How Does Mark VI GTI Compare with Mark V

[elisiX]

There may be an argument with regard to performance between the two, but I know which car I'd rather be sitting in.

The MKVI's interior is miles ahead of the MKV - on so many levels. And part of that is the overall refinement and sound. (or lack thereof)

[G-rig]

There may be an argument with regard to performance between the two, but I know which car I'd rather be sitting in.

The MKVI's interior is miles ahead of the MKV - on so many levels. And part of that is the overall refinement and sound. (or lack thereof)

How is it better besides the minor points listed in the above post? I for one think the top vent design of the MK5 was over-complicated and a major source of rattles, also extra work to swap head units.

I've heard the mk6 has more sound deadening/quieter but this takes away some of the fun making it too refined.

I know you'd be rather sitting in the one you've just ordered..

[elisiX]

lol G-rig.

I considered very seriously the MKV when it came out - but I couldn't get over the 'grey' interior.

The look and feel of the MKVI is very different and a significant improvement IMO.

[G-rig]

lol G-rig.

I considered very seriously the MKV when it came out - but I couldn't get over the 'grey' interior.

Not sure i get it, the new one has a grey interior too:

http://www.volkswagen.com.au/vwcms/master_public/virtualmaster/en_au/New_Cars/golf/trim_lines/new_Golf_GTI.image_popup.ModuleColumn_0003_Module_0005.htm

would be worth it for less rattles anyway.

[Corey_R]

Like I and G-rig have mentioned, it isn't about absolute power - it is about fun. If you find changing gears on your Polo's stick shift tiring then I'm not so sure you are getting the point we are trying to put across.

Sure the Polo has less power than both the MkV and VI (and would probably lose both cars on the track stock for stock) but it still outguns them (by a mile) in the fun stakes at legal speeds. It is a fast and nimble little car - and is more faithful to the original Mk I than the MKV and VI.

You can have fun with any car at track speeds even in an old bomb...actually probably more so in an old bomb.

And there are better cars out that have more power and better handling than the MkVI GTI at about the same or lower cost.

My Pirelli has more power than the MkVI GTI (stock vs stock). Even chipped it will still have more power but that isn't the point. What the MkV GTIs have over the MkVI is the driving experience (read fun) at legal (everyday) speeds - not only at track speeds.

The MkVI is a wee bit too refined and I am not the only one that has said so (several others have tried it at track day are politely keeping their opinion to themselves to avoid upsetting MkVI owners). Several magazine and online reviews have also alluded to this fun killing refinement.

IMO - the plot was lost once VW felt it necessary to fit an electronic resonator to pipe the sounds of the engine bay into the cabin of the Mk VI GTI (to replicate the GTI experience). All that refinement have come to nought.

No, I understand what you're saying, but you misunderstand what I'm saying. It's not the changing gears that's tiring, it's the application of the throttle to have a smooth driving experience, especially around my area were there are many traffic lights on 80kmph streets. The accelerator in the Polo GTI with the ECU update is pretty sensitive. Sometimes you don't want "fun", you just want to drive and be comfortable, the GTI allows both. (and I know I can switch the ECU back to stock, but it's a pain and means I can't have the additional power if I need it during that trip).

So anyway, if the MK6 GTI's exhaust isn't loud enough and that's taking away from your 'fun', then change the exhaust. Instead of doing the APR Stage I, the APR Stage II is highly recommended.

And then, even at legal speeds, the GTI is just as fun as the Polo. But unlike the Polo, or most other of these other cars with "better power or handling at the same cost", you can also put the DSG back into D (which backs off the pedal sensitivity etc) and just cruise around comfortably.

[elisiX]

Not sure i get it, the new one has a grey interior too:

http://www.volkswagen.com.au/vwcms/master_public/virtualmaster/en_au/New_Cars/golf/trim_lines/new_Golf_GTI.image_popup.ModuleColumn_0003_Module_0005.htm

would be worth it for less rattles anyway.

One is black, one is grey. Don't know how else to explain it to you.

One looks sophisticated, one less so. But that's just what happens as products are updated.

When the MKV first came out, I was really keen on one. I still think the body shape is awesome and like it equally to the MKVI.

But the interior just didnt feel right to me.

[triode12]

No, I understand what you're saying, but you misunderstand what I'm saying. It's not the changing gears that's tiring, it's the application of the throttle to have a smooth driving experience, especially around my area were there are many traffic lights on 80kmph streets. The accelerator in the Polo GTI with the ECU update is pretty sensitive. Sometimes you don't want "fun", you just want to drive and be comfortable, the GTI allows both. (and I know I can switch the ECU back to stock, but it's a pain and means I can't have the additional power if I need it during that trip).

So anyway, if the MK6 GTI's exhaust isn't loud enough and that's taking away from your 'fun', then change the exhaust. Instead of doing the APR Stage I, the APR Stage II is highly recommended.

And then, even at legal speeds, the GTI is just as fun as the Polo. But unlike the Polo, or most other of these other cars with "better power or handling at the same cost", you can also put the DSG back into D (which backs off the pedal sensitivity etc) and just cruise around comfortably.

If you are referring to the surge of power in 2nd, I got used to it after 5mins of driving - It is all a matter of control.That surge is what is so attractive about the Polo GTI. Power in the range where you really need it for city driving - nimble and quick enough to change lanes in fast moving traffic.

[pologti18t]

I have a Polo GTI + APR. Its extremely hard to launch fast. Too much power too soon

The Golf GTI is a much nicer car to drive at any speed. I would take a Golf GTI over the Polo any day if price wasn't a factor.

As for the interior of the MKV over the MKVI. The MKVI is much classier. The quality is superior and the interior colour has moved a few shades darker (and classier) over the MKV. Just look at the standard cloth in the MKVI GTI. It is darker than the MKV.

[triode12]

One is black, one is grey. Don't know how else to explain it to you.

One looks sophisticated, one less so. But that's just what happens as products are updated.

When the MKV first came out, I was really keen on one. I still think the body shape is awesome and like it equally to the MKVI.

But the interior just didnt feel right to me.

I beg to differ, I prefer less chrome in the cabin. Given the choice again, I would still go with the interior of the MkV - we all have different tastes. In years to come, I feel the VI will look dated while the V will not have suffered so much. From what I've read on this very forum, the MkVI does suffer from rattles too - so much for improvement over the MkV. The problem probably lies with the automotive parts subcontractors who manufacture the vents and dash for VW.

My "new" Seth Afrikan 07 GT has a rattle coming from the driver's side airvent (getting this fixed by the dealer). It only rattles when driving on the highway at high speed and on rough roads, on city roads under 100km/hr, it is rattle free. While my Wolfburgs manufactured Pirelli is still rattle free and I hope it stays that way (knock on wood).

[triode12]

I have a Polo GTI + APR. Its extremely hard to launch fast. Too much power too soon

The Golf GTI is a much nicer car to drive at any speed. I would take a Golf GTI over the Polo any day if price wasn't a factor.

As for the interior of the MKV over the MKVI. The MKVI is much classier. The quality is superior and the interior colour has moved a few shades darker (and classier) over the MKV. Just look at the standard cloth in the MKVI GTI. It is darker than the MKV.

Then turn off the APR tune. It doesn't need it IMO - it is fun enough w/o the tune. If I were to mod a stock one, I'd go for suspension upgrades first.

I didn't notice the difference in colour between the two - so subtle the change was.
What I didn't like was the deletion of the Climate control LCD screens in the MKVI - feels like costs were cut somewhere.

[elisiX]

I think they're now displayed in the RCD/RNS unit.

As the MKV didn't have a standard unit like this, they needed the extra small displays.

[pologti18t]

I didn't notice the difference in colour between the two - so subtle the change was.
What I didn't like was the deletion of the Climate control LCD screens in the MKVI - feels like costs were cut somewhere.

Not really that subtle to me. The new grey is darker and "warmer" than the grey in the old MkV.

The A/C status changes appear on the headunit which is a major step up on the headunit in the MKV GTI. The current settings like temp also light up around the temp dials.

[tofo17]

Ok, I'm not comparing apples with apples but the difference between my 2006 MkV Jetta (TFSI built in Mexico) and MY10 MkVI Golf (118TSI built in Germany) interiors is huge. The materials in the MkVI are higher quality (soft touch), the instrument cluster is neater, the steering wheel is thicker, the steering wheel controls are nicer and easier to use, the power window switches are on the same horizontal line as the other major controls the highline MFD is better and the indicator/wiper stalks have a nicer feel to use. I've not had rattle problems in either but certainly the MkVI is quieter/more refined. I know it's silly but the "thunk" when closing the doors is much more satisfying. The MkV is the wifes daily drive, APR Stage II and all, and she loves it but she thinks the Golf is a cut above.

I know some of the above have become standard in newer Jettas.

On the negative side? Lining the door pockets with carpet was a good idea but what moron decided leaving the slot at the back open so that objects could go under the armrest area, that is essentially inaccessible, was a good idea? The MkV door pocket storage is better/more useful.
The MkV also has vents that have a central "notch" so you know when they are horizontally in the middle. The MkVI vents look nice but adjusting them side to side just doesn't feel as nice or precise... picky I know, but this annoys me on a daily basis.

My 2cents.

[G-rig]

I have a Polo GTI + APR. Its extremely hard to launch fast. Too much power too soon

The Golf GTI is a much nicer car to drive at any speed. I would take a Golf GTI over the Polo any day if price wasn't a factor.

As for the interior of the MKV over the MKVI. The MKVI is much classier. The quality is superior and the interior colour has moved a few shades darker (and classier) over the MKV. Just look at the standard cloth in the MKVI GTI. It is darker than the MKV.

Even if a polo seems more fun it I agree it isn't better. Having more power/torque while being composed is also a good quality that comes with the Golf and other euro cars. As you get older most people lean towards luxury over boy racer type cars.

I also thought the R32 interior was nicer than the GTI mk5 but very similar, which was disappointing compared to the S3 interior which i loved the first time i saw it. For the price the VW interiors weren't up to the same standard as their audi cousins, and the rattles and quirks of the MK5 make the car but also annoying considering how much you're spending.

I've had cars with black interiors and they attract more dust, but it's just whatever is in style at the time (just like stereo equipment going from black to silver to black again etc).

[Corey_R]

If you are referring to the surge of power in 2nd, I got used to it after 5mins of driving - It is all a matter of control.That surge is what is so attractive about the Polo GTI. Power in the range where you really need it for city driving - nimble and quick enough to change lanes in fast moving traffic.

Dude... do you have a standard Polo GTI, or an APR Polo GTI?
Surge of power in 2nd gear?? WTF, it has a surge of power in ALL the gears, lol. The ECU makes a big difference.

A few people who have driven my car have done "bunny hop style take offs" in 1st gear. They're not actually bunny hopping of course, it's just that the throttle is so sensitive and it takes off so fast in 1st that they then pull their foot off, get thrown forward and their foot goes back on th pedal, so the car takes off again extremely quick, which makes their foot come off again, and repeat etc, lol.

I have a Polo GTI + APR. Its extremely hard to launch fast. Too much power too soon

The Golf GTI is a much nicer car to drive at any speed. I would take a Golf GTI over the Polo any day if price wasn't a factor.

Yep, I agree. Don't get me wrong:
1) The APR ECU in the Polo GTI is awesome. I thoroughly recommend it
2) But yeah, the Golf GTI is a much nicer car which can be both FUN and COMFORTABLE/REFINED, hence I'd take a Golf GTI with an APR ECU any day if price wasn't a factor.

Then turn off the APR tune. It doesn't need it IMO - it is fun enough w/o the tune. If I were to mod a stock one, I'd go for suspension upgrades first.

I didn't notice the difference in colour between the two - so subtle the change was.
What I didn't like was the deletion of the Climate control LCD screens in the MKVI - feels like costs were cut somewhere.

Oh, the Polo GTI without the APR ECU is too boring compared to the Golf GTI Stage 2 which I came from... definitely not as 'fun'. (I guess that means you do have a stock Polo GTI).

As for the change in Aircon systems... I too thought that the new version was a cost cutting exercise until I actually used the new version, and now I like it. As others have said, the head units displays are now much better and the climate control displays its information there. It's a nicer setup than on the MKV.