GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk8 => Topic started by: CarbonGTD on 10 October 2025, 16:24
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2 wks and 300 miles in with my new Mk 8.5 GTI 265:
1) I'm on standard 18's and the ride feels firmer to me than my previous Mk 7.5 GTI PP on 19 inch Brescias (particularly below 30mph) - part of this will be the PS4s's I had on the Brescias which are more forgiving than the Bridgestone Potenzas, but still it has surprised me. It didn't help that the car left the factory set up with 3.0 BAR (!) letting the pressures down a bit has helped.
2) The car feels really tight so far (but obviously early days). I remember he Mk 7.5 PP feeling pretty much the same at the beginning to be fair. I'm looking forward to getting north of 1k miles (am mostly staying below 3k revs for now even once warm).
3) Exhaust is already popping in Sport mode on the overrun (my Mk 7.5 PP never did this in the 4.5 yrs I had it)
Hoping to keep the new car for 10 years now so plenty of time to bed her in properly!
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My 7.5 said 2.5 bar all round on 19s, my 8.5 says 3.0 bar. I have done what they have said though as I assume in the event of an incident, being 0.5 bar down on what the manufacturer states could cause issues with insurance and possibly lead to a fine and points. Ride wise though, although the car feels rigid it is less crashy than previous so perfectly happy with it.
I too have noticed more character from the exhaust even though overall it is generally quieter. Today I tried it in Nurburgring mode which was particularly noisy though I suspect some of it was piped in. Even my OH had a smile on her face (first time in years.......) :laugh:
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“I assume in the event of an incident, being 0.5 bar down on what the manufacturer states could cause issues with insurance and possibly lead to a fine and points.”
Sorry.. But this is Nonsense.
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“I assume in the event of an incident, being 0.5 bar down on what the manufacturer states could cause issues with insurance and possibly lead to a fine and points.”
Sorry.. But this is Nonsense.
Is it? I would prefer to use a lower pressure so I would be genuinely grateful if you can provide evidence that it is nonsense. This from gov.uk:
National Highways says simple checks are a way to make sure the vehicle is roadworthy. Things to consider are: Tyres: Ensure tyre pressures are suitable for the load and check the condition of tyres, including the spare. Look out for cuts or wear across the whole tyre including sidewall.
If you are stopped by the police and found with illegal tyres, you could receive a £2,500 fine and 3 penalty points per tyre.
I'm fairly sure the police would be more likely to take the manufacturer's spec as gospel rather than my taking some random setting that I think is better hence my reluctance to go for a near 20% reduction in pressure. I'm not being argumentative, if you can back up your statement as I said, I am interested.
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My 7.5 said 2.5 bar all round on 19s, my 8.5 says 3.0 bar.
It's probably has something to do with emissions and other "cool" modern stuff. I my opinion, 3.0 is a lot for GTI & R. You can easily reduce at least 0.5 bar. I'm talking about comfort and road feel, not about "insurance regulations"..
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My 7.5 said 2.5 bar all round on 19s, my 8.5 says 3.0 bar.
It's probably has something to do with emissions and other "cool" modern stuff. I my opinion, 3.0 is a lot for GTI & R. You can easily reduce at least 0.5 bar. I'm talking about comfort and road feel, not about "insurance regulations"..
Lower rolling resistance... Lower co2
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10 years is quite a commitment!
Good to hear your initial thoughts Carbon GTD.
And as for the tyre pressure debate, significantly reduced air pressure is an offence, but the manufacturers grossly over inflate tyres for CO2 ratings. I’m sure there’s a happy medium somewhere.
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Cheers Exonian - I have owned a string of performance Golfs and never kept one longer than 4.5 yrs before now, but I am now wfh much more so can keep the mileage down, and with the way the world is headed I can really see me keeping this one for 10yrs. Especially as I took her out in the Sunday sunshine this afternoon with the pan roof open and opened the taps a bit for the first time - the 265 PS now feels like a perfect blend of pace and handling for me - loved it.
NB - I agree with you on the tyre pressures point too
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“I assume in the event of an incident, being 0.5 bar down on what the manufacturer states could cause issues with insurance and possibly lead to a fine and points.”
Sorry.. But this is Nonsense.
Is it? I would prefer to use a lower pressure so I would be genuinely grateful if you can provide evidence that it is nonsense. This from gov.uk:
National Highways says simple checks are a way to make sure the vehicle is roadworthy. Things to consider are: Tyres: Ensure tyre pressures are suitable for the load and check the condition of tyres, including the spare. Look out for cuts or wear across the whole tyre including sidewall.
If you are stopped by the police and found with illegal tyres, you could receive a £2,500 fine and 3 penalty points per tyre.
I'm fairly sure the police would be more likely to take the manufacturer's spec as gospel rather than my taking some random setting that I think is better hence my reluctance to go for a near 20% reduction in pressure. I'm not being argumentative, if you can back up your statement as I said, I am interested.
Yes it is. The Illegal tyres that you reference are those that are below the legal wear limit or are damaged, such as cords showing on the inner shoulder or deep cuts or sidewall damage, the police will not be checking your tyre pressures! They would only perhaps give you a tug if you have a severely deflated tyre and they happen to be in a position to spot it. Every driver has the leeway to adjust their pressures as they wish, no one of course is suggesting a severely over or under inflated tyre would be safe or that anyone should adjust them in such a way. But to suggest anyone would be liable should they be involved in an accident and their tyres are 7 psi below 44 psi is for the birds.
My previous Mk8 and my current 8.5 (both on 19’s) have the pressures at 36psi cold front and rear, even tread wear, improved comfort and handling, what’s not to like! If you would prefer your tyres to be at a similar pressure then I say go for it, you have nothing to worry about. 🙂
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With the Polo, VW used to have two settings for recommended tyre pressure settings; ‘normal’ and comfort with the comfort setting being 2-3 psi lower all round than the normal one. The comfort setting didn’t apply to the Polo GTI though.
I don’t know if VW still does this or if there’s a recommended comfort psi setting for the current Golf. With increasing focus on emissions and more stringent emissions targets, I suspect the comfort setting might have been dropped now.
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Wow, VW recommend 44 psi on the 8.5!
I’ve always run my pressures slightly lower than recommended on my 7.5.
If i ever end up in court over it, my defence will rely on what I’ve picked up on the forum over the years-
“ Exonian told me to drop the pressures, your honour. He said VW are only worried about emissions, not customers’ safety!”
I’d feel a little more uneasy dropping from recommendation of 44 to 36, but I very much doubt anyone could successfully argue that you’re running dangerously low pressures by doing so
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Can I just add, as a now retired insurance professional, that the only aspect insurers are interested in is whether your tyres would pass an MOT.
Pressure don’t come into it unless your tyres are obviously “flat”.
So, if running pressures a wee bit softer than official is anyone’s concern, forget it.
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Can I just add, as a now retired insurance professional, that the only aspect insurers are interested in is whether your tyres would pass an MOT.
Pressure don’t come into it unless your tyres are obviously “flat”.
So, if running pressures a wee bit softer than official is anyone’s concern, forget it.
That was very useful, thanks. Thanks to everyone else for posting on the subject too. Apologies to the OP for the thread derailing, hopefully now back on track. Glad you are enjoying your new car :smiley:
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No problems Watts - you made it a more interesting thread!
I am enjoying the new car thanks - however I do think the subtle DSG changes are a shame compared to my 7.5 GTI PP DSG ie 1) no stick any more but only the less satisfying chicken nugget 2) no ability to 'lock' in gear anymore as with the previous knock the gear lever over to the left - now I have to actually change gear up or down using the paddles in order to take over manual control 3) no longer shows you which gear you are in when in 'D' mode (only when in 'S')
Nothing wrong with how she goes or handles though - engaging and composed - exactly the balance what I want.
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Wow, VW recommend 44 psi on the 8.5!
I’ve always run my pressures slightly lower than recommended on my 7.5.
If i ever end up in court over it, my defence will rely on what I’ve picked up on the forum over the years-
“ Exonian told me to drop the pressures, your honour. He said VW are only worried about emissions, not customers’ ride quality!”
I’d feel a little more uneasy dropping from recommendation of 44 to 36, but I very much doubt anyone could successfully argue that you’re running dangerously low pressures by doing so
Corrected! Over inflated is just about as bad as under inflated.
We’ll stand in front of the Traffic Commisioner together! 😁