MK6 GTI....

[Hurdy]

I agree with what pulp says.

Even if the MKVI did end up with supermodel looks I still wouldn't buy one. Why?

1. It is based on the same chassis and suspension as the MKV
2. Even if the GTI has 230bhp, it will still have less power than mine
3. Mine is "allgedly" a limited edition version
4. "Built cheaper" than the MKV = poorer quality and less detailing than the MKV.
5. By 2010 when the GTI version is being touted as coming out, the rest of it's competitors will have moved the game on too. This means I may end up with another make of german car as well as keeping the ED30.

[illyun]

I agree with what pulp says.

Even if the MKVI did end up with supermodel looks I still wouldn't buy one. Why?

1. It is based on the same chassis and suspension as the MKV
2. Even if the GTI has 230bhp, it will still have less power than mine
3. Mine is "allgedly" a limited edition version
4. "Built cheaper" than the MKV = poorer quality and less detailing than the MKV.
5. By 2010 when the GTI version is being touted as coming out, the rest of it's competitors will have moved the game on too. This means I may end up with another make of german car as well as keeping the ED30.

Amen to everything you said Hurdy....  The Mk6 GTI will only be good for those who missed out on the Mk5.  After 5/6 years of only driving Golf GTI/VR6/R32's... I'll be keeping my mint 38k mileage Mk1 GTI, Mk5 Ed30 and will get a different car.  Maybe a Phateon as a sensible family saloon  or I might just invest and recycle my money going through a series of performance cars like the Porsche 911, Ferrari F355 and the new Nissan GT-R which looks and sounds stunning( )  Oh and I'll always be on the lookout for a mint low mileage Mk2 GTI 16v.

[Snoopy]

4. "Built cheaper" than the MKV = poorer quality and less detailing than the MKV.

I really wish people would understand about design and mass manufacturing. Cheaper to build does NOT need to meen poorer quality at all. If people only knew how screwed up VWs departmental structure was when the mk5 was designed then launched they would understand how after restructuring getting the design and manufacturing departments to work together can make things much simpler, quicker and cheaper to build but also improve quality in the process.

[illyun]

4. "Built cheaper" than the MKV = poorer quality and less detailing than the MKV.

I really wish people would understand about design and mass manufacturing. Cheaper to build does NOT need to meen poorer quality at all. If people only knew how screwed up VWs departmental structure was when the mk5 was designed then launched they would understand how after restructuring getting the design and manufacturing departments to work together can make things much simpler, quicker and cheaper to build but also improve quality in the process.

Maybe... but maybe not.  At any rate, I won't be buying a 2nd generation Mk5 

[Hurdy]

4. "Built cheaper" than the MKV = poorer quality and less detailing than the MKV.

I really wish people would understand about design and mass manufacturing. Cheaper to build does NOT need to meen poorer quality at all. If people only knew how screwed up VWs departmental structure was when the mk5 was designed then launched they would understand how after restructuring getting the design and manufacturing departments to work together can make things much simpler, quicker and cheaper to build but also improve quality in the process.

I work in "mass manufacturing" and partly agree with what you say. When manufacturers mention "simplifying the manufacturing process" they do mean "it's costing us a fortune - how can we make it simpler, cheaper and easier to manufacture?" hence my comment about less detailing. Detailing equates to more complex, expensive tooling and development times, which in turn costs more. Cheaper invariably equates to a multitude of considerations which some will include:-

Thinner (but more hardwearing) plastics = worse looking and feeling trim.
Less finishing details = leaving screw heads etc uncovered.
Lighter bodywork = thinner gauge metal/plastics = more prone to damage that will cost the end user - but still looks okay even though it may not last as long.

I could go on ad infinitum. I do have to give VW the benefit of the doubt until the MKVI does launch, however I stand by what I say and would be prepared to be pleasantly suprised if they pull it off

[Snoopy]

They could also meen though. Fixing the door design and hinge design thats totally floored and VW bosses have publically stated cannot be assembled perfectly on a mass production line scale to high standards and also fixing other problems with said door design. They have also stated that cerain parts of the suspension has lots of small components that need assembling to exact tolerances that could be replaced by a single components that would perform the job to just as high standards be far easier to assemble and due to less assembly points higher build quality will result and so make it cheaper. They have also stated a few of the reasons the mk6 went back to the drawingboard was that they wanted to improve interior quality on the prototype and how the current boss was not happy with the drop of quality between the mk4 to mk5 and wants to address this with the mk6 and other reason it went back was the current door rubbers were not to a high enough standard in both fixing and design.
Most of these design corrections are due to the way VW departments were structured and how the production department had little to do with the design/engineering departments until it had all been approved. The place was a mess according to people i know who work there.

[Hurdy]

They could also meen though. Fixing the door design and hinge design thats totally floored and VW bosses have publically stated cannot be assembled perfectly on a mass production line scale to high standards and also fixing other problems with said door design. They have also stated that cerain parts of the suspension has lots of small components that need assembling to exact tolerances that could be replaced by a single components that would perform the job to just as high standards be far easier to assemble and due to less assembly points higher build quality will result and so make it cheaper. They have also stated a few of the reasons the mk6 went back to the drawingboard was that they wanted to improve interior quality on the prototype and how the current boss was not happy with the drop of quality between the mk4 to mk5 and wants to address this with the mk6 and other reason it went back was the current door rubbers were not to a high enough standard in both fixing and design.
Most of these design corrections are due to the way VW departments were structured and how the production department had little to do with the design/engineering departments until it had all been approved. The place was a mess according to people i know who work there.

I guess we'll just have to see

Would you put a fiver on quality and engineering being better on the MKVI?

[Phil mcavity]

it looks a sad site of the mk6 gti, it doesnt look anything as good as the mk5 tis a sad day!

[gooseuk]

I cant see that being the final version of it. Other wise oh dear.

[HKSa]

Hi All,

I'm about to import a Mk5 GTI but am hesitating due the the Mk6 coming out in a year or so. I'm still tempted to go ahead and import a Mk5 as I've heard the next genration will have 10% cheaper manufacturing costs. Lower quality springs to mind?

What would you do?

Any help would be appreciated...