Just seen the new GTI on the road for the first time!!

[Exonian]

Well Monzablue, exactly how different does a mk2 Golf GTI look to a normal mk2 Golf? Not very. VW have always played the difference down and that's one of the attractions. In fact how different did a mk4 GTI look to a base model? Not the slightest!
Admittedly the 17s don't bring out the best in the cars looks but remember the mk2? They came as standard on steel wheels in 8v guise, same as a poverty spec model.

[keelaw]

Key differences to a std mkvi is the engine and gti styling touches (I'm going to ignore cost!)

Key difference to a mkv is the interior quality and the fact that it is new.


I know there is little difference to the mkv, but all the subtle updates add up and I can afford a new car, so why not

[matchboy]

what car are you driving at the moment monzablue?

[AlanD]

I can afford a new car, so why not

Nail on the head.

If you can afford the MK6 why not get one? They are great cars (admitably I haven't driven one but they are just MK5 with 09 plates on )

[Rolfe]

I know there is little difference to the mkv, but all the subtle updates add up and I can afford a new car, so why not

Nail on head indeed!  I'm changing my car for the first time in over 11 years.  I read a lot about the Mk V, and watched the Top Gear review.  I'm actually quite pleased that the Mk VI is just a subtle evolution of this apparently winning formula, and that I'm not being a guinea-pig for a completely new design.

But if I'd decided to change last year, and had bought a Mk V, I wouldn't be feeling bad about my car, or wanting to spend a shed-load of money to "upgrade".

Rolfe.

[AlanD]

Im starting to like these MK6 people now

[Snoopy]

As a mk5 owner well sort of lol. The reason to go 17" over 18" is simply. The 18" wheels due to there polish/lac finish get whats known as white worm. Were the lac lifts or cracks or comes unstuck or gets damaged due to salt, stone chip, curbing what ever and causes white lines to show. This is a huge problem with this type of finish to alloy wheels. Everymake suffer it with this type ofpolished finish and the mk5 monzaII suffer it quite bad. Most cars over 2 years old have suffered it or had wheels replaced by VW. This meens constant refurbs of the wheels are needed over the years so they don't look nasty. So for long term ownership prospects the 17s are a better longlife solution.
Its why i went originally for the 17s with the mk5 after suffering it with SEATs and seeing it with many other makes including Audi and BMW. I only went to 18s as i was offered a straight swop from a family member and due to the 17s painted silver colour just did not work with shadow blue.

[Emeye]

and i can confirm it looked the doggy's do-dah's - amazing in the flesh!  the deep pearl black looked fantastic.  although he did have the 17's on it which never ceases to amaze me why people don't upgrade to the 18's.  still, it looked great and made me even more excited about mine (if that was possible!)

18's look better. 17's better for old folk or those with young kids... 

Personally I'm not a fan of the Mk6 - interior is nice but I think it looks too fat and the front grill just isn't as nice.

As for 17s vs 18s - when EVO did some tyre testing with a Mk5 Gti, it was faster around the track with 17s!  Plus they make less road noise, oh and 17s are more individual as everyone else has slightly whitewormed Monza 18s! 

Of course this has nothing to do with me having 17s on my Mk5.......

[matchboy]

all good arguments.  but at the end of the day the 18's look better, and that's that!   

[AlanD]

^ Yep. Running 17s on my MK5 and are getting swapped for 18s in the next month or so.