Another Scirocco to Golf GTI Convert

[JB GTI]

Evening All
Been lurking about for a couple of weeks reading all the varied posts good and not so good with interest.
Took the plunge and ordered mine last weekend. Had 2 Scirocco's now and  loved every minute but fancied a change.
Normally keep them 3 years but moved early because I am still not convinced the Scirocco won't be discontinued next year and secondly I can't wait until next September to get my hands on one 
Now for the wait. Nothing new there though as my last 5 cars have all been VW's or Audi's and all of them have been factory orders.  Roll on next May hopefully 

[Hawaii-Five-O]

Welcome on board

I've just come from a Scirocco too. Really loved that car. Had it four years. But now I'm driving the Mk7 GTI its such a step up in terms of refinement and technology you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Funny, I read that the scirocco is due a new nose and tail next year... not about to be discontinued??

[JB GTI]

Welcome on board

I've just come from a Scirocco too. Really loved that car. Had it four years. But now I'm driving the Mk7 GTI its such a step up in terms of refinement and technology you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Funny, I read that the scirocco is due a new nose and tail next year... not about to be discontinued??

I have seen that too but either way it's a bit of a double edged sword really with the same end result.
The residuals will take a proper kicking and I am not prepared to wait until its too late to find out 

Thanks for the welcome 

[monkeyhanger]

Seems odd the Scirocco would only get a new nose and tail rather than a new model based on the new chassis platform (MQB?). I also had 2 Sciroccos before my GTD, and despite everything going for it (new tech/lots of standard equipment, the practicality of 5 doors, the extra ride refinement, decent visibility out of all windows for changing lanes etc), I miss the Scirocco a lot. My GTD is a smidge less powerful than my 170TDI Scirocco (despite being 14PS more on paper and mpg is poor too. I used to be able to hammer my Scirocco all day long and get 48mpg minimum in winter. I have to drive quite saintly to get 45mpg for my commute in the GTD. I’m having less fun in the GTD.

New shape Audi TT for me next time is probably on the cards.

[JB GTI]

Seems odd the Scirocco would only get a new nose and tail rather than a new model based on the new chassis platform (MQB?). I also had 2 Sciroccos before my GTD, and despite everything going for it (new tech/lots of standard equipment, the practicality of 5 doors, the extra ride refinement, decent visibility out of all windows for changing lanes etc), I miss the Scirocco a lot. My GTD is a smidge less powerful than my 170TDI Scirocco (despite being 14PS more on paper and mpg is poor too. I used to be able to hammer my Scirocco all day long and get 48mpg minimum in winter. I have to drive quite saintly to get 45mpg for my commute in the GTD. I’m having less fun in the GTD.

New shape Audi TT for me next time is probably on the cards.

I did try the GTD and liked it but I don't do much mileage so the petrol suits me just fine  I have tried both DSG and manual and although I love the DSG in my Scirocco it doesn't feel right somehow in the Golf so that's saved me a few quid. I know what you mean about the visibility in the Scirocco but let's face it we didn't buy them as a practical choice 

[Sootchucker]

To be honest I loved the Scirocco, and would probably rate it in the top 2 or 3 cars I've even owned. For me, it's already pretty enough so I hope they don't mess with it too much. In my opinion, only the following needs addressing

1. Better light options with proper LED DRL's for all models (be they Xenon option or not)
2. White front indicators instead of the front fried egg look.
3. The rectangular LED front fogs from the GTI/GTD would look cool.
4. Bonnet gas strut !
5. Updated dash (the one in it now is really a cut and carved MK5 dash dating back to 2003).
6. Better electronic tech. The MK2 adaptive chassis control. City emergency braking. Adaptive cruise Control. Lane assist etc. from the MQB platform.
7. Better wheel choices. The standard 18" propeller design looks nice but are a bast*rd to keep clean and are starting to look a little dated now.
8. Lower it as standard to stop it looking like a 4x4 !!
9. Pop up boot badge to release the boot lid instead of having to press a button (could then also incorporate a RVC).

Apart from the electronic tech and dash, I think most of the above are a pretty easy fix for VW, which would then see it through for another few years at least.

Also, I know what MH means. The GTD is better in almost every way than the Scirocco (looks possibly aside), quieter, better fit and finish, more refined, safer, better visibility, much better equipment and tech etc., and I don't regret buying it for one second, it's a fantastic car and suits what I want from a vehicle at this moment of my life, however just a small part of me keeps thinking that a Golf (no matter how good it is), is a cop out choice and is akin to being a sheep and following the flock, whereas the Scirocco was something fresh and different and just stood out from the pack (if you know what I mean).

I don't know....maybe I'm just getting older....

[stiggy786]

The current 'roc is a striking car but the wide child bearing hips at the back really let it down for me.

I test drove it before buying my mk6 golf back in the day and went for the golf because of the visibility. I almost exclusively drive in the city so Lane changing and weaving in and out of traffic is crucial. The driving position in the golf was spot on but I do still lust when I see a well kept 'roc.

[monkeyhanger]

I think the quality of the MK7 Golf shines through, it feels a little better screwed together – the Scirocco feels a bit more of a project car with bigger panel gaps, bonnet strut etc, but was a little more fun to drive (maybe that extra refinement of the MK7 dulls the senses a little, except when I go around a wet roundabout on my Bridgestones and remember how crap the grip is as it twitches a little, and I do too!). 

I think most (if not all) of Norbrecks suggestions would be met on a completely new MQB Scirocco, especially on the safety tech front and maybe all LED headlights like you can get on the new Leon and A3.

I think the Scirocco would have to wait until an EOS update is due (it’s been overdue for a while now) as they share the same dash and other components. The GTD doesn’t have the ridiculously high ride height that the Scirocco does. The imminent MK6 drove me to the Scirocco – absolutely hated the prospect of giving VW 23% more money for the MK6 (vs my MK5) for what seemed to be an uglified MK5 update with very little extra equipment to justify the huge price hike. I think it will be a while before VW hits us with such a big price rise again, they need to let the price gap between VW and Audi grow a little and they’ve made big savings in recent years with simplified multilink rear suspension, dropping the overly elaborate PD system for CR and the savings expected to be made with the unified MQB platform.

I had high hopes for my MK7’s mpg and performance (maybe a little too high) given all the eco tech on it (which seems to bring a much thirstier engine close to its predecessor, but not quite), and with the poor grip of the Bridgestone tyres I don’t think I’d ever achieve a 0-62 time of 7.5s. They definitely gave my GTD a limp when they fitted those tyres – how much more could it cost them to get some decent tyres like Michelins fitted as OEM?

[Sootchucker]

Whilst I would generally agree with you MH that the Bridgestones aren't fantastic (not crap just not that good) in comparison to the Pirelli P7's on the Scirocco or even the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetrical I had on the MK5 Golf, I was therefore quote surprised to find this on the web:

New Bridgestone Potenza S001 wins top tyre test

“Wet performance benchmark and test winner” says Germany’s Sport Auto magazine

Just a few weeks after its European launch, Bridgestone’s new flagship Ultra High Performance (UHP) Potenza S001 tyre has been nominated test winner in the 2010 Sport Auto summer tyre test.

From the 11 leading UHP tyre brands tested, Germany’s most prestigious sports car magazine singles out the Potenza S001 as “the wet performance benchmark” with “very balanced driving behaviour and best evaluation in hydroplaning and handling”.

Testing tyre size 235/35 R19 ZR on the high-performance Ford Focus RS, the tests measure the full range of dry and wet performance criteria, including for the first time durability based on performance continuity over 10 dry laps. “Very recommendable” and “overall test winner” are Sport Auto’s conclusions on the S001.

“Potenza S001 very recommendable” concludes Autozeitung magazine

The new Potenza S001 has also been tested by the German Autozeitung magazine.
A 200 hp VW Scirocco 2.0 TSI fitted with 235/40 R18 Y/ZR tyres evaluated 9 leading UHP tyre brands on wet and dry, with rolling resistance included in the performance parameters for the first time.

“Very recommendable” is Autozeitung’s conclusion on the Potenza S001 with “balanced performance, convincing in braking and lateral grip, and precise steering”.

Innovative design and launch

Reliving the motor-sport heritage of Potenza tyres, Bridgestone has designed the new S001 for the world’s most powerful sports models. The asymmetric design features stiff ‘high grip’ shoulder blocks, enhanced by a lightweight active insert in the bead area, delivering quick-fire response and remarkable precision. The inner pattern area is tuned for safety with Bridgestone’s premium wet technology, while the lighter belt construction and lower rolling resistance than previous Potenza generations boost fuel efficiency.

The Aston Martin Rapide,  Ferrari 458 Italia and Audi RS5 have already chosen the Potenza S001 as original equipment. In an innovative move, Bridgestone launched the tyre in February 2010 with a viral web campaign around the following dedicated websites:

[monkeyhanger]

I wonder how big a bung they had to pay for that accolade?