Another Poll - Standard GTI or PP

[Sootchucker]

I was thinking over the weekend about my GTI. As excellent as it is (see other thread about ages etc.), and although I did buy it new which meant i was able to spec it to my desire, there are only two regrets I've ever really had.

The first was not specifying the 9.2" Nav Pro, which I had ticked them removed at the last minute, as I thought it was an expensive unimportant luxury, but having seen and used it in a friends car since, I was really sold. However this isn't too much of a big deal, as when the warranty runs out next May, I could (if I wanted) have a Nav Pro retro fitted by a number of retailers in the UK (as less price I might add that ticking the option from new) !

No, for me, the second one if my biggest regret, as again I had this ticked and removed it to save me a grand or so on the price, when in reality i should have left it there and that was the performance pack. At the time of me ordering the car in early 2018, the price was £1,360 for the PP over the "standard" 230ps GTI (that's when we had a choice). Now to be fair I've never driven a PP (and therefore never missed) the extra features of the PP, but do longingly look at the bigger brakes and think "i should have got that".

On paper £1,360 seems a lot for an extra 15ps (and almost identical performance to the non PP), but when you start to factor in not only the small power increase, but the bigger 340mm front brakes (with GTI covers), bigger 310mm vented rears, the VAQ diff, and the newer 7 speed DSG box (rather than the 6 speed I got), then the price looks to be more reasonable.

So (eventually), my poll is simple, how many GTI owners on here have a PP and how many a "standard" GTI (can be MK7 or MK 7.5).

Separate to that, a quick post to describe why you went that direction (i.e. 230ps dropped at the time of purchase), the right spec car popped up at the right price, didn't need the extra bits of the PP cars etc.

Obviously I won't be changing the car just because of this, but would be genuinely interested in the split of the models and why.

[steve12345]

I brought second hand, while I did want PP I actually found a non PP car with extras that I found more useful (reverse camera, DCC, heated seats) and also more importantly at the right price.

I still have that PP itch but for me at least this car is used as a family car and I rarely get it too my self to push around corners hard to feel the benefit of the upgraded diff (I believe this and the brakes are the main upgrades over non PP - 15 extra BHP is irrelevant in reality). So for me I'm not too worried.

If you do track days, then no doubt the PP would be better. In fact I have no doubt the PP car will be better regardless of the type of driving you do, but what you have is still an epic car without it. I'd not worry and just enjoy the car as it is.

[Jim_mk7.5]

I had both and definitely would go for the Performance version just based on the gearbox alone as it's so much better. It does feel a bit faster as well plus it makes a much deeper noise. The diff can felt when coming out the tight corners when pressing on with traction turned off and the brakes are plenty strong enough for fast road use. Overall it makes a more enjoyable driving car if you like to really drive it as intended.

[pixelcellar]

I went with the PP as it was all they had anyway after stopping the standard GTi by the time I came to need a new vehicle. Was hard enough getting the colour I wanted and a manual without worrying about extras, bough the Brescia's seperately from Kunzmann to get the spec I wanted and am more than happy with it even wiithout the bigger nav centre screen. Drives like a dream, much more refined than the Polo GTi it replaced and just as fun to drive which is what's important.

[kmpowell]

Brakes and/or the 15bhp deficit can be easily changed/modded, but for me the decision was all about the gearbox.

When VW released the 245, I don't think they made it clear the 6sp was retained in the 230, unless you looked in the brochure tech small print, so I suspect the vast majority of people bought a 230 either not caring, or thinking the gearbox was the same in both the 230 and 245.

The 7 speed IMO is light years ahead of the 6, and it was a huge buying influence for me due to the type of driving I do. On the motorway it means cruising is smoother and much quieter with lower revs and better MPG, plus around time it's quicker through the lower gears meaning you are 'on it' quicker.

As for Nav Pro, apart from the slightly bigger screen (which would be nice, but the normal DN isn't that small compared to some other cars), it really adds nothing for those who use CarPlay/AA, so it was never on my list of wants or needs.

[clarky92]

The only reasons I can think of for buying a non PP GTI over a PP would be to save a few £££ and because you want DSG farts. Obviously spec options but thats different and completely subjective.

The PP version is superior in every other area.

(I've owned both)

[Aparat]

I did that mistake buying non-PP, and let me tell you, I could not stop thinking about PP.  PX it in February after 12 months of owning non-PP and could not be much happier about it.

DSG 7 is at last usable in S mode during city driving, much smoother and refined in my opinion. Car as well feels faster to me.

Traction is on another level as well. Not once I experienced wheel slip or loss of traction yet where on non-PP it did happen on the same road and conditions.

Bigger brakes much better as well but everyone knows it

The only thing I'm missing is DSG farts but exhaust does sound much better so it's not that bad.

Overall PP is the only way to go and I won't do same mistake IF I decide to stick with golf in future.

[clarky92]

I did that mistake buying non-PP, and let me tell you, I could not stop thinking about PP.  PX it in February after 12 months of owning non-PP and could not be much happier about it.

DSG 7 is at last usable in S mode during city driving, much smoother and refined in my opinion. Car as well feels faster to me.

Traction is on another level as well. Not once I experienced wheel slip or loss of traction yet where on non-PP it did happen on the same road and conditions.

Bigger brakes much better as well but everyone knows it

The only thing I'm missing is DSG farts but exhaust does sound much better so it's not that bad.

Overall PP is the only way to go and I won't do same mistake IF I decide to stick with golf in future.

You sound exactly like me when I px'd my non pp in for a pp version.

You can definitely feel the power boost, its noticeable. The 7.5 PP's print dynos over 250bhp as standard

[RM]

I bought second hand and PP GTi’s we’re just over the budget I had set myself. Given the choice I see no reason to prefer a non-PP car, but the cost vs benefit for me and my likely use didn’t stack up. That was purely a financial consideration in that I didn’t want to stretch myself for something that wouldn’t fundamentally change the experience as a road car.

I have no regrets. I’d like the bigger brakes, but I’m now remapped so power isn’t a concern and frankly my driving ability and the state of UK roads (congestion and quality) mean I wouldn’t exploit the handling differences.

[Paul70]

Hi Sootchucker, are you OK to expand the Poll to all MK7 GTI models so, both the Clubsports and the TCR?