Future Car Research – MK7.5 R vs TCR vs GTI Performance – Owner Input Wanted!

[Nino]

I would avoid later cars with GPF. But having had a GPF fail recently in a family member's car (a 5 year old Cayman) costing £2500 to replace, I might be biased.

Worth Googling GPF problems in forums to see various makes starting to be affected now - and costs involved (the GPF tends not to be covered ion extended warranties).

Just researched it, basically a DPF for a petrol car what idot thought that was a good idea 

[Watts]

Oh BTW, top tip... Avoid one with a sunroof unless you want to keep paying for replacement surrounds when it cracks

Ohhh I am glad you said that! Pan roof was something I wanted - you were right with your first comment too, TCR is the only rare one

The panroof surrounds can and do crack, mine did at a few months old. The issue was poor fitting at the factory. Mine has been perfect since it was replaced (famous last words) and I would think that if one has lasted this long then it's likely to be fine. It's a great feature and I'm glad to have it.

I had a MK7 GTIPP before and changed to the TCR as the 'R' engine was so much better. The bigger turbo is still giving loads of power at the top of the rev range which for me makes it more exciting to drive. Also torque comes in a bit higher and I find it breaks traction far less often than the GTIPP ever did and has never given any wheel hop, one thing I hated about the PP. I also like the deep bass note of the exhaust and the looks, still relatively subtle but is more purposeful.

GPF can be annoying when it needs emptying but is easy to sort out. Overall I find the TCR a great ownership experience, a little crashy with the suspension but okay and even with the bigger turbo, fuel economy is excellent. 45mpg on a run is not uncommon, 48+ achieveable. Around 36 as a long term average.

Of the three you asked about, TCR everytime for me.

[Nino]

Oh BTW, top tip... Avoid one with a sunroof unless you want to keep paying for replacement surrounds when it cracks

Ohhh I am glad you said that! Pan roof was something I wanted - you were right with your first comment too, TCR is the only rare one

The panroof surrounds can and do crack, mine did at a few months old. The issue was poor fitting at the factory. Mine has been perfect since it was replaced (famous last words) and I would think that if one has lasted this long then it's likely to be fine. It's a great feature and I'm glad to have it.

I had a MK7 GTIPP before and changed to the TCR as the 'R' engine was so much better. The bigger turbo is still giving loads of power at the top of the rev range which for me makes it more exciting to drive. Also torque comes in a bit higher and I find it breaks traction far less often than the GTIPP ever did and has never given any wheel hop, one thing I hated about the PP. I also like the deep bass note of the exhaust and the looks, still relatively subtle but is more purposeful.

GPF can be annoying when it needs emptying but is easy to sort out. Overall I find the TCR a great ownership experience, a little crashy with the suspension but okay and even with the bigger turbo, fuel economy is excellent. 45mpg on a run is not uncommon, 48+ achieveable. Around 36 as a long term average.

Of the three you asked about, TCR everytime for me.

Appreiate that Watts, thank you.

I also read that jacking the car up on one side can cause the roof to crack, how true that is, I don't know but interesting to know that you have had no issues since (Fingers crossed).

Good feedback on the crashy suspension, for this reason I think I would want DCC as a minimum.
and being honest, at the moment, I am learning towards a TCR, the GPF thing does worry me though.

Does anyone know if the 7.5 still had heater matrix issues?

[Adam T7]

No heater matrix issues I’m aware off unless the silica bag splits in the expansion tank - I removed mine. What’s the big worry with a GPF? easy enough to do a regen when needed.

[Watts]

Mine has DCC which I run in comfort. 90% of the time it is very good but sharp ridges and potholes feel like you had run into something.

Don't worry about the gpf, yes it is something else to go wrong but I'd be more worried about a broken headlight, very expensive but far more likely!

Mine's 6 years old now and apart from the sunroof surround it has been 100% reliable. If you can get one under 6 years you can buy the VW all in one plan. 2 years servicing, 2 years warranty, 2 years RAC and 2 MoTs for under £40pm. Takes a lot of the worry away.

[SRGTD]

I’ve never had any GPF issues. I’m on 3 other VW forums and the main Seat / Cupra forum and I’ve never read of anyone having issues with a GPF either.

[Nino]

That's good to hear, my worry comes from I acutally don't use my car all that much, maybe 4-5k miles a year and generally only motorway 1-2 times a week.

[Adam T7]

That's good to hear, my worry comes from I acutally don't use my car all that much, maybe 4-5k miles a year and generally only motorway 1-2 times a week.

Same as me, have only needed to do a regen twice in 6.5 years, no bother at all.

[fredgroves]

On the sunroof surround, there are posts on this forum about repeated replacement under warranty and it failing time and time again.

Could just be the UK's nasty roads, but personally I'd avoid having the roof in the first place...

BTW burnt out heaters definitely a Mk7.5 problem - and not due to the silicon bag either - had mine go on my mk7.5.

Also the same with the water pumps, those are still a problem too.

Suspect the same is true of any car though - water pumps will always fail eventually. Whether its the housing or something else. Don't think its a VW problem specifically - my family have had it on Minis just the same and my old Fords and Vauxalls similar.

[P6GTD]

GPF was a mandatory pan-Europe change as a result of WLTP regs so I guess all cars made or sold in Europe
got one circa 2019.
I have only had one regeneration in 6 yrs/45k, despite lots of cold running and urban use.
Another plus if you have OCD is the chrome exhausts inside and out are as clean as the day they were made in contrast to my last GTI which got very sooty.