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Model specific boards => Golf mk7 => Golf mk7 GTD/TDI => Topic started by: PhillS on 28 July 2015, 14:06

Title: VW Golf GTD - Carbon Grey - 18" or 19" Alloys?
Post by: PhillS on 28 July 2015, 14:06
Hi all, I am in the process of ordering a GTD for my new company car. Test drove a GTD last night and loved it, so mind made up.
I fancy the Carbon Grey colour (like black as well but had a black GTi 5 years ago so fancy a change).
Whilst I like the 18" standard Nogaro Alloys, I am seriously considering upgrading to the 19" Santiago Alloys.
Unfortunately the dealer didn't have any GTD's in stock with the 19" Santiago's and its impossible to imagine what they would look like in real life.
Would anyone have any photos of a Carbon Grey GTD with the 19" Santiago Alloys?
Does the 19" alloys affect the ride and mpg? Travelling 50 miles in total from home to work each day.
Many thanks
Title: Re: VW Golf GTD - Carbon Grey - 18" or 19" Alloys?
Post by: KyleB on 28 July 2015, 14:38
I do a slightly shorter commute than you (40miles each way) and never feel uncomfortable. One thing that is worth noting is the cost of the 19" tyres is a lot more than the 18". I got 14k out of the standard pirellis and 17k out of some Dunlops.

Mines diamond black pearl so can't help you with a picture, but they do look good.
Title: Re: VW Golf GTD - Carbon Grey - 18" or 19" Alloys?
Post by: Websta24 on 28 July 2015, 15:58
Dont want to teach you to suck eggs mate, but you can go on the used VW search...or type into google images

Carbon Grey golf gtd 19" Santiago's

Boom.....

(http://www.golfmk7.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1471&stc=1&d=1396389791)
Title: Re: VW Golf GTD - Carbon Grey - 18" or 19" Alloys?
Post by: PhillS on 28 July 2015, 22:37
Thanks all, good to hear the ride isn't too stiff with 19"
Carbon grey it is then.
Upgrading alloys is only extra I'm going for as its a company car, unless there is something else worth considering.
Title: Re: VW Golf GTD - Carbon Grey - 18" or 19" Alloys?
Post by: ffrank on 29 July 2015, 12:50
Upgrading alloys is only extra I'm going for as its a company car, unless there is something else worth considering.
That's dangerous talk in these parts... Tick the options... all of them :)

Reversing camera for 150 is a popular one, and keyless is great.

Do you have a limit for what you can add it being company?
Title: Re: VW Golf GTD - Carbon Grey - 18" or 19" Alloys?
Post by: TwoSheds on 29 July 2015, 13:21
Upgrading alloys is only extra I'm going for as its a company car, unless there is something else worth considering.
That's dangerous talk in these parts... Tick the options... all of them :)

Reversing camera for 150 is a popular one, and keyless is great.

Do you have a limit for what you can add it being company?

Agree Rear view camera is good value.

Incidentally Keyless, Winter pack and Discover Nav are all included as standard now on the GTD model.
Title: Re: VW Golf GTD - Carbon Grey - 18" or 19" Alloys?
Post by: fredgroves on 29 July 2015, 14:55
The 19"'s will be quite poor value on a company lease (unless you arent charged the lease cost out of your pocket!).

With Nav, winter pack and keyless coming standard now the choices of extras are happily limited :)

If you are a regular business driver, I'd spec lane assist (which gives you high beam assist too) - especially if you are having DSG - the thing will practically drive itself which is a godsend for mile munchers.
Title: Re: VW Golf GTD - Carbon Grey - 18" or 19" Alloys?
Post by: PhillS on 29 July 2015, 22:52
Upgrading alloys is only extra I'm going for as its a company car, unless there is something else worth considering.
That's dangerous talk in these parts... Tick the options... all of them :)

Reversing camera for 150 is a popular one, and keyless is great.

Do you have a limit for what you can add it being company?

Don't have a limit but the more add ons the higher the p11d value meaning I get taxed more as BIK each month. Have to keep the car for 4 years.
Will go for reversing camera as it will hardly break the bank.
Seriously considering DSG however as I need good mpg for the mileage I do I would have concerns over the mpg v a manual.
Title: Re: VW Golf GTD - Carbon Grey - 18" or 19" Alloys?
Post by: fredgroves on 30 July 2015, 09:08
DSG probably equates to a 2 mpg drop, maybe not even that.

If you daily grind involves sitting in city traffic for an hour, I'd get a DSG.... although be careful its an expensive option for P11D'ers like you and I:

cost of the DSG addition on the lease + 3 extra BIK bands (assuming you have to have 5 door like I did)

Crossing that 110g/km CO2 barrier is expensive!
Title: Re: VW Golf GTD - Carbon Grey - 18" or 19" Alloys?
Post by: PhillS on 30 July 2015, 16:13
DSG probably equates to a 2 mpg drop, maybe not even that.

If you daily grind involves sitting in city traffic for an hour, I'd get a DSG.... although be careful its an expensive option for P11D'ers like you and I:

cost of the DSG addition on the lease + 3 extra BIK bands (assuming you have to have 5 door like I did)

Crossing that 110g/km CO2 barrier is expensive!

Just realised the extra BIK% on a 5 door DSG - makes it a rather expensive company car alright ! That's the DSG option ruled out. Thanks
Title: Re: VW Golf GTD - Carbon Grey - 18" or 19" Alloys?
Post by: Exonian on 30 July 2015, 16:51
I ran 19's on my GTI which has basically the same suspension. It was a bit bumpy but ok when you bear in mind it's a hot(ish) hatch. When I returned to running it on 18's it definitely felt smoother.
I ran 19's on my mk6 too but didn't notice a difference in ride quality so maybe it's just my imagination.

The only thing to bear in mind if you have to pay for your own tyres is that the 19" tyres are a lot dearer, if not then it's not something you're going to give a second's thought towards!
The Santiagos are a pig to clean too if you clean your own wheels, there are tiny little spokes you need to get round. That's fine if you're a detailing obsessive or do a low mileage but in winter they're going to get a bit painful to clean. That said, they do look good.

I'd add park assist to the spec too, if you have 19" alloys especially - it works really well and at first you think it's a gimmick and just show it off to your friends. Then after a while you realise how good it is when you have a really tight spot to get into, its raining, you're running late and you don't want to hit an alloy wheel on the kerb. At times like that it's worth every penny. I miss it on my current car.

The Carbon Grey looks great though, a good choice of colour.
Title: Re: VW Golf GTD - Carbon Grey - 18" or 19" Alloys?
Post by: p3asa on 30 July 2015, 23:18
I'd add park assist to the spec too, if you have 19" alloys especially - it works really well and at first you think it's a gimmick and just show it off to your friends. Then after a while you realise how good it is when you have a really tight spot to get into, its raining, you're running late and you don't want to hit an alloy wheel on the kerb. At times like that it's worth every penny. I miss it on my current car.


I've got park assist and totally forgot about it over the last years ownership  :rolleyes:
I used it the other day and must admit it brought a smile to my face as it made parking easy.
I would be wary though of it protecting your alloys as I'm sure it lines up with the car in front and behind if parallel parking. So if they have their alloys on the kerb, your car will also have its alloys on the kerb  :shocked:
Title: Re: VW Golf GTD - Carbon Grey - 18" or 19" Alloys?
Post by: JonnyG on 09 August 2015, 16:24
Will go for reversing camera as it will hardly break the bank.

Just a warning on this .... a lot of R owners who went for this option do not like it. 

The standard parking sensors and screen are very good anyway, and a lot say the camera option does not allow the distances to be judged, while the standard sensors do.
 
Title: Re: VW Golf GTD - Carbon Grey - 18" or 19" Alloys?
Post by: mcmaddy on 09 August 2015, 20:27
Something must be wrong with either R's or R owners then as the rear camera is excellent and does the distances perfectly.
Title: Re: VW Golf GTD - Carbon Grey - 18" or 19" Alloys?
Post by: Sootchucker on 10 August 2015, 16:33
I'd add park assist to the spec too, if you have 19" alloys especially - it works really well and at first you think it's a gimmick and just show it off to your friends. Then after a while you realise how good it is when you have a really tight spot to get into, its raining, you're running late and you don't want to hit an alloy wheel on the kerb. At times like that it's worth every penny. I miss it on my current car.


I've got park assist and totally forgot about it over the last years ownership  :rolleyes:
I used it the other day and must admit it brought a smile to my face as it made parking easy.
I would be wary though of it protecting your alloys as I'm sure it lines up with the car in front and behind if parallel parking. So if they have their alloys on the kerb, your car will also have its alloys on the kerb  :shocked:

It actually measures the distance to the kerb. There's a setting in VCDS which enables you to adjust it. I've used it before when the car behind me had half parked on the pavement, and it slotted me in perfectly with about 8" from the tyres to the kerb.
Title: Re: VW Golf GTD - Carbon Grey - 18" or 19" Alloys?
Post by: p3asa on 10 August 2015, 23:42
It actually measures the distance to the kerb. There's a setting in VCDS which enables you to adjust it. I've used it before when the car behind me had half parked on the pavement, and it slotted me in perfectly with about 8" from the tyres to the kerb.


That's good to know. Cheers.
I must use it more often as I keep forgetting I have it.
Title: Re: VW Golf GTD - Carbon Grey - 18" or 19" Alloys?
Post by: Optimus prime on 11 August 2015, 09:47
Something must be wrong with either R's or R owners then as the rear camera is excellent and does the distances perfectly.

Yep I agree...must be all the R drivers in so much of a hurry :whistle:
Title: Re: VW Golf GTD - Carbon Grey - 18" or 19" Alloys?
Post by: mjh_056 on 11 August 2015, 12:41
Upgrading alloys is only extra I'm going for as its a company car, unless there is something else worth considering.
That's dangerous talk in these parts... Tick the options... all of them :)

Reversing camera for 150 is a popular one, and keyless is great.

Do you have a limit for what you can add it being company?

Mine is Company Lease to and actually avoided the Santiago lift as really loved the Nogaro.

Not sure how comfort rates on scale but the DCC really does take car to another level of comfort.

DSG + Comfort + Auto Hold makes for such comfortable and effortless commutes.

Winter Pack is pretty cheap as options go and come winter them heated seats are worth every penny or if have any back complaint to.

Title: Re: VW Golf GTD - Carbon Grey - 18" or 19" Alloys?
Post by: Sootchucker on 11 August 2015, 18:12
If we are still talking about a GTI or GTD (not an R), then winter pack is now standard equipment, along with Nav and keyless entry.
Title: Re: VW Golf GTD - Carbon Grey - 18" or 19" Alloys?
Post by: mike_f on 01 October 2015, 10:23
Get 18"s

I bought the 19"s and have managed to buckle all 4 somehow....

Also due to the hard ride the number of rattles the car has developed is not too good....

Save yourself the £1k on the option.....