This review is more aimed at those who have been loyal Audi A3 drivers but are maybe being tempted by the GTI/GTD but have some reservations and questions that need answering.
2000 miles on clock now across all roads so update to initial review where thoughts have changedFor reference my last 2 cars have been Audi 3 door A3 Quattro 170BHP S Line in Phantom and then Brilliant Black.
New car is GTD Pure White 5 Door DSG.
1. Badge Kudos– Strange one, but many said to me “why you moving down to a VW?” the rest of review coming will knock that out of the ballpark as being ridiculous statement.
2. Colour – After 2 Black cars have gone for the white and having been on filthy roads already the difference is already a marked one as only at its first wash did you realise how dirty is was as took first swipe with wool mitten. So hides the dirt far better than the black where you could see that dirt ‘coating’ readily and if there are any swirls being in white hides them well as I could not see any. Readily seen in Black. The lines look amazing in white too as hope photos show. Autoglym wash and Collonite wax today was its winter coat applied for quick jet washes through the dark months. Went for a simple ‘Wolfsburg’ magnetic tax disc holder that has a carbon design to match interior as my only modification.
[Edit - Hides standard dirt better than black but on filthy roads she gets very dirty! tailgate in particular was near blacked out. The Collonite did it's job though as 2 bucket clean with little time spent brought back to life though will def wait till spring before give proper wash/polish]3. 5 Door – Cannot state what a relief this is already in passengers just getting in and out freely It was ignored previously for the gain in car lines but has really wore on me and the change has been quite liberating. The GTD in 5 Door over the A3 Sport Back was a major factor in decision to switch as it keeps its lines without compromise and in fact there is even argument the GTD looks better in 5 door than 3 door. Reminds me of Star Wars Storm Trooper.
[Edit - Only one locally, so maybe stands out from other marquee so might change as become more common, but amount of looks get is quite staggering.] 4. Wheels – Think the GTD wheels are better looking than GTI or Santiago, I would seriously have taken them as an option but when comparing with the A3 Sport Back there is simply no comparison at all, the GTD alloys are in a different class and really stand out and the looks getting already are very satisfying.
[Edit - As above, with one guy at lights openly pointing at wheels to his mate]5. Ride – Ride! Probably my biggest thing that was seeking to resolve from the S Line and mission accomplished as the difference is night and day and the DCC for me is the best option took. Have it in individual mode everything set to normal and DCC on comfort for general driving and holes and ruts used to crash over are now glided over and none of that jitter at speed
[Edit - Ok, no edit, but had to comment again how good DCC/Suspension is, a revelation for me]6. Handling – One of my concerns in letting the Quattro go but we had some very wet weather to test in already and not had to change my driving style at all and back off in anyway, feels assured at all times. A lot lighter than the Quattro and goes where I point it and that is all I ask. Like most GTD it seems it came with Bridgestone but only achieved a minor tramp despite giving it some at a junction and nothing that slowed me down in getting away.
[Edit - Losing the Quattro has been no issue at all, but tend to keep setting in comfort for town and motorway driving and have steering set to sport in individual or sport itself for lanes as handling does need that extra tightness]7. DSG – Just about over the pushing down my left foot! First time for DSG for me and have to admit love it. Took a little of adjusting to but now used to it doubt I would go back as so perfect for my general journeys with that kick down option when need it and if not like the gear the DSG puts me you can simply select the paddle option up and down. Not experienced the issue of it sitting in gear too long as seems to go up to D6 pretty quickly for me. Not really pushed it too far in sport but it does growl and hang onto gears much as would expect really but more informed comment on sport option to come.
8. Auto Hold – Genius! Was worried about it and instantly love it, completely non-intrusive and just forget about handbrake ever again. Pull up on any incline and car holds, come to a positive halt and car holds, just pull away when need to. When parking it holds and when place in ‘P’ and take seatbelt off the handbrake comes on.
9. Lights – The A3 were like candles, truly and if pardon the pun it is like night and day again in the difference. Very cool the lights ‘dancing’ and the U shaped DRL and the dynamic cornering is excellent as where you are going to is lit up completely as you sweep right or left. The Xenon themselves just bathe the road in front in light so a huge uplift over the A3. The LED Clusters are so cool too, unlock car from a distance the indicators flash the whole width of the cluster and are so bright. Awesome. Interior lighting is again amazing have mine turned up to 90% and makes for a very cool and luxurious driving environment at night.
10. Sound – Have the basic set up and more than fine, has decent bass and goes pretty loud without distortion and with pretty good clarity and detail too off my Heaven 17 Penthouse and Pavement album which is always a good test for a system. Listen to radio mostly these days anyway so for the average user the standard system in my opinion will fit your needs more than adequately.
[Experienced sound a lot more on longer runs and amazed at detail it picks up that was not expecting, as good as my outgoing BOSE though cannot comment against Dynaudio.]11. Winter Pack/Seats – Basically the heated seats as that what specified this option for and the person who said they do not get hot enough likely has a faulty seat as after a about 1 minute you getting the effect (starts at level 3) and at about 5 minutes you looking to turn it down to a very comfortable and continuous ‘1’. Wife has had a prolapsed disc and my years of sporting endeavours makes for a creaky me some winter mornings so we both love this with the added lumbar. Seats themselves are very comfortable and hold you in position much better than the S Line half leather and think prefer the all fabric, though winter is playing a part in that.
12. Mirrors – Not sure I want the door mirrors to fold any different from what they do on pre 45 week build. Open on ignition and fold on locking works perfectly for me. Example is that cleaned the car today and unlocked it a few times as back and forth and to have the mirrors unfold and fold each time would have been a pain. Improvement over the A3 is that I had to fold them BEFORE leaving the car hence creating dicing with traffic on opening door moments. For rim saving parking the dipping of kerb mirror is excellent, just keep it in ‘L’ or ‘R’ depending on how reversing.
13. Stop/Start – Something I am used too and already navigate it without much thought with a tap of accelerator if not going to stop for a significant period. Wife hates it! But she just presses button at start of journey and then has nothing to worry about and that action takes a second at most.
14. Park assist – This is not park pilot, just the sensors and where I just park as normal (which you have to really as have to still look for people not just objects) A good aid in judging that final bit of distance as finalise the manoeuvre.
15. Phone – We both have IPhone and both connected first time via Bluetooth and it pulls up contact list and you can save 4 favourites. Dead easy and works really well.
16. Performance – My 170BHP was pretty quick, a good wave of torque and it seemed more urgent than the GTD as it went up rev band to next manual gear change. The GTD gives a good kick of power (as much as prepared to give as still looking to vary my driving in first 1000 miles) but it is more deceiving in doing so as you look at speedo and you already at 40 and then 60. With the quieter ride and DSG gear changes in normal it gets there quickly but in a more cosseted way, so without you realising it so much. The ‘sport’ button does give a gravely roar and you feel the urgency more and if think about it, this is all by design in what explained. When go to manual from DSG box you can move up gears at your pace. But we back to how quick a car needs to be on UK roads and the GTD is more than quick enough.
[ Edit - Statement is the same but will add that the accelleration from 60 onwards is very satisfying! 1st gear is a bit short in manual, but more refined and even power curve overall]17. ADC – Did a 20 mile motorway trip and for me the only place would use this but works a treat. Set it to 70mph at medium distance and DSG just adjusted the speed depending on vehicle in front. Very easy to set and use and does what says on tin
18. Front Assist – Found this only works if car feels you not interacting in any way, so I was relatively close to car in front and neither on brake and accelerator and the 2 car symbol came up to warn me, as soon as tapped brake it went off. With these assists you just drive normally and they are just there in background. So not something should ever see if driving properly.
19. Media – Have one of my many spare IPod set up on cable and works really well. Only wanted the SD card to load DAB logo but “unable to read SD card 1” on a variety of cards and formats. Getting garage to test this next week. DAB is easy to use and the whole set up of menus and options are all quite easy and intuitive and mine are all set now and doubt touch them again. Not tried Bluetooth for media as have no need.
20. Sat Navigation – Easy to set up and use and gives directions in the MDF screen also and has traffic information as part of the kit. Prefer the set up in 2D. But it is a Sat Nav and it works fine so nothing too much to report. The major plus to me and my OCD is no setting up and wires!
21. Economy – Not had a real chance to give this a real test given the mixed driving but have 2 decent journeys this week totalling 600 miles ahead of me so will set it up then and feedback results.
[Edit - Have cracked 55 mpg on a long run but mostly in the 45mpg region when on mixed roads. Definitely feeling looser now and more run in so expect maybe more economy in much same way as Audi improved as miles crept on. So nothing like stated MPG but over 50 mpg is readily achievable and between 40-50mpg the normal depending on distance/roads/driving manner]In summary, if you think the Audi badge carries something extra over a GTI or GTD then forget that, you will feel that you are in something special in the Golf and where the Sport Back looks compromised to accommodate the 5 Door the Golf is not and when add in all the options I have listed above that add so much but are payable on the Audi then you have to seriously consider the switching to the GTI/GTD
Sure the 8V is improved over my 8P Audi also but the GTD has already made my outgoing Quattro look and feel bulky and dated in comparison and the experience has gone on to another level with all described. At present there is nothing that do not like and I would openly state it if there was.
This is just a complement to all the posts on here and very much a personal view to assist those only now seeking to change present cars. Will edit if things changes as put miles on it and obviously any questions just ask away.
[Summary - Quite a boring update as not much changed from original thoughts, but that is a good thing really and simply very happy with all aspects of car, a pleasure to get in and drive each and every time and the looks it gets are always pleasing] 
