6 months in...

[HBW13]

Morning all,
I absolutely love reading to posts in this forum, I must admit some of the things you all talk about are a foreign language to me but I do read never the less. Just thought I'd put on a little update from my own perspective (someone who doesn't know a lot about the inner workings of cars)
I've had my 8.5 for exactly 6 months now and can honestly say I've enjoyed every single mile in it. It is my daily run about and I have cover just over 8k miles in it (fair distance to/from work and few trips to London for family) I've seen 41mpg at best and 27 at worst. The car really feels like it has "settled in" now it runs well and is comfy to drive. I normally have it in eco mode due to mileage I do and have found that even in that mode the pops and bangs are present (more so than when I first got it) when I get down to the last 100miles of fuel I swap into sport and the difference in sound and speed to me is very noticeable!! I've even used the paddles at times. Fuel is decent probably putting in £30-40 every 7 days depending on my shifts at work.
When I first got it I wanted to do a Res delete Purley for the sound but now honestly it is good enough for me (kids love the pops and bangs) the interior is comfy and well laid out even driving position I've gotten used to. Cleaning the gloss shine trim is a pain as always gets finger prints on. I do wish they had more storage specifically for driving glasses and sunnies. It's been back to VW once for a "rattle" I'm the door and they sorted that said loose spacer? The infotainment system is useful and well laid out and very customisable if you take your time with it.
I spent about two hours cleaning it yesterday using chemical guys honeydew snow foam then Mr pink supersuds. Both work really well but struggled to get tar spots off (took ages)
I've had the rear spoiler wrapped and the CS decals put on the doors as I loved them also the wing mirrors wrapped. I'm still undecided on which alloys to get as I love the Queenstown's but have also found black estorils from "torque wheels" (anyone used them) just need to speak with them and find out if my current tyres will fit on them as don't really want to buy another set. I've saved for the alloys twice now but unfortunately being a grown up I've had other things to pay for as apparently "new alloys for that stupid car" are not a priority to my partner lol anyways all in all I love the car and reading your guys posts. Just some ramblings from and over tired dad who's kids got up at 0500hrs this morning (who doesn't love school holidays)

[SRGTD]

Nice update @HBW13. I always enjoy reading ownership updates which give a real world view of what it’s like living with a particular make / model of car on a daily basis, rather than reading / watching a journalist’s view after spending probably no more than a couple of hours with the car.

You’re a brave man letting the dealer sort out your interior rattle; quite a few stories on forums over the years of dealers damaging or breaking trim pieces in customer’s cars (and then denying having done so) trying to sort out unwanted interior noises. Customers often end up with additional unwanted noises too if the dealer doesn’t fit the trim back correctly. Hopefully your rattle has been silenced and no additional dealer-inflicted noises.
 
You’ve mentioned tar spots being difficult to remove - a dedicated tar or a tar and glue removal product will make light work of removing tar spots. It’s much cheaper than a new set of alloys too so you shouldn’t get into too much trouble from your other half if you invest in some for ‘that stupid car’ . I use Valet Pro Citrus Tar and Glue Remover and it ‘does what it says on the tin’ (there are many other brands which will do the same job).

As for wheels - not heard of Torque Wheels before, nor have I read any posts about them on any of the other forums (4 others) I visit. I personally don’t like diamond cut alloys because of the generally poor durability of the diamond cut finish and susceptibility to white worm corrosion so I’d avoid the Queenstown alloys, although I agree, they do look good.

Look forward to your next update (maybe at the 12 month milestone?) and hope there are many more enjoyable miles to come .

[Exonian]

Always good to read real life, real world updates.
Always good to see your neighbour’s wall too. 😁

It’s all sounding very positive so far, long may that continue 

Once you’ve sneaked a few hundred quid into your sock drawer that your other half doesn’t know about try CMWheels who do decent quality replicas and have been around a good while. I can vouch for them personally. They normally do free carriage if you tell them you’re a forum member.

[Exonian]

Forgot to add link:

https://cmwheels.com/product/18%e2%80%b3-2021-vw-golf-r-estoril-style-wheels-full-gloss-black/

[WebRoP]

Nice post bud and lovely looking car. I’ve a rattle in the door/far corner near the little pane of glass on the drivers side that I need sorting..I’ve spotted what causing it but can’t get in to stop it moving so might be a dealer job. Cheers

[Beebopper]

Great write up and glad your chuffed with the GTi, it looks lovely in white but is calling out for some slightly bigger rims as you allude to, hard to get those past the boss though (unlike engine parts)  As mentioned above, CM wheels look great value and get good reviews, I nearly went that way until I found a set of Racingline rims on offer, which was hard to refuse (they also suit the car well). Keep us posted how you get on with the wheel approvals!

[GE90]

Love reading these.

Mine is just a MK8, 2022, but a Clubsport. Had a fantastical time with it is Wales recently, much better than the roads here in the South East!

If you are looking for a nice little additional mod:

https://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=291139.0

Cheers

[Swooper]

I love the decals.

Can I ask where you got them from?

Thanks !

[MarkHowells]

Great review, so glad you are loving your GTi.

I have had mine 6 months now too and I am also loving it. Although I have previously had two Gti's and an R, I had a 4 year break from the Golf's as I had a 2020 Edition one Audi A3.

This post has prompted me to share my thoughts of my 8.5 GTi against my previous cars.

[HBW13]

Hi All, thanks for the replies.
As I said just the ramblings of someone who doesn't know a lot about cars but happy to learn.
Anyone out got any storage tips or things to do always happy to have a look into.
Go well all.