Mk7 Golf GTI Discussion Thread

[Mi16 Man]

Here's my review of the GTI:

AUSmotive.com » Drive Thru: Volkswagen Mk7 Golf GTI

Great read.......should've let me know if you wanted a Mk6 for a comparison......

[b c]

While I've already made my decision (bought a Mk7 Highline), I'd be interested to read a comparison between the Mk7 Golf variants and GTI. A lot of the improvements I read about in the GTI also apply to many of the other variants. How much difference does the suspension tune, etc of the GTI make over the other Golfs?

[Lima]

Nice write Liam re: ausmotive.com GTI review. Similar views to mine after my short 20 min test drive. How does the new Golf 7 GTI compare to your Audi S3 on those same Canberra roadways?

One thing often not talked about re: AWD of the Golf R and lesser Golf's such as GTI, GTD and 103TDI is that the lesser Golf's run softer suspension tune, that seem to articulate better in wet conditions around bends ... the lesser Golf's roll and pitch more, at times providing added grip in wet conditions and also being more forgivable from grip to slip. Stiffer suspension tune of the Golf R and extra weight can cause the Golf R to start sliding earlier in wet conditions. Something to think about as it's not all about fast acceleration in wet conditions.

WJ

I've modded my S3 a bit in the last few months (including PSS10s), but the biggest difference compared to stock would be the suspension. My S3 was a better all-round ride and handler (strictly referring to suspension) compared to a Mk5 GTI, but I'd say the Mk7 GTI would be better straight out of the box. It's certainly more compliant and able to cope with bumps etc.

And as you noted the rebound on the Mk7 is very good. On my S3 (with OEM suspension) there was way too much rebound through larger bumps/compressions. The PSS10s have fixed that nicely while still keeping a pretty good ride. But, again, the Mk7 GTI is impressive and doesn't rebound badly at all through larger bumps etc.

One thing I forgot to put in my review was that when the Mk7 GTI does exhibit understeer the feeling is very progressive, it doesn't just stop gripping, you have the time and ability to control things with your right foot. Can't say I noticed the ESP forcefully interrupting my enjoyment at all either.

[spikeyboy22]

A great price for a new gti, or close to it in Wa

2013 Volkswagen Golf 7 GTI MY14 Direct-Shift Gearbox

Maybe these are not selling as well as they thought....

[pologti18t]

A great price for a new gti, or close to it in Wa

2013 Volkswagen Golf 7 GTI MY14 Direct-Shift Gearbox

Maybe these are not selling as well as they thought....

Basically they are waiving the on road costs on what is a demo.

[Matt P]

Matt, Thank you for that. I presume you are referring to Fhrx Studios Pty Ltd at Carringbah NSW. Please do post your experience with them when you get it installed.

Nice research too on Dynaudio's on MK6's. Hopefully that will add a bit more resale value to my when time to sell.

Yeah FHRX Studios. Will post, but i dont take delivery for a few months yet.

Basically they are waiving the on road costs on what is a demo.

Also being in WA, it will only have 3 months rego, not 12

[davo gti]

Hi Guys
Im aware that voice control doesn't work in regard to the audio and nav systems but does it work for bluetooth? Can you make hands free calls via the steering wheel controls using voice tags? Thanks

[Arnold]

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?

Okay, Ryan, as you insist . . .

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 GTI and the R. The GTI is as much fun to drive and almost as quick while being much more efficient, especially around town.

[irossiter]

VW have no excuse for failing to deliver voice control in the new Golf. Whether it is because of our Aussie accents or whatever rubbish. Just another blot against VW.
I'm very happy with my A250 Merc. Brilliant voice control for the sat nav, Bluetooth phone etc and spoken street names when navigating. If VW can't deliver these now common features they deserve to lose sales. Where is Discover Pro??
The overall quality, character and design of the A250 shows VW what they should have built. Mercedes have very clearly replicate what was great in the GTI and taken it to another level. You may all whinge about it costing a few thousand more but it clearly has an advantage in value for money, especially with free servicing for 3 years.
Where was the invite to a GTI driving day like with the Mk 6? Fail.
I loved my two GTI's but the game has moved on.

[Ryan_R]

Okay, Ryan, as you insist . . .

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 GTI and the R. The GTI is as much fun to drive and almost as quick while being much more efficient, especially around town.

Yes of course you are correct there, but I thought the idea was that most of us here on these forums aren't like "most drivers"
There are loads of things most of us don't need but that doesn't stop some of us from wanting them

[pologti18t]

Mercedes have very clearly replicate what was great in the GTI and taken it to another level. You may all whinge about it costing a few thousand more but it clearly has an advantage in value for money, especially with free servicing for 3 years.

You got free servicing as part of a corporate discount? Or was that your employee discount?

Volkswagen Golf GTI v Mercedes-Benz A250 Sport. White Heat | crankandpiston.com Car Culture Lifestyle
BMW 125i, Ford Focus ST, Mercedes A 250, VW Golf GTI: Sport-Duell (Fazit) - AUTO MOTOR UND SPORT

Great chart here on the performance comparison
Mercedes A 250 Sport vs VW Golf VII GTI [43974563]

[DoggieHowser]

You got free servicing as part of a corporate discount? Or was that your employee discount?

Volkswagen Golf GTI v Mercedes-Benz A250 Sport. White Heat | crankandpiston.com Car Culture Lifestyle
BMW 125i, Ford Focus ST, Mercedes A 250, VW Golf GTI: Sport-Duell (Fazit) - AUTO MOTOR UND SPORT

Great chart here on the performance comparison
Mercedes A 250 Sport vs VW Golf VII GTI [43974563]

Reading the reviews from overseas doesn't quite show the discrepancies in pricing here. According to the crank and piston article, it is a 10l difference in pricing between the top specs but over here, spec to spec, the pricing is heck of a lot closer.

Also, he seems to prefer the GTI for its less insular feel. But that's a preference. I'd argue that a Subaru WRX may have more "feedback" and more fun vs the GTI but that's not why we choose a GTI. It's to get a reasonable level of performance with some degree of comfort as well. So I wouldn't say that's an advantage per se between the two cars.

[irossiter]

Yes I received free servicing on a corporate package mate. Because the company I work for is included in their list.
VW refused to offer any corporate discount as they had given me on the Mk 6. I think everyone knows you're the VW employee.
It's useless quoting numbers at me about how many seconds to 100 blah blah blah. If I'd wanted pure acceleration I'd be buying a WRX or some such rubbish wouldn't I. Not a GTI or an A250. I really don't care about **** sizes. Once again you're a bore.
They are both very enjoyable cars to drive and neither is designed for a race track. I'm sure their performance is very similar in the real world. There's a lot more to a car than 0-100.
I'll be very interested to read how many sales Mercedes have taken from VW, particularly the GTI.

[davo gti]

Very interesting, just sat in a Highline Golf at dealership on the south side of Sydney and pushed the "Voice" Button. The voice control was working! Asked for commands and a list of possible commands appeared on the media screen. Maybe some cars are coming with voice control or there is a fix for this. Of course the salesmen had no idea about why it was working in this car and not others. Any ideas on this?

[MIRSAD]

Very interesting, just sat in a Highline Golf at dealership on the south side of Sydney and pushed the "Voice" Button. The voice control was working! Asked for commands and a list of possible commands appeared on the media screen. Maybe some cars are coming with voice control or there is a fix for this. Of course the salesmen had no idea about why it was working in this car and not others. Any ideas on this?

it must be you