Mk7 Golf GTI Discussion Thread

[DoggieHowser]

I'm told last night's TopGear UK featured the Mk7 GTI v M135i, except I can't download it from my present location.

Wait a few hours for Episode 5 to be added
FinalGear.com :: Shows :: Top Gear :: Season 21

Possible spoilers...

The A45 wasn't in the running because they claimed it was too expensive for a hatch. The pricing differential isn't that large here tho.

So it really was a shootout between the 135M and the GTI PP. In 3 doors both of which aren't available in Australia.

[andrew7]

GTI PP $48K + ORC v M135i $64 + ORC v A45 $73 + ORC. I'd say the A45 at $25k more than the GTI PP is a fair differential Doggie (let lone the $16k more for the M135i).

Like the auto express comparison it clearly would have been more appropriate if they had compared the R/S3 to the BMW + Merc.

[readerr0r]

Possible spoilers...

The A45 wasn't in the running because they claimed it was too expensive for a hatch. The pricing differential isn't that large here tho.

So it really was a shootout between the 135M and the GTI PP. In 3 doors both of which aren't available in Australia.

If a 3-door GTI with Discover Pro existed in Aus I'd buy it so fast. Luckily VWA know better than I do it seems.

[gRaQ5]

Jokes aside, reckon it's possible to buy a discover pro aftermarket and retro fit it?


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[kennyc]

Jokes aside, reckon it's possible to buy a discover pro aftermarket and retro fit it?


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Yeah that is what i am hoping. I reckon either in the MY15 or MY16 model they will have LED tail lights and the Discover Pro. I am hoping they have the Discover Pro as a spare part and then get them to fit it in.

[DoggieHowser]

GTI PP $48K + ORC v M135i $64 + ORC v A45 $73 + ORC. I'd say the A45 at $25k more than the GTI PP is a fair differential Doggie (let lone the $16k more for the M135i).

Like the auto express comparison it clearly would have been more appropriate if they had compared the R/S3 to the BMW + Merc.

In the UK 47k pounds gets you a Porsche. I think that's why the A45 seems like it's overpriced. Over here as you said it's not much of a stretch from the R/S3.

Plus the options on the GTI PP to match a similar spec on the A45 which comes quite fully spec-Ed makes the differential much smaller.

[Ryan_R]

At the end of the day most normal people out there are going to say a $50k "hatchback" is hard to justify, and you'll even get more than a few car enthusiasts saying a $75k hatchback is pure lunacy.

Doesn't mean we can't enjoy them though.

[Finance_Analyst]

I opted for a Range Rover this time - for the money, another hot hatch like the A45 or R was a little hard to justify against the value of the Rangie

[AdamD]

Guys, I have moved your discussion on vehicle tracking and receipt to this thread:

http://www.vwwatercooled.com/forums/f197/official-i-have-ordered-received-my-new-mk7-golf-thread-84834-58.html

Please discuss tracking, receiving etc etc there.

[sucnip]

Impressions of my new mk7 GTI, 5 days and 120km on the clock

I picked up my new GTI Saturday and have been enjoying it these past few days. Here are a few thoughts that I'd like to share with the watercooled community.

Awesome sauce:
+ The illuminated red led door and door sill lighting looks amazeballs at night. I actually didn't know about this until the handover briefing.

+ Passenger side mirror dips when going into reverse. To get this to work you have to leave the mirror adjustment knob on L. Mirror won't dip if you leave the knob on O. Also, the mirror stays dipped until you move forward at more than 15km/h.

+ Traffic works, although it is the semi-useless SUNA info. To activate make sure you have RDS activated and TP selected in advanced settings.

+ iphone 5 integration works very well. Contacts (including those with addresses) are imported automatically.

+ Can connect more than one phone via bluetooth, but only one at a time. You can connect an iphone for calls and an ipad for audio at the same time however.

+ I think I got a good price for a 2014 build; negotiated ~10% off RRP driveaway. (I have an existing relationship, please don't ask which dealer)

+ Tight cabin. No squeaks or rattles... yet.

+ The steering and handling. Wow. Sex on wheels. Very impressive for a FWD car.

+ I love the start/stop system. It works very well with a manual transmission. Rolling to a stop, I put the car into neutral and release the clutch. When I stop the engine cuts and the brake is applied. As soon as I touch the clutch the engine starts and is ready to go by the time the car is even in gear. If I want to keep the engine running I simply keep the clutch depressed.

Mixed Bag:
+/- Hill hold function works well, but can be sticky when starting on an actual incline.

+/- Water condensation inside both headlights upon pickup. Seemed to resolve after a few days.

+/- Tyres were filled to 41.5 psi front and 45psi rear on pickup. I reset all wheels to 42psi all the way around.

+/- How best to break-in the engine? Baby it for first 1000km or drive it like you stole it? I've been driving it like a stolen baby. Gently around town, but once warmed up short bursts of WOT up to 5k RPM in various gears. Nothing excessive or dangerous.

+/- I miss the interior red led's that illuminate your hand over the controls in an otherwise dark cabin.

+/- the fog lights are LED and are much whiter than the headlights.

Fail:
- Discover Media Mk7's aren't compatible with wired ipods. I haven't tried bluetooth audio yet, but putting files onto a memory stick does work well. Navigating audio files is done strictly by directory and file names.

- The voice button on the dash and the wheel only mutes the radio. yes, there is an option you can pay to fix this, but it doesn't seem to work that well for $400.

- The pronunciation of the GPS system speaking street names is awful in a painfully funny way. How difficult is it to pronounce "Road"? This is pretty bad VW...

- No speed camera or red light camera POI's. It may be possible to add these, but they'd simply appear as an icon on the map and not alert you to their presence.

- Drivers side wiper smears directly in the driver's line of vision on the down stroke. It is as bad as everyone says.

- Dealer did not install GTI metal base to key fobs. Told me to come back to have them fitted later.

- Salesguy told me to periodically use the other key fob as "the keys recharge whilst being used and if you don't use the other key for a few months it will become unprogrammed." I call complete BS on this. Remote fobs have a standard lithium coin battery (CR2032). There's nothing rechargeable about them.

- No GALA, or speed adjusting volume settings I could find.

- Aus spec Mk7 GTI's do not have pop-up headlight washers or auto-folding side mirrors with puddle lights.

David
2014 mk7 GTI Carbon Steel Metallic, 6 speed manual, sunroof, window tint, white euro plates
2007 mk5 Golf GT
2002 Audi A3 1.8T
2001 Audi S4 (USA)
1997 Audi A4 1.8T (USA)

[AdamD]

Discover Media Mk7's aren't compatible with wired ipods. I haven't tried bluetooth audio yet, but putting files onto a memory stick does work well. Navigating audio files is done strictly by directory and file names.

You should be able to retro-fit an MDI in order to do this. See:

http://www.vwwatercooled.com/forums/f197/ipod-compatibility-new-golf-87352.html

Aus spec Mk7 GTI's do not have pop-up headlight washers

Australian cars get the washers when xenon headlights are fitted; this is an ADR requirement and all cars with xenons must have them.

[readerr0r]

Edit: Post was better suited for iPod thread

[Jimi]

Great write up sucnip. It's a shame the car isn't perfect. You do make me feel a bit better though about forking out for xenons (whiter and with washers). It was a pretty agonising decision - 2 grand for lights is a lot when the car comes with lights anyway.

I'm glad the negatives are more to do with the media system than the drive even though I like my technology.

Enjoy the car!

[n0d3]

Just got a call from my dealer saying that my stock GTI PP will be here around the middle of the month! Excited.

[hng]

Considering a Golf 7 GTI

Hi Guys, I'm planning to trade in my 08 Civic Type R to get a new car this year.
There are several cars on my list and the Golf 7 GTI is one of them.
I'd just like to get more information from the experts here before making any decisions.

How reliable are VW products (especially the Golf GTI) in general? I know there are a lot of negative comments in the media about VW's reliability but I'd just like to get more accurate information.
I am planning to get it in manual as I enjoy driving manual more and want to avoid the potential DSG issues as well.
How long is the waiting list at the moment?
How is the customer service in general? Are there good and bad VW dealerships?

Appreciate your feedback.

Cheers.