Mk7 Golf TSI & TDI - Observations and Questions

[Firsttimer]

Hi guys, I wondered if you could give me some advice about this new golf. I want a car I can drive for 10 years. I love the new golf. Drove both the 103 and the 90 CL yesterday and they're lovely cars. My car now is a Honda Jazz. I've never had a problem with it. Can I expect that sort of reliability with Golf? Also, what options are likely to be of any value in 10 years? Any thoughts would be great. I love the piano finish. Really disappointed I can't have it in the 90 CL.
Thanks

[Jimi]

Golf7, do you have an idea of the consensus of the attendees in relation to the various options? I.e did anyone object to the PP being bundled or did anyone suggest that Aussies would go for alcantara trim if it is an option?

[ctan]

Hi guys, I wondered if you could give me some advice about this new golf. I want a car I can drive for 10 years. I love the new golf. Drove both the 103 and the 90 CL yesterday and they're lovely cars. My car now is a Honda Jazz. I've never had a problem with it. Can I expect that sort of reliability with Golf? Also, what options are likely to be of any value in 10 years? Any thoughts would be great. I love the piano finish. Really disappointed I can't have it in the 90 CL.
Thanks

I've had 2 Honda's before a second hand Honda Accord and my last vehicle was a brand new Honda Odyssey. In terms of reliability you can't match a Honda. I had the Odyssey for 5 years and put in about 130,000 km. Not a single problem. Can't say the same for my VW though so far the issues have been minor ones. But I love the drive on the Golf. It is truly a fun car to drive around.

[Firsttimer]

Thanks ctan. What sort of minor issues? I accept that with the advent of new tech, and as cars get more complicated there's always going to be more that can go wrong, and I'm comforted by the idea of fixed-price servicing, but I dread the thought that out of warranty the car is going to become a cash burner. I was so impressed with the engines and the quality inside, as well as the tech. I'd love to think I could live with it happily for a long time. I should also say, I don't do a lot of driving, so my last car only did 88k in 10 years, in case that makes any difference to the reliability issues.

[Golf7]

Hi guys, I wondered if you could give me some advice about this new golf. I want a car I can drive for 10 years. I love the new golf. Drove both the 103 and the 90 CL yesterday and they're lovely cars. My car now is a Honda Jazz. I've never had a problem with it. Can I expect that sort of reliability with Golf? Also, what options are likely to be of any value in 10 years? Any thoughts would be great. I love the piano finish. Really disappointed I can't have it in the 90 CL.
Thanks

You'll love the Golf, the only car you'll ever need. Should be quite reliable, it's got a great warranty, cheap to run... Check out my previous posts... Don't bother with the options and go for the base model if you want a manual or the Highline for the DSG...

[Golf7]

Golf7, do you have an idea of the consensus of the attendees in relation to the various options? I.e did anyone object to the PP being bundled or did anyone suggest that Aussies would go for alcantara trim if it is an option?

The PP will be a factory option and will include all of the items that it includes in Europe. (19s, LSD, more power). The alcantara looks promising as we didn't feel like just getting the black leather. As with the Mk.6 GTI with Black leather there wasn't enough "sportiness" in the interior. The Golf really needs some tartan on the seats, and this bundled with the alcantara really adds a touch of class.We'll see, it was just a "give us your thoughts" session...

[Diesel_vert]

Hi guys, I wondered if you could give me some advice about this new golf.

I'm not a fortune teller, but I'll give it a go.

I want a car I can drive for 10 years.

I believe 10 years is too long a period for things not to go wrong in any car - especially a modern car.

However, you are less likely to encounter any costly issues over a 10 year period with a manual gearbox than with the DSG.

I don't foresee any significant issues with the newly designed engines, provided they're properly serviced and maintained. It's much too early to speculate how they'll fare over the long term, but I'd like to think VW have leant their lesson from the problems that plagued the Golf Mk6.

My car now is a Honda Jazz. I've never had a problem with it. Can I expect that sort of reliability with Golf?

No vehicle manufacturer is infallible or immune to problems. It's really the luck of the draw across the board, but some might say the best odds are on the Japanese manufacturers in this respect.

Given their track record so far, it is not likely a Volkswagen will be as trouble free as a Honda. That's not to say they're all unreliable - there are many satisfied customers on this forum - but at the same time, do not be at all surprised if you encounter some problems over the course of your ownership.

There is a general perception that German engineered cars are superior - which may well be the case, there are good arguments to made in their favour - but the current reality of it is, that the number of problems per vehicle tends to be higher that what the owner would expect. Mind you, spending more isn't the answer - if only things were that simple! Whether one buys a $30,000 VW or a $100,000 BMW or Mercedes appears to make little difference in your chances of encountering a problem.

In some cases, certain models are just more prone to problems compared to others (e.g. 6R Polo GTI). The Golf Mk7 is a very new model built on an entirely new platform. A new design takes time to mature and it is not unusual for the manufacturer to encounter some problems during the initial phase of the production cycle, so it is not unusual for the manufacturer to deal with problems as they appear. This is why some people recommend avoiding the first few batches of a newly released model, but this generally applies across the board, not just with Volkswagens.

Also, what options are likely to be of any value in 10 years?

Generally, you are highly unlikely to recoup the cost of optional extras when re-selling any car. This applies across the entire used car sector.

[Firsttimer]

Thanks guys. Some good stuff to think about. I'd be looking at the auto. One of the reasons I want to switch cars is to get out of a manual. Can I expect decent after sales service if things go wrong? I've seen mixed comments on that issue. Some of it really scathing.

[Arnold]

Based on Golf7's nominated pricing on the GTI with the PP being $3k premium I'd say no - you'd get the PP treatment and the 19s only for that $3k, then another $1.5k odd for the DCC. More info in the GTI thread.

In at least one of the Euro GTI reports on Youtube I believe DCC was standard on the PP. $3k extra would seen enough to cover 7kw, larger wheels and DCC, otherwise there would be not that much to talk about for the extra dosh.

[Golf7]

In at least one of the Euro GTI reports on Youtube I believe DCC was standard on the PP. $3k extra would seen enough to cover 7kw, larger wheels and DCC, otherwise there would be not that much to talk about for the extra dosh.

You missed the most important bit, the ELSD!!! Worth its weight in GOLD! I'll enquire on the matter, as it's bothering me too. I'd have to say that the DCC will be standard with the PP, as the 19s make the ride a bit jiggly here in Australia. Think the Scirocco R on its 19s, it's got the system standard.

[ctan]

Thanks ctan. What sort of minor issues? I accept that with the advent of new tech, and as cars get more complicated there's always going to be more that can go wrong, and I'm comforted by the idea of fixed-price servicing, but I dread the thought that out of warranty the car is going to become a cash burner. I was so impressed with the engines and the quality inside, as well as the tech. I'd love to think I could live with it happily for a long time. I should also say, I don't do a lot of driving, so my last car only did 88k in 10 years, in case that makes any difference to the reliability issues.

Clutch plates and just recently the ignition switch. All covered under warranty. The ignition switch was not causing any problems, just an intermittent issue which I was able to pick up with a diagnostic tool. VW agreed to replace it. I do a lot of driving, currently at 96000 km. Car will be 3 yrs in July. Still drives like when I bought it. Love this car, every drive brings a big

[Jimi]

DCC (or ACC) isn't standard, it's an option in the UK even with the PP. Part of the reason is probably that you don't have to bundle the PP with 19s over there (which is what I was referring to by bundling the PP Golf7). Most test cars had PP and 18s which is probably the ideal combination. Plus the 19s are FUGLY

Some of the confusion with ACC is that the ability to tweak the throttle response, steering etc is standard in the UK, but the actual adaptive dampers which are the things that actually help the ride quality, are a paid option

[Firsttimer]

Awesome. I was really impressed with the ride. When I went back home in my Jazz I felt like I was in a horse-drawn buggy. The seat feels every stone on the road. I've got a lot to think about. If only they had the piano finish on the 90CL I'd be sold. I don't like that brushed aluminium personally. It reminds me of the cheap plastic on my current car. I don't think I could love with it. The dealer says I could buy some fascia decals to cover it. Have you heard of those?

[Cookie28]

Judging from what others have said I think there will be plenty of people willing to swap with you, I'm a fan of the piano black but lots of other people seem to not like it.

[Golf7]

DCC (or ACC) isn't standard, it's an option in the UK even with the PP. Part of the reason is probably that you don't have to bundle the PP with 19s over there (which is what I was referring to by bundling the PP Golf7). Most test cars had PP and 18s which is probably the ideal combination. Plus the 19s are FUGLY

Some of the confusion with ACC is that the ability to tweak the throttle response, steering etc is standard in the UK, but the actual adaptive dampers which are the things that actually help the ride quality, are a paid option

Completely agree with you, I hate the 19s. They ruin the ride, composure, add noise and increase fuel consumption. I'll do some research...