Thoughts on my (nearly) new GTI, two weeks in.

[Watts]

I'm really enjoying the experience so far, it's such an accomplished car. I'm not a big fan of gadgets (less really is more in my view) but I am gradually getting to grips with some of the tech. Not tried out the ACC yet but will give it a go. Nav, definitely handy but in a 10 minute span it tried to get me to drive up a dirt track, then into someone's drive followed by two goes at getting me to join (ironically) a golf club

The best bit though is the performance. My old Audi was hardly slow but the GTI is fantastic! Gets the adrenaline going without being ridiculously fast and feels so controlled on the road. Admittedly I've probably not stretched it much but it's really fun! The manual box is great but I may go back to auto for my next car as traffic is a pain. Ride quality even on 19's is impressive but a bit bumpy at times, I'd definitely consider DCC on the next car but wouldn't consider it essential.

Economy - very impressive and better than expected. So far I only have the car computer's word for it but on busy traffic journeys nearly 40mpg on mixed roads and 32ish on short local journeys. One trip was nearly 45mpg! I hit just over 400 miles on my first tank and the guage had only just dipped into the red. My Audi was about the same other than it was a 72 litre tank!!

The interior is such a nice place to be. I have the standard seats and the tartan really lightens up what would otherwise be too dark and gloomy. The controls all have a smooth, quality feel and despite being a 3 door, the rear seats are comfortable and spacious (admittedly though I've only tried them for a few seconds after the test drive).

Negatives? Not much, actually struggling to think of anything. It looks great, drives fantastic, great performance and economy, it's spacious and very comfortable, if you get a good deal then great value for money, cheap insurance and reasonable VED. Very, very pleased so far.

Just one thing though (assuming anyone has been bored enough to waste their time to get this far) - what of any use to a car and driving will fit in the under seat draws?? Even my National Trust book won't fit!

Ps - this forum has been really helpful, lots of good advice and tips so many thanks one and all.

[dave_young123]

Good review watts.

I too have 2 week old gti pp on 19's. I've come from a Astra vxr (stage 1). I agree, the cabin is a great place to be and the drive is smooth and very accomplished.

The entertainment system is a bit buggy. Had two instances where Bluetooth is playing from iPod - but nothing on screen (no matter what I press). Off/on seems to sort it.

The one criticism I have, is the lack of pace. I didn't expect it to have the same punch as my old vxr. But when I press the loud pedal at low revs it seems to take quite a while before the power feeds in. Only 500 miles on the clock - so hoping it loosens up a bit too.

Not trying to cause a argument, just my initial thoughts.

[Watts]

Cheers Dave, glad you're enjoying yours too! What spec did you go for?

Performance wise, I'm sure it will loosen up and improve with a few miles under the belt. Our opinions may seem at odds but they are based on coming from different directions - I strongly suspect your VXR was more than a touch sharper off the mark than my old Audi!

[dave_young123]

It's my first new car - so I don't really know how much loosening to expect! Dealer told me to start driving it hard from 500 miles to get the best results!

The only two options I ticked were perf pack and 19's. It looks the business in pure white - loads of comments from colleagues and friends.

I have no doubt, that round a track the gti would be quicker than the vxr. But off the line feels a long way off the 0.5 to 60mph that's on paper.

It's about time a grew-up anyway!! 😆😆😆

[Exonian]

An excellent and thorough review Watts.
Couldn't agree more on all counts, including the excess amount of useless settings and gadgets (which seem to be de rigeur on all modern cars now).

The under seat drawers are useful for transporting sneaky bits of cake I've found. Just make sure the bags are well sealed as a spirited drive means you'll be finding crumbs for months afterwards...
Aside from that they serve no purpose.


Dave Young: the problem you have with the low end power is the massive amount of excess travel in the pedal before it does anything.
Try wearing 1970s platform shoes or buy a DTUK pedal box as these make the car far more satisfying to drive without actually adding any power.

[Watts]

Ah, cake. Thanks Exonian. My cake though normally takes the form of a wedge rather than a slice. Perhaps I'll have to consider a change of allegiance from Coffee and Walnut to Battenberg

[Optimus prime]

@Watts, interesting you mention the nav as mine is awful as well.  It has been back to the dealer for a new gps aerial but still no change.  Looks like a complete new MIB for me under warranty @£5K 

I have discovery pro is yours the same?  Would be interesting to know what firmware / maps etc your running?

Mine takes me via fields etc during the first 10-15 mins of every journey

[mjh_056]

The media system is a little buggy at times particularly with the blue tooth and think the integration and UI need more work in general

Only commenting on the GTD here but it tangibly loosened up from similar to how described in there being a delay in the power coming in to being as responsive as expected.

However in last 1000 miles noticed that throttle response has been fading but it is due in for its 2 year service this month so something be flagging for assessment.

My GTD was very tight for at least 2000 miles but as said the GTI might be a different animal.

[Watts]

@Watts, interesting you mention the nav as mine is awful as well.  It has been back to the dealer for a new gps aerial but still no change.  Looks like a complete new MIB for me under warranty @£5K 

I have discovery pro is yours the same?  Would be interesting to know what firmware / maps etc your running?

Mine takes me via fields etc during the first 10-15 mins of every journey

Morning Optimus. Mine is the standard nav. I've been reading your posts about the issues you've been having. Hope you get it sorted soon. I don't think there is anything wrong with mine (apart from some of the odd pronounciation!) as it knows where I am and the 'roads' it wanted me to take did indeed exist but just weren't appropriate. In fairness, we were in the middle of nowhere at the time.

[Watts]

Just got home from a wonderful week in West Yorkshire. Brought a few things back, some beer, a larger belly and even more respect for my GTI. Great fun driving (where appropriate), comfortable and spacious. The boot was a bit tight but we are used to a much bigger one, we'll just adjust with time. The auto handbrake was excellent with all the hills and the sat nav was reasonably well behaved if some of the routes were a bit iffy.

Economy, I thought it excellent. First tank averaged 40.5mpg (and I double checked the computer which was spot on) and the return journey 41.5. Ride comfort was very good but a bit jiggly on the odd occasion, uncomfortable on cobbles though!

Those good people of West Yorkshire seem to like their new performance Golfs, never seen so many Rs! A few GTDs but not one GTI. GTIs are seemingly a very rare beast.

Not cleaned my car since I've had it and the red seems quite forgiving but it really is filthy - hoping to get on with it over the weekend if all my new cleaning kit turns up as planned tomorrow.

So, all in all, settling in very nicely with Golf ownership, a great all rounder.