GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk8 => Topic started by: CarbonGTD on 03 November 2020, 15:41
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So on Thurs I will have the (dubious pleasure?) of a 70 plate Mk 8 Golf GTE on 7 day trial (car has the 18" optional rims and winter pack).
As a Mk 8 sceptic (I love my Mk 7.5 GTI PP DSG) I'm interested at least to see whether 7 days with the Mk 8 wins me round to the new tech or just highlights the cost cutting/perceived drop off in quality (in my eyes).
If anyone has any queries/things they'd like me to test/check whilst I have it, let me know.
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Please get some pics for the benefit of the forum :wink:
There has been lots of stick given to the Mk8 for the new interior layout so it would be interesting to see how intuitive (or not) it actually is or if it's journo's making a mountain out of a molehill.
245ps is a match for the GTi at road legal speeds (on paper at least) although the GTE has a supposedly more laid back character. Your thoughts on this, and what mpg is actually achievable. 👍
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Does the GTE have the matrix lights?
If it does, i'd be interested in hearing your opinion.
Also curious to know if the seats are comfy - my initial sit the in GTE in the showroom didn't suggest they were.
Is voice control any better - don't know if you have it on your Mk7.5. Try it.
Try wireless AA/ACP - does it work? Can you connect a second phone if you use it? (can't in a Mk7)
Enjoy your Mk8 experience!
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The GTE does have matrix lights as standard, but voice control is only available on cars with Nav Pro.
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GTE is something I 'might' consider. I'm wary of plug ins as I may not be always be able to charge it up. How does it drive without any charge? Performance/economy on the engine only? (assuming you are able to do that) - appreciate you may not want to try that in your test week.
Ride quality?
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The big one for me is the usability of the HVAC controls and settings such as stop/start whilst driving. Similarly, ease of adjusting the DCC on the fly (if fitted). From the perspective of someone who adjusts these setting regularly on most trips.
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OK real big thing i have to find out if you can help... Can you change the colour of the aid? On a gte I guess it's blue, but can you make it white? Would appreciate the answer.
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OK real big thing i have to find out if you can help... Can you change the colour of the aid? On a gte I guess it's blue, but can you make it white? Would appreciate the answer.
You can change it to any colour you want,including white....will get a picture later.
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GTE is arriving at midday today so will make a note of all the queries so far and report back idc.
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Thanks both of you for the replies!
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Got any thoughts so far @CarbonGTD?
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Confused thoughts Fred!
I will try to write up some comprehensible notes after it has gone back this w/end.
In short though - imho the reported chassis improvements for Mk 8 are real - the Mk 8 GTE handles and steers even better than my Mk 7.5 GTI PP (granted my car is on GTI suspension and 19" Brescias vs GTE suspension and 18" wheels). It just feels more planted and better damped - it's very impressive to drive swiftly - a very controlled chassis set up.
However with almost everything else I prefer my 7.5 GTI PP. There is not a single exterior angle that the Mk 8 looks better from. The interior of the Mk 8 is slabby and hard plastic and no kind of forward step for me. And whilst I do like the size/shape/feel of the new Mk 8 steering wheel, I hate the 'buttons' on it (which are not buttons at all and feel horrible). And don't start me on the shiny plastic heating 'sliders' etc - all just nasty.
Interestingly/surprisingly (to me) what has worked best with the GTE has been the pure electric drive (ie when fully charged). I managed to drive all the way into work (25 miles) without using a single thimble full of petrol, and that was including motorway driving - it was quite happy using full electric at 80 mph and pulling. It was super smooth and quiet under full electric and every bit brisk enough for commuting.
So I both love it/hate it. Total mixed bag. But the bottom line is I will be v glad to get back into my own car because it is the classic 9/10 package at everything - it looks fantastic (inside and out), goes great, steers great - there are just no 'buts' about it, and that simply cannot be said about the Mk 8.
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Interesting!
Have a look back up this thread though and see if you will be able to answer the other questions.
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Interesting thoughts. It’s such a shame that nearly everybody says the same thing about the interior. Slabs of plastic is probably a good description. I do wonder if it’s more about the texture of these plastics as they have none unlike the Mk7. They definitely feel cheaper even if they might not actually be.
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Are the steering wheel buttons 'touch' as well? That seems a terrible move!
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Are the steering wheel buttons 'touch' as well? That seems a terrible move!
I watched a Volkswizard review yesterday where he said he kept accidentally putting the steering wheel heater on due to the touch sensitive controls on the wheel.
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I guess you might get used to the 'touch' buttons after a while. Am waiting for local VW garage to get a GTI demo in - have told me end of the month.
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I think CarbonGTD should be able to answer a lot of questions about the controls, because after a week he should have gotten reasonably used to it....
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Yes jv the steering wheel buttons are 'touch' as well (and I'm not sure I would ever get used to them Fred). They are not actually buttons at all on the steering wheel any more - instead they are two gloss black plastic 'pads' which are back lit. The 'pads' feel pretty horrible when you press on them and yes it's easy to accidentally turn on the heated steering wheel etc.
Nb - the Audio volume control part of the left steering wheel 'pad' you can still press down on (in the conventional way) to increase/decrease vol, but you can now also slide your finger across the pad (to the left of the steering wheel pad to reduce vol or to the right to increase vol). I'm not a fan I'm afraid. But others may think it's great.
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In short though - imho the reported chassis improvements for Mk 8 are real - the Mk 8 GTE handles and steers even better than my Mk 7.5 GTI PP (granted my car is on GTI suspension and 19" Brescias vs GTE suspension and 18" wheels). It just feels more planted and better damped - it's very impressive to drive swiftly - a very controlled chassis set up.
I wonder how much of that is down to the extra weight and lower C of G due to the battery pack?
The Golf R has more planted and less playful handling than the GTI, and I've always put that down to the extra low-down weight rather than anything special with the suspension.
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The battery is in the boot where the spare wheel would be, so the extra weight probably contributes to a more stable rear end. Always thought the rear of my Mk7.5 GTD a little skittish.
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The battery is in the boot where the spare wheel would be, so the extra weight probably contributes to a more stable rear end. Always thought the rear of my Mk7.5 GTD a little skittish.
Yes, I ever tried a Golf R rear diff's worth of sandbags in the boot to see if that improves the handling over bumpy country lanes.... and it does.
Everyone poo-poo'ed my experiment at the time, but it does work - just as logically it should.
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Reminds me of everyone in their RWD Beemers and Mercs trying to get off their driveways in the snow :grin:
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Reminds me of driving my 1970 VW beetle in icy conditions - sandbag in the (front) boot to weight the front wheels.