GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk7 => Topic started by: grose on 10 January 2017, 15:15
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Hi All,
Wanted to say hi as I have just become the owner of a GTI PP after the last 3 years in a BMW 125d. Having had enough of the diesel drone that I have lived with in my last few cars, I just had to get back into a petrol car for the refinement, noise and general driving pleasure. Whilst I have always enjoyed the diesel torque, I just hated the rattle, noise and general clatter from the derv engines. I do about 15k a year, so the GTI is not the most economical choice, but the benefits far outweigh the extra fuel costs!
I was an owner of one of the very first Mk5 GTI's in early 2005 and have regretted selling that car ever since I moved it on, hence why I decided to come back to the Golf GTI stable. I have to say, I am really enjoying the experience so far and had some observations to make vs the BMW.
Interior: The GTI is a much more interesting place to be and whilst I think the interior quality of the BMW was superior(free of any rattles/squeaks etc) there is a not a massive amount in it. The BMW I had was well specced, but the Golf trumps it in terms of overall equipment. What I would say is that I like Android Auto, but I do miss the ease of use of iDrive.
Dynaudio: Must say, I am a little disappointed. I had the HK setup in the BMW which was just superb. I had high expectations for the Dynaudio system, but I just can't get the same dynamics as I had before. Is this because of sub in the boot vs under the seats? It almost seems that it needs to adjusted with each and every song played, sometimes too shrilly, sometime too bassy. If anyone has any good suggestions for sorting this, they would be well received!
Performance: On paper, both cars have similar performance, and in real use, that is definitely the case. I have already found myself changing out the tyres (came with Bridgestones) as I think they are awful, but this has helped enormously to get the power down. What I have found is that the GTI feels alive when pushed, the BMW just felt rather sanitised and maybe a little too grown up. Again, the BMW was a great all round car, but it never once made me want to 'just go out for a drive', which the golf does quite regularly.
Dealers: So far, not so good! I have nothing but good experiences with BMW dealers, however, my VW experience so far has been patchy at best! I am hoping this will improve, but I find the difference is the VW dealer seems to need prodding a little more to get things done whereas the BMW dealers were incredibly efficient and nothing was ever too much trouble. It's early days though, so lets see if this will sort itself out.
Overall, really happy with the car, and the long and short of it is: I think the VW has several negative points, however, unlike the BMW, I am more than happy to forgive these, as for me, the car is full of character and I am beginning to love driving again!
One question, I would really like some more exhaust noise. Has anyone looked at swapping out the standard back box with the Clubsport (s) version? Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks all and I hope to contribute on the forum in the future.
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Good write up. I previously had a 118d E87 before switching to an Audi A1 and like yourself had enough of the that diesel drone.
What tyres have you switched to? I personally don't mind the bridgestones, i keep hearing great things about the Michelin Pilot Super Sports, but until the bridge stones are toast i won't be changing.
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Interesting.
I have been looking at a 125D instead of my current GTD.
Was yours a manual BMW and a manual GTI?
I found the BMW very bland compared to my GTD, but I have manual now and the BMW was an auto.
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I went for a set of Goodyear Asym 3's. I have been really impressed with them so far. Defintely a bit softer than the Bridgestones which is a very good thing in my opinion! I have not experienced the tramping I did with the Bridgestones and cats eyes no longer feel like boulders so all in all, very good so far!
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Both are/were autos.
I think the DSG is good, but the ZF8 gearbox in the BMW is superb, I miss the flexibility of the 8 gears and I think the GTI, given the torquey nature of the engine would suit that gearbox well.
As for the manual, can't comment I'm afraid, I commute in traffic every day and am too lazy to keep working out my left leg!
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Ahhh thanks.
At least you won't be fearing this week's snow in your GTI :D
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Very true, although I have been thinking this week I maybe should have changed to some winter tyres.
Let's hope there's not too much of the white stuff!
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As already said great read up any good points made my new 2016 gti non PP came with P zeros so I was very happy handles well feels planted even in the wet way more so than my previous A3 tdi sport which had dunlop sport max on the zero's out do them all round.
Again the A3 was a diesel and ro be honest the engine noise was guiet in the cab we still have a diesel the wife's scirocco and that too is quiet inside so have rhe best of both albeit I opt for the Gti lol :whistle:
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interesting review thanks for posting, always wondered what the 125d was like as its pretty quick on paper
I am looking forward to comparing the CS to the 330d although to be fair they will be doing very different jobs and mileages ! I have to say having the 6cyl diesel takes away a lot of the downside of a diesel car, it really does sound good for an oil burner and if there is a better engine gearbox combination anywhere than the 3.0 diesel and ZF 8 speed I don't know it. I hated the Auto in an M135 test drive but its a match made in heaven with the big diesel engine.
That said I cant wait to get my hands on a light and pointy manual hot hatch.. it will be such a different driving experience I am really looking forward to getting the GTi CS.
As for tyres.. yep winters are the way forward on a BMW. I would hand on heart take my BMW with winters over an Audi Quattro on normal tyres. I know this because last night driving home in heavy rain and standing water on the A11, they are just superb and not just for snow, they inspire masses of confidence and no aquaplaning etc.
The Golf wont be going out in the rain though :wink:
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Could not agree more about the bmw 3 litre diesel and zf8. To be honest if they made a 130d I would be sorely tempted into a diesel again. I had a 530d before the 1 Series and it was a sweet combination.
As that is never likely to happen, I will be enjoying the pleasure of a petrol GTI for a little while yet!
I very nearly went for the pirelli option but got a really good deal on the Goodyear. To be honest, I think any tyre would offer an improved experience over the bridge stones!
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My mate has a 65 plate 320d m sport, and to be honest I didn't really think the interior build quality was amazing, scratchy plastics lower down and on the doors, didn't really rate it any higher than my 15 plate gti . Plus the interior is boring :undecided: the 1 series looks a hairdressers car imo, I've never really thought ' they look nice'. Always thought they were just a cheapo BMW for those who can't afford a 3 series
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My mate has a 65 plate 320d m sport, and to be honest I didn't really think the interior build quality was amazing, scratchy plastics lower down and on the doors, didn't really rate it any higher than my 15 plate gti . Plus the interior is boring :undecided: the 1 series looks a hairdressers car imo, I've never really thought ' they look nice'. Always thought they were just a cheapo BMW for those who can't afford a 3 series
Stereotyping much? I wouldn't call them a hairdresser car and saying they are a cheapo BMW for those that can't afford a 3 series is like saying a 3 series is a cheapo car for people that can't afford a 5 series. Where do you stop, a VW is a cheapo car for people that can't afford an Audi?
I looked at getting a BMW X1 25d M Sport before I ordered the GTD and as someone that doesn't like autos the box in the BMW came close to changing my mind.
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My thoughts on the 1 Series was that it wasn't the much hailed "drivers car". I thought the 8 speed autobox just made it feel like it was a form of transport (albeit very easy to drive) and nothing like the GTD DSG I test drove before getting my manual one. In the past I have driven colleagues' 3 and 5 series and they ARE nice (if you are talking spending upwards of 50k) but the 1, well, it did feel like the poor relative.
I felt like I was spending a lot more money on something I would like a lot less.
The only plus point was that the fuel economy almost certainly was better than my GTD by quite a bit. I guess that's the 8 speed auto.
If I felt I needed a "prestige" badge, I'd opt for an Audi, but quite frankly that bothers me not one little bit!
Clearly I'm a little bit odd in this respect, because I see far more 1 series than Golfs on the road.
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My mate has a 65 plate 320d m sport, and to be honest I didn't really think the interior build quality was amazing, scratchy plastics lower down and on the doors, didn't really rate it any higher than my 15 plate gti . Plus the interior is boring :undecided: the 1 series looks a hairdressers car imo, I've never really thought ' they look nice'. Always thought they were just a cheapo BMW for those who can't afford a 3 series
Stereotyping much? I wouldn't call them a hairdresser car and saying they are a cheapo BMW for those that can't afford a 3 series is like saying a 3 series is a cheapo car for people that can't afford a 5 series. Where do you stop, a VW is a cheapo car for people that can't afford an Audi?
I looked at getting a BMW X1 25d M Sport before I ordered the GTD and as someone that doesn't like autos the box in the BMW came close to changing my mind.
Hence why I said 'imo'
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My mate has a 65 plate 320d m sport, and to be honest I didn't really think the interior build quality was amazing, scratchy plastics lower down and on the doors, didn't really rate it any higher than my 15 plate gti . Plus the interior is boring :undecided: the 1 series looks a hairdressers car imo, I've never really thought ' they look nice'. Always thought they were just a cheapo BMW for those who can't afford a 3 series
Stereotyping much? I wouldn't call them a hairdresser car and saying they are a cheapo BMW for those that can't afford a 3 series is like saying a 3 series is a cheapo car for people that can't afford a 5 series. Where do you stop, a VW is a cheapo car for people that can't afford an Audi?
I looked at getting a BMW X1 25d M Sport before I ordered the GTD and as someone that doesn't like autos the box in the BMW came close to changing my mind.
Hence why I said 'imo'
I know it is in your opinion, if it wasn't in your opinion I wouldn't have said that you were stereotyping! :wink:
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A friend of mine ran a 125d as a company car for a while.
I didn't get to drive it due to insurance reasons but was taken out in it.
Aside from the lack of 6 cylinder noise it seemed easily as quick as an M135i at acceptable road speeds and he demonstrated how it would quite happily spin the rear wheels up through the first three gears and not move! That's not bad going for an automatic car.
Yes it sounded a bit Dieselly but you just turn the volume up on the radio and by the time the air-con fan cranks up the speed you can't really hear the engine that much and it switches out at traffic lights.
He only had the car for a few months as he tends to run the more interesting cars that are due to go back off lease rather than stick with something mundane himself for a couple years. I think his pay banding at work means he would have to have something a bit rubbish if he kept the car long term but gets away with better cars if only kept for a short while.
His parting comments when the 125d went off to auction?
"I got a lift the next day in a colleague's GTD and had forgotten just how good an allrounder the Golf was, it was good to be back in one"
So on that comment from someone who drives everything from those weird BMW electric sports car thingies, V8 Jags to i10's and Fiat 500's it says that the Golf GTI will be a worthy replacement for the 125d.
What's not to like about the Golf GTI?
Looks good.
Feels like a Golf.
Quick.
Economical.
Iconic.
Amazing handling and ride balance for a lardy FWD sports hatch...
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I had a 320d loaner when my 330d was in for a service and it also had the 8 speed auto. Somehow it just didn't gel with the engine like the 3.0d does and I would say to anyone thinking of a 4 cyl Bmw to cut some spec out and buy a 3.0d it will be worth it.
Can't put my finger on it but where the 8 speed drops you right slap bang in 400lb ft of torque in the 330d with every change, it just seemed to give you more diesel noise in the 320d.
I won't sell my 330d until it's done at least 5 years and 100k miles it barely feels run in and although it will serve a different role to the CS if I could keep one car only it would be the 330d. I'm still stunned by the performance, economy ( never less than 40mpg ) ride quality and all round abilities including the lovely tan leather interior and ambient lighting you get as std. I normally go off cars after 18 months but not the case with the 330d
That said I can't wait to get my hands on the CS and try it on some twisty B roads, should be a blast. I have always admired the GTi but the std car wasn't quite special enough or fast enough but the CS add on's although expensive do elevate it for me and it holds an appeal the R has never had for me.
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Suprised by the comments on dynaudio, I have found it to be very good. As with all speakers they do need to be run in to get the best from them. This should only take about 10-15 hours. Try not to push them too hard before then.
Dealers do seem to be hit and miss, vw have been great for me but my BMW experience was so bad I made them buy the car off me so that I didn't have to deal with them again.
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Thanks for the comments all, it's really interesting to hear the very differing views.
Cars at the end of the day are such a subjective thing. It's what makes forums such as these so interesting.
I must say, as I drive the car more, I am increasingly enjoying it, even with a few very minor faults.
I have discovered that Dynaudio is very input sensitive, and I have resorted to only the highest bitrate music I have. This wasn't something I was aware of initially, but it has made a big difference.
As mentioned, the GTI (or golf in general) is just such a brilliant all rounder. I would add that, in my opinion, it ticks all of the boxes that I require from a car and as an added bonus has some character and soul, which I felt has been missing from my last few cars.
I am looking forward to the summer coming and finding some dry roads to really enjoy the car!