Author Topic: Mk7 was disappointing - should I buy a mk7.5 or even an 8?  (Read 7211 times)

Offline Nino

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Re: Mk7 was disappointing - should I buy a mk7.5 or even an 8?
« Reply #20 on: 19 March 2026, 13:14 »
You must have just been unlucky as my drives have been 2013 MK 7 GTD > 2016 MK 7 R 2019 > MK 7.5 GTI TCR and am running a 2019 MK 7.5 R now and none of those cars had any issues or additional work aside from regular servicing.

All these were DSG and I was originally very reluctant to move from Manual but within a week there was no going back, its amazing technology.

The MK 7.5 was the perfect evolution, a really balanced mix of buttons and new tech, with upgraded media system and driver display and something still prefer over the new models which are cabin bare and screen driven.

Yeah I think I probabily was.

I do like the Edition 40 but I think I will get a TCR when I can afford it.

Really hard to find a really clean, reasonable mileage ED40 and you not getting the MK 7.5 lifts, and having had a TCR as company car that handed back at 3 years, and watched their prices, the decent ones are premium, which is reason we personally went for a 2019 Golf R as wife car replacement over a GTI TCR, the GTI TCR would have cost us £3500 more like for like in age and mileage, has less power and no AWD.

Loved the GTI TCR but its mainly for its special edition status and TCR trim. The sub £25000 ones are higher mileage, pushing the 80,0000 miles, whereas the sub 50,0000 miles are in the £26000 > £28000 still.

If really want a GTI, the sweet spot would be a GTI Performance, it will drive no differently from the GTI TCR in real world, but you will save quite a few thousand ££ over the TCR for same year (2019) and mileage

Honestly, that is really sound advice and you are right. being honest with myself, I am not a fan of the rear defuser, looks too "Chavvy" I love the spoier on the Edition 40 and the Steering wheel but like the TCR's front end, lights etc and digital dash and upgraded infotainment.

Being realistic, I cannot afford anything until my loans are paid off and with the way the world is right now, I am not going to tie myself into any further financail burden. I love my Edition 35 tbh, does everything I need it to and it's quick enough for me (Not that you get much oppertunity to get out of 4th these days) Hopefully with me keeping it standard with only really adding a headunit and retrofits along with keeping VW service History, I should see a good return onit if and when I decide to part ways in the future.
« Last Edit: 19 March 2026, 13:16 by Nino »

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VW Car history - Mk3 1.8 GL - Silver - 5 door, Mk4 1.8t - Silver - 3 door, Mk4 R32 - Black - 5 door, Mk5 GTi - Black - 5 door, Mk4 R32 - Deep Pearl Blue - 3 door, MK6 2.0 TDI - Graphite Blue - 5 door, MK7 GTD - Solid Black - 5 door.
Current - MK6 GTi Edition 35 - Candy White - 3 door.

Offline Hertsman

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Re: Mk7 was disappointing - should I buy a mk7.5 or even an 8?
« Reply #21 on: 19 March 2026, 13:51 »
You must have just been unlucky as my drives have been 2013 MK 7 GTD > 2016 MK 7 R 2019 > MK 7.5 GTI TCR and am running a 2019 MK 7.5 R now and none of those cars had any issues or additional work aside from regular servicing.

All these were DSG and I was originally very reluctant to move from Manual but within a week there was no going back, its amazing technology.

The MK 7.5 was the perfect evolution, a really balanced mix of buttons and new tech, with upgraded media system and driver display and something still prefer over the new models which are cabin bare and screen driven.

Yeah I think I probabily was.

I do like the Edition 40 but I think I will get a TCR when I can afford it.

Really hard to find a really clean, reasonable mileage ED40 and you not getting the MK 7.5 lifts, and having had a TCR as company car that handed back at 3 years, and watched their prices, the decent ones are premium, which is reason we personally went for a 2019 Golf R as wife car replacement over a GTI TCR, the GTI TCR would have cost us £3500 more like for like in age and mileage, has less power and no AWD.

Loved the GTI TCR but its mainly for its special edition status and TCR trim. The sub £25000 ones are higher mileage, pushing the 80,0000 miles, whereas the sub 50,0000 miles are in the £26000 > £28000 still.

If really want a GTI, the sweet spot would be a GTI Performance, it will drive no differently from the GTI TCR in real world, but you will save quite a few thousand ££ over the TCR for same year (2019) and mileage

Honestly, that is really sound advice and you are right. being honest with myself, I am not a fan of the rear defuser, looks too "Chavvy" I love the spoier on the Edition 40 and the Steering wheel but like the TCR's front end, lights etc and digital dash and upgraded infotainment.

Being realistic, I cannot afford anything until my loans are paid off and with the way the world is right now, I am not going to tie myself into any further financail burden. I love my Edition 35 tbh, does everything I need it to and it's quick enough for me (Not that you get much oppertunity to get out of 4th these days) Hopefully with me keeping it standard with only really adding a headunit and retrofits along with keeping VW service History, I should see a good return onit if and when I decide to part ways in the future.

Wife ran a clean MK 6 2012 GTI with only 60000 miles on it for a year and it was only the lack of heated seats, parking sensors/camera and folding mirrors + lack of Car Play that she decided to move to the 2019 R (if it was mine I would have lived with it, but she wanted the modern upgrades) but in terms of the build quality and drive, could not fault it, it really pulled hard and was great to drive, and so a ED35 is still a decent car to have and own, and when you do sell it, if in good condition, you will get a decent price still.
Present - Cupra Terramar 272BHP VZ1 - Fjord Blue
- 2nd car: 2019 Golf R DSG Pure White 19" Black Pretoria, Privacy Glass, Rear View Camera, Dynaudio, Keyless
- 2022 BMW 128Ti Alpine White
- 2019 Pure Grey GTI TCR 5 Door DSG Reifinitz Wheel DCC Climate Screen 90% Tint
- 2016 Lapiz Blue Golf R 5 Door DSG Pretoria DCC
- 2013 Pure White GTD 5 Door DSG DCC

Offline ar899

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Re: Mk7 was disappointing - should I buy a mk7.5 or even an 8?
« Reply #22 on: 19 March 2026, 14:41 »
Happy - what Honda do you have?

Offline Happy

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Re: Mk7 was disappointing - should I buy a mk7.5 or even an 8?
« Reply #23 on: 19 March 2026, 21:40 »
Happy - what Honda do you have?

2016 Honda HRV 1.6 i-dtec EX

Can't fault it really other than being a bit bland and boring.

It's worked well for us as a family for nearly 4 years.




Offline Happy

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Re: Mk7 was disappointing - should I buy a mk7.5 or even an 8?
« Reply #24 on: 19 March 2026, 21:54 »
May aswell fling in a few photos of the Golf that broke my heart.   :cry:






Offline Nino

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You must have just been unlucky as my drives have been 2013 MK 7 GTD > 2016 MK 7 R 2019 > MK 7.5 GTI TCR and am running a 2019 MK 7.5 R now and none of those cars had any issues or additional work aside from regular servicing.

All these were DSG and I was originally very reluctant to move from Manual but within a week there was no going back, its amazing technology.

The MK 7.5 was the perfect evolution, a really balanced mix of buttons and new tech, with upgraded media system and driver display and something still prefer over the new models which are cabin bare and screen driven.

Yeah I think I probabily was.

I do like the Edition 40 but I think I will get a TCR when I can afford it.

Really hard to find a really clean, reasonable mileage ED40 and you not getting the MK 7.5 lifts, and having had a TCR as company car that handed back at 3 years, and watched their prices, the decent ones are premium, which is reason we personally went for a 2019 Golf R as wife car replacement over a GTI TCR, the GTI TCR would have cost us £3500 more like for like in age and mileage, has less power and no AWD.

Loved the GTI TCR but its mainly for its special edition status and TCR trim. The sub £25000 ones are higher mileage, pushing the 80,0000 miles, whereas the sub 50,0000 miles are in the £26000 > £28000 still.

If really want a GTI, the sweet spot would be a GTI Performance, it will drive no differently from the GTI TCR in real world, but you will save quite a few thousand ££ over the TCR for same year (2019) and mileage

Honestly, that is really sound advice and you are right. being honest with myself, I am not a fan of the rear defuser, looks too "Chavvy" I love the spoier on the Edition 40 and the Steering wheel but like the TCR's front end, lights etc and digital dash and upgraded infotainment.

Being realistic, I cannot afford anything until my loans are paid off and with the way the world is right now, I am not going to tie myself into any further financail burden. I love my Edition 35 tbh, does everything I need it to and it's quick enough for me (Not that you get much oppertunity to get out of 4th these days) Hopefully with me keeping it standard with only really adding a headunit and retrofits along with keeping VW service History, I should see a good return onit if and when I decide to part ways in the future.

Wife ran a clean MK 6 2012 GTI with only 60000 miles on it for a year and it was only the lack of heated seats, parking sensors/camera and folding mirrors + lack of Car Play that she decided to move to the 2019 R (if it was mine I would have lived with it, but she wanted the modern upgrades) but in terms of the build quality and drive, could not fault it, it really pulled hard and was great to drive, and so a ED35 is still a decent car to have and own, and when you do sell it, if in good condition, you will get a decent price still.

I know exactly what she means. Coming from a MK7 GTD, I did miss the toys. I have since retro fitted:
- DAB antenna in the spoiler.
- Wireless apple carplay via an Alpine iLX-705D.
- Focal VW MK6 Speaker upgrade with the tweaters (The rare set)
- Power folding Mirrors with puddle lights that fold from fob.
- Colour MFD clocks.

Other than that, its completely standard and on 83k it doesnt have reverse camera or parking sensors but im happy with it so far.

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VW Car history - Mk3 1.8 GL - Silver - 5 door, Mk4 1.8t - Silver - 3 door, Mk4 R32 - Black - 5 door, Mk5 GTi - Black - 5 door, Mk4 R32 - Deep Pearl Blue - 3 door, MK6 2.0 TDI - Graphite Blue - 5 door, MK7 GTD - Solid Black - 5 door.
Current - MK6 GTi Edition 35 - Candy White - 3 door.

Offline Nino

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May aswell fling in a few photos of the Golf that broke my heart.   :cry:






Lovely Colour.

Like my badge? Get one here: https://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=291134.0
VW Car history - Mk3 1.8 GL - Silver - 5 door, Mk4 1.8t - Silver - 3 door, Mk4 R32 - Black - 5 door, Mk5 GTi - Black - 5 door, Mk4 R32 - Deep Pearl Blue - 3 door, MK6 2.0 TDI - Graphite Blue - 5 door, MK7 GTD - Solid Black - 5 door.
Current - MK6 GTi Edition 35 - Candy White - 3 door.

Offline ar899

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Have always thought Atlantic Blue is the best GTI colour. Not sure why dropped for the Mk8; esp when there are 3 x greys......

Offline MEZZA

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Might be wrong but as the car is a Mk7 not 7.5 won't that be Night Blue ? Atlantic only came out with Mk7.5 - does look like Atlantic in the photo due to light maybe