After all the pondering, it has just come down to this !

[kenny.c]

For referance our GTI with 4800 miles has done 35.6mpg. Mixed driving.

Ken

[fredgroves]

I reckon for most people not driving like Lewis Hamilton, the GTD will give you 10mpg more than the GTI.

Remember to factor in the extra cost of diesel... and the extra cost of a diesel engined car to buy (maybe chuck something in about residuals too) but a lower road tax.

Without getting the calculator, I think there's not much in it unless you are seriously stacking up the miles. The difference will be between when the money comes out of your pocket.

In terms of performance, the GTI obviously has the edge, but in the real driving world, the GTD is no slouch and will kiss goodbye to most other things on the road in most scenarios if you push it hard.

[pjr]

I reckon for most people not driving like Lewis Hamilton, the GTD will give you 10mpg more than the GTI.

Remember to factor in the extra cost of diesel... and the extra cost of a diesel engined car to buy (maybe chuck something in about residuals too) but a lower road tax.

The GTD is cheaper to buy than the GTI, but the fuel is more expensive, so it comes down to which one you prefer and how many miles you are doing each year.

I'm getting just under 35 mpg from my GTI, and over the whole time I had my A3 1.6 TDI, got 47 mpg with similar driving - so I would probably have got similar from a GTD had I gone down that route.

I don't do that high a mileage and I preferred the image of the GTI which is why I chose it.

[fredgroves]

With those figures and the 10p per litre difference between petrol and derv, its actually about 1-3p per litre cheaper to be burning petrol.

You'd have to add in all the other costs, but I still think its probably about the same per annum on someone doing 12k...

The only time it makes a massive difference is if you are a company car driver, when the derv CO2 figure makes a HUGE difference in BIK tax.

[mjh_056]

Tell me about it Craig, I thought I was nearly there, then driving the GTD threw me into confusion !

I was convinvced it wasnt for me, it was GTI or go for basic model, but driving the GTD felt very similar to the GTi..

Craig says it all as think as all those having same dilemma are happy with the final choice be it either the GTi or GTD and that mainly comes from the driver experience being so good for both that you never felt like cheated self in making the wrong choice.

Running costs took my priority so it was GTD but in normal driving conditions I am hardly left slouching in the GTD especially when use Sport with the DSG.

Looks good to, the Nogaro wheels really stand out and when you ever see old model Audi A3 like personally had you realise how baulky and dated it looks. Still genuinely gets looks now (maybe more if ever get to clean the winter grime off it)

90% of time though am in 'comfort' and just moving around in the traffic like everyone else and it excels in these conditions.

GTi will give the bigger smile when pushing it but maybe not by as much as would think and does have the badge kudos but most of the time they both perform quite equally day to day, except in MPG (though GTi is very good really when see numbers put up here)

I call the GTD the 'perfect compromise' when ever asked about it. But think from this forum and honesty within it you can be quite assured that there is no real wrong decsion you ever be cursing.

Keeping the GTD long term as the family needs a comfortable 5 door with long distance capability and economy and can see it doing that for me next 10 years +

In 2016 will be going the R/S3 3-door route for that weekend driving you alluded to.

[drisser]

Thanks for all the thoughts guys it actually really helps me keep it in perspective !

I am also looking for this purchase to be a 5 year plus car as I can swop the 330ci for something else if needs be andy that respect I agree with you MJH the GTD really is a great all round compromise.

It doesn't sound like the running costs over the life of the car will really be at much different unless doing mega miles, I was thinking the gti would be returning 30mpg but it sounds like some are getting much better.  More than half my drive to work is a nice free flowing dual carriage way so ought to be good for economy..

[hastd2]

I have had quite a few cars in my time, am early 40's and to me there is just something about a Gti.....I grew up with a Gti and I have had a few, Mk3 & Mk4. I came from an Audi a3 Sportback Black Edition 1.8T and I was looking at a Mk6 Gtii n 5 door.
Then the Dealer said have you seen the new Mk7Gti, and I said no just in mag's and the web. Once I was in it and the wife said do you want one and that was it, I havent looked back despite the problems I have had with it, it hasnt put me off getting my new replacment......it's a Gti thing and they will always be the No1 hot hatch

[monkeyhanger]

For the average 10k miles pa motorist, a new GTD will cost about £45 a month less to run than a GTI in fuel savings and tax disc savings (based on a solid average 35mpg on the GTI in the summer vs 50mpg on the GTD). It used to be £110 a month including residuals, but I was quite surprised to see the GTD residuals drop right off after just looking. The £750 deposit contribution on the GTI more than cancels out the fact that the GTI costs £565 more than the GTD, and eats into 1/2 the GFV difference between the 2 cars as it has shrunk to just £350ish (from about £1500). Looking at both on finance, there is only £2.50 a month premium on the GTIs finance.

Looks like VW have tweaked the residuals to get people buying GTIs again (as they were tempted by the R). So you had the R cannibalising GTIs sales, and now VW wants the GTI to cannibalise GTD sales.

I was all for saving £110 a month buying the GTD over the GTI at launch, but £47.50 a month extra all in? I'd get the GTI now unless I was doing a lot more miles.

[drisser]

Just had a look at the finance and with the same deposit the GTD and GTi are almost identical in terms of both monthly payment and final GFV.

So it really just comes down to running costs and I guess there isn't much in unless doing mega mileage..

I think to be honest the gti image just swings it for me and is probably worth the slightly extra running costs.. Am visualizing one in tungsten silver with pan roof and PP 

[golfguyuk]

First poster here....I am also going through a similar dilemma and I was hoping you guys could help me straighten this out.

If I am doing 6000 miles a year. and I could buy the Golf GTI or GTD for pretty much the same price (around £22k).  Does it really work out more economical to just buy a GTI?  I will be keeping it for around 6 years and then selling it.  Thanks!