500 miles in - GTI Report

[GTI7me]

So after 500 miles in the GTI I thought by writing this report it may help some of you guys out looking to place orders or still waiting to take delivery.

Options:

Nav
Park Assist
5 door
White

Collection:

I picked up the GTI on 6th September, having never purchased a new car before it's fair to say i was rather excited and didn't get much sleep the few nights before pick up! The dealer had kept the car in the showroom under wraps for when i got there, not necessary but a nice touch!

First drive:

Wasn't great to be honest. To be fair it was absolutely pissing it down and i was stuck in rush hour traffic for an hour and a half, however it did give me a chance to play with all the toys, have a proper listen to the stereo and get my phone synced up.

First proper drive:

The next day we made a trip over to Skipton, anyone from round there will agree with me when i say some of the roads round there are incredible. The GTI was incredible, being careful not to rev the motor out i stuck below 4.5k but even so you could feel the power. The handling is just incredible, such a massive difference to the previous MK5/MK6 GTI's.

First wash:

This took place immediately after getting back from Skipton, the car was filthy and i just couldn't face it being like that! I did my usual method of snowfoam, two bucket method, clay and wax. It looked fantastic. The following day i had some professional photo's taken, so the hard work was worth it!

I will now break down the sections of the car, i am a real car enthusiast and know how a car should handle, a car could look incredible but if it doesn't drive right i'm not interested!

Handling:

I am super impressed with the handling of the new MK7. Having previously owned the MK5/MK6 and a Mini JCW i can safely say this trumps them all. I didn't expect such a big change from the MK5/MK6 but i can assure you it really is different. The turn in is just so responsive, with the previous GTI's there was always the hint of understeer, that sensation has totally gone with the MK7, it just want's to play all the time!

Brakes:

The brakes are very good, i haven't given them a proper battering yet but they seem strong. The only downside in my opinion is that they are a little too sharp for my liking. It makes heal and toe quite difficult, however i am sure i will get used to it.

Power:

To be expected really! Plenty of it and it's there whenever you need it. I have to say once it reaches 4k it just takes off again, really impressed.

Economy:

So far my average is 33mpg. Considering it's a brand new engine and that it does have to contend with congested city traffic as well as country road blasts i think this is very good, especially considering the previous GTI's struggled to get in to the 30's. On a motorway run it's not difficult to get in to the low 40's.

Interior:

What can i say. It's just sublime, i can't think of one thing i don't like about it. The cabin comes alive at night with all the ambient lighting with each button and the dash illuminated with pure white lighting, looks incredible.

Tech:

There is so much of it, however unlike some cars it's not intrusive. The nav is great as is the bluetooth phone, the best i've used so far.

Exterior:

Everyone looks, stares and points. Says it all really, I think the LED set's the exterior off. It really is a beaut!

Park Assist:

This actually blows your mind! Such an incredible sensation, works perfectly every time too!

Niggles:

As far as i am aware when the stereo is turned down, so are the nav instructions, a little annoying.
Drivers wiper is awful! But that will be resolved by the dealer
Strange noises when on full lock, but i've read it's normal

Regrets:

People often say, "i can't believe you didn't spec the PP". To be perfectly honest i do not miss it! Considering i enjoy a performance vehicle this good praise to VW. It always finds traction and in my experience a LSD can make the front of the car feel a little numb, so no i don't miss it! So to answer this section, NONE!

I hope people have enjoyed reading this and i hope it gives you an insight to MK7 ownership. If you have any questions let me know

(just one cheeky pic)


J

[monkeyhanger]

Very thorough write up.
On the economy front, your GTI seems to be behaving like my GTD. Your current long term mpg is 33, mine is 47 – both doing 70% of book combined figs right now. It would seem then that GTIs and GTDs are comparatively tight out of the factory and hopefully both will improve measurably when the miles go on.
The ambient light is amazing – lots of it without looking overdone and tacky – makes me look forward to a night time drive!
Your wipers should improve with time – my drivers side has gone from abysmal to a little crap in 250 miles and a few bits of rain in there. You might need the new Bosch Aerotwins on if things don’t improve as much as you’d like.
Being a previous VW owner, are the brakes really that harsh? They’ve always been comparatively sharp on VAG cars, and the new ones seem to follow that high standard. My mate just bought a nearly new A4 and has almost nutted the windscreen a few times getting used to his brakes after coming from a variety of elderly Fords.
The great handling and XDS are plenty for most people. You’d have to be driving like a loony on the public roads to appreciate the difference between XDS and LSD – one for the track racers IMO. 

[physio]

good report ,sounds like you are a happy gti owner 
  as for your point on the sat nav  instructions , on my audi you can go into the memory and set the volume for the  sat nav instructions separate from the  radio volume  , so I presume there may be a similar option in there somewhere

[GTI7me]

Very thorough write up.
On the economy front, your GTI seems to be behaving like my GTD. Your current long term mpg is 33, mine is 47 – both doing 70% of book combined figs right now. It would seem then that GTIs and GTDs are comparatively tight out of the factory and hopefully both will improve measurably when the miles go on.
The ambient light is amazing – lots of it without looking overdone and tacky – makes me look forward to a night time drive!
Your wipers should improve with time – my drivers side has gone from abysmal to a little crap in 250 miles and a few bits of rain in there. You might need the new Bosch Aerotwins on if things don’t improve as much as you’d like.
Being a previous VW owner, are the brakes really that harsh? They’ve always been comparatively sharp on VAG cars, and the new ones seem to follow that high standard. My mate just bought a nearly new A4 and has almost nutted the windscreen a few times getting used to his brakes after coming from a variety of elderly Fords.
The great handling and XDS are plenty for most people. You’d have to be driving like a loony on the public roads to appreciate the difference between XDS and LSD – one for the track racers IMO.

Cheers for the reply. The engine feels tight if you know what i mean. Every time i drive it it feels a little different, as if it wants you to drive it harder!

Totally understand about what you are saying with the brakes, however in my opinion brakes don't have to be sharp to be good. For example the Mini JCW i last had weren't overly sharp but they were very very good. I think it will just take a little getting used to thats all.

I hope the wipers do improve, all we seem to have had since i picked up the GTI is rain and i suppose there is a little improvement. VW UK customer care are aware of the issue though so we will just see how it goes.

J

[GTI7me]

good report ,sounds like you are a happy gti owner 
  as for your point on the sat nav  instructions , on my audi you can go into the memory and set the volume for the  sat nav instructions separate from the  radio volume  , so I presume there may be a similar option in there somewhere

That's great to know cheers! I will have a look through the settings at some point. I only noticed the issue last  night as it's the first time i have wanted no stereo but nav instructions.

J

[matchboy]

Excellent review, thanks!! Keeps us all going!!

[corgi]

Being a previous VW owner, are the brakes really that harsh? They’ve always been comparatively sharp on VAG cars, and the new ones seem to follow that high standard. My mate just bought a nearly new A4 and has almost nutted the windscreen a few times getting used to his brakes after coming from a variety of elderly Fords.

This is not necessarily a sign of good brakes. In my experience (and I have owned VWs and BMWs as well as wide range of other marques over the years). VAG Group cars are as a rule ridiculously over servoed.

My current car, Porsche 911 (996) C4S, has very large drilled and vented disks with 4 pots all round... the thing stops incredibly well but the brake pedal requires some (not excessive) force to achieve this. What it means in that the brakes are easier to modulate than the over servoed items served up by the majority of VAG Group cars not less effective...

[GTI7me]

Being a previous VW owner, are the brakes really that harsh? They’ve always been comparatively sharp on VAG cars, and the new ones seem to follow that high standard. My mate just bought a nearly new A4 and has almost nutted the windscreen a few times getting used to his brakes after coming from a variety of elderly Fords.

This is not necessarily a sign of good brakes. In my experience (and I have owned VWs and BMWs as well as wide range of other marques over the years). VAG Group cars are as a rule ridiculously over servoed.

My current car, Porsche 911 (996) C4S, has very large drilled and vented disks with 4 pots all round... the thing stops incredibly well but the brake pedal requires some (not excessive) force to achieve this. What it means in that the brakes are easier to modulate than the over servoed items served up by the majority of VAG Group cars not less effective...

I think this is what i was getting at Corgi. Like i have said in previous posts. I am sure it's something i will get used to.

J

[GTI7me]

Excellent review, thanks!! Keeps us all going!!

Can't be long for you now can it matchboy? Excited much?!

J

[matchboy]

Excellent review, thanks!! Keeps us all going!!

Can't be long for you now can it matchboy? Excited much?!

J

Well I was when the car arrived in the UK on Saturday, but given its now Wednesday and my dealer (who I spoke to first thing) still hasn't taken delivery I'm actually more f7cked off than excited.  I'm sure that will change but at the moment I'm