Observations 1 Month into Ownership

[JG911]

Well... I've had my Mk5 GTi for a month now and thought I share my views/thoughts on the upsides and downsides of GTi ownership.

Overall I am gobsmacked at how good the car is, it's really made me question why I've sent more than I wish to count on 2xM3's, 2x911's, 1xSTi's 1x111R, 1x987S and a Cellica GT4.  It does everything you realistically could ask for.

Pro's:
Torque - makes me smile every time you go past 3K RPM, pulls like nothing this side of the Scooby, god knows what it will be like after a visit to Revo
Sterio - For me, the sound is great form the standard system not really thought twice about replacing the speakers
MPG - First car I've had that averages 30MPG+
Recaro seats - at first I thought about changing the Recaro's for the standard seats but after a taking Wolfbane, Illyun and Jonathonturner's advice theses seat are absolutely amazing.  Every car should be fitted with these seats, they are amazing.
Brakes - Initial bite is quite sharp, dont know what they'd be like through the rigours of a track day
Boot space  - can't belive I'm waxing lyrical about boot space, it's sooo practical
Xeon lights - the difference is night and day (excuse the pun)

Cons:
Other drivers - it seems like the GTi is a benchmark for every other hot hatch on the road to have a go at.  Is there some secret war against Focus drivers? It seems that every Focus wants to drive 2 inches from your bumer.  I know I shouldn't rise to it, but I can't resist
Understeer - Not surprising for a front wheel/front engine layout, it does drift wide on occaisions but it i manageable
SWMBO - Loves it, and then reverses my new GTi into a fence post

My only sticking point is how on earth re you supposed to clean the windscreen when you can't move the windscreen wipers?

Phil





 

[Fordy]

Good to hear, will be picking mine up this week!

From what I've read, if you hold the wiper stalk down with the keys in the off position, it will bring the wipers up. Do the same to put them down. Someone might be better placed to answer your question though!

[Phil mcavity]

SWMBO - Loves it, and then reverses my new GTi into a fence post

she loves it, they all do, ive removed my fence post just incase already! 





 

[TagnuT]

Good to hear, will be picking mine up this week!

From what I've read, if you hold the wiper stalk down with the keys in the off position, it will bring the wipers up. Do the same to put them down. Someone might be better placed to answer your question though!

Don't open your bonnet with them in the up position though.

[JG911]

And the DSG box is great, way better than the SMG II stup on the last M3.

Phil

[Pintman]

Good to hear, will be picking mine up this week!

From what I've read, if you hold the wiper stalk down with the keys in the off position, it will bring the wipers up. Do the same to put them down. Someone might be better placed to answer your question though!

Don't open your bonnet with them in the up position though.

Or leave them up then turn on your ingnition. Speaking from experience as I now have two nice white marks on the edge of the bonnet where the paint was removed when the wiper arm went back to there 'home' position

[TagnuT]

Have a read through this post, it will tell you most of the things that you need to know.

http://uk-mkivs.net/forums/thread/55054.aspx

 

[god lovesa trya]

im lovin my ed30 (3 weeks old)
everyone seems to show these cars respect apart from hoodlums drivin around in rover200
wantin to try they luck

[Cass]

Mine was back to the dealer twice for this after delivery. Down to a dickhead pre-delivery inspection person. All sorted on the second occasion and no problems since

Cass

[TeddyKGB]

SWMBO...?