GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk8 => Topic started by: Exonian on 29 December 2020, 14:42
-
Not many sequels live up to the original but I think this one just might, dynamically at least.
I suppose at this point I should post up a photo or ten but the weather has been rubbish and I found this vid by pure chance which shows an identical car from far better angles than my dreadful photography and ageing iPhone would ever allow:
https://youtu.be/Hl_1UiP9Biw
Just like the video above, my car is a Pure White bog standard GTI Clubsport which ties in well with my previous PW Clubsport which also had zero options aside from a black roof so there’s much I can directly compare with.
Should the new one even be called a Clubsport?
I’m leaning towards it should have been called a GTI Cupra (yes, Cupra not cup) due to the fact it has FWD, 300 bhp and oval tailpipes! Oh, and the fact the interior trim is more Cupra quality than we have gotten used to with the last few generations of Golf.
A few have commented on whether VW were planning on calling the model something else originally but now I have the keys to one in my hand I do think it was always planned as a Clubsport. Watered down in unique styling bits maybe but certainly not in the hardware department.
The Clubsport has this distinctive feature common the both generations linking the front bumper canard/air deflector thingy to the side stripe properly moulded into the plastic, not just a sticker.
(https://i.postimg.cc/zXW2WjJS/42-A21362-2-DB0-4-D63-83-F1-633374-F45-B1-E.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/JGrQCjHG)temporary photo sharing (https://postimages.org/)
and also common to both generations is a little bit of cost cutting right here (no illuminated sill trim)
(https://i.postimg.cc/XYjKJcXv/D8-C707-DA-2789-4195-8-F7-F-AF78-B0-E3-DCC5.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/xcZNpmvr)
Sitting inside the car for the first time was quite a surprise even though I’d seen dozens of photos and watched numerous videos featuring mk8 Golfs.
There’s a certain familiarity immediately, I mean it’s the same car I’d been sat in for nearly seven years underneath after all, but also a very different look and feel. Similar to having your lounge redecorated removing your comfortable furniture and replacing it with more stark, minimalistic contents.
I had one of the early mk5 GTI’s many years ago (it was a few years old when I bought it but a very tidy example) and sitting in one of the last ones before the mk6 was released it was evident a fair bit of cost cutting had taken place over the lifespan.
Same for the mk7. I had an early GTI PP then a 2015 R and the next mk7 I sat in was one of the last pre-facelift GTD’s which I can remember SWMBO sitting in just after I picked it up commenting on how the plastics looked cheaper somehow which was surprising as she has zero interest in such things and didn’t exactly spend much time in the previous Golfs.
Well, she’s not sat in the new Clubsport yet but would be taken aback how much cheaper a lot of the trim looks and feels.
Yes, the door bins are flock lined but only on the side you can see! The outer section is just hard scratchy plastic. The interior door pulls wouldn’t look out of place in a Caddy van and nor would the centre tunnel console. The door cards sound hollow, very hollow. The glove box is hard lined, or unlined more accurately. There’s no PedalBox cubby.
The seats are ArtVelour which feel nice to the touch but the upholstered door sections are cloth like the seat side bolsters and not pleather and/or alcantara like the Ed40 or TCR.
(https://i.postimg.cc/wjNknTtX/6-DC3975-E-6-DF1-4908-BD8-B-FEABD3-B83-BEC.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/21zvZY7y)
... and hang on a minute, I know the Ed40 Clubby had man made steering wheel coverings but I’m sure the ‘grippy’ section of the mk8 sports steering wheel feels more like dimpled rubber than nice perforated leather like the TCR
(https://i.postimg.cc/GtBDYqGF/2-E67192-B-444-D-4-FC9-AD73-415239-B1-D019.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/T56hvjk1)
Extra external mood lighting elsewhere to compensate door sill and interior door handle lighting cutbacks:
(https://i.postimg.cc/02C6jz65/1-A89-B99-A-5-C92-45-B1-8199-99-EB23-D464-EC.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Tpp2HYqB)
(https://i.postimg.cc/XY7rCnFf/5-FC41-A55-CF72-4-A89-9479-74934695-CE32.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/MvNZk29H)
is that a golf ball logo projection? Oh those Germans and their sense of humour! :grin:
I’ve literally driven the thing 10 miles and have no idea how much of the infotainment works. Most of it I’ll probably never use anyway. There’s a lot of tech in this car making the cabin feel far more of a leap into the future than we might expect from a heavily facelifted mk7.
The tech is merely a sign of the times. We are being eased into electric cars and thus the exteriors of the cars need to be ever more aerodynamic (hence the different nose line and side sculpting to stream airflow) and the interiors reflect the growing digitalisation and move towards autonomous driving.
But, being as this is a heavily facelifted mk7 then it was only right that the revered mk7 chassis was developed further, which considering how good the last iteration was means it might not have been the easiest feat.
Easier than getting an all new chassis perfect straight out of the box though!
When the salesperson told me the mechanic who PDI’d my car was really very impressed by the chassis on his short drive, despite being an old hand well used to driving the performance VW range, I took it as the usual salesperson exaggeration to reassure the punter their £££££ was well spent.
Damn me if within a mile or two I wasn’t thinking exactly the same thing as the VW techie.
Even at low speeds in traffic there’s a certain something to the handling that I cannot put my finger on. Let’s just say “it’s good, very good”
It’s a bit choppy, not in a bad way. Certainly not almost miraculously compliant and solid like the M135i on 19’s but more like my last generation Ed40 Clubsport in ride quality with even slightly sharper feeling steering and suspension.
I remember saying the Ed40 Clubsport felt like an athlete compared to the TCR feeling more like a heavyweight fighter due to a combination of looks, chassis and engine tuning.
The mk8 Clubsport feels like a mixture of things to me during the short acquaintance so far. Familiar but different. Unmistakably Golf DNA but... different.
I expected to be massively underwhelmed but I’m not. Far from it.
One quick shot of the car from its best angle
(https://i.postimg.cc/bvp3bDg6/2-C1706-D3-433-E-490-E-A33-C-09-E033242-A8-D.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
More to come at a later date when I actually get to drive the thing!
Hopefully it’ll be with me for a while, I did actually buy a service plan with this one :whistle:
-
Good write up. 👍Thanks for sharing and will look forward to more of your musings as you become more acquainted.
Oh, BTW the door bins on my Mk7.5 are exactly the same. Only lined on the side you can see :sad:
-
Firstly, great write up as always. So the interior isn’t great but the drive is worth it. From sitting in a gti myself I thought it was about textures of the plastics but if there’s no need for the gubbins that work physical switches behind them things will feel hollow I suppose. My main issue is just below the centre display. Empty as my soul there.
Secondly, my R door bins are BOTH lined. Omg!
-
Thanks both :smiley:
Come to think of it I can’t remember now how much lining was in my mk7 door bins! The BMW didnt have any lining there but did in the glovebox and PedalBox cubby.
Maybe the interior just has an air of cost cutting due to the minimalism so I’ve gone out of my way to prod and poke.
One positive is the fact there are no switch blanks as well as no switches so if you’ve decided not to blow thousands on extras you won’t be reminded of it too obviously!
I can’t think of much in the options list I’d have actually ticked.
I had the HUD in the BMW and don’t miss it. The mk8 dials are clear enough without it. The BMW had a dark display and benefitted from the option.
I’d have ticked the upgraded stereo box, I miss the Dynaudio and would have liked HK. Maybe I’ll see if the Helix sub will fit the mk8. I’m not one for loud music but did enjoy the Dynaudio.
Incidentally, I just found out the Clubsport isn’t eligible for the service pack for some reason :rolleyes:
The dealer will honour it themselves though :smiley:
One thing picked up in previous threads by king monkey is the lack of gloss black on the sills and lower grilles.
To be honest I think the matte plastic will fare better with road debris being kicked up but I reckon the glossy stuff might be reserved for the Ed45
-
Interesting your thoughts!
If you don't like the screen colours btw you can definitely change those to something less errm red. A kind person on here showed me that was possible. A nice dark theme is definitely something I'd do - I've never felt my GTD white on black display was anything other than a well thought out result once I'd got over the idea of what a digital dash needs to be - its not the wallpaper on your phone, its your instruments for driving!
My drive of the boggo GTI suggested pretty much what you are saying here, but you've got more welly.
Get over the switches, get over the swastika wheels, get over the sad face and the droopy nose....underneath you have a much improved Golf. I thought it felt keen and playful whilst giving you that thing flat predictable handling a performance golf should always have...
The lack of something totally new over MQB is not a surprise - VW need to be thinking hard about not investing in stranded assets. Its why we also have a reheated EA888 this time too and not something else. This is the last of its breed, the milk floats are upon us!
The options list is pretty meagre picking on the Mk8, I don't think much of it offers enhanced joy. Pick a colour and stick some aftermarket wheels on.
What I'm still keen to find out is whether Munich have managed to do any better... that episode is coming soon from me...
-
Very nice.
I saw a silver GTI in the flesh today - there is absolutely nothing wrong with the look of these. I'd go so far as to say I really like the nose. In a few years it will be 'normal' and the '7 will be dated. Such is the way of life.
Its just the interface thats retrograde. Perhaps I'm a dinosaur but I'm not ready for that yet.
I think whilst the GTI is absolutely fine looks wise, the Clubby and especially the R are VERY nice looking cars.
-
Secondly, my R door bins are BOTH lined. Omg!
Both mine are lined too. But if you put your hand inside the door bins and feel around a bit, are both the front and the back lined, or just the back like mine? :undecided:
-
Does the clubby need 98ron? Or will it run on 95?
-
Great mini write up Andy as usual.
Had to laugh at your comment of buying a service pack. The new owner will definitely benefit from that :grin:
Hopefully though you get the benefit from it.
-
Sounds like you are going to enjoy your new toy! Good to hear that it is improved dynamically.
-
my dreadful photography and ageing iPhone would ever allow:
One quick shot of the car from its best angle
(https://i.postimg.cc/bvp3bDg6/2-C1706-D3-433-E-490-E-A33-C-09-E033242-A8-D.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
What ageing iPhone is this, a 3G? :grin:
-
Does the clubby need 98ron? Or will it run on 95?
The clubby prefers 98 vintage but will settle for a 95 to sip just like the mk7 versions.
Going back to your previous post, Munich do some things a fair bit better, especially PCP rates and interiors, unless you’re a Bauhaus devotee.
I wouldn’t say it was a much improved Golf really, just a tweaked one. I’d certainly not recommend anyone drop their 7 and rush to buy an 8 but if your lease, PCP or whatever is up, or you’re just bored having spent several years in a 7 then the 8 certainly isn’t anywhere near as bad as we’d feared. The 8R certainly sounds an interesting proposition if you drive on the sort of roads you could actually tap into its resources on.
Great mini write up Andy as usual.
Had to laugh at your comment of buying a service pack. The new owner will definitely benefit from that :grin:
Hopefully though you get the benefit from it.
Thanks Stevie, *someone* will get the benefit of my shrewd service pack investment!! :laugh:
Sounds like you are going to enjoy your new toy! Good to hear that it is improved dynamically.
Thanks Watts :smiley:
I think the dynamics will be lost on me as I’m generally sat behind a crawling caravan or someone past their use by date in a ratty microcar. My main concern is how good the radio is!
What ageing iPhone is this, a 3G? :grin:
:grin: :grin:
That’s cutting edge HDR there I’ll have you know :laugh:
That pic is actually a still from a video hosted on low def site that’s been zoomed in on and buggered about with by me.
I think I missed my vocation in life :whistle:
-
What ageing iPhone is this, a 3G? :grin:
:grin: :grin:
That’s cutting edge HDR there I’ll have you know :laugh:
That pic is actually a still from a video hosted on low def site that’s been zoomed in on and buggered about with by me.
I think I missed my vocation in life :whistle:
:grin:
Good to see you back in a white GTI :smiley:
Here you go...
(https://i.postimg.cc/Gpz3734S/Screenshot-2020-12-30-at-17-19-24.png) (https://postimg.cc/bGDjdhHQ)
-
Ahh, the very same car as that YouTube link I put into post #1 by the looks of it.
And thanks, hopefully it’s good to be back!
-
Nice to read your initial thoughts on the clubsport. Keep the updates coming.
-
I guess the thing i am interested in hearing is what you think about it vs the BMW... Still got a few weeks before I find out myself
-
A quick clean of the car on Sunday reminded me it’s possibly time for a brief update now that car has been with me about a week short of three months.
Due to its usage being solely going back and forward to work (rural roads) and even at that it wasn’t in everyday use until a few weeks ago, I’m therefore still running the car in and keeping the revs down until I’m well over 1000 miles.
I haven’t re-read my earlier thoughts on the car so apologies if I’m repeating stuff but I’m sure nobody else can remember either!
Thoughts on the car so far:
Well, initially I didn’t quite know what to make of it, had no idea how any of the new tech worked and thought the car looked very plasticky both inside and out.
Like just about everyone else I hated the look of the mk8 going from its initial photos, hated the idea of the buttonless interior and had little faith in the model being an improvement in any significant area over the preceding model with which it shares its underpinnings.
The first time I stood next to a mk8 GTI I was pleasantly surprised with how it actually looked in the flesh, which considering how awful I thought it looked in photos maybe the only way it could go was upward in my opinions anyway.
The first time I clapped eyes on a mk8 Clubsport was when I picked mine up. It actually genuinely impressed me with its presence, even on the standard wheels.
I drove it home, parked it up and barely looked at it again for a few weeks.
Christmas and New Year came and went, I ordered a set of 19” wheels and tyres, but was still seldom using the GTI CS.
Soon after New Year I went to get the wheels and tyres fitted, driving very gingerly on grim winter roads. The main thing I was tuned into was if there was much difference in ride quality as that was a big talking point on here at the time. I say tuned in, well the media unit threw a fit that day so that was the only thing I had to entertain me.
Fast forward. The car is now my daily driver, 26 - 45 mile commute depending on which roads the highways agency decide to close on any given week.
The Tech. I don’t use that much of it and the car can happily be driven ignoring most of it. I’ve not even attempted the Nav yet, that’ll have to wait until later in the year when I can do a longer journey.
The We Connect thing is just crap. Those that have read my posts on here will know that I’m anything but an intellectual, I’m just a fairly average guy. I’m interested in tech, particularly automotive tech, I’ve spent my entire adult life either modifying cars or reading up on modified cars, I do have a bit of a background in electronics (although I have no interest in computers or gaming) and I seem to be the go to guy with tech problems at work (transport related job). I’m usually up for a bit of a challenge with tech but I am of the opinion that technology is there to assist us otherwise it would be pointless. To assist us it should be either user friendly or at least work in a manner that makes sense when operating it.
In that respect the best I can say of the VW Golf 8 system is it’s in a transient stage of development.
I haven’t quite had the issues some on here have had but I do have recurring gremlins.
The We Connect I have conceded defeat from a “life is too short” point of view. Seriously VW?
Other than that I have the hazard detection temporarily impaired notification come up at roughly the same time in every journey, so much so I barely even notice it doing it now. “Bong!” :rolleyes:
I get one or two sporadic other error messages and sometimes accompanying warning lights too. I ignore them and they go away. After reading posts on here I can’t even be bothered to ring VW and moan, it’ll keep.
I’ve not used ACC. I don’t drive roads where it would be necessary which to me is a good thing as it would mean using those godawful steering wheel pads more. No thanks.
The interior. Plastic, lots of plastic.
The interior door handles look like they belong in a Fabia. The interior door panels are cheap looking and the door doesn’t shut with the same thunk as Golfs of yore. The main gripe is the cloth on the door panel not even slightly matching the other interior fabrics which is poor in a £37k car.
I like the AID, so much so that I don’t remotely miss not having the HUD. One less thing to go wrong too :grin:
The one gripe with the dash display is with my choice of virtual dials there is no current gear selected indicator in Comfort (the BMW was the same).
The steering wheel rim is still lovely to hold but as Thomas bluntly said, the haptics are “b0ll0cks” even with familiarity.
I’ve grown used to the dash architecture. I’m ok with the minimalism but the lack of illumination under the central screen is still a nuisance.
Turning off lane assist is still a faff three months on.
The exterior. It’s grown on me a lot. Still some awkward angles but so did the much admired mk7. Where the 7 had a lower but dumpy bum the 8 has hips and looks high at the back despite having the same roofline.
I can actually get my whole girly fist into each exhaust pipe opening complete with a mitt to clean them! They are bigger than they look. The exhaust trims that is, not my hands.
The honeycomb front end looks plasticky (and is!) but again I can get a wash mitt in each hole to clean it properly which was impossible on a mk5/6/7 GTI. The downside is big lumps of debris will be able to collide with the cooling system quite easily unlike the earlier GTI’s. That’s a worry.
I changed the wheels early on as mentioned before. I wanted 19’s for my vanity but didn’t want to wreck expensive wheels on my awful local roads so went with replicas.
I made a very deliberate choice of fitting Reifnitz style wheels. Pretorias look great but have been done to death. My Matt Black TCR Reifnitz could be a bugger to clean due to the non shiny finish gripping brake dust particles and road filth. So glossy it had to be. Gloss black scratches up badly very quickly (another reason the matt lower grills and side sills are a good idea unlike the R’s mass of piano black) so I had no hesitation picking glossy grey which might not be pretty but is a fairly practical colour. Also, as Golf TCR’s are so rare it won’t be immediately obvious to a casual onlooker that my mk8 is wearing wheels from a previous generation car...
(https://i.postimg.cc/28YsY5MQ/0-ADC2582-D651-4-EA7-9-C4-D-B16-AD882033-A.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/9zx8tcW0)
(https://i.postimg.cc/cHMcBdhW/D5-D12-C48-40-A2-4-C56-B059-5499-B7-DEB621.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/mzkMbfKp)
Same(ish) angle, nearly two years apart!
Next up, driving dynamics thoughts. But I need some lunch first...
-
... and continuing the ‘almost three months’ saga, how the mk8 CS compares to a mk7 CS, a TCR or an M135i X-Drive.
I’m definitely lacking in Benny Leuchter’s driving skills, I’m just as lacking in my access to the grüne hölle, and I’m still running in, so this’ll be fairly brief.
Anyone who has the slightest interest in the mk8 Clubsport will have already read the road tests and watched the YouTube vids. You’ll probably be more familiar with the chassis tweaks than I am too!
From the moment the start button is pressed the car has its own character. They all do for that matter.
The Ed40 had a fairly distinctive note, the TCR had a “burrrrr”, the 135 started with a crescendo of pops and burbles...
The Mk8 CS is quite vocal on start up, I’m sure it’ll occasionally do some pops on a hot start, I can’t be certain though, the radio drowns it out a bit.
The ride reminds me of both my Ed40 and M135i. It’s lively in that you can feel what’s going on down below but not harsh or crashy (so far) and indeed quite compliant considering the lack of DCC, being well damped and controlled at most road speeds.
The suspension feels a little inert in the bends unless you load it up a bit. Similar to the TCR DCC in Normal. Where the 135i shows off its Mini chassis in super sharp steering and fairly roll free entrance into bends, the Clubsport feels more relaxed and vague unless you load up the outside wheel and push the car into the corner. You’d need to drive the Clubby on the paddles to get the most from the chassis. But in general cruising about its really quite supple, if a little busy.
I took it on the worst surfaced urban road I know last week and it actually felt ok. It’s a dreadfully surfaced road next to a new build estate that can literally be unbearable in some vehicles.
I’m really not getting on with DSG. I so wanted to like it after being brainwashed by GTI and R owners over the last 15 years into it being the best thing ever. It isn’t.
Yeah it’s fast if you want to drag race and yeah it’s relaxing if you want to pootle. But most of my driving is neither of those things. Even using the paddles it feels disconnected.
I’m not a die hard manual advocate either and my hand-eye coordination is poor at times to boot.
It’s just the change points in Comfort are often just wrong, then in Sport they’re too aggressive and there is much need for a middle setting. The M135i slush-box gets it more right more of the time.
Engine wise it feels much like the TCR unsurprisingly. There’s power and torque on tap no matter what speed you’re doing (gearbox ratio choices permitting) and it’s just as eager to rev and rev as the previous cars with the R turbo set up (although I’m not sure what turbo this one now runs as I understand they’re different to the mk7/7.5). The M135i engine is a torque heavy lugger which I really like, but the Clubsport engine is quite engaging in different ways without resorting to blasting into the rev limiter all the time.
The M135i was surprisingly good on fuel for a 306PS 4WD car at times, but the TCR and CS seem to have similar economy too. The (manual) Ed40 used to be fractionally better.
The new front brakes are good! Very good. They look superb too.
I’ve always liked the mk7 Golf steering. It’s not too sharp and it’s not too slow witted either. The best compliment I can pay it is it feels like it’s working with me. The mk8 is more of the same but I can’t make my mind up whether Sport or Comfort is best. Neither are as sharp as the M135i steering but the downside of the latter is when you forget to switch off lane assist and the steering wheel wants to wrestle you all the time. Some days I really appreciated the 135i steering, other days it fidgeted too much depending on the road surface etc. where the Golf steering just seems to be unobtrusively doing what it needs to do.
I’d planned on keeping the M135i for 18 months to 2 years before going for something completely different.
There are so many areas where it surpasses the Golf and it was a joy to own.
Events meant it stayed for even less than six months and I was pushed into my first ever PCP (having always owned previous cars as I like the flexibility that brings, not to mention lack of paying extortionate interest payments).
I was a bit unsure of the Clubsport at first. It felt familiar (homely) but different (stark and plasticky).
Three months in and I’ve very much warmed to it.
Twelve months ago I was wondering what the hell VW were thinking, right now I reckon they still know a thing or two.
-
@Exonian; Good follow-up write up.
Your new wheels really suit the mk8 Clubsport. I thought Moonstone was my favourite colour followed by Pure White, but seeing your picture I’m not sure now. The looks have grown on me, but some of that is probably down to familiarity and seeing more mk8’s on the road, although I’ve yet to see a performance mk8 in the metal.
Seems that the driving experience doesn’t disappoint. It’s just a shame that, based on other forum members’ experiences with software issues, VW didn’t do a better job sorting out these issues before launching the mk8.
-
Great write up as always Andy. You always provide a good excuse to sit down with a biscuit and brew.
-
Like the look of those wheels very much :smiley: :smiley:
-
Excellent write up. I agree too, the Reifnitz reps really suit it. I also agree about DSG, good at times, pants quite a bit.
-
Instead of seventy three levels of ride adjustment in dcc, three on the Dsg would have been nicer....
-
Thanks for the positive comments all :smiley:
The wheels aren’t very glam and won’t be to everyone’s taste but they do look quite good in the flesh, especially from the three quarter angle - as does the car in general. It’s a three quarter view kind of car!
I’ll endeavour to get some more photos when things settle down restrictions wise which is easier said than done at times.
Apologies for the length of the posts but that was the shortened summarised version! Quickly skimming back through those posts to check for any glaring typos or autocorrect massacres it does read a bit like I’m saying the suspension can feel a bit soft and wallowing on turn in which absolutely isn’t the case. It’s a very sharp steering car that is so accomplished going into bends that it’s sometimes just a bit too smooth and easy to fully appreciate what’s going on below decks until you look at the speedo. The M135i could feel darty where the Golf doesn’t unless you load up the suspension a bit showing it you mean business.
In comfort the gearbox assists in disguising the chassis’ fantastic composure.
Fred, you’re so right. If a modicum of DCC adjustability could have been sacrificed for a middle setting in the gearbox to make it more like the Aisin 135i slush box in its normal mode at times it would be so much more rewarding to drive “normally”.
I’ve been watching a few YouTube vids on Mars Perseverance Rover because I’m dead boring like that at times, but interspersed it with a few car “reviews”
Not really on topic but I re-watched the Carwow vid where the R destroys the 135, A35 and S3 which is interesting in itself, but rewatching it made me pay a bit more attention to the superimposed speedometer from the R during some of the runs. It’s not until the cars are at very high speeds that the Golf really pulls ahead...
These YouTube vids are entertaining enough but mostly just click-bait, I’ll be interested when Mr Chapple puts his TCR back to back with his Clubsport. Despite all the hype around the further development of the mk8 chassis I really don’t think it drives very noticeably different to the TCR as regards to engine, gearbox and handling. I notice the exhaust note differences but little else. You’d really have to be an Evo magazine type to feel the tweaks day to day.
I got overtaken by an Audi R8 last night going to work, it was on a bit of winding NSL single carriageway approaching two fairly blind side roads :rolleyes:
Several thoughts went through my mind. I wished I had that guy’s bank balance, I wished I had his cojones, I admired the noise the car made, but more so was I was surprised at how that car didn’t gain anything on the Clubsport through the set of sharp S bends we were approaching, despite me merely ambling along making zero effort. The R8 was on the gas, then hard on the brakes, back on the gas... I just cruised through, I didn’t touch the brakes, hardly needed to adjust the throttle and sailed around easily. Yeah, the other guy was having more fun but I was running early and in no rush at all, yet the Clubsport lost no ground on him at all. Well I’m assuming it was a him. Had I been a bit more up for it I reckon I could have reeled the R8 back in, which would have been nice as I’d have been able to hear that engine/exhaust more. But then again I’d not have managed 38mpg for the trip, which is what I got :grin:
Ok, I’d better shut up about it now.
Clubsport summary, save yourself a lot of reading: Nice car, drives well, handles well, rides well, go buy/lease one.
-
You were keeping up with him because it was night and he was wasting time adjusting the the heating or stereo volume, whereas in a Mk8 you know not to even attempt it.
See, VW making drivers cars by stripping away the distractions :whistle:
-
You were keeping up with him because it was night and he was wasting time adjusting the the heating or stereo volume, whereas in a Mk8 you know not to even attempt it.
See, VW making drivers cars by stripping away the distractions :whistle:
:grin: :grin:
He probably had his butler in the passenger seat with one hand gripping a sick bag and the other hand adjusting the controls at his master’s command.
More likely he had a leggy blonde sat next to him gripping a designer handbag and a bag of coke.
Not that I’m into stereotypes or anything...
-
More likely he had a leggy blonde sat next to him gripping a designer handbag and a bag of coke.
Not that I’m into stereotypes or anything...
Now that's a coincidence, I was on my way home last night with my leggy blonde butler in my R8 when I had cause to overtake a dawdling white new GTI..... :whistle:
-
:grin:
Just give me a shout when the car needs vacuuming Watts, I’ll pop round with a rolled up fiver and hoover your seats and carpet with my nostrils... :lipsrsealed:
-
:grin:
Just give me a shout when the car needs vacuuming Watts, I’ll pop round with a rolled up fiver and hoover your seats and carpet with my nostrils... :lipsrsealed:
I shall keep you in mind but don't think you can come near my R8 with fivers! :laugh:
-
The R8 owner probably felt good overtaking someone minted enough to spend all that money on a fancy new Golf? :)
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103110036387?model=R8&postcode=br75py&radius=1500&onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=Used&sort=price-asc&advertising-location=at_cars&make=AUDI&include-delivery-option=on&page=1
-
Definitely looks like the cubby holes on that one might contain some sort of south American powder...
-
Thanks for the really detailed review / thoughts Exonian. It’s really good to get insight into how it stacks up against the TCR and M135i. I’m strongly considering moving my 7.5R for this.
Important question though, do you, or does anyone know, can the side decals by removed? I had thought it would be a simple fix with a heat gun but see you mentioned in your initial post that this may be moulded on? Thanks
-
Those decals I'm sure can be removed by a hot air gun...I would also get rid if I bought a Clubby
-
Thanks, I’m hoping that is the case. Can’t say I love them and I would prefer without.
-
Hi and welcome DB.
Is your username your number plate or are you an Aston owner? Or maybe just fond of ice creams... ? :whistle: :grin:
I could literally blither on for hours about how different Golfs I’ve owned compare. I’ve not had a 7.5R but did own a 7R for 18 months (four of which I barely used the car so stupidly sold it and immediately regretted the blunder). We live and learn.
The Clubsport is very very good. I’ll do a rare thing and keep this very brief at the risk of boring everyone senseless though. If you’ve got any specifics you’re wondering about then fire away though.
The stickers are an easy peel off. Just a bit of heat and they’ll come away with no issues similar to the TCR chequers.
I’m actually quite fond of the door decals now. They grow on you so don’t be too hasty. They give the car a bit of unique to the spec character but admittedly would tie in much better with the optional Black Pack (or whatever it’ll be called when the option goes live).
The moulded plastic bit is the trailing edge of the plastic bumper canard which leads into the door stripe visually. The door stripes are definitely vinyl though. See the pic on page 1 for the bumper canard moulding.
-
An Aston fan, but I never say no to an ice cream either :laugh:
Ive really enjoyed ownership of the R but do fancy a change in the relatively near future. The TCR is probably my favourite MK7 variant so the new CS seems like the closest offering under the MK8 umbrella and from initial reviews seems to offer at least as good, if not marginally better, performance and driving dynamics.
Good to know regarding the stickers. I would likely give it a period of time before removing just to see if I warmed to them before ceramic coating the car.
-
Day to day there is very little in it between mk8 CS and 7.5 TCR as far as driving dynamics and performance goes. It really depends on your preference of looks, cabin and physical availability.
-
Six months have flown by and here we are, back with an incredibly dull running report.
*Touch wood* nothing has properly gone wrong so there’s actually not a lot to report on.
The pings and bongs have lessened over time to almost none until…
… earlier this week I had to visit the solicitors so a trip into the city centre was required. Just a humdrum trip really but worthy of note was that after parking up for an hour or so under a big tree when I restarted the car all of the frontal warning systems, ACC, ESC and god knows what else including front and rear parking sensors simultaneously flashed up as not operating. I turned the engine off and jumped out to see if someone had backed into my front bumper whilst parked, but nada, just a few dozen dead flies and some seagull poop on my bonnet plus a layer of dirt.
On restarting the amber lights had all gone out but they’ve flashed back up once more since then briefly.
No apparent reason why aside from once again the car was parked in the shade at the time. Mk8 characteristic weirdness typified.
Six months ago on the day I picked the car up it was the first time I’d seen a mk8 Clubsport. I’ve still yet to see another.
I’ve only seen one mk8 R which was in a dealer (launch demo car) and only a handful of mk8 GTI’s in dealers but I did actually see one GTI out in the wild. A lady driving it out of Sainsburys car park!
Mk7 R’s were absolutely everywhere in my neck of the woods for the last few years then quite a few 7.5 GTI’s appeared but I’ve barely seen a mk8 generally aside from an R-Line that lives in the house behind me. The base mk8’s still look awkward to me, lots of unfortunate angles where they’ve obviously been chasing aero coefficient figures. Mind you I see loads of ID.3’s and they just look like old fashioned cheese dishes on wheels.
Ok, talking of looks, the exterior of the Clubsport has grown on me. I was one of many that hated the looks of the mk8 in pictures but agreed the sporty ones looked ok in the flesh.
From some angles the car looks great, from others it looks ok and generally it’s a fairly cohesive design using current VW signature styling.
The late mk7’s still knocks spots off the mk8 from any frontal or side angle with the possible exception of the 7(.5)R in my opinion. I parked near a 7.5 GTI and saw an Ed40 Clubsport, both in white, just this past week in Exeter and both just have such impressive frontal architecture compared to the new kid on the block.
I actually quite appreciate the matte grey plastic honeycomb mesh front bumper and side skirt sections from a practical point of view. I’m one of few who appreciate them over a gloss finish because that low down they get peppered with road debris and seem more hardwearing. The glossy front badge has already picked up marks and the rear spoiler section in gloss black is a swirl magnet no matter how gently I wash the car.
I said the car looked plasticky when I first got it. I’ve gotten used to that now and barely notice it.
Inside the car where the big changes lie is probably worth commenting on the most.
I quickly got used to the haptics on the steering wheel but still dislike them, however I think they’ll be fairly ubiquitous across the whole industry soon. Maybe it’s more to do with less physical parts on the vehicles keeping both production costs down and also helping towards carbon neutral goals.
Surprisingly I quite liked the rest of the dash from the off and still do. I’m not impressed by the slabs of gloss plastic around the screens but that seems to be the standard design for new MQB models including the T7.
The sliders under the central screen are a bit rubbish still but I’m used to them and at least I can’t get nervous twitches if my volume knob is fractionally skewed as there’s not one there!
The iPad type icons are just about large enough to be able to lunge at them with an index finger on the fly. Not a great design but just about everyone is familiar with that smartphone type design nowadays so it’s about as user friendly as can be expected with so many different menus and features built into modern cars.
The gear bean is a bit small. I’ve got used to it but would prefer something more lever like.
DSG tends to change up very quickly into off boost gears so snicking that switch back into S mode is usually the easiest way to perform a rapid overtaking manoeuvre or pulling out of a junction quickly in traffic. It can be hit and miss.
The steering wheel is still lovely to hold. The DSG paddles are still too small and not very sturdy feeling though.
Between the clicky switch DSG controls and the myriad of iPad menus, with just about everything assistive, it’s certainly removing those last few things that feel mechanical about cars before we are engulfed in semi-autonomous electric carriages.
But the actual mechanical bits are superb in the Clubsport.
Ok, the DSG programming can be a pain in the arse but the engine and chassis are just superb. Really really impressive.
The R is no doubt a fair bit better, but for my uses the standard Clubsport really is impressive even after over three decades of modified GTI’s.
Six months is plenty long enough to familiarise and I do drive the Clubsport on the right sort of roads (albeit usually choked with tourist traffic during daylight) to make the most of it, so I can happily say it’s a great choice if you enjoy throwing a car into corners without too much worry of it drifting into a hedge or oncoming vehicles. It’s a true joy to drive on winding roads but also doubles up as a van quite well too!
Yep, it won’t do MaccyD car park drifts, it won’t do 4 second to sixty mph drag races or any of that stuff but everything else it does mightily well. It even averages around 34 mpg so long as I stay out of city traffic.
Just this week it has transported probably 100 kilos of badly packaged ceramics on potholed city roads without upsetting any of it, it has moved a tumble dryer three times, half a dozen rocks, a load of slate chippings, some fairly large potted plants, a bloody great box containing a chair and various other bits and bobs. It might have five seats but I don’t use them, however the rear doors are invaluable for loading stuff onto the folded seat backs…
So yeah, it ticks the boxes that say fast, good handling and practical which is what a hot hatch is supposed to be.
Quality wise it feels more SEAT than traditional VW but my son’s new A3 doesn’t exactly exude luxury (even the S-Line seats look plasticky) so we can assume that’s for both budget and political reasons.
I don’t get why people hate stop start. I find it works pretty well and it cuts pollution.
I’m still “guest”. Seriously can’t be bothered with the primary user thing.
I’ve still not used the nav. Would happily pay less not to have it.
Car Play is pretty good. The sound system adequate but not up to mk7 Dynaudio by any stretch.
Err, lots more I could discuss about build quality and interior design but you’d all fall asleep.
I really should add a gratuitous photo or ten. But I can’t be bothered to take any.
In summary: goes well, handles very well, quality iffy in places, not entirely sure Lane assist fully switches off, occasional gremlins, looks like a quick Golf should.
-
Thank you for taking the time to write this up Exonian your reports of of value.
When I first got my Mk7.5 I dreaded the start/stop but I've actually grown to think it's excellent particularly at lights when it shuts off and having the radar it starts up when the car in front pulls forward so if you're not concentrating it gets your attention and I actually think I'd miss it now. Now lane assist that's a different matter I don't currently have it and am not looking forward to it, hopefully there will be a way of disabling it via the port by the time my MK8 arrives.
-
You need a vw gekko login to tamper with the lane assist. Not happening any time soon...
-
Great 6 months review. I’m three days into ownership of my Clubsport so still running it and all the usual restrained driving that goes with it. I came from a mk7.5 GTI performance which I adored but so far I can see the difference the suspension is compliant but stiff I can imagine chucking it down a back road is going to be fun. I’m still not convinced by the front though looks far better than cooking golfs. The rear though looks really good the boot spoiler and the exhaust look really impressive. Still have to explain exactly what it is to none Golf people but that’s not necessarily a bad thing when I want to go incognito. Hoping that my 6 months and beyond will be as trouble free as yours 🤞🏻
-
Thanks for the update Exonian.
Great 6 months review. I’m three days into ownership of my Clubsport so still running it and all the usual restrained driving that goes with it. I came from a mk7.5 GTI performance which I adored but so far I can see the difference the suspension is compliant but stiff I can imagine chucking it down a back road is going to be fun. I’m still not convinced by the front though looks far better than cooking golfs. The rear though looks really good the boot spoiler and the exhaust look really impressive. Still have to explain exactly what it is to none Golf people but that’s not necessarily a bad thing when I want to go incognito. Hoping that my 6 months and beyond will be as trouble free as yours 🤞🏻
I don’t know how people can get one of these and not open them up within a few hundred miles. I don’t have the will power to wait.
Is there any reliable info out there saying it needs to be run in for so long? I know a lot of people do it but is it needed?
-
no run in period is really necessary according to the VW staff during the handover in germany.
i collected my GTI from VW factory Autostadt.
I asked about the run in period, i was told there is non but they advise me not to push the car to it redline and keep the speed under 200kph on my 250 kilometer drive home but ultimately i was told the car will not give me full power if its not warm enough because it has got clever engine management
-
This’ll be a bit boring so apologies in advance, but forums are about sharing info and opinions so I’ll try and add a little update just over 12 months in.
I’d probably not bother normally but being as there’s a lot of negativity still toward the model and the fact there are a lot still waiting to be built, maybe prospective or pending owners might like to know what it’s like spending (just under) a year at the helm of a mk8 Clubsport.
I’m a couple weeks late for the actual anniversary, current mileage stands at just over 7k and the only visit to the dealer it’s had was for the first service a few weeks ago.
The mileage would probably have been around 12k now but for the first three months the car was hardly used due to being blocked in by other cars and surrounded by my youngest son’s possessions whilst he was waiting for his house to be built. He and his girlfriend seemed to have purchased the whole Cox & Cox catalogue plus a heap more besides, hoping to squeeze it all in to a house the size of a shoe box.
Come March, six months after the house was due to be completed, he had the green light to move in and suddenly I had space in my garage, inside my house and on my drive. The Clubsport then became my daily driver until late summer when it had a break because I had a short lived spell of having to commute into the city centre working normal office hours and having to leave the car in a public car park. I decided to use my older car that hadn’t been started for a few months as I was less precious about it being left somewhere a bit vulnerable to damage. Besides, the older car needed MOT’ing and an aircon re-gas, plus the battery needed a bit of charging. I prefer to charge by driving rather than alternatives.
After a month or so having put a few thousand miles under the belt of the little Diesel I summoned the GTI back from its resting place and it’s been used every day ever since.
What’s it been like? Well, it’s a Golf. It has still generally been exactly how you’d expect a Golf GTI to be.
It’s been through floods, a bit of slushy snow, warm weather, frosts, high winds etc and never skipped a beat.
The Pilot Sport 4S’s didn’t like the slushy stuff (which only lasted an hour) but have coped superbly with everything else. Tyre tread after just under 7k miles at the first service was reported at 5mm fronts and 6mm rear. That probably tells you I don’t drive the car anywhere near hard enough!
Software for the UI is still on what it was shipped with out of the factory when new. Yeah it can be buggy on occasion but mine’s not been terrible unlike some owners reports.
The occasional frontal assist warnings bong at me when the front camera has trouble peering through a dewy screen, once or twice the rear assist stuff decided it briefly wasn’t going to play, an occasional crash of the media screen etc still occurs...
I don’t use ACC as I just plain prefer to be in full control so I don’t know if my car suffers the same issues with that feature others report.
I managed to drive from my west country lair up to Dudley and back again via Cheltenham and Bristol a couple weeks ago in one 24 hour midweek stint and didn’t miss cruise control one bit. That’s a personal thing with electing not to use ACC. What’s of note there is how ‘normal’ the car was on that mid-December trip. It rode well (non DCC with 19” wheels), did 40mpg on the motorway, the seats didn’t kill my back and the media worked just fine.
A bit of a different driving routine to its more usual country road commuting, and these rural rat runs are the roads where the car really shines. I’ve written plenty on my (very positive) thoughts about the chassis, the excellently weighted brakes, the responsive engine and Jekyll and Hyde gearbox elsewhere.
A clear 5am run and the car makes for a sublime sports hatch, a busy midday commute sees the car doing a good impression of ‘relaxing and comfortable’ sat behind dawdling old people and tourists.
Talking of old people, well I’m rapidly becoming old people myself.
The looks of the car are probably just about the right blend of low key socially acceptable and sporty aggression. Mine lacks the black roof/wheel/mirror cap accessories of the Ed45 and is much more discrete visually than my previous Ed40 and TCR, so possibly more suitable at my advancing age!
On balance, I think, to my tastes the Clubsport (including Ed45) is the best looker of the range.
A bit more purposeful than a regular GTI, and the R I can’t make my mind up about. I’ve seen a few examples of the latter, a couple of blue launch spec cars in Devon and a white R near Wilton that might have had a bit higher spec. I’ll perhaps have a decent look at one at some point, they’re still pretty uncommon though.
Anyway, aside from personal opinions on the car’s looks, the usual moans could be levelled still at the centre iPad’s unlit button slider thingies but the rest of the UI is quickly learned.
Lane assist is very quickly switched off and on, it becomes second nature at start up to disable the feature and turn down the steering wheel heating which takes all of three seconds.
Not really much else I can moan about, hence me padding this out with other crap.
The interior is fine, the exterior grows on you, the mechanical bits are a mild upgrade from the mk7 and the tech is well documented elsewhere.
Is the breakdown assist worth a moan? Surely any breakdown should be covered free for an under warranty car, so why does it cost circa £100 for VW Assist? Plus I don’t need European cover.
Normally after six months I’m starting to think towards the car’s replacement, then ready to move around 12 - 24 months.
After 12 months (in atmittedly strange times) I can’t think of anything I’d replace it with. There isn’t a car that I’d wait 6 - 12 months to be built that I’d realistically replace the Clubsport with.
I like the new RS3 but it’s silly expensive. I like the MINI Electric but range and load capacity are a bit too compromised for my needs right now. Nothing else out there floats my boat.
Cars are getting far too expensive for me now anyway.
-
Good to hear you are enjoying it! :smiley:
-
I do look forward to these updates Andy. Very considered and a much needed real world view as always. Good to hear that you’re not itching to get rid yet.
-
Another enjoyable read Mr Ex.
Like you, I don’t use ACC - From memory, I tried it once in 15-16 months ownership of my car to make sure it was working, and haven’t used it since. I too like to be in full control. IMHO there’s too much (unnecessary?) tech in modern cars but realistically, I suppose it’s necessary to ready us for the sad day when autonomous cars appear on our roads - for safety’s sake, hopefully VW will have got their dodgy software sorted by then :shocked:.
Look forward to reading Season 2, Episode 2.
-
Good to hear you are enjoying it! :smiley:
Thanks Watts.
It’s a lot like the TCR really, only uglier and doesn’t work as well :laugh:
Good to hear that you’re not itching to get rid yet.
It’s funny you know, but I rarely ever actually want to get rid of a car. I’d much rather keep them all and supplement them with another. Alas I’m not rich enough.
The trouble with me is I micro analyse cars and like to try out new formulas, which inevitably means a change of car.
Things are a changing and there’s not much to tempt me these days. Or maybe I don’t want to be tempted.
IMHO there’s too much (unnecessary?) tech in modern cars but realistically, I suppose it’s necessary to ready us for the sad day when autonomous cars appear on our roads - for safety’s sake, hopefully VW will have got their dodgy software sorted by then :shocked:.
Look forward to reading Season 2, Episode 2.
After being ferried around by my son for a day or two in his A3 I found I quite enjoyed being a passenger so autonomous cars would work for me! :grin:
Unless something drastic happens I don’t know where I’d go with an episode 2, nobody wants to read the same old thing. Maybe I need a Season 3, life at the helm of an ID.3 Clubsport… :D
-
It's always a pleasure to read your posts Exonian. In general terms my experience and views match yours although I am only 6 months in and have covered 6k miles all in now - although that includes the 1,000 miles my son put on over a week in Scotland!
If you ever come to Dudley again it would be great to share a pint and GTi talk with you as I'm only 5 miles away.
Drop me a PM anytime.
-
It's always a pleasure to read your posts Exonian.
I'll echo this. Always good to catch up on the GTI ownership experience.
Reading this got me wondering how far away the 8.5 update might be - might VW be tempted to redesign the dash/user interface?
But great to see the core GTI-ness remains - that wonderful duality of purpose.
-
If you ever come to Dudley again it would be great to share a pint and GTi talk with you as I'm only 5 miles away.
Drop me a PM anytime.
That sounds a great idea BillSan :afro: :smiley:
Unfortunately that visit was for a funeral but I have family in the general area I visit on occasion (although not often enough)
Reading this got me wondering how far away the 8.5 update might be - might VW be tempted to redesign the dash/user interface?
But great to see the core GTI-ness remains - that wonderful duality of purpose.
Dynamically the GTI has just got better and better.
Rewind back to the mk6 and earlier days and the first thing I’d do upon taking delivery of a GTI would be to address areas I considered weak spots. Since the mk7 days it was really only the throttle response and wheels I felt needed improving on. The mk8 throttle response seems pretty ok again but some of the wheel designs are a bit iffy (taste dependant of course). But things like engine mapping and suspension upgrades just aren’t needed for a rapid road car these days. In my opinion of course, I’m sure others will differ and I’ll be the first to admit I’m getting older and more boring by the day! :grin:
Something like addressing the lack of illumination could easily be done on a model year spec adjustment, but even the ID.3 and Born seem to still have non illuminated controls.
The rest of the UI is no more complex than an iPad and one can see why VW use that design as there is just so much tech and so many options on these modern cars the cockpit could easily resemble that of an airliner if it was all buttons and dials.
Like an iPad there are programmable shortcuts and voice control BUT there’s no getting away from the fact other marques, including in house VW group, that do it better.
-
@Exonian, thanks for the update.
I suspect your next move will be electric??
The question that interests me most is whether you would enjoy the clear 5am country road run in a car that makes no noise and in which power doesn’t build. Maybe that’s a question for season 3??
@splashalot, is the mini electric as enjoyable as your golf- as a sports hatch- or do you miss your mk7?
-
Despite the many niggles mk8 owners have with the technology, the mk8 Clubsport is still really appealing.
I think Exonian's experience with a golf is exactly the demographic that it's for, it's a golf and it's for everyday first and foremost, but if you want to attack a few bends on a clear road and have fun you can.
I'd also argue the Clubsport/Ed45 are the best looking of the range, I saw a plain white mk8R in town a few weeks ago and it was very meh from the rear in comparison with what looked to be much smaller exhausts.
I don't think we'll see a total redesign in the mk8.5 but I think it will go more the Audi/BMW route of giving you your physical climate buttons and a volume button for nothing more than to settle the only negative thing about the car.
(https://i.postimg.cc/kMw1TwjC/Screenshot-2021-12-30-at-09-28-37.png) (https://postimg.cc/PNpQxbsV)
Because once the software is eventually fixed, it's a brilliant range of cars. Looks are an individual thing but overall I think the mk8 is a good looking car both on the inside and the outside.
-
Interesting update. I am hoping top move to a mk8 Clubsport when I change my mk7 in a couple of years providing taxation does not make it prohibitive.
-
@Exonian, thanks for the update.
I suspect your next move will be electric??
The question that interests me most is whether you would enjoy the clear 5am country road run in a car that makes no noise and in which power doesn’t build. Maybe that’s a question for season 3??
@splashalot, is the mini electric as enjoyable as your golf- as a sports hatch- or do you miss your mk7?
I’d like my next move to be a BEV but whether it will or not is open to question.
Poor regional free/cheap public charging infrastructure in the South West coupled with government incentives reducing annually (plus a lack of company car allowance which would make the decision a no-brainer) are part reason. More so the fact there isn’t yet quite to perfect EV for me.
Heart says MINI Electric but there are drawbacks previously mentioned which are an issue for using it as my main/only car. Otherwise I’d have one in a heartbeat right now.
The Cupra Born 230bhp is a possible but not if it’s going to cost more than my 300PS 35mpg Golf and even then there are other question marks about dynamics.
There are no other electric cars that remotely appeal to me, yet.
There aren’t many petrol ones either. Taking into account current pricing and affordability then probably none whatsoever. Certainly not to the extent I’d pay a whack of money and have to wait nearly 12 months. Within that 12 months something else more appealing might have been introduced…
I’d been hoping this Clubsport would be my last ever Golf, but you never know - it might not be yet.
As for my 5am jaunts. A couple of flies in the ointment of enjoying the petrol hot hatch versus the soulless EV power delivery are the DSG and wild animals.
The Clubsport engine is a joy to use but on winding undulating but fairly narrow roads the DSG gets a bit confused. On a daytime run hampered by slow moving traffic the gearbox is fine, it allows the car to trickle along seamlessly and economically. These I think of as my 38mpg trips.
If the road is clear and I’m in the mood for a 31 mpg trip then the car is fantastic. A moderate press on the throttle seems to keep the DSG’s reflexes in good stead and only a few manual downshifts are necessary in the whole 13 mile commute. The trouble with runs like that are foxes, badgers, deer, pheasants and huge lanky hares. The car will absolutely tear up the tarmac and rip around the bends with minimal driver effort, however the speed the car will be travelling at means the car is going to make contact with something warm and fluffy which won’t end well. And it has happened, but thankfully not to my Golf. Plus the fresh hairy corpses I see most days are a constant warning of the distinct possibility of it being me next time.
So, Mr Boring me tends to drive briskly most mornings but not fast. These are my 34mpg trips. Quick but cautious. The DSG likes those trips the least, it’ll get confused and laggy most days on the few bends I least want it to. Even manual shifting doesn’t seem to agree with it.
But these brisk but not super-quick trips would be ideal for an EV. No gearbox lag, motor set in its most responsive setting and away…
@Will, my son has a new shape A3 S-Line and although it has buttons it’s not much easier to set up and control things such as climate and the audio system.
The 1 series does it better.
@dfm, a Clubsport is best specced as light on the options otherwise you’re into Golf R pricing as well as ‘luxury’ VED.
Although the Clubsport is fantastic to drive when conditions permit I’d not want to be spending R money on one. Once spending that much I’d rather just get an R.
Maybe hang tight for the Ed50 :cool:
-
As a means of getting around, I’m sure an EV will be very effective - fast, easy to use, comfortable, efficient.
I just can’t see how it can engage the driver and stir the soul in the way that a manual petrol vehicle can.
What will EV enthusiasts talk about on forums?? Range?
I’m planning a small collection of petrol cars - and a motorbike-to keep into retirement.
-
@splashalot, is the mini electric as enjoyable as your golf- as a sports hatch- or do you miss your mk7?
Surprisingly, no I don't really miss the GTI. I can honestly say the Mini is just as enjoyable as a sports hatch as my 7.5 manual GTI, possibly even moreso. The only thing I remotely miss is the noise, at times. Yet on most other occasions that silent, solid shove of instant torque more than makes up for it.
I've written at length about my decision making process and how I arrived at an EV here: https://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=288260.0
Towards the end of that thread I've posted some ownership opinions.
I guess I'd say that as a lifelong petrol head I'm more than a bit surprised that I'm enjoying the Mini EV more than my GTIs. I never thought I would say that.
Edit: This may help put the Mini EV into some context. Jonny is the only reviewer who has (I believe) really nailed the Cooper SE. Most other reviews blather on about range and approach it as a white goods appliance. Jonny assesses it as a driver's car, from an enthusiasts' perspective, as well as the day-to-day practicalities. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyswzcDCjxE&ab_channel=TheLateBrakeShow
-
Interesting- and must say I’m also surprised.
Maybe I need to try one, and open my mind a bit to new sensations.
I have a tendency to live in the past. I wear combats, I listen to 90s indie music- and I love my 205.
-
As a means of getting around, I’m sure an EV will be very effective - fast, easy to use, comfortable, efficient.
I just can’t see how it can engage the driver and stir the soul in the way that a manual petrol vehicle can.
What will EV enthusiasts talk about on forums?? Range?
I’m planning a small collection of petrol cars - and a motorbike-to keep into retirement.
You want your soul stirred? Easy, just add: https://www.hautopart.com/product/tesla-model-3-x-s-active-sound-exhaust/
:grin: I kid thee not.
After a colleague of mine was asking me, the resident workplace VW bore, about ID.3’s earlier in the year as he’d test driven one and liked it (coming from a Citroen something or other) I did a bit of research on them so I could actually bore him with some informed facts.
Oh my word were the ID.3 forums one unpleasant place. Argumentative middle managers with company car allowances and cantankerous oldies made for rudeness and a generally unpleasant vibe. And yes, talk of range, how having steel wheels was a great/unforgivable idea (and some admittedly valid but dull reasons) plus orange and white interior fans/detractors. The saving grace was our own Monkeyhanger on one owners board with his regular brand of being himself :smiley:
The idea of a small fleet of ICE cars is a nice one. So long as you have plenty of space and buy examples that can be serviced and fixed yourself (bearing in mind parts supply and dealer knowledge will die away with successive generations of techie) which will rule out complex current vehicles to an extent.
The ICE cars will eventually become much cheaper as demand drops, aside from enthusiast cars (the stuff we’d actually want to buy) which will hold more firmly until it becomes difficult to get parts or source affordable fuel. That’s the great thing about the 205, its simplicity means it should last indefinitely.
If any EV would convert you it would be the MINI as a drivers car. Just raw enough, quick enough, and a great size for the type of use it’s designed for. No good as a main car if you have three kids and a Great Dane but as a fast, fun small hatch it’s amazing.
-
Haha, I wondered if there was artificial sound on the market.
But will it stir the soul like the “ real “ sound of screaming revving ICE engine?
Bit like artificial grass or plants. May look nice, but you know they’re fake!
On the subject of servicing older cars, I must say it has been very satisfying getting involved with self maintenance again- after many years.
I don’t think a specialist servicing network will ever die away- or not in my lifetime anyway- I’m pretty confident that there will be the demand- and will- to keep these cars going.
Ok, so I may not get a vw specialist on my doorstep- may need to travel further afield- but the enthusiasm for certain types of vehicle will keep them going for many years yet.
( Peugeot are making new parts for some of their classics- “ aventure peugeot”)
-
Are you telling us a 405 GRD estate is now a classic car? :laugh:
306 and 405 D-Turbos used to be everywhere, where are they all now?
To be honest, I can’t think of many modern 4 cyl turbo cars that stir my soul. Just crank up those 90’s indie classics and forget about engine noises!
You’re quite right though, so long as there’s demand there will be parts and places to fix cars. Until autonomous cars are de-rigeur and while fossil fuels are still affordable and available there will still be a good market for ICE cars. Battery cars will need to become far more affordable to rank and file mortals like myself and offer the right ownership experience before the keys to ICE cars are finally hung up for good. I’m open minded about it all.
-
Here's a silly question... A bev is more expensive because of what?
Surely the complexity and cost of ice power and power transmission is more than the simplicity of electric? Even if the battery is expensive, it can't be more than a complex two litre turbo and dsg can it?
-
Kind of answering my own question...
https://insideevs.com/news/444542/evs-45-percent-more-expensive-make-ice/amp/
Not sure that's like for like though. Most Bev's seem to be suv style... So you'd have to compare them to their dinosaur burning friends.
-
.... Battery cars will need to become far more affordable to rank and file mortals like myself and offer the right ownership experience before the keys to ICE cars are finally hung up for good. I’m open minded about it all.
Wholeheartedly agree, Exonian. The local motoring press down here are still running with the "price parity between BEV and ICE by 2025" line. Whilst that still may be feasible, I've long had a theory that this is being achieved mostly by increasing ICE prices to near BEV levels.
The article Fred linked is very interesting. The current price differences are largely due to the cost of batteries. Whether or not the cost of the battery component comes down.....who knows. I've become quite cynical - I think car makers see the opportunity to increase profits by creating a new "normal" for car pricing in general, close to current BEV pricing. This was one of the reasons why I jumped now into EV ownership, rather than wait for the new battery tech and price decreases which are talked about but never seem to eventuate.
I think there will always be a market for ICE vehicles, especially the enthusiast-oriented ones. BEVs are great, but they don't suit everyone's needs or wants. Although I'm loving the EV experience, and especially the Mini, I've not ruled out buying another ICE in future. I still gaze longinly at ND RF MX-5s every time I see one, and if VW can sort out the GTI's software, who knows.... :wink:
-
Are you telling us a 405 GRD estate is now a classic car? :laugh:
Only 10 left on uk roads, and 73 SORN. If that’s not a classic, I don’t know what is!
The kind of car that Practical Classics magazine would get excited about.
MX5 would make an excellent choice for a useable, enjoyable modern classic.
Good to hear the enthusiasts haven’t completely abandoned ICE. I was getting a little worried!
-
Yes it does kinda look like they are making electric cars "the same" by raising the price on ice.
I suspect nearer to the cutover we'll see extra tax on ice cars and fuel to the "cheap" electric.
The uk looks like its going to have road pricing soon, that will start the end...
-
Yes it does kinda look like they are making electric cars "the same" by raising the price on ice.
I suspect nearer to the cutover we'll see extra tax on ice cars and fuel to the "cheap" electric.
The uk looks like its going to have road pricing soon, that will start the end...
As the mix of vehicles on the road shifts towards a higher proportion of EV’s I think road pricing will be inevitable. HMRC will need a revenue source to offset the reduction in revenue (duty / VAT) from lower petrol / diesel sales and less VED revenue - assuming EV’s continue to attract zero rate VED.
-
Exonian an interesting write up thoroughly enjoyed reading it. I returned to Golf ownership with a Mk7.5 after a long hiatus of other cars and family type cars. When my wife got her Skoda Kodiaq I had a hankering to change my diesel estate for something a little more interesting and looked around at numerous performance hatchbacks. The issue I had was I'd come from Autos so wanted another for that boring work commute the DSG felt like the right mix to allow some fun on the twisties and the monotony of motorway runs in traffic.
The Clubsport was a step up again. Whilst the step up in performance is noticeable and the gearbox software feels better the the 7.5 the interior trim has definitely stepped backwards slightly. I too don't find the UI too difficult to master and would like some lit slidey buttons the rest of the car is perfect in its operation for me.
Its funny though the main reason for buying a gold for me was the looks. They are understated but sporty not in your face and shouty like say a Civic Type R but muscular enough to have a presence but also blend in when needed. The only other car I would possibly consider as a replacement would by a Hyundai I30 N (DSG now its available) but then it still wouldn't be my Golf which I'm now known for!!! :grin:
The other point about BEV's I think they are like Betamax, I think/hope someone will come up with a VHS replacement which will render them obsolete. I can't in my tiny little brain compute how the whole life carbon of a BEV can possibly be better than an ICE. Especially when you consider a 300bhp sports hatch is able to achieve over 40mpg they just need to find a way to reduce the 169g/km CO2 emissions!
-
Have a read of this...
https://www.carmagazine.co.uk/car-reviews/comparison/2021/sports-car-giant-test-2021/
-
That’s quite a read Fred.
I think the way current prices are going the i20 would be the only one of that group I could afford!
-
That’s quite a read Fred.
I think the way current prices are going the i20 would be the only one of that group I could afford!
I'm just placing an order for that Ferrari.... I've heard its cheaper and delivered faster than my next Mk8 Golf
-
…And not a single complaint about the UI either.
-
Goodness me, where did that year go?
Yep, and apologies in advance, it’s coming up to the Clubby’s second birthday any time now and therefore its second service - so it’s the annual update time.
I’ll keep it brief as there’s not masses to say.
16k in and the front tyres are on 3mm, but I’ll assume owing to the negative camber the Clubsport runs the inner edges of the front tyres are scrubbed badly so a pair of new front PS4S are pending.
Second service to involve a brake fluid change I’m told, plus a “major software update”.
Aircon service was recommended but I think I’ll probably pass on that purely on a value for money angle as the system still works fine (touch wood!)
No real faults to report, the suspension occasionally groans on a cold start which I have seen quite a few others here report on but that’s about it. If it gets worse I’ll ask for a dab of grease on the affected parts.
It’s done about 10k since the first service give or take and the oil is still halfway up the dipstick.
Here’s a pic of the tyre wear:
(https://i.postimg.cc/8cFLxbsQ/09-A862-D3-F032-49-CA-8-BB7-DC4-AA79-F8802.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
I’ll get the tracking checked when I get new tyres.
Two years in and still loving it!
-
Hi Exonian,
Can you please post any more info you have on the cold start groans/creaks after it has been in for service? I have this too but have already had both top mounts replaced so thought it was something else i.e. sounds more like it's coming from the middle of the car, directly under the bonnet. I was thinking it was perhaps something with the DSG but really not sure.
About 18months in for me and I enjoy driving it more with time. 10/10 driving car imo; fast, quick gearbox, handles really well and brakes are great too. FYI I recently put Michelin PS5 tyres on mine to replace the Potenza S005 it came with. Was sceptical I'd notice much difference but, as per the reviews, they definitely are softer and possibly more grippy than the Potenzas. As it's quite a firm car the extra comfort (slightly) is nice to have, would highly recommend. I'm on the Richmond 18s. Unless you track your car, with the PS4S (versus PS5) you are sacrificing some comfort for no extra performance at road speeds.
Cheers.
-
Hi Mk8Clubby,
I know your post was focussed on cold start groans/creaks and hopefully others will reply on that as I haven't had those issues.
Can I ask about your PS5 tyres as these will be my first choice when it comes to replacing my Potenza S005's in March/April?
Black Circles only list a "XL" load version in 225/40/18/Y - is that what you've got? I don't know if it makes a difference tbh but those are about £110-£120 online with various sellers.
-
Just on the PS5's as I'm about to change... if you check out ATS they currently have them (using their offer) for £98.50 (18").
Unfortunately my 'local' ATS aren't good with alloys so I'll be going to a BlackCircles fitter but having to pay £110 each with their offer.
-
Hi BillSan, yeah that's the spec I have, 225/40/18 92Y XL. I think they are extra load as standard these days (but might be wrong with that). The Potenza S005 is an extra load tyre (says it somewhere on the sidewall) so it's a like for like swap in terms of spec.
-
Can you please post any more info you have on the cold start groans/creaks after it has been in for service? I have this too but have already had both top mounts replaced so thought it was something else i.e. sounds more like it's coming from the middle of the car, directly under the bonnet. I was thinking it was perhaps something with the DSG but really not sure.
Mine makes mechanical noises... on cold you get groaning noises from the front suspension. Sounds like its broken.
The other noise I get is not cold related, you get a noise that sounds like the sump scraping the floor and it happens when the suspension suddenly loads or unloads when going around a corner sometimes.... not every time.
Neither issue can be found by the dealer.
-
Thanks fredgroves, yeah mine usually happens when starting up from cold and going slowly over bumpy roads/cobbles/speedbumps. It doesn't happen all the time so I'd kind of given up on it, but if it's an issue other people have managed to fix I'll get it looked into at next service under warranty. I'll try and get a DSG courtesy car off my VW garage when the time comes and see if that does the same.
Might be worth having your top mounts looked at/replaced under warranty for the cornering issues? It's a really common issue for them to be noisy on new VW Golfs for some reason. Had both replaced on my mk8 Clubby and one side replaced on my previous mk7.5 GTI PP.
-
Just on the PS5's as I'm about to change... if you check out ATS they currently have them (using their offer) for £98.50 (18").
Unfortunately my 'local' ATS aren't good with alloys so I'll be going to a BlackCircles fitter but having to pay £110 each with their offer.
That's a good price (and a great spot!). I'm not in the market for them just yet, but that's a tidy saving.
-
Since I noticed my tyres’ premature balding a few days ago (mostly thanks to AGB’s thread in the mk7 section which got me to actually inspect the tyres) I did some Michelin research and ATS were definitely more favourable than any of the other online tyre discount places.
@Mk8Clubby - I’ve just got the car back, delivered to me by the dealership and haven’t driven it yet but there’s no mention of them doing anything to the suspension on the paperwork.
I’ve got to drive it about 30 miles later so will see if there’s any improvement.
My rear PS4S still have around 6mm so I’ll be sticking to the same on the front axle as it’ll mess with my car OCD otherwise :whistle:
Maybe once the rears have worn down a bit more and the next set of fronts are replaced I’ll change all 4 for PS5’s or whatever replaces those in a couple years (assuming I still have the car which is far from a given)
(https://i.postimg.cc/ZnCXPL29/FD222-B61-1976-4265-A099-0-B89-DAE91-A8-B.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/BPfh42qs)
Here’s the new software installed, previously it was whatever the car was delivered with. ^^^^
They’ve taken my engine cover sponge off me :sad:
I’ve been out and reset all the settings now the software has removed many things although Individual drive mode selections weren’t altered by the update curiously.
I’ve fiddled round with a few other things, restored my audio settings to crank the bass up a bit and most importantly have switched off the infuriating “rear wipe when reverse is selected”
Now to decide whether to sign up for a new service plan, pay for the next one then go for an “all in” plan once the warranty expires or…. ?
-
@Exonian, surprised you're only getting the 1896 update now as the previous version my car came with (1668) was awful and frankly not fit for purpose. I got the 1896 update last summer as soon as it came out and it was a big improvement but still not perfect e.g. infotainment screen still sometimes freezes/blacks out needing an engine off and back on to reset, my ACC (which had been flawless) played up the other day not letting me overtake cars (well known issue I believe) but was fixed by simply turning the ACC off and back on. So, I'm hoping that one more update should iron out the remaining problems and get the system up to an acceptable level...the way it should've been from day 1.
-
I’ve just checked Fred’s software version thread to see what I was running previously and it was 1666.
Mine wasn’t really bothersome most days. It had its moments for sure, the worst days were when I was using the car for periods, parking up for a while, then using it again, then parking up… this was when I’d get blank radio screens or messages saying the rear parking sensors weren’t working.
Incidentally the latter often occurred after the car was parked partly in shade and partly in sunlight but I have no idea whether that’s coincidence.
Well, bit of to and fro driving this evening in sub zero temps and the suspension creaks seem ok so far aside from a subdued noise like a rubber gator rubbing whilst on a bumpy bit of road going very slowly just before I parked up for the night.
Let’s see what tomorrow brings as I have a much longer cross country drive lined up.
One change I’ve noticed with the new software is that the heated steering wheel now comes on in the last used setting at each ignition cycle instead of defaulting to coming on full three bars every time the temp dropped below 10°c or so. Fat chance of seeing 10 degrees any time soon but it’s nice that the heated wheel comes on at one bar which is usually where I have it set.
Aside from that I’ve fiddled with my individual mode settings for the first time in about two years and now the throttle response is razor sharp which I like but the gearbox is still mushy at times.
I’m only dawdling about at the moment anyway as I’m on summer tyres and the roads are covered in grit and salt.