Recent Posts

Pages: [1] 2 3 ... 10
1
General discussion / Do service at 12 months or not?
« Last post by perishingtardis on Today at 19:13 »
Bought a March 2023 Mk8 GTI in August 2025. The original 3-year warranty expired in March 2026, but there is still Approved Used warranty from the dealer up until August 2026.

The car will be due its annual service in June 2026. However, when the dealer warranty expires in August I intend to buy the All-in service plan at that point (which includes a further two years warranty).

So is it worth paying for the single service in June at like £330? Or just leave it until August when I have the service plan? I am only doing about 3000 miles per year anyway.
2
Golf mk8 / Re: What have you done to your mk8 today?
« Last post by Watts on Today at 18:35 »
Yesterday we had a nice day out but as my CS was blocked in, we took my OH's Fiat 500. 150 mile roundtrip, 50/50 motorway/A roads from west London down to East Sussex/Kent border. The Fiat (1.0 mild hybrid) is not a bad drive with a great 6 speed manual box and can maintain speed around bends pretty well but, any uphills at speed were a real pain, foot to the floor and it was still losing speed so a fair bit of cog swapping going on. Ride is rather fidgety too which I suppose is the 25+ year old chassis design. Overall though it was quite good fun.

Today we got the CS out. Another longish run and a far more sophisticated ride plus the joy of being able to overtake without having to plan it in advance! One thing though that I've not encountered before was it erroneously thought we were about to crash and our seatbelts tightened up. Was a bit of a shock! They loosened off very quickly but it was all a bit OTT.

As good as the 500 is for the money, you can see where your money goes in a Golf. A very good two car combo though.
3
Detailing / Re: water spots spotted on front hood
« Last post by SRGTD on Today at 17:15 »
If your ‘water spots’ return after a few days, then I suspect the spots may not actually be water spots. I see from your signatures that your car’s is a mk8.5 so I’m assuming it’s new / relatively new. If so, then the spots may be the result of your car’s paintwork ‘outgassing’. Below is the AI explanation from an internet search I did;

A brand new car's paintwork that is "gassing" (or outgassing) can produce residues or surface imperfections that closely resemble the appearance of hard water spots or watermarks. While they look similar to the naked eye, the cause is the release of solvents/VOCs from the curing paint, rather than mineral deposits from water.

How Outgassing Causes "Water Spot" Appearance;
  • The Process: New paint, particularly if a car was painted recently and covered or driven soon after, continues to release solvent vapours as it cures (outgassing).
  • The Appearance: If these vapours are trapped (e.g., under a car cover, in a shipping container, or simply by cooling down overnight), the chemicals can condense back onto the surface, leaving hazy, circular, or spotty residue marks that look like mineral rings.
  • Surface Texture: Sometimes, the paint itself can "bubble" or "pimple" at a microscopic level while the solvents force their way out, creating a spotted, rough texture that mimics acid rain or severe water etching.
Sorry, I don’t know how you would address correcting / removing these spots permanently so they don’t return.
4
Golf mk7 / Re: Replacement dipstick
« Last post by symonh2000 on Today at 15:12 »
The plastic probably goes brittle over time duew to heat cycles.

The tabs broke off mine too.
5
Golf mk7 / Re: Replacement dipstick
« Last post by Rudedog on Today at 14:37 »
Same here - the little tabs are way too brittle and easy to break off, both of my sticks were/are very hard to pull out even when warm.  To me the yellow plastic has changed compared to our other VW's with the orangey coloured plastic dipsticks.
6
Golf mk7 / Re: Replacement dipstick
« Last post by symonh2000 on Today at 14:13 »
This is the one I bought, it was £16 when I bought it though...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/204043967985
7
Detailing / water spots spotted on front hood
« Last post by candywhite12 on Today at 12:02 »
noticed the spots after i gave the car a nice wash but made a mistake when i washed it on windy day, probably dried that part up before i had the chance to dry with my towel. Applied ceramic a month ago, spots happened after that which is weird, and have been unable to remove them.  Used compound by hand and waxed the area again, they seemed to disappear on the day but today under different lightning there they were those little f***ers.  It's only in a small area, i'm talking 10 spots in total but i'd like to get rid off.  I'm not in favor of trying out too many restoring products in fear of messing my paint.   

Any pro ideas would be most welcome
8
Golf mk8 / Re: 8.5 - 1st oil change
« Last post by candywhite12 on Today at 11:49 »
Quote from: Carlosfandango on 04 April 2026, 18:03
Yes, they will change the filter. An oil service will always include it.

actually they said no filter needs changing at 7.500 km, they have that down for the 15k service
9
Golf mk8 / Re: Coolant Warning
« Last post by Tony Jazz on Today at 09:56 »
Mine hit the 5 year old point in Oct 25. I've had the extended warranty cover since it turned over 3 years in 2023. Managed to get another 2 years cover but VW wont extend it after that. Turns out approx. £31 per month which includes yearly service, MOT and Breakdown cover. Just coming  up to 40K soon.
As for the coolant, some good advice from the Forum members as always.
Admittedly I've always been somewhat OCD with oil and filter changes, gearbox oil change and I am about to get the coolant flushed and changed this week too. Quoted £200 at a VW dealer which isn't too bad.
If something does go wrong, at least VW cant say I've neglected anything!
Hope your issue gets resolved.
10
Golf mk7 / Re: Winter Tyres
« Last post by golfDB on Today at 07:58 »
I run a Mk7 GTD on Santiago’s 19 inch.  Years ago tried to change to all season or winter tyres, but could not find any in 225/35/19.   I ended up buying a set of 18 inch Wheels and putting Michelin Cross Climate 2 on them.   I usually change over in October/April.  The Cross Climates are superb in snow and would happily run them all year. 
Pages: [1] 2 3 ... 10