Stiff competition for the Mk7 Golf GTI - Second Edition

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Just test drove an a250 yesterday. Took it for really good run. Ordered one as soon as I got back. Sorry to say it, but, gearboxes aside, the 250 is just sensational, especially through the twisties. Direction changes are so fast, and just couldn't unsettle it. It was much better than I expected. I only tested as a comparison after jumping out of GTI. Did the same local run in both, where I was pushing the gti near it's limit, I barely got a tyre squeal out of the little benz. It has got a lot more bling, but it was really the handling that blew me away. Probably shouldn't have test drove it though, it has cost me lot more $$, but its going to be a whole lot of fun off the highway.

[sheckster]

Just test drove an a250 yesterday. Took it for really good run. Ordered one as soon as I got back. Sorry to say it, but, gearboxes aside, the 250 is just sensational, especially through the twisties. Direction changes are so fast, and just couldn't unsettle it. It was much better than I expected. I only tested as a comparison after jumping out of GTI. Did the same local run in both, where I was pushing the gti near it's limit, I barely got a tyre squeal out of the little benz. It has got a lot more bling, but it was really the handling that blew me away. Probably shouldn't have test drove it though, it has cost me lot more $$, but its going to be a whole lot of fun off the highway.

nice, did you option up any package? and which colour did you choose?

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nice, did you option up any package? and which colour did you choose?

yep, went with Command, the Harmon/Kardon sounds amazing. Particularly didn't want leather, so that was out, and the vis package didn't excite me that much. They had a white, red, mountain grey and blue. The mountain grey was a standout, so ordered that. Problem being delivery isn't until June

[sheckster]

yep, went with Command, the Harmon/Kardon sounds amazing. Particularly didn't want leather, so that was out, and the vis package didn't excite me that much. They had a white, red, mountain grey and blue. The mountain grey was a standout, so ordered that. Problem being delivery isn't until June

There was one in silver with command and amg pack, with a big 'sold' sign on it, so I suppose that person won't be waiting long. I asked about delivery and they did say a couple of months at least, sounds about right then I suppose.

I wonder if VW will be much the same come launch time.

[pologti18t]

I wonder if VW will be much the same come launch time.

VW would be mad if they didn't follow Mercs A250 lead and make a fairly well equipped base spec and only have a few option packs. Like Stereo upgrade, Nav upgrade, and leather. Much easier to stock a vehicle like that.

[WhiteJames]

There was one in silver with command and amg pack, with a big 'sold' sign on it, so I suppose that person won't be waiting long.

That person would be one of my work collegues. He put down his deposit at the Sydney Motor Show on only seeing the Merc A250 AMG Sports Pack. He has traded his Golf GTD for the Merc and should be driving that Silver Merc + AMG Pack by tomorrow afternoon ... one of the first owner/drivers of that type of Merc in AUS. I may check it out when he brings it to work.
Cheers.
WJ

[Sharkie]

I'm sorry but at $49990 the A250 is lineball with a Golf R manual pricewise (even less for me with Corporate Plus discount). There is no way the A250 matches the R as an allrounder IMO.

Yes, pretty sure it is better than the MK6 GTI in all aspects but then in base spec its $10K more and should be better.

I'm sticking with waiting on a MK7 R for .... $49990 ....

[macdub]

can't wait to compare the mk7 GTI..was watching review of A250 on youtube and found that not much space in boot and legroom at back..also due to steep lines, the back windows look very small and feel very dark at back (i know it has panaromic sunroof but)..for space conscious people, mk7 will surely excel over a250..also i mk7 has touch screen which imo more user-friendly than the dial on a250..A250 is one sexy lookin car and am sure drives well too but still very interested to know what VW has on offer..

[Dutch77]

That space is a seller too, to me one of the benefits of hot hatches is we get to have our cake and eat it too when compared to more pure sportsters like the MX5 and Toybaru twins.

The votes are interesting so far.. clearly a lot of us are keen to stay German, although it doesn't make great reading for VW - call it 50% in the first poll if we assume a few of the others would tick GTD or Rocco, whereas that's dropped to 36%, albeit the sample size is smaller so far. Counter to that maybe is that the keenest future buyers are probably reading and voting in this thread first.

[Ryan_R]

I'm withholding my vote for now, probably a Mk7 Golf but not yet decided until I know more about it.

[Ryan41]

yep, went with Command, the Harmon/Kardon sounds amazing. Particularly didn't want leather, so that was out, and the vis package didn't excite me that much. They had a white, red, mountain grey and blue. The mountain grey was a standout, so ordered that. Problem being delivery isn't until June

hey mate, I test drove a black one.. loved it also .. I had a mk6 Golf R..whilst not being as quick, it certainly handled well on the road..was wet though so a fair bit of wheel spin when giving it some poke..

My question is, did you get any discount? MB were only keen to knock 1 grand off the price..I'm not real keen on paying retail for a car no matter how good it is.. might have to try another dealer?

[WhiteJames]

My work collegue tells me that parts of the interior of the A250 AMG Sport look like the're straight out of an SLS couple and/or much more expensive AMG variants. I saw an A250 diesel this morning ... the Merc does look impressive apart from the slightly long bonnet & slightly too large grill imo ... otherwise the low slung roof and sleek long lines will definitely make the VAG equivalents look a little bland.

The Merc A250 AMG Sport weighs in at about the same at the new Audi S3 (read Golf R) at 1445kgs. The Golf R would be better for all out traction & front to rear balance given the same weight, but as with all Golf's the chassis tune will no doubt be anodyne & conservative in the Golf R; perhaps moreso in the Golf R with better f to r balance than the forthcoming MK7 Golf GTI and MK7 Sirocco.

The Golf GTI MK7 with power-pack proper mech-electro LSD and lighter weight (1325kgs for DSG) are definitely advantages in favour of the GTI over both the MK7 Golf R and A250 AMG Sport.

But ... to have either Golf GTI or R provide the stated handling finese of the AMG Sport A250 (based on initial reviews) ... you'd have to spend another 2-3K in suspension upgrades with no guarantee of maintaining OE comfort levels (springs & sway bars & maybe shocks/coilovers).

If the Merc A250 AMG Sport can be de-optioned with sunroff, satnav and leather being deleted, the price should come in at base level DSG Golf GTI ... if that's possible. The Merc is definitely a looker imo.

The Merc may be the more reliable of the two when comparing VAG -v- Merc. Apparently Merc ranked 3rd out of 30-40 marqs for quality of engine reliability with much less need to replace motors. Merc had held off on a DSG for some time, perhaps to ensure that quality is up to scratch. On the other hand ... the Merc is a derivative of a Nissan-Renault-Merc alliance re: motors & chassis.

Cheers.
WJ

[dsta]

The Merc A250 AMG Sport weighs in at about the same at the new Audi S3 (read Golf R) at 1445kgs. The Golf R would be better for all out traction & front to rear balance given the same weight, but as with all Golf's the chassis tune will no doubt be anodyne & conservative in the Golf R; perhaps moreso in the Golf R with better f to r balance than the forthcoming MK7 Golf GTI and MK7 Sirocco.

The Golf GTI MK7 with power-pack proper mech-electro LSD and lighter weight (1325kgs for DSG) are definitely advantages in favour of the GTI over both the MK7 Golf R and A250 AMG Sport.

Hi WJ, would you mind please explaining in layman's terms what you mean here, by the advantage of the MK7 GTI over MK7 R? Curious as to what you're thinking (I am not that knowledgeable with suspension!).

Thanks in advance

[alebonau]

yep, went with Command, the Harmon/Kardon sounds amazing. Particularly didn't want leather, so that was out, and the vis package didn't excite me that much. They had a white, red, mountain grey and blue. The mountain grey was a standout, so ordered that. Problem being delivery isn't until June

seems to mirror my needs in options. thanks for your thoughts following the test drive. I know you have mentioned you a past alfa QV guilietta owner. would care to share some thoughts how that compares with some of the other contenders here ? I was close to considering one. but love to know what you think about that particular car and how compares to merc a250/golf gti

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hey mate, I test drove a black one.. loved it also .. I had a mk6 Golf R..whilst not being as quick, it certainly handled well on the road..was wet though so a fair bit of wheel spin when giving it some poke..

My question is, did you get any discount? MB were only keen to knock 1 grand off the price..I'm not real keen on paying retail for a car no matter how good it is.. might have to try another dealer?

No discounts being offered from what others are saying and what my dealer told me Ryan. However, they do have the equivalent to VW corp+ discount if you are eligible. That drops a few thou off, gives you 3 years free servicing and a few other things.

Agree with the handling. The sus is just so well sorted, and the steering response is sublime. The AMG guys have done an amazing job on this. As I said before, it just has tenacious grip levels while remaining composed and planted - much closer to an R drive than a GTI. The R would eat it for breakfast, but I'm not sure it's as good a setup as the a250.

The biggest issue for me with the benz is the gearbox. It's just not a dsg. The up-shifts are too slow, it just slides into gear even in sport mode. The downshifts are great though - in sport mode it blips as it changes down, and with the tuned exhaust, sounds great. It also just doesn't feel as fast as a GTI, although it is faster to 100 - tested. But I would bet my tackle that it would be slower to say 60 or 70. So if you want to drag between lights in the city, you will be disappointed -although I didn't try launch control. Problem is it's a lot faster than it feels and I reckon part of this is due to the behaviour of the gearbox. You just don't get the snappy change that pushes you back in the seat - instead it just slides into the next gear. Manual mode does seem to help this a little. I think first gear might also be a bit tall - it just doesn't seem to get off the line real fast.

To be honest, I was waiting for a MK7 GTI, although I was also negotiating on a mk6 too. But then the benz came along I wasn't at all sold on the looks, and while they do look better in real life, I reckon they'll date quickly. But at the end of the day, I just had such a great time in it, the most fun I've had for a while for sure. And that's what ultimately sold me on it. If only I hadn't taken one for a test drive, all would have been good