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31
Golf mk8 / Re: Manual vs DSG, do I go DSG?
« Last post by Exonian on 20 February 2026, 20:53 »
The DSG does take a bit of adapting to but it’s so well sorted on the mk8 and 8.5 now as others have said.

As for the bings and bongs, they’re less on an 8.5 than an 8 but some are unavoidable and will be common to most marques that have similar tech.
If the camera has any obscurities in cold weather etc you’ll get bongs. You get used to them and will know which ones are actually worth paying attention to after a short time. As soon as the car warms up most of them fall silent and the orange warnings go out.
32
Golf mk8 / Re: Clubsport Alloys
« Last post by SRGTD on 20 February 2026, 20:28 »
Quote from: Exonian on 20 February 2026, 15:59
One thing to bear in mind is you’ll need aftermarket centre caps as the originals don’t fit.

And if you damage one beyond repair you can’t just buy a single replacement; you’d need to buy a set of four. However, relatively speaking a set of replica alloys aren’t that expensive and you’d probably get a complete set of four replicas for less than the price you’d pay for one genuine VW OEM alloy.
33
Golf mk8 / Re: Manual vs DSG, do I go DSG?
« Last post by flipflops on 20 February 2026, 19:38 »
It is interesting and there's no real right or wrong answer, I really appreciate everyone's input.

I've owned so many golfs and had an 8.5 CS for a few weeks, couldn't get my head around the bings and bongs and DSG, maybe I should have given it more time.

I don't want to stay in the past and cling on to a manual till the end of days or I'll never benefit from the newer golfs which I do like, even the MK8 looks pretty nice, apart from the buttons which can be swapped.
34
Golf mk8 / Re: New software direct button for speed limit warning off
« Last post by Ewankinch on 20 February 2026, 19:24 »
Quote from: CarbonGTD on 20 February 2026, 18:59
So the latest over-air software update (taken this wk) in my 8.5 GTI 265 has brought with it a welcome new 'sticky key' for the speed limit warning which now sits on top of the main screen permanently (meaning I no longer have to go into the subscreen to switch it off every time I start the car).  Winner.

The catch is, there still isn't one for lane assist...

What other over the air updates have you had? I've never set up we connect so I haven't had any on my 8.5.
35
Golf mk8 / Re: Manual vs DSG, do I go DSG?
« Last post by CarbonGTD on 20 February 2026, 19:11 »
Yep, definitely rabbit hole territory.

I have owned a Mk 7.5 GTI 6 speed manual, a Mk 7.5 GTI PP 7sp DSG, a Mk 8.5 Golf R Line 6 speed manual and now a Mk 8.5 GTI 265 7 sp DSG.

Which do I prefer?  DSG - but that doesn't mean I always love it.  Yes of course a good manual box is more engaging and rewarding, but imho the gearbox (and clutch) in the Golfs just isn't that great - they are fine, but the shift and throw and clutch bite point just aren't brilliant and don't really reward as they should.  Worth noting that (I think) the DSG mapping is considerably improved in the 8.5 over the 7.5 and when the DSG is at its best it is really very good indeed.  If you can stretch to it I would def hold out for an 8.5 GTI - with the subtle engine power increase and the improved DSG box mapping even the bog standard GTI 265 is now very good indeed.

36
Golf mk8 / Re: New software direct button for speed limit warning off
« Last post by CrunchtheApple78 on 20 February 2026, 19:11 »
One step at a time I suppose! At least that’s progress.. maybe by the time I get my CS they’ll have one for lane assist too!  :grin:
37
Golf mk8 / New software direct button for speed limit warning off
« Last post by CarbonGTD on 20 February 2026, 18:59 »
So the latest over-air software update (taken this wk) in my 8.5 GTI 265 has brought with it a welcome new 'sticky key' for the speed limit warning which now sits on top of the main screen permanently (meaning I no longer have to go into the subscreen to switch it off every time I start the car).  Winner.

The catch is, there still isn't one for lane assist...
38
Golf mk8 / Re: Clubsport Alloys
« Last post by Ewankinch on 20 February 2026, 18:49 »
Quote from: Ewankinch on 20 February 2026, 18:46
I run black Pretoria reps for winter wheels bought from "Selectrims online" from ebay in 2019 for £390. They're more than that nowadays! I used them for 6 winters on my old mk7 Gtd and this is the first winter using them on my 8.5 Gti. I ran Goodyear winter tyres for 6 years on the Gtd and fitted cross climate 3 sports for this winter. The quality has been good I also hit a pothole the first year I bought them and popped a tyre. Absolutely no damage to the wheel just a replacement tyre was required. There is slight corrosion on them but very minimal bearing in mind Im on my 7th winter. The only problem I've had has been the replica vw centre caps corroding as they are bare aluminium. I polished them up with metal polish then lacquered them and that has helped. I would 100% buy another set of reps. I also had a set of replica s4 wheels many years ago that were fitted to my mk5 golf they were also great wheels.
39
Golf mk8 / Re: Clubsport Alloys
« Last post by Ewankinch on 20 February 2026, 18:46 »
I run black Pretoria reps for winter wheels bought from "Selectrims online" from ebay in 2019 for £390. They're more than that nowadays! I used then for 6 winters on my old mk7 Gtd and this is the first winter using them on my 8.5 Gti. I ran Goodyear winter tyres for 6 years on the Gtd and fitted cross climate 3 sports for this winter. The quality has been good I also hit a pothole the first year I bought them and popped a tyre. Absolutely no damage to the wheel just a replacement tyre was required. There is slight corrosion on them but very minimal bearing in mind Im on my 7th winter. The only problem I've had has been the replica vw centre caps corroding as they are bare aluminium. I polished them up with metal polish then lacquered them and that has helped. I would 100% buy another set of reps. I also had a set of replica s4 wheels many years ago that were fitted to my mk5 golf they were also great wheels.
40
Golf mk8 / Re: Mk8.5 gti key battery no warning!
« Last post by Ewankinch on 20 February 2026, 18:27 »
I had the low battery warning come on the other day on my 8.5 Gti. I changed the battery today with a Panasonic 2032. The fob then didn't work. I then fitted the old battery and it still didn't work so I again fitted the new one. The new one still wasn't working so after a while on Google trying various methods to sync the key nothing worked. The red light didn't work either if I pushed the lock and unlock button. I was then stumped. A while later I removed the new battery then refitted it and then it worked as it should. I don't understand what happened. The battery previously was fitted correctly 100%. I read on other forums etc some people had the same problem as me. Has anyone else experienced this??
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