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Model specific boards => Golf mk8 => Topic started by: Panelpin on 28 May 2020, 22:07

Title: Golf 7-5 V. Golf 8 cost cutting
Post by: Panelpin on 28 May 2020, 22:07
https://youtu.be/X48c9lFX3NY
Title: Re: Golf 7-5 V. Golf 8 cost cutting
Post by: Sootchucker on 29 May 2020, 06:37
Not pretty ....
Title: Re: Golf 7-5 V. Golf 8 cost cutting
Post by: Splashalot on 29 May 2020, 08:09
Wow, that was a great summary.  Brutally honest.

That touch screen system is lunacy.  I understand the need for the company to cut costs due to deiselgate etc, but that is just suicide IMO.  I expect heaps of Golf owners will jump ship to another marque.  I know I will be.  That system is a complete deal breaker for me.
Title: Re: Golf 7-5 V. Golf 8 cost cutting
Post by: SRGTD on 29 May 2020, 09:18
I was reading some of the comments below the video on YouTube and the majority didn’t like what VW had done to cheapen the mk8 over the outgoing mk7.5.

I could live with the manual bonnet prop, the glove box not being lined, no cover over the cup holders and no small storage compartment below the panel for the light controls. It’s the removal of the physical buttons and switches for the everyday functions that’d be the deal breaker for me, and I agree with the guy in the video about all the piano black trim around the AID cheapening the look compared to the mk7.5.

I know the two cars weren’t the same model; the mk7.5 was an R and the mk8 - based on its wheels - looked like a fairly low level model. However, I think the comparisons being made in the video were valid as parts highlighted such as bonnet prop, cup holder design, light control panel, AID surround, heating controls will be common across the mk8 model range.

For anyone thinking of getting a Golf for the first time, they won’t be aware of many of the points highlighted in the video. However, comparing the two cars side by side, IMO the mk8 has been cheapened in some key areas that’ll be noticed by existing mk7 / mk7.5 owners considering the mk8 as their next vehicle, and I think many won’t like what they see.
Title: Re: Golf 7-5 V. Golf 8 cost cutting
Post by: p3asa on 29 May 2020, 10:32

For anyone thinking of getting a Golf for the first time, they won’t be aware of many of the points highlighted in the video.....


I think that sums it up. What you haven't had, you won't miss.

Folk on these forums will know but I'd imagine that's a small drop in the ocean for VW and lets face it, who is going to dump having a new GTI or R because it doesn't have a gas bonnet strut or under steering wheel cubby hole?

As for changing the layout with no buttons etc, I don't know how many times I've got used to a picture editor or music maker programs only for them to bring out a new version with a completely different layout and I then can't find those buttons to do the simplest of tasks. I moan about it but after a few weeks its like second nature.

I just see it as the price we need to pay if things want to evolve in technology.





Title: Re: Golf 7-5 V. Golf 8 cost cutting
Post by: fredgroves on 29 May 2020, 12:58
I ws watching the Space-X launch the other day (well not launch as it turns out).

That Dragon spacecraft is controlled by touch screens. If those guys can use a touch screen then you can while driving on a slightly bumpy road.

Read this if you want to know what being fired into space actually feels like:

https://www.airspacemag.com/ask-astronaut/ask-astronaut-what-does-launch-feel-what-thoughts-and-emotions-run-through-your-mind-180959920/ (https://www.airspacemag.com/ask-astronaut/ask-astronaut-what-does-launch-feel-what-thoughts-and-emotions-run-through-your-mind-180959920/)
Title: Re: Golf 7-5 V. Golf 8 cost cutting
Post by: Al1040 on 29 May 2020, 13:00
Well he is certainly not a fan, I do have to agree with the touch screen and 'bolt on' Ipad look which i really do not like and was a major factor in buying my lease car.
Looks like I will be keeping my 7.5 for a while yet....
Title: Re: Golf 7-5 V. Golf 8 cost cutting
Post by: Exonian on 29 May 2020, 14:40
The flock lined door bins and glove box, the bonnet struts, the extra cubbies, the nicer quality plastics in slightly less key areas, these were the things that set apart the marques. These were the things that added the perceived quality to the Golf to set it apart from the Octavia, the Leon and even the Polo.
These things will be noticed as the Golf has one of the highest repeat ownership percentage figures in the segment in the UK and quite likely much of the rest of the world.
The guy doing the vid is a fairly typical enthusiast owner, but even in the wider market these things will be noted as to how VW can command a premium over a Skoda.

Touch screens are routinely accepted in Teslas which are one of the biggest selling cars now. We will get used to them and voice control will end up being used for a lot of on the fly changes if there is no steering wheel button for a particular user request.
VW are edging us towards the ID range which will be all touchscreens and I do wonder whether part of the ugliness of the mk8 is deliberate to steer people towards the slightly prettier ID range.

Mind you nearly all of the current crop of mid-size hatches are pretty ungainly so we’ll get used to it to the point they’ll be the norm.
Incidentally, the pig ugly new Focus looks loads better in the slightly taller half arsed SUV version they do which has the plastic arch spats etc. I’ve seen a few about now.



I saw my first Mk8 in the wild on Wednesday. It was a dirty black one.
I was just approaching a right turn lane in an industrial estate, so was anticipating the approach speed of a black Astra coming the other way before I could make the right turn when the dawning realisation as it got close by was that it happened to be a Golf!
I only got a brief glance at it trying to take in all the details in mental notes (sad b*****d that I am) then watched the rear end disappear in my door mirror (thankfully the traffic was incredibly quiet so I could pay it full attention for a few seconds).
Impressions, aside from it looking like an Astra to a casual glance?
Well, I think black is the worst colour for a mk7 as it hides the lines and creases but is quite flattering for a mk8. The back end seems to look taller than a mk7 but it can’t be as it’s the same car give or take.
The black paint minus the chrome accents does hide some of the more awkward styling the mk8 suffers.
Title: Re: Golf 7-5 V. Golf 8 cost cutting
Post by: SRGTD on 29 May 2020, 16:55
Well, I think black is the worst colour for a mk7 as it hides the lines and creases but is quite flattering for a mk8. The back end seems to look taller than a mk7 but it can’t be as it’s the same car give or take.
The black paint minus the chrome accents does hide some of the more awkward styling the mk8 suffers.

So, for anyone thinking of getting a mk8 Golf, get it in a dark colour, as it masks some of the ugliness :grin:.

I think the back end of the mk8 might look taller as (I think) the rear screen isn’t as deep, top to bottom.
Title: Re: Golf 7-5 V. Golf 8 cost cutting
Post by: Guzzle on 30 May 2020, 11:05
Not great, but then again my Octavia didn't have most of those things either, and after a while I stopped noticing. I've never used the cubby in the dash.

Maybe i'll look at another Octavia next time, as early impressions suggest that's got improved interior quality. 🤷‍♂️
Title: Re: Golf 7-5 V. Golf 8 cost cutting
Post by: SRGTD on 30 May 2020, 11:14
Not great, but then again my Octavia didn't have most of those things either, and after a while I stopped noticing. I've never used the cubby in the dash.

Maybe i'll look at another Octavia next time, as early impressions suggest that's got improved interior quality. 🤷‍♂️

Interestingly, the new Octavia has two gas bonnet struts.
Title: Re: Golf 7-5 V. Golf 8 cost cutting
Post by: Exonian on 30 May 2020, 12:15
Not great, but then again my Octavia didn't have most of those things either, and after a while I stopped noticing. I've never used the cubby in the dash.

Maybe i'll look at another Octavia next time, as early impressions suggest that's got improved interior quality. 🤷‍♂️

You’d expect the Octavia not to have some of the little ‘luxury’ touches. Same for the Leon which normally gets loaded with tech but lacks the posher plastics.
We’ve kind of got used to the Golf offering something a little bit more plush since the mk4 days (so well over 20 years) to reflect a relatively high list price for the segment. The retail prices of Golfs sure aren’t dropping.


Not having flock lined glove boxes isn’t a deal breaker for me, bonnet struts can be added on the aftermarket (as this’ll sure as hell be a popular retrofit), under dash cubbies are useful for pedalboxes  :lipsrsealed: but not essential kit.
It’s just the feeling of general retrograde about the whole car, albeit not massively.
Why buy a base model mk8 over a decent spec Polo?

The R looks to be the only model so far with a potential uplift of any significance.
Title: Re: Golf 7-5 V. Golf 8 cost cutting
Post by: mcmaddy on 30 May 2020, 15:35
Is the mk8 the only one of the new cars to have the double catches on the bonnet? I'm sure someone said that was the reason for losing the bonnet strut.
Title: Re: Golf 7-5 V. Golf 8 cost cutting
Post by: SRGTD on 30 May 2020, 15:44
Is the mk8 the only one of the new cars to have the double catches on the bonnet? I'm sure someone said that was the reason for losing the bonnet strut.

Yes, it has the double catches on the bonnet, but then so does the new Skoda Octavia, and that has two gas bonnet struts.
Title: Re: Golf 7-5 V. Golf 8 cost cutting
Post by: mcmaddy on 31 May 2020, 08:23
Is the mk8 the only one of the new cars to have the double catches on the bonnet? I'm sure someone said that was the reason for losing the bonnet strut.

Yes, it has the double catches on the bonnet, but then so does the new Skoda Octavia, and that has two gas bonnet struts.
👍👍
Title: Re: Golf 7-5 V. Golf 8 cost cutting
Post by: fredgroves on 31 May 2020, 16:23
I'm off to check the skoda press releases to see if these amazing features are mentioned first or if skoda themselves also don't give a f....
Title: Re: Golf 7-5 V. Golf 8 cost cutting
Post by: Exonian on 01 June 2020, 13:47
I’m sure Skoda and their owners are still enjoying their relative smugness of having the same basic engineering as Audis at significantly less cost (retail). In fact they will be getting even better value, as with SEAT, considering their extra added wheelbase.
That’s one thing I am thankful of with the mk8, that it’s not even bigger again.




I saw the black mk8 again yesterday, about 15 miles or so from where I saw it last week. At least I’m assuming it’s the same one. It definitely looks ok in the flesh in black unlike the metallic yellow one in my local dealer showroom.
Title: Re: Golf 7-5 V. Golf 8 cost cutting
Post by: Snoopy on 01 June 2020, 15:23
Is the mk8 the only one of the new cars to have the double catches on the bonnet? I'm sure someone said that was the reason for losing the bonnet strut.
In the 80s we had an Audi 100 with double catches and bonnet strut due to the 5 cyl engine coming into the slam panel.
Just cost cutting.
That video was quite interesting, I wonder what unseen things have also had cost cutting measures.
Title: Re: Golf 7-5 V. Golf 8 cost cutting
Post by: Splashalot on 03 June 2020, 03:45
Is the mk8 the only one of the new cars to have the double catches on the bonnet? I'm sure someone said that was the reason for losing the bonnet strut.
.....I wonder what unseen things have also had cost cutting measures.

That's a big concern for me.  It won't just be visible trim bits and pieces.  It's the structural, mechanical and electrical components that most concern me.
Title: Re: Golf 7-5 V. Golf 8 cost cutting
Post by: ajmoir36 on 07 June 2020, 18:59
My dads 17 plate VRS Skoda Octavia has no bonnet gas strut and no electronic hand brake although he is pleased to see the new model has all those features. I think my next Golf is an Audi, it has gas struts, dash buttons and looks better. Sorry VW.
Title: Re: Golf 7-5 V. Golf 8 cost cutting
Post by: fredgroves on 07 June 2020, 19:36
I think my next Golf is an Audi, it has gas struts, dash buttons and looks better. Sorry VW.

And if its anything like the last A3 its about 6k more expensive than the Golf.

I'm sure I could have someone hand build me a custom gas bonnet strut for that.

Title: Re: Golf 7-5 V. Golf 8 cost cutting
Post by: ub7rm on 28 June 2020, 18:55
And for balance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYcMJUfIf-g
Title: Re: Golf 7-5 V. Golf 8 cost cutting
Post by: baka on 28 June 2020, 19:42
Like a not insignificant amount of people, I can't lift a heavy bonnet without a gas strut. one of the reasons I always bought a VAG car. I'm not buying a car if I can't even fill up the screenwash.

Not that I would buy one anyway, the whole new Golf/A3/Leon/Octavia line up is pretty hideous and really naff, inside and out. I can see myself getting a late 7.5 when the time comes and keeping it for a very long time.
Title: Re: Golf 7-5 V. Golf 8 cost cutting
Post by: andykram on 02 July 2020, 15:32
I have to say I like the external look of the Mk8 - I've seen one out and about and thought it looked pretty smart. I've not had a chance to sit inside one though so can't comment from direct experience. However, from reading several reviews as well as watching that You Tube comparison, these are my thoughts :_
1. It is clear that the Golf (and VW in general) are downgrading the quality of their interiors. There seems to be lots more hard touch plastic than there used to be. The T Roc started that trend and other models seem to be following. Can you imagine spending £40k on a T Roc R and having a hard plastic dashboard. I'm sorry but that isn't good enough in a car costing that much.
2. Whilst reserving judgement until I've actually tried it, I'm not convinced by this touch control stuff. I'm quite capable of using touch screen gadgets but normally I'm not using my phone/tablet at 50mph whilst trying to steer a car in a straight line. On the wife's Mk7 R it's so easy to change the temperature and stuff like that with a simple knob or button. It comes down to a simple matter of safety - am I likely to drift into the kerb or into an oncoming car whilst I'm searching for a slider or through some menus? The idrive on my 3 series is a doddle to use and I can twiddle the knob and press it to get through menus without taking my eyes off the road. Consequently, I'm more likely to stick with BMW in a few months time when the PCP is up rather than go back to VW because it's safer to operate.
3. Price. I've said this before, if you're going to charge premium money it has to look and feel premium. Otherwise, why bother paying the premium? I suspect the GTi and the R will be well over £30k, possibly nearer £40k and that's a big ask for what is still only a Golf. I have sat in the new 1 series which is admittedly a bit Marmite in the looks department but that does feel premium and high quality inside.
So all in all, a mixed bag for me. Having said that I've been critical of VW before and ended up with another so I know I will consider one!! And you'll all call me a hypocrite when I end up with another GTi or R - the photos of the new R look really smart!!!!! :)
Title: Re: Golf 7-5 V. Golf 8 cost cutting
Post by: Moots on 20 July 2020, 10:29
All this cost cutting, but none of it is being passed on to the customer. My previous GTI was just over £30k, the new GTI looks like its going to come in at about £34k, if thats the case I’ll keep my Current mk7.5 and look at an Audi or something else.
Title: Re: Golf 7-5 V. Golf 8 cost cutting
Post by: fredgroves on 20 July 2020, 11:21
You do know that the cost of making the car is not just the cost of the parts right? If you don't try to stay on top of production costs you either lose margin or have to keep putting the selling price up. Taking out items from the build is one way of trying to fight inflation.

The current prices of the mk8 are roughly in line with the equivalent price of the mk7s from earlier this year. If you say its more than you paid for yours then that's because your car is several years old...

Car prices increase every year...

If you want a cheaper car, you won't find it at audi either. Those tend to run at about six thousand more for the same spec as a gti...
Title: Re: Golf 7-5 V. Golf 8 cost cutting
Post by: king monkey on 20 July 2020, 12:30
Having come from an S3 to the R I can say that the interior build quality and general materials used in the Audi are much better than the Vw.

On finance, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Audi is cheaper as the S3 was significantly lower in the monthly payments than the R was before I paid it off.

That said, I much prefer the Golf. I don’t expect a lot to change with the next generation.

As for the T-Roc, my impressions from a friends car are that the plastics are poor in places but the dash is certainly not hard. Equivalent to a Golf on the top of the dash. The rest more like I’m expecting the Mk8 to be like. Not so good!
Title: Re: Golf 7-5 V. Golf 8 cost cutting
Post by: SRGTD on 20 July 2020, 14:08
@king monkey; the T-Roc I had as a courtesy car earlier this year when my car was being serviced had no soft touch plastics on the dash. The top section of the dash has a ‘grained’ finish to the plastic - the same as that on the soft touch dash in the Golf - but it was definitely made from hard scratchy plastic.

Check out some of the reviews of the T-Roc on YouTube and you’ll see most of the reviewers comment on this. In the Carwow video review of the most expensive T-Roc (the R model), Mat Watson highlights the poor quality interior plastics and at 7min 35sec you can tell the dash top is hard scratchy plastic when he runs his fingernails over it. Link to Carwow T-Roc R review below;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuwKLbiFEg0

At least VW have retained soft touch plastics for many of the touch points in the interior of the mk8 Golf.
Title: Re: Golf 7-5 V. Golf 8 cost cutting
Post by: Guzzle on 20 July 2020, 19:15
Golf 8 has much better interior plastics than the T-Roc. The T-Roc I sat in at the dealers was hard scratchy plastics everywhere. In fairness it seemed reasonably well put together, but the materials are poor. Golf 8 is pretty similar to Golf 7.5, the cost cutting is incremental.
Title: Re: Golf 7-5 V. Golf 8 cost cutting
Post by: king monkey on 20 July 2020, 20:19
@king monkey; the T-Roc I had as a courtesy car earlier this year when my car was being serviced had no soft touch plastics on the dash. The top section of the dash has a ‘grained’ finish to the plastic - the same as that on the soft touch dash in the Golf - but it was definitely made from hard scratchy plastic.

Check out some of the reviews of the T-Roc on YouTube and you’ll see most of the reviewers comment on this. In the Carwow video review of the most expensive T-Roc (the R model), Mat Watson highlights the poor quality interior plastics and at 7min 35sec you can tell the dash top is hard scratchy plastic when he runs his fingernails over it. Link to Carwow T-Roc R review below;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuwKLbiFEg0

At least VW have retained soft touch plastics for many of the touch points in the interior of the mk8 Golf.

Interesting. I seem to remember the top of the dash being ok from my friends T-Roc but obviously I’m wrong. Tbf I am most of the time! I know the plastics in general aren’t great but obviously not sat in a mk8 so can’t make a comparison.
Title: Re: Golf 7-5 V. Golf 8 cost cutting
Post by: fredgroves on 20 July 2020, 21:43
Doesn't stop both of the small vw suv's from being huge sellers, so I guess most customers don't give a hoot...
Title: Re: Golf 7-5 V. Golf 8 cost cutting
Post by: SRGTD on 21 July 2020, 00:53
Doesn't stop both of the small vw suv's from being huge sellers, so I guess most customers don't give a hoot...

I guess not. But if I was considering buying a T-Roc R with a list price of nearly £41k before adding any options, I’d expect better quality interior plastics.

VW can fit a dashboard with soft touch plastics in a £16k Polo but not in a £41k T-Roc :huh: :whistle:.
Title: Re: Golf 7-5 V. Golf 8 cost cutting
Post by: ar899 on 22 July 2020, 10:04
To my mind, VW has traditionally sat in the gap between the 'run of the mill brands' such as Ford, Vauxhall, Renault etc. and the premium brands such as Audi, Merc & BMW. You bought a VW because it was as step up from the run of the mill and got you close to the quality of the premium options. You also got a lot more for your money, equipment wise.

With the T-Roc and the 8, VW now seem to be moving towards a level of quality comparable with the 'lower' brands. And at the same time, Ford have been steadily improving quality.

If this trend continues, you have to ask what is the reason to buy a VW?
Title: Re: Golf 7-5 V. Golf 8 cost cutting
Post by: fredgroves on 22 July 2020, 10:55
And at the same time, Ford have been steadily improving quality.

And price, Ford have been increasing price.... the Focus used to be the cheap family sized car  vs the Golf or others.

Its not longer cheap, its virtually the same price.

TBH the daft thing is that VAG have multiple brands, all with price points. The cheap Golf is a Skoda or a SEAT. The expensive Golf is an Audi.
Title: Re: Golf 7-5 V. Golf 8 cost cutting
Post by: ar899 on 22 July 2020, 11:39
I haven't checked prices, but I'm currently driving a leased Fiesta ST-line and the build quality is pretty good. In fact, it's a great small car.
The boundaries between the various VAG brands seem to be getting muddied. I even read somewhere that the quality of the next A3 'isn't quite as good' as the old one, though it's all relative. Maybe Audi are lowering quality a bit and VW are having to do the same to keep some distance?
Title: Re: Golf 7-5 V. Golf 8 cost cutting
Post by: SRGTD on 22 July 2020, 12:14
I watched the Carwow review of the new Skoda Octavia estate on YouTube yesterday. I’d say that the interior looked just as ‘premium’ as the Golf’s interior, with soft touch materials in all the right places - I noticed that the Skoda has the sliding cover over the cupholders in the centre console that the mk7 / 7.5 had, but this  has been dropped on the mk8.

I know a sliding cupholder cover isn’t a deal breaker, but it’s those little touches that existing mk7 / 7.5 owners notice, along with other deletions like the useful lidded cubby / storage compartment on the lower driver’s side of the dashboard.
Title: Re: Golf 7-5 V. Golf 8 cost cutting
Post by: ar899 on 22 July 2020, 13:12
SRGTD - I saw it as well and was thinking the same. I could live with the exterior of the 8 but it's the inside that seems to be disappointing (albeit that I haven't sat in one yet). I do (well did....) 18k miles pa and am looking for a nice premium place to sit.
Title: Re: Golf 7-5 V. Golf 8 cost cutting
Post by: fredgroves on 22 July 2020, 13:32
Is this cost cutting too?

https://www.motor1.com/news/435142/volkswagen-golf-moose-test-results/
Title: Re: Golf 7-5 V. Golf 8 cost cutting
Post by: SRGTD on 22 July 2020, 17:17
Is this cost cutting too?

https://www.motor1.com/news/435142/volkswagen-golf-moose-test-results/

Maybe cost cutting in terms of the tyres fitted to the car used in the test; Bridgestone Turanzas. The subtitles to the video state that the tyres didn’t provide much grip. Same tyres fitted to a Mercedes CLA and similarly disappointing test results.

It’d be interesting to see how the car performed with different tyres and a different driver.
Title: Re: Golf 7-5 V. Golf 8 cost cutting
Post by: king monkey on 22 July 2020, 17:23
And at the same time, Ford have been steadily improving quality.

And price, Ford have been increasing price.... the Focus used to be the cheap family sized car  vs the Golf or others.

Its not longer cheap, its virtually the same price.

TBH the daft thing is that VAG have multiple brands, all with price points. The cheap Golf is a Skoda or a SEAT. The expensive Golf is an Audi.

I read somewhere the other day (not sure where) that the new focus interior was slightly better than the Mk8. Obviously that’s an opinion but I nearly spat out my drink.
Title: Re: Golf 7-5 V. Golf 8 cost cutting
Post by: Guzzle on 22 July 2020, 19:34
And at the same time, Ford have been steadily improving quality.

And price, Ford have been increasing price.... the Focus used to be the cheap family sized car  vs the Golf or others.

Its not longer cheap, its virtually the same price.

TBH the daft thing is that VAG have multiple brands, all with price points. The cheap Golf is a Skoda or a SEAT. The expensive Golf is an Audi.

I read somewhere the other day (not sure where) that the new focus interior was slightly better than the Mk8. Obviously that’s an opinion but I nearly spat out my drink.

It was in a recent Auto Express review. And they were wrong. Golf 8 still comfortably beats the latest Focus for interior quality in my view.

At the end of last year I saw a cheap lease offer for a diesel Focus ST. It was so temptingly cheap I went down to my local Ford dealer for a closer look. I was so disappointed by the interior quality I didn't even follow up the cheap lease. Focus has plenty soft touch materials, but also lots of cheap scratchy ones. It's also not screwed together that well.
Title: Re: Golf 7-5 V. Golf 8 cost cutting
Post by: king monkey on 23 July 2020, 14:37
And at the same time, Ford have been steadily improving quality.

And price, Ford have been increasing price.... the Focus used to be the cheap family sized car  vs the Golf or others.

Its not longer cheap, its virtually the same price.

TBH the daft thing is that VAG have multiple brands, all with price points. The cheap Golf is a Skoda or a SEAT. The expensive Golf is an Audi.

I read somewhere the other day (not sure where) that the new focus interior was slightly better than the Mk8. Obviously that’s an opinion but I nearly spat out my drink.

It was in a recent Auto Express review. And they were wrong. Golf 8 still comfortably beats the latest Focus for interior quality in my view.

At the end of last year I saw a cheap lease offer for a diesel Focus ST. It was so temptingly cheap I went down to my local Ford dealer for a closer look. I was so disappointed by the interior quality I didn't even follow up the cheap lease. Focus has plenty soft touch materials, but also lots of cheap scratchy ones. It's also not screwed together that well.

Knew I’d read it somewhere. Was beginning to think I’d imagined it.

Good to hear your thoughts on the focus v Golf. Honestly I do wonder what some reviewers are talking about sometimes. One video I watched on YouTube claimed that the new golf wasn’t a very practical car. How??? It’s a golf!!
Title: Re: Golf 7-5 V. Golf 8 cost cutting
Post by: fredgroves on 23 July 2020, 16:16
Sometimes its personal bias, sometimes its paid for bias, sometimes its just someone looking to write something controversial to get clicks....

Whatever it is, I've looked at the Focus and its still as nasty inside as any other Ford I've ever owned.

There are only 2 marques with any kind of quality interior on a hot hatch - Audi and BMW. The rest its degrees of meh. But you pay for that quality...
Title: Re: Golf 7-5 V. Golf 8 cost cutting
Post by: andykram on 06 August 2020, 19:55
Well, a month or so since I posted I've actually got a bit more first hand experience due to the usual "your PCP has x months left so come and buy another" call from the BMW dealer.
I've since had a sit in and a good prod around a Golf Style. Verdict? Perfectly fine to be honest - soft touch plastics in the right areas and the touch pads for example for raising and lowering the temperature on the climate control were literally 2 or 3 inches from your left hand when that hand is at 9 o'clock or so on the steering wheel. It was all a bit dull and grey and on the outside, other than the front, barely looked any different to a Mk 7, but all in all, it just felt like a Golf!!
I've also now driven an M135. Had a good 40 minute drive in that and I have to say that was a lovely car. Quick, sure footed and the interior was excellent. Miles ahead of the Golf. Yes there was £10k difference in price but if the GTi or R aren't any better inside they will be similar price and then you have a direct comparison.
I've seen nothing in my hunt for a replacement for the 330d yet. I think I'll keep it for the time being and have a look at the GTi when it comes out but I suspect I may stick with BMW now - the interiors on the latest models are superb.