My new Mk6 GTi

[ronnie3585]

After coveting one for many years I have finally gotten my hands on a Mk6 GTi



2011
Manual
53,000 miles
FMDSH
Cloth interior

I spent the last four or five months looking for the right car here in Ireland. The Mk6 GTi is a rare car here as our insane motor tax system heavily penalises all that don't choose to drive a diesel misery box. Couple that with the fact that we were in the teeth of the recession when the Mk6 was launched, our second hand petrol market is appalling and a long wait was inevitable. 

Then, out of the blue last week I got a call from my local main dealer to say he had just taken a trade on one. It ticked all the right boxes, three door, black, cloth interior, manual, 17in wheels, full main dealer service history. After several test drives, a thorough going over by an independent VW mechanic and speaking with the previous owner who's a proper enthusiast, I did a deal on it last week which I'm very happy with.

Naturally, I had concerns regarding the timing chain issue, this forum provided valuable information in respect of it. However, I have comfort in the fact that he car is a 2011, I couldn't find any reports of the issue in a 2011, and the car was sold with a years' Das WeltAuto warranty.

First impressions of the car have been fantastic. The cabin is well put together, I love the seats, the handling is crisp and the power deliver is immediate but very linear for a turbo charged engine and it's surprisingly efficient outside of spirited driving.

This is my first VW so I have a few questions that I'm hoping you can help me with;

1. The boot. When I stop the car and turn off the ignition, the boot immediately locks. It's annoying as every time I get out of the car and want to get something from the boot I have to zap it. Is there a way to keep the boot in line with the door locks?

2. The leaving/coming home lights. These only appear to work when I have auto lights selected. I like to drive with my dipped headlights on all the time, and I would like to have the leaving/coming home lights to activate all the time too - is this possible? I've tried activating it on the trip computer when the dipped lights are on, but it hasn't worked.

3. Auto wipers. These are my only real bugbear with the car. I don't like them, they don't work well and are particularly bad in misty conditions, of which we get a lot of in the west of Ireland! Is there any way to revert to the old fashioned intermediate wipers where I can select the delay between wipes?

Thanks a lot

[FBASH1R]

Congrats on the car...and welcome to the forum ...sometimes wish i bought a manual one instead of dsg haha...with reguards to the coming home lights you can get that done on vcds(vagcom)..basically the diagnostics system for vw..audi..you can do a few tweaks ..so its possibly sonething you could look into..

[dubber36]

Welcome to the forum. I'll do my best to answer your questions.

1. All the door should lock when the car is reaches around 10mph. They will stay locked until you turn the ignition off and remove the key, or open a door from inside. Are you removing the key before trying to open the boot?

2. Coming/leaving home lights will only work in the Auto position, however with VCDS, you can have your dipped beam coded to work as DRLs. You can then leave your switch in the Auto position and have dipped headlights and tail lights on all the time, and have operating coming/leaving home lights. Whilst you are at it, you can code the coming home lights to stay on automatically, rather than having to flash the main beam stalk.

3. It is possible to revert back to 'normal' wipers by changing the relay for one from a car without auto wipers.

[ronnie3585]

Welcome to the forum. I'll do my best to answer your questions.

1. All the door should lock when the car is reaches around 10mph. They will stay locked until you turn the ignition off and remove the key, or open a door from inside. Are you removing the key before trying to open the boot?

2. Coming/leaving home lights will only work in the Auto position, however with VCDS, you can have your dipped beam coded to work as DRLs. You can then leave your switch in the Auto position and have dipped headlights and tail lights on all the time, and have operating coming/leaving home lights. Whilst you are at it, you can code the coming home lights to stay on automatically, rather than having to flash the main beam stalk.

3. It is possible to revert back to 'normal' wipers by changing the relay for one from a car without auto wipers.

Thanks for the replies guys.

1. Yes, ignition off, key out and then exit the car - boot locked:(

2. That sounds like a fix. Is this something that can only be done at the dealer or a good independent garage?

3. Sounds like a big job - I might just have to get used to them!

[dubber36]

1. Check the convenience features in the settings section of the DIS menu.

2. The dealers won't do it as it deviates from factory spec, but anyone with VCDS will be able to activate it.

3. Changing a relay is as simple as changing a fuse. Get the registration number of a Golf S, and order a relay from the dealers for it. Unplug yours and replace it with the new one.

[ronnie3585]

1. Check the convenience features in the settings section of the DIS menu.

2. The dealers won't do it as it deviates from factory spec, but anyone with VCDS will be able to activate it.

3. Changing a relay is as simple as changing a fuse. Get the registration number of a Golf S, and order a relay from the dealers for it. Unplug yours and replace it with the new one.

You're a gent, thanks!

[Norvwich]

Wow looks great. I do love a MK6 GTi in black, I think it highlights the red stripes on the front grill really well. Welcome to the forum and hope you continue to enjoy the new car!