Standard Gtd or PP Gti or remapped Gtd

[monkeyhanger]

If I had the choice it would be GTI over GTD.

I'm a GTD owner - GTD is really just a GTI wannabee, its nothing special. Just think how common on the roads the 184 TDI engine is over the VAG range as opposed to the GTI PP?

I don't think the GTI is anything special these days either - 220ps is pretty low for a current hot hatch (although the MK7 performance Golfs all drive very well), the only reason for it's rarity is the opportunity people have had to run an R for less via lease or very high GFVs (before Nov 14) when PCPing. Before the NOx scandal, VW were incentivising the GTI to shift them (now they are incentivising everything). With a chassis as capable as the MK7, refinement and linear power delivery, a lot of the excitement is now gone from performance Golfs, they don't feel half as fast as they are. The clubsport is pretty much where the GTI should have been all along.

I also don't think VW build quality is a patch on what it was - but all cars are being built to a price these days, same can be said of BMW, Merc, Audi etc. I don't think i'd dare run a VW out of warranty these days. Gone are the days that cars were built to last.

[Restlessnative]

I can't remember the last time i saw a MK7 GTI.It Is all GTD's and R's.

I think you should just get an R.

[wesbar]

I've just come from a 2014 Leon FR diesel 184 to a mk7 Golf GTI and I have to say I much prefer the GTI. It's quicker than the Leon and makes a much better noise! The Leon was a good practical car and comparable to the Golf GTD but I never 'loved' it whereas the GTI has put a smile on my face every time I get out of it.

[mcmaddy]

Wesbar how have you found the difference in mpg's from your Leon to the gti?

[wesbar]

Long term average in the leon was about 44 with a mix of driving. Golf only has 600 miles on it and i've averaged 35 ish. Around town its 32-33 and on a run I'm getting 37-40. I usually do 85 on the motorway though. Had to take my son to Nottingham Uni today for open day which was a 320 mile roundtrip and I got over 50mpg on 20 mile section where 50mph speed limit was in place!

[buddfridge]

I had a mk7 gtd no mods and now run a mk7 gti pp with a pedal box (a must if you want it to feel fast) I was averaging about 45ish in my gtd and about 32 in the gti...no long runs really, I like the torque of the gtd and the low end power, I preferred the grey seats  standard wheels and the grey line through the lights and grill, but I always wanted a gti and I think I always knew that the gtd wouldn't scratch that itch, but they are both good cars.
The gti pp has a lot more grip than the gtd and feels faster from 3000 rpm onwards but not much difference with the pedal box from still to 3000rmp, if it was my money being spent the gti would get the vote but to be honest I really had to think about it and had I had the benefit of  running a tuning box on my old gtd it might have got the nod....but that's only because I am still getting use to driving a performance petrol and have to run it at much higher revs than I naturally want to, so to summarise the gtd with a tuning box is only really lacking the handling of the gti pp, but the gti pp would really need a pedal box to get the best out of it.

[wesbar]

Is the pedal box detectable by a dealer and has it affected your mpg?

[buddfridge]

I don't think it has affected the mpg and you can switch it of or it only takes a couple of minutes to be removed if needed, it makes a huge difference to the car though.

[wesbar]

did you get the dtuk one? think i'll invest. I guess the insurance will need notifying?

[JoeGTI]

GTD shouldn't even be under consideration unless you're doing 20k+ miles p/a.

That's nuts. Even if you only do 10k miles PA, better residuals, cheaper list price and cheaper running costs make you a saving from day 1 and every month you have it - the question is, will the person deciding think that the GTI is worth the extra money? You'd have real bother doing 5k miles PA with a DPF, but 10k miles is fine.

I have set myself a limit for running a car (to allow me to do other things), and if I was PCPing and copping for all that interest rather than having bought outright and just putting back the depreciation into savings towards the next one, I wouldn't be in an R right now.

FFS Mh, does everything have to come down to counting a few pennies. In my opinion, a Diesel is a compromise. A compromise only worth making if you do big mileage.

A diesel car is plainly not suited to short journeys / city commutes / low mileage. I just cannot understand why a GTD would even be considered or why mpg would be such a huge fixation for anyone who does low miles. If you do low miles, as I do, rejoice! Get a petrol car, ease off on the mpg fixation and enjoy the car. Life is too short.