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21
Golf mk7 / Re: Mk7 was disappointing - should I buy a mk7.5 or even an 8?
« Last post by joe6 on 09 March 2026, 17:51 »
My 7.5 pp manual has never given me any problems (touch wood!) that your mk7 appears to have given you. Bought 18 months old and now coming up to 7 years. Not using any oil and tyres seem to last well. Fuel consumption is around 35 overall. The only addition I have made is to fit the additional undertrays to provide additional protection from grit etc. I would class myself as an enthusiastic driver but find the car does all that I need. The road out of our village is in worse condition than some of the rally stages I used to drive on but no rattles so build quality seems good. I prefer the dash style on the 7.5 to the 8 because it has the smaller MMI but that is my preference and you also get a better spec as standard. Early mk8 had lots of software issues and not sure they have all been fixed so that could be a worry unless it has warranty. If you go for a 7.5 choose the pp version but you might have to wait a while for the nice one to come on the market. Good luck with making the right decision for you.
22
Golf mk8 / Re: mk8.5 GTI road noise
« Last post by fredgroves on 09 March 2026, 17:33 »
the difference between a "quiet" tyre and a noisy one (ie A to C rated) is only 6db.... but db's are funny things - thats actually perceived as 4 times quieter!

BTW the whole noise things about tyre ratings is environmental... apparently noise can make people physically unwell... so now the EU force tyre makers to say how noisy their product is.

I've also read somewhere that the Cross Climates seem to massively reduce noise but nobody can explain why.
23
Golf mk8 / Re: mk8.5 GTI road noise
« Last post by chrisgolf1 on 09 March 2026, 17:24 »
The BS S005's (which i assume are the ones you have) are rated at 72db

Now bear in mind that the noise ratings are not what you hear in the car, thats different...

72db is in the worst bracket for noise.

Shop around but it looks like the Eagle Asym's are maybe a little quieter.

Thank you. They are Potenza Sports which I presume are similar. Db ratings only differ by a few Db's for external noise as far as I can tell. Why there is no assessment / rating for internal noise is a bit baffling but I guess that's down to soundproofing and engineering in individual cars and so would get very complicated.
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Golf mk8 / Re: mk8.5 GTI road noise
« Last post by chrisgolf1 on 09 March 2026, 17:19 »
Hi Chris - I feel very much the same way about my new 8.5 GTI on the hard and noisy Bridgestones, which is why I am (prematurely) swapping them for a whole new set of Pirelli PZ5's this coming weekend (which are supposed to be the quietest and smoothest riding tyres currently available on the market).  I had a 7.5 GTI previously (non DCC) which I ran on PS4S's (not PS4s) which I loved - but I am taking the gamble on the new design Pirelli PZ5's as the PS4S's are now a 10 yr old design, and the new Pirellis really are supposed to be v good (plus currently available with 20% discount which is helpful) - I'll let you know my verdict on them once they have bed in.

Good to hear I'm not alone! I look forward to hearing what difference it makes to the driving experience. Thank you.
25
Golf mk8 / Re: mk8.5 GTI road noise
« Last post by chrisgolf1 on 09 March 2026, 17:17 »
Exonian - yes, funnily enough I did that yesterday. Makes the ride a bit less fidgety but doesn't help with the noise.

Somehow I don’t think you and this car are going to gel which is a shame.
It might be worth test driving a few other similar cars to see if it’s unique to yours and maybe try a few other marques too.



There’s going to be a lot of interested people on this forum in your experiences with the Pirellis @CarbonGTD


I have a feeling you are right. It is a bit of a shame as I was looking forward to picking it up for a long while, but my first long trip in it put me right off it. To my mind my 2013 mk 7 GTI 3 door was the best of the three I have owned. Cheers
26
Golf mk8 / Re: mk8.5 GTI road noise
« Last post by fredgroves on 09 March 2026, 14:46 »
The BS S005's (which i assume are the ones you have) are rated at 72db

Now bear in mind that the noise ratings are not what you hear in the car, thats different...

72db is in the worst bracket for noise.

Shop around but it looks like the Eagle Asym's are maybe a little quieter.
27
My mk7 - a CS - feels beautifully built. I too had the buzzing under the seat. Turned out to be tiny piece of plastic trim in the lower part of the centre console, down by the back of the seat base. Removed it. Silence :)
28
Had a 7.5 for 87 months from new angle covered 35k, no issues to report on (touching lots of wood)
My wife’s Polo would not lock when frozen, a squirt of WD40 followed by a squirt of lithium grease fixed that.
29
Golf mk7 / Re: De-condensating headlights
« Last post by Bluest on 09 March 2026, 13:48 »
I'm disappointed to report that I'm still getting small amounts of condensation in the lower indicator area of the headlights in cold temperatures. I might try increasing the number of silica bags, see if that helps at all.
30
Golf mk7 / Mk7 was disappointing - should I buy a mk7.5 or even an 8?
« Last post by Happy on 09 March 2026, 13:24 »
Hi

Been a while but I could do with some advice.

Bought a mk7 manual about 5 years ago and never really got on with it. I was gutted because I lusted after one for years.

Anyway I'll be 50 soon I'd like a new car but there isn't a car on the market that suits my needs more than another GTI.
Was I just unlucky with the mk7? Would a 7.5 be better? Would an 8 make more sense because it looks different to a 7/7.5?

Issues I had with mk7:
Notchy gears - especially 2nd
Electronic handbrake auto release was jerky not smooth
Both rear speakers let water in and needed replaced
Buzzing from under drivers seat (almost finished me this one)
Clicking drivers door check strap
Drivers door wouldn't close when temp was below zero - kept bouncing back open
Drivers mirror glass fell off on motorway
Whistling wind noise like door seals needed replaced

For info it was an approved used car from a Volkswagen main dealer. I traded it in after 18 months and bought a Honda diesel - which has been faultless for 3 and a half years. But god is it boring.

I realise I'm asking a golf gti forum if I should buy a golf gti  :huh: but I'm sorry to say I was underwhelmed by the mk7 - especially the build quality. Not a single squeak or rattle from my 10 year old Honda and nothing has fallen off. Gear change is a dream and auto parking brake release is super smooth. But god is it boring.

Any thoughts appreciated.
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