GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk7 => Topic started by: Exonian on 31 May 2019, 15:59
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... the latest comtender to take your cash instead of a “Performance Golf”?
https://configure.bmw.co.uk/en_GB/configure/F40/1SMP/FPDFM,S01AG,S01CB,S01DE,S01RN,S0230,S0249,S02NH,S02PA,S02TB,S02VB,S02VC,S02VE,S0302,S0313,S0418,S0423,S0428,S0430,S0431,S0470,S0493,S0494,S04GQ,S04P2,S0508,S0534,S0544,S0563,S05A2,S05AQ,S0654,S06AE,S06AF,S06AK,S06C4,S06U3,S0704,S0710,S0711,S0715,S0754,S0760,S0775,S0812,S0853,S0880,S08KA,S08R9,S08S2,S08S3,S08SM,S08TF,S08TG
Interesting that the 135i like the A35 has just over 300PS when the usually more comservative VW had been mooting around 340PS previously for the mk8 R.
I wonder if WLTP will mean VW will keep the next R nearer 300.
As for the 135i, typically BMW ugly but not as disproportioned as the RWD car, almost similar to the new Focus in styling but not quite as awful. Hopefully the mk8 won’t be quite as bad as either.
The A35 has the best looks of the crop for me (so long as 19” wheels optioned).
I think the 135i has well over 300 lb ft from what I read somewhere which is a good thing. An 8 speed gearbox though? Do we need that hiccuping non stop in auto mode? My manual GTI can be slotted in 6th about 30mph and will happily sit there pulling well to any speed even on an incline making good progress.
Do we need 8 gears constantly cog swapping?
The one thing that does strike me and the reason I posted in here is how well the mk7 Golf still stacks up against these much newer designs aside from a few tech details such as better AID displays.
BMW and Merc (and definitely Ford) don’t seem to have moved the game on much.
I think I’d still buy a Golf over any of the new pretenders. I might eat my words at some point.
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Surely a latest generation 8 speed auto from bmw won't be "hiccupping" with every gear change?
I had a 116D prior to the GTI and whenever I had loan cars from bmw with auto boxes they where very smooth and seemless, much like the DSG in the GTI. I presume the latest bmw autobox will be very good. If your pushing on in Manual mode then 8 speeds might seem a bit much if they are quite close together, but in auto I'm sure it would work its way through the gears without any fuss.
Going front wheel drive is a shame though.
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I priced a A35 the other day... ouch.
That's me done with that - I'm not buying a car with a RRP of more than £40k
And they don't seem to have anything around the 250bhp fwd mark that I could see. Its either A35 fire breather 4wd auto or nothing.
I resent having to pay £400 for android auto too!
Extra for LED headlights? Really?
The BMW.... its not as ugly as it used to be, which is good, but until I can see the configurator for it I don't know if the various tech they talk about in the announcement is included or extra. It sounded to me like extra.... typical BMW extra too. I'd also expect it to be very small inside.
I know people are a bit meh about the Mk8 shape so far, but can't help but feel that assuming it is similarly spec'ed to a Mk7.5 GTI performance, you've got far better value for money out the box than either the Merc or the Beemer offer - by a hefty old margin too.
I'm still 6 months away from having to take it seriously, but at the moment, I'm still angling for a Mk8.
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I actually can’t believe that bmw made the 1 series even more ugly, but they managed it. Hats off to them. From what I’ve seen of the car the proportions are completely out. I quite like the rear but as soon as you get the profile or a 3 quarter view the car quickly looks terrible.
I think that bmw have done a good job inside though. New seats look very good indeed.
Think you’re right though that the Golf still looks good against the new cars on the block, in terms of power, technology, standard spec and pricing. Think that shows what a great job Vw have done right across the Mk7 lifecycle.
As Chris Harris said ‘Buy a Golf.’
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My manual GTI can be slotted in 6th about 30mph and will happily sit there pulling well to any speed even on an incline making good progress.
That's one of the things that surprised me when I got mine. Great on the motorway, I rarely change gear! As to that new BMW, it doesn't look like a performance version, it's so bland it could be base spec. I could never have a BMW anyway, my OH has a deep hatred of them, no idea why :rolleyes:
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my last car was an M2 , looked great , sounded amazing , drove crap ! ill never own another bmw !
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OP: In all honesty this 3rd gen 1 Series is a bit Marmite. From some angles it looks quite angry and squat, from others it looks bland and a bit wrong. Like a squashed X2. We need to see one in the flesh before righting it off. The interior and tech are a big step up from the current model. Obviously its now gone AWD, as have all 300ps hot hatches, but the B48 engine is sweet by all accounts. It puts out 450 Nm (same as the original M135i 3ltr straight six) which is very, very decent and best in class (for cars clustered around 300ps). The ZF 8 speed is a thing of wonder. It really is. Smooth as silk, fast and never ever hiccups :wink: IMHO I'd say its even better than DSG, but not by much.
I can tell you this, there is one hell of a debate raging on the 'other' forum I frequent. Near mutiny :angry:
It's key problem with this new 1er is cost!! With must-have options its about 40k which, which lets be honest, for a small hot hatch is friggin' bananas! That is over 11k more than I paid for my current M140i which is fully loaded.
I am eagerly awaiting some images of the Mk8 GTI and R as I'd like to change my car in the next 12 months or so. I like what I've seen so far but the front end/light cluster is a bloody disaster compared to the Mk7. Let's wait and see what they do.
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I’m a bit of a BMW fan but can’t get to grips with the looks of the 1 series beyond the first generation hatch & coupe - have never figured out why they changed it. This latest one isn’t any better and the grill looks ridiculous, maybe it’s a grower. Not a fan of the Mercedes interiors right now either, the infotainment screens look like they’ve superglued an iPad to the dash imo. So it’s difficult to look beyond the golf really. Quite looking forward to the mk8 and hope that the performance models come along before end of May 2020 when I’m due to change my 7.5 gtd. Saw a grey TCR in the dealers yesterday, still looks fresh & current even though the shape is getting on a bit. VW still leading the field for me.
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I too,like BMW,s - had a few but never been a fan of the 1 series, looks like a breadvan to me. I was looking at getting a M235i prior to the Golf - just out of my price range unfortunately.
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Interesting opinions as ever.
I can but imagine the horror some of the BMW die hards are expressing on their respective forums.
I think in the metal it’ll be an interesting shape, like a big Dinky Toy.
As with most of the new generation hatches it’s styled like an SUV but they haven’t done too bad a job of it.
Thanks for confirming the engine torque H-F-O, that figure alone would be a big draw for me as that’s going to be really useful in real world driving and where it will score on the roll against the likes of the R and more so the A35.
I don’t doubt the ZF 8 speed is a thing of wonder but that’s still a lot of gears for the TCU to hunt through and I find little rev coughs irritating as autos change gear, I don’t care how quick the changes might be!
If the car has prodigious torque like the 6 cyl turbo from very low revs and gets into top gear quite quickly using the torque to pull it up to speed with haste then its my type of car.
I still think the mk7 Golf holds its head high on balance against this new generation of hatches, not bad for a seven year old car.
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Some great comments above........hope BMW read this thread ........why does the car loom so terrible.......and that grill...oh dear.
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my last car was an M2 , looked great , sounded amazing , drove crap ! ill never own another bmw !
Could not agree more. M2 should be awesome but it is totally sh!t!
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Not really sure why everyone's hating the shape of the new 1er. Looks a lot nicer than the ford fungus and the mk8 for that matter.
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I'm a bit disappointed TBH. I was hoping for something a little sharper looking, but this looks a bit bloaty and SUV-esque. At least it's an improvement on the previous two generations. Hopefully it looks better up close.
I'll reserve judgement on the Mk8 until we see some proper pictures.
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Exonian, you’re maybe misunderstanding how the ‘box works?
7 & 8 are overdriven for economy, in Sport/Sport + you get the first 6 to play with. So it’s not quite as frantic as you think. It also lets you hit the limiter, without auto-upshifting or pulling torque to soften the change, something I find hugely frustrating in my 7.5’s DSG.
Looks are subjective.
4WD/Transverse - I have much more of a problem with this, the unique joy of my old M135is was the engine and way they drive. For their few faults (I had to buy an LSD) and float on the limit, RWD with a great motor in a short wheelbase is utterly joyful.
Now it’s just competing in a pool of clones, the new Focus RS will no doubt join the A35, Golf R, S3... blah blah
It’s a shame, but someone’s done the numbers and decided it’s what buyers want.
The saving grace is the 2 will be based on a shortened 3 chassis and still RWD, not quite the family friendly weapon though.
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Have you seen the 1 series with some bells and whistles?
Changes the look a fair bit... if your pockets are deep enough!
https://www.carmagazine.co.uk/car-news/first-official-pictures/bmw/1-series/
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Reminds me of the i50n from the front
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Have you seen the 1 series with some bells and whistles?
Changes the look a fair bit... if your pockets are deep enough!
https://www.carmagazine.co.uk/car-news/first-official-pictures/bmw/1-series/
Still not a fan and those M performace parts will be very expensive. Probably only be seen on demostrators and press cars
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I have to say I was very pleased to sell the M2, was not a fan of BMW ownership and dealer network and just too contrived, would I have another BMW, probably not as the ultimate drivers machine for me is made in Stuttgart.
Struggling with what to replace the Mk7 with, looked at a Mecan but too big and the A35 which soon ramps up when you spec it up even considered a A110 (seriously over rated).
Will wait for mk 8, the I30N Fastback does look great though
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I30N Performance is a great car, comes with loads of standard kit. I think it sits between the GTi and an R but has the fuel economy of an RS3 🤷♂️
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I'm seeing people talking about it being able to do 41mpg on the motorway at 70mph.... but realistic average mpg of somewhere between 24mpg and 31mpg, which I'd say is not far off what a Golf R does.
WhatCar say:
in our real-world tests, the i30N Performance averaged 31.2mpg; the more powerful Civic Type R returned 35.1mpg
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I'm seeing people talking about it being able to do 41mpg on the motorway at 70mph.... but realistic average mpg of somewhere between 24mpg and 31mpg, which I'd say is not far off what a Golf R does.
WhatCar say:
in our real-world tests, the i30N Performance averaged 31.2mpg; the more powerful Civic Type R returned 35.1mpg
Both of those numbers are more than what my GTI gets :/ Mostly short journeys though for me
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With my lease up in October and having to choose replacement by May had a serious look over the fence versus a replacement MK 7.5 R
The car mainly looked at was the A35 AMG which feel is a really good stab at the 300 BHP, AWD demographic and I could definitely see myself driving one.
Opposed to much of what you see, the lines on the A35 are long, smooth and sleek and the interior, though not to everyone taste is definitely a huge lift from the previous A series and its a really nice cabin to sit in.
My issue was firstly cost, as to have the car you would want, you would need to add the Aerodynamic Kit and at least the middle premium pack plus the must have adaptive suspension (consensus on the AMG forum is standard ride is quite hard) and that alone tops £40,000 and thats with leaving options like car play (media pack is £600) off.
You could push £50,000 if went for everything on offer.
The main issue being reported is build quality, rattles, poor fitting as well as some software updates required for tech glitches (which is no surprise given the tech fest of the cabin - which maybe an early view to what the first MK 8 may go through with all the mooted added tech?)
But really like the A35 AMG, has all the elements you would want and think in its next evolved version it will be a good sound purchase
I would have looked at the new BMW given it was going FWD and AWD (never considered previously as not at all comfortable with performance BMW RWD on UK roads, and thats from experience of being a passenger many times, the back sliding out and rear end wiggles at speed might be fun for a journo, its last thing I want to feel happening)
Personally ok with the new BMW but the M kits seem an absolute must and pretty sure they will drive well also. Doubt would have been enough to turn my head this time around, but think 3 years from now the BMW will be a viable option.
Looked at the Hyundai 130 N briefly, and have nothing against it at all, think its an excellent entrance into this arena, and think the next version, if they take some of the wide ranging comments on board in terms of interior, could really put itself in the frame.
Never looked at the Honda Type R, far too shouty
Audi are not an option at the moment as they change to their next generation and would have looked at whatever the latest performance option would be. Looking at the new A1 then little nervous to how the new A3 would look as not a fan of the new A1.
Did look at a Focus ST and immediately shook head and got out of it - quite like the design but interior leaves me cold
Despite looking over the fence my thoughts kept coming back to fact that the MK 7 R and GTI were still being talked about glowingly against these new cars, and that at 7 years, the MK 7 was not an ageing platform in decline, but has set the curve these others are being judged against still and not beating.
The revolution came in the MQB MK 6 > MK 7, the MK 8 will be evolution in the driving experience at best and the revolution (or regression) will come in the technical dept.
So with that as thinking it was quite an easy decision to stay with firstly an R and then when the TCR came along, a change to experiencing some of the GTI heritage for the first time - basically same fun, just a different flavour
There was comment to 300 BHP being the seemingly accepted benchmark and though know many do map beyond that, I think 300 BHP will always be enough for me, and by going to the TCR have readily lost a second 0-60 on the R as was pretty sure my road experience is not going to be too dissimilar as there is going to be plenty of pace on tap for whenever want to utilise it.
This all circles back to the fact that at 7 years and against present and upcoming opposition (including the MK8 ) the MK 7.5 is still hugely relevant and if want to save some money and even get a bargain, then selecting a MK 7.5 GTI/R that dealers are trying to clear off forecourts might be the best decision made for a while.
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The biggest thing for a tight @rse like me is that you can have a mk7.5 GTI with extras for less than 30k and now the other options are looking like £35-45k. That's a pile of extra money. Seriously more expensive.
I know we have members on here with top end BMW's and Porches and god knows what else, but I'm not afraid to say that a £40k car is too much for me. It simply is.
I'm just hoping that a Mk8 is roughly in line with a Mk7.5. If not, I guess I'll be moving down a notch.
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The biggest thing for a tight @rse like me is that you can have a mk7.5 GTI with extras for less than 30k and now the other options are looking like £35-45k. That's a pile of extra money. Seriously more expensive.
I know we have members on here with top end BMW's and Porches and god knows what else, but I'm not afraid to say that a £40k car is too much for me. It simply is.
I'm just hoping that a Mk8 is roughly in line with a Mk7.5. If not, I guess I'll be moving down a notch.
I have to agree.
The fact the mk7(7.5) still holds its own perfectly well and still looks fresh today 7 years in, plus is loaded with kit as standard.
£40k is a distanct possibility for a modestly equipped mk8 R and possibly GTI too.
The A Class and 1 series now come with packs of extras not individual items which is apparently to do with WLTP requiring every option to be tested separately, so now it makes sense for them to bundle them in packs for simplicity.
List price of the mk8 will be similar to the outgoing model I expect to keep it competitive but discounts might be scant in the first 12 months unless BMW and Merc are being really aggressive with discounting.
By the time you’ve added £600 for paint, £1500 for one option pack which you probably wouldn’t want all items of, then another £1500 for another pack which you might want another couple of features but not all... £40k soon arrives.
These are family cars not just wealthy people’s “just nipping down the shops car” to go with their huge SUV school run car and collection of sports models. Fair enough having a halo hatch like an RS3 and A45 (R400?) in the range for those that want a smallish car with a bit of status and don’t give a rats arse how much it costs. The GTI should be (just about) attainable, the R just above that.
With the 135i, A35, S3, Golf R etc there’s a lot of competition in that segment which is good news but the products are getting remarkably similar to compete head on.
As an aside, I’ve seen and read a few tests of the i30N and A35 now and they don’t perform as well as the Golfs in the all important (useable) mid range acceleration. The 135i should be the big performer there.
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BTW.... talking of "similar"... look at this...
(https://i.imgur.com/LEuoF7d.jpg)
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The biggest thing for a tight @rse like me is that you can have a mk7.5 GTI with extras for less than 30k and now the other options are looking like £35-45k. That's a pile of extra money. Seriously more expensive.
I know we have members on here with top end BMW's and Porches and god knows what else, but I'm not afraid to say that a £40k car is too much for me. It simply is.
I'm just hoping that a Mk8 is roughly in line with a Mk7.5. If not, I guess I'll be moving down a notch.
Me too. I paid about £24k for my GTI (oddly almost exactly the same for my old A4 back in 2003!). Even paying £30k just seems too much, takes me an awful long time at the grindstone to earn that, if I'm going to part with it the purchase has to be for something that I really want. Which brings me very neatly to your 4 nondescript blue cars. No. None of those would get my wallet open.
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BMW are well known for their discounts, I got 22% off my last M135i.
Don't get too hung up on the list prices.
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. Which brings me very neatly to your 4 nondescript blue cars.
BTW, that image is... From top to bottom: BMW 1 series, Ford Focus, Mercedes A-Class, Kia Ceed, Toyota Corolla
Almost like someone has been copying someone else's homework eh...
I suspect though if you were to drop the Mk8 into that, it wouldn't look out of place either...
(https://cdn1.carbuyer.co.uk/sites/carbuyer_d7/files/styles/gallery_adv/public/2019/04/vw_golf_006.jpg?itok=iP1_nA5b)
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. Which brings me very neatly to your 4 nondescript blue cars.
BTW, that image is... From top to bottom: BMW 1 series, Ford Focus, Mercedes A-Class, Kia Ceed, Toyota Corolla
Almost like someone has been copying someone else's homework eh...
I suspect though if you were to drop the Mk8 into that, it wouldn't look out of place either...
(https://cdn1.carbuyer.co.uk/sites/carbuyer_d7/files/styles/gallery_adv/public/2019/04/vw_golf_006.jpg?itok=iP1_nA5b)
I sincerely hope it doesn't look like that.
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I sincerely hope it doesn't look like that.
It will do... obviously what you are looking at here is a dirty, unfinished, unpolished car with crappy wheels but the bodyshell shape will be that.
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Obviously they've tried to cover up the guys face and the road sign on that picture...
with varying levels of success lol.