Just thought I would post a short update. I've had my GTI 4 months now and covered 4k miles (it's on 5.5k in total). Really getting settled into the difference from my last car which I'd had a very long time and loving it! The occasional road surface can catch the suspension out but most of the time the comfort is excellent and that's without DCC. The performance always makes me smile and is a thrill and yet it can be as docile as you want.
The seats are supportive and very comfortable and the red tartan is just as cheery as when I first got it. The boot is a lot smaller than I'm used to but has been fine so far. We've had a week away in Yorkshire plus short breaks at my mum's in Norfolk and my sister's near Teesside. Motorway manners have been superb and even though a manual, I've hardly had to change gear due to the torque. Economy was first rate too with up to 45mpg on long runs and long term average currently at 38.1. Not bad considering my commute is 5.3 miles!
Technology. I freely admit to being an amateur but enthusiastic luddite but I can appreciate technology when it serves me well. Before I got this car I always poo-pooed auto lights and wipers and I can report no change in this. If I want the lights on I'm perfectly capable of doing it myself, likewise the wipers and I can honestly state I'm better at it than the car is. They work well most of the time but are irritatingly stupid enough times for them to be pointless. Just something to go wrong in my book. Still haven't tried the ACC because I can't be ar**d to read the manual and it isn't something I feel is safe to work out for myself at 70 on the motorway. So to me, pointless however I can see why others would find it useful so fair enough. The stereo is okay, adequate but I don't use it enough to have paid the extra for the upgrade and I doubt the better system would make the Archers any better
Glad I went for red with Santiagos, a bit blingy and the opposite to me normally but I love it, makes me smile and feel happy every time I walk up to it and surely that is the point?
Reliability has been near faultless so far, one blown bulb and a broken led. I changed the bulb myself and snapped the led in trying to remove it so have left it, it's only the door handle one and I can't see the point of them, a light in the ignition switch or on the vent controls would've been more useful. Sorry to hear in other threads of people who are having some real frustrations and lack of support from VW, not encouraging and I feel their pain but I thought it best to mention reliability as it seems few people are speaking about good stories. Long may the reliability last! Dreading having to go to the dealer for support, my last car was serviced by an excellent local garage who charged a reasonable price, always did a great job and were very trustworthy so it pains me not to be using them now.
So come on fellow MK7 GTI/D/R owners, share your experiences and give these truly great cars the credit they deserve
