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Model specific boards => Golf mk7 => Golf mk7 GTD/TDI => Topic started by: noobmonkey on 01 December 2013, 10:17
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Hi All, apologies for the delay in this as some will know i was moving home yesterday, and getting the car the same day! so my review is only for the first day! :) - More will follow!
Well, we went to the new house at 07:00 and were doing an inventory when at 07:45 i got a random mobile phone call, and a guy with an incredibly thick Newcastle accent said "I've got your car here"!! Wow, that was early!.... So off I go in the punto, a nice 3 miles to my work place! No traffic and rahhhhh there she is!! :)
Ok... here's where the detailers and general new car lovers cringe, the lovely but really dirty deliver driver was using an old rag to give her a last clean up, as well... The guy left up near Newcastle at 01:15am to get to me that early! kudos to him for the effort!
I got a good look around the car, and apart from dust it was in good condition. I have however noticed that the under door sill (on both sides) has mottled feeling paintwork, is that normal? (Will upload proper pictures when i unpack my camera!)
The rest of the car was perfect. A quick tour, and I seemed to know about it then him, so no issues :)
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/77845919/car/2013-11-29%2011.15.jpg)
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/77845919/car/2013-11-29%2011.20.jpg)
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/77845919/car/2013-11-29%2011.29.jpg)
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/77845919/car/2013-11-29%2011.42.jpg)
So, I spent 5 minutes acquainting myself, and putting the SD card with music in it. Set up the radio and music in minutes. So so easy!
And off I went.
Firstly, I've not had a car this powerful for a while, i am amazed. So powerful, the torque is immense! It pulls effortlessly. I gave it a little throttle (ok a lot) and a little buzzing noise appeared up by the mirror. Not heard that noise since, so bearing in mind it had only done 20 miles.... I'll let it off ;)
The first 2 gears are a little notchy, but I'm sure they will loosen.
I did manage to stall it a couple of times, due to getting used to it, however the auto-start stop really does help make me feel less of a pratt! As it just kicks back to life and off i go.
The Car did about 15 800m car trips fully loaded with house stuff! - Squeal you might, but the boot is huge!, the flat loading and high roof meant i could fit a huge amount in. I have a pretty bad back, but no issues with the car.
The seats are perfect in every way. Just enough support, and my initial feeling is i would have no problems on a 5+ hour drive in this car.
For me, the steering wheel initially felt really tiny!! But in a good way!, once i got used to it, the benefit of it being smaller and lighter makes it much better. (Than my previous cars).
The steering is spot on, very reactive, light at slow speeds, and comfortable at higher speeds. I have continentals fitted, and they really seem to stick like glue.
Those alloys! wow! The first thing you notice, especially against the pure white, is those alloys! They look so beautiful.
I need to read the manual to learn up on the ACC (Cruise Control), as I've not figured that out yet! Going to do that shortly before i head to Chichester for a nice 40m round trip!
As I've done such short trips the MPG is at 25... but will update later on a longer trip!
So, last night, we got in the car and notice the lights!! (The car resembles a space ship!) - not too overbearing, and just right. From the lower door sill strips, the upper door strip, handle light, puddle lights etc. It looks and feels classy.
I love the tartan! The pictures do not do it justice.
I got what looks like an iPhone cable in the box in front of the gear stick, but I don't own anything apple, so need to figure out what to get for androids... (SGS3 in my case).
Also the spare key did not come with a GTD metal bit, so I'll chase on that one.
The parking sensors look great when turning the wheel, as the on board screen bends the view lines! funky party tricks! of which this car has many!.
Anyway, will do the trip today and go and get some car wash gear and my Karcher, and give it a good clean later / tomorrow.
I'm overwhelmed, impressed and have a huge smile on my face. What a car. beaten my expectations by a long way. And they where damn high expectations!
Please bear in mind that i cam from a 1.2 punto and a 14 year old rover 250 the missus has. So, not hard to beat, but i have owned new cars, and the thought gone into this is incredible.
I promise to upload many more pictures once I have my DSLR unpacked, or will use the phone later if I get time.
If there is anything specific you would like to know, or see a picture / video off, please let me know :)
I have a work trip to the Amex on Monday/Tuesday, so might get some stadium pictures if I have time ;)
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Looks good. Will be interesting to see what your MPG is like...
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In terms of cables you should of got a USB cable with your car. When you chase up about your metal fobs you should ask them to send you the USB cable.
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Very very nice Noobmonkey :smiley: Thanks for sharing your thoughts! I'm looking forward to the DSLR pics upload them asap! :laugh:
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Ahhhh, will do Kyle. Just checked and i have a blue ended cable. Doesn't mean much as it wont connect, so i will chase them :0
Well the 40 mile return trip with a lot of ACC, as i can now use it, was averaging 38mpg, however lots and lots of roundabouts and stop starting for half it. (Not too bothered about that, as I'm sure it will improve)
Will do Luke, just need find what box it is in!! Hmmmm... unpacking to do! :P
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Looks really nice. Will keep an eye out for you on the Chichester/Worthing roads.
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Many congrats noob monkey...I'm glad you 1st impressions are everything you wanted :smiley:
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you only get the iPhone cable not an android usb one.
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you only get the iPhone cable not an android usb one.
You should get a USB cable though mate. Its a cable that accepts another cable (if that makes sense)
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know what you mean it's the ipod cable they supply you with as according to vw everyone has an I something! :grin:
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Nice looking car..
The 'pebbled' paint finish you asked about sounds like the normal protection finish on the lower sills.
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Thank you Watson. I wasn't sure as i've not had a new car in while. I wouldn't have thought they would screw up such an easy to notice piece.
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Looking good in white :cool: Glad you are pleased with it.
regarding my previous post about getting the BT to read texts out through the system - just swapped my phone to an S4 and it still won't do it so if you manage to work it out let me know.
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i'm umming and urring over some of the usb cables that people have, but yet to find one i'm sure will work. (Charging for one, but music etc would be useful! - however I only have the normal sounds system)
A friend has a VCDS/VAG-COM cable thingy, and will lend it to me tomorrow, so also going to have a hunt on that for some fun :) - never know what i may find, as never looked before!
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this reminds, me, not sure if it is the sound aktor thingy, but if i were to push my car a bit :P - at about 4k revs, nearing the limits i get a buzzing noise, it sounds like the edge of the sound actuator limits, and it just buzzes. Only ever when pushing it (and only done it a few times, really to test the limit)... but a definite buzz... The odd thing, i kinda like it, although i'm sure it is not meant to bet there!
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this reminds, me, not sure if it is the sound aktor thingy, but if i were to push my car a bit :P - at about 4k revs, nearing the limits i get a buzzing noise, it sounds like the edge of the sound actuator limits, and it just buzzes. Only ever when pushing it (and only done it a few times, really to test the limit)... but a definite buzz... The odd thing, i kinda like it, although i'm sure it is not meant to bet there!
I get this too, almost bang-on 4000 revs.
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That is weird i suppose, and probably most people have it? (It sounds like it is up the top to me, by the sun glasses storage place)... ANyway, not the end of the world :)
Well, i've now pretty much moved home, and had a few more spins in it and here's my update.
Interior
The interior is almost perfect for me (5'9, small->medium size), and everything is in the right place so far. The steering wheel, feel and movement is also great.
The Lights look stunning, especially the door strips on the front doors. It makes the interior look very smart at night.
The seats are tight enough for me to make me feel like a long trip would be easy, and also very easy to adjust. The under seat storage is quite small, but enough for wipes or small items. The door storage is huge! and big enough to fit a large 1-2 litre bottle of water and more! Very impressive.
All of the knobs and buttons feel good to touch and work well.
Whilst driving with the window earlier, i did get roof water drop into the cabin though... (However dried out well with no stains or marks!).
The Lights
Oh wow, the little things make me smile. Get your car in the dark, and just turn the wheel left and right, and watch the cornering lights go, they look so cool!
Also the day time running lights do look pretty sexy!
The alloys
Erm... pretty bad scratch on one already due to a tight squeeze by a lorry yesterday :( bahhhhhhhhh! - but to me, well, again not too bothered... things happen, and well, the wheel itself is fine... and fixable :)
They look beautiful, and a real head turner.
The sound system/CMS etc
I went for the basic no frills GTD, but the system was so easy to set up and the sound quality is perfect for me. I really have not gone past half volume and it is still perfectly crisp and clear. I find the Dab radio a bit treble'y, but very much fine to listen too.
Adding an SD card with music was so so easy! and if the files are done correctly, the album/song art shows up fine.
All of the little information windows, and mileage/fule since start/refuel/long term, are very cleverly done.
The drive
So initially i kept it in normal, however i find sport much more fun (The noise hehe), and eco drives pretty well, so now i alternate between eco and sport, and seem to get better mpg in both over the normal.
I managed to get 43mpg in eco earlier, and 41mpg in sport (Doing the same trip), whilst normal gave me 37... However, i've only done 200 miles, so not taking to much notice of that. Yes economy is important, hence the choice of a GTD, but i'll have some fun now and let it warm up.
The ACC is a joy to behold... and i can only imagine what it is like with a DSG!, yes it is a bit slow on the uptake in slow speeds, to get back up to my required speed, but for a casual drive, it is very easy, and no fuss. thThe breaking and distance control has taken me a few attempts to get right, but it is just about there. (Quite close on slow speeds... about 20-30m, and further away at faster speeds).
The start stop is intermittent, sometimes it stops, sometimes it doesn't. You can feel it, but its useful. It kicks back in so quickly that I've got no issues.
The reverse puddle dip is great! but.... can be a bit fiddly when you don't need it to look up right, change the button and look back again. Getting used to it, but it would be nice to have a steering wheel adjuster. Anotehr very cool trick is lowering the volume of the music/CMS while reversing/concentrating. Noticeable and very very welcome. (You can adjust by how much in the settings).
As i said, the first gear or two is still notchy, and noticeable. Easy to drive, but seems less so in eco? (Not sure it actually is, but more the way i am driving that probably affects that).
There is a bit of wind noise at higher speeds, but nothing that stops a conversation.
The boot / seat folding is amazingingly easy, and been essential for me over the last few days. I really wish they thought of one final thing!... (Or i wish i knew if there was a way!) .... When i have had to remove the parcel shelf and fold the seats down, i've put the parcel shelf on its side above the head rests, leaning on the front seats. - a little clip to hold it in place would rock!.... (Moving home, and getting a dog, has now made that happen a lot!)
The conti tyres grip like glue... seriously good grip. Tested a quick fling round a fun local round about and i could have gone round it for hours!!!
Overall, 200ish miles in, smiling from ear to ear. (Bearing in mind i came from a 1.2 punto, it wasnt hard to beat), but again.... even the very minor niggles are not faults, and my expectations have still been met. I'm learning about this car every drive, and i now have a VCDS cable and the rosstech software, so will have a play the second i get a moment. (Missus at work tomorrow - so a day off with the car!).
Not found my DSLR yet, but getting there with the unpacking! And my phone does not do the car justice!
As a bubbly bonus, when leaving the Amex Stadium yesterday, the Brighton players where just turning up, and i turned up to 3 of them standing by looking at the car. One of them asked a few questions and was pretty impressed! Made me smile, as one of them was in an M5 :P But they liked it and asked me to rev it out of the car park :) hehe.. The security guards look less than impressed. (Oh and they played sh*te yesterday ... my dad watched it at the stadium!)
Good to see it is a head turner. I know there are a lot of PW's out there, but it does look the mutts nuts :)
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Another great review mate. Getting me seriously pumped for mine now! Get that DSLR already! :grin:
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Found the cam, and the batteries are charging! Missus changed her mind today and is working tomorrow instead. But i did manage to give the car a wash this evening, was getting pretty dark as i finished, and the detailers would be semi-proud... not a sponge in sight! Two buckets, mitts and a cheap snow foam :) (manually put on, as i forgot my karcher has a wash/shampoo function, doh!!!)
Apart from a scuffed alloy, she is looking beautiful. (Will confirm that in the morning, took some more cam pics tonight, but will cook before i have time to put them on :) )
Another good trip out today and getting up to the 40 - 42mpg on a 20m return trip. Not ironically getting anywhere near as good as my 9 year old Punto 1.2 yet... but closer! :P
hehe, how long have you got luke?