GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk8 => Topic started by: king monkey on 23 July 2020, 20:36
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I hear that the Gti gets a good review in Car so thought it might be worth starting a new topic as reviews start to come in. Has anybody out there read it?
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I've read it. Its not really a proper review, its a lot of words but you don't really come away knowing any more than you did when you started.
And its not a UK production model they "review" anyway.
They "review" the ID3, the Golf and the GTE plus have an interview with a senior VW bloke, so it wasn't going to be critical either.
No, you'll have to wait a while before someone writes a proper review and tells you which bits suck.
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Thanks Fred. Thought it was early for a review.
Out of interest what did they say about the ID3?
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Here’s the Car Magazine feature.
https://www.carmagazine.co.uk/amp/car-reviews/volkswagen/golf-gti/?__twitter_impression=true
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Out of interest what did they say about the ID3?
Its ok but its not a Golf.
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Out of interest what did they say about the ID3?
Its ok but its not a Golf.
Very concise sir. I thank you! :smiley:
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I was impressed reading the gains around the smallish track.
Less impressed with the journalism?
From the article;
"For a start, the engineers recalibrated the springs (five per cent tauter up front, 15 per cent in the back), shocks, mounting points and bearings. To shed a couple of kilos and increase lateral stiffness at the same time, the steel rear subframe has been replaced by the aluminium item used in the previous GTI Clubsport S, while the wheel carriers were redesigned."
I have only seen the FRONT aluminimum subframe on a mk 7 Clubsport S.
Is this correct or clueless? :)
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Yes its definitely the front that is ally from the clubby-s.
Apparently thats a 30kg weight saving, should make the steering much more pointy.
But isn't even the "Clubby-s sub frame" actually an Audi A3 part in the first place?
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From USA ‘Car and Driver’ website; first impressions of mk8 GTI from the front passenger seat;
https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/amp33446179/2022-volkswagen-golf-gti-ride/
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From USA ‘Car and Driver’ website; first impressions of mk8 GTI from the front passenger seat;
https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/amp33446179/2022-volkswagen-golf-gti-ride/
Nice to get some insight into how it drives for a change, rather than endless bleating about touchscreens :shocked:
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Interesting comment about the fog lights
"Another notable element is the GTI's front bumper. It adopts a black honeycomb lower section with optional five-element fog lights on each side"
I wonder why they would be optional?
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Interesting comment about the fog lights
"Another notable element is the GTI's front bumper. It adopts a black honeycomb lower section with optional five-element fog lights on each side"
I wonder why they would be optional?
££££££££
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I’m sure I’ve read that these will be standard in the UK.
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Interesting comment about the fog lights
"Another notable element is the GTI's front bumper. It adopts a black honeycomb lower section with optional five-element fog lights on each side"
I wonder why they would be optional?
££££££££
I did think that at first but if the fog lights are a signature of the GTI whether we like it or not, there is no way they would be an option.
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Hopefully VW will remember to fit them this time :wink:
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Hopefully VW will remember to fit them this time :wink:
Ooooh I’d forgotten about the fog light fiasco!
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Did folk not get compensation paid out for that?
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Did folk not get compensation paid out for that?
Think you’re right. Sure dealers offered different things in absence of the fogs. Caused quite a stir. Another great moment for Vw Uk. :wink:
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Here is a German review use google translate
https://www.autotestschaeffer.de/vw/2020/08/06/volkswagen-golf-gti/
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https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/first-drives/first-drive-2020-volkswagen-golf-gti
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https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/volkswagen/golf/352255/new-volkswagen-golf-gti-ride-review#click=https://t.co/NU3O0j1OEx
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Autogefuel video now up
https://youtu.be/B4MTc4YUmOw
Full length Autogefuhl video now up too...
https://youtu.be/JMnrMiB_9bI
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Here is a German review use google translate
https://www.autotestschaeffer.de/vw/2020/08/06/volkswagen-golf-gti/
Doesn't really tell you much.... but what of these "reviews" ever do.
The thing we want to hear is someone who really knows the Mk7 to talk about it and stop banging on about the digital dash.
I did notice though that they are talking about the "performance" version (exact name TBA) spec being not revealed until 2021. I guess R first, GTI-PP-TCR-Clubsport-ED comes after that.
I did notice the German order books open end of August, UK.... two months after that maybe?
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Here is the autogefuhl review, from 8/8/20. It’s pretty comprehensive but Thomas thinks the steering wheel capacitive buttons are b*ll*cks! :grin:
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=autogefuhl
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I thought the Autocar review linked earlier (here (https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/first-drives/first-drive-2020-volkswagen-golf-gti)) was useful. The mention of the PP replacement, Clubsport or whatever it is called this time by end of year was interesting too, wonder if they got that from the VW horses' mouth??
Probably only a matter of time before there's a nice replacement for that plastic infotainment bezel too that seems to gripe people. Nice matte carbon maybe.
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I think the Autogefhuel review can be summed up, hardware 1 software 0. Thomas was no fan of the interface and buttonless interior.
This is a real shame, as the car does look great in GTI guise but let down badly by the new controls. For such a polite, articulate guy as Thomas is on Autogefuel to use a word like boll*cks, it really must be bad!
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I agree. It must have been for emphasis; he doesn't normally use strong language, except in this review at 9.02.😂
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https://youtu.be/xhjWwkgqAaI
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Here is the autogefuhl review, from 8/8/20. It’s pretty comprehensive but Thomas thinks the steering wheel capacitive buttons are b*ll*cks! :grin:
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=autogefuhl
I did think why do they have to be gloss black as well, showing every mark and fingerprint in a position where you will use them all the time!!!
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Got to say, for all the uncertainty - its looks fantastic in that red with the optional 19s! Real shame about the interior buttons.
Sounds pretty good as well. But slower than the same engine in the mk7.5 245. Disappointing.
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I’m not one for sitting watching YouTube vids generally as most of them are pretty dull at best.
I do quite like some of Thomas’s vids though as he looks very staid and Germanic but I reckon he’s got a bit of a wicked fun streak which he keeps a lid on most of the time.
However, god that mk8 GTI vid was boring boring boring.
Informative though.
I know enough that just like with the mk3 Golf there’s no way I want to own a GTI version.
(Probably eat my words once I’ve seen one in the flesh)
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The red makes the car look a lot better though still not keen on the front. Sounds like they have made some good improvements to the chassis although I'd be surprised if it was a significant improvement over the 7/7.5 in your average driving. But for any reviewer to be so critical of the software it must be poor. Hopefully VW will listen and perhaps an 8.5 will be a better car.
I hadn't realised that the 5 lights in the bumper were fog lights. So what is the point in having them as a feature? I doubt if I've used front fogs more than 4 or 5 times in 10 years or more, current car doesn't even have any!
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The red makes the car look a lot better though still not keen on the front. Sounds like they have made some good improvements to the chassis although I'd be surprised if it was a significant improvement over the 7/7.5 in your average driving. But for any reviewer to be so critical of the software it must be poor. Hopefully VW will listen and perhaps an 8.5 will be a better car.
I hadn't realised that the 5 lights in the bumper were fog lights. So what is the point in having them as a feature? I doubt if I've used front fogs more than 4 or 5 times in 10 years or more, current car doesn't even have any!
And you have to pay to have them! Could be FogGate2 on the horizon! :grin:
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And you have to pay to have them! Could be FogGate2 on the horizon! :grin:
Nobody knows what the UK spec will be.... all we have seen so far is talk of German options....
On the Mk7 in Germany, everything we take for granted was an option!
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https://www.whatcar.com/news/2021-volkswagen-golf-gti-review-price-specs-and-release-date/n21799
What Car review.
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https://www.whatcar.com/news/2021-volkswagen-golf-gti-review-price-specs-and-release-date/n21799
What Car review.
Hmmmm
When order books open next month (deliveries are due in October),
LOLOLOLOL not in the UK, not a chance. They are talking Germany again...
a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic (DSG) gearbox will be the only choice; but, before that elicits a collective groan from the audience, a six-speed manual – for die-hard enthusiasts – is on its way.
Again, I call BS. I think they have been given a German press ride and there wasn't a manual.
Although we don't know the full specifications or exact list price of UK cars
Basically.... pointless article
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Just to repost - from our resident VW dealer:
Unfortunately zero chance of seeing a GTI in the UK till next year.
Factory still way behind on customer orders placed prior to lock down and most of the effort going into greeting ID3 cars launched and delivered by the end of the year.
They still have Golf R mk7.5 coming over for customers :shocked:
Rest assured any more info I will post.
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I’m not one for sitting watching YouTube vids generally as most of them are pretty dull at best.
I do quite like some of Thomas’s vids though as he looks very staid and Germanic but I reckon he’s got a bit of a wicked fun streak which he keeps a lid on most of the time.
However, god that mk8 GTI vid was boring boring boring.
Informative though.
I know enough that just like with the mk3 Golf there’s no way I want to own a GTI version.
(Probably eat my words once I’ve seen one in the flesh)
But isn't that the Thomas brand though? He is providing a reference point - it's the technical data at the back of the brochure. It's not meant to be Carfection with lingering b-roll. If you're considering buying the car, there is a lot of useful information conveyed in his videos and he doesn't pander to the manufacturers - he can be quite critical and scathing at times. A lot of YouTubers tend to not want to forfeit their ticket to the next press junket so you get worthless video.
I agree with you, I imagine Thomas after a few beers will be highly entertaining.
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I just thought the vid went on a bit going over the same old thing.
It’s not like there were any other bits of interest as the engine and chassis are just mk7 anyway.
The poor lad can only work with what he’s given to work with.
Generally I like his vids except I don’t bother watching about boring Audi estates or SUV’s etc.
I’m not a big watcher of YouTube vids, it mostly seems to be people who like the sounds of their own voice and self promotion. Yawn. At least it keeps these types off Internet forums I guess! :grin:
Always willing to check out recommendations though :smiley:
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I’m not one for sitting watching YouTube vids generally as most of them are pretty dull at best.
I do quite like some of Thomas’s vids though as he looks very staid and Germanic but I reckon he’s got a bit of a wicked fun streak which he keeps a lid on most of the time.
However, god that mk8 GTI vid was boring boring boring.
Informative though.
I know enough that just like with the mk3 Golf there’s no way I want to own a GTI version.
(Probably eat my words once I’ve seen one in the flesh)
I really like thomas, his reviews get into the details and the HD quality and good camera positions really gives you a feel for what the car was really like - cast this review to my 65 " screen and sat down to enjoy the walkthrough and found myself skipping through to the end - do not blame Thomas, the car is that uninspiring and awkward there is just not much to love,
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Another vote for Thomas. Have watched loads of yewchweb vids and he's one of the best, if not the best.
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Autocar 12 August
4.5 stars
Reworked engine, revised chassis and new digital interior sharpen the appeal of the standard Golf GTI
Some negatives about motorway drone (possibly related to sport mode being enabled and the actuator) and low speed/high speed DSG shifts (shunts and downshifts from high revs)
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Must admit I'm warming somewhat to the GTI's styling (As opposed to the standard version.) The determinent for me will likely be whether
I can deal with the buttonless dash.
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Autocar 12 August
4.5 stars
Reworked engine, revised chassis and new digital interior sharpen the appeal of the standard Golf GTI
Some negatives about motorway drone (possibly related to sport mode being enabled and the actuator) and low speed/high speed DSG shifts (shunts and downshifts from high revs)
how in the hell is it a reworked engine? I've seen a few articles say the same but it's exactly the same engine that's in the 7.5
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Autocar 12 August
4.5 stars
Reworked engine, revised chassis and new digital interior sharpen the appeal of the standard Golf GTI
Some negatives about motorway drone (possibly related to sport mode being enabled and the actuator) and low speed/high speed DSG shifts (shunts and downshifts from high revs)
how in the hell is it a reworked engine? I've seen a few articles say the same but it's exactly the same engine that's in the 7.5
The pulsating start button is classed as significant engine reworking you know! :grin:
The reworking is probably further hidden component cost cutting.
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Autocar 12 August
4.5 stars
Reworked engine, revised chassis and new digital interior sharpen the appeal of the standard Golf GTI
Some negatives about motorway drone (possibly related to sport mode being enabled and the actuator) and low speed/high speed DSG shifts (shunts and downshifts from high revs)
how in the hell is it a reworked engine? I've seen a few articles say the same but it's exactly the same engine that's in the 7.5
The pulsating start button is classed as significant engine reworking you know! :grin:
The reworking is probably further hidden component cost cutting.
😂😂
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I watched that full length Thomas video last thing last night. I found it refreshing someone actually went into details and showed you things as potential owner you would want to know, rather than just say its great then skid it around on a track.
The crap UI and software buggy doesn't supprise me from VW sadly and actually what I expected from them!
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The crap UI and software buggy doesn't supprise me from VW sadly and actually what I expected from them!
And more than that, I don't expect them to ever attempt to fix it once the first production Mk8 rolls off of the line...
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Johnny Pervert mk8 GTi first drive!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4YvzrpJTGM
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Johnny Pervert mk8 GTi first drive!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4YvzrpJTGM
So those are the engine modifications noted previously in the thread :smiley:
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It's got higher pressure fuel injectors apparently. Which both increases fuel economy and broadens the torque range. Top gear reckons it drives more like a desiel now...
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Thomas didn't smile once during his review.
Jonny didn't smile once during his review.
When I accelerate hard up a slip road or come back to my 7.5 GTI and get the front 3/4 view, I smile. Sorry, but VW have utterly messed up the Mk 8 and produced a complete pile of dung.
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Thomas didn't smile once during his review.
Jonny didn't smile once during his review.
When I accelerate hard up a slip road or come back to my 7.5 GTI and get the front 3/4 view, I smile. Sorry, but VW have utterly messed up the Mk 8 and produced a complete pile of dung.
I think that’s an excellent point.
The reason I found the vid so boring after a while was because Thomas wasn’t inspired by the thing in the slightest. He was doing his job but wasn’t exactly enjoying what he was driving in ways that he should.
A very competent car but not what it should be in some areas.
I’ve yet to watch Johnny’s vid but I’ll get round to it.
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We must have been watching completely different videos, Thomas smiles a few times during the review. Especially when he is describing that the car drives better than the Mk7.5 it replaces.
He also says hardware-wise one of the best cars in the segment once again. His only real criticisms are the software for the infotainment and the capacitive buttons on the steering wheel.
If you don't like the looks of the car that's fair enough, but it hardly makes it a pile of dung :rolleyes:
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One person's pile of dung is another person's roses...
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If you don't like the looks of the car that's fair enough, but it hardly makes it a pile of dung :rolleyes:
If you ever listen to football phone ins on the radio you’ll find a team’s biggest fans are its harshest critics and the same can be said for cars if they’re your thing.
Personally I’m very familiar with the mk8’s underpinnings having owned mk7’s for a whisker under seven years knowing the mk8 is basically a slightly tweaked version of its predecessor, so I’d not call that side of it a pile of dung, but other aspects are somewhat less impressive considering how long VW had to develop the thing. In fact the UI should be pretty spot on if VW have been fully concentrating on ID models so just had to plonk much of the tech into the “new” Golf which should be pretty developed by now rather than Beta level. Considering they made a huge fuss about “revolution” inside.
I can fully see where Ulysses is coming from from a perspective of waiting a long time for a car that potentially had so much promise without VW having to upgrade much and then we ended up with...
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If you don't like the looks of the car that's fair enough, but it hardly makes it a pile of dung :rolleyes:
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Personally I’m very familiar with the mk8’s underpinnings having owned mk7’s for a whisker under seven years knowing the mk8 is basically a slightly tweaked version of its predecessor, so I’d not call that side of it a pile of dung, but other aspects are somewhat less impressive considering how long VW had to develop the thing. In fact the UI should be pretty spot on if VW have been fully concentrating on ID models so just had to plonk much of the tech into the “new” Golf which should be pretty developed by now rather than Beta level. Considering they made a huge fuss about “revolution” inside.
Looking at the ID3’s UI, to me the screen looks identical to the one in the mk8 Golf, with the same heating and volume controls beneath the screen. So maybe VW have just plonked the ID3 tech into the mk8 Golf.
(https://i.postimg.cc/0jmGtCcf/5-D45-A383-FEA6-49-C5-A50-B-77186-EEE58-E6.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
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If you don't like the looks of the car that's fair enough, but it hardly makes it a pile of dung :rolleyes:
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Personally I’m very familiar with the mk8’s underpinnings having owned mk7’s for a whisker under seven years knowing the mk8 is basically a slightly tweaked version of its predecessor, so I’d not call that side of it a pile of dung, but other aspects are somewhat less impressive considering how long VW had to develop the thing. In fact the UI should be pretty spot on if VW have been fully concentrating on ID models so just had to plonk much of the tech into the “new” Golf which should be pretty developed by now rather than Beta level. Considering they made a huge fuss about “revolution” inside.
Looking at the ID3’s UI, to me the screen looks identical to the one in the mk8 Golf, with the same heating and volume controls beneath the screen. So maybe VW have just plonked the ID3 tech into the mk8 Golf.
(https://i.postimg.cc/0jmGtCcf/5-D45-A383-FEA6-49-C5-A50-B-77186-EEE58-E6.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Not quite. They're similar, but the ID3 doesn't have a digital cockpit to power.
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If you don't like the looks of the car that's fair enough, but it hardly makes it a pile of dung :rolleyes:
If you ever listen to football phone ins on the radio you’ll find a team’s biggest fans are its harshest critics and the same can be said for cars if they’re your thing.
Personally I’m very familiar with the mk8’s underpinnings having owned mk7’s for a whisker under seven years knowing the mk8 is basically a slightly tweaked version of its predecessor, so I’d not call that side of it a pile of dung, but other aspects are somewhat less impressive considering how long VW had to develop the thing. In fact the UI should be pretty spot on if VW have been fully concentrating on ID models so just had to plonk much of the tech into the “new” Golf which should be pretty developed by now rather than Beta level. Considering they made a huge fuss about “revolution” inside.
I can fully see where Ulysses is coming from from a perspective of waiting a long time for a car that potentially had so much promise without VW having to upgrade much and then we ended up with...
The in car tech isn't as slick or as easy to operate as it should be, no doubt about that. But it does work and it is useable, even if it isn't to the standards we expect. It is also fixable, although how long that will take, or even if VW will bother remains to be seen.
But it's not as if they produced another Mk4 with a cardboard chassis and jelly suspension. It's improved over the Mk7 in many areas, just not all areas.
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UI is largely an irrelevant worry, it could be completely overhauled by the next update. The days of being saddled with one OS version are over.
I'm not sure they're at JLR/Tesla stage of OTA updates, but hopefully they'll get there.
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UI is largely an irrelevant worry, it could be completely overhauled by the next update. The days of being saddled with one OS version are over.
I'm not sure they're at JLR/Tesla stage of OTT updates, but hopefully they'll get there.
You think? BMW have recently used their OTA update to deliver Android Auto and some other changes.
I am not expecting VW to ever do the same on the Mk8. I reckon whatever it arrives with will be what you see right up to the end of their life cycle of support apart from maybe 12 months of bug fixes.
Of course, like any software update, it can be negative as well as positive. When you discover someone in their infinite wisdom has "enhanced" something you used a lot and now its hidden/broken/disfunctional.
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UI is largely an irrelevant worry, it could be completely overhauled by the next update. The days of being saddled with one OS version are over.
I'm not sure they're at JLR/Tesla stage of OTT updates, but hopefully they'll get there.
You think? BMW have recently used their OTA update to deliver Android Auto and some other changes.
I am not expecting VW to ever do the same on the Mk8. I reckon whatever it arrives with will be what you see right up to the end of their life cycle of support apart from maybe 12 months of bug fixes.
Of course, like any software update, it can be negative as well as positive. When you discover someone in their infinite wisdom has "enhanced" something you used a lot and now its hidden/broken/disfunctional.
Apparently VW has 'promised' early ID3 adopters that they are working to improve the ID3 software and they will get the update when it is ready. Nothing has been said yet as to whether anything is being done for the Golf.
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Funnily enough I have an OTA update message flashing up at me right now.
I actually got round to watching Johnny CarPervert’s review of the mk8 GTI today.
Although it was quite a gloss over compared to Thomas’s I enjoyed it far more. He summed it up well. It basically sounds like the mk8 GTI has inherited the TCR chassis tweaks including the aluminium subframe with a few added electronic trickery to further sharpen the car in full on Sport mode.
I just hope all this Nurburgring development isn’t going to be at the expense of shock absorption on crappy British tarmac.
It’s good to see the car in a Watts approved spec:
Red
19’s
Manual
And the nearest VW do to a 3 door - which is 5 doors!
I’ll get round to watching Thomas’s GTE review and Volkswizard’s A3 vid sooner or later.
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Apparently VW has 'promised' early ID3 adopters that they are working to improve the ID3 software and they will get the update when it is ready. Nothing has been said yet as to whether anything is being done for the Golf.
If they had any brains then all VW models would use the same hardware and software, with some UI adaptions/branding for each model. It would save them a fortune in development costs and enable proper lifecycle control.
Works ok for BMW... but then BMW have always made IDrive an actual thing - its very much central to their marketing and has been for years. I can't think of another car OEM that actually trumpets their car OS/UI like Apple or Google or Microsoft.
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It’s good to see the car in a Watts approved spec:
Red
19’s
Manual
And the nearest VW do to a 3 door - which is 5 doors!
:grin: I wonder if VW will put that up as an option on the configurator? :whistle:
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Apparently VW has 'promised' early ID3 adopters that they are working to improve the ID3 software and they will get the update when it is ready. Nothing has been said yet as to whether anything is being done for the Golf.
If they had any brains then all VW models would use the same hardware and software, with some UI adaptions/branding for each model. It would save them a fortune in development costs and enable proper lifecycle control.
Works ok for BMW... but then BMW have always made IDrive an actual thing - its very much central to their marketing and has been for years. I can't think of another car OEM that actually trumpets their car OS/UI like Apple or Google or Microsoft.
That is the way it's going to go, but unfortunately VW has been slow out of the blocks so for now they have to go with what they've got until their own full blown OS is ready
https://electrek.co/2020/06/19/vw-to-develop-its-own-operating-system-but-dodges-question-about-id-3-software/
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Oh boy, they are late to that party!
Its not clear from that article either if they are talking about actual vehicle operations software or the UI for other driver controls either.
I suspect its the former.
I do happen to know from my daughter's partner that much like VW don't make most of the components, today they don't even make the software - her partner actually wrote some software for window controls and she doesn't work for VW, she works for an IT company.
I appreciate outsourcing is something everyone does, but software these days is as much of these machines as any metallic piece.
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Interesting review of the gti in TG Mag. Basically the best gti to drive but very nearly ruined by the controls.
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Here is a new review of the Mk 8 GTI from Top Gear.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmL_QbUwvsg.
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Here is a new review of the Mk 8 GTI from Top Gear.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmL_QbUwvsg.
Interesting.... i think thats a bit more of a real review actually.
That kings red does look a bit brown in that video tho lol
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Here is a new review of the Mk 8 GTI from Top Gear.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmL_QbUwvsg.
No question, the reviewer definitely smiles in that video, and declares he's enjoying it.
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Great review! I'm so torn - expect I will love the driving characteristics but find those buttonless controls impossibly frustrating. But will definitely test drive and make up my own mind.
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I wonder though... even this guy says its not tons better than the already excellent mk7.... and i wonder how much of the improvement is the new trick DCC its definitely a lot to do with the new tech.... what would it be like without it?
My opinion of the Mk7 DCC is that it doesn't really offer much real world capability, but maybe....just maybe... it might now be actually come of age.
This would be the third iteration of it : ACC Mk6, DCC Mk7 and now DCC Mk8.
Also, in a thing that annoys Mrs Groves, I spent some time last musing about the user interface. What it needs is programmable user short cut buttons. Like the way you put app icons on the front of your phone.
If someone has a desperate need to toggle ESP off while driving every 5 minutes, make a shortcut button to the ESP config page.
VW still suck at software and have an arrogant attitude towards it. Which is bad when you pitch a new product as "digital".
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I just think even as a died in the wool VW Golf user, that the MK8 GTI is going to be a harder sell than ever. VW for many years had this area to themselves and even when never upstarts came along, they relied on the heritage and "all the car you will ever need" bias.
Trouble is today, the GTI (and the R) have serious rivals sporting not only more power, but don't have the full buttonless interface (which let's face it, nearly every reviewer has criticised heavily). At it's new launch price of nearly £35k (DSG model) that brings it mightily close to offering from BMW (even before the 128ti hit the streets), Mercedes and Hyundai. Add a few options on and you are looking at nearly £40k (or just over if you want sunroof and leather).
That's a lot of of money for a vehicle with arguably "questionable" looks outside (compared to the classy outgoing MK7 / 7.5 models) and with a very unpopular hepatic buttonless interior. Heritage will only get you so far but in my opinion, it's not a looker (sure much better than the standard MK8 models, but not as nice as the outgoing model) and VW are really going to have to discount these down a lot in my humble opinion to prevent lost sales to other marques which have not only caught up, but perhaps overtaken the Golf in many areas).
Biggest problem, is that if you want a nice GTI with some of the newer options such as 19", DCC, Sunroof, Leather, HUD, Kings Red Metallic, Winter Pack, rear view camera etc, then the list is over £41.5k, so even with a huge discount (down to say £35k), you are still in the £40k VED tax bracket. I don't mind paying that for a 300+ HP AWD hot hatch with lots of toys, but for a FWD hatch with "only" 245ps -really ?
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I've said on here a few times recently Sooty that price was going to be key for VW this time around.
I'm waiting until 2nd October to see what the PCP residuals look like, maybe I will be surprised but on the face of it right now, I think this is a bust for me - and I am in the market for an immediate purchase too.
The PP/Cup/TCR will only be worse on that front too and not sure where that leaves the R but I'd say definitely priced out of the market vs the competition.
I'm sure there are plenty who will buy, for whom money is no object and they just want it, but equally this does feel like a big departure from the mid-range price tag fun that the GTI has always been.
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....., I spent some time last musing about the user interface. What it needs is programmable user short cut buttons. Like the way you put app icons on the front of your phone.
That's a brilliant idea. No idea if it is possible, but it would go a long way to addressing most of my concerns
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I see a few people ordering Porsches at the moment are having to sign up to agree to pay 10% more if we fail to do a deal with the EU.
If in worst case it does fall on its arse in Jan, could we see it get even more expensive?
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Maybe it's built in already.. You could do that with the timing of this... If it was me, I'd have done it.
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It's a bit harder for VW to get away with that than it is for Porsche. People shopping for a Porsche are generally pretty minted and if they want a Porsche they'll buy one.
If VW adds 10% to run of the mill hatchbacks and saloon cars, the less discerning customer will say "feck that i'm buying something else".
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I'd be tempted to agree with Fred and they've already done it.
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Mrs Groves needs a 128ti with its hotkeys :whistle:
I wonder how much of the chassis differences are snake oil.
There’ll be a setting in DCC for winter tyres buried in a sub-sub-sub-menu if it’s actually programmed intricately for differently weighted wheels.
The biggest difference I can think of is more likely factoring in the different width and offset between the 18’s and 19’s to eliminate chances of arch fouling and steering lock.
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Mrs G might well discover a 128ti on the drive soon...
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Mrs G might well discover a 128ti on the drive soon...
Well if the estimates of £31-32k are right, I think they will be on a lot of people’s drives
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Presume that’s £31-32k before discount? That’d be a real bargain.
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Allegedly that's the rrp... Quite what they don't include for that price remains to be seen...
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Yeah that seems really low Fred. Well worth watching though.
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That is really low, considering a standard 118i M Sport with 136bhp and a manual gearbox is just shy of £28k before ticking any options.
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The manual version is reviewed in auto express 16 September edition, getting 4.5 stars
There is also a preview of the new S3 with fake engine noise via the stereo!
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The manual version is reviewed in auto express 16 September edition, getting 4.5 stars
There is also a preview of the new S3 with fake engine noise via the stereo!
Presume that fake engine noise works in a similar way to the Mk7/7.5 GTI and R.
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Sounds like VAG have gone the BMW route.... they use the stereo and not a rattling tin can on the windscreen.
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Sounds like VAG have gone the BMW route.... they use the stereo and not a rattling tin can on the windscreen.
:grin:
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Autocar review
https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/volkswagen/first-drives/volkswagen-golf-gti-2020-uk-review
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Autocar review
https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/volkswagen/first-drives/volkswagen-golf-gti-2020-uk-review
Suggestion there that this is....dare I say it..... not like a Golf.... for better or worse.
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Autocar review
https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/volkswagen/first-drives/volkswagen-golf-gti-2020-uk-review
Suggestion there that this is....dare I say it..... not like a Golf.... for better or worse.
Yeah, agreed. But at least they tell you how it drives rather than just blathering on about touchscreens for ages :lipsrsealed:
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Autocar review
https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/volkswagen/first-drives/volkswagen-golf-gti-2020-uk-review
Suggestion there that this is....dare I say it..... not like a Golf.... for better or worse.
Yeah, agreed. But at least they tell you how it drives rather than just blathering on about touchscreens for ages :lipsrsealed:
Yup! I guess finally people are able to drive it for themselves, whereas before.... all they could do was push the buttons :laugh:
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Here is a new review of the Mk 8 GTI from Top Gear.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmL_QbUwvsg.
Interesting.... i think thats a bit more of a real review actually.
That kings red does look a bit brown in that video tho lol
No way is that red. At best it's burnt orange and at worst it's brown. And it's just so damn ugly!
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Mrs G might well discover a 128ti on the drive soon...
I'd love to hear about this journey as it sounds really interesting, it's going to be auto only though from what I've found???
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I obviously haven't driven a mk8 GTi, but I don't quite understand what they are getting at in the autocar review?
If VW hadn't moved the game on in the performance stakes, questions would be asked...... I get the impression the car has more configuration than ever, especially with DCC optioned. On that basis you can probably find the car you want in there somewhere?
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Unfortunately DCC is a £785 option, so unless you pay for it you have to make do with the drive mode selector and tweaking tyre pressures.
On that basis it may be more advisable than ever to have a proper test drive if you're speccing 19 inch alloys, especially without DCC.
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One consideration is that apart from everyone on here, a lot of people have no clue!
If they order a car through a cheap finance deal, they will have the car as it comes. I would assume most people buy 19"s for the looks and may not bother with the additional cost of Dcc, especially if it adds to the monthly payments and takes it out of the special deals that will inevitably be on offer, once orders for those that must have the new and shiny have faded.
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Seem's the one and only stock 19's are heavier, wider and generally heavier than any wheels ever fitted to a Golf.... guess that's why we have special suspension options for 19's - DCC or otherwise.
I can't uunderstand why they have done that in the modern day. Why not have made them a decent lightweight 225 forged alloy? Or did they get burnt too much from buckled prets before and now these are made from depleted uranium alloy like tank armour?
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Mrs G might well discover a 128ti on the drive soon...
I'd love to hear about this journey as it sounds really interesting, it's going to be auto only though from what I've found???
Yes definitely auto only, which is fine by me. Not going to be available until November sometime though.
Exactly what you are getting remains to be seen too... we know only the engine power output and the tweaks for handling so far.
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I obviously haven't driven a mk8 GTi, but I don't quite understand what they are getting at in the autocar review?
If VW hadn't moved the game on in the performance stakes, questions would be asked...... I get the impression the car has more configuration than ever, especially with DCC optioned. On that basis you can probably find the car you want in there somewhere?
I think you have summed it up pretty well. I read the review and really wasn't sure what their summary and their feelings on the Golf GTI were.
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I get the impression they don’t quite know what to make of it.
I think these very modern cars with so many menus and sub menus for settings take quite a while to settle in with. Too much choice isn’t necessarily good in some areas unless you pull over every time you reach a different road surface to wade through menus to find the perfect setting for engine, gearbox and more so suspension when you have almost infinite adjustability. Fine if you’re a long term owner who has time and inclination to piss about with it, but maybe not so good for a motoring journalist in a fresh car on unfamiliar roads trying to sum up a whole raft of settings he/she barely has time to sample properly.
God help a normal human being trying to evaluate a car on a standard test drive!!
Good point about the road test focussing on the actual driving dynamics rather than just yet another head scratching session about the new tech.
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He's sat right on the fence, he didn't get close to answering the " should I buy one" question.
Sounds a pretty interesting car to me.
Set it up the way you want it the day you buy it, you don't need to go through the menus ever again.
Drives better than the mk7- which is brilliant.
And it looks good too :whistle:
I'd buy one of these
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WhatCar has both a GTI review and a GTI vs Type R review
https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/golf-gti/hatchback/review/n149
My take from that is that its too expensive vs the power output of the competition. Guess that depends on whether Top Trumps is your thing.
They say the interior is cheaper feeling than the Mk7 and the software buggy as hell and particularly that the (artificial) engine noise is gravelly and not nice.
https://www.whatcar.com/news/new-volkswagen-golf-gti-vs-honda-civic-type-r/n21993
From the vs Type R reivew:
We also reckon most GTI buyers will want to add the optional 19in wheels (£735) and reversing camera (£300),
Really? I'd be surprised if that was true. Not sure where they've got that from.
So, is the eighth generation of the Golf GTI more of a true GTI than its highly regarded predecessor? Absolutely. With sharper steering, a new-found playfulness to its handling and a stronger engine, it is without a doubt the best iteration yet. But is it the best hot hatch? Not quite.
They do moan about laggy and unresponsive touch screens in the Golf and suggest that the new shaped manual gear lever is awkward to grip.
Curious mix of positive comments and negative ones.
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It's an odd car, the Civic Type R. I'd never buy one, for the same reason I don't wear baseball caps. But take that big spoiler off it and it looks like something my Grandad would have driven. :undecided:
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And just for comparison... then there was this:
https://www.carmagazine.co.uk/car-reviews/volkswagen/id3-hatchback/
Laggy touch controls? Almost sounds like VW have just one set of hardware and software...
https://www.topgear.com/car-reviews/volkswagen/id3/150kw-1st-edition-pro-power-62kwh-5dr-auto/first-drive
Annoying touch controls you sorta get used to...
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Just for a laugh I went looking for lease prices for the ID3, and found this;-
https://www.whatcar.com/car-leasing/deals/volkswagen/id3-hatchback-special-edition/150kw-1st-edition-pro-power-62kwh-5dr-auto/3861268/74296649/
£773 per month for 3 years, with £4.6k initial.
:shocked:
£31.7k to rent a £38k car for 3 years.
:laugh: :grin:
Maybe i'll keep the 7.5 a bit longer :whistle:
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Just for a laugh I went looking for lease prices for the ID3, and found this;-
https://www.whatcar.com/car-leasing/deals/volkswagen/id3-hatchback-special-edition/150kw-1st-edition-pro-power-62kwh-5dr-auto/3861268/74296649/
£773 per month for 3 years, with £4.6k initial.
:shocked:
£31.7k to rent a £38k car for 3 years.
:laugh: :grin:
Maybe i'll keep the 7.5 a bit longer :whistle:
That sounds like it might be a 3 year old secondhand bargain :grin:
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And just for comparison... then there was this:
https://www.carmagazine.co.uk/car-reviews/volkswagen/id3-hatchback/
Laggy touch controls? Almost sounds like VW have just one set of hardware and software...
https://www.topgear.com/car-reviews/volkswagen/id3/150kw-1st-edition-pro-power-62kwh-5dr-auto/first-drive
Annoying touch controls you sorta get used to...
Volkswizard gave the ID3 a quite favourable review yesterday.
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I went looking actually at residuals for bev's. Or at least PCP final payments. Not many of the latest generation vehicles are actually on sale yet. Couldn't find figures for the id3 yet.
I did manage to find a kia e-niro PCP quote and it wasn't dissimilar to that of a similar priced petrol sportage. However neither kia was a forty grand car, both were just over thirty. Possibly second hand kias are even worth more than a vw too because of the kia seven year warranty...
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WhatCar has both a GTI review and a GTI vs Type R review
https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/golf-gti/hatchback/review/n149
My take from that is that its too expensive vs the power output of the competition. Guess that depends on whether Top Trumps is your thing.
They say the interior is cheaper feeling than the Mk7 and the software buggy as hell and particularly that the (artificial) engine noise is gravelly and not nice.
Did they say how the noise was generated?
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WhatCar has both a GTI review and a GTI vs Type R review
https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/golf-gti/hatchback/review/n149
My take from that is that its too expensive vs the power output of the competition. Guess that depends on whether Top Trumps is your thing.
They say the interior is cheaper feeling than the Mk7 and the software buggy as hell and particularly that the (artificial) engine noise is gravelly and not nice.
Did they say how the noise was generated?
No.... it just says:
"the GTI has a deep, gravelly note, which grows more intense when you switch the driving mode button to the raciest Sport mode. It's a digital sound, though, like it's been designed in a laboratory and honed by focus groups."
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There is only one action any GTI owner should take and it’s free..........
unplug the soundaktor.
If the Mk8 doesn’t have such a thing, switch it off.
These artificial gizmos are an offence, whatever make of car they are in.
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Autocar 7th Oct
Firm and feisty GTI does plenty to excite. Refined and restrained but maybe not the most mature hot hatch
4 stars
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Evo November
Very positive review, didn't know the DCC has 15 levels!
4.5 stars
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Pistonheads review;-
https://www.pistonheads.com/news/golf/gti/43199
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Evo review.
https://www.evo.co.uk/hot-hatchbacks/203192/volkswagen-golf-gti-2020-review-eight-generations-new-the-gti-still-has-the
Apologies if it’s been posted before.
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Evo review.
https://www.evo.co.uk/hot-hatchbacks/203192/volkswagen-golf-gti-2020-review-eight-generations-new-the-gti-still-has-the
Apologies if it’s been posted before.
Read this earlier, 4.5 stars pretty good from evo. It's definitely growing on me. Not sure that interior tech is a good move but VW will stick with that no doubt as it's apparently the new thing.
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Autocar allrounder of the year - https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/britains-best-all-rounder-car-2020-volkswagen-golf-gti
I think anyone buying one will be lucky to get it this year....
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Definitely not going to get one this year. I think evo confirmed that when I said about it being the 2021 golf gti...
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Timingwise, yes. However 2021 is common nomenclature, so it's not the reason why.
For example my XC40 arriving in Dec is known as the '21 car.
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Timingwise, yes. However 2021 is common nomenclature, so it's not the reason why.
For example my XC40 arriving in Dec is known as the '21 car.
Are you swapping your GTI for an XC40?
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No, the XC40 is the family whip. Replacing the current XC40 - they're just brilliant!
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Autocar allrounder of the year - https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/britains-best-all-rounder-car-2020-volkswagen-golf-gti
I think anyone buying one will be lucky to get it this year....
aren't they now starting to hit the UK showrooms (in dribs and drabs) though? or does that mean they will only be demonstrators for a while?
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Yes they are hitting showrooms now(demonstrators/showroom), so there are bound to be customer cars out there before Christmas....its just that if you want a certain spec and you order now, its likely to be into 2021 before delivery.
That grey GTI that has just arrived is the showroom car for VW Cheltenham if I read the post correctly.
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Unless dealers have already placed orders for "stock" i can't see how anyone would get one delivered before Christmas. I don't think performance golf's are ordered as stock normally. The only thing you get quickly is where they sell off demo cars (not likely yet) or manage to reassign a cancelled order in the system (again, not yet).
On the other thread someone already said they had ordered and are quoted fourteen weeks, which is end of January.
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Unless dealers have already placed orders for "stock" i can't see how anyone would get one delivered before Christmas. I don't think performance golf's are ordered as stock normally. The only thing you get quickly is where they sell off demo cars (not likely yet) or manage to reassign a cancelled order in the system (again, not yet).
On the other thread someone already said they had ordered and are quoted fourteen weeks, which is end of January.
I can't believe there won't be stock of mk8 GTIs available between now and Christmas. I noticed the person on the other thread had been quoted 14 weeks, but we don't know if that is a standard car or with options.
I also recall my conversation with a certain VW Dealer when I wanted a GTI, "oh no sir VW don't have stock they will all be build to order"...........So when he called me a week later to ask if I had decided, he was shocked when I told him I had spoken to another dealer and my new car would be available in a week.
(I had gone to the another dealer, who said right " we have 14 cars available in UK, what colour would you like")
When I got my Golf R it was at Emden but had not been allocated to any dealer at that stage. So I think they generally try and keep a level of stock.
I know its a new car, but they have started to build them so there must be stock slowly coming into the system.
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Unless dealers have already placed orders for "stock" i can't see how anyone would get one delivered before Christmas. I don't think performance golf's are ordered as stock normally. The only thing you get quickly is where they sell off demo cars (not likely yet) or manage to reassign a cancelled order in the system (again, not yet).
On the other thread someone already said they had ordered and are quoted fourteen weeks, which is end of January.
Agree Fred; it’s unlikely that anyone will take delivery of a mk8 GTI until next year; in my experience, very few performance VW’s are built for dealership stock - most are built to order.
As for demonstrators being put up for sale, I seem to remember reading that dealers have to run their demonstrators for a minimum time period ( think it’s three months) before they sell them on. If so, then if a dealer has a mk8 GTI on their demonstrator fleet in the next week or so, it won’t be disposed of until towards the end of Jan at the earliest.
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I guess we'll see. Some on here had a ridiculously long wait when the Mk7 was launched, added to reduced COVID capacity in the factory doesn't bode well. Could well be a case of taking what (if anything) is available for those that can't wait. :undecided:
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Top Gear speed week
https://www.topgear.com/car-news/speed-week-2020/speed-week-2020-vw-golf-gti-vs-mini-gp?amp
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Volkswizard review will possibly be live at weekend. Meanwhile here’s a photo of the front end. That light bar is, errrm, interesting....
(https://i.postimg.cc/MKVBP8J8/8729068-F-4-D29-47-A2-B26-B-3-A3-F52256143.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/vc8DTkmP)
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It’s certainly dazzling. Tbh why not? It might help with moving Audi’s out of the way on the A12. 😂
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Interesting head to head in this week’s autocar, mk8 gti v focus st- by Andrew Frankel- who is a big hot hatch and Golf GTI fan. He’s picked the ST essentially because the golf seems to have moved away from what it does best. I think it probably just means ride is a bit too firm.
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Interesting head to head in this week’s autocar, mk8 gti v focus st- by Andrew Frankel- who is a big hot hatch and Golf GTI fan. He’s picked the ST essentially because the golf seems to have moved away from what it does best. I think it probably just means ride is a bit too firm.
Their GTI review is here:
https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/volkswagen/golf-gti
They are driving the same LHD unit that VW demoed to the press in Wales the other day.
It was manual and with DCC on 19's.
In that article he says basically its more hardcore handling than the Mk7. Which is both good and bad. Its good if you think the Mk7 wasn't hardcore enough, its bad if you enjoyed the mild nature of the Mk7.
He even says that with DCC dialled right back, its still noticeably hardcore still.
I do wonder if the 19's aren't part of that.
Our fellow forum member's test drive write up of a non-DCC 18 equipped one said its a harder ride though.
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Yes it all boils down to where your priorities lie. It’s still as excellent a car as the mk7.
He does say “it would be interesting to try the golf on standard rims and passive suspension.. it could be the better choice “
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Its all down to the design decision to make it handle better.... handling better means moving away from the "trifle on a plate" setup.
There is a thing in car design they call "head toss" and its describing how suspension reaction effects the occupants heads. Too much head toss is considered a poor marketing feature for normal people. Its a feeling thing though, not a measurable one.
Anything that has noticeable head toss is not a mass market car, its a performance car with racing characteristics.
Is that bad for a car with a "GTI" badge? Probably wouldn't be if they hadn't sold them for years as just a top end model. I don't suppose anyone commented when a Type-R or Megane RS is more hardcore, but they always were not considered a normal model....
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Interesting.The gap between the base models and the top performance models does seem to have widened- in terms of engineering, technology, and price.
That isn’t a good thing if the car is predominately to be used on the public roads, for daily duties.
For me, it’s always a golf first, a gti second.
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Oh absolutely. I bought my first mk7 gtd for the options not the performance. It was cheaper than a similar spec r line and I'm sure a lot of sales come like that. I don't think people buy megane RS's like that.
Audi have S vehicles that are performance and RS ones that are headbangers...I'm surprised vw have done this. I'd not have been surprised if the Club sport was like it but not a good old GTI.
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The driving dynamics are very important to me, but only if appropriate for road use.
For me that’s where much of the satisfaction of owning a hot hatch comes from
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Definitely.... I have a Mini Cooper S on the drive here, i hate it. I could not drive that, its like driving a shopping trolley - you feel every damned bump and pothole.
The kids like it, but I would go as far as to say if i had bought it for me, it would have been sold PDQ.
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Volkswizard review of the GTI.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=lywTAMqWwPY
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Hmm interesting. So two chassis modes even without DCC. :huh: but even comfort mode is still firm.
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Hmm interesting. So two chassis modes even without DCC. :huh: but even comfort mode is still firm.
Our forum member remarked on that on his test drive writeup on here, which i didn't understand how it could be possible. He had a non-DCC car but still said about modes.
Surely to do that needs a dynamic chasis control component somewhere... it must be the Vehicle Dynamics Manager, but what it acts on, I don't understand.
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Hmm interesting. So two chassis modes even without DCC. :huh: but even comfort mode is still firm.
Our forum member remarked on that on his test drive writeup on here, which i didn't understand how it could be possible. He had a non-DCC car but still said about modes.
Surely to do that needs a dynamic chasis control component somewhere... it must be the Vehicle Dynamics Manager, but what it acts on, I don't understand.
I did read that but it didn't occur to me at the time that they were referring to the dampers, just the driving modes. I've read mixed reviews on the set-up in the Polo, it's just switchable dampers they aren't 'adaptive' like they are with DCC. If it's the same set-up in the Mk8 that explains why Volkswizard left it in comfort.
https://www.volkswagen-newsroom.com/en/sport-select-suspension-and-driving-mode-selection-3948
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Volkswizard review...
19's puts the first year road tax up on the manual to £330.... i guess thats what WLTP brings - a CO2 figure for every variation of config...
No Volkswagen decal on the B pillar i notice as he gets in...
Noticed the rear doors have an (internal) red stripe or is that lights?
Lane assist comes on every time you start.... ffs. That is knowingly annoying.
Not sure I like those AID display options... i presume like before you can have a something between the two clocks if you want?
Spare wheel is an cost option.... hmmmm not sure how i'd jump on that. Maybe take the one out of my Mk7.5....
ride : "feels like a TCR on 18's with no DCC"
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Also interesting that he thinks the Mk8 Clubsport will be ‘better’ than the TCR. Potential to be the best gti ever. Bold claim.
I was surprised that the brakes weren’t the same as from the gti pp. They just look dreadful on those already dreadful alloys.
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Hmm interesting. So two chassis modes even without DCC. :huh: but even comfort mode is still firm.
Our forum member remarked on that on his test drive writeup on here, which i didn't understand how it could be possible. He had a non-DCC car but still said about modes.
Surely to do that needs a dynamic chasis control component somewhere... it must be the Vehicle Dynamics Manager, but what it acts on, I don't understand.
I did read that but it didn't occur to me at the time that they were referring to the dampers, just the driving modes. I've read mixed reviews on the set-up in the Polo, it's just switchable dampers they aren't 'adaptive' like they are with DCC. If it's the same set-up in the Mk8 that explains why Volkswizard left it in comfort.
https://www.volkswagen-newsroom.com/en/sport-select-suspension-and-driving-mode-selection-3948
Is that non dynamic dampers like on the mk6 then? They are adjustable but not clever adaptive?
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That is one of Vwizards better reviews.
I must say, building on the 7-7.5 GTi, I do find some of the spec VW have decided on for the UK mk8 GTi slightly conflicting?
Also, I am not sure about the incoming mk8 CS being the best GTi ever, for us luddites who favour a manual, 3 door GTi, it is largely irrelevant! :)
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Also interesting that he thinks the Mk8 Clubsport will be ‘better’ than the TCR. Potential to be the best gti ever. Bold claim.
I was surprised that the brakes weren’t the same as from the gti pp. They just look dreadful on those already dreadful alloys.
No my dealer say that it is the PP Brakes, just the GTI plate missing on the Clipers.. :sad:
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It does seem telling that the Mk8 GTI key doesn’t have any special identifier and that the seatbelts don’t have red outer edging.
Seems to add the the previous long list of other Mk8 downgrades.
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Also interesting that he thinks the Mk8 Clubsport will be ‘better’ than the TCR. Potential to be the best gti ever. Bold claim.
I was surprised that the brakes weren’t the same as from the gti pp. They just look dreadful on those already dreadful alloys.
No my dealer say that it is the PP Brakes, just the GTI plate missing on the Clipers.. :sad:
And the plot thickens! I wonder what the gti brochure actually says.
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Also interesting that he thinks the Mk8 Clubsport will be ‘better’ than the TCR. Potential to be the best gti ever. Bold claim.
I was surprised that the brakes weren’t the same as from the gti pp. They just look dreadful on those already dreadful alloys.
No my dealer say that it is the PP Brakes, just the GTI plate missing on the Clipers.. :sad:
And the plot thickens! I wonder what the gti brochure actually says.
Plot? :wink:. I hope i got i right, have confirm from German :)...the brochure says nothing.. :whistle:
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Hmm interesting. So two chassis modes even without DCC. :huh: but even comfort mode is still firm.
Our forum member remarked on that on his test drive writeup on here, which i didn't understand how it could be possible. He had a non-DCC car but still said about modes.
Surely to do that needs a dynamic chasis control component somewhere... it must be the Vehicle Dynamics Manager, but what it acts on, I don't understand.
I did read that but it didn't occur to me at the time that they were referring to the dampers, just the driving modes. I've read mixed reviews on the set-up in the Polo, it's just switchable dampers they aren't 'adaptive' like they are with DCC. If it's the same set-up in the Mk8 that explains why Volkswizard left it in comfort.
https://www.volkswagen-newsroom.com/en/sport-select-suspension-and-driving-mode-selection-3948
Is that non dynamic dampers like on the mk6 then? They are adjustable but not clever adaptive?
I don't even think they're that sophisticated. Just 2 settings, no comfort mode so literally just 'on' or 'off'.
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Cynical me thinks that they made the ride firmer so you’d need DCC with the 19s. A bit like Audi do.
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There is definitely a change between comfort and sport but I’ve no clue the technical detail. I know it’s subjective but I found sport more compliant than comfort and I was not driving on perfect roads. Comfort did not translate to what I was expecting but I only had an hour, there was no one there to explain the selection options on the touchscreen so perhaps there was some adjustability behind the initial comfort and sport options.
I’ve seen a few comments on the brakes, I am pretty sure they are de-badged PP brakes, they had a good feel and stopping power, I did not measure the rotors but they looked like 340 mm, they were definitely not 312mm from the non PP MK7.
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Just watched Volkswizard’s review and have to agree with his summary, especially the the car’s more neutral stance and it feeling more alive in the corners.
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Interesting head to head in this week’s autocar, mk8 gti v focus st- by Andrew Frankel- who is a big hot hatch and Golf GTI fan. He’s picked the ST essentially because the golf seems to have moved away from what it does best. I think it probably just means ride is a bit too firm.
I've just read that review finally.
And yes, it does seem to be that the GTI has lost its effortless ability that makes it a warm hatch for normal people and become more pointy....
It remains to be seen by me personally whether I consider that an issue or not. It just depends on the degree to which they have gone and that is hard to determine from reading someone else's words.
Others here suggest its like a "TCR on 18's and no DCC" - I'm fairly sure that ultimately could lose VW some of the "I bought a GTI because its like a normal car but with a go faster badge" customers.
Obviously someone buying the Clubby won't be expecting anything less than a hard riding fast car, but the normal GTI isn't that beast, its the unicorn of reasonable performance while still being a normal family car.
I wonder, have VW decided that right now, the only market for a petrol performance car is in the hardcore end? That everyone looking for normal is wanting an EV?
Again, I would love to be privvy to VW HQ marketing meetings...
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Interesting head to head in this week’s autocar, mk8 gti v focus st- by Andrew Frankel- who is a big hot hatch and Golf GTI fan. He’s picked the ST essentially because the golf seems to have moved away from what it does best. I think it probably just means ride is a bit too firm.
I've just read that review finally.
And yes, it does seem to be that the GTI has lost its effortless ability that makes it a warm hatch for normal people and become more pointy....
It remains to be seen by me personally whether I consider that an issue or not. It just depends on the degree to which they have gone and that is hard to determine from reading someone else's words.
Others here suggest its like a "TCR on 18's and no DCC" - I'm fairly sure that ultimately could lose VW some of the "I bought a GTI because its like a normal car but with a go faster badge" customers.
Obviously someone buying the Clubby won't be expecting anything less than a hard riding fast car, but the normal GTI isn't that beast, its the unicorn of reasonable performance while still being a normal family car.
I wonder, have VW decided that right now, the only market for a petrol performance car is in the hardcore end? That everyone looking for normal is wanting an EV?
Again, I would love to be privvy to VW HQ marketing meetings...
I got Autocar last week as well and at the end of reading it, did feel a little confused. All through the Mk7 life, reviews would say...take the Golf GTI as the effortless, everyman, live with it every day performance car.
The Magazine/Website assessment was always "Golf GTI is good but not as sharp/lesser driver involvement/not as engaging as.....Focus ST/Megane RS/Civic Type R
And plenty of people bought the Golf for that very reason.
Now the reviewers (at least at Autocar) are saying "that's weird the Golf is sharper and more engaging but why have they(VW) done that. I like the Focus ST as we knew what you would get and all the previous STs have been the same.
It would have been good to be fly on the wall as the marketing department set up how to approach mk 8 GTI sales strategy. But Fred I think you have put your finger on it. In the current climate, I think they are aiming for the petrolhead market more and they are pushing the GTE especially say amongst all the company car buyers that are thinking twice whereas they might have gone straight to GTI previously.
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Interesting head to head in this week’s autocar, mk8 gti v focus st- by Andrew Frankel- who is a big hot hatch and Golf GTI fan. He’s picked the ST essentially because the golf seems to have moved away from what it does best. I think it probably just means ride is a bit too firm.
I've just read that review finally.
And yes, it does seem to be that the GTI has lost its effortless ability that makes it a warm hatch for normal people and become more pointy....
It remains to be seen by me personally whether I consider that an issue or not. It just depends on the degree to which they have gone and that is hard to determine from reading someone else's words.
Others here suggest its like a "TCR on 18's and no DCC" - I'm fairly sure that ultimately could lose VW some of the "I bought a GTI because its like a normal car but with a go faster badge" customers.
Obviously someone buying the Clubby won't be expecting anything less than a hard riding fast car, but the normal GTI isn't that beast, its the unicorn of reasonable performance while still being a normal family car.
I wonder, have VW decided that right now, the only market for a petrol performance car is in the hardcore end? That everyone looking for normal is wanting an EV?
Again, I would love to be privvy to VW HQ marketing meetings...
I got Autocar last week as well and at the end of reading it, did feel a little confused. All through the Mk7 life, reviews would say...take the Golf GTI as the effortless, everyman, live with it every day performance car.
The Magazine/Website assessment was always "Golf GTI is good but not as sharp/lesser driver involvement/not as engaging as.....Focus ST/Megane RS/Civic Type R
And plenty of people bought the Golf for that very reason.
Now the reviewers (at least at Autocar) are saying "that's weird the Golf is sharper and more engaging but why have they(VW) done that. I like the Focus ST as we knew what you would get and all the previous STs have been the same.
It would have been good to be fly on the wall as the marketing department set up how to approach mk 8 GTI sales strategy. But Fred I think you have put your finger on it. In the current climate, I think they are aiming for the petrolhead market more and they are pushing the GTE especially say amongst all the company car buyers that are thinking twice whereas they might have gone straight to GTI previously.
I think initial reviews are never as informative as long term ones- essentially the write up is heavily clouded by the reviewers expectations.
My theory is that they just had to make the mk8 different from the mk7- not just in tech but in the way it drives- so they changed the focus of the car ( excuse the pun).
The mk6 is an excellent car, but almost anonymous in the gti generation line up because it offered little more than the mk5- perhaps VW didn't want to repeat this situation with the mk8?
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Could sticking with MQB for the Mk8 have been the problem?
Clearly they were going to stick with MQB because an ICE design now only has 5-10 years left in it - no point in a big investment now in ICE.
So to deliver something "new" they had to do *something*.
That something being the sharper handling and consequently harder riding....
I really feel like I want to carefully look at this one before I decide to jump - driving both a non-DCC 18 and a DCC 18 one. Seeing firslty if non-DCC is too hardcore for a daily driver (that I do monster miles in) or if it is, seeing if DCC can fix that.
TBH I feel the same about the 128ti.... the initial reviews of that say "it might not be popular on UK roads" or words to that effect.... which is definitely not what I or anyone else experienced on non-DCC suspension on the M135i - which is as comfy and soft as a Mk7.
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Yes, they couldn't just offer it as a mk7 with a gimmicky interior, so they had to revise steering and suspension to make a different car.
I agree with your point though, that a review can't really tell you how far they've gone- and whether it will be acceptable for you
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Review of the mk8 Golf GTI by Racingline, who I think were originally VW Motorsport back in the late 1990’s.
Their car is LHD, so not UK spec. It doesn’t have front fog lights, which IMO makes it look better, as do the wheels they’ve fitted - they’re R360 19” (their car had the standard 17” alloys that some non-UK markets get).
Interesting that the control panel below the infotainment screen for the heating and volume controls isn’t illuminated at night. I think the last car I had without illuminated heating controls was back in 1980!
All in all a positive review, although as with most reviews, the switchless, buttonless interior cones in for some criticism.
https://www.racingline.com/single-post/golf-8-gti-first-impressions?fbclid=IwAR0tPirJY7HSUzkhsOHJMKTyNxRizCIM5cY_yB8sXn68A05A9ksLHrwr79s
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2 reports comparing the mk8 with the civic type r- one in November Evo, the other in What Car ( I was a bit hesitant to admit I occasionally read this).
Nothing unexpected in either write up-the consistent theme emerging is that the mk8 is more exciting to drive than the mk7 but in changing it's character, it has lost it's advantage as the most comfortable, easiest to live with hot hatch- and it can't beat be the best dynamically- engine, handling, steering, brakes, gear change all better in the Honda. Ride just as good too.
It'll be very interesting to hear views of those who move from mk7 to mk8. The mk7 was the best hot hatch of the day- because it excelled at doing the daily duties, and wasn't far behind the best dynamically.
I wonder if the change will be welcomed by the typical golf gti buyer.
Anyway the civic won both tests, though in my view this is wrong. The golf is better, because you don't look a t1t driving it. Very simple.
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What I never understand about these reviews is that the gti has always been criticised for not being more dynamic to drive, Vw make is that way and are then criticised again. Part of me wonders if Vw has now lost some of the gti essence by making this move.
I completely ignore most of these reviews as the gti is never going to win in a track based review. I believe a review in one magazine said ‘if we were looking for an all round hatch that’s great every day, the gti would be a contender but we’re not.’ What an utter nonsense that statement is.
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Yes, it is nonsense. It has to be assessed as a road car because that’s what it is.
I remember tiff needell slated the mk7 on the fifth gear video review because he couldn’t turn the ESC off completely. He rubbished the car almost on that basis alone, ignoring the obvious fact that these cars are not bought for the track.
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Yes, it is nonsense. It has to be assessed as a road car because that’s what it is.
I remember tiff needell slated the mk7 on the fifth gear video review because he couldn’t turn the ESC off completely. He rubbished the car almost on that basis alone, ignoring the obvious fact that these cars are not bought for the track.
Exactly. Have I ever turned ESC off? No. Why? Because I like staying in one piece. I’m odd like that.
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I have to correct myself- it was November Car magazine- not Evo- that this test was in
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https://youtu.be/AZgSFsTQ5Yo
Just found this Mk8 GTI vs Civic type R review.
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https://youtu.be/AZgSFsTQ5Yo
Just found this Mk8 GTI vs Civic type R review.
Not sure a potential buyer of a GTI would consider a Type R. Very different cars for different people.
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https://youtu.be/AZgSFsTQ5Yo
Just found this Mk8 GTI vs Civic type R review.
Not sure a potential buyer of a GTI would consider a Type R. Very different cars for different people.
I can vouch for your comment Jim_mk7.5 as I did the opposite and went from being a serial long term Civic Type-R owner to becoming a Golf GTI then Golf R owner. Since going over to owning a golf i have never felt the urge to look back at buying another Civic Type-R since. From personal experience the finish and quality of performance Golfs is superior to a Civic Type-R in all apsects.
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It’s interesting that he said the quality of the interior materials was better in the Type R.
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There's all sorts of contradiction in that review. It's a bit odd.
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There's all sorts of contradiction in that review. It's a bit odd.
Yeah I thought the same. Particularly his comments comparing mk7 to mk8.
The problem with many of these video reviews is you have no idea of who the reviewer is. Some of them spout sh1te for 15 or 20 minutes to fill their time
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I guess that's the democracy the Internet brings... Everyone can be a media star, self published.
I'd love to know how companies decide which of these YouTube self promoting nobodies they choose to get press drives. I guess you just need to show them your likes or something.
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This was a particularly bad review. I was utterly confused with his comparison of mk7 and mk8.
Where do they get these people from? I’m genuinely interested.
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Carwow GTi review now up on YouTube
https://youtu.be/ucy4aaH89tc
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I was expecting him to kiss its butt as they are trying to sell them... But no that's an honest review.
Drives well, interior and control interface sucks.
Seeing a pattern here?
I can't believe someone at Vw didn't spot this...
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I was expecting him to kiss its butt as they are trying to sell them... But no that's an honest review.
Drives well, interior and control interface sucks.
Seeing a pattern here?
I can't believe someone at Vw didn't spot this...
I enjoy Mat Watson’s Carwow reviews - I’ve watched more than my fair share of them. They do tend to be pretty honest, and if he doesn’t like something then he’s not afraid to say so, irrespective of whether it pleases or offends the manufacturer.
Don’t know if it’s been mentioned on this forum but the panel below the infotainment screen for adjusting the temp and volume isn’t illuminated at night. Not such a problem with adjusting the volume as it can be done from the steering wheel ‘buttons’ that Mat Watson really didn’t like (why can’t the GTI have proper steering wheel buttons?; the Life and Style models do). However, to have to fumble in the dark to adjust the cabin temperature in 2020 because the controls aren’t illuminated is poor IMO. I know you can use voice control but why should you have to? IMO that temp adjustment panel ought to be illuminated. The heating controls in a VW up! are illuminated and that’s a much cheaper car than the Golf.
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I do like Mat's reviews. He is sometimes a bit over the top, but he's also light hearted and his reviews do seem genuinely honest.
On the subject of the GTi he does praise the ride quality where other reviews have criticised it. Although he did have a car with 18's and DCC. The touch sensitive buttons on the steering wheel are a bit of a nonsense, but I'll reserve judgement about the touchscreen interface until i've tried it. I'm not a serial fiddler so i don't find the touchscreen setup so offputting that I'd rule the car out altogether on the strength of reviews.
I am a bit surprised though that Mat was only able to get £2k discount though when we know much better discounts are available. :wink:
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It’s such a shame that time and time again the quality of the infotainment is mentioned. I totally understand that VW want to move with the times but would some buttons actually be a problem? I just don’t understand what they were thinking.
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I was expecting him to kiss its butt as they are trying to sell them... But no that's an honest review.
Drives well, interior and control interface sucks.
Seeing a pattern here?
I can't believe someone at Vw didn't spot this...
I enjoy Mat Watson’s Carwow reviews - I’ve watched more than my fair share of them. They do tend to be pretty honest, and if he doesn’t like something then he’s not afraid to say so, irrespective of whether it pleases or offends the manufacturer.
Don’t know if it’s been mentioned on this forum but the panel below the infotainment screen for adjusting the temp and volume isn’t illuminated at night. Not such a problem with adjusting the volume as it can be done from the steering wheel ‘buttons’ that Mat Watson really didn’t like (why can’t the GTI have proper steering wheel buttons?; the Life and Style models do). However, to have to fumble in the dark to adjust the cabin temperature in 2020 because the controls aren’t illuminated is poor IMO. I know you can use voice control but why should you have to? IMO that temp adjustment panel ought to be illuminated. The heating controls in a VW up! are illuminated and that’s a much cheaper car than the Golf.
Personally, I find the voice controls in Android Auto incredibly awful and frustrating amd hate using them.
Me: "OK Google"
Google: "I'm sorry you feel that way!"
Me: "Play playlist called favourites"
Google: "No track playlist called favourites found"
Me: "Navigate work"
Phone reboots.
The idea of using voice controls for something that would take LESS than one second with a button is mental.
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And it's the vw voice control not Google or apple too. The car oems won't let their vehicle control systems be touched by phones yet because... Well I'm not really sure tbh.
The vw system is clunky. I do use it, mainly when using waze and want to swap from listening to the radio to listening to something from the sd card.
You press the voice button, it goes beep after about a second, you say "listen to sd one" and you get a get what seems like an eternity while it thinks about it, then it reads back what you said in its robot voice and then it finally happens.
Its hardly knightrider.
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Its hardly knightrider.
I'm just imagining Michael Knight navigating through the touchscreen menus in a Mk8 to activate 'super pursuit mode'. He'd be about a mile behind by the time he'd found it :laugh:
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And then wondering why his hands are warm
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And then wondering why his hands are warm
Oh well played sir. Well played. :grin:
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https://www.topgear.com/car-news/best-2020/tgs-big-hot-hatch-test-2020
GTI gets a mention, just about...
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https://www.topgear.com/car-news/best-2020/tgs-big-hot-hatch-test-2020
GTI gets a mention, just about...
They’re quite entertaining these head to heads. Here’s another- steve sutcliffe-
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=d-5py4ESJgY
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Is there ever going to be a hot hatch test where the type R doesn't win? Short of them stopping making them that is.
Despite the constant press hype, you don't see them selling many. Wonder why that is?
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I only trust a journo who puts his money where his mouth is- easy to say “ this is the one to buy” when you don’t have to live with it.
The hot hatch tests always ask the question “ which is the most fun” rather than the question “ which is best suited for its intended use”.
I’ve started reading what car as I’ve got older.😂 it’s the only one that’s useful
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I remember one group test where they said that on the way home they all argued about who took the gti... Which probably says everything... Unless you want to win a pub based willy waving competition.
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I ignore most reviews tbh as they’re a nonsense. I’m much more interested in the views of people on here. Living with a car is different to putting one round a track or other such nonsense.
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Not really a review but mk5 vs mk8 from TG...
https://www.topgear.com/car-news/best-2020/has-new-vw-golf-gti-run-out-ideas
Entirely missing the point that you couldn't make a mk5 in 2020 and that without demonstrating progress vw wouldn't sell cars at all. Whether journos like to imagine the past was better (nostalgia ain't what it used to be eh?) it doesn't seem to have prevented the golf consistently selling more units than any other car.
I read the other day that the id3 was the biggest electric car sales figure in 2020 but that it sold only 25% of the biggest selling car... The golf.
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Not really a review but mk5 vs mk8 from TG...
https://www.topgear.com/car-news/best-2020/has-new-vw-golf-gti-run-out-ideas
Entirely missing the point that you couldn't make a mk5 in 2020 and that without demonstrating progress vw wouldn't sell cars at all. Whether journos like to imagine the past was better (nostalgia ain't what it used to be eh?) it doesn't seem to have prevented the golf consistently selling more units than any other car.
I read the other day that the id3 was the biggest electric car sales figure in 2020 but that it sold only 25% of the biggest selling car... The golf.
I think the title should read " have motoring journalists run out of ideas". It isn't really clear what he's trying to argue.
It is true that older cars offer something than newer cars don;t- but that doesn't seem to be what he's saying. He's saying the mk5 is better than the mk8- and that simply isn't true.
If cars didn't get better- as you say- they wouldn't sell.
You could also save a sh1t load in research and development- because they're obviously doing nothing useful!
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There was a Mk5 vs Mk8 comparison uploaded to YouTube a few days ago. I can't remember if anyone already posted it, but if not here it is
https://youtu.be/RKQ8mkQAa3c
Oh, and Happy New Year everyone :smiley:
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And here's the mega mega hot hatch group test
https://www.carmagazine.co.uk/car-reviews/comparison/2020/hot-hatch-megatest/
If you look carefully they do mention the gti.
There are some other interesting angles in that article that contradict what everyone else says...the S3 is apparently great for example.
That test is a bit bizarre, presumably it's down to the exact mix of cars they could test at a given time. Why test the m135i against things like the gti and the focus for example.
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I’m gonna stick my neck out a bit here, and share this one. I like this chap- he has extensive experience of mqb cars and he makes sensible comments. Interestingly he feels the driving dynamics are a step up. I also like his rather pragmatic take on the tech!-
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GuPPIu8Kfmc
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I’m gonna stick my neck out a bit here, and share this one. I like this chap- he has extensive experience of mqb cars and he makes sensible comments. Interestingly he feels the driving dynamics are a step up. I also like his rather pragmatic take on the tech!-
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GuPPIu8Kfmc
That sounds like the opinion of someone who knows Golfs and isn't trying to generate clicks by being angry.
I think he sums up what I thought about it.
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Some good reading and viewing content there :smiley:
That Car mag group thrash was a really good read.
Fairly predictable as they always will be but enjoyable.
The Golf GTI positioned exactly where we’d expect, a worthy mention but never going to be near the honours. I don’t think the Clubsport would have fared better, the R might have got closer to the podium and I can see it being the next press darling as an everyday useable GRY that seats more than 2 adults and isn’t as hardcore. The R brand will be the one to carry performance VWs forward so it’s where we expect the best products and investment to be. The poor ICE GTI will soon be a relic.
As for the mk5 versus mk8 GTI, well they’re basically the same recipe in so many ways. World events have made for slim pickings as far as car journos go. No swanky racetrack launches this year despite some big hitters being released to market.
I’m not much of a regular YouTube watched but the TR Hamza vid was on point and refreshingly ‘normal’ in a world of click bait.
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I really like TR Hamza videos. As said already he knows his VAG cars and I think he always gives an honest genuine car guy response. With his history of owning numerous VAGs then the M2 and more recently an RS3, he could have banged on about power being down etc but he nailed it. He gets what a gti should be: all things to all people.
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That Hamza also asked about what was the mk8 gtd or gte like demonstrated that he's not just playing top trumps but actually talking about real cars for real people. He wasn't above wondering about stage 1 though or fitting bigger brakes. No, this guy is well grounded, i think he'd make a good member of this forum.
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Exonian, on the car mag test...
People hate the digital golf but seem to like the clubby and love the R. Yet the thing they hate is the same as the gti.
Does another 60bhp or 4wd fix the digital problem? Of course it doesn't.
Does the mk8 R have the boring sure footed nature of the mk7 R? Certainly. Is that the same sure footed problem of the BMW m135i?
It's not a problem is it?
I think if anyone can say the two higher performance golf's are OK then the gti is OK too, just down on power... Down but not out really though in the real world.
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Exonian, on the car mag test...
People hate the digital golf but seem to like the clubby and love the R. Yet the thing they hate is the same as the gti.
Does another 60bhp or 4wd fix the digital problem? Of course it doesn't.
Does the mk8 R have the boring sure footed nature of the mk7 R? Certainly. Is that the same sure footed problem of the BMW m135i?
It's not a problem is it?
I think if anyone can say the two higher performance golf's are OK then the gti is OK too, just down on power... Down but not out really though in the real world.
I guess you have to put it all in chronological order.
New Golf unveiled to universal dislike of its looks. And face it, compared to the well proportioned mk7 it’s no beauty.
We’ve gradually acclimatised to the looks as each new variant arrives but the digital minimalist dash is still controversial.
The dashboards on all of the latest generation cars all have similar screens and they’re all a faff to set up and adjust on the move.
The 1 series feels to me more like what a mk8 might have been where the mk8 Golf feels more like it should be a mk8.5 or mk9 on the inside (or a next generation Polo looking at some of the trim!)
It’s initially seems a biggish transition going from 7.5 to 8 and yet it’s no different from moving from one generation of smart phone to the next. It looks more of a transition than it actually is, if we ignore all the car 2 stuff and focus on the basic settings. It is actually just a step on from the 7.5 but looks a step further due to the different dash architecture.
The steering wheel button pads really are sh!te though. Dreadful.
The standard GTI has almost as much torque as the Clubsport (as near as to make almost no difference) which is what a normal owner will feel in everyday driving.
Road testers will drive the arse off the car for a day or two and will hail the extra Clubsport power but mark it down as slower and not as focussed as a Type R etc.
Normal drivers won’t notice an awful lot of difference day to day between the two GTIs aside from the more eager feeling engine in the Clubby versus a more economical standard GTI. As you say, down on (top end) power but far from out at sane road speeds.
It’s almost as if before VW sign off any new GTI for production they make sure the last box to be ticked is “won’t win any group tests”
Since I was a teenager I can remember almost every few months the GTI would “lose its crown” to another car in the motoring mags. If a car could lose its crown that often then when did it actually wear it in the first place?! In fact the crown was never lost really. Others came and went but the Golf GTI is a constant.
VW want the car to keep the tradition of being the most “balanced” hot hatch to keep the image and crown.
The Clubsport carries on the fractionally edgier former Leon Cupra type mantle (now the SEAT offshoot has been dumbed down) but most road testers will just say “buy an R instead” I’d imagine.
The new R with added drift mode will obviously woo the influencers who have deserted runways at their disposal to skid around on, plus an extra 10 or 15 bhp to blow the immediate rivals away with a tenth of a second or two victory over the quarter mile.
But will the torque vectoring and drift capabilities mean the R has lost its slightly inert chassis?
The 135i is actually quite lively and in Sport mode can be a bit bonkers. Quite a step change from the torquey and smooth feel of the car when wafting about.
To me the 135i always felt front drive with a bit of rear assistance when needed, but when I had my R it felt more planted and neutral to the extent the power felt more equally split all the time.
The steering of the 135i seemed a lot sharper than previous Golfs I owned but the tyre pressures are quite high so maybe that’s contributory.
My seat of the pants impression of the 135i was that it *was* surefooted but felt FWD lively with it.
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I've never driven an R, only been a passenger. It felt so planted, utterly unshakable. I see why the scallies like them. The BMW didn't feel like that when i drove it, but the mk8 gti felt more direct and pointy.
Still one more to come for me though.
I'm not even going to think about the new i30n.. Too late to the party this time for me. Probably for the best.
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An interesting read, Exonian- thanks for posting.
Yes, the mk8 seems to be nothing more than a footnote in the current round of hot hatch reviews but- if you stick to the original hot hatch brief- it’s still one of the best.
It is forgotten because - once you get over the tech- it does what they expect it to do. Nothing to see here chaps... move along..
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As I’ve had both gti and an R in Mk7/7.5 I never get this idea that the R is boring. Far from it. It’s just massively different to the gti but so familiar at the same time. Before the R I had an S3 and it’s in a different league to that car imo. But then I’m probably Vw biased.
Loads of room in the lined glovebox for my collection of baseball caps too. :wink:
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It's "boring" because it's unstoppable. That's it. Because everyone is a driving god if only it wasn't for all of those electronics they'd truly be able to shine and impress their mates.
Don't you remember all of those journo gods wanting to turn esc fully off on the mk7? You couldn't and because of that itwasabadcar.
So bad, nobody wanted one or bought one 😂😂😂
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Journo gods! :grin:
We all have far more sense that any journo because we all drive cars in the real world. As soon as I see a track review I just pass it by. Waste of time. You’re absolutely right about the formula for a hot hatch. Vw nailed it/invented it/wrote the rule book.
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Most reviews of the 7.5 GTI called it 'all the car you will ever need' and it was pretty close to perfection. Reviews of the 8 GTI are good in general but seem to have a few 'buts' - UI,
buttons, build quality, looks. Bit of a shame really even though still a very good car.
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After the recent talk of TR Hamzas reviews he’s just uploaded a new S3 video with a 128ti to come and asking for someone who’s got a CS to review now. :whistle:
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Demonstrators of the 128ti arrive this week... Unless he's blagged one from an owner from the first batch. I'll definitely be subscribing to his channel though!
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Demonstrators of the 128ti arrive this week... Unless he's blagged one from an owner from the first batch. I'll definitely be subscribing to his channel though!
I reckon he’s borrowed it from someone. Apart from the tcr, TRoc/Tiguan R I don’t remember him having cars from dealers. This makes me like him even more. Just a normal guy. It’ll be really interesting to see what he thinks of the 128 as he’s a VAG guy.
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He really is worth watching. I think he’s just an ordinary lad from Birmingham with a real understanding of VAG cars. I love the way he seems so unconcerned with producing a slick scripted video- “ yeah I know you like these cinematic intros.. so here you go..”😂
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He really is worth watching. I think he’s just an ordinary lad from Birmingham with a real understanding of VAG cars. I love the way he seems so unconcerned with producing a slick scripted video- “ yeah I know you like these cinematic intros.. so here you go..”😂
Agree, I've been watching his stuff for a while - from when he bought and started tarting up a mk5. Clear he's been on the vag scene for a while. He's got a very infectious laugh too.
Another guy worth watching is Saving Salvage, not so much about review of new cars but he buys cheap damaged auction cars and brings them back to life - some interesting stuff.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCv9MXMRQtoNZdRqPZWX7Pdw
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And here's the mega mega hot hatch group test
https://www.carmagazine.co.uk/car-reviews/comparison/2020/hot-hatch-megatest/
If you look carefully they do mention the gti.
There are some other interesting angles in that article that contradict what everyone else says...the S3 is apparently great for example.
That test is a bit bizarre, presumably it's down to the exact mix of cars they could test at a given time. Why test the m135i against things like the gti and the focus for example.
Just read this article fully. It is interesting!
Hugely diverse bunch of cars, and no clear definition of what makes " the best hot hatch".
To me, that was always- fun, practical, comfortable, cheap.
There's a £56k motor car in this group- that was supercar money not too long ago.
It's also becoming pretty clear to me that there is a complete lack of objectivity from the motoring press in relation to the GRY. There's something a bit like groupthink going on here.
I think it'll win every group test going from now and forever more- because of the engineering, the backstory, and it's ability.
And as a result- from when the first reviews came out in November- lead time has leapt up from a few weeks to several months.
I drove it this week to find out-
1. Is it a good car for daily use.
2. Is it fun to drive on the road.
Answer to both questions, in my view, is "no". I would say it's a poor hot hatch
There's hardly any mention of the turbo lag- you'll never complain about the throttle mapping in a golf after driving one of these. ( In all honesty I was slightly disorientated when I got back in my golf- I had to check I wasn't in my 205 :grin:!)
The fake noise is terrible. I thought my 6 year old was in the back screaming "brrrm brrrrrr".
Pi55 poor. At least in the golf you can virtually turn it off.
And did I have fun driving it? No.
It's a monster of a car. Frightening rather than fun.
You don't need to slow down for anything and there's a complete lack of engagement as a result.
I'd be as quick as Tommi Makinen driving one of these on the public road, because how fast you go has nothing to do with ability and more to do with how antisocial you are. In fact I suspect, the usual asbo types would be considerably quicker than Makinen.
If you leave aside the fact that it is too capable to enjoy on most public roads, it's a car that can't really be enjoyed at lower speeds- and that's the biggest issue for me. It's got some nice weight to it's controls but just doesn't have the feel of the best drivers cars- certainly not at road speeds.
On the other hand, half way down this article, the golf is described as " a deeply talented hot hatch" . "It would be bothering the podium if we were looking for the most all round capable hot hatch". Well what are you looking for if not that???
I'm no VW fanboy- I've only ever owned 1- but I wouldn't hesitate to buy the mk8 if I was in the market now. Reading between the lines of some of this nonsense, it's still the best.
And I think there will be many people offloading their GRYs a year or so from now- yeah some will use on track, some have access to some great roads. Most won't.
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This quote of "It would be bothering the podium if we were looking for the most all round capable hot hatch" is frankly ridiculous. You can’t have a hot hatch test and say this. I remember Andrew Chapple pointing out the same quote and having the same response. Bonkers.
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The yaris is everything I don't need. I need a workhorse that can also be a little bit of fun.
I keep saying it on here, a golf is the replacement for the beetle. The people's car. It's still that and we shouldn't expect it to be anything but always practical, always useful and by choosing the performance variants you get some moderate fun thrown in. But never forget its not a track monster and it's not for seeing celebs getting out of at Cannes.
If I wanted a track car there are tons I'd choose before a golf. If I wanted to impress onlookers, I'd not choose a golf.
The proletarian siblings of the golf are the focus and probably something made by Peugeot, besides any of its mqb stablemates, barring the audi.
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https://apple.news/AgO5L9uU4Sw2CrvobobGqQA
Clarkson review of GTI in Sunday times today. Guess the link is only useful if you have apple news on phone/iPad but it’s interesting.
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Good one, thanks for posting.I was wondering where he was going with the bansky.
I like the idea of a clarksy😂😂
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Pretty much consistent with every other review, great mechanical, iffy looks and retrograde interface.
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https://apple.news/AgO5L9uU4Sw2CrvobobGqQA
Clarkson review of GTI in Sunday times today. Guess the link is only useful if you have apple news on phone/iPad but it’s interesting.
That was actually bang on by Clarkson.
Good find :afro:
And here's the mega mega hot hatch group test
https://www.carmagazine.co.uk/car-reviews/comparison/2020/hot-hatch-megatest/
If you look carefully they do mention the gti.
There are some other interesting angles in that article that contradict what everyone else says...the S3 is apparently great for example.
That test is a bit bizarre, presumably it's down to the exact mix of cars they could test at a given time. Why test the m135i against things like the gti and the focus for example.
Just read this article fully. It is interesting!
Hugely diverse bunch of cars, and no clear definition of what makes " the best hot hatch".
To me, that was always- fun, practical, comfortable, cheap.
There's a £56k motor car in this group- that was supercar money not too long ago.
It's also becoming pretty clear to me that there is a complete lack of objectivity from the motoring press in relation to the GRY. There's something a bit like groupthink going on here.
I think it'll win every group test going from now and forever more- because of the engineering, the backstory, and it's ability.
And as a result- from when the first reviews came out in November- lead time has leapt up from a few weeks to several months.
I drove it this week to find out-
1. Is it a good car for daily use.
2. Is it fun to drive on the road.
Answer to both questions, in my view, is "no". I would say it's a poor hot hatch
There's hardly any mention of the turbo lag- you'll never complain about the throttle mapping in a golf after driving one of these. ( In all honesty I was slightly disorientated when I got back in my golf- I had to check I wasn't in my 205 :grin:!)
The fake noise is terrible. I thought my 6 year old was in the back screaming "brrrm brrrrrr".
Pi55 poor. At least in the golf you can virtually turn it off.
And did I have fun driving it? No.
It's a monster of a car. Frightening rather than fun.
You don't need to slow down for anything and there's a complete lack of engagement as a result.
I'd be as quick as Tommi Makinen driving one of these on the public road, because how fast you go has nothing to do with ability and more to do with how antisocial you are. In fact I suspect, the usual asbo types would be considerably quicker than Makinen.
If you leave aside the fact that it is too capable to enjoy on most public roads, it's a car that can't really be enjoyed at lower speeds- and that's the biggest issue for me. It's got some nice weight to it's controls but just doesn't have the feel of the best drivers cars- certainly not at road speeds.
On the other hand, half way down this article, the golf is described as " a deeply talented hot hatch" . "It would be bothering the podium if we were looking for the most all round capable hot hatch". Well what are you looking for if not that???
I'm no VW fanboy- I've only ever owned 1- but I wouldn't hesitate to buy the mk8 if I was in the market now. Reading between the lines of some of this nonsense, it's still the best.
And I think there will be many people offloading their GRYs a year or so from now- yeah some will use on track, some have access to some great roads. Most won't.
That was really interesting to read, especially about your thoughts on the GRY.
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A problem i have with the current mk8 GTI apart from that interior is simply its performance hasn't really moved on since 2005. It maybe 45bhp more powerful but the added size and weight negates that gain. Humdrum family cars and basic rep spec diesel saloon cars have moved on and are as quick and often quicker nowadays. Some even more engaging than a GTI.
I feel the basic GTI mk8 is the mk3 2.0 8v and mk4 2.0 GTI of its time. Good reviews now when new but will not be remembered well. More a badge exercise and really shouldn't exist except for keeping the marketing department happy. The GTI range imo should start with the clubsport at least and be available as a manual not just an auto. I shouldn't really be suprised the VR/R range has strangled the GTI since they were introduced. I so want to like the 8 as a GTI enthusiast whos owned and had the use of many GTIs over the past 30yrs.
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A problem i have with the current mk8 GTI apart from that interior is simply its performance hasn't really moved on since 2005. It maybe 45bhp more powerful but the added size and weight negates that gain. Humdrum family cars and basic rep spec diesel saloon cars have moved on and are as quick and often quicker nowadays. Some even more engaging than a GTI.
I feel the basic GTI mk8 is the mk3 2.0 8v and mk4 2.0 GTI of its time. Good reviews now when new but will not be remembered well. More a badge exercise and really shouldn't exist except for keeping the marketing department happy. The GTI range imo should start with the clubsport at least and be available as a manual not just an auto. I shouldn't really be suprised the VR/R range has strangled the GTI since they were introduced. I so want to like the 8 as a GTI enthusiast whos owned and had the use of many GTIs over the past 30yrs.
Agreed. The 8 Clubsport should be the base GTI in terms of performance. I've been over it a few times, I cannot see why someone would move from a 7.5 GTI PP to a 8 GTI. Unless its purely because you want a new car, I think its actually a slight downgrade, your giving up the 7.5 PP brakes for one.
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I don't think the GTI even from early days was ever the highest performer out there. It was the highest performing Golf, but it was still a Golf. There were more powerful similar things always.
The R's pushed that limit a bit more, but the GTI was always a sort of 2 litre warmed up engine, not either the exotic engines of the R series and then the highly tuned 2 litre of the more recent R's.
I think the outlier is actually the trend for clubby/TCR to start to push something with a GTI badge to nearer the R.
You also have to remember the drive for less emissions. The remarkable thing is more that they've managed to sustain the power output in face of emmissions reduction targets.
The Mk5 DSG was 189g/km for 197bhp in 1327kg
The Mk8 DSG is 168g/km for 245bhp - and that CO2 figure is WLTP not NEDC and we know WLTP is significantly higher numbers - in 1463kg
I compare the Mk5 as it was quite a while ago, but the first of the second half of GTI history.
If VW sold only a 300 bhp Golf GTI it would be very damaging to their CO2 figures. They sell millions of GTI's every year, most people wanting the badge and the trim level more than whether its the fastest car on the market. If people only bought a GTI because it was the fastest, they'd never sell any... not now, not in the Mk7.
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Golf Mk5 GTi manual (3dr) 17 inch wheels
Max Power 200ps at 5100 rpm
Max torque 280nm at 1800 to 5000 rpm
Unladen weight 1328kg
0-62mph 7.2 seconds
Combined mpg 35.3 (old test regime)
CO2 g/km 189
Golf Mk5 GTi Ed30 manual (3dr) 18 inch wheels
Max Power 230ps at 5500 rpm
Max torque 300nm at 2200 to 5200 rpm
Unladen weight 1358kg
0-62mph 6.8 seconds
Combined mpg 34.4 (old test regime)
CO2 g/km 194
Golf Mk8 GTi manual (5dr) 18 inch wheels
Max Power 245ps
Max torque 370 nm at 1600 - 4300 rpm
Unladen weight 1429kg
0-62mph 6.4 seconds
Combined mpg 38 (wltp)
CO2 g/km 169
I'd say that's progress. As Fred says, a Golf GTi has never been about outright performance. It wasn't in the Mk5 days, and it still isn't in the Mk8 days. But VW are getting more performance, more mpg and less co2 from the same engine size. The extra weight of the Mk8 needs to factor in all the extra equipment a Mk8 includes that added both cost and weight to a Mk5, like extra doors, bigger wheels etc. plus the fact it's a slightly bigger car now.
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My thoughts too ^^^
Unless you track the car there’s very little between a mk5/6/7/8 GTI dynamically other than personal preference of driver involvement through to UI. The best one is the one you prefer.
As above, I’ve been right through from mk1 to mk8 and at no point in that time was the GTI the fastest or best handling at any stage that I can remember. VW’s brief was always the best blend, and with speeding seen as massively antisocial these days on our badly surfaced congested roads, it’s all academic.
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Some good / interesting posts there :smiley:
I'm a bit disappointed by the lacklustre reviews for the new car. Like Snoopy, I want to love it. My first GTI was the MK5 and that car as we all know was universally praised, it regularly topped the reviews/group tests, so its a bit disappointing that this car isn't getting that same kudos in the press.
However I feel that journalists are lazy for the most part and with the you tubers and influencers, its even worse than ever. They all latch onto "something" about the car and repeat it, like you'd repeat something you heard down in the pub. Oh the touch sensitive buttons on the steering wheel are crap, I know someone said that somewhere, so yeah, in my review I'll say they're crap too.
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Which brings me back to car group test reviews - what are they actually about?
They are testing and scoring cars against some criteria which isn't at all what people use to buy them.
Of that Car Mag group test, which of those are actually Golf GTI competitors? Pitched exactly in the same space? "Hot Hatch" is a very wide spectrum.
It's also suicide to try to market your product in exactly the same space as a competitor - you always need a difference - either in features, price or perceived worth.
Look at the 128ti vs the GTI - BMW could have made their car spec'ed exactly the same - all of the gear is in the options list. If they both came down to the same kit level and power, how would you choose? Is BMW a more desirable brand than a Golf GTI? I don't think it is in this segment, hence BMW had to push the car out with less kit to get the price under VW. BMW pricing themselves lower than VW? Doesn't that say something? It should be the other way around shouldn't it?
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Agreed Fred.
The "Group tests" are ridiculous sometimes. No one who's interested in a MK8 GTI is going to consider the GR Yaris for instance. Or vice versa. They're totally different cars.
Agree too that in this segment, a BMW or Audi holds no more brand appeal than the VW. Arguably less imo, as the GTI does have a very established "Brand" whereas if you bought that 128ti you'd spend the next 3 years explaining to people what "Ti" is, that its "ti" not "GTI" and no, someone didn't steal the "G" off the boot badge and no, its not a 116d.
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Agree too that in this segment, a BMW or Audi holds no more brand appeal than the VW. Arguably less imo, as the GTI does have a very established "Brand" whereas if you bought that 128ti you'd spend the next 3 years explaining to people what "Ti" is, that its "ti" not "GTI" and no, someone didn't steal the "G" off the boot badge and no, its not a 116d.
TI is “Turismo Internazionale”
GTI is "Grand Touring Injection"
I guess that settles it one is a Grand more than the other :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
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:grin:
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Some good / interesting posts there :smiley:
I'm a bit disappointed by the lacklustre reviews for the new car. Like Snoopy, I want to love it. My first GTI was the MK5 and that car as we all know was universally praised, it regularly topped the reviews/group tests, so its a bit disappointing that this car isn't getting that same kudos in the press.
However I feel that journalists are lazy for the most part and with the you tubers and influencers, its even worse than ever. They all latch onto "something" about the car and repeat it, like you'd repeat something you heard down in the pub. Oh the touch sensitive buttons on the steering wheel are crap, I know someone said that somewhere, so yeah, in my review I'll say they're crap too.
I know what you mean about wanting to love the car- and reading the reviews are part of that whole process- but I would take some of this stuff with a massive pinch of salt.
The chap in that Car test described steering a 400bhp AWD car on the throttle on a motorway slip road- so presumably at some speed. Either he's one hell of a driver or he's exaggerating- a little!
( I think I read that bit right, but i'll happily be corrected if someone read different)
Most of these journos are trying to make their way in the industry. They have to say the right things.
Read the Clarkson piece. Keep a copy of it.
Then go and buy the mk8.
On the subject of faster and faster cars, I really do struggle to understand the motivation here- for the vast majority of people who will not track their cars.
I understand 2 GRY demonstrators have been written off by customers on test drives. I was intrigued to understand how- I can't imagine someone has come off the road driving one. Apparently one car hit a deer somewhere near Stratford.
Worth reflecting on that- must have hit the animal with some force to write off a 33k car.
You can corner at any speed in this car. Problem is you can't see around the bend- could be a cyclist on your side and a truck coming the other way. Or a deer. And if you doing 80-85 mph, you aren't gonna stop- no matter how good your brakes are.
The whole ownership experience is an exercise in restraint.
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"Read the Clarkson piece. Keep a copy of it.
Then go and buy the mk8."
Is subscribing to the Times the only way to read it? I don't have any apples.
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The I in GTI has been debated since the Stone Age. Injection in German is Einspritzung (sp) and Opel were closest with the Astra/Kadett GTE
I actually thought the magazine piece was good entertainment and if anything it demonstrates how vast a span the hot hatch market encompasses.
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The I in GTI has been debated since the Stone Age. Injection in German is Einspritzung (sp) and Opel were closest with the Astra/Kadett GTE
I was just trying to Einspritz some humour :-P
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Yusee,
Without sounding like my father, i too wonder just what the point is of having light speed capable cars.
I used to ride superbikes as a younger man and can honestly say that the things I used to do wouldn't last long these days. Too many things that would end you or your licence.
I can't imagine what my time on bikes would have been like riding at ten percent throttle through a 20mph zone over speed bumps. Actually, i can, it would be *#@%!
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It's utterly pointless. Sorry to bang on about the GRY but driving that thing has made me even more aware of this issue.
My brother owns a delta integrale which I have driven and been driven in- and he can drive well- he's spent hours on track and used to instruct.
I can tell you that integrale is a shopping trolley compared to this Yaris. Honestly.
That's how far cars have come in 20 odd years. And there has to come a point at which the customers say- actually we don't want any more speed- it is not only pointless but actually reduces the driving enjoyment for a car that is only going to be used on a public road.
I think also the motoring press are doing the buying public a massive disservice by promoting these cars in the way they are- I haven't heard a single journo say that, actually, for road use, the GRY is a very ordinary ownership prospect- drab, cramped interior, poor ergonomics, firm ride and not much fun to drive because you'll be driving at half throttle everywhere with turbo lag and no steering feel.
@ar899, can't help you with the original article but here's a summary-
https://www.driving.co.uk/news/jeremy-clarkson-didnt-want-review-vw-tiguan-hes-reviewed-golf-gti/
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I remember a mate of mine who had an mitsubishi evo (I forget which one) but it was an utter monster and capable of incredible speed round twisty lanes. Great on a rally stage, not great when he discovered a tractor round a blind bend and even the brakes on that weren't capable of stopping him before he ended up almost with a plough under his chin. Bit of a mess.
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This thread is great, one minute it's that there's been no progress, the mk8 isn't powerful enough, next we're all going to die in a terrible, pointless Toyota, that's too fast.
Oi aye, when I were a lad we made do with 4 gears and to do 60 required a long down hill and a favourable wind direction.
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We all just like to get our not down the pub talking car crap out of our systems 😜
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This thread is great, one minute it's that there's been no progress, the mk8 isn't powerful enough, next we're all going to die in a terrible, pointless Toyota, that's too fast.
Oi aye, when I were a lad we made do with 4 gears and to do 60 required a long down hill and a favourable wind direction.
😂😂😂
There’s some truth in this. We all sometimes struggle to manage the 2 voices in our head.
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Yes :)
https://youtu.be/_jdgwEModxM (https://youtu.be/_jdgwEModxM)
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Just seen the Rory Reid review of the gti. I didn’t realise that the temp sliders etc weren’t illuminated in the dark. Who thought that was a good idea?
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I dont’ think the hot keys below are illuminated either. There are all manner of interior lighting options and colours which don’t appeal to me yet things that should light up don’t.
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Just seen the Rory Reid review of the gti. I didn’t realise that the temp sliders etc weren’t illuminated in the dark. Who thought that was a good idea?
I agree it’s a bad idea.....but you can use voice control
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It’s a major flaw. I can’t believe it wasn’t picked up and addressed during user testing and development.
Really annoying
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It’s a major flaw. I can’t believe it wasn’t picked up and addressed during user testing and development.
Really annoying
I've not driven one in the dark yet, but suspect maybe the light from the central display might splash onto it?
Either that or that its on a ledge and you can find it without a visual reference to exactly where.
Guess I'll find out soon enough although to be fair I rarely adjust the temperature on the move, leave it on auto at 22 all year round. Audio volume I set with the steering wheel buttons.
Probably won't spoil the car for me, but for a couple of euros worth of back lighting they could have stopped a moan.
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Just seen the Rory Reid review of the gti.
Where?
I can't find that
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Just seen the Rory Reid review of the gti.
Where?
I can't find that
https://youtu.be/VIWCAsM4Drc
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Thanks.
That's quite a fair and balanced review.
I always quite liked Rory on top gear.
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When I saw the A35 in there I thought oh here we go! But tbh it was a good review and pretty fair. Different hatched suit different situations. Still not sure how the A35 is in the same price bracket though.
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Well Rory seemed to like the Bridgestone's didn't he? If they're the GTi specific model, they're S005's aren't they, rather than the S001's fitted to Mk7's?
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I've come to the conclusion that the S001s are probably great tyres for track work. But IMO for average street driving, esp in colder conditions, they're not. Every review I've seen where the S001s were praised was on track.
But if S005s, I would expect they're much better than S001s.
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The interesting thing in this review was that he wasn’t particularly enthusiastic about the i30n. In the last round of reviews it was usually picked ahead of the mk7 as a more entertaining golf gti rival.
It was wet, and perhaps on the wrong tyres- but his main criticism was the firm ride.
I’ll be interested to see how other reviews compare the two cars
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I enjoyed that review. I can't wait till someone throws a Clubsport into the mix though. Will it still fall into the £33k or under category?
It's funny how every review sets the GTI as the control. It's always "the one" to beat! I'm late to the game when it comes to GTI's but I've always admired them and now having owned my mk7.5 for around a year now I get it. They are just cracking cars in pretty much every way.
When I was younger I didn't get the GTI. A friend of mine had a MK4 180hp and I had my modified Impreza at around 400hp. I didn't understand why you would purchase a 180hp car when you could have the Impreza or Mitsubishi Evo etc. But since the Mk5 came out and they upped it to 200hp it began to interest me. It was a much better looking car too. Over time I began to appreciate the balance of comfort to performance.
I love my current GTI even though it's not the performance model. It's 230hp with DSG and is a dream to drive. I think the ride on standard suspension with 18" wheels is very nice. My other half has a 2006 polo which we picked up for a steal because the previous owner went full boy racer on it and changed wheels, lowered suspension, fitted coil overs and tinted the windows etc. It went cheap because nobody else would buy it!! It was perfect for her first car and to get a years no claims bonus under her belt. We'll change it soon. My point being though that the suspension could break your back. The GTI is like riding on a cloud in comparison! Maybe on 19's the GTI's are harsh but if anyone criticises the GTI ride they can take a spin in this Polo and you'll be thankful for your cushy GTI suspension!!
The main reason I'm changing into the Clubsport now is that the PCP repayments won't be too much more than my personal loan which is a slightly higher interest rate. 1.9% PCP Vs 4.95% car loan and the dealer is offering me a fair trade price although hopefully I get a small bit more with a private sale before the new motor arrives.
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The interesting thing in this review was that he wasn’t particularly enthusiastic about the i30n. In the last round of reviews it was usually picked ahead of the mk7 as a more entertaining golf gti rival.
It was wet, and perhaps on the wrong tyres- but his main criticism was the firm ride.
I’ll be interested to see how other reviews compare the two cars
Take a look at how much the camera is shaking during the lap of the i30N. And it's probably a stabilized camera. It's a hard, hard ride.
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Can the light strip along the grill be switched off ?
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Can the light strip along the grill be switched off ?
Yes I believe so.
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The interesting thing in this review was that he wasn’t particularly enthusiastic about the i30n. In the last round of reviews it was usually picked ahead of the mk7 as a more entertaining golf gti rival.
It was wet, and perhaps on the wrong tyres- but his main criticism was the firm ride.
I’ll be interested to see how other reviews compare the two cars
Take a look at how much the camera is shaking during the lap of the i30N. And it's probably a stabilized camera. It's a hard, hard ride.
It would be a poor car to negotiate the cobbles and tram lines of central milan! Actually, thinking about it, that’s somewhere you probably could appreciate DCC!
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The interesting thing in this review was that he wasn’t particularly enthusiastic about the i30n. In the last round of reviews it was usually picked ahead of the mk7 as a more entertaining golf gti rival.
It was wet, and perhaps on the wrong tyres- but his main criticism was the firm ride.
I’ll be interested to see how other reviews compare the two cars
Take a look at how much the camera is shaking during the lap of the i30N. And it's probably a stabilized camera. It's a hard, hard ride.
It would be a poor car to negotiate the cobbles and tram lines of central milan! Actually, thinking about it, that’s somewhere you probably could appreciate DCC!
I'm too poor for that area :grin:
I think it the I30N has active dampers just not changing much in terms of comfort. Maybe the 250-hp version is more civilized?
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I don't think the ride is any softer in the non performance one, but it's hard to tell because they don't sell that one in the UK.
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My thoughts too ^^^
Unless you track the car there’s very little between a mk5/6/7/8 GTI dynamically other than personal preference of driver involvement through to UI. The best one is the one you prefer.
As above, I’ve been right through from mk1 to mk8 and at no point in that time was the GTI the fastest or best handling at any stage that I can remember. VW’s brief was always the best blend, and with speeding seen as massively antisocial these days on our badly surfaced congested roads, it’s all academic.
GTI enthusiast decades. Owned GTIs over 30yrs (1,2,5,6) So of cause i would never say the GTI was the fastest or best handling. :huh: Dont think you lot understood were i was coming from. Never mind. Anyway. I sort of agree with your first coment about the Mks. I took my low ~20k mile mk6 manual GTI and went and test drove the standard mk8 GTI. Your mates on here will probably get all upset and stamp their feet now but it sort of left me cold sadly after the test drive. I so so wanted to like it as the only manual option, quicker less linear steering with less feel, sharper more assisted brakes, the constant talked about UI. I left thinking whats the point of changing apart from having a newer car. :embarrassed:
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Agree too that in this segment, a BMW or Audi holds no more brand appeal than the VW. Arguably less imo, as the GTI does have a very established "Brand" whereas if you bought that 128ti you'd spend the next 3 years explaining to people what "Ti" is, that its "ti" not "GTI" and no, someone didn't steal the "G" off the boot badge and no, its not a 116d.
ti has a history with BMW, a car enthusiast would know its significants to BMWs. Why even speak to ignorant non car people about it. All they would see is the BMW badge anyway.
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Agree too that in this segment, a BMW or Audi holds no more brand appeal than the VW. Arguably less imo, as the GTI does have a very established "Brand" whereas if you bought that 128ti you'd spend the next 3 years explaining to people what "Ti" is, that its "ti" not "GTI" and no, someone didn't steal the "G" off the boot badge and no, its not a 116d.
ti has a history with BMW, a car enthusiast would know its significants to BMWs. Why even speak to ignorant non car people about it. All they would see is the BMW badge anyway.
And what a fine looking car the 2002tii was. Just looked briefly on line - found a restored 1975 one on sale for £28k - not far off a 128ti!
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New GTI comparison review on top gear.
https://www.topgear.com/car-news/hot-hatch/bmw-128ti-vs-vw-golf-gti-vs-ford-focus-st
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New GTI comparison review on top gear.
https://www.topgear.com/car-news/hot-hatch/bmw-128ti-vs-vw-golf-gti-vs-ford-focus-st
First proper head to head test... interesting. So...
The Golf is a Golf - hardly headline news really, except for the digital interface.
The BMW is a BMW - except its FWD and its pretending to be a Golf, who'd have guessed?
The Ford is a Ford - no exceptions?
What did I gain from the review?
My takeaways are:
BMW suspension is OK and they don't mind the gearbox (I disagree). They say don't have the leather - I'd agree from a styling point of view.
On the Golf, DCC is too much because it offers you too much choice - no real mention of whether it gives you a better ride - a question I don't think this forum has answered yet either.
The Ford is too expensive to lease and too thirsty to own (my opinion too but have never driven one because it was always too expensive)
I'd really like to see a review where someone takes these and drives at road legal speeds for a few hundred miles for 5 hours, doing nothing more than just using the car. That's where you'd see the real world limitations. I guess road warrior reviews you don't expect from Top Gear.
Maybe I do need to start my own YouTube channel for Road Warriors.
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I'll add something else about their comments about the BMW....
it’s BMW’s engineers driving the more complex, 4WD M135i hot hatch and finding a way to make it notably more fun.
and then:
There’s a chirrup from the front wheels if you go looking for it but – with the help of its polite front diff – power is broadly put down extremely well. It’s as if BMW has been sending 250-ish horsepower forwards for generations (well, via quick Minis, it has). The ti is a smoothie, so you won’t go barrelling into every roundabout like you’re on a rally stage, but the rear follows the front neatly and you’ve loads of faith in what’s going on beneath. It always behaves with utmost composure.
And that I think is quite significant and aligns with my thoughts.... its supposed to be more of a "fun car" than the M135i. I'm not sure that it actually is. Its cheaper yes, it can suffer from the FWD vs AWD issues every OEM has but I don't think its any more fun. Unless the "fun" is the harsher ride that definitely isn't in the M135i.
Conversly, is there actually any more fun in a GTI vs an R? We talk about that comparison endlessly... do you have to "drive" a GTI more than an R? If you do, do any of us actually ever do that?
Maybe less understeer is the thing (AWD nearly always causes more understeer) and maybe larger turning circle (although the 128ti has a larger turning circle than the Mk8 GTI - I didn't mention that before but it does).
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An interesting mechanics view of the GTI hosted by the lead singer of ZZ Top!
https://youtu.be/WtYqNd4Jad4
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New GTI comparison review on top gear.
https://www.topgear.com/car-news/hot-hatch/bmw-128ti-vs-vw-golf-gti-vs-ford-focus-st
Maybe I do need to start my own YouTube channel for Road Warriors.
I think you're gonna have to now Fred :grin:
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An interesting mechanics view of the GTI hosted by the lead singer of ZZ Top!
https://youtu.be/WtYqNd4Jad4
I'd love an APR exhaust if they can make it sound like that!
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Maybe I do need to start my own YouTube channel for Road Warriors.
I think you're gonna have to now Fred :grin:
Now that I’d love to watch.
But only if you didn’t edit your appreciative expletives every time a large SUV cut you up or an artic did something unfathomably dangerous.
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Well when I do it do please tune in. It won't be suitable for PG audiences and even experienced sailors may learn some new words.
I might also need to blur the speedo.. A bit.
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Well when I do it do please tune in. It won't be suitable for PG audiences and even experienced sailors may learn some new words.
I might also need to blur the speedo.. A bit.
I think you have a few subscribers already :laugh:
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Here is another interesting review of GTi by a Racechip Tuner in Germany and dyno showing 265ps on stock GTI
https://youtu.be/ep865FMfpWg
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Interesting -and I love that colour they have wrapped it in :cool:
I've never really looked at wrapping, but suspect its quite pricey to do the whole car like that.
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An interesting mechanics view of the GTI hosted by the lead singer of ZZ Top!
https://youtu.be/WtYqNd4Jad4
have you seen any of the Humble Mechanics videos before??
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So we've seen bmw's beat golfs in drag races up and down YouTube... But how about some actual laps...
https://www.bmwblog.com/2021/04/13/bmw-128ti-mk8-vw-gti/
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Oh dear don't think this guy's too happy!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkV1dMwC4Kk
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That ‘review’ is hilarious. Great find. Never heard the word shocking used so much before except by me when his watch is shown. :grin:
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What is that guy smoking?
Smacks a bottle of drink that is already too small for cup-holder - "That's not going to hold a drink with no lid on it".
Yanks the rear seat pocket down - "When you pull the seat, the material sags".
Lifts up PHONE charging compartment, has loads of crap in it - "This is tiny and looks like a shark fin mouth (??)".
After saying he has driven the car TWICE! - "Everyone hates this car, you get some dodgy looks in it". - Funny that, I have had nothing but compliments in the 6 weeks I have driven mine.
In the time he spent trying to put together a comprehensible sentence to complain about the fact that he couldn't find the Traction Control and how he couldn't launch the car, he literally could've picked up the manual and looked it up....but that's the car's fault.
Drives the car in a 30mph area with speed bumps and decides it's crap and he doesn't want to drive it any more because it's boring.
The guy has likely done this to get views based on the shock value. Oh and he has a Polo GTI that "SHOOTS CRAZY FLAMES!!" and has a purple starlight roof lining. Enough said, to be honest...
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A good summary there. It was the best review I’ve seen in ages, if you know what I mean. Comical. He comes to it with an agenda and leaves with zero credibility. The majority of their comments are just useless waffle. I presume they’ve borrowed the car. Imagine letting someone else drive your car then you find out they’ve slated it as much as they have. Wow.
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Hardly an objective review; he’d already made his mind up on the outcome before he got anywhere near the car. IMHO he’s being controversial just so people view his video which seems to be working; he’s had 3,800-plus views so far in one day.
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A good summary there. It was the best review I’ve seen in ages, if you know what I mean. Comical. He comes to it with an agenda and leaves with zero credibility. The majority of their comments are just useless waffle. I presume they’ve borrowed the car. Imagine letting someone else drive your car then you find out they’ve slated it as much as they have. Wow.
He mentioned in his video that it was a "Thrifty car", so I assume that it was on hire.
I wonder how many speeding points he will get when he takes it back because his driving through built up areas was totally irresponsible. As someone mentioned earlier, he might have had a better chance of understanding how the controls in the car worked, if he had bothered reading the manual.
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he literally could've picked up the manual and looked it up....but that's the car's fault.
To be fair to him nobody reads the manual, that’s what we have fredgroves for :whistle:
:grin:
I’m not going to waste 30 minutes of my life watching that but it sounds like he will enjoy drifting an R through the housing estate far more than actually driving a humble GTI.
In fact he will probably do GTI sales a power of good from those that completely disassociate with him (and might actually be able to afford one).
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To be fair to him nobody reads the manual, that’s what we have fredgroves for :whistle:
:grin:
To be fair, trying to digest the bloody book cover to cover is pointless. Trying to answer specific questions, its a bit more useful, but nothing like as useful as searching the online version for keywords, because its all over the bloody place.
I feel like I still understand barely any of the car, despite really trying.
If you weren't a try'er you'd be totally lost.
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he literally could've picked up the manual and looked it up....but that's the car's fault.
To be fair to him nobody reads the manual, that’s what we have fredgroves for :whistle:
:grin:
I’m not going to waste 30 minutes of my life watching that but it sounds like he will enjoy drifting an R through the housing estate far more than actually driving a humble GTI.
In fact he will probably do GTI sales a power of good from those that completely disassociate with him (and might actually be able to afford one).
Oh, I don't disagree, Exonian.
I didn't read the manual to discover 'The Brocky Method' of turning off Lane Assist. I too, don't know how to launch the car and haven't picked up the manual to find out. Why? Well, firstly, I am a man. :grin: Secondly, because I have no desire to launch the car using anything other than my right foot....just as I don't feel the need to proclaim that the car is the worst GTI ever made on YouTube and base it on my unwillingness to do 30 seconds of reading or on the car's inability to secure a lidless drink by smacking it around with the back of my hand.
I am enjoying mine in 'spirited fashion' just as much as the next person but I wish to continue enjoying it and not have to see it in the garage every few months for tyres and parts. I also have no desire to have to pick my car out of a ditch (been there, done that) or, if this guy's driving is anything to go by, someone's garden, a schoolyard or a shop-front.
When online, I always try to live by an ethos of 'Attack the post and not the poster'. This guy genuinely makes that really quite difficult.
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Here's one I have been trying to replicate.... somehow I managed to get the climate screen up on the mib by pressing SOMETHING on the steering wheel.
Interesting.... but how on earth did i do it?
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Here's one I have been trying to replicate.... somehow I managed to get the climate screen up on the mib by pressing SOMETHING on the steering wheel.
Interesting.... but how on earth did i do it?
Heated steering wheel button? I've actually been doing this method as soon as I get in as a different way to 'sync' the climate.
(quickly after the Brocky lane assist method)
Dont know why but find the mode and clima buttons hard to press whilst on the move.
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[quote author=
To be fair, trying to digest the bloody book cover to cover is pointless. Trying to answer specific questions, its a bit more useful, but nothing like as useful as searching the online version for keywords, because its all over the bloody place.
I feel like I still understand barely any of the car, despite really trying.
If you weren't a try'er you'd be totally lost.
[/quote]
I've tried reading large chunks of both the car's and the infotainment handbook but never got very far.
I'm one who likes reading a new car's handbook, but have been frustrated with every VAG one I've tried - my Dad's 2018 SEAT Leon one is just as poor.
As stated, VW handbooks are all over the place and have always been that way AFAIK :sad:
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Here's one I have been trying to replicate.... somehow I managed to get the climate screen up on the mib by pressing SOMETHING on the steering wheel.
Interesting.... but how on earth did i do it?
Heated steering wheel button? I've actually been doing this method as soon as I get in as a different way to 'sync' the climate.
(quickly after the Brocky lane assist method)
Dont know why but find the mode and clima buttons hard to press whilst on the move.
Oh you could be right about the heated steering wheel button!
And yes all of the buttons on the screen and under it are too far away. That's why they are hard to press accurately.
Maybe the only testers vw had was Mr Tickle?
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Here's one I have been trying to replicate.... somehow I managed to get the climate screen up on the mib by pressing SOMETHING on the steering wheel.
Interesting.... but how on earth did i do it?
Heated steering wheel button? I've actually been doing this method as soon as I get in as a different way to 'sync' the climate.
(quickly after the Brocky lane assist method)
Dont know why but find the mode and clima buttons hard to press whilst on the move.
Does the sync not hold from when you were previously in the car?
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Not on mine, seems some software versions it might but not on mine.
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It definitely doesn't on mine, either. Neither does the Rear setting.
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Additionally, neither does the heated wheel setting. The manual says that you hold it down to get it to remember the setting but mine just switches to the next level in the cycle and then still kicks in at level 3 upon the next start-up.
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Not on mine, seems some software versions it might but not on mine.
So what does the temp revert to?
Does the drivers side retain the last temperature ?
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Can't say I've noticed.
I've got it set to the same value for left and right without using sync.
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Here is a review of the CS from a YouTuber I subscribe to...
Real life use of the Nürburgring mode.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVCg-9tNPKA
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How about some hot lap comparisons around hockenheim?
Some interesting results for the basic gti..
https://www.carscoops.com/2021/05/bmw-128ti-tries-its-best-fails-to-beat-rival-fwd-hot-hatchbacks-on-the-track/
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Carwow
https://youtu.be/K4aoW7LCDK0
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After all of the reviews he's done of the different mark GTi's he now seems to have an issue with metal pedals that are standard.
Even some of the comments on the video are slagging off VW and claiming they are a safety issue and should be changed!
Never had an issue with mine.
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[quote
Does the sync not hold from when you were previously in the car?
[/quote]
Mine does, although it didn't in my last Mk8 GTI.
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https://youtu.be/DKPALLEVzEs
Very good review from savagegeese of the GTI :laugh:
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https://youtu.be/DKPALLEVzEs
Very good review from savagegeese of the GTI :laugh:
watched this earlier and it made me wonder is the big difference down to the fuel injection or is there more to it when comparing euro to na cars? The tyres will play a big part also but nobody reviewing the gti in Europe said it was that much of an upgrade.
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That's the best Mk8 review I've seen yet - by a mile. Very detailed.
I feel he hit the nail on the head re. the digital driver interface - it is designed for the future, at the expense of the present.
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That's the best Mk8 review I've seen yet - by a mile. Very detailed.
I feel he hit the nail on the head re. the digital driver interface - it is designed for the future, at the expense of the present.
But then completely overlooked or missed the fact that the ESC can be accessed and turned off with a swipe and two taps and that the voice commands work brilliantly and completely negate the need to use the terrible temperature controls. At this point into the car's life, you would think that these reviewers know that you set the ESC control to a shortcut and that you can simply say "Hello, Volkswagen. I'm cold." by now. :rolleyes:
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That doesn't change the fact you still have to take your eyes and attention off the road to play whack-a-mole on the touchscreen for HVAC controls. Whilst your finger jiggles about on a bumpy road.
And several reviewers have demonstrated how flakey the voice control is.
This keeps coming back to some people being content to set their car to 22 degrees and just drive, whilst others (like me) constantly adjust HVAC depending on conditions and their passengers' preferences.
Then there's those who are early adopters and thrilled to be at the cutting edge and content to overlook flakey real-World usability. I'm neither. The sort of stuff I read here about the mk8 would drive me utter bonkers. I like my cars that, to borrow an old Honda advert: "Isn't it nice when things just work".
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That doesn't change the fact you still have to take your eyes and attention off the road to play whack-a-mole on the touchscreen for HVAC controls. Whilst your finger jiggles about on a bumpy road.
And several reviewers have demonstrated how flakey the voice control is.
This keeps coming back to some people being content to set their car to 22 degrees and just drive, whilst others (like me) constantly adjust HVAC depending on conditions and their passengers' preferences.
Then there's those who are early adopters and thrilled to be at the cutting edge and content to overlook flakey real-World usability. I'm neither. The sort of stuff I read here about the mk8 would drive me utter bonkers. I like my cars that, to borrow an old Honda advert: "Isn't it nice when things just work".
But it does, because you don't have to do that. You say "Hello, Volkswagen. I am warm/cold" and it works. The passenger can do the same and it works for their side as well. Yes, the understanding of voice commands when making calls or using the inbuilt nav are flaky, as it struggles to pick up on names of contacts or streets....which is why I use Google instead....but when using the standard commands to control functions of the car, it works great.
And 22 degrees?! Mine doesn't ever go above 19! :grin:
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That's the best Mk8 review I've seen yet - by a mile. Very detailed.
I feel he hit the nail on the head re. the digital driver interface - it is designed for the future, at the expense of the present.
But then completely overlooked or missed the fact that the ESC can be accessed and turned off with a swipe and two taps and that the voice commands work brilliantly and completely negate the need to use the terrible temperature controls. At this point into the car's life, you would think that these reviewers know that you set the ESC control to a shortcut and that you can simply say "Hello, Volkswagen. I'm cold." by now. :rolleyes:
Problem for me is when driving it’s difficult for me to hit any button on one attempt.
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The problem with the screen is that it's just slightly too far away from the driver. That means you have to stretch, over extend and it reduces your accuracy... Its a silly design mistake.
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I normally rest my four fingers on top of the screen and use my thumb to use the screen options seems to work for me
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I tend to do that too, it’s the only steady way to avoid misfires!
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I normally rest my four fingers on top of the screen and use my thumb to use the screen options seems to work for me
i will try this style today but won't that create finger/palm prints all over the screen
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I normally rest my four fingers on top of the screen and use my thumb to use the screen options seems to work for me
i will try this style today but won't that create finger/palm prints all over the screen
If it does, then keeping a clean microfibre cloth in the car to wipe any finger prints off the screen is an cheap and easy remedy.
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I normally rest my four fingers on top of the screen and use my thumb to use the screen options seems to work for me
i will try this style today but won't that create finger/palm prints all over the screen
No worse than trying to prod a button with a jiggly finger. Imagine palm down fingers rest on top of the screen to stabilise the hand and then use the thumb to press the button if that makes sense?
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https://youtu.be/DKPALLEVzEs
Very good review from savagegeese of the GTI :laugh:
Has me looking at the Mk8 again after I watched that the other night.
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https://youtu.be/DKPALLEVzEs
Very good review from savagegeese of the GTI :laugh:
Has me looking at the Mk8 again after I watched that the other night.
Just saw this. Surprised they said the mk8 rides better than the 7.5, in contrast to every other review which says the opposite- and that the difference is immediately noticeable.
As for driving dynamics, he drives his cars hard on private road or track- he’s clearly surprised by how much better the 8 is than the 7.5 at the limit.
Is that important if you aren’t going on track? I don’t think so.
And the trade off is worse interior and worse ride.
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https://youtu.be/DKPALLEVzEs
Very good review from savagegeese of the GTI :laugh:
Has me looking at the Mk8 again after I watched that the other night.
I wonder how much of his enthusiasm and judgement can be attributed to the fact he tested the Mk7 GTI on mid-spec all-weather touring tyres vs the Mk8 on top-spec, track focused Potenzas? And he only drove the mk8 on track?
Normally I put a lot of store in Savage Geese' reviews, but in this case I wonder if he is comparing apples with dandelions?
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Manual Gearbox
90-160km/h 4gr
100-200km/h...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwxaivpgR3c
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Here's a new review - from our cousins across the pond:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGbPHp6QfkQ
Some interesting things he has to say (apart from the user interface hate)
Not sure how many of the new things you hear him say are actually true though...
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Here's a new review - from our cousins across the pond:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGbPHp6QfkQ
Some interesting things he has to say (apart from the user interface hate)
Not sure how many of the new things you hear him say are actually true though...
Not sure what 0-60's he was quoting there though (5.9 0-60 Manual and 5.1 0-60 DSG!!!)
It was an interesting review, perhaps I'm in the minority but I don't feel the user interface to be that bad but its perhaps because my work Samsung phone is ridiculously laggy so makes my car look like a rocketship in comparison!
Also find the comments about lane assist interesting too, especially considering they are mandatory from 2022 and at least can be switched off unlike in BMW's. All of the safety systems in the golf are what keep the insurance down (I pay less for my insurance on my CS than I did on my mk7.5!)
Quoted from Autocar
"Euro NCAP’s requirements for scoring points towards the total say that only the emergency lane-keeping part of the system “needs to be default on at the start of every journey” and that “deactivation of the system should not be possible with a momentary single push on a button”. That means a single extended push of a button would be acceptable, or even that momentary pushes of two buttons would be fine."
Incidentally the other day my car told me off I obviously wasn't paying enough attention for it and it steered me round a bend that I was about to steer myself. It was quite disconcerting!!!
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....
Also find the comments about lane assist interesting too, especially considering they are mandatory from 2022 and at least can be switched off unlike in BMW's. All of the safety systems in the golf are what keep the insurance down (I pay less for my insurance on my CS than I did on my mk7.5!)
....
You could always switch it off on BMW's but it would come back on on startup for the latest model years. BMW rolled out an OTA update in May that corrected that and if you switch it off it now stays off. :smiley:
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My lane assist now is however i last left it - finally!
The money on OBD11 is finally well spent!
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You could always switch it off on BMW's but it would come back on on startup for the latest model years. BMW rolled out an OTA update in May that corrected that and if you switch it off it now stays off. :smiley:
Well thats interesting the 330e I had for a bit didn't but that was over a year ago so explains it
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My lane assist now is however i last left it - finally!
The money on OBD11 is finally well spent!
Do you have to switch it back on for the travel assist option on crusie control on the motorway or is it independent?
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You could always switch it off on BMW's but it would come back on on startup for the latest model years. BMW rolled out an OTA update in May that corrected that and if you switch it off it now stays off. :smiley:
Well thats interesting the 330e I had for a bit didn't but that was over a year ago so explains it
Speaking for 1 series, prior to Summer 2020 you could switch it off and it stayed off even after restart, summer 2020 (ish) to Feb 2021 they changed it so that the lane assist would default to on after start up. Feb 2021 onwards they went back to it remembering the last state you left it in and May 2021 they pushed that out as an update to the cars manufactured in the second half of 2020. I think there were a lot of complaints...
Its likely the same logic was applied and subsequently corrected for other models but not 100% sure for them.
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My lane assist now is however i last left it - finally!
The money on OBD11 is finally well spent!
Do you have to switch it back on for the travel assist option on crusie control on the motorway or is it independent?
Its independent (and was before I did this mod).
You don't need lane assist on, it comes on when you enable travel assist and switches off when you come off of travel assist - which is a nice feature VW.
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My lane assist now is however i last left it - finally!
The money on OBD11 is finally well spent!
Do you have to switch it back on for the travel assist option on crusie control on the motorway or is it independent?
Awesome thanks Fred, I'll look into an OBD11 dongle I think
Its independent (and was before I did this mod).
You don't need lane assist on, it comes on when you enable travel assist and switches off when you come off of travel assist - which is a nice feature VW.
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Interesting review about GTi parts sharing and different with 7.5 GTi performance
https://youtu.be/jSXwQ9nZD5k
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Interesting review about GTi parts sharing and different with 7.5 GTi performance
https://youtu.be/jSXwQ9nZD5k
That's an interesting video - worth watching. Very disappointing that the mk8 uses same unreliable waterpump/thermostat housing unit as the 7/7.5, though. :cry: :angry:
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Interesting review about GTi parts sharing and different with 7.5 GTi performance
https://youtu.be/jSXwQ9nZD5k
That's an interesting video - worth watching. Very disappointing that the mk8 uses same unreliable waterpump/thermostat housing unit as the 7/7.5, though. :cry: :angry:
I’d seen this video before and had slept through most of it first time- ( It’s an informative video, but not sure I’d call it interesting!).
I managed to stay awake when I watched it second time and the comment about the thermostat housing was the interesting one for me. He did say the later mk7 versions were less failure prone.
I don’t think we’ve heard mk8 owners reporting coolant leaks?? ( I could be wrong) nor in fact later 7.5 owners??
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Interesting review about GTi parts sharing and different with 7.5 GTi performance
https://youtu.be/jSXwQ9nZD5k
That's an interesting video - worth watching. Very disappointing that the mk8 uses same unreliable waterpump/thermostat housing unit as the 7/7.5, though. :cry: :angry:
I’d seen this video before and had slept through most of it first time- ( It’s an informative video, but not sure I’d call it interesting!).
I managed to stay awake when I watched it second time and the comment about the thermostat housing was the interesting one for me. He did say the later mk7 versions were less failure prone.
I don’t think we’ve heard mk8 owners reporting coolant leaks?? ( I could be wrong) nor in fact later 7.5 owners??
Ha! Yes, you're correct - informative is probably more accurate. :smiley:
The US forum has a smattering of thermostat housing failures on 2018 and later GTIs, so I'm guessing the 7.5 is not immune. But I don't know when the latest VW part revision was, and whether that is a solution.
TBH I'm surprised that the metal t'stat housing unit (as per mk5/6) isn't yet available for the 7/7.5. Surely there is huge demand.
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I’ve read the metal housing is available, though doesn’t necessarily solve the problem. See this thread..
https://www.golfmk7.com/forums/index.php?threads/coolant-leak.362004/
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I don’t think we’ve heard mk8 owners reporting coolant leaks?? ( I could be wrong) nor in fact later 7.5 owners??
I did a fluids/pressures check a couple of days ago and my coolant level has dropped to slightly above the minimum. Have done about 600 miles since so will check again later this morning. I'm thinking it is more likely some trapped air has been shifted but I will keep an eye on it....
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I don’t think we’ve heard mk8 owners reporting coolant leaks?? ( I could be wrong) nor in fact later 7.5 owners??
I did a fluids/pressures check a couple of days ago and my coolant level has dropped to slightly above the minimum. Have done about 600 miles since so will check again later this morning. I'm thinking it is more likely some trapped air has been shifted but I will keep an eye on it....
I’ve been watching mine closely since last week after the low coolant warning came on.
Level was just below minimum, though when i unscrew the cap and pressure releases, it rises to within range.
I’m fairly sure I have an airlock, there’s certainly no coolant anywhere in the engine bay.
( I did notice some condensation dripping from the AC hose)
I’ve topped up and am watching closely.
My warranty runs out in December so I’ll get it investigated if it drops again
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GTI vs 128ti vs GR Yaris on the track...
https://youtu.be/eYZVOxK7F-s
Big takeaway.... Mk8 GTI better than a Mk7/7.5... classic golf understeer is history.
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I think it has been consistently praised from launch for being a better car on limit- so on track- than the 7.
Which is why savagegeese guy liked it- and didn’t like the 7.
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I find my mk7 pretty neutral at higher speeds if you use the diff to pull it round, I haven't taken it on track as it would be a waste of track time in my view, it's a sporty, practical road car.
With the considerable extra weight of the mk8, I don't think it would take too many hard laps for it to fall over as the tyres & brakes throw the towel in?
A friend has the GR Yaris in his collection of cars, it is more capable and also less practical than I expected. A Jeckyl & hide car,, really dull if you are not on it, which could well lead to trouble when you are? :)
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it's a sporty, practical road car.
Yes, that’s its raison d’etre.
I also find the handling neutral at speed, it’ll only understeer at low speed- roundabouts, particularly in cold weather.
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Remember of course that's just the gti... The clubby has a different setup that should mean regardless of power increase it will handle even better
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Mr Volkswizard put a video on for his Clubby on track and was surprised by how well the brakes stood up to it. The CS of course has the bigger brake set up of the R.
NB it was a particularly hot day too.
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A recent win for the GTI over the 128ti: https://www.drive.com.au/reviews/2022-bmw-128ti-v-2021-volkswagen-golf-gti-comparison/
It seems the GTI won in almost every area except the infotainment system!
(https://i.postimg.cc/s1FYTsJw/image.png) (https://postimg.cc/LgTgXdw1)
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Something worth pointing out is that the Aussies don't get the same 128ti engine we get in Europe.
That's not to say I'd be more likely to pick one here - I thought the ride was harder than my Mrs!
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I thought the ride was harder than my Mrs!
There are many ways to read that nugget and each of them leaves me mentally scarred! :grin:
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:grin: :grin: :grin: :grin:
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A recent win for the GTI over the 128ti: https://www.drive.com.au/reviews/2022-bmw-128ti-v-2021-volkswagen-golf-gti-comparison/
It seems the GTI won in almost every area except the infotainment system!
(https://i.postimg.cc/s1FYTsJw/image.png) (https://postimg.cc/LgTgXdw1)
This review mirrors most of the German reviews. They don’t favour the 128 due to the firm ride, expensive price (to match the same spec as equivalent GTI/i130n), and average performance despite it supposedly having the on paper advantage. This opinion is flip reversed by the majority of British reviewers due to their inability to accept the Golf’s touchscreen and obsession with track testing. Opinions..
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I'm siding with the German reviews on this Banksy.
I haven't driven the 128i but I very much doubt it is better than the GTi. The fact that it gets round the Nurburgring 0.1 seconds faster, or can 0-60 quicker is irrelevant to me. It's not what a car does, but how it does it that is important to me. I love my GTi whilst accepting that others will not. I also know that others have had more software problems which have led to them favouring any other car than the GTi.
It's great to have car options and different opinions.
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Yeah the 128TI is cheaper because the base spec is lower.
Which of course comes back to whether if you had to pay for the things on the GTI whether you would...
In the past VW Germany used to sell the GTI very bare and let you add what you wanted - not something VW UK have ever done. A UK performance Mk7 or Mk8 is pretty loaded to start with vs most other "base spec" cars.
BMW have always tried to sucker their customers into paying for expensive options...
Apart from anything else I have previously said about my day with a 128TI, I'd add that I never felt like it was much fun. My Mk8 GTI is a lot more fun handling, with the zero understeer allowing you to really throw it round the corners with laser precision. The BMW just felt like it handled without any joy - despite what BMW tell you about having engineered it to be fun.
Most of the track based reviews tell you the same - but more extreme. Even on the road as a mediocre driver I can definitely say I can tell the difference.
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It’s only since the mk7 that the performance Golfs had increasingly loaded standard spec as each year went by.
Even as recently as mk5 and mk6 the GTI came with a fairly basic spec, no DAB, no nav, no xenons, 17” wheels etc etc.
VW had to compete with the likes of Ford and Vauxhall who had more powerful hatches with better spec for less money so changed things around in the UK, Irish specs are probably different.
The mk7 became a bit of a Goldilocks car but ironically the pre mk7 models depreciated less drastically (ignoring current worldwide market weirdness) however VW seem to have taken the lion’s share of the hot hatch market sales now.
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Irish specs are probably different.
Very similar in Ireland Exonian... The MK5 and MK6 were very poorly spec'd here out of the box. Actually early MK7's were poor too. You had to stump up extra for a few things that you guys had as standard for years, e.g. climate control, parking sensors. I bought a new MK5 GTI in 2007 and paid extra for an arm rest :grin:
Things changed dramatically here around 2015 when VW took over the direct distribution of their cars here. Our standard specs are fairly on par with UK now and in many cases they actually tend to be a bit better. The flip side is we pay about double what you guys pay... :angry:
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I have a vague memory of seeing early Irish spec mk7’s on here with halogen headlights. And I mean vague, so possibly wrong.
My mk5 GTI was second hand so no choice of spec, so basic radio CD and no armrest! No steering wheel buttons either. Still the best seats and steering wheel ever though! I loved the relative simplicity of it all.
UK spec did have climate and tinted windows but no other frippery.
The run out 7.5’s were a far cry from the mk5 and mk6 as far as spec goes.
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17 inch wheels as standard also. Remember those days :sad:
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I have a vague memory of seeing early Irish spec mk7’s on here with halogen headlights. And I mean vague, so possibly wrong.
My mk5 GTI was second hand so no choice of spec, so basic radio CD and no armrest! No steering wheel buttons either. Still the best seats and steering wheel ever though! I loved the relative simplicity of it all.
UK spec did have climate and tinted windows but no other frippery.
The run out 7.5’s were a far cry from the mk5 and mk6 as far as spec goes.
Your memory isn’t failing you :grin:
Yes, early MK7’s were dismal here. I bought an early one. I added over €5k in extras, just to bring it up to a decent level and even at that it was probably a little short of full UK spec. I still didn’t have parking sensors or adaptive cruise!
18’s, climate control, xenons, rear tints, parking sensors, ACC, were all extra cost.
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New summer tires...
https://www.michelin.co.uk/auto/tyres/michelin-pilot-sport-5
https://www.tyrereviews.com/Article/Goodyear-Eagle-F1-Asymmetric-6---Press-Release.htm
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOlNW7JKEYY
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My much loved GTI TCR will be outgoing in 4 weeks time, to be replaced by a BWM 128ti and my obvious thought was how the 128Ti BMW stab at a GTI, will stack up against my TCR experience
But also was wondering how the 128Ti (this is what mine will look like, signature) stacked up against the MK 8 and found this comparison video to the Clubsport and given how everyone seems to love the MK 8 Clubsport, its a pleasingly split decision
https://youtu.be/rMFNWhaQ_FU (https://youtu.be/rMFNWhaQ_FU)
Have not left the GTI club, have just swapped out the Audi A1 Black Edition and gone back a couple of forums to a MK 6 GTI as second car https://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=289110.0 (https://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=289110.0)
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Yeah the 128TI is cheaper because the base spec is lower.
Which of course comes back to whether if you had to pay for the things on the GTI whether you would...
In the past VW Germany used to sell the GTI very bare and let you add what you wanted - not something VW UK have ever done. A UK performance Mk7 or Mk8 is pretty loaded to start with vs most other "base spec" cars.
BMW have always tried to sucker their customers into paying for expensive options...
Apart from anything else I have previously said about my day with a 128TI, I'd add that I never felt like it was much fun. My Mk8 GTI is a lot more fun handling, with the zero understeer allowing you to really throw it round the corners with laser precision. The BMW just felt like it handled without any joy - despite what BMW tell you about having engineered it to be fun.
Most of the track based reviews tell you the same - but more extreme. Even on the road as a mediocre driver I can definitely say I can tell the difference.
Actually thought the base spec on the 128Ti was very generous, all the stuff really need was standard, and only added £1000 of options, which is lowest ever spent on any car making it car want, privacy glass, electric lumbar support, split folding rear seats (gives arm rest) and park assist (to get camera) and a late addition of heated steering wheel for £150 as Exonian stated life was simply not worth it without one :grin:
£35,150 was total, and that's £2250 cheaper than what was paid for the TCR in 2019
Did test drive the 128Ti way back at start of year, and this is jumping out of the TCR, straight into the 128Ti and it felt quite lively in the hand, and the ride was not something that noticed on very familiar roads that travel regularly, and as got out, it felt like had a really good experience when add in the quality of the cabin.
The 128Ti has its own unique set up, and does seem, from looking around on varying forums that its not comparable to other 1 series models, due to that uniqueness.
Its just about to get a 3 year saturation test as a daily, so we shall if my snapshot experience equates to the long term reality, it has big boots to fill in the TCR, which to date is best car personally driven.