Mk8.5 GTi What a car - Very impressive performance and MPG

[MarkHowells]

Well I have had my mk8.5 GTi for a month now. Haven't had a GTi since 2020 when I changed my Mk7.5PP for an Audi A3.

Up to now I have only driven it around town and I have found that in comfort mode it feels really smooth. I put unleaded fuel in it and I found that I was getting about 32 MPG.

On the next refill, I put BP Ultimate in it and straight away got 37MPG. How odd.

Been driving it really cautiously as it is the first automatic I have ever driven and I needed to get used to it. After only 4 days I got used to it and although I still occasionally reach for the gear stick, I must say I am loving the DSG.

So now that I am feeling more confident, put it into sport mode last week and OMG the performance is amazing. Gave it a few blasts and it feels much much faster and better than the mk7.5 PP. It feels as fast as the 2024 Golf R that I had.

Took it on a 125 mile trip today from sunny Somerset to Oxford via the M5 and M4. The roads were busy so I stuck to the speed limits and kept it in comfort mode. The drive was a bit boring but very comfortable. I could not believe the MPG, absolutely incredible - it was an amazing 49.2MPG, unbelievable. I was so shocked, I took a picture of the display - see below.

On the return journey, the roads were quieter, so I kept it in comfort mode but drove it more enthusiastically. What fun. It sounds great and is so responsive and I still got 46.5MPG.

Not really driven it much in sport mode yet and have not tried the launch mode yet either (need to find out how to set it up to do that).

So, one month in and can honestly say that I am loving it. Can't think of anything I don't like about it.

There are some niggles, but I am sure I will get used to them:
* Don't like the combination of the auto hold and start/stop because when I pull up at traffic lights the engine cuts out and to be able to pull away I have to press the throttle once to start the engine and then again to release the brake which can be a bit jerky. Not a problem as I can disable these functions.
* Not a fan of the massive screen, but it's probably because the screen on my previous car was smaller. You get the same feeling when you upgrade your TV for one with a larger screen. I am sure that give it time and I will get used to it.
* Don't like the amount of rattles in the cabin, especially when it is cold. The rattles seem to be coming from the dash, the drivers door panel and the centre console. My Audi rattled quite a bit to. Must be due to the modern lightweight plastic materials that are used these days. Anyway, I have the HK sound system, so just turning up the volume solves this issue.
* I can't seem to get comfortable in the driver's seat. I have tried loads of different positions but always seem to get a backache. I am getting old now so it could be that. It might be my imagination, but when I am sat in the driver's seat, the steering wheel and pedals seem to be offset to the right. Be interesting if anyone else has had the same thoughts. Anyway, I will just keep adjusting my seat and I am sure that I will find the sweet spot eventually.

These are very minor things and I don't want to give the impression they are negative as they are only my own opinions.

So, the question is, am I glad to be back in a Golf GTi. Is it the best all rounder. Is it fun to drive. Is it a real sports car that is a reasonable cost to run. Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes and Yes.

I appreciate that this is a long post, so may I please thank you for taking the time to read it.

[Watts]

With regards to the stop/start, I normally just give the steering wheel a nudge which fires the engine up. Mines a 7.5 but I guess they are likely the same.

[Exonian]

Really good to read your thoughts on the car so far MarkH and everything seems very positive indeed. Rattles aside at least.

Sometimes the rattles settle down as everything beds in. My two mk8’s were relatively rattle free aside from occasional temperature related ones. Oh, and my previous clubsport used to squeak a bit at lower speeds sounding like it was from the rubber boots on the steering and suspension.

I find my stop/start works pretty flawlessly with the auto-brake. If the handbrake is left in automatic mode and never touched it should just pull away smoothly. Sometimes needing gentle throttle pressure to start the engine as the traffic lights go green (if the car itself doesn’t spot the green light illuminate) then gently increased pressure to get the car rolling. Generally the car should notice the vehicle in front move or traffic light change and automatically restart the engine.

Your touring MPG is very impressive. Modern fuel injection, good fuel, high gearing and a quick spooling turbo make for some tidy fuel economy figures when cruising. I live a bit to the west of you (Devon) and find fuel economy less impressive owing the all the hills and bendy roads, but if I whizz up to the midlands the economy improves greatly.
Talking of small and efficient turbos, the one in the GTI can feel more responsive than that fitted to an R or Clubsport at general (legal-ish) road speeds especially when already rolling as it spools up a little lower in the rev range.
I’d expect your fuel economy to improve still further after about six to nine months, especially in mild weather.

[MarkHowells]

Thanks for the replies

[WebRoP]

Great report mate, just got mine on Friday and I’m so so impressed with it.. opened the taps a bit first time today (cautious to do so given brand new) and my god it blew me away on a country road. Seriously impressive. I’ll put a post up soon with some pictures

[Beebopper]

That's really impressive MPG and good to hear you are enjoying the new wheels! I do a lot of town driving and only just manage 30mpg average, sometimes less. 49 I can only dream of I must try a long run at sensible speeds and see what is possible.

Your stop/start topic sounds a bit odd, I use auto hold and stop start just fires up and goes when I press the throttle to drive away. Something I didn't realise is that the stop start starts the engine when the car in front moves, even if you don't move. So that can cause some unnecessary starting and stopping if the car in front only moves a few feet.

[WebRoP]

Here’s a couple of pictures of mine which came Friday. Uk carline arranged delivery on a low loader which was really good. Very very impressed with it so far. It’s Urano Grey on the Richmonds which I really like personally. Love the GTI logo emitted onto the floor when dark from the wing mirrors too!! Very nice!

[Exonian]

I do like your gates  and the car is quite nice too 😁
There’s something about the simplicity of a Golf GTI in standard trim, it’s the car in its purest form and closest to the original concept (albeit loaded with things we’d never have dreamed of in 1976, aside from the fact it can’t fly, all cars should be able to fly by now according to 1976!)

[WebRoP]

I do like your gates  and the car is quite nice too 😁
There’s something about the simplicity of a Golf GTI in standard trim, it’s the car in its purest form and closest to the original concept (albeit loaded with things we’d never have dreamed of in 1976, aside from the fact it can’t fly, all cars should be able to fly by now according to 1976!)

Aye thanks, the gates are not too bad  Yes i really do think in standard trim its a bloody terrific package, i ordered before price rise so just under £40k. I honestly don't think it needs much more, i love the look of the CS, its a terrific car but overall bit over my budget.

Very impressed with how it handles and the fuel economy so far, managing low 30's this early and at this time of year is very good (not taken on a long run yet, don't mostly town driving with odd country lane). Had a 21 plate Audi A3 TFSI S Line before from new, was a nice car but this is on another level all round. I think its got a better interior, doors are more solid, the door bins are carpet lined unlike the Audi, and the tech is much better. Of course it's got a hell of a lot more power  but i do notice how much more agile it handles compared to the Audi, the drive is much more engaging.

I do find that the auto hold is a touch jerky though when setting off compared to the Audi, its not as instant.

 

[Grizzle34]

Great colour choice 👍🏼😁