GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk8 => Topic started by: jon87 on 26 July 2024, 15:08
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The first review of the new GTI has landed:
https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/volkswagen/golf-gti
Hope it looks better in person than the photos!
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The problem with MK8 GTI or any other MK8 is that it's not a perfect looking car from any angle ))) :smiley:
Same with 8.5. It will definitely look descent in person, just like MK8.
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The first review of the new GTI has landed:
https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/volkswagen/golf-gti
Hope it looks better in person than the photos!
" Rivals Hyundai i30 N Ford Focus ST Honda Civic Type R "
Of which you can only still buy the Focus... the only other choice they overlooked is the 128TI or other VAG badges
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That LCD screen is hideous, no attempt at integration, I know they're popular these days but I could not live with that, having to look at it every journey, no way. It simply stinks of desperation and is a lazy implementation to pander to the whingers and a desperate attempt to resolve the issues from the previous incarnation.
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Stuck on screen blocking half the forward view fairly standard for 2024 model cars. Nobody sticks them in the dash any more...
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The first review of the new GTI has landed:
https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/volkswagen/golf-gti
Hope it looks better in person than the photos!
I think it has the best looking of the mk8/8.5 front ends now.
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I definitely think the front end looks better and more aggressive. The MK8 looked a bit boring at front for GTI.
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I definitely think the front end looks better and more aggressive. The MK8 looked a bit boring at front for GTI.
Agree, but then I’ve always thought the mk8 could never be described as VW’s best attempt at designing a good looking car. That’s just my opinion though, and no offence meant to mk8 owners :smiley:. With the mk8 having become a more common sight on the roads over the years, familiarity does seem to make it look better.
Small design changes on the mk8.5 like the slimmed down headlamps do make quite a marked improvement to the front end, and then VW go and spoil it with a gimmicky illuminated VW badge to go with the existing (equally gimmicky IMHO) grille lighting strip. As for the interior; I don’t dislike the large ‘stick-on’ iPad style screen. However, other manufacturers seem to do it better with a mix of physical controls and a touchscreen.
Let’s just hope the tech gremlins of the mk8 have been banished once and for all…………..
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https://youtu.be/VjuvhGGsPRg?si=usaTft-MbObeTKy9
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Two points: I bought my Mk8 in April this year (ex-demo), and have had absolutely no problems with the infotainment screen or the haptic steering wheel buttons - the items the motoring press caned it for. I think the cabin and instrumentation is great, and a nice place to be. Everything works well, perhaps because the software is up to date (1969) and improved over the earlier
versions. Which brings me to the second point:
When I bought the car I knew the Mk8.5 was imminent, but still went ahead anyway. And thank goodness I did! That infotainment screen totally spoils the interior of the car, that alone would have stopped me going down the Mk8.5 route. It looks as if someone has glued a cheap laptop screen to the dashboard in effort to answer the critics of the Mk8 as described above - faults that appear to have been addressed anyhow. My wife has a 2018 Ecotec Fiesta and Ford used the same approach on that - a silly wee screen stuck on the dash as an afterthought. I didn't think VW would stoop to that!
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Stuck on screen blocking half the forward view fairly standard for 2024 model cars. Nobody sticks them in the dash any more...
Doesn't make it a good likeable design though Fred. Why spoil the good imo mk8 dash design?
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I’m not keen at all on the big screen, much prefer the A3/S3 setup. But the GTI was 8k cheaper than a new S3 so guess I’m going to have to live with it
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To be fair, if you look through the Mk8 reviews and comments on here you'll see the same thing about stuck on ipads....
The Mk8 screen isn't in a binnacle either.
I think it's not really an issue.
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I Sat in a mk8.5 yesterday, the screen didn’t obscure the view for me through the windscreen at all, it is much smoother though, but not so much as to make me want to chop in my mk8 for an 8.5, there’s not a great deal of difference between the two cars to be honest, I mean, the backlit volume and temp sliders are nice, and the permanent hot keys at the top of the screen are great, but the mk8 is pretty much as good in every other respect, plus there is no way I could spec an 8.5 to be the same as my current GTI without flying over the 40K MSRP mark,
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The new screen in the Mk8.5 just doesn't look integrated to me. The post above is right, there isn't a great deal of difference between the 8 and the 8.5; it begs the question "why did they bother?". It looks as if the VW bean-counters told the design department not to waste too much time or money on the last fossil-fuel Golf, just get on with the new all singing and dancing full electric Golf which is coming. And I bet you'll struggle to keep that under the 40K threshold if other electric cars are anything to go by!
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The new screen in the Mk8.5 just doesn't look integrated to me. The post above is right, there isn't a great deal of difference between the 8 and the 8.5; it begs the question "why did they bother?".
Because the Mk8 infotainment was slammed by the press. Thats why.
Google any reviews on the Mk8 and you'll hear them all parrot the same words.
It was bad, but not in the way they described. In a bugged to hell way it was bad.
I suspect the panning from the press probably cost VW an awful lot of sales rightly or wrongly.
PS the Electric Golf is now delayed until 2029 (meant to be 2028) so I doubt they are bothered about that right now in any way at all. Its to replace the ID3 which has been a disaster for VW too.
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You're right Fred, the Mk8 infotainment system was caned by the motoring press - but not for the way it looked. VW have made very little effort into integrating the larger screen into the dash panel in 8.5, which suggests to me a cheap fix. Pity.
Incidentally, a very senior VW executive was quoted this week on the Parker website saying the Mk8 edition of the Golf (presumably in 8.5 guise) may continue in production until 2032 or even 2035! Apparently this is because the MQB platform has been so successful and is now very near to "perfection". His words, not mine!
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Yes I think vag are seriously rethinking the electric thing at the moment as they moved early and hoped for dominance but failed.
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Porsche have said they intend to continue to produce ice cars post 2030 and possibly post 2035.
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Correct. The all electric Macan is in full production and is now available in the UK (although you have to sell a kidney to get one). However, Porsche are continuing to make the petrol versions alongside it to "offer the customer a choice". Bearing in mind the Macan is their best seller by some margin, has an element of doubt crept in I wonder?
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Porsche for a long time have been investing heavily in synthetic eFuel production based in Chile - they obviously have plans to run either new ICE cars or keep their current motors running for some time yet.
https://newsroom.porsche.com/en/2022/company/porsche-highly-innovative-fuels-hif-opening-efuels-pilot-plant-haru-oni-chile-synthetic-fuels-30732.html
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Carwow
https://youtu.be/lX8eDqXsFI0?si=RfsD87Lql0221X2K
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Evo
https://www.evo.co.uk/volkswagen/golf/gti
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Evo
https://www.evo.co.uk/volkswagen/golf/gti
This is one the rare occasions when anyone has had anything nice to say about Bridgestone Potenza tyres. Although if you understand the journalistic gibberish used you are a better man than I:
"We suspect some of this is due to the Bridgestone Potenza S005 tyres; they aren’t an especially aggressive compound but seem to bring out the positivity in the chassis without sacrificing progression".
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Nothing really wrong with the S005... Its a far cry from the S001...
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Autogefühl's review has just been uploaded:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cvpAWnrBpU
He mentions the crisis VW are in too. i can imagine it is all over the news in Germany.
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Autogefühl's review has just been uploaded:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cvpAWnrBpU
He mentions the crisis VW are in too. i can imagine it is all over the news in Germany.
https://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=290650.0
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September 25th edition of Autocar
They managed 0-60 in 5.3 seconds
But end with slick and effective but not a big enough step forward, 3.5 stars
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Not a big enough step forward in a face lift?
OK autocar...
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I’d imagine most of you have seen this by now but it’s another from Carwow which I just remembered after watching another of theirs yesterday.
8.5 GTI vs mk8 Clubby vs 7R
As usual with that lot it’s entertainment based and thin on facts but it highlights a couple of things of interest to GTI owners:
How well the smaller turbo car pulls from lower revs (and therefore more relevant to real world use) and how well the Clubsport handles (albeit the GTI is on production tyres and the Clubby wearing semi slicks on a baking hot & dry day)
https://youtu.be/CAVmHBM62gw?si=6Q_dooiAz1Ndx-1A
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The first review of the new GTI has landed:
https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/volkswagen/golf-gti
Hope it looks better in person than the photos!
" Rivals Hyundai i30 N Ford Focus ST Honda Civic Type R "
Of which you can only still buy the Focus... the only other choice they overlooked is the 128TI or other VAG badges
Been in the 128Ti 2 years now, completed 20k, and was at one point a little down on it due to some vagueness in drive in wet, but you drive you learn, and its all down to the tyres, as soon as changed the fronts, drive was transformed, its as a fun as the GTI TCR was again.
So that's the drive, and the rest of the car is great, amazes me how many BMW fan boys are out there, had more comments and looks than any of my previous Audi, GTI, R, and the interior is a lovely place to be and tech and the dial, touch and multiple preset buttons, just works brilliantly without any overhead.
In a straight fight with a standard GTI, given the price of the 128Ti you really should go and test drive both as think be pleasantly surprised how good a job BMW have done with their stab at a GTI.
I might actually go other way when the 128Ti lease ends next December, and get myself a clean ED40 in 2026, as a second car, as funnel most of money to the not working fund.
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I went to the other way to Hertsman, from a 128ti to an 8.5 GTI. The 128 was a great car but like Hertsman says, it's a little sketchy when accelerating hard due to the torque steer, despite the mechanical LSD. It idi though, attract some admiring glances, despite removing the exterior red bits to make it a little more plain.
I picked up my GTI up just shy of 2 weeks ago and although still in the honeymoon period, I find it a much better drive, chassis feel so much stiffer and handles a lot better to me. The GTI seating is more comfortable too and the adaptive cruise takes a lot of stress out of driving. Not run in yet, so can't comment on the performance but the exhaust note is a lot more pronounced.
Infotainment system OK especially with the proper buttons on the steering wheel and especially after shutting down the voice activated IDA (should be renamed PITA).
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I went to the other way to Hertsman, from a 128ti to an 8.5 GTI. The 128 was a great car but like Hertsman says, it's a little sketchy when accelerating hard due to the torque steer, despite the mechanical LSD. It idi though, attract some admiring glances, despite removing the exterior red bits to make it a little more plain.
I picked up my GTI up just shy of 2 weeks ago and although still in the honeymoon period, I find it a much better drive, chassis feel so much stiffer and handles a lot better to me. The GTI seating is more comfortable too and the adaptive cruise takes a lot of stress out of driving. Not run in yet, so can't comment on the performance but the exhaust note is a lot more pronounced.
Infotainment system OK especially with the proper buttons on the steering wheel and especially after shutting down the voice activated IDA (should be renamed PITA).
As you stated, the GTI will have a much better sound track than the 128Ti, which is pretty mute unfortunately, and on subject of sound, the 128Ti standard speakers are worst ever experienced, its enough for me to not buy after the lease alone really, so GTI, even on standard speakers will be a significant upgrade (If ever buying a BMW 1 series, only go for the Hardon Karmon optioned models)
Seems quite accepted that the MK 8 and now the MK 8.5 has a better performance ride than the MK 7.5 and your previous 128Ti, but its not a chasm, think all give you that little bit extra in terms of ride and entertainment.
Quite liked the red stripes on my 128Ti, makes it quite obvious its batting in the GTI arena as a car.
Quite like some of the options on the MK 8.5 in terms of styling options, think there is going to be some real lookers on road in next year.
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Yes apart from the ride, the sharpness of feel, the traction, the appalling seats, the slush box and the terrible sound system (even with HK) BMW did a good job :laugh:
Can't help but feel at least some of that could have been done better - but the ride/seats are classic BMW traits their customers don't seem to mind - either that or if they know they spec the m-sport seats (assuming they are available, which on the UK 128TI they are not)
I know I was relieved to get back into my Mk7.5 after a day with the 128TI.
Guess BMW got lucky when VW cocked up the Mk8...
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Yes apart from the ride, the sharpness of feel, the traction, the appalling seats, the slush box and the terrible sound system (even with HK) BMW did a good job :laugh:
Can't help but feel at least some of that could have been done better - but the ride/seats are classic BMW traits their customers don't seem to mind - either that or if they know they spec the m-sport seats (assuming they are available, which on the UK 128TI they are not)
I know I was relieved to get back into my Mk7.5 after a day with the 128TI.
Guess BMW got lucky when VW cocked up the Mk8...
Haha, thats brutal, so from 2 years and 20k miles will offer a little defence, the ride on 18" is no worse than our MK 7.5 R on 19" Pretoria, but it is on firm side, the lack of feel is only when tyres start to degrade, but that is a problem in itself as the GTI TCR never lost its lack of feel even on fading tyres.
The seats took a month getting used to, definitely experienced discomfort, so many variations in set up, but my take is that make you sit more correctly when set up, and now worn into my butt and back, are perfectly comfortable and done many long journeys in them. The Golf seats have always been comfortable from moment first sit in car.
No defending the sound system, its absolutely pathetic standard, if someone said it was made by Amstrad, I would not disbelieve them. Never heard the HK, but we have Dynaudio in our Golf R and thats fabulous, so that would be on my tick option whenever exchange or buy again.
Gearbox is fine and seamless for about 95% of time, but it does get its pants in a twist occasionally and there is a stutter, which is worse in comfort, but mainly alleviated in Sport. It definitely falls short of the DSG overall.
Still think its a good stab at a GTI given its price point, as its well optioned, with me only adding £1000 to make the overall purchase value £36k two year ago, when similar GTI with options would have been pushing the £40k and beyond.
Anyways onto the MK 8.5, have been looking at reviews as someone who passed on MK 8 due to software issues, and really like what been reading, do like the styling options, going to be some great looking cars out there, and definitely could see myself in one eventually, what will be looking out over some extended time is if there software is robust and back to where should be, and when finally get to sit in one, how intrusive that center screen is, on face of it, though not my preferred, which is integrated, probably feel that appreciate the screen size.
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Amstrad!! Now there’s a blast from the past.
The later mk8 software is fine for the record. Not a blip from mine in 9 months and 8k ish miles, and I’m sure the 8.5 software and indeed most of the hardware is shared with just a few added on layers for the specific changes (IDA etc). All the click bait making the 8.5 interior out like the second coming is a bit nonsense at best. Mind you, VW only have themselves to blame for launching cars using customers who’ve paid a lot of money as beta testers for the software (despite dynamically the cars being very well developed).
VW aren’t the only ones mind, they just led the charge.
Certainly agreed there will be some nicely specced 8.5’s around soon, and not just fully loaded R’s, as the GTI is attractively styled and has some desirable options available.
Roll on the Edition 50 GTI !
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Amstrad!! Now there’s a blast from the past.
The later mk8 software is fine for the record. Not a blip from mine in 9 months and 8k ish miles, and I’m sure the 8.5 software and indeed most of the hardware is shared with just a few added on layers for the specific changes (IDA etc). All the click bait making the 8.5 interior out like the second coming is a bit nonsense at best. Mind you, VW only have themselves to blame for launching cars using customers who’ve paid a lot of money as beta testers for the software (despite dynamically the cars being very well developed).
VW aren’t the only ones mind, they just led the charge.
Certainly agreed there will be some nicely specced 8.5’s around soon, and not just fully loaded R’s, as the GTI is attractively styled and has some desirable options available.
Roll on the Edition 50 GTI !
Totally agreed Exonian. I still have my Mk8 and the software was complete sh*t for the first 18 months but resolved and perfectfor the last 2 years.
I'm not happy to have paid £40k to be a beta tester and it has made me reluctant to buy VW again. If the car had been resolved at launch I could be looking at another VW but sadly the experience means I'll probably be shifting away.
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https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/volkswagen/golf-gti
The Autocar review david25 mentioned ^^^
Hopefully the Clubsport and R reviews will be along soon too.
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If you really want to bust open the piggy bank:
https://youtu.be/WbSy-GZYwFQ?si=9Fm8Dse0LyScyLje
Darth Vader spec Black Edition R
Hard to know where to start and stop speccing a performance Golf now. £600 a year to tax anything other than a base GTI with metallic paint is painful (maybe it’s just me but it grates having to pay £600 a year for a Golf when you have legions of 2 ton plus SUV’s thundering around paying the same).
I appreciate that £600 a year for an R specced as above is a piffling amount to those type of owners, but remove a load of self indulgent options to bring the cars back a bit nearer their base price and there’s not a huge difference in cost between each version.
Add a few options to a GTI and you’re close on Clubsport price, add a few options to one of those and you’re chasing down the cost of a bare R Black Edition which then actually starts to look good value for money, odd as that seems.
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Joe Achilles Clubsport review.
https://youtu.be/N8_ndsqoFZI?si=1V5gFi_UYHKE1O-E
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Joe Achilles Clubsport review.
https://youtu.be/N8_ndsqoFZI?si=1V5gFi_UYHKE1O-E
Ahh, that’s more like it, one to watch when I get home later.
Interested to see if/how they’ve made it still relevant.
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Spoiler Alert:
I know he's more of a BMW man usually but Joe seems very keen on the Clubsport. Personally I'm not convinced that it's a significant move up from the Mk8 but then that is also a great driver's car.
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I’ve not watched it yet still, I can vaguely remember seeing Joe review the mk8 Clubby and being impressed a few years ago.
It’s the handling that was/is the standout feature of the Clubsport and I can’t see how the thing can be much improved in that area without creating other compromises. Granted the Clubby and R have a lot of body movement in corners but as a road car with decent ride quality they’re very impressive.
Aside from that remaining pretty unchanged and the power output being the same then the only improvements really are if the ‘always on’ turbo from the R 333 is used and the addition of glossy black trim instead of the less pretty but more practical matte grey.
I’d honestly be stumped as to which model in the range to choose now if I were to order a new Golf.
Unless you’re of the ‘fully loaded R or nothing’ mindset then there’s just too much overlap and encroachment between models - in the UK at least. Obviously other markets have their own idiosyncrasies.
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Another R vid:
https://youtu.be/Zi3eweSmhEQ?si=Err6aSu3LaFLcGa2
Embargo must be fully lifted now.
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Or this one of the 8.5R v GTI Clubsport with Benny Leuchter & Misha.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjrQK2E-r5w
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I’d honestly be stumped as to which model in the range to choose now if I were to order a new Golf.
Unless you’re of the ‘fully loaded R or nothing’ mindset then there’s just too much overlap and encroachment between models - in the UK at least. Obviously other markets have their own idiosyncrasies.
My view is that they should have just made the clubsport the only GTI and dropped the clubsport name and had the single R version.
Then they could have launched a special edition clubsport model at anniversary time.
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I suspect they haven't done that because the GTI can just about be bought (maybe for fleets?) at under £40k with no options. There may be a substantial market there which VW would lose if they made the Clubsport the only GTI.
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I suspect they haven't done that because the GTI can just about be bought (maybe for fleets?) at under £40k with no options. There may be a substantial market there which VW would lose if they made the Clubsport the only GTI.
You have to ask whether the actual cost of making a clubby is any more than a GTI... the cost price is a different thing to the retail price.
I suspect there is a lot of upselling going on there - although the R is a different case.
There's always a hierarchy, its there to tempt more money out of some customers - the people who will pay more for a "better" model. At the same time you also need things to be more affordable to those customers limited by budget.... hence a range of products.
I don't think anyone looks at a Golf Match and doesn't think "I'd like a GTI" but budgets... and you have to presumably match the price points of your competitors somehow.
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I’d imagine a Clubby costs a fraction more to build but certainly not nearly £3k over the GTI
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Clubsport review from an actual GTI owner
https://youtu.be/7YgsP2pjBSw?si=UPPnAccRoXHA7bDc