GolfGTIforum.co.uk

Model specific boards => Golf mk8 => Topic started by: fredgroves on 24 October 2020, 16:42

Title: My mk8 in the flesh visit
Post by: fredgroves on 24 October 2020, 16:42
I popped into the dealership today to see if they had a gti yet.

They didn't but I did get to look at the gte, which as we know is pretty much the same bar some details.

My thoughts... The outside is actually less bad than i thought. It was a black car. Inside... The inside drivers door panel reminded me of a Nissan micra i had in 1996. Really poor quality. The drivers door closing did not feel "just like a golf". The rest of the interior is not very nice either. The drivers seat seemed not very comfy either. Definitely did not feel like that was a thirty six grand car.

I also saw my first id3... Had a look at that. Actually liked that much more than the golf to be honest.

Am going back next week to test drive the gti and the id3...
Title: Re: My mk8 in the flesh visit
Post by: Guzzle on 24 October 2020, 17:01
Interesting. I remember sitting in the ID3 and the Mk8 (Style loaded with options) last year and actually felt the opposite. The Golf felt very similar quality to my Mk7.5 but the ID3 interior felt like costs had been cut.

Having said that both cars were pre-production I think, so must get to my dealer so i can update my opinion. The ID3 has the interior apparently constructed from 'sustainable materials' so maybe that had something to do with it??
Title: Re: My mk8 in the flesh visit
Post by: fredgroves on 24 October 2020, 17:20
Oh and something else i noticed.. On the gte, on the outside of the b pillar.. "volkswagen" decal. Not seen that before on any of the photos. Looked a bit out of place.
Title: Re: My mk8 in the flesh visit
Post by: SRGTD on 24 October 2020, 19:01
Oh and something else i noticed.. On the gte, on the outside of the b pillar.. "volkswagen" decal. Not seen that before on any of the photos. Looked a bit out of place.

I think VW might be adding the ‘Volkswagen’ insignia on the B pillar to their entire model range where the pillar is wide enough to accommodate it. It’s not just a mk8 Golf thing, my Polo GTI+ also has it.
Title: Re: My mk8 in the flesh visit
Post by: Watts on 24 October 2020, 21:15
Oh and something else i noticed.. On the gte, on the outside of the b pillar.. "volkswagen" decal. Not seen that before on any of the photos. Looked a bit out of place.

I think VW might be adding the ‘Volkswagen’ insignia on the B pillar to their entire model range where the pillar is wide enough to accommodate it. It’s not just a mk8 Golf thing, my Polo GTI+ also has it.

It was on the ID3 I looked at too.
Title: Re: My mk8 in the flesh visit
Post by: kmpowell on 09 November 2020, 08:59
Currently sat in the waiting area of my dealer whilst my car is having it's first service, and this is directly next to me:

(https://i.postimg.cc/5Ntx2BhT/IMG-0139.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/xqWrszT3)

(https://i.postimg.cc/mZjL4X57/IMG-0141.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/PNLsz4hq)

(https://i.postimg.cc/GtXdjtyX/IMG-0142.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/kRR0JnwS)

(https://i.postimg.cc/02H9M6xQ/IMG-0144.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Yhg5TCvK)

I'm not sure I could be more underwhelmed if I tried. Those wheels?!? :huh:
Title: Re: My mk8 in the flesh visit
Post by: fredgroves on 09 November 2020, 09:49
I never particularly liked the classic GTI axe/swastika wheels much anyway.
Title: Re: My mk8 in the flesh visit
Post by: CarbonGTD on 09 November 2020, 11:24
These alloys remind me of the London 2012 Olympics branding.  Horrible.
Title: Re: My mk8 in the flesh visit
Post by: jaceyboy on 09 November 2020, 15:25
Wheels are puke
Title: Re: My mk8 in the flesh visit
Post by: king monkey on 09 November 2020, 17:37
It looks particularly uninspiring.
Title: Re: My mk8 in the flesh visit
Post by: Guzzle on 09 November 2020, 17:48
Looks fine to me. Yeah the wheel design is contrived and I've seen better. But when 19's and DCC are an extra £1500 I think I could be persuaded to put up with them.
Title: Re: My mk8 in the flesh visit
Post by: mistac on 09 November 2020, 17:48
My local dealer (part of Marriott Motor Group) not only does not have any GTI's, but it virtually has no vehicles in the whole showroom and has not had for many months - when I asked I was told it was Covid related but seems at odd with numerous other showrooms on this forum - shame as I would personally like to see vehicles in there!.
Again I appear to be in the minority, but I love the standard 7.5 and 8 alloys - best alloys I have ever had - look good (imo) and dead easy to keep clean - need to be careful not to damage them but that applies to all alloys 
Title: Re: My mk8 in the flesh visit
Post by: fredgroves on 09 November 2020, 17:50
Looks fine to me. Yeah the wheel design is contrived and I've seen better. But when 19's and DCC are an extra £1500 I think I could be persuaded to put up with them.

About 20 quid a month? Ok tyres will be more expensive too, but...

The real thing I don't know is just how bad the thing rides on 19's even with DCC vs 18's.

I'd certainly at this time not feel happy about dropping the coin on it without trying the options out, given what has been said about it being rather firmer than the Mk7.
Title: Re: My mk8 in the flesh visit
Post by: Guzzle on 09 November 2020, 18:00
Looks fine to me. Yeah the wheel design is contrived and I've seen better. But when 19's and DCC are an extra £1500 I think I could be persuaded to put up with them.

About 20 quid a month? Ok tyres will be more expensive too, but...

The real thing I don't know is just how bad the thing rides on 19's even with DCC vs 18's.

I'd certainly at this time not feel happy about dropping the coin on it without trying the options out, given what has been said about it being rather firmer than the Mk7.

Depends if they add anything to the GFV, but if they don't then it's going to be more like £40 extra per month over 3 years. Plus the more expensive tyres and the extra propensity for kerb rash. As you say though, the most important factor will be living with the ride quality.
Title: Re: My mk8 in the flesh visit
Post by: SRGTD on 09 November 2020, 19:05
My local dealer (part of Marriott Motor Group) not only does not have any GTI's, but it virtually has no vehicles in the whole showroom and has not had for many months - when I asked I was told it was Covid related but seems at odd with numerous other showrooms on this forum - shame as I would personally like to see vehicles in there!.
Again I appear to be in the minority, but I love the standard 7.5 and 8 alloys - best alloys I have ever had - look good (imo) and dead easy to keep clean - need to be careful not to damage them but that applies to all alloys

My dealer is the same. Their showroom has had no more than 2-3 cars in it since they reopened after the first lockdown, and those cars were locked when I was last there in September. They can probably comfortably fit around a dozen cars in the showroom, although 12 cars to keep sanitised, and maintaining social distancing with potential customers browsing might be difficult at busy times, especially as their service advisor team are also based in the showroom.

I’m not keen on the mk8 GTI’s standard wheels. I don’t like the five arm swastika design, and I like the diamond cut finish even less. But hey, it’s good we don’t all like the same things :smiley:.

Title: Re: My mk8 in the flesh visit
Post by: Mag_Pie on 09 November 2020, 20:00
In my eyes I feel that the MK8 GTI somehow suits a colour that allows the plastic trim to stand out, I don’t find these pics that bad, white is another colour I like. I still can’t find any love for the 18s though.
Title: Re: My mk8 in the flesh visit
Post by: Paul70 on 09 November 2020, 21:50
In my eyes I feel that the MK8 GTI somehow suits a colour that allows the plastic trim to stand out, I don’t find these pics that bad, white is another colour I like. I still can’t find any love for the 18s though.

I agree with you Mag_Pie, I prefer white and silver. Agree with views on the wheels, they for sure will not grow on me and in my view the car would look so much better with aftermarket 19s, probably drive better too.
Title: Re: My mk8 in the flesh visit
Post by: ar899 on 10 November 2020, 07:58
The Mark 8 is slowly growing on me. I think the 18s look ok to me. The 19s do look better but I'm guessing not as good for ride quality or rubber life.