Golf GTI: the good, the bad, the weird...and appreciation thread

[Ryan_R]

I've only got the 118 TSI - but share many of the good/bad points that you've posted above. I also couldn't find the left mirror drop function in the MDF Settings - surely it isn't just on the GTI?

[Lima]

[*]The footrest to the right of the accelerator pedal -- handy, but often my foot gets caught on it. Has made for some interesting hill starts.

My Mk4 GTI had this, the Mk5 too and the S3 as well.

When I got my Mk4 it used to bug me like it does you. But after a while I learned to like it. So much so that any car without this now feels wrong.

[AdamD]

I'm reordering my responses, to take advantage of the Recency principle!

The Bad

• Poorly designed sunroof switch (physically large, not illuminated, doesn't always reflect the physical position of the roof, need to count the number of notches to close)
• Difficult to locate some switchgear, especially at night (overhead lighting for instance)
• Cruise control cancel button (when not using the brake) - too easy to turn the cruise off altogether
• Confusing options and behaviour of the MFD (many options are not clearly named, and their selection can cause unexpected side effects)
• Owner's manual can be hard going, but worse, many features are either undocumented or are documented incorrectly (yep, the MFD again), and it helps to be an engineer to fully understand them!

The Weird (and not so good)

• The design of the rear of the Golf predisposes it to becoming filthy very quickly in rain
• The MDI's propensity to skip the first second or two of some tracks
• RNS-510 touchscreen sensitivity a bit hit-and-miss, hard to use while driving
• 17" rims do the looks no favours (I'll have to fix that one...)

The Good (and great)

• Incredibly versatile and competent all-rounder - a fast performance car, convincing luxury car, useful gear-lugger. This is the best car I've owned without question, and one of the very best to drive too
• Sleeper factor - looks subtle, surprises many!
• Outstanding DSG transmission is so good it reads my mind when deciding on shifts, makes the car sound fantastic, downchanges like an absolute pro, and is even quicker than a manual. It took something this good to coax me out of a manual, and I don't regret that choice one little bit
• Beautifully-finished interior looks and feels far better than it has any right to in this market - it feels special
• So many surprise features that have been masterfully thought out and well executed, that make the ownership experience that much better (clever return on wipers, MFD data and integration with head unit, cruise control speed display, shopping hooks in boot, the bottle opener, the list goes on and on)

[Tux]

The Good:

1. It's 'presence'. I open the garage door and enjoy just looking at it. It's a good start to a drive!
2. The interior is quality.
3. The steering wheel is cool.
4. The MFD and how it integrates with everything.
5. The cruise control can be adjusted to a set number, ie. 59
6. The DSG is so much fun I can't believe it. So many ways to change gears and it's genuinely good fun...especially the 'blip'.
7. The brakes are more than adequate.
8. The auto dimming mirror.
9. The RVC is great at night especially.
10. The left mirror dipping is great.
11. The Optical parking sensors are great for inner city parking.
12. Park assist for 'novelty' value... Actually can be quick when used correctly
13. The big display of the RNS510
14. The Skoda bluetooth is great how it integrates..shame it isn't standard.
15. The VW emblem used for the RVC and boot release is so cool.

The Not So Good:

1. Big mirrors for small rear view
2. MDI can be hit and miss.
3. No door scuff protectors standard.
4. A $200 TomTom is a much better sat nav than the RNS510...(I know, I know, the RNS is much more than 'just' a sat nav)


The weird:
1. The rain sensing wipers are mental.
2. Park assist can put your wheels against the gutter. (I think that has to do with how close the vehicle you park behind is to the gutter)

[MkVIGTI]

To enable to 'dipping' function, you will also need to leave the mirror adjustment knob to the 'L' side

[Corey_R]

hmmm my GTI doesnt have the 'folding' mirror option.... ripped off! looking at the manual (page 116) i'm missing that icon

To clarify... the guys are talking about "dipping" mirror (glass), not folding mirrors (where the entire mirror housing turns in towards the doors to reduce the car width). Folding mirrors is not available on the Golf in Australia.

[hooba]

hmmm my GTI doesnt have the 'folding' mirror option.... ripped off! looking at the manual (page 116) i'm missing that icon

You needed to have ordered Park Assist in order to get that little goodie.

[HY001]

You need to set it, the How To is in the manual. Something like "turn on car - select reverse - adjust passenger side mirror to where you want it to dip to - happy days"...

hmmm my GTI doesnt have the 'folding' mirror option.... ripped off! looking at the manual (page 116) i'm missing that icon

[hooba]

How come mine doesn't dip (talking about the passenger side view mirror when in reverse)? How do you activate it?

You need to set it, the How To is in the manual. Something like "turn on car - select reverse - adjust passenger side mirror to where you want it to dip to - happy days"...

[booya]

The Good:

1. Brilliant dynamics, absolute JOY to drive everyday to and from work. I actually look forward to that 20-30 minutes of solitude enjoyment!
2. RNS-510 is probably the best system out there right now
3. Rear view camera image quality (even in the dark)
4. Best steering wheel design ever!!!!!!

The not-so-good:

1. Some ignorant people still reckon its girly!
2. Rear view camera should have guide lines on screen to show where the car is being steered to (the lines are instead static)
3. Xenons should be standard for this calibre car
4. No memory function on leather seats (really wanted this feature)


The Weird:
1. The cleverly concealed boot opener / RV camera - was valet parked at a 5 star hotel and wife and valet could not figure out how to open the boot. Also, wife initially thought I had left the latch open when driving off during the first week when it was just the camera "opening up"
2. Single reversing light at the back

[booya]

For the gutter magnets, I'd recommend you take a look at Rimskins - Wheel Rim Protectorshome - whilst they don't look that discrete when installed on the 18s, they certainly do wonders for your nerves.

To add to your list:
The Good

• Anti glare rear view mirror - bloody brilliant.
• Rear view camera - considering the amount of tight inner city work I do, I don't think I could buy another new car without one.
• The subtle exhaust note, just enough to make it sound fun.
• The rear dipping passenger side mirror, brilliant for spotting high gutters.
• The bottom end torque, oh boy, do I love that GRUNT.
• The little bit of fur covering the front seat belt clips - noice!

The Not-So-Good

• The user manual is tough reading.
• The dumbo rear view mirrors - they stick out by a long way. If they offered a large view of what is going behind like the Audi A4 I could forgive them, but these ones don't.
• The user interface with the stereo and climatronic could be easier to understand and become familiar with.
• I still haven't mastered the art of controlling the auto recirculation of the air.

And the Weird...

• Hectic drivers who want to race....

How come mine doesn't dip (talking about the passenger side view mirror when in reverse)? How do you activate it?

[Nath]

Hi all,
And the Weird...

• I asked the dealer to disable the day-time lights, but for some reason they're now back on. I'm pretty sure I haven't reset any factory settings...

The MDI interface is a pain I agree. On the DRLs you can disable them via the indicator stalk, there's instructions in a thread here somewhere but also in the manual.

[Nath]

AFAIK the position of the indicators is the same for most if not all German/continental made cars. e.g. BMW, Holden Astras. It is not a VW specific feature.

Yep you're correct, friend had a euro built astra and it drove her nuts for the first few months.

[triode12]

Too right on these. The indicators being on the right is a weird thing for me when so many cars available in Aus are also in the UK and the indicators are on the left. Which means they either cannot be arsed or it costs too much - or something else. Anyhow, it's nice to have two cars now the same and stops the errant wiper sweeps we're all so used to.

Always found drivers seating position fine after finessing. Woh betide any one who tries to mess it with it as it takes ages, for me, to get it just right.

AFAIK the position of the indicators is the same for most if not all German/continental made cars. e.g. BMW, Holden Astras. It is not a VW specific feature.

[slipshot]

Lol... I do too... but it's "vertical trim", not a foot rest, and so listing that as a bad point is hardly fair

Anyway... to add to the lists:
The Good

• The indicators on the left-hand side of the steering column
• The too subtle exhaust note
• The drivers seating position

Too right on these. The indicators being on the right is a weird thing for me when so many cars available in Aus are also in the UK and the indicators are on the left. Which means they either cannot be arsed or it costs too much - or something else. Anyhow, it's nice to have two cars now the same and stops the errant wiper sweeps we're all so used to.

Always found drivers seating position fine after finessing. Woh betide any one who tries to mess it with it as it takes ages, for me, to get it just right.