Buying dilemma

[ianmair]

I should have mentioned earlier that I owned a 7.5GTI for several years before I bought my Mk8GTI.  I really liked the 7.5 it was perhaps better finished in some respects but I didn’t regret my change to the Mk8. I liked the lack of buttons and it had some nice touches, wireless phone charging,  rear usb ports, nice seats, phone pouches on the rear of the front seats, blind spot assist, and a map pocket on the passenger side of the centre console. It didn’t have a spare wheel and illuminated sill covers to name a few. I don’t know how others feel but overall I preferred the Mk8, the handling was excellent. These are details that stick with me having gone from one to the other.

Good to know Ceefeesh, thanks for that. This is the sort of post I was hoping would pop up, someone who was happy with their Mk8 - it’s not something that you’d otherwise post unless you were asked directly.

[ianmair]

No errors or bong at all on mine.

I think it depends what year you are looking at. Early ones sounds like they had more issues but later ones like mine seem to have sorted themselves out.

That’s reassuring to know, don’t often read posts saying no problems as it’s not something people would otherwise share unless asked! What date is yours please mate?

2022 but a MY23 model. Generally people don't post when nothing is wrong  so you will only read when something is wrong  Haven't needed anything doing to mine, no new steering wheel, no sensors changed, nothing. All software updates done OTA and none have caused an issue.

Very very true mate, someone’s far more likely to post when there’s something wrong or about a bad experience than they are if there’s nothing wrong or they’ve had a good experience. This was the reason I initially asked the question, to try and get a balanced opinion of the Mk8. I’m glad some of you replied with good feedback, as well as the bad, as it allows me to form a more accurate opinion. Thanks very much.

[monkeyhanger]

One thing to be said... Despite the gremlins the Mk8 is really good to drive. Big improvement over the mk7.5. Very very nimble and chuckable!

I keep going back to thinking that vw almost got it perfect... Except for their terrible decision to in source their software development at exactly the wrong point in their model cycle...

And ride quality against the 7.5?

Its pretty good. On par with the 7.5 at least, possibly better although I do have 19's on my 8 and only 18's on the 7.5.

Sometimes things surprise you, my MK7 R on 19" prets had a far comfier ride than my old GTD on the standard 18s, the springs/shocks were doing a far better job on the R, despite being 10mm lower.

Not quite comparing apples with oranges, but it's dair to say my 2015 R on 19" Prets is marginally comfier than my 2023 S3 on 19" wheels, but the current S3's (8Y) ride is massively better than the old (8V) S3s ride.

[WelshGolf]

One thing to be said... Despite the gremlins the Mk8 is really good to drive. Big improvement over the mk7.5. Very very nimble and chuckable!

I keep going back to thinking that vw almost got it perfect... Except for their terrible decision to in source their software development at exactly the wrong point in their model cycle...

And ride quality against the 7.5?

Its pretty good. On par with the 7.5 at least, possibly better although I do have 19's on my 8 and only 18's on the 7.5.

Sometimes things surprise you, my MK7 R on 19" prets had a far comfier ride than my old GTD on the standard 18s, the springs/shocks were doing a far better job on the R, despite being 10mm lower.

Not quite comparing apples with oranges, but it's dair to say my 2015 R on 19" Prets is marginally comfier than my 2023 S3 on 19" wheels, but the current S3's (8Y) ride is massively better than the old (8V) S3s ride.

Ride quality is subjective as well i'd say. I've always had cars with hard suspension so my clubsport feels very comfy to me. My A3 on other hand feels like riding on jelly and make me uncomfortable lol.

[Ceefeesh]

Here is a good video from Johnny Smith, aka Car Pervert, aka the Late Brake Show that I think explains the evolution of the Mk8 from the 7.5, the differences and that the focus was on the handling. It had stiffer springs than the 7.5. Over all I think my Mk 8 struck me as having the nextgen tech.

https://youtu.be/R4YvzrpJTGM?feature=shared

[fredgroves]

The new thing the Mk8 has is vdm... Vehicle dynamics manager. It controls all four wheels at once, not just two wheels on an axle. With dcc it's very clever indeed.

[davo245]

Afternoon all, just new on here so please go easy!

I’m finally in a position to look into buying a Golf GTi, after years of admiring. Been looking at 21 plate Mk8’s just recently and thought I’d found the perfect one, until I was made aware of the ongoing software problems with the car’s computer. The more I googled and the more forums I read, the more I was put off buying a Mk8.

Not sure if I’m reading too much into it or whether I’m concentrating too much on the negatives but I’ve reached a bit of a crossroads, not sure which way to go! I’ve contacted my local Volkswagen specialist to ask his opinion but yet to hear back from him, so wondered if I could pick a few expert brains on here.

Are the Mk8’s really as bad as I’ve let myself believe?

Are the software problems starting to be resolved?

Is there an age where the Mk8’s were made with no problems?

Would you go for a late Mk7 instead? A difference of maybe 12 months older.

Any help, advice, tips or recommendations are more than welcome and would be much appreciated. Really wary of spending around £25k only to be stuck with a malfunctioning car which I may struggle to shift in future.

Thanks in advance
Ian

I have owned 3 Golf GTi's first mk6 dsg cover 81k in that car 2nd 2018 7.5 performance pack owned from new. Covered 79k in that car. Options were 19" Brescia's DCC rear camera. Traded thet in for a 2021 mk8 GTi (approved used) Dec 2022.

So to compare the last 2 the MK7.5 is possibly better build quality (slightly) good to have dials for climate etc very good car only issues I had was thermostat housing (changed under warranty and a relay for the start stop).

I then got the mk8 initial impression felt slightly quicker than my 7.5 (should both be 245) but just a nicer smooth delivery  stronger top end. Mk8 uses a different turbo.

Ride is good enliven thou no DCC on my car. You do find you rarely ever swop the settings much on it anyway!


Mk8 has much better seats so more comfortable, slightly quieter than 7.5 due too GPF I presume but still sounds good in sports mode.

Overall imo a much nicer handling driving car the mk8 a nicer place to be.

Tech I have had a few software glitches in that the screen freeze up and require reboot and the odd travel assist not working but this always when window fogged in winter on initial start up.

The tech and travel assist is Fantastic and works very well  once you get used to lack if buttons. I mostly use voice control for temp sets wheel heating etc and find it very useful.

IQ Lights are superb also better on fuel than mk 7.5 about 2-3 mpg.

The screens dash very nice mates 7.5 now looks very dated when I go in that.

Would I swop back to MK7.5.

Definitely not the 8 is a much lbetter car imo.

Only thing I miss is my rear camera from 7.5 


Buy a MK8 approved used warranty and extend it every year that's what I always do extend the warranty with Vw For peace of mind.

[Yusee]

Worth a watch of this savagegeese video if anyone particularly interested in differences in driving dynamics 7.5 v 8. Pretty much in keeping with what people are saying here.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DKPALLEVzEs

They’re a bit Wayne’s World, these 2. They know their cars though.