Mk7 Golf GTI Discussion Thread

[DoggieHowser]

And exactly how many options do Ford offer with the Focus ST? A250? RS265? BMW 125i - we'll ignore that one for now
It's not an uncommon situation in the market now.
Fiesta ST - no options (other than paint), 208GTI - no options (paint), Polo GTI - paint, HIDs, Alcantara, sunroof.

Irossiter - I hope you enjoy your A250. No mention made of why Merc doesn't offer a manual A250 and why they don't offer the A250 AWD version here. As for being called a VW employee - lol. Must be why I was singing the praise of the 208GTI in another thread Anyway it's rich coming from someone who is obviously a Mercedes Benz salesman

It's not the options per se but what is available (whether standard or optional) or completely dropped like in VW's case that is seemingly arbitrary. The A250 as you already know comes pretty well spec-ed even in standard trim and the options cover large screen satnav, along with upgraded hifi system. The BMW 1 series option list looks even more exhaustive. Have you seen their Australia catalogue before? You can option just about every damn thing.

Here's what carsales list
New 2013 BMW 125i F20 September Pricing and Specifications - carsales.com.au

[Finance_Analyst]

What is everybody's fascination with AWD. In real world driving, you rarely see the benefits and it just adds more cost upfront, to maintain, extra fuel usage etc etc. I think the Subaru marketing over the past decade has sold everyone. Personally, my driving does not justify AWD

For an A250, I don't see why it should have AWD as the A45 does that, just like comparing the GTI Vs R.

[Diesel_vert]

A long and extensive options or customisation list presents the dealer much more opportunities to make bigger profits - the upmarket German brands in particular are notorious for this. What they lose in volume, they make up in bigger profits from their "discerning" patrons - I think it's a financial masterstroke.

I'd have thought Volkswagen would be keen to follow in their compatriot's footsteps, but instead, they've fitted more kit as standard and bought in more stock (at least, for the Australian market). More sales volume, better value for the consumer, and less overhead costs for the importer - it's a win-win for nearly everyone.

The only ones that miss out are those who like ticking the options list, as well as some of the more, how shall we say... "talented" salespeople out there.

[pologti18t]

The irony of all this is people moan about the unavailability of Dynaudio and how they're cutting their nose off and buying an A250... yet they never mention if the A250 is a better drive. From all reports the A250 is competent.... but the Golf GTI is better.
Deep down it's just an excuse to own a Merc

[ctan]

The company is Dynaudio, not DynaAudio.

Dynaudio and Volkswagen - All there is.

Incidentally, the Dynaudio in the Mk7 is a 400w system (up from 300w in the Mk6) and adds a subwoofer. Hopefully it'll be an option in the R!

You should be able to install a better-than-factory system from component parts (splits, sub and amp), for around the $2k mark.

Was really looking forward to this, really disappointed VWA has not made this available. My current Dynaudio is 300W and I am very pleased with it. With 400W and a subwoofer, I can only imagine. Sadly looks like we won't have a chance to know how good it is.

My question is probably answered in another forum but 'Can anyone recommend a professional audio installer in NSW (or even VIC) ? Somewho who has plenty of experience with taking apart Golf Trims and who can put it back w/o messing up?

[DoggieHowser]

The irony of all this is people moan about the unavailability of Dynaudio and how they're cutting their nose off and buying an A250... yet they never mention if the A250 is a better drive. From all reports the A250 is competent.... but the Golf GTI is better.
Deep down it's just an excuse to own a Merc

hard not to think you aren't a dealer when you seem to have some weird need to justify VW's every decision which causes you to flip flop first, you claim that the competition doesn't offer options and then when it's shown they do, you flop to another argument.

Personally, I don't see anything wrong with people trading up to a Merc, particularly when it has better resale value (if you are optioning up a GTI) and when the price differential isn't particularly high. I haven't test driven the GTI yet but I thought the A250 was quite OK for me. But then I've been used to a CT9A Evolution with Ohlins Flag L suspension upgrades and a Nissan GTR that I usually put on Race suspension when I am driving more spiritedly. I suspect many GTI aficionados are not going to shy away from a harsher ride. I thought the steering feel was OK. Not superb but I gather the new GTI's is pretty light too. The only downsides to the A250 to me were the downshifts on the DCT gearbox and the claustrophobic rear seats tho I suspect it's not going to be a big trade off for people who don't need to put adults behind.

[stickshift3000]

What is everybody's fascination with AWD. In real world driving, you rarely see the benefits and it just adds more cost upfront, to maintain, extra fuel usage etc etc.

The same could be said of any car with a turbo...

I enjoy driving all wheel drive cars, it mates up very well with big power turbo engines.

[Brendan_A]

Was really looking forward to this, really disappointed VWA has not made this available. My current Dynaudio is 300W and I am very pleased with it. With 400W and a subwoofer, I can only imagine. Sadly looks like we won't have a chance to know how good it is.

My question is probably answered in another forum but 'Can anyone recommend a professional audio installer in NSW (or even VIC) ? Somewho who has plenty of experience with taking apart Golf Trims and who can put it back w/o messing up?

Who needs Dynaudio when you can hear the exhaust note and turbo spool of the GTI.

I'm loosing dyns in the new car too. I'm not worried because I hardly ever crank it these days and the system in the GTI isn't that bad.

[Arnold]

The same could be said of any car with a turbo...

I enjoy driving all wheel drive cars, it mates up very well with big power turbo engines.

Not really . . .

Turbos boost torque and power output and are more fuel efficient per Nm and kw than normally aspirated engines.

As FinanceAnalyst notes, AWD adds weight and adds to running costs with negligible benefits within the thresholds of competent FWD performance, which most drivers encounter 99%+ of the time.

Witness the Mark V GTI and the Mark V R32. The GTI was almost as quick and twice as efficient.

As Gerry Urbina at Barloword Five Dock used to say (before he switched to Audi): "Mr Arnold, I've been driving the R32 for work, but the Geeee Teeee Eye is a much better car to drive; much more nimble, fun and easier to drive, for sure. Now. . . Mr Arnold, please, tell me, what do I need to do to earn your business?"

Thank you, Gerry. One in a million.

Read more about Gerry here:

http://www.edgewise.ph/2011/02/16/002-pro-files/gerry-urbina-of-toilet-use-only-%E2%80%9Cgain-professional-experience-and-internalize-professional-habits%E2%80%9D/

[Ryan_R]

And the massively heavy V6 in the front of the R32 had nothing to do with it's inefficiency and handling? Why wouldn't you compare the Mk6 GTI v Mk6 R since they had much more similar engines?

[Paul_R]

As FinanceAnalyst notes, AWD adds weight and adds to running costs with negligible benefits within the thresholds of competent FWD performance, which most drivers encounter 99%+ of the time.

Do any of the current crop of 150kW+ FWD Turbo hatches get their power down in the wet. I'm particularly referring to pulling out of junctions with lock on.

That's probably the only time I need AWD but it's always the time I want it.

[DoggieHowser]

Do any of the current crop of 150kW+ FWD Turbo hatches get their power down in the wet. I'm particularly referring to pulling out of junctions with lock on.

That's probably the only time I need AWD but it's always the time I want it.

Good insight.

I drove a Pirelli Edition Mk5 in the rain and it was pretty scary. This was a grey import from the UK so it wasn't detuned. I also drove a local Scirocco in the same conditions and it didn't feel as hairy. I didn't feel any jerkiness from the application of brakes if the XDS was responsible for that stability so it is more likely the reduced power output.

[zoomda]

What is everybody's fascination with AWD. In real world driving, you rarely see the benefits and it just adds more cost upfront, to maintain, extra fuel usage etc etc. I think the Subaru marketing over the past decade has sold everyone. Personally, my driving does not justify AWD

Rarely see the benefits in real world driving? Seriously? I had a 118TSI and that thing would break traction in the wet without trying. If I had to move quickly from a stop I had to factor in the potential for wheel spin.

In AWD that doesn't happen, you can drive in the real world within the signed limits with nearly all levels of acceleration and realise the benefits.

I drove every FWD hot hatch and preordered a GTI. But then I test drove an R, in the wet. The rest is history. I can't imagine I'd ever go back to FWD.

[Ryan_R]

I wonder if a bunch of potential GTI owners would consider the Audi 1.8T Quattro A3 for that reason...

[Matt P]

My question is probably answered in another forum but 'Can anyone recommend a professional audio installer in NSW (or even VIC) ? Somewho who has plenty of experience with taking apart Golf Trims and who can put it back w/o messing up?

I've been highly recommended Marty at FHRX. My GTI will be going straight to him once it arrives.

At this stage it will either get a Focal iBus 2.1 and my Rainbow Germaniums or something a bit beefier amp wise and a 8 or 10" sub

I too wish there was a Dynaudio option, but after searching for second hand Mk6's (plenty), then searching using the same parameters and the keyword "Dynaudio", i'd get about 5% of the results. And out of those cars, half of them didn't actually have Dynaudio upgrades, the owners were just ticking random boxes because they thought the sound system sounded good. You see why VW didn't bring it here. Very few people actually bought it. I tried to buy an Eos back in 09 with Dynaudio, couldn't find anything.