AutoCar Mk7 GTI with P Pack review places it No3.

[DevonK]

Unfortunately it will be a year before we can test drive the new GTI over the pond, and in the meantime we have to rely on second-hand assessments.

I do agree that the UK reviewers' biases towards sport/performance over livability do not reflect the priorities of the large majority of general buyers, and even enthusiasts are not going to be driving the nuts off their cars 95% of the time. Obviously a lot of other important considerations come into play besides driving pleasure for most prospective purchasers, such as those mentioned by several of you above. But as someone who does not have to commute, the factors that weigh most heavily for me are not the practical or comfort ones but the engagement generated by the responsiveness, eagerness and feelsomeness of the car. Cars with these qualities aren't necessarily dangerous or unstable -  they can be thrilling while at the same time being predictable and safe (Cayman, etc).


In the reviewers' defense, they are using criteria for their assessments in these comparisons that are appropriate for specialty hot-hatches like the GTI that are designed and marketed as performance, fun-to-drive vehicles. We're not talking Ford Mondeo estates here. If the Autocar comparison was totally track-based, though, they need to balance that out with a street-drive review.

[matchboy]

The fact that the reviewers say 'its not exciting' enough blah blah blah means nothing to me because when I had my test drive I couldn't wipe the smile from my face.  And given the cars I've driven previously commented upon in another thread, that's the biggest compliment I can give to the car.

It has more than enough excitement for me!

(I am an accountant though so read into that what you will!  )

[am1w]

It's strange how one's taste can change. I never thought I'd ever want any car but a Golf GTI and I was convinced I should stay the course and change from my wonderful Mk6 GTI to a Mk7 GTI. Then one day I drove a BMW F30 33Od M Sport and it just blew me away: literally. The car was totally frictionless, its ride and handling were simply sublime, its performance devastating and it was everything all the road testers said and much, much more. A 5* car. So we bought two! But I still hung on for a couple of months to my trusty GTI as I tried to get my head around the BMW tech and the fact the car was a bit dimensionally large in comparison to the Golf. But once in the driver's seat the car simply shrinks around one, something the GTI never could do and still does not in it's latest guise. And then there was the amazing comfort of the beautifully appointed sport leather seats, the beauty of the simple dash, the terrific torque from the engine, the 8 speed sport gearbox with its seemless shifts and so much more. So I felt a bit sad that my torrid affair with my Mk6 GTI was no more but happy that I had found an ideal partner in this BMW.

I say all the above because today I drove a German Registered Mk7 GTI with PP. It was all very familiar and it was like visiting an old friend. Unfortunately, the sparkle in the relationship could not be rekindled. The car felt a bit old in design, especially on the inside, the paintwork on the door frames was still visible from the inside, it felt slow, rattled a bit on our roads and drank fuel at an alarming rate. I felt quite sad as I really wanted to love this car. But I could not anymore. Yes, the Mk7 GTI is a very good car, but no longer a car I can feel passionate about. Perhaps the Mk7 R will tug at my heart strings a bit more.

All-in-all, a bitter-sweet day for me.

[carotino]

It's so blatant you can almost taste it.

That rag went downhill years ago.

[DevonK]

It's strange how one's taste can change. I never thought I'd ever want any car but a Golf GTI and I was convinced I should stay the course and change from my wonderful Mk6 GTI to a Mk7 GTI. Then one day I drove a BMW F30 33Od M Sport and it just blew me away: literally. The car was totally frictionless, its ride and handling were simply sublime, its performance devastating and it was everything all the road testers said and much, much more.

The problem I have with Bimmers and their ilk is their high level of reliance on electronics to sort out the drive characteristics together with the relative unreliability of said electronics and the sky-high cost of high-end German maintenance (at least in North America). No problem if you go with a lease or sell before your warranty is up, but as a low mileage driver I would be holding on to a car for a decade, and the potential for high repair costs is scary.


Hasn't stopped me from seriously considering the new C7 Vette which is packed with tech, though... 

[Johnc41]

As regards to f30 330d, my friend has one and I have driven it a few times and it never came close to my ed35 gti with the remap I had, in corners it could never keep up with me and it is horrible looking, the bonnet is disgusting looking and the amount of problems he has had with the last 3 bmws have been horrific. Not the most reliable cars.

[drisser]

The fact that the reviewers say 'its not exciting' enough blah blah blah means nothing to me because when I had my test drive I couldn't wipe the smile from my face.  And given the cars I've driven previously commented upon in another thread, that's the biggest compliment I can give to the car.

It has more than enough excitement for me!

(I am an accountant though so read into that what you will!  )

Matchboy I am totally with you.  The gti was one of the most fun cars I have driven since 1998 when I first drove a fiat coupe 20v turbo ( find me a 220 bhp front drive car today that does 0-100 in 14.5 secs ? ) and I had a huge grin on my face with the golf.  Couple that with the need to have day to day usability and good residuals and I can't think of another car like it.

[drisser]

Ps, also an accountant ! 

[matchboy]

The fact that the reviewers say 'its not exciting' enough blah blah blah means nothing to me because when I had my test drive I couldn't wipe the smile from my face.  And given the cars I've driven previously commented upon in another thread, that's the biggest compliment I can give to the car.

It has more than enough excitement for me!

(I am an accountant though so read into that what you will!  )

Matchboy I am totally with you.  The gti was one of the most fun cars I have driven since 1998 when I first drove a fiat coupe 20v turbo ( find me a 220 bhp front drive car today that does 0-100 in 14.5 secs ? ) and I had a huge grin on my face with the golf.  Couple that with the need to have day to day usability and good residuals and I can't think of another car like it.

Exactly!  Ticks all the boxes!

Is am1w still droning on about his 330d?  Clearly not getting any love on the BMW forums. I wouldn't mind but its not even the best 3 series you can buy, it's mid range at best. 

[Johnc41]

The fact that the reviewers say 'its not exciting' enough blah blah blah means nothing to me because when I had my test drive I couldn't wipe the smile from my face.  And given the cars I've driven previously commented upon in another thread, that's the biggest compliment I can give to the car.

It has more than enough excitement for me!

(I am an accountant though so read into that what you will!  )

Matchboy I am totally with you.  The gti was one of the most fun cars I have driven since 1998 when I first drove a fiat coupe 20v turbo ( find me a 220 bhp front drive car today that does 0-100 in 14.5 secs ? ) and I had a huge grin on my face with the golf.  Couple that with the need to have day to day usability and good residuals and I can't think of another car like it.

Exactly!  Ticks all the boxes!

Is am1w still droning on about his 330d?  Clearly not getting any love on the BMW forums. I wouldn't mind but its not even the best 3 series you can buy, it's mid range at best. 

Lol it might not be the best but it is certainly the ugliest lol