Mk7 Golf GTI Discussion Thread

[ZMan]

No need, I have already done some advanced computer modelling to demonstrate the issues:

haha. Spot on Dutch.

[Mikey1]

I have owned both and you are correct - mk5 & mk6 halogens are much better than mk7 halogens.

This xenon v halogen thing though is not always clear cut. My other car is a Forester XT with (like other Jap cars) standard xenons on low beam (they remain low beam all the time) and halogen high beams. The outstanding thing about the lighting is the dramatic bright effect it has when switching to high beam ie. xenon low beam combined with halogen high beam. It absolutely kills my all halogen mk7 Golf for bright flooding light coverage all the way down the road. It's the halogens that do it, not the bright white close up focus of the low beam xenons. And halogens are much more restful on the eyes.

At speed, Xenon low beams are irrelivent, as you're looking into the distance, not close up where the Xenon cut-off occurs. Bi-Xenon headlights which flip up a shield to reveal a full-throw light beats halogens hands down. I've never felt the need for auxiliary driving lights since I've used Bi-Xenons.

[salrom]

You're very fortunate to have had the opportunity to test all three (or four?) models. The GTI-PP by all accounts is a very good package, if based purely on rational criteria, but fortunately many of us in this forum choose what we drive on more emotional grounds, particularly if our budgets allow this. Anecdotal evidence suggests the GTI-PP is not as good a seller as the standard GTI, and not as popular as the Golf R. The standard GTI retains the ability to order one with a manual transmission, sunroof and 18 inch wheels, but the GTI-PP, while very good value for the additional spec level over the standard GTI, doesn't lend itself to much variation. The Golf R is similar in this respect, but at least you can choose the transmission and whether you want a sunroof or not. The new Golf R is also a car that is anything but subtle, and current/prospective owners find this its best feature. The future resale value on any of these models will be a lottery, as will be dependent on many factors. I certainly wouldn't be making any choices based on this criteria.

Mickey, my decision to buy the GTI P was based primarily on the way the car felt and suited my driving style then function and looks, the resale is always hard to pick but in searching for my new car all the dealers I spoke with had plenty of GTI's and GTI R's the Performance Pack was a rare beast like the Pirelli model was in 2009/10. Perhaps they will bringing in more which will make them less rare but the decider for me was the way the car drove and felt. I'm not sure what evidence you refer to but they can't sell what they don't have. I'm in sydney and I looked at all the VW dealers with in 200KM and there were only 3 available compared to many more GTI's the R's were in less supply but were not selling as well and to some extent I may have got a better deal on an R but for the extra money, poorer economy around the city and my main driving area the GTI or GTI P was the best fit. The average traveling speed in our area is around 24km/h and with roads exceeding 80Km/h the only time I'm going to use the power of the R is when I get out of the City even then the expressways are only 110km/h at most and the R would likely get me fined or worse. The fun of driving a performance car in most parts of australia without the risk getting a ticket is almost gone and the roads are getting worse.

This is my third Golf, my favorite was the GTI Mark II which I kept for 20 years and regret selling but didn't have the space to keep it.

As far as transmission and sunroof I could alway have an aftermarket sunroof installed but my other GTI had a sunroof and I rarely used it so it was not an issue for me. My other GTI was also a manuel and when you're driving in and around the city as much as I do a manual transmission is too much hard work I guess if I were driving the car in outer suburbs where you can travel more than 100m before having to stop it would not be such a chore but when you have to clutch and shift constantly it becomes a chore and you never have a free hand.

I know it's not the same as having a manual clutch but the paddles on 7 are far better than in previous models and on occasions I find them good to use compared to other models in the past. they are quick to change and very easy to use.
In the end we don't all drive the same and in the same areas so we choose the car that suit our circumstances and needs hopefully until a new shiny toy is available.

[andrew7]

A lot of GTI/R buyers are VW fans and won't really buy anything else. I fall into this category - realistically I'd only stretch to an S3 and that money's going to the same place. The A Merc is too rough/small and the 1 BMW is struggling for looks and is just ridiculously small - the MQB platform is a winner. The French are interesting but aren't me, and I couldn't live with the Rex.

+1 feel the exact same way about the brand/other brands


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^ Same. Jeez does that make me a fanboi lol Now i'm looking for a 2nd car unexpectedly and I cant see past what VW have on offer: just wish the 2015 Polo GTI would get here as that would be fantastic for a runabout companion to the R (assuming they finally fix the oil consumption issues i.e switch to the 1.8L turbo motor) (Golf GTI would be perfect but budget only $30-$35K for this car under orders of +1/financial controller

[Dutch77]

^ Same. Jeez does that make me a fanboi lol Now i'm looking for a 2nd car unexpectedly and I cant see past what VW have on offer: just wish the 2015 Polo GTI would get here as that would be fantastic for a runabout companion to the R (assuming they finally fix the oil consumption issues i.e switch to the 1.8L turbo motor) (Golf GTI would be perfect but budget only $30-$35K for this car under orders of +1/financial controller

Depends if you're going to get all red faced and frothing at the mouth if I make a valid, negative remark on your R.

I'm a VW man, but not a fanboi. If I could afford to stick an A45 into the garage for weekends, done. If I was smaller and/or didn't need to sometimes use the back seat, I love the idea of that rear wheel drive six Bimmer. I know the Frenchies were a Motor favourite for a long time and again I'd give them a crack as a weekender. Finally if I wore my cap backwards and blasted doof doof still I might even go the Rex. Ok, I wouldn't.

Point is I get to have my cake and eat it to with the Golfs, and they work for me.

If the above cars work for you, cool, bring them out to a VWW meet because I would absolutely love to check them over and go for a ride. Even the Rex.

re: second car, does it have to be new? Why not a loaded Mk6 GTI for $30k and sub 20-30km?

[giveway]

I love my xenon's and wifey has said it would be hard to go back. With Xenon's i I think the addition benefit is for spotting wildlife on the side of the road as it seems to spread wider on the left than the halogens do. I spotted two kangaroos on the side of the road on the way up the north coast last weekend which I probably not have seen if I didn't have them. I was able to slow down enough to miss them just as they jumped in front of the car. The xenon's probably just saved my excess on a 2 week old car.

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[Mountainman]

The average traveling speed in our area is around 24km/h and with roads exceeding 80Km/h the only time I'm going to use the power of the R is when I get out of the City even then the expressways are only 110km/h at most and the R would likely get me fined or worse. The fun of driving a performance car in most parts of australia without the risk getting a ticket is almost gone and the roads are getting worse.

So why would the 250km/h Golf R be any less appropriate than a 240km/h GTI? Sounds like a Prius might be more suitable in those conditions. or even a base Golf like mine - even it can crack 110 lol.....

[DoggieHowser]

So why would the 250km/h Golf R be any less appropriate than a 240km/h GTI? Sounds like a Prius might be more suitable in those conditions. or even a base Golf like mine - even it can crack 110 lol.....

The 4Motion feels a bit more lethargic IMHO. I tested a Mk6 Golf R vs a Scirocco R and the difference is very clear. The R was more sure footed especially through corners and at high speeds but for start stop traffic, it felt less responsive.

So if you have a city commute, I suspect the FWD GTI would feel more eager to go vs a 4Motion R.

I also noted similar differences when I test drove the Octavia RS vs my Tiguan 155TSI

[andrew7]

Good point Dutch, MK6 GTI with low K's worth considering. Have looked at a few but the prices some peeps are asking are ridiculous!

[Dutch77]

Good point Dutch, MK6 GTI with low K's worth considering. Have looked at a few but the prices some peeps are asking are ridiculous!

There are some very ambitious prices floating around on carsales - on the flipside the example I gave was even a dealer car for sub $30k (in SA though). My 19,000km example was advertised by a dealer at $29.9k last year and sold quickly although I never found out to who.

Benefits are DQ250 box (assuming DSG desired), the almost rock solid 2.0 litre EA888 and more room inside for passengers and luggage. I'd also say in my opinion the Mk6 dash is a nicer place than the Polo.

[andrew7]

True Dutch. BTW, dont mind a drive to SA, wll check other states as well (cheap carbon steel looks ok there)

[pologti18t]

How much are replacement HID bulbs?

If you want reasonably priced HID options manufacturers need to use the D8S (and similar) bulbs. They just get under the Lumens limit for headlight washers/levellers... much cheaper to fit. Still more output than the most powerful aftermarket halogen bulb.

The Rapid Spaceback is the first ŠKODA car to feature an innovation in lighting technology –headlights with a low-energy xenon dipped beam. They generate a longer and wider beam of light than halogen lamps, compared to which they have 33% higher luminous flux and up to three times longer life. Because of their low output compared to standard xenon headlamps, they need not be equipped with headlight cleaning or dynamic inclination alignment. They emit a pleasant colour similar to daylight.

[Dutch77]

True Dutch. BTW, dont mind a drive to SA, wll check other states as well (cheap carbon steel looks ok there)

If you did I'd the hook you up with paint correction and Opticoat for under $500 too, and as you're under the $35k budget I reckon we should do some wheels too.

How much are replacement HID bulbs?

If you want reasonably priced HID options manufacturers need to use the D8S (and similar) bulbs. They just get under the Lumens limit for headlight washers/levellers... much cheaper to fit. Still more output than the most powerful aftermarket halogen bulb.

Someone (you?) posted something like this in the headlights thread a little while ago, seemed like a really good and cheaper option - not knowing the first thing about globes what are the chances these could ever be made to suit a Golf Mk7 as a halogen replacement?

[andrew7]

If you did I'd the hook you up with paint correction and Opticoat for under $500 too, and as you're under the $35k budget I reckon we should do some wheels too.

LOL nice work Dutch There's one in Hawthorn (SA) with low km's for $26k, got the fugly Denvers so no-brainer to upgrade to the 18' Black VW Motorsports (i.e the Adelaide rim and tyre special currently running- cant find the link for this special BTW if you can link it again pls), add tint and Opticoat and win! (I'd also add R LED tail lights to complete the look) Do you live far from Hawthorn ??

[Dutch77]

LOL nice work Dutch There's one in Hawthorn (SA) with low km's for $26k, got the fugly Denvers so no-brainer to upgrade to the 18' Black VW Motorsports (i.e the Adelaide rim and tyre special currently running- cant find the link for this special BTW if you can link it again pls), add tint and Opticoat and win! (I'd also add R LED tail lights to complete the look) Do you live far from Hawthorn ??

Sounds like a plan, Opticoat guy will organise the tinter to come out and he's just down the road from Glenelg to kill some time and have a feed. Wheels and tyres can be bought beforehand and stored, Hawthorn is 15-20 from me and Opticoat.

Agree on the Mk6 the R tails dress the car up nicely from the rear.