Mk7 was disappointing - should I buy a mk7.5 or even an 8?

[Happy]

Hi

Been a while but I could do with some advice.

Bought a mk7 manual about 5 years ago and never really got on with it. I was gutted because I lusted after one for years.

Anyway I'll be 50 soon I'd like a new car but there isn't a car on the market that suits my needs more than another GTI.
Was I just unlucky with the mk7? Would a 7.5 be better? Would an 8 make more sense because it looks different to a 7/7.5?

Issues I had with mk7:
Notchy gears - especially 2nd
Electronic handbrake auto release was jerky not smooth
Both rear speakers let water in and needed replaced
Buzzing from under drivers seat (almost finished me this one)
Clicking drivers door check strap
Drivers door wouldn't close when temp was below zero - kept bouncing back open
Drivers mirror glass fell off on motorway
Whistling wind noise like door seals needed replaced

For info it was an approved used car from a Volkswagen main dealer. I traded it in after 18 months and bought a Honda diesel - which has been faultless for 3 and a half years. But god is it boring.

I realise I'm asking a golf gti forum if I should buy a golf gti  but I'm sorry to say I was underwhelmed by the mk7 - especially the build quality. Not a single squeak or rattle from my 10 year old Honda and nothing has fallen off. Gear change is a dream and auto parking brake release is super smooth. But god is it boring.

Any thoughts appreciated.

[Adam T7]

Had a 7.5 for 87 months from new angle covered 35k, no issues to report on (touching lots of wood)
My wife’s Polo would not lock when frozen, a squirt of WD40 followed by a squirt of lithium grease fixed that.

[MinchCS]

My mk7 - a CS - feels beautifully built. I too had the buzzing under the seat. Turned out to be tiny piece of plastic trim in the lower part of the centre console, down by the back of the seat base. Removed it. Silence

[joe6]

My 7.5 pp manual has never given me any problems (touch wood!) that your mk7 appears to have given you. Bought 18 months old and now coming up to 7 years. Not using any oil and tyres seem to last well. Fuel consumption is around 35 overall. The only addition I have made is to fit the additional undertrays to provide additional protection from grit etc. I would class myself as an enthusiastic driver but find the car does all that I need. The road out of our village is in worse condition than some of the rally stages I used to drive on but no rattles so build quality seems good. I prefer the dash style on the 7.5 to the 8 because it has the smaller MMI but that is my preference and you also get a better spec as standard. Early mk8 had lots of software issues and not sure they have all been fixed so that could be a worry unless it has warranty. If you go for a 7.5 choose the pp version but you might have to wait a while for the nice one to come on the market. Good luck with making the right decision for you.

[Happy]

Thanks for all replies.

Sounds like I've just been unlucky. There were other issues too but they could've happened to any car - nothing to do with it being a gti. Eg. Transport blocks still in car suspension (seriously) damage to brake disc back plate caused by garage when getting new mirror glass fitted (they gave it a full health check) scratched paintwork and alloys courtesy of said garage when they valeted the car before I picked car up (stone in sponge) 3 out of 4 centre caps fell off etc you get the idea.

Sadly, in the end I felt it was cursed and was glad to see the back of it.

Just realising I'm still mildly traumatised. 

[2007GTI]

I bought my Mk7 in 2017 (when 3 years old), and have enjoyed 9 years of motoring except:

Used coolant, VW replaced coolant bottle and I think water pump under warranty after 6 months of ownership, been fine last 8.5 years.
My Drivers mirror glass also fell off on motorway
Alternator went at 60,000
First set of new discs and pads at 50,000
1 x new Battery
Heater matrix blocked, very common on many VW/Audi/Seat, new one installed, car now burning hot!
Drivers door electric window switch broke, replaced myself with OEM
No gearbox problems as auto
Normal Alloy white worm, wheels refurbed
Infotainment was crap, paid to have later VW OEM CarPlay headunit installed, its great

I think that is everything, all in all, I am very impressed with it, and will be keeping it for as long as I can, as it is now being talked about as peak car, ie. no lane assist or other boll0cks no one wants!

Sounds like you have been unlucky, but obviously all second car cars have issues. I wouldn’t touch a 8, better off with a 7.5 IMHO

[2007GTI]

Dupe

[Happy]

I bought my Mk7 in 2017 (when 3 years old), and have enjoyed 9 years of motoring except:

Used coolant, VW replaced coolant bottle and I think water pump under warranty after 6 months of ownership, been fine last 8.5 years.
My Drivers mirror glass also fell off on motorway
Alternator went at 60,000
First set of new discs and pads at 50,000
1 x new Battery
Heater matrix blocked, very common on many VW/Audi/Seat, new one installed, car now burning hot!
Drivers door electric window switch broke, replaced myself with OEM
No gearbox problems as auto
Normal Alloy white worm, wheels refurbed
Infotainment was crap, paid to have later VW OEM CarPlay headunit installed, its great

I think that is everything, all in all, I am very impressed with it, and will be keeping it for as long as I can, as it is now being talked about as peak car, ie. no lane assist or other boll0cks no one wants!

Sounds like you have been unlucky, but obviously all second car cars have issues. I wouldn’t touch a 8, better off with a 7.5 IMHO

Thanks for that, appreciated.

I've always had manuals but wondering if DSG would avoid the jerky auto handbrake release I had on my mk7 manual. Might seem like a small issue I found it really annoying. And as you said the notchy 2nd gear wouldn't be an issue.

[MinchCS]

Just turn the auto handbrake off

[Happy]

Just turn the auto handbrake off

Do you mean auto hold? I always had that switched off. Didn't like it. I mean when handbrake is on and want to set off, get to biting point and handbrake automatically releases without you having to press the button. This was always jerky for me, not a smooth release at all. I've had plenty of cars with electronic handbrakes but I just didn't get on with the Golfs.