MK6 -v- MK7 : Golf GTI

[Cantgiveyouthat]

In case you forgot James, Ray bought a loaded R late October when it was already evident that it had no oil loss, at odds with some of the feedback on these forums. On a positive note Ray will be loving the fuel economy of the r doing 4k's a month. Ray could have saved a mozza on a base model GTI, but there would have been no fun in that.

[WhiteJames]

Fuel Economy and Grip Levels

When dealing with Ray, we need to think outside the box! Ray has his Golf R serviced every 6 months. Personally, I’ll stick to yearly or 15,000km services for my GTI as it only receives normal type of use.

It’s interesting to read the comments in the latest Motor Mag re: Focus ST –v- Golf 7 GTI –v- Merc A250 AMG comparision. Journalists are stating that the Golf GTI was lacking in front end grip compared to the Focus ST. I’d have to agree to a certain extent. Part of the reason, although a very small part, may be down to the Focus ST chassis tune & tyres.

I think a big part of the reason for the comments by Motor Mag is that the Focus ST is about 100+kgs heavier than the standard Golf GTI manual transmission. The heavier weight would most likely be pushing down on the Focus ST tyres a bit harder, esp in low grip situations. The extra 10mm width of the Focus ST tyre width may also add a bit of grip level to the Focus ST. This bodes well for those with an order for the PP GTI, with extra weight improving straight-line traction (in addition to LSD).

The Merc A250 AMG is a looker, but give me the ride comfort/refinement of the Golf 7 GTI any day.

Another point that Motor Mag has picked up on in their long term Golf 7 GTI manual transmission vehicle is that fuel consumption looks good on paper, but in the real world, the consumption is not that much better than the preceding MK6 Golf GTI (6.2 –v- 7.6 avergage).

I’ve noticed improved fuel consumption on the Golf 7 GTI of up to 2 litres per 100km on short blasts from Cronulla into the Royal National Park, just driving the hilly Boat Shed run. This is when the motor is working under load working hard up steep hills. Improve thermal dynamics no doubt plays its part in saving fuel.

The MK6 Golf GTI DSG would be just under 13.5 litres compared to the just under 11.5 litres for the new Golf 7 GTI MTrans for the Boat Shed run. Otherwise fuel savings of 0.2 to 0.5 litres seems to be closer to the mark for the improvement in the Golf 7 GTI MTrans, but nothing like the 1.0-1.5 litres Volkswagen are claiming for the Golf 7 GTI as an improvement over the preceding MK6 Golf GTI.

I’ve also notice for the first few minutes of warm up, the motor seems to run a bit rough, gyrating on the engine mounts causing vibration into the cabin. This seems to go away after 3-5 minutes, where the motor then runs tangibly smoother than the previous MK6 Golf GTI, almost like Volkswagen have added a layer of Teflon into the engine for extra smoothness and free-revving ability, despite the torque rich power delivery sitting between a MK6 Golf GTI and MK6 Golf GTD.

I’m happy with my choice with the manual transmission in the Golf 7 GTI, as are the journos at Motor Mag. I think that due to less weight of the Golf 7 GTI chassis coupled with the extra weight of the DSG gearbox seems to have a bigger negative effect on handling dynamics in the Golf 7 than it did in the MK6 Golf (approx. 15 kgs extra for the DSG) as adding 15 kgs at the front is proportionately greater in the Golf 7. I’d still be going for a manual transmission Golf 7 R or Audi S3 if it were my money.

WJ

[Jimi]

I think part of the grip issues can be put down to the Bridgestone tyres which are standard on most Aussie GTIs. Overseas markets get a mix that also includes contis and dunlops which are said to be far better

[WhiteJames]

My GTI is running on Dunlop Sport Maxx SP Asymmetrical tyres. 350Nm is a lot to put down in a fairly light hatchback vehicle.
WJ

[Cantgiveyouthat]

So Ray goes servicing every four months on your numbers James. But I'm sure you knew that. It probably makes him feel better since he purchased such an inferior motor to the base model GTi. Have you driven an A250 or 45AMG to make your statement at least have some validity?

Why do you agree with the journalists when we both know you have driven neither. The ST is a ****box inside but that is as far as I got. I've sat in the merc and had similar thoughts. I have driven neither model.

Do not rely on the MFD for consumption. The old one at least was ****.

Plus points for telling me that engines like to warm up though.

For what it is worth I hate myself for trying to get a dig in at you. I sincerely hope you are the troll and I am really the trollee.

Ever yours.

[WhiteJames]

Golf 7 R fully loaded just under 60K drive away?

My Golf 7 GTI Manual is 4 months old. Ray's MK6 Golf R demo is about 3 months older than my Golf 7. My work colleague was apparently the first guy in AUS to take delivery of a Merc A250 AMG and he complains of the harsh ride ... harder than a MK6 Golf GTI, which rides much harsher than a Golf 7 GTI (with or without adaptive dampers) and does not handle anywhere as well (although is fun & requires greater driver effort to hustle along). A45 Merc has no real relevance in a country with 110kph speed limit for majority of its highways. The new Golf R fully loaded may just come in a less than most were expecting ... I'm guessing 60K drive away?
WJ

[andrew7]

Thanks WJ, what's the source of your new R pricing forecast? (nb. the subject of heated debate on the R topic. BTW, there will be much pressure on the R pricing given an s3 with most of the fruit (exc performance pack) comes in at about $65k on road (before discounting/negotiation).

[WhiteJames]

Source

If I told you who my source was, I'd have to kill you ... lol. Looking around mid April 2014 for release of Golf 7 R with drive-away price of just under 60K for full fruit 7 R. Could be some surprises re: options list, but imo just under 60K with all options suggests that there are not to many options on the 7 R. Pushing Ray to dump his prev-gen MK6 Golf R almost full fruit demo + 15K cash for the new 7 R ... I know he wants one.
WJ

[Jimi]

WhiteJames = Golf 7?

[andrew7]

Thanks WJ. My choice will narrow down to DSG GTI PP v R/S3 subject to R pricing and test drive etc (my MK6 DSG GTI lease is up at the end of year)

Jimi, appears that the infamous Golf7 is permanently MIA, pretty sure its not WJ

[Cantgiveyouthat]

James you said Ray bought the R when you went to Mascot. It's at the start of the thread. Like most of what you write it's only sitting next to the truth. So you have not driven any of the other cars. It's an A45amg not an A250 as far as I know. Everyone and his dog is guessing the r to be $55k plus on roads and delivery, so good work on that "scoop". Ray will need at least $15k so you are on the money there.

[Cantgiveyouthat]

It's an A250sport. I checked the Merc website.

[thezoneR32]

FYI I drove a MK7 Gti today with DSG. Certainly has good midrange and handles well but I thought it struggled to get the power down if you push it too hard. Also has a bit of lag compared to my tuned A4. Overall I thought it was fairly clinical tbh. And driving in D is a waste of time, just like the mk6 it changes through the gears way too fast too enjoy the drive. And S is useless like in the mk6 stays in 3rd forever, so manual mode is all thats left and its though you either drive the car hard or like a grandma there's nothing in between. If this is the way cars are going life is going to be very dull in the future. I like my manual a4 better! I might try a manual next but Im not as excited as I was before.

[WhiteJames]

Manual -v- DSG Auto

Hi Paul,

I found the manual Golf GTI to be more fun first up. A second drive in the Auto DSG Golf 7 GTI left me a bit deflated re: driver engagement & fun factor. Started to have doubts. A follow-up drive in the Manual Golf 7 GTI reinvigorated my desire for the Golf 7 GTI.

I think the extra weight of the DSG up front, coupled with a lighter chassis and stiffer front springs in the Auto DSG Golf 7 takes a bit away from the fun factor compared to the Manual box re: chassis composure, roll, pitch & dive & squat. A bit like the Toyota 86 -v- BRZ with slight suspension tuning changes making a notable difference because of a fairly light chassis. I ended up going for the Manual.

Same reason I didn't wait for the Golf 7 GTI PP ... extra 60 kgs of weight and extra weight up front ... I'd imagine that the front springs in the PP GTI would be stiffer again, perhaps taking a bit more fun factor away at public roadway driving speeds.

In this respect, maybe a Manual Golf R that is likely to be within a few K's extra to the PP GTI could be the go. My sources are telling me that majority of the early examples of the Golf 7 R to go on sale early on are higher spec DSG versions.

WJ

[WhiteJames]

Which Golf?

Here's a video from a chick who seems to know what she is talking about re: Golf 7 GTI:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fW-gxz9vmGA

Perhaps another to remind you harder core Audi S3/Golf 7 R types not to pick any fights with the BMW 135i on a track day outing:

Audi S3 vs BMW M135i | evo TRACK BATTLE - YouTube

Cheers.
WJ