Which mk7 Golf? e-Golf, GTI or R?
Discussion
After 3 years and 60,000 miles in my 2016 mk7 Golf GT Estate, it's time for a replacement and I've come to the rather boring conclusion that the best replacement...would be another mk7 Golf!
I've tried a number of different cars over the years but for some reason keep coming back to VWs. Had a Corrado VR6, a few mk4 Golfs, a Polo, B5/B6 Passat TDI estates, a few mk5 Golf TDIs and now my mk7 (1.4 TSI DSG). Not my favourite car that I have owned but probably the best all-rounder and having driven/owned most of the cars in the class, I would say that the Golf, particularly the mk7 is still the best. In my line of work as a private contractor who works with mostly smaller companies, I like that the Golf looks smart and professional without being too "flash". I have owned BMWs and Mercedes in the past and despite being older and relatively cheap at the time, still received negative comments from colleagues re that I must be getting paid too much of I can afford a BMW/Mercedes, which I find quite tiresome and I don't want to give off the perception that I must be charging too much because I drive a "flash" car. I don't need an estate, as my wife has a bigger "family" car but I really like them (or a hatchback) for the practicality. I would consider an F31 330i/340i Touring, C300 Estate or A4 quattro Avant if it wasn't for the above.
There is the SEAT Leon Cupra and Skoda Octavia vRS of course and indeed the Leon often looks nicer on the outside than the Golf but I never find the interiors in the SEATs as nice as the Golfs and that's where I spend most of my time. Similar story with the Octavia and it's also a bit bigger than I need really.
So, I keep coming back to another mk7 Golf. Ideally I would want a 2018/2019 facelift (mk7.5) car that still has a bit of manufacturer's warranty left on it, less than 60,000 miles and 20k or less. I'm not actually sure at what point the facelift kicked in though and what enhancements it actually brought. So it comes down to the following options.
E-Golf: I set my rates but still pay for my own fuel, currently commuting 100 miles per day and normally to one place of work, so should work for most of my usage and the fuel savings are potentially huge. I can borrow my wife's vehicle on the few occasions where I need to make a longer journey and although I like some of the wackier looking EVs (BMW i3 for example), I quite like that this is just a Golf and the advantages that comes with but just happens to be electric. However, although I quite like the idea of being a relatively early EV adopter, it still stands that the range and charging limitations still make it less of an all-rounder than the GTI/R and possibly a bit less fun too. It's also a shame that the e-Golf looks a little plain and has a limited choice of colours. They did a "GTI" spec for the diesel/hybrid (GTD/GTE) but rather overlooked the EV in that respect. Even my GT has 18" wheels, leather, pan roof etc so looks pretty sharp and the e-Golf lacks many of those "luxury" features.
GTI: not the fastest and probably not the most fun hot hatch but still the most aspirational for me and possibly one of the best all-round cars that you can buy? I'd have a 5 door manual with the tartan seats and having never owned a "proper" GTI (I'm not going to count my mk4 2.0 GTi, which was an utter turd of a car), it's still a car that I would really like to own. In some ways I prefer it to the R too. I think they look better and with the manual, possibly more fun.
R: as above, it looks a bit more boring than the GTI and possibly a bit more aloof and less fun and they seem to be a massive theft target but they are really fast and it's the "flagship" Golf. Having said they look a bit boring, a Lapiz Blue car on 19" Pretoria wheels still looks pretty sharp. I think that DSG would probably be the way to go and they do it in an estate but my budget would probably only stretch to a hatch.
Having said that, there are a few other "leftfield" non-Golf options that do appeal to a degree.
Mk3 Focus ST: had a few lesser mk3 Focii as hire cars and they've come closest to the mk7 Golf to my mind and I've never actually owned a Ford. They look smart and drive really well, although the interiors are a bit more low-rent and they have a smaller boot than the Golf. Still an ST in a dark colour would still look smart and be a slightly faster alternative to a GTI.
M135i/M140i: I said that I'd already discounted a BMW but I've always had a bit of a soft spot for these and maybe as the "baby" BMW, not as "flash" as a 3-Series? I love the big engine in a small car formula and they're bloody quick but less practical/roomy than a Golf and not as good value. Not many around for 20k and they tend to be a bit older or Cat cars for this money.
"New" Volvo V60 T5: I really like the look of these, they look really cool and don't seem to have the negative image that you get from an Audi/BMW/Mercedes but maybe less fun than the other options and probably still over the 20k budget.
Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce: breaking all my rules here as it's neither a hatchback or an estate but have always fancied an Alfa and these are pretty cool. Still a question mark over reliability though and I need my car to be reliable and a smaller/supposedly not very good dealer network.
So, should I stick with a mk7 Golf as a known quantity (incidentally, I don't like the mk8 Golf, so it would likely be my last Golf) and if so, which one, or try something different?
I've tried a number of different cars over the years but for some reason keep coming back to VWs. Had a Corrado VR6, a few mk4 Golfs, a Polo, B5/B6 Passat TDI estates, a few mk5 Golf TDIs and now my mk7 (1.4 TSI DSG). Not my favourite car that I have owned but probably the best all-rounder and having driven/owned most of the cars in the class, I would say that the Golf, particularly the mk7 is still the best. In my line of work as a private contractor who works with mostly smaller companies, I like that the Golf looks smart and professional without being too "flash". I have owned BMWs and Mercedes in the past and despite being older and relatively cheap at the time, still received negative comments from colleagues re that I must be getting paid too much of I can afford a BMW/Mercedes, which I find quite tiresome and I don't want to give off the perception that I must be charging too much because I drive a "flash" car. I don't need an estate, as my wife has a bigger "family" car but I really like them (or a hatchback) for the practicality. I would consider an F31 330i/340i Touring, C300 Estate or A4 quattro Avant if it wasn't for the above.
There is the SEAT Leon Cupra and Skoda Octavia vRS of course and indeed the Leon often looks nicer on the outside than the Golf but I never find the interiors in the SEATs as nice as the Golfs and that's where I spend most of my time. Similar story with the Octavia and it's also a bit bigger than I need really.
So, I keep coming back to another mk7 Golf. Ideally I would want a 2018/2019 facelift (mk7.5) car that still has a bit of manufacturer's warranty left on it, less than 60,000 miles and 20k or less. I'm not actually sure at what point the facelift kicked in though and what enhancements it actually brought. So it comes down to the following options.
E-Golf: I set my rates but still pay for my own fuel, currently commuting 100 miles per day and normally to one place of work, so should work for most of my usage and the fuel savings are potentially huge. I can borrow my wife's vehicle on the few occasions where I need to make a longer journey and although I like some of the wackier looking EVs (BMW i3 for example), I quite like that this is just a Golf and the advantages that comes with but just happens to be electric. However, although I quite like the idea of being a relatively early EV adopter, it still stands that the range and charging limitations still make it less of an all-rounder than the GTI/R and possibly a bit less fun too. It's also a shame that the e-Golf looks a little plain and has a limited choice of colours. They did a "GTI" spec for the diesel/hybrid (GTD/GTE) but rather overlooked the EV in that respect. Even my GT has 18" wheels, leather, pan roof etc so looks pretty sharp and the e-Golf lacks many of those "luxury" features.
GTI: not the fastest and probably not the most fun hot hatch but still the most aspirational for me and possibly one of the best all-round cars that you can buy? I'd have a 5 door manual with the tartan seats and having never owned a "proper" GTI (I'm not going to count my mk4 2.0 GTi, which was an utter turd of a car), it's still a car that I would really like to own. In some ways I prefer it to the R too. I think they look better and with the manual, possibly more fun.
R: as above, it looks a bit more boring than the GTI and possibly a bit more aloof and less fun and they seem to be a massive theft target but they are really fast and it's the "flagship" Golf. Having said they look a bit boring, a Lapiz Blue car on 19" Pretoria wheels still looks pretty sharp. I think that DSG would probably be the way to go and they do it in an estate but my budget would probably only stretch to a hatch.
Having said that, there are a few other "leftfield" non-Golf options that do appeal to a degree.
Mk3 Focus ST: had a few lesser mk3 Focii as hire cars and they've come closest to the mk7 Golf to my mind and I've never actually owned a Ford. They look smart and drive really well, although the interiors are a bit more low-rent and they have a smaller boot than the Golf. Still an ST in a dark colour would still look smart and be a slightly faster alternative to a GTI.
M135i/M140i: I said that I'd already discounted a BMW but I've always had a bit of a soft spot for these and maybe as the "baby" BMW, not as "flash" as a 3-Series? I love the big engine in a small car formula and they're bloody quick but less practical/roomy than a Golf and not as good value. Not many around for 20k and they tend to be a bit older or Cat cars for this money.
"New" Volvo V60 T5: I really like the look of these, they look really cool and don't seem to have the negative image that you get from an Audi/BMW/Mercedes but maybe less fun than the other options and probably still over the 20k budget.
Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce: breaking all my rules here as it's neither a hatchback or an estate but have always fancied an Alfa and these are pretty cool. Still a question mark over reliability though and I need my car to be reliable and a smaller/supposedly not very good dealer network.
So, should I stick with a mk7 Golf as a known quantity (incidentally, I don't like the mk8 Golf, so it would likely be my last Golf) and if so, which one, or try something different?
Fair question. It wasn't new when I got it, so honing in on 100k now and maintenance getting a bit more costly. Wouldn't mind something faster and a bit more engaging but not at the expense of comfort/practicality/running costs etc, which is why I find the Golf such a good all-round package.
white_goodman said:
Fair question. It wasn't new when I got it, so honing in on 100k now and maintenance getting a bit more costly. Wouldn't mind something faster and a bit more engaging but not at the expense of comfort/practicality/running costs etc, which is why I find the Golf such a good all-round package.
Ahhh I see, I read your post as the Golf has done 60K miles but now I realise it’s 40K + your 60K Golf GTI is the pick of the bunch from your options above, don’t bother with the GTD it’s gutless and the R is a thief magnet and quite prone to breaking quite expensive things
white_goodman said:
Fair question. It wasn't new when I got it, so honing in on 100k now and maintenance getting a bit more costly. Wouldn't mind something faster and a bit more engaging but not at the expense of comfort/practicality/running costs etc, which is why I find the Golf such a good all-round package.
Keep whatever you have now and get yourself a fun 2nd car like an Elise or something similar. Personally from what you have said I would go for the GTI, it's not overly flashy and doesn't scream for attention in the same way the Golf R does so will probably not get the comments you are trying to avoid.
In the same way I would stay away from the BMW 140i, I am a big fan and own a 240i myself but it does get the kind of comments you are trying to avoid in this case, I think anything with a BMW badge will get those kind of comments from non car people.
In the same way I would stay away from the BMW 140i, I am a big fan and own a 240i myself but it does get the kind of comments you are trying to avoid in this case, I think anything with a BMW badge will get those kind of comments from non car people.
Hi E golf will struggle to get 100 miles of a charge especially in winter and motorway miles.
The GTE is an excellent car especially in advance spec. It shifts as well. You will get over 70mpg over 100mile fully charged, 45mpg ish without charge. However the ride is crashy.
I would recommend the GTI or GTD.
The GTE is an excellent car especially in advance spec. It shifts as well. You will get over 70mpg over 100mile fully charged, 45mpg ish without charge. However the ride is crashy.
I would recommend the GTI or GTD.
p4cks said:
white_goodman said:
Fair question. It wasn't new when I got it, so honing in on 100k now and maintenance getting a bit more costly. Wouldn't mind something faster and a bit more engaging but not at the expense of comfort/practicality/running costs etc, which is why I find the Golf such a good all-round package.
Ahhh I see, I read your post as the Golf has done 60K miles but now I realise it’s 40K + your 60K Golf GTI is the pick of the bunch from your options above, don’t bother with the GTD it’s gutless and the R is a thief magnet and quite prone to breaking quite expensive things
My youngest son has a DSG diesel Golf, only the 1.6 with about 105 bhp I think, but it does the job nicely, Eldest has an manual R and its pretty quick, handsome car as well in blue on the bigger alloys. The diesel one isnt very exciting but not as slow as I expected, works well with the DSG as it mitigates the dead spot on those engines if you manage to catch it off boost. The 2.0 ones are really good, but not sure would buy one now, or buy one over a GTI, make sense if doing big mileages nd/or its a company car.
But, I would say GTI, great all rounder and you can get a remap on them that takes them to pretty much 300 bhp if it isnt quite quick enough.
The BMW's are a nice engine in pretty compromised package, very quick but gets to speed and then isnt quite sure what to do with it.
Would avoid the hybrids, lad I worked with had one and had nothing but issues, bad enough under warranty but as they get older would be wary as the electric bit is witchcraft to most garages compared to a normal 2 litre petrol engined Golf.
Edited by J4CKO on Friday 6th August 08:59
J4CKO said:
Driven plenty of the diesel ones and never found them to be gutless, far from it in fact, incredibly punchy and as much performance as you could ever reasonably need.
I remember having a bit of fun with a Golf GTD when I had the E90 330i. Obviously the way the performance is delivered is totally different between the 2 cars, but there was hardly any difference between us. The 330i was a bit quicker overall but not by much. I'd expect the GTD to be quick enough for most people I agree. I had a Golf R for a few years, it was a great car but never special.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I'd recommed the e-golf or GTi I think.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I'd recommed the e-golf or GTi I think.
cerb4.5lee said:
I'd go in the direction of a M135i/M140i I think. I can't see many people thinking that they are a flash car imo, and BMWs are everywhere now to be fair. Plus they are quite understated to look at as well. You then get to enjoy the small car/big engine combo that you like. 
This. Mine is debadged and in "lease-spec white" and it really goes under the radar, especially in the winter months when it sits on black steel wheels. Conversely, the Focus ST I had before it used to attract a surprising amount of attention.Chris
ScoobyChris said:
cerb4.5lee said:
I'd go in the direction of a M135i/M140i I think. I can't see many people thinking that they are a flash car imo, and BMWs are everywhere now to be fair. Plus they are quite understated to look at as well. You then get to enjoy the small car/big engine combo that you like.
This. Mine is debadged and in "lease-spec white" and it really goes under the radar, especially in the winter months when it sits on black steel wheels. Conversely, the Focus ST I had before it used to attract a surprising amount of attention.Chris
I doubt there are many people that still think BMW / Mercedes are more expensive / flash than VAG stuff.
I owned a Mk7 GTI PP and a Mk7.5 R estate.
Both were utterly excellent to live with and neither cost me a penny beyond servicing.
The R was quicker, obviously. The GTI was cheaper. I drove a R, GTI and a PP back to back prior to buying the GTI.
If you do buy a GTI, make sure you buy a PP version, as the diff absolutely transforms the car.
Both were utterly excellent to live with and neither cost me a penny beyond servicing.
The R was quicker, obviously. The GTI was cheaper. I drove a R, GTI and a PP back to back prior to buying the GTI.
If you do buy a GTI, make sure you buy a PP version, as the diff absolutely transforms the car.
jjones said:
m140 and take the badge off the back, looks like a 118d to 99% of people, the b58 engine is epic
Engines are a peach - i have the N54 in the z4 which is like the worst of those, and it was still flipping fantastic. Having also had a mk7 R (2014 plate) for 2 years you will find it a little more effort to drive the BMW - the golf just does everything you ask of it, even if you're ham fisted and drinking a coffee with one hand off the wheel when you come off a roundabout. The RWD bmw will bite you on the ass if you take liberties like that with it.
BMW more fun, better sound, more subtle, more tuneable, more of a handful.
Golf will always smash it for an all round, all weather, all jobs performer.
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