GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk5 => Topic started by: Bobman on 22 November 2007, 15:55
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Hi guys, I promised my thoughts on my new GTI, and here they are. Sorry for the delay, the baby arrived! And thanks again for all your help prior to purchase.
Btw a quick question - should I be using super unleaded rather than the normal stuff? Will I notice any difference?
Back to my feedback, in short, it's great! fun to drive fast, really comfy for family stuff. Highly recommended.
Pros -
Really impressed with the autobox (i.e. without using the paddles). Not had an autobox before and the flexibility and responsiveness of the kick-down was quite a surprise. Looking fwd to spending some time driving without a pregnant wife or new baby and exploring the paddles in more detail!
Torque, less of a powerband and more of a constant pull, especially impressive overtaking uphill. Although, it's almost TOO efficient and smooth as you don't get quite the kick in the back as you accelerate hard - maybe I need to try harder!
Driving position, in terms of seats and instruments (rather than visability), it's fantastic, very supportive seat and everything is very well thoughtout.
Toys, are great! Coming from a 10 yr old car, the joy of heated leather, xenons, hi-line computer, MFSW, sat nav etc is really fun. Well pleased I held out for a car with all the trimmings.
Cons - Just niggles really, nothing major.
Visability isn't great, although that may be down to having the seat as low as it can go (which is great, becuase it makes me feel like a racing driver!), but the pillars at the rear seem quite broad and, more annoyingly, the pillars at the front - particularly on the driver's side - are right where I want to look at the kerb as I turn right at roundabouts. In any case, I'm sure this is down to being used to thinner pillars on an older (less safe?) car.
Noise, it's very quiet! Again, a lot more refined that my old GTi-6, so can't really hold that against it.
Head rests at the front don't support the neck, so - for me - they don't provide much ability to support the weight of my head. That may be down to me not being very tall. Plus the wife can't sit comfortably with her hair tied in a pony tail!
cheers, Rob
Btw hats off to Ridgeway VW in Wantage, they did a load of work on the car before I got it, answered all my questions, happily helped me by ferrying it to London (twice) to look at, were fair and reasonable to negotiate with and generally very easy to buy from. Well done them.
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Hey,
I've had my GTI for 2 weeks now.
Generally speaking the 2.0 T FSI engine likes the expensive stuff, and although I've not used regular, others here think there is a difference. There is some science behind it too, the way the engine works with the super fuels. There might also be future benefit.
I see your point about the luxuries, my previous car was 9 yrs old and was a tank to drive and air con etc didn't work.
Also, rear visibility can be tricky when parking, and I like to lower the side mirrors, to prevent curbing.
The hear rest is not confy but looks good IMHO.
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Hi bobman,
Interested to hear you've just moved from a gti-6 - doing the same here (edition 30 on its way in January sometime).
Have you got an idea about the difference in fuel usage between the two yet?
The gti-6 was a great car, and I'd given up hoping that peugeot would do another good hatchback. All the hatchbacks they do are pig ugly, and in the end, the golf seemed to tick all the boxes as a worthy replacement.
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Thanks for the quick review Rob :cool:
Stick to the Super unleaded. :nerd:
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hey man
good luck with the new car
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As others have said, stick to the high octane stuff as VW recommend - Better in the long term for engine health.
Rear visibility and driver's side A-pillar are well known 'problems' but vastly outweighed by the joys which the Mk5 GTI deliver.
DSG takes time to become natural - So many combination options. Superb to be able to drive 'manually' 95% of the time with the paddles and pop into D for traffic jams or heavy urban.
After 42,000 miles I have no plans to part with mine and I'm still grinning and still look over my shoulder after parking her :cool:.
Enjoy!
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After 42,000 miles ... and I'm still grinning and still look over my shoulder after parking her :cool:.
:smiley: ain't they special, those GTIs? :tongue:
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After 42,000 miles I have no plans to part with mine and I'm still grinning and still look over my shoulder after parking her :cool:.
Enjoy!
funny that! i got out of a 997 turbo to get into the golf( not bragging, but it is relative to my ownership experience), as it was impractical to drive to work every day and a stupid amount of money....bought a mint m3 csl for playing with and a golf for daily duties and banked the balance...
i can honestly say that now i've had it about 6 months(7000 miles), i've considered changing it...and have driven allsorts in the process and have descided to keep it, as nothing does everything so well for anywhere near the money...all whilst doing 30 mpg!
and yes, i still look back at it when i walk away, and think, why did i waste all that money on those other cars!!
you just cant beat a good golf gti!!
i hardly ever drive the CSL as it really isnt that much quicker.
p.s still strongly recommend and APR remap on any standard GTi...makes a massive difference...
and im still loving the eibach pro street set up as well.....the really does handle like it shouldnt...and makes the really good car miles better.
best 1500 quid ( the two things fitted by awesome) i've ever spent.
enjoy your car mate!
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thanks for the replies, guys. had a blast home out into the country from London last night - took me 1 hr 30m to get in in the morning, and 37 mins to get home! good reason to work late
btw andy b, check this http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=58820.msg455439#msg455439
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nice to know another gti owner is happy :laugh: