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

[Adam T7]

No issue with the handbrake on mine apart from when wheels washed with power wash and left for a day or so it would stick before releasing. Simple resolution is drive a mile or so after washing, use brakes a lot, problem disappears.

[Rudedog]

I've always used just as I would a normal handbrake (plus no autohold).

[Finglonga]

Always love driving mine since the day I picked it up new in 2014. Electric handbrake is faultless as is auto hold. Yes a mirror came loose after year 8 but Silicone sealant fixed it and no issues since.

I went for DSG and is smooth as anything and can go into manual mode when needed(never). Wouldn't go back to manual ever now. Especially after a map and full CobraSport exhaust.

Sounds like you were unlucky as my GTI is better build quality than the BMW 335i that I had before it.

After the Mk7 remember they started removing knobs so I will be sticking to the older stuff from now on.

[Happy]

Great info. Thanks everyone.

Might give this GTI ownership another bash then. 2nd time lucky hopefully.

Cheers

[flipflops]

If you get a 2020 model under 6 years old pop it on the 'all in' vw service plan and you'll have some piece of mind with the warranty etc. They're great cars

[Nino]

I had a MK7 but it was a GTD - Late 2015 Plate (acutally registered in 2016)

I bought it on 54k had FSH, as part of the purchase, it had the timing belt and waterpump done.
Took it straight to VW to see if it was good enough to be eligable for VW All in package which it was and thank god I did.

I had the following issues;
- Fuel flap acutator broke so couldnt put fuel in (VW fixed under warranty).
- Window switches on Drivers door stopped working (VW fixed under warranty).
- Start button was tempremental (VW fixed under warranty).
- Water came in via speakers (VW fixed under warranty).
- Boot struts failed (VW fixed under warranty).
- Infotaintment system failed (VW fixed under warranty).
- Heater Matrix blocked (Had quite a fight to get VW to help on this I had to pay £480 towards this getting fixed)
- Drivers Wing mirror glass fell out (Fixed myself)

Soon as my "All in" Warranty expired I traded the car in at VW and bought my MK6 GTi Edition 35 which I have loved to be honest but I did like thew MK7 platform, but if was me, I would probably get a TCR 7.5 if I went back to the MK7 platform.

[Happy]

I had a MK7 but it was a GTD - Late 2015 Plate (acutally registered in 2016)

I bought it on 54k had FSH, as part of the purchase, it had the timing belt and waterpump done.
Took it straight to VW to see if it was good enough to be eligable for VW All in package which it was and thank god I did.

I had the following issues;
- Fuel flap acutator broke so couldnt put fuel in (VW fixed under warranty).
- Window switches on Drivers door stopped working (VW fixed under warranty).
- Water came in via speakers (VW fixed under warranty).
- Boot struts failed (VW fixed under warranty).
- Infotaintment system failed (VW fixed under warranty).
- Heater Matrix blocked (Had quite a fight to get VW to help on this I had to pay £480 towards this getting fixed)
- Drivers Wing mirror glass fell out (Fixed myself)

Soon as my "All in" Warranty expired I traded the car in at VW and bought my MK6 GTi Edition 35 which I have loved to be honest but I did like thew MK7 platform, but if was me, I would probably get a TCR 7.5 if I went back to the MK7 platform.

Interesting. Maybe I should keep my Honda diesel to commute and buy a mk6 gti ed35 for the weekend. 

[Hertsman]

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.

[Nino]

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.

[Hertsman]

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