GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk8 => Topic started by: P6GTD on 02 January 2025, 22:53
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Well it’s interesting ……. five or ten years ago the GTI forum was bursting with multiple posts every day from new owners keen to express their love for their cars or ask questions. We even admitted R owners like Becky.
But here we are with no posts over the last 4 day holiday period.
Not only do I see few Mk8s out and about but I’ve only ever seen ONE 8.5 GTI on the road, near Tring…
(I suspect a demo) which was 4 months ago.
Is there any way of accessing the number of new 8.5 registrations I wonder?
And……. for those lucky few (?) the majority of 8.5 owners seem very quiet.
Is that good or bad?
Also, as a traditional cash buyer of cars, I wonder how many 8.5 owners have bought outright? Is it a thing any longer?
As a GTI follower……..admittedly with something that feels quite “yesterday” in 2024, I’m just trying to be a wee bit provocative to give me something to read in the responses!!!!!😂
C’mon, shoot me down!
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Almost no-one buys outright anymore, even if they have the cash, since they can get discounts for purchasing on finance unavailable to cash purchasers, then settle finance early.
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I think forums / discussion boards like these have died a death tbh. The traffic is way way lower on here than it was back in the MK6/7 days. Everyone’s on Facebook and Insta now.
FWIW, I’m waiting on a new CS. Hope to have it in the next few weeks.
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I’ve seen a few 8.5s (all in Gloucestershire), but only just enough to break double figures I’d say, several R lines and a couple of life models or such like, two or three GTI’s other than my own, a couple of R’s and an R black series yesterday, which came up behind me at a roundabout in Cirencester, I’d say the lack of posts is probably partly due to the lack of issues with them. I have had a problem however where the parking break would self apply randomly below 2mph as if I had opened the door while moving, but I think that may have been something I was doing as there is an occupancy sensor in the drivers seat and I tend to fidget/shift my position when coming to a stop, hasn’t done it since I’ve monitored it, bit of a weird one that, but everything on the car is great and works superbly, so I can’t imagine there will be many posts about faults, which of course is when most people become vocal on forums. And as pointed out by JoeGTI above whilst I was typing, a lot of the chat is now seemingly focussed on other platforms, but that could simply be down to the visability those posts are able to achieve. Plus the US and Australia have not got any owners as of yet, forum traffic for the 8.5 will pick up further once more markets are seeing deliveries.
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I myself haven't seen any 8.5 cars that I can think of on the road, just of course in the dealerships. To be honest, I don't really see a huge number of 8's around either, but I guess I am not really looking for them and unless they're a performance model such as the GTI, I don't think I am going to really notice. At night with the light bar across the front, they are a lot more noticeable!
As for the GTI, the dealer didn't have one when I ordered my car, but do now. That is the only other one I have seen in the flesh. There was a stock in the country on the VW site around September time which depleted, but I think that is building up again now. There are some cars out there, but across the country, I would suggest very few.
My old 2018 7.5 GTI I owned from new and financed for a year before being in the fortunate position to pay it all off. That car did me really well and allowed me to put a big deposit on my new 8.5 GTI, so my monthly payments are quite low on PCP. I will keep this car for a long time and will pay it off after the initial PCP runs out.
Loving the 8.5 GTI currently. Running it in at present, but I do think the DSG gear change is much better, more predictable and quicker. Probably just a better software map, but is an improvement for me. You can see where there have been cost cutting changes with little details and some of the quality which is a big shame. Nothing to get too upset about, but that VW quality has reduced a little. The Infotainment is very different from my old 7.5. Lots of changes and I really like having wireless Carplay. I notice you can buy and install 'Dynamic Background Lighting' from the VW shop. No idea what that does really, but may try the 1 month trial at some point.
I have to say I am a little disappointed with the Harman Kardon setup. I think I was expecting more, but it does not feel and sound a whole lot better than my 7.5 standard audio. I read similar stories online and putting it down to the small sub. Maybe I just need to play with the settings more, but its not as good as I was hoping or expecting.
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This probably goes some way to explain it:
https://www.am-online.com/data/manufacturer-insight
Look at the annual registration graph...
and then specifically:
New car market insight
Private buyer demand for new cars falls while BEVs surge to 20.7% share
Fewer than four in ten (38.8%) of new car registrations were made by private buyers so far this year despite a widening choice of over 125 battery electric models - up 38% from last year - according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders’ (SMMT) latest monthly figures.
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I myself haven't seen any 8.5 cars that I can think of on the road, just of course in the dealerships. To be honest, I don't really see a huge number of 8's around either, but I guess I am not really looking for them and unless they're a performance model such as the GTI, I don't think I am going to really notice. At night with the light bar across the front, they are a lot more noticeable!
As for the GTI, the dealer didn't have one when I ordered my car, but do now. That is the only other one I have seen in the flesh. There was a stock in the country on the VW site around September time which depleted, but I think that is building up again now. There are some cars out there, but across the country, I would suggest very few.
My old 2018 7.5 GTI I owned from new and financed for a year before being in the fortunate position to pay it all off. That car did me really well and allowed me to put a big deposit on my new 8.5 GTI, so my monthly payments are quite low on PCP. I will keep this car for a long time and will pay it off after the initial PCP runs out.
Loving the 8.5 GTI currently. Running it in at present, but I do think the DSG gear change is much better, more predictable and quicker. Probably just a better software map, but is an improvement for me. You can see where there have been cost cutting changes with little details and some of the quality which is a big shame. Nothing to get too upset about, but that VW quality has reduced a little. The Infotainment is very different from my old 7.5. Lots of changes and I really like having wireless Carplay. I notice you can buy and install 'Dynamic Background Lighting' from the VW shop. No idea what that does really, but may try the 1 month trial at some point.
I have to say I am a little disappointed with the Harman Kardon setup. I think I was expecting more, but it does not feel and sound a whole lot better than my 7.5 standard audio. I read similar stories online and putting it down to the small sub. Maybe I just need to play with the settings more, but its not as good as I was hoping or expecting.
I totally agree about the DSG box, it’s very predictable and functions VERY well, in terms of smoothness it performs much like the excellent 6 speed DQ250 in my old mk7, it’s also so much better than the box that was in my mk8 GTI, in hindsight that was actually very bad, and could of in fact have been faulty!? As for the HK system in the 8.5, I thought the same as you initially, seemed underwhelming, but once I had fiddled with the settings for a while it now sounds great, take the time to adjust the EQ and other options and I’m sure you’ll be pleased with it.
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This probably goes some way to explain it:
https://www.am-online.com/data/manufacturer-insight
Look at the annual registration graph...
and then specifically:
New car market insight
Private buyer demand for new cars falls while BEVs surge to 20.7% share
Fewer than four in ten (38.8%) of new car registrations were made by private buyers so far this year despite a widening choice of over 125 battery electric models - up 38% from last year - according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders’ (SMMT) latest monthly figures.
An interesting read. I was surprised at the number Fleet vs. Private registrations, I’d assumed company cars were becoming a thing of the past.
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I suspect the non-private is leases - which could be for company cars or could be PCH.
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I think forums / discussion boards like these have died a death tbh. The traffic is way way lower on here than it was back in the MK6/7 days. Everyone’s on Facebook and Insta now.
FWIW, I’m waiting on a new CS. Hope to have it in the next few weeks.
Agree; other media sources seem to be the preference of many over dedicated forums these days. I’ve also noticed it on the Polo forum which isn’t a dedicated Polo GTI forum, but going back 4-5 years that forum was very busy with lots of regular posters and lots of GTI owners, and soon to be GTI owners.
In response to @P6GTD’s observation on the relatively few mk8.5 Golfs on the road; IMHO, financial priorities of many people won’t put an expensive new car at the top of the list when considering financial outgoings - items such as mortgage / rent, utilities and food will rank higher. Additionally, the multiple software issues that have affected the mk8 Golf may have deterred existing and potential new Golf owners from going for a mk8.5. Might some people also be keeping their existing cars longer and not wanting to commit to buying a new one due to potential economic uncertainties associated with a change of government?
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Thanks all.
I assumed all new “cash” buyers put their purchase on PCP then paid it off soon after.
Nobody’s mentioned the 40k tax cliff. Have to say if I did anything about changing to a used 8.5 (2024 or 2025) in a couple of years, which I would love to do, the ongoing VED would stick in my throat a bit.
And now a rhetorical question….only 5 years to go for new ICE purchases. I wonder what effect that will have on the performance car market between now and then. No answers are required because we just don’t know, but there will be effects.
Anyway, In glad my topic woke up the forum for 2025. Happy New Year everyone and enjoy your GTIs😝
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The 40k tax element has been mentioned a few times in other posts and is certainly not something anyone wants to be burdened with. For me who will be keeping my new GTI for years, I chose to soak up the additional £410 per year tax and option up my car how I wanted it. It works out to about another £35 per month which in the grand scheme of what I waste on beer and food every month, is not that significant. It will only help me reduce what I already spend on rubbish!
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Saw a Mk8.5 GTI on the M6, north of Birmingham, just before Christmas. Noticed the illuminated front badge in my rear view mirror and pulled over to let it pass :wink:. Confirmed with GTI logo on pax door as passed.
I do alot of miles and that's the only perf Mk 8.5 I have seen.
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….. is actually the right attitude and answer. Enjoy your ownership!
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Not seen any 8.5 performance models and don't see many 8s. Not sure I've even seen any MK8.5 versions. Now that I'm retired I find the thought of spending the amount required on any new performance Golf to be unacceptable.
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Not seen any 8.5 performance models and don't see many 8s. Not sure I've even seen any MK8.5 versions. Now that I'm retired I find the thought of spending the amount required on any new performance Golf to be unacceptable.
Congratulations on your retirement! Enjoy it :smiley:.
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Congratulations on your retirement! Enjoy it :smiley:.
Cheers!
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I think forums / discussion boards like these have died a death tbh. The traffic is way way lower on here than it was back in the MK6/7 days. Everyone’s on Facebook and Insta now.
FWIW, I’m waiting on a new CS. Hope to have it in the next few weeks.
Agree; other media sources seem to be the preference of many over dedicated forums these days. I’ve also noticed it on the Polo forum which isn’t a dedicated Polo GTI forum, but going back 4-5 years that forum was very busy with lots of regular posters and lots of GTI owners, and soon to be GTI owners.
In response to @P6GTD’s observation on the relatively few mk8.5 Golfs on the road; IMHO, financial priorities of many people won’t put an expensive new car at the top of the list when considering financial outgoings - items such as mortgage / rent, utilities and food will rank higher. Additionally, the multiple software issues that have affected the mk8 Golf may have deterred existing and potential new Golf owners from going for a mk8.5. Might some people also be keeping their existing cars longer and not wanting to commit to buying a new one due to potential economic uncertainties associated with a change of government?
Hey SRGTD, didn’t realise you were here too. The polo forum has indeed gone very quiet last year or so, such a shame.
My wife has an 8.5 match and I was literally saying the other day I hadn’t seen another 8.5 in the 3/4 months she’s owned it. Seen a lot of 8s and loads of mk 8 GTDs knocking about but that’s it really. The majority of GTIs I see round me are mk 7/7.5 or even mk 6.
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I think forums / discussion boards like these have died a death tbh. The traffic is way way lower on here than it was back in the MK6/7 days. Everyone’s on Facebook and Insta now.
FWIW, I’m waiting on a new CS. Hope to have it in the next few weeks.
Agree; other media sources seem to be the preference of many over dedicated forums these days. I’ve also noticed it on the Polo forum which isn’t a dedicated Polo GTI forum, but going back 4-5 years that forum was very busy with lots of regular posters and lots of GTI owners, and soon to be GTI owners.
In response to @P6GTD’s observation on the relatively few mk8.5 Golfs on the road; IMHO, financial priorities of many people won’t put an expensive new car at the top of the list when considering financial outgoings - items such as mortgage / rent, utilities and food will rank higher. Additionally, the multiple software issues that have affected the mk8 Golf may have deterred existing and potential new Golf owners from going for a mk8.5. Might some people also be keeping their existing cars longer and not wanting to commit to buying a new one due to potential economic uncertainties associated with a change of government?
Hey SRGTD, didn’t realise you were here too. The polo forum has indeed gone very quiet last year or so, such a shame.
My wife has an 8.5 match and I was literally saying the other day I hadn’t seen another 8.5 in the 3/4 months she’s owned it. Seen a lot of 8s and loads of mk 8 GTDs knocking about but that’s it really. The majority of GTIs I see round me are mk 7/7.5 or even mk 6.
Yes, I’ve been here since February 2011. At that time I had a mk5 170 bhp diesel Golf GT and had a mk6 GTD on order.
I don’t think I’ve seen more than a handful of 8.5 Golf’s on the road since its launch.
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It could also be for some that the GTI is poor value for money. An R BE for another few £thousand puts you in a different performance league.
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I’ve seen a couple of others in the wild, but am on the roads all day for work. I think if you own a certain vehicle you are more likely to spot others, notice what options they have etc.
I took mine on PCP with a £1k deposit with the intention of paying off the vast chunk of the finance when my transporter sold. Ended up using money from an ISA along with the proceeds from the van to withdraw from the PCP within 14 days. Cost me £60 in interest in return for £3250 deposit contribution from VWFS - well worth it!
The £40k tax barrier was one of the reasons for choosing the GTI. Plus the fact it’s a well rounded, not too shouty car.
I agree that forums have lost audience to Facebook etc. I check in here most days
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My 8.5 was supposed to be collected today (ordered October)
Pushed back to end of Jan 😡
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I’ve seen a couple of others in the wild, but am on the roads all day for work. I think if you own a certain vehicle you are more likely to spot others, notice what options they have etc.
I took mine on PCP with a £1k deposit with the intention of paying off the vast chunk of the finance when my transporter sold. Ended up using money from an ISA along with the proceeds from the van to withdraw from the PCP within 14 days. Cost me £60 in interest in return for £3250 deposit contribution from VWFS - well worth it!
The £40k tax barrier was one of the reasons for choosing the GTI. Plus the fact it’s a well rounded, not too shouty car.
I agree that forums have lost audience to Facebook etc. I check in here most days
I could afford the extra luxury car tax, but I refuse to pay it on principle. You have already paid a huge amount of VAT and this just adds insult to injury. Money for nothing, quite literally. I would have chosen different wheels, but that would have pushed the list over the £40k. That standard ones are 'OK'. I think the list price of mine (with metallic Dolphin grey paint) was £39.6K? I bought it as an approved used (Dealership Manager's car, 5k miles) with £7K off. Of course, the PCP discounts from VW are only available if you buy brand new. And I had forgotten that the (£190) first year road tax was not included in the (approve used) sale price! Durrh. Happy enough though. Fantastic car. I picked mine up over a month ago and haven't seen another one on the road yet!
I avoid FB like the plague so hope forums like this keep going for a while longer..
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I love the GTI forum and won’t do FB or any of the other sh!t like X on principle.
BUT, I have to say the MK 7 forum is turning into like OAP versions of cars where the “aches and pains” are being discussed. Too many moans, not enough love (PS : don’t tell them, anyone!)
So, despite my rather too many years and doubts about the post 7.5 I still love reading about new owners, new cars and new thoughts.
Keep the forums alive and kicking.
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The fact this thread has seen 3 pages of activity already suggests real forums haven’t gone completely belly up. And decent quality posts too unlike the garbage social media throws up.
With a real forum such as this the posts tend to be better thought out containing some constructive content instead of the low social skills knee jerk rubbish that Facebook groups can contain.
Advertising bombards us with legions of identikit electric SUV’s, company car drivers lust after long range Teslas now instead of 320d’s and GTD’s, and each new EV launch brings the demise of ICE that little bit nearer. Times are a changing.
An 8.5 GTI with a bit of spec suddenly comes very close in price as a PCP “purchase” to a Black Edition Golf R.
You’ve got to really want a GTI and have deep pockets to pick the former.
Many R drivers were former GTI drivers (going back to post #1) so we’ve always had an R presence here, some preferring to stay here and some finding their calling elsewhere.
Maybe with the closeness in price between the models now there are far more R’s being registered and those forums are where the enthusiastic new owners are at?
Similar to mobile phones, hot hatches are getting very expensive for what they are and the features of each subsequent generation are closer to their predecessor to make it less worthwhile upgrading so owners are tending to keep them longer.
High interest rates, high inflation, substandard pay increases, high rents, spiralling energy costs… all those things that have dominated the headlines post 2022 have redirected peoples priorities away from the low interest rate ‘spend, spend, spend’ culture pre-covid and more so pre-Ukraine invasion.
So where are all the 8.5’s? They’re about! But the owners maybe not forum active so much - yet!
Unlike with previous generation Golf launches you can now track the number of unallocated cars via VW’s website which show quite a few cars up for grabs, which is different to normal Golf launches where you have to wait 6 months plus for a build slot.
Personally, and I don’t do huge mileage, I’ve seen a handful of regular 8.5’s in the wild, just one (black) GTI around Exeter a couple times and a white R Black Edition with big spec near the Newton Abbot VW dealer.
I don’t know why the forum is so quiet, I’d suspect most reasons have been covered in this thread already.
Around the festive break people tend to be busy with other things too, so cars take a back seat.
I’d been mulling over a 12 month update on my own car but actually getting some time to think what useful content I could add into it has been nigh on impossible, along with lack of motivation, after all this is a GTI forum and mine is an R so hardly of great interest.
There are a few of us still knocking around still, even if we’re just playing a game of ‘last man standing’…
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Agree with your comment on FB etc, I exited FB in totality about 18 months ago. The car groups on there were, as you point out, mostly full of uneducated drivel. Might be quieter here, but that’s no bad thing IMO.
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I’m not a massive contributor to the forum as others but do like to read the commentary as and when it comes in, but agree the whole input to the site has dropped off which has coincided with the release of the Mark 8.5. I’m wondering as other members have suggested is it a number of things. People off loading there mark 8’s and changing their purchase ideas. Not as many buying the 8.5’s due to increase costs and road fund licence or that’s it a good car without the niggles and issues that blighted the mark 8. There’s no way I would buy any mark 8 now not with the inherent faults and concerns over the costs of fixing those faults as the cars get older and warranty cover either disappears or you end up in a battle with a dealer over what is covered under an extended warranty. But I really think the RFL increases coming this April £1120 for a standard GTi are going to be a killer as well as now another price increase with VAG. They are literally putting the nails in the coffins of these cars. The amount available on auto trader is vast particularly the R variances and the cost of them are astronomical at present. The VAG group is in a right pickle and China are swamping the market with their cheap electric cars and some people are taking that bait. I’ve not got an electric car but changed from my Mark 8 Ed45 to Škoda VRs estate for practical purposes and concerns over the future of the reliability of my car. But even that car new as of April will hit the £1120 car tax (how can that be right?) Anyway I hope you folks that have your 8.5 enjoy them and it’s always nice to see some piccies of the cars out there.
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But I really think the RFL increases coming this April £1120 for a standard GTi are going to be a killer as well as now another price increase with VAG. They are literally putting the nails in the coffins of these cars.
Excellent post. It prompted me to check the current list price of a bog standard 8.5 GTI. The full list price is £40,025, but the 'P11D' price (i.e. without the first year road tax and registration) is £39,290. I assume that it's the P11D price that is relevant for luxury car tax charging purposes. Just selecting metallic paint pushes the P11D price up to £40,100, which would be very frustrating if this were your only must-have option! Obviously, the next VW price increase will probably push the bog standard P11D price over £40k and it will be 'game over'. And the GTI is just about the cheapest proper hot hatch out there..
I agree with Exonian's comment about the feeling of "last man standing", but I suspect that there will be a few more twists and turns to come in the government's push to get us all into EV's. The UK target for EV sales this year is 28% and I suspect that they (i.e. the poor manufacturers) are going to get nowhere near it. It was 19% in 2024 and the changes coming this year (road tax, big city congestion charges) are, if anything, going to make EV's less attractive compared to ICE cars.
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But I really think the RFL increases coming this April £1120 for a standard GTi are going to be a killer as well as now another price increase with VAG. They are literally putting the nails in the coffins of these cars.
Excellent post. It prompted me to check the current list price of a bog standard 8.5 GTI. The full list price is £40,025, but the 'P11D' price (i.e. without the first year road tax and registration) is £39,290. I assume that it's the P11D price that is relevant for luxury car tax charging purposes. Just selecting metallic paint pushes the P11D price up to £40,100, which would be very frustrating if this were your only must-have option! Obviously, the next VW price increase will probably push the bog standard P11D price over £40k and it will be 'game over'. And the GTI is just about the cheapest proper hot hatch out there..
I agree with Exonian's comment about the feeling of "last man standing", but I suspect that there will be a few more twists and turns to come in the government's push to get us all into EV's. The UK target for EV sales this year is 28% and I suspect that they (i.e. the poor manufacturers) are going to get nowhere near it. It was 19% in 2024 and the changes coming this year (road tax, big city congestion charges) are, if anything, going to make EV's less attractive compared to ICE cars.
I’m not sure about the p11d and £40K limit as I’ve been looking at nearly new mk8s and some of them have the premium car tax attached to them already despite only having say kings red paint. Seems odd that just one paint would push the old model over the £40K mark. £600 a year for my car tax seems a big jump when the car can’t have been much over £40k.
At least I don’t drive an electric car - my mates polestar has just gone from £0 to £600 a year in car tax. He isn’t happy :grin:
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Personally, and I don’t do huge mileage, I’ve seen a handful of regular 8.5’s in the wild, just one (black) GTI around Exeter a couple times and a white R Black Edition with big spec near the Newton Abbot VW dealer.
That’s probably me! I have spotted another black one locally but with Queenstown wheels and black styling pack
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Saw a Mk8.5 GTI on the M6, north of Birmingham, just before Christmas. Noticed the illuminated front badge in my rear view mirror and pulled over to let it pass :wink:. Confirmed with GTI logo on pax door as passed.
I do alot of miles and that's the only perf Mk 8.5 I have seen.
If it was a black one it was probably me as i was north of Birmingham before christmas in a 8.5 :)
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Saw a Mk8.5 GTI on the M6, north of Birmingham, just before Christmas. Noticed the illuminated front badge in my rear view mirror and pulled over to let it pass :wink:. Confirmed with GTI logo on pax door as passed.
I do alot of miles and that's the only perf Mk 8.5 I have seen.
If it was a black one it was probably me as i was north of Birmingham before christmas in a 8.5 :)
Was a white one - at least we know two in the area then :laugh:
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Agree with your comment on FB etc, I exited FB in totality about 18 months ago. The car groups on there were, as you point out, mostly full of uneducated drivel. Might be quieter here, but that’s no bad thing IMO.
Never had a use for social media platforms - for the misinformation and rubbish they generate. This forum provides measured comments and useful info and I hope that continues. My 7.5 provides all I want so not going to indulge in the mk8 era and this probably reflects quite a few owners given the costs of new these days so contributing to the lack of 8.5s possibly? Our mk6 is still going well at 110000 with few costs other than servicing and is being watched by grandson! :drool:
My grandson will be in the race for ' last man standing' as he enjoys the ICE age and is always moaning about not currently being able to afford the insurance and cost of a 'proper' performance car. He feels sorry for those who will never be able to enjoy the experience in years to come.
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Gosh reading theses posts I'm happy to see I'm not the only person who has never had a FB or Instagram account but still manages to live a normal day-to-day life!
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Personally, and I don’t do huge mileage, I’ve seen a handful of regular 8.5’s in the wild, just one (black) GTI around Exeter a couple times and a white R Black Edition with big spec near the Newton Abbot VW dealer.
That’s probably me! I have spotted another black one locally but with Queenstown wheels and black styling pack
It had crossed my mind it may have been you :smiley:
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Not seen one Mk8.5 round Wakey/Leeds area where i'm from.. rarely see a MK8 GTI tbh..... when my 8.5 GTI comes end of Feb/early March hopefully put an end to that :laugh:
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what you driving at the moment? i have the 8.5 GTI and its a cracker.. some lovely pops and bangs out of it and the DSG farts are quality when caught right
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what you driving at the moment? i have the 8.5 GTI and its a cracker.. some lovely pops and bangs out of it and the DSG farts are quality when caught right
21 plate Audi A3 mate, 1.5T S line - been a cracking car, engine is a belter which punches above its weight imo. Really looking forward to the 8.5 GTI... my brother has a 7.5 GTI Performance and thats a cracking car but not enough exhaust note from it for my liking..
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The fact this thread has seen 3 pages of activity already suggests real forums haven’t gone completely belly up. And decent quality posts too unlike the garbage social media throws up.
With a real forum such as this the posts tend to be better thought out containing some constructive content instead of the low social skills knee jerk rubbish that Facebook groups can contain.
Advertising bombards us with legions of identikit electric SUV’s, company car drivers lust after long range Teslas now instead of 320d’s and GTD’s, and each new EV launch brings the demise of ICE that little bit nearer. Times are a changing.
An 8.5 GTI with a bit of spec suddenly comes very close in price as a PCP “purchase” to a Black Edition Golf R.
You’ve got to really want a GTI and have deep pockets to pick the former.
Many R drivers were former GTI drivers (going back to post #1) so we’ve always had an R presence here, some preferring to stay here and some finding their calling elsewhere.
Maybe with the closeness in price between the models now there are far more R’s being registered and those forums are where the enthusiastic new owners are at?
Similar to mobile phones, hot hatches are getting very expensive for what they are and the features of each subsequent generation are closer to their predecessor to make it less worthwhile upgrading so owners are tending to keep them longer.
High interest rates, high inflation, substandard pay increases, high rents, spiralling energy costs… all those things that have dominated the headlines post 2022 have redirected peoples priorities away from the low interest rate ‘spend, spend, spend’ culture pre-covid and more so pre-Ukraine invasion.
So where are all the 8.5’s? They’re about! But the owners maybe not forum active so much - yet!
Unlike with previous generation Golf launches you can now track the number of unallocated cars via VW’s website which show quite a few cars up for grabs, which is different to normal Golf launches where you have to wait 6 months plus for a build slot.
Personally, and I don’t do huge mileage, I’ve seen a handful of regular 8.5’s in the wild, just one (black) GTI around Exeter a couple times and a white R Black Edition with big spec near the Newton Abbot VW dealer.
I don’t know why the forum is so quiet, I’d suspect most reasons have been covered in this thread already.
Around the festive break people tend to be busy with other things too, so cars take a back seat.
I’d been mulling over a 12 month update on my own car but actually getting some time to think what useful content I could add into it has been nigh on impossible, along with lack of motivation, after all this is a GTI forum and mine is an R so hardly of great interest.
There are a few of us still knocking around still, even if we’re just playing a game of ‘last man standing’…
Work in IT so have tried everything when it was all new and shiny and each and everyone has beaten me, they just attract the attention seekers, so either something is fake or a competition of how outrageous or disingenuous a person can be, and that being kind, as Twitter or X or whatever you want to call it, is literally a cesspit. So I was out a long time ago, and spend most of that wasted time doing the things used to do before they existed!
Do have Facebook which is limited use for its original purpose of keeping connection with friends, many from school days, and that connection is something really enjoy, nothing wrong with social connection if used in way imagine was intended.
Still like forums, you tend to find now, that most who have stayed are the decent folk, the ones you can share a pint with at a pub and talk over your interests, so its good general chat, seeing if others share you views on something or not, and still some learning, and usually seen as something that has taken a little time and thought to write.
I still go peek VWROC and here most days, though think there is less to say as many of us have had MK 7x and then some MK 8x and much of what can be said has been said.
But think I will be a last man standing for all reasons stated above, :)
As for the MK 8.5 and any new car really, we all at different stages of what we can afford, but cost of living is pretty real, and £50k is a lot of money for anyone and for many in a MK 7, you in a pretty good and well specced car still, and that £30k jump from MK 7 to MK 8.5 will likely seem reckless.
Personally intend to down tools in 2 years, so piling all spare cash into the not work fund, and that fund will be for me to carry on not working, so spending £30 k of it on a car will not likely seem good spend of that resource.
Not counting the days, but likely have a semi decent inheritance coming down road, but even then, be 2nd hand, 3 year car,
my company lease goes back this December, and will likely be getting myself a 18/19 plate MK 7 GTI or R to run around in, max budget of £20k and with expectation of at least 4 years ownership.
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I actually saw a 8.5 gti last night outside of my local mini tesco.
Snuck a quick peak, can't say it look a lot less than the venerable Weasel..
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Well, I finally spotted another 8.5 GTI on the road .. but had to go to Spain to do it!
Spotted this nice looking Clubby in Riviera (near Fuengirola) last week..
(https://i.postimg.cc/x8SC5Gnr/Clubby-in-Spain-2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/9RJCF7D1)
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That’s an 8. Weather looks great though!
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That’s an 8. Weather looks great though!
Yep, badge location on side big give away
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That’s an 8. Weather looks great though!
Yes, you're right of course. Schoolboy error. Obviously a bit of warm weather got to me! The hunt continues.
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That’s an 8. Weather looks great though!
Yes, you're right of course. Schoolboy error. Obviously a bit of warm weather got to me! The hunt continues.
Wrong wheels. Wrong rear lights. Wrong badges. Matt black plastics rather than gloss black.
The Spanish beer must be good :laugh: