Contemplating GTi Mk7 - GTi Arrived

[rscosworth]

Hi Guys - First Post   

My c/car is due for renewal (2014 BMW 116i MSport) and I am contemplating a reallocation car from my companies list (15 plate Mk7 GTi, May 2015 car with 3.5k miles in Limestone)

*full leather
*keyless (think this is standard?)
*park assist

I do however have some questions

*It has the standard satnav, what kind of bluetooth streaming should I expect? Does it display album art, can I control it with the steering wheel? Do I have to plug it in?
*I am used to Harman Kardon in the BMW and very worried I will hate the standard sound system, thoughts?
*The car is a manual 5door, what MPG should I expect?
*One of the alloys is scuffed, I believe they are diamond cut, are they easily refurbishable? (lease company won't repair)

Thanks Guys

[JBirchy]

Hi, and first of all welcome.

My Wife has a 116i M-Sport and I drive a GTI so I should be well qualified to give you an appraisal of both...

- Bluetooth Streaming - very good. I stream from Spotify no problems and have full use of steering wheel controls when streaming. No album art when streaming unlike the BMW (we have Professional Media) but you can plug the phone/iPod in and get the album art that way. IMO, it's not quite as good as the Pro Media in the BMW but still excellent and easy to figure out.

- Sound system - To be honest, I think the standard system is excellent in the GTI. We only have the standard speakers in the BM but the quality is woeful, and I've never heard the HK setup but all I can say is that I listen to band type music (Indie Rock, Classic Rock, Blues, Country Rock etc...) and I'm consistently impressed by the sound of the standard speakers in the Golf. It's much louder than the BMW system and right across the frequency range, it sounds superb with brilliant definition between instruments.

- Can't help with mpg, although I have a DSG and I see long term average of 38mpg. It's about the same as the Wife's 116i M-Sport (ZF8 Auto). In fact, on a long run my GTI sees 44mpg and her 116i about 41mpg.

- Diamond cut alloys can be repaired but there is a limit. They remove (cut away) the finish (similar to skimming a cylinder head) and therefore there is a limit to what can be achieved.

One thing I can add is that the level of refinement and quality of interior materials is superior in the Golf than the BMW. The clunk of the boot shutting is where you'll see it the most. The ride quality and steering is also nicer in the VW. That said, I do like driving the BMW and I feel the driving position is better. The media system is also far superior in the BMW.

Hope this helps!

Jon

[rscosworth]

Hi Jon,

Thank you so much, great information and good that you know where I am coming from.

My 116 is a manual and it's pretty nippy to be fair, returning 38mph over 23k with a good mix of motorway/city driving.

I only have the very basic iDrive so no nav, no usb, no bluetooh, all my tunes are on a usb stick, which is actually not an issue but the iDrive is very random sometimes on restarting the car, sometimes it returns to the same track/album, sometimes not, sometimes the search goes a bit funny so would be glad to get rid of it. Are the iPhone 6 cables easily obtainable (not sure what comes with the car as standard)

My bootlid is constantly being adjusted and is a source of rattles which drives me mad.

Cheers

[Gnasher]

If you wanted to use the USB stick in the Golf you can use one with the correct MDI lead. I do and it works fine (although probably easier to just transfer it to a SD card for the slot in the glove box).

[JBirchy]

Well yeah, if you're only used to the basic iDrive then you'll find the Discover Nav in the GTI a revelation! Unsure about the cables, I think they changed mid-2015. Mine has a green collar MDI cable which is permenantly installed in the car to which I just plug the phone in. It came with the car. I think they changed it so you just have a USB slot into which you plug your normal iPhone charging lead. I can't be sure though, I'm hoping someone with a newer car can confirm.

The power delivery is on a different planet too, you'll love the GTI. Not just that, the brakes, suspension, steering are all in a class above, it's a brilliant mile muncher!

[Gnasher]

Oops, forgot about the update to USB instead of MDI - might not even need a lead then lol!

[rscosworth]

Great, sounds good, just the issue of having it for 3.5yrs, always take my cars over 2yrs, I would say I got bored very quickly with the 116i probably could have done with a bit more power.

The adaptive cruise is standard too, with the BMW having cruise disabled the 'limit' function, do you know if there is a limit function on the Golf (ie, you set it to a max speed of 70mph, and it won't let you go above that, but you can drive normally up to that limit?

[fredgroves]

Yes, there is a speed limiter if you want it. It toggles between off/limit/automatic cruise.

I think you can even over ride the limitter with a full click to the floor of the throttle, but never tried it.

[rscosworth]

Got a test with a dealer tomorrow and then I will decide 

[Cossieian]

Couldn't help notice your username mate, are you a Ford fan?
Fond of an RS myself