Just about to order MK7 GTI, 3door. Comments please!

[JBirchy]

I can only echo what has been said above really. I've loved living with mine. Had it 6 months and 7500 miles and can see me keeping it a good few years. I didn't choose the PP as the other options were more important to me. I'd be surprised if anyone could notice the power difference (+10bhp but also + 80Kg for the diff) during day to day driving.

On the very odd occasion where I'm really giving it some down a B-Road, I do wish I'd have gone for that diff. The standard Bridgestone S001's that came on my car are absolutely awful and scrabble for grip in the dry, never mind the wet. I'll be changing them as soon as funds allow but they came last in this months EVO Magazine tyre test.

I chose Dynamic Chassis and I wouldn't be without it, the ride in comfort mode is pretty spot on (much more composed than my Wife's brand new BMW 1-Series M-Sport) but in Sport its firmer, but still has a better quality to the damping. The calibration work they have done is fantastic as far as I'm concerned.

I love the options I've chosen, IMO the Keyless and the Reversing Cam really make the car feel quite premium and a lovely place to be.

I'm seeing an average of 28-30mpg in day to day driving and can see 38mpg on motorway runs.

It's a brilliant car, you'll love it.

[Jackie Treehorn]

Forgive me for correcting you but,

Performance Pack version weights 31kg more than a non PP version and not 80Kg, this includes the bigger discs at the front and rear, bigger calipers at the front and the diff.

The 5 door version adds a further 30kg, but as OP is looking at the 3 doors that saves some more weight and adds some rigidity too!

[JBirchy]

Forgive me for correcting you but,

Performance Pack version weights 31kg more than a non PP version and not 80Kg, this includes the bigger discs at the front and rear, bigger calipers at the front and the diff.

The 5 door version adds a further 30kg, but as OP is looking at the 3 doors that saves some more weight and adds some rigidity too!

Thanks for that. I remember reading the weight differences somewhere but I must confess my post above came from my (quite shocking at times!) memory!

[caprigreen]

Forgive me for correcting you but,

Performance Pack version weights 31kg more than a non PP version and not 80Kg, this includes the bigger discs at the front and rear, bigger calipers at the front and the diff.

The 5 door version adds a further 30kg, but as OP is looking at the 3 doors that saves some more weight and adds some rigidity too!

Thanks for that. I remember reading the weight differences somewhere but I must confess my post above came from my (quite shocking at times!) memory!

Can you pay me that £100 you owe me   

[JBirchy]

Forgive me for correcting you but,

Performance Pack version weights 31kg more than a non PP version and not 80Kg, this includes the bigger discs at the front and rear, bigger calipers at the front and the diff.

The 5 door version adds a further 30kg, but as OP is looking at the 3 doors that saves some more weight and adds some rigidity too!

Thanks for that. I remember reading the weight differences somewhere but I must confess my post above came from my (quite shocking at times!) memory!

Can you pay me that £100 you owe me   

 

[Night Blue]

Love my GTI. Drive it like a baby or rag it. Its fast (enough) - sticks to the road like glue and stops well.
Ive had some grief with the Infotainment system (had it replaced once and the software updated three times). I didn't buy the R or any of the 300bhp cars out there as I simply wont use it. The GTI simply does all I want - and the R wasn't out when I ordered

Extras.
The sunroof is great (and auto shuts on fob).
The performance pack makes the brakes phenomenal and the limited slip diff is great.
Keyless entry is a gimmick as is keyless start.
Check the 2 sizes of Infotainment as I wouldn't bother with the large one again.
Winter pack - well the heated seats are great
B-Xenons are terrific - gets you beam bending in corners
Voice works great
Acc is fun but a gimmick
Park assist is a gimmick

I wanted the rear cameras but they stopped doing them - retro fit £1000 (haven't don't it)
The boot liner lets all your stuff slide everywhere.

Best of all is the Intelligent cruise control - set your max speed and if you catch up the car in front, yours slows down, and then keeps pace to your maximum - no pedals.

32ish mpg - can get 37ish in Eco if you take it real easy and I don't do long journeys when I expect it could get its advertised 40mpg
Hope this helps but please remember this is only my opinion

[mcmaddy]

Don't know who told you 1000 to retro fit the camera but they're vastly over estimating it. The nav pro is brilliant and really finishes the dashboard off well. Just a shame yours has been playing up Night Blue.

[PeterG]

going back to the original question, I think I've read just about every world-wide review of the GTI. I'm interested to hear that the original poster thought reviews were mixed. I don't think i've ever seen a more glowing set of reviews for a car.

Some U.S. reviewers say it's not exciting enough but their roads don't have corners so they don't really 'get' the GTI, which is why it's never sold well over there. You have to remember they think the Corvette is a good car.

In Europe, any negative reviews seem to centre around the argument that it's too perfect and that makes it boring! Well, if that's all they've got!

The PP sounds sensational value if you can afford it. I can't claim first hand experience as I've not driven a GTI, not even a test drive but mine is now on a boat from Germany as we speak!

I don't agree with some on here that the 'R' is a straight swap for the GTI. It's undoubtably a fine car but there  is a definite difference between the two; price, image, fuel econ, specification etc

[Exonian]

Interesting thoughts PeterG, having seen all the finance figures banded about on here I'd have thought for 99% of buyers the R would look like a very appealing proposition (aside from front bumper styling which is not an excuse not to buy a very capable car!).
I've always been a bit of a GTI purist and even so far as to preferring the 'normal' GTI's to the special editions but if I was buying now I really think the R has a massively persuasive list of positives compared with a GTI.

[kenny.c]

Love my GTI. Drive it like a baby or rag it. Its fast (enough) - sticks to the road like glue and stops well.
Ive had some grief with the Infotainment system (had it replaced once and the software updated three times). I didn't buy the R or any of the 300bhp cars out there as I simply wont use it. The GTI simply does all I want - and the R wasn't out when I ordered

Extras.
The sunroof is great (and auto shuts on fob).
The performance pack makes the brakes phenomenal and the limited slip diff is great.
Keyless entry is a gimmick as is keyless start.
Check the 2 sizes of Infotainment as I wouldn't bother with the large one again.
Winter pack - well the heated seats are great
B-Xenons are terrific - gets you beam bending in corners
Voice works great
Acc is fun but a gimmick
Park assist is a gimmick

I wanted the rear cameras but they stopped doing them - retro fit £1000 (haven't don't it)
The boot liner lets all your stuff slide everywhere.

Best of all is the Intelligent cruise control - set your max speed and if you catch up the car in front, yours slows down, and then keeps pace to your maximum - no pedals.

32ish mpg - can get 37ish in Eco if you take it real easy and I don't do long journeys when I expect it could get its advertised 40mpg
Hope this helps but please remember this is only my opinion

Great summery.....only thing id question is you opinion on the keyless.....I find it works flawlessly and is a great option to go for.

Ken