Golf 8 GTI: some advice for buyer please?

[AnDrew]

Hello all,

New member. Determined to get back into a Golf soon, although never had a GTI before. Recent cars include a M140i and my current (grandfatherly) 520d xdrive.

I’m looking at Mk 8 GTI’s, & there are a few that I like around the £30-32k range. 2021 cars with 1-2 factory additional options. The query here is…is there anything in particular I should be paying attention to when negotiating a purchase in terms of issues with the 2 year old Mk 8’s? (Mix of main dealer and third party dealer cars).

I’ve read a lot on the tech gremlins but still wouldn’t know what to look for on a test drive or dealers car park. I can’t figure out if all versions of the software have issues for some people? Is it a matter of pot luck?

Last query, thanks. I also love the Mk 7/7.5. Nice examples of these, 2 years older than the equivalent Mk 8 aren’t much cheaper! @£25k for a nice Mk7.5 2019, vs £31k for a 2021 Mk 8. I’m well out of the loop here, but it seems the older model is holding its value extremely well. Any comments? Is the Mk 8 so ‘gremlinly’ that the 7.5’s are a better buy?

Many thanks for any responses 

[AnDrew]

Thanks Damian!

The 7.5 TCR is in consideration!

Do you mean a Mk 8 clubsport? Do like, but maybe the spoiler is too much for me…I’m 45 

Appreciate your comments on the tech stuff.

[Exonian]

Welcome AnDrew 

Get a late model 7.5 as they’re well equipped out of the box and the interior feels more cockpit like after being used to BMW’s. Everything on them just works.

I had 5 mk7 models but am now 25 months into mk8 ownership.

Tech gremlins are guaranteed but the severity is pot luck. They’re still under warranty so not a huge worry, just really annoying at times. My car will be faultless for days on end and then I’ll get a few days where the bongs are horrendous. Trouble is they’re so inconsistent booking into a dealer would be a lottery as to whether I could replicate the issues to demonstrate.

As said, the steering wheel has been blamed for a lot of the issues so when test driving I’d recommend turning the wheel lock to lock and do some low speed manoeuvring that requires lots of steering lock to see if the car you’re testing has that particular issue.
Also low speed suspension knocks are common. Mine does a bit of low volume squeaking at very low speed over bumps at certain temperatures but not annoying enough to book it in to a dealer. Again, it’s an intermittent thing so hard to trace where it’s coming from. Could be door rubbers, suspension gaiters, top mounts etc.

I’m bang on mid ‘50’s and drive a Clubsport.
The spoiler isn’t Honda style ‘in yer face’, it’s quite subtle.
Old guys drive Porsches and Ferraris - who cares what people think?!! Let the neighbours know you’ve still got gas in your tank by not driving something boring. And that’s coming from me who is the world’s most boring person. 

[AnDrew]

  Great reply, thanks Exonian

Yeah, the 7.5 looks great to me, damn expensive though. I suppose in a way that’s a sign of a popular car. 

The search continues.

RE the clubsport spoiler…one of the main attractions for me to the GTI is that it’s low-key and classless. Car guys will love it, so will the in-laws. Whist I love the clubsport it ain’t that low-key.

[evo1986]

I would try and grab/find a new car with no discount they are good value 

[Mk8Clubby]

I think the Mk8 Clubsport is a borderline sleeper car on 18" Richmonds (for a hot hatchback compared to Civic Type R, Focus RS etc) that manages to look sporty without being too boy racer-ish. For many that might put them off, but I like the understated looks with bags of performance. The spoiler is actually quite subtle, as already mentioned, and the Richmonds (which I quite like) hide a lot of the front brake caliper and drilled brake discs (which is probably another reason why so many folk seem to dislike the Richmonds).

I was refuelling once and next to me was a standard mk8 GTI in black (no spoiler) with Adelaide alloys and sun roof. It looked great and one could be forgiven for thinking that was the Clubsport, not mine. Quite satisfying, however, to know that mine was the better car to drive 

[Snoopy]

I would be looking at a mk7.5 TCR or Performance if it was me   
You may find quite a few GTI owners are of the 50+ age

[Ceefeesh]

And the issue is? 

[joe6]

I would be looking at a mk7.5 TCR or Performance if it was me   
You may find quite a few GTI owners are of the 50+ age

In my case lots and lots of +'s. 

[AnDrew]

Thanks all, for the good replies.

Ok, you have me looking at Clubsports now too! Probably better value in that package.

How do you find haggle room with dealers these days? I’m in Northern Ireland and there’s not many GTI’s about. I will happily travel across the water though. Prices on used cars are ridiculous!