver focussed Performance Pack (PP) which includes a slip diff, bigger front brakes, and an extra 10hp taking it to 227hp.
Ive had it 3 days now and already covered 400 miles. What can I say, it’s a Golf GTI! it does everything that you’d expect it to do, its safe, effortlessly quick while being fairly economical (39mpg so far) and handles like its on rails. Theres plenty of room in the back for my kids and the boot is a decent size. My only criticism is that it is by no means raw and there is no steering feel but the same can be said for all modern cars. Theres not much point comparing it to the Alfa, although the Alfa was a quieter motorway cruiser.
The bodywork and interior is mint, the twin exhausts are badly stained and 2 of the wheels have some curbing which I will be sorting out later. This one is a long term keeper, which I will be servicing and maintaining myself, so this thread will follow how I get on with it.
Dealer pics for now.
Ive had it 3 days now and already covered 400 miles. What can I say, it’s a Golf GTI! it does everything that you’d expect it to do, its safe, effortlessly quick while being fairly economical (39mpg so far) and handles like its on rails. Theres plenty of room in the back for my kids and the boot is a decent size. My only criticism is that it is by no means raw and there is no steering feel but the same can be said for all modern cars. Theres not much point comparing it to the Alfa, although the Alfa was a quieter motorway cruiser.
The bodywork and interior is mint, the twin exhausts are badly stained and 2 of the wheels have some curbing which I will be sorting out later. This one is a long term keeper, which I will be servicing and maintaining myself, so this thread will follow how I get on with it.
Dealer pics for now.
Leon R said:
Do you have any plans for it?
Not yet, I might change the wheels in the near future. Today I managed to clean up the exhaust.After clean with sponge.
After cleaning with autosol metal polish and very fine wirewool.
Right before and left after
Thats better, I also gave the backbox a clean.
I’ve had mine a year now, similar spec PP but 3 door and with pano roof and the heated seats.
Love mine. It’s got under my skin. Love the way it can be a comfy cruiser and then a throw around hatch when the mood takes. And also the ventilated brakes (PP model bonus) are really really good.
I got caught by the modifying bug! So many options out there so I couldn’t help it. Springs, wheels, ind kit & turbo hose plus remap so far and that’s probably it for now.
I’d recommend a turbo technics hose (standard one shrinks into a tiny elbow into the turbo and restricts so much air coming in) and id deffo go for some new wheels. I had the Austin 18s and it was the one thing I hated about the car.
And a remap too, really does unleash so much more from the engine and the chassis, diff handle it with ease.
If you do go for extra power I’d get a lower torque mount to stop wheel hop and therefore engine mount wear.
Look forward to hearing more updates, apologies if that was a bit of a thread hijack!
Love mine. It’s got under my skin. Love the way it can be a comfy cruiser and then a throw around hatch when the mood takes. And also the ventilated brakes (PP model bonus) are really really good.
I got caught by the modifying bug! So many options out there so I couldn’t help it. Springs, wheels, ind kit & turbo hose plus remap so far and that’s probably it for now.
I’d recommend a turbo technics hose (standard one shrinks into a tiny elbow into the turbo and restricts so much air coming in) and id deffo go for some new wheels. I had the Austin 18s and it was the one thing I hated about the car.
And a remap too, really does unleash so much more from the engine and the chassis, diff handle it with ease.
If you do go for extra power I’d get a lower torque mount to stop wheel hop and therefore engine mount wear.
Look forward to hearing more updates, apologies if that was a bit of a thread hijack!
I have a 67 plate GTI (non PP) and am thoroughly enjoying it, it is certainly better on fuel than many of my previous cars; unless pushed in Individual mode.
I didn't realise that a GTI could come without sat-nav and heated seats? I lease mine through my wife's work (she works for VW) and so get to change it every 6 months which is nice. I did not add any options at all and it has both sat-nav and heated seats.
I imagine things have changed in the last 3/4 years and more is chucked in as standard now.
I didn't realise that a GTI could come without sat-nav and heated seats? I lease mine through my wife's work (she works for VW) and so get to change it every 6 months which is nice. I did not add any options at all and it has both sat-nav and heated seats.
I imagine things have changed in the last 3/4 years and more is chucked in as standard now.
I think these are great, I just wish that dash was more inspiring. All VWs are the same and it really puts me off them, which is a shame as they are no doubt capable cars. I am sure all the buttons and placements are easy to use and all that.. but you know... its just boring!
I do love the seats though!
I do love the seats though!
It looks like you can buy a kit to retro fit the satnav, and it includes the button, not sure its worth the £600 though. The tyres are newish hankooks all round, they seem pretty grippy but theres lots of road noise. Ill be doing an oil change shortly, the 20k intervals are too long for my liking. Ive got hold of a usb media cable for £4 on ebay.
It is really easy to modify these, its quite hard to resist. It wouldnt make sense to do anything without a service first. It last had one about 19k ago which included oil, spark plugs and pollen filter.
I picked up a service kit from opie oils plus air filter, I went for the oil recommended by VW. it all came to about £62
The oil filter is very easy to get to in the engine bay(well compared to my Alfa V6).
The oil sump is plastic, the sump plug is also plastic, not seen that before.. it can be undone by hand with a wide flat bladed screwdriver. Inspect the rubber O ring, thread and condition of the plug, mine was fine, but I might keep one spare for next time. The old oil was very black.
Old oil filter was pretty gunked up, new one was slotted in, oil was smeared on the new O ring. It took approx 5.7 litres of oil.
New air filter, the old one was very dusty.
It only took 30mins, including topping up screenwash and a drop of red coolant. This is probably the easiest car Ive ever serviced, Im not sure how much the dealers charge for it?! I reset the service indicator (you hold in the trip reset button, then turn on the ignition and reset it with the ok button on the steering wheel.
I picked up a service kit from opie oils plus air filter, I went for the oil recommended by VW. it all came to about £62
The oil filter is very easy to get to in the engine bay(well compared to my Alfa V6).
The oil sump is plastic, the sump plug is also plastic, not seen that before.. it can be undone by hand with a wide flat bladed screwdriver. Inspect the rubber O ring, thread and condition of the plug, mine was fine, but I might keep one spare for next time. The old oil was very black.
Old oil filter was pretty gunked up, new one was slotted in, oil was smeared on the new O ring. It took approx 5.7 litres of oil.
New air filter, the old one was very dusty.
It only took 30mins, including topping up screenwash and a drop of red coolant. This is probably the easiest car Ive ever serviced, Im not sure how much the dealers charge for it?! I reset the service indicator (you hold in the trip reset button, then turn on the ignition and reset it with the ok button on the steering wheel.
Edited by davebem on Saturday 14th April 20:53
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