Mk7 GTI buyers guide review video

[Lucas_R]

Well my GTI has been immortalized in video form, this week I lent it to a friend of a friend who has recently started a YouTube channel reviewing cars for the 2nd hand market.

Figured it was good information to have on the forum now that many people are buying Mk7's as 5-6 year old 2nd hand cars.

[genebaby]

Nice video.

[ope126]

Cool review!!!

And that is why we own VW's!!!

[Splashalot]

That's a great channel. Am working my way through his videos. I particularly like the What Goes Wrong section. Although after viewing that section of the GTI video I'm beginning to entertain thoughts of something different within a year or so!

[Lucas_R]

That's a great channel. Am working my way through his videos. I particularly like the What Goes Wrong section. Although after viewing that section of the GTI video I'm beginning to entertain thoughts of something different within a year or so!

Well waterpumps on any VW/Audi product is a given, but pretty much every other issue he talks about was new to me and I am skeptical about just how common they are too be honest. I cannot recall anyone on here (or 3x GTI Facebook groups im on) having issues with water leaking in the doors, dash displays dying, fuel injector issues etc.

But yes, this guy has found a bit of a niche with reviewing cars for the 2nd hand market rather than brand new cars. He used to work for CarAdvice so he has done new car reviews before. When we were talking he said (and it makes perfect sense) that the used car market is about 5-6 times bigger than the new car market, so he found it odd that no one really does the used car reviews.

[Sydneykid]

Well waterpumps on any VW/Audi product is a given, but pretty much every other issue he talks about was new to me and I am skeptical about just how common they are too be honest. I cannot recall anyone on here (or 3x GTI Facebook groups im on) having issues with water leaking in the doors, dash displays dying, fuel injector issues etc.

But yes, this guy has found a bit of a niche with reviewing cars for the 2nd hand market rather than brand new cars. He used to work for CarAdvice so he has done new car reviews before. When we were talking he said (and it makes perfect sense) that the used car market is about 5-6 times bigger than the new car market, so he found it odd that no one really does the used car reviews.

Over 400,000 k's in Mk6, Mk7 and Mk7.5's and I can't say as I have seen any of those either.

Cheers
Gary

[jdw]

That's a great channel. Am working my way through his videos. I particularly like the What Goes Wrong section. Although after viewing that section of the GTI video I'm beginning to entertain thoughts of something different within a year or so!

Not sure about his comment that the seat is nice and low.....I find it sits up too high even on the lowest setting.

[Splashalot]

Well waterpumps on any VW/Audi product is a given, but pretty much every other issue he talks about was new to me and I am skeptical about just how common they are too be honest.

Yes, I tend to agree. My comment was half in jest. I love my 7.5 and likely will keep it for 10 years, as I did with my mk5 GTI. Or until an affordable and enjoyable EV comes along (looking at you Honda-E and praying the price comes down).

The waterpump/thermostat housing leak is the only thing I've seen crop up regularly. It does bug me, however, that VW can't or won't design a more durable part which is a once-only replacement. I know there have been numerous thermostat housing revisions, but from what I can ascertain all versions seem to require replacement. The issue is still cropping up OS on 7.5s.

[gregozedobe]

I've seen plenty of reports of water leaks on a UK based Golf R forum that I frequently frequent. Main culprits seem to be:

- Sun roof blocked drains
- Reversing camera drain (grommet disintegrated)
- Air flap (rear quarters behind trim)
- Speaker seal in rear doors

[Lucas_R]

I've seen plenty of reports of water leaks on a UK based Golf R forum that I frequently frequent. Main culprits seem to be:

- Sun roof blocked drains
- Reversing camera drain (grommet disintegrated)
- Air flap (rear quarters behind trim)
- Speaker seal in rear doors

I wonder if this is more so because of the much wetter climate in the UK than we have.

The sunroof drains should really be a regular/yearly maintenance item, but the other items in your list should not be failing on a car that's 5 years old.

[gregozedobe]

Yeah Lucas, depending on the climate (rainfall) where you live there is much less exposure to rain here in Oz, but they shouldn't be leaking at the rate they are.

I also forgot to mention the rubber boots for wiring at the top of the hatch. The clips on these are prone to breaking when being removed (eg for a rear dashcam or reversing camera) and after that they can leak.

[Lucas_R]

I just found this post on A1 Autohaus' facebook page saying they fitted an aftermarket alloy water pump to a Mk7 R. Very interested in this as my original waterpump has recently started to leak and im certainly not interested in replacing it with another plastic OEM pump.

Does anyone know who makes this pump? If not I will call A1 Autohaus and see if they can tell me.

[Splashalot]

Great find, thanks Lucas. If available, I reckon I'll 100% go that route when the time comes.

[Sharkie]

I just found this post on A1 Autohaus' facebook page saying they fitted an aftermarket alloy water pump to a Mk7 R. Very interested in this as my original waterpump has recently started to leak and im certainly not interested in replacing it with another plastic OEM pump.

Does anyone know who makes this pump? If not I will call A1 Autohaus and see if they can tell me.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]52989[/ATTACH]

I'll buy 1 and keep it for when I need it. Let us know when you find it.