Mk7 Golf GTI Discussion Thread

[WhiteJames]

GTI - PP: 1. The mechanical haldex e-diff will definitely be better than the XDL electronic only pseudo diff. XDL brakes the inside wheel, in effect slowing that side of the vehicle down at slower speeds imo. E-Diff would speed things up. 2. E-diff as a stand alone option for 980GBP / $1500 AUD is a no brainer. Issues are:

GTI - PP is one to get if you drive tight twisties like Macquarie Pass South of Sydney very often and perhaps give greater traction from stationary take off. Most owners that want the ultimate in grip from stationary position usually go for the Golf R, which is better again in that regard for probably not a lot more than the GTI - PP. The GTI - PP is bound to have a lower CoG at the front end with the motor sitting lower -v- Golf R AWD. The Man-Trans std GTI wins out in respect to weight being the antithesis of sports car handling. 45kgs removed from the front end, where you don't want it in a FWD, will make the MT Std GTI a more flowing vehicle to drive from corner to corner in the medium to faster flowing b-grade routes (not super tight & twisting canyons/mountain roads), as long as your driving up to 8/10ths. Any more than that and the XDL at lower speeds can be disruptive and annoying at times, as it FWD. Higher speeds where XDL just lightly taps the brakes for improved turn-in works for both std and PP GTI's, but with the std GTI having 45kgs less to point into the corner. Neither does the Audi S3 nor Golf 7 R have the PP's e-diff, but do have XDL. Personally ... I would've gone for the GTI - PP as a stand alone option for $1500 with Man Trans. For about 6K premium with all the other bells and whistles is not something I would have added to the GTI - PP. Irony of the matter is that the GTI - PP would give better traction and motion from 8/10ths - 10/10ths ... but the GTI always has been and always will be an 8-9/10ths vehicle. For that final tenth to 10/10ths ... better look elsewhere like RS265 or BRZ/FT86 or BMW 1 series.
WJ

[nat225]

+1

I don't see why I cannot be an enthusiast and elect not to race my car around a track to preserve the long term running gear/tyres etc on my car.... I would if I had piles of $$$

As an enthusiast who doesn't take their car onto a race track, I disagree with that comment.

Dunno how it is in Sydney as the track options are not as accessible as in Brisbane. Marulan and Wakefield are 2.5 hrs drive. Eastern Creek is close but not cheap for $330 / half day.

I believe Team_V comment came from his observation and the facts from our VWWatercooled Happy Laps session that has been going on monthly basis for almost 2 years now.

Also, taking a car to a race track does not necessary mean you trash it unless you are not experienced or have not been trained to drive the right way (with finese / smoothness) on a race track.

Or you have too much 'excitement' to go all out (most corners at the wrong lines) and does not understand the importance of warming up and cooling down lap. I was reminded of this when I took a friend and be his passenger for his first time on track, but hey most of us do it for the first time on a loop of bitumen with no speed limits

Yes you do get more rubber and brake wear but other than that, it depends on how you do it.

On public road, you will never experience the limits on the mk5/6/7 GTI unless you break the law. That's why, taking it to a track helps you to find out in a safe and controlled environment without loosing your licence

I know someone who bought a Porsche GT3 for a track toy car (plus his many other toys) and not for driving around town. I am sure he did not buy for a 'status'. He looks at it as a hobby and he got the 'status' already for being where he is professionaly.

en·thu·si·ast
noun \-ˌast, -əst\

: a person who feels enthusiasm for something : a person who enjoys something very much

That 'something' can be how a car handles on a track, can be how it sounds, can be how it goes from 0-60 off a traffic lights (borderline hoon), can be anything

[Marcotto]

^ like ^

[Arnold]

Further to the sensitive issue of status, surely the issue arises where people feel tempted by the 3-pointed star because an A250 is "only" a few grand more than the much more capacious, more powerful and more practical GTI.

Were it not for the A250's unsuitability as a family chariot, compared with the GTI, and, to a lesser extent, its automated gearbox, I too would be seriously considering an A250 instead of a GTI.

Amongst those reasons would be the aspirational part of me that has always wanted to own a Merc*, most of which relates to it being a ****ing excellent make of car, an SL500 or the like being one of my dream cars because it really does say "**** off" better than just about any other car on the road. It is just so bullet-proof, competent, safe and understated. Twin turbo V8 with more torque than Rob Oakeshott - oh yeah!

Anyway, back to reality, if status truly was a major consideration for those "average Joe's" who use their GTIs to only a fraction of their potential by driving from A to B and back again, and never going on a track, wouldn't they be taking their $45k and buying a second hand BMW or Merc?

Or like me, do they just love the overall package which, with Thule roof racks and a roof pod makes the GTI incredibly versatile for a four-person family and with a manual gearbox the perfect compromise for sports / family car motoring.

*These days I think I would more likely choose the comparable BMW product, except for the 'SL' and 'S' classes. The 6-series Gran Coupe is a stunning looking car, inside and out.

[readerr0r]

Theres appeal in not having a prestige brand car too. My sister is (long story) selling her '05 BMW 320i for a '09 Skoda Octavia and she's quite relieved that she doesn't have to go and park the BMW on the street away from the house any more to avoid tradies marking up their quotes. Tailgaters were also problematic in that car.

Though I think an A Class would have less negative issues compared to a 3 series perception wise...

[pologti18t]

2150 before OTR costs adds up to close to 2.5-3k.

You mentioned satnav on the Merc was 3k or something. That was the package upgrade which included the large screen and the upgraded audio you mentioned.

Plus the standard screen's not smaller that Discover satnav on the Mk7. The Becker satnav alone on the Merc isn't 3k. Radar assisted crash prevention braking is standard.

What's the size of the standard screen in the A250 (14.7cm)? AFAIK its the same size as that found in the Golf GTI.
You have to spend "something" to get sat nav in the A250. The cheap option is sat nav retrofitted to the standard screen system for about $1000.

[pologti18t]

Just a reminder on how good a standard Golf GTI is:

Cliff notes:

PP is not required on the road
Adaptive suspension is great in all modes
VW supplies a great manual transmission even though most people will choose DSG (see Clio RS, A250 etc)
Golf GTI with DSG and PP is close to M135i price in UK. Here it is less than A250 pricing.

Think of the Golf GTI PP as the true A250 competitor (price and equipment)
The normal manual/dsg Golf GTI significantly lower entry point into the market than either the A250 or the 125i.

[Arnold]

Just a reminder on how good a standard Golf GTI is:

Cliff notes:

PP is not required on the road
Adaptive suspension is great in all modes
VW supplies a great manual transmission even though most people will choose DSG (see Clio RS, A250 etc)
Golf GTI with DSG and PP is close to M135i price in UK. Here it is less than A250 pricing.

What a great review with excellent narrative - Chris Harris is very good, isn't he?

He eloquently sums up what a great all-rounder the GTI represents. Quite possibly the best.

Harris's only reservation is the higher performance, top tier (BMW) company in which the pricing puts the GTI in the UK.

[gjuu]

For what it is worth, where I would spend my hard earned....

Manual 2 door = RS265
Auto 2 door = Scirocco

Manual 4 door = Focus ST
Auto 4 door = Golf GTI/A250

Manual AWD = S3
Auto AWD = Golf R/S3

All seem very good for where they sit in market.

[readerr0r]

Don't forget you can use redbook to tally up the full driveaway price of a car options and all. The GTI isn't up there but the A250 is...
New Car Research - New Car Prices - Compare New Cars - RedBook.com.au

[newconvert]

Just got a call from a local dealer - test drive arranged for Sat. Very keen, but I think it will need to be spectacular to get my vote now. Fancy features are great and there's no doubt a lot of solid engineering under it all, but when it comes to bang for your bucks I start to waver. To be honest I was always looking for a compelling reason to make what is a stretch in my case to become a GTI owner. It will be our second car and with small kids and a tight garage I doubt my ability to keep it in prime condition over the longer lease I would need to justify the purchase! I'm leaning towards a much lower cost option that put a huge smile on my face on the test-drive, and one that meets all of the realistic "will I actually use/benefit from this feature everyday?" requirements.
Perhaps GTI will remain an aspirational badge for me!

[Diesel_vert]

It's quite telling that the Performance Pack in Australia is burdened with a 6-speed DSG, Alcantara seats, gas-discharge headlights with LED DRLs, cornering lights and LED taillights, on top of the bigger (and heavier) front & rear brakes, bigger (and probably heavier) wheels with 225/35 R19 tyres (more expensive than 225/40 R18 come replacement time), an LSD and 7 kW - which it will need to offset the weight gain.

It's clear to me that VW in Australia are looking to promote the PP as more of a comfort & convenience feature, rather than just a performance feature. Again, it's bang on target with its intended consumer base here, I suppose.

It's a pity the best and purest variant IMO (3 door, manual, passive dampers, no PP) isn't available for those who want it, but VW know that such a variant won't sell enough to be worthwhile in our market - hence all the above.


EDIT - and although the PP in Australia has more features than the PP in Europe & UK, it's also a very clever, very tempting, and very easy way of getting the consumer to spend more on optioning up the car.

I bet whoever thought of that will be getting a nice bonus at the end of the year.

[pologti18t]

Ok, here are the max driveaway prices for the GTI and A250 for NSW on their respective sites

A250 $54,817.34
Golf GTI Man 46,278
Golf GTI DSG 48,887 (PP wasn't listed)

[macdub]

Ok, here are the max driveaway prices for the GTI and A250 for NSW on their respective sites

A250 $54,817.34
Golf GTI Man 46,278
Golf GTI DSG 48,887 (PP wasn't listed)

yes..now add following on GTI which is standard on A250

-leather
-panaroof
-bixenon headlamps with LED DRL and LED taillights

there is no doubt A250 has sharp pricing...the only downside is a small boot..can't see why people will not spend bit more and get a 3 pointed star..

[elephino]

yes..now add following on GTI which is standard on A250

-leather
-panaroof
-bixenon headlamps with LED DRL and LED taillights

there is no doubt A250 has sharp pricing...the only downside is a small boot..can't see why people will not spend bit more and get a 3 pointed star..

Technically it's man-made leather standard on the A250. Real leather is an option. Plus the A250's boot isn't that small, it's not much smaller than the Mk6 boot, though the smaller opening can be an issue (but nowhere near as bad as the Mazda3 sedan's).