Which Golf DSG - Mk7.5 v Mk8 - petrol v auto
Discussion
My wife is looking to buy a Mk7.5 Golf DSG as a run around to do about 7-8k miles / year. Can’t help but noticed Mk8s are close in price now, I know they have a poor reputation but all round are they a worse buy that a Mk7.5?
Also would prefer the 1.5 150bhp petrol, but quite a few diesels are around at the same price. What engine is better suited to the Golf DSG (she can only drive auto)?
We would keep the car 5 years and around 40k. Would buy approved used.
Also would prefer the 1.5 150bhp petrol, but quite a few diesels are around at the same price. What engine is better suited to the Golf DSG (she can only drive auto)?
We would keep the car 5 years and around 40k. Would buy approved used.
We have had both MK7.5 and MK8 Estate (both 1.5 Evo 150bhp DSG). As often said, the MK8 is as good dynamically, however, the touch screen interfaces are just not great and we have reverted back to the MK7.5.
We opted for GT model trim, which has everything you need and really does feel like a step up in quality from the MK8, its the little things like lined glove box, ridiculous, but it all adds up to just a better feel and liveable car that the MK8 was not.
The only thing I would say for the MK8 is that the ride and damping had been improved over the MK7.5 but for normal driving you'll hardly notice.
We opted for GT model trim, which has everything you need and really does feel like a step up in quality from the MK8, its the little things like lined glove box, ridiculous, but it all adds up to just a better feel and liveable car that the MK8 was not.
The only thing I would say for the MK8 is that the ride and damping had been improved over the MK7.5 but for normal driving you'll hardly notice.
Thanks all. Good feedback, sounds like the mk7.5 may be the better long term ownership prospect. I like the idea of GTE but ideally wanted a 2019 or 2020 car, most GTE seem older.
How is the 1.5 petrol with the DSG? Thinking of getting a GT Edition or Match Edition model so we get the heated seats
How is the 1.5 petrol with the DSG? Thinking of getting a GT Edition or Match Edition model so we get the heated seats
I had the same choice to make last year over a Mk7.5 or Mk8 as they were both similar prices.
I went with a 2020 Mk7.5 1.5DSG 150 match edition in the end. It has all the tech you need, plus I added a reverse camera.
The problem with the early Mk8's is that they have problems that can't ever be fixed, to fix them requires a new computer but the new computer isn't compatible with the early ones they built sadly.
The 1.5 DSG is good, in sport mode it changes down when you'd want it to with good engine braking.
In ordinary drive mode it changes up early, mine is permanently in sport as this also disables the eco-coasting function.
When you take your foot off the accelerator in drive the gearbox disconnects and you are coasting at idle. Touch the brakes or the accelerator and it re-engages gear.
Many people probably won't even notice that it's doing it, apart from a lack of engine braking until you touch the pedals.
The car also switched to 2 cylinder mode under light loads, you can't tell apart from the dash display and a bit of 2 cylinder noise if you happen to have the window open. With the windows closed there is no noise inside.
My long term average MPG is 45, I've driven the lower powered 1.6 diesel DSG and got maybe another 5-10 mpg in that but diesel was more expensive and can have higher maintenance costs. I prefer the petrol over diesel.
If you buy approved used, you get a 2 year warranty with the car and you can extend it afterwards with the all-in package for another 2 years.
I run mine on V power unleaded, it makes a difference to how the car drives in the 1.5 compared to normal unleaded.
I went with a 2020 Mk7.5 1.5DSG 150 match edition in the end. It has all the tech you need, plus I added a reverse camera.
The problem with the early Mk8's is that they have problems that can't ever be fixed, to fix them requires a new computer but the new computer isn't compatible with the early ones they built sadly.
The 1.5 DSG is good, in sport mode it changes down when you'd want it to with good engine braking.
In ordinary drive mode it changes up early, mine is permanently in sport as this also disables the eco-coasting function.
When you take your foot off the accelerator in drive the gearbox disconnects and you are coasting at idle. Touch the brakes or the accelerator and it re-engages gear.
Many people probably won't even notice that it's doing it, apart from a lack of engine braking until you touch the pedals.
The car also switched to 2 cylinder mode under light loads, you can't tell apart from the dash display and a bit of 2 cylinder noise if you happen to have the window open. With the windows closed there is no noise inside.
My long term average MPG is 45, I've driven the lower powered 1.6 diesel DSG and got maybe another 5-10 mpg in that but diesel was more expensive and can have higher maintenance costs. I prefer the petrol over diesel.
If you buy approved used, you get a 2 year warranty with the car and you can extend it afterwards with the all-in package for another 2 years.
I run mine on V power unleaded, it makes a difference to how the car drives in the 1.5 compared to normal unleaded.
Edited by Whataguy on Tuesday 5th September 13:03
Edited by Whataguy on Tuesday 5th September 13:04
If you do go for the 1.5 with dry clutch just make sure you’re happy with how it performs, in particular around town & as you feed into roundabouts.
I had a MK7 1.4 (150 BHP) for 4.5 years/86k miles, and I assume it was the same as the 150 that it could seem somewhat dim witted verging on dangerous.
I would have another for definite, but the dealer always said it was fine & didn’t have an issue, I had it from new in 2014.
As a car it was superb, interesting it wasn’t, but so competent.
I had a MK7 1.4 (150 BHP) for 4.5 years/86k miles, and I assume it was the same as the 150 that it could seem somewhat dim witted verging on dangerous.
I would have another for definite, but the dealer always said it was fine & didn’t have an issue, I had it from new in 2014.
As a car it was superb, interesting it wasn’t, but so competent.
I keep reading opinions that the 7-speed dry-clutch DSG is slow-witted & problematic.
I've had a Seat Leon with the 1.4TSi (150) & 7-speed DSG for over 4 years. Hasn't been slow-witted & the problems where only in hot countries (mainly China & cured by changing to a different grade of oil.
I won't have a DSG without the steering wheel paddles to allow simple & fast manual over-ride without even having to take a hand off the steering wheel.
Most people I hear criticising the DSG have never driven one never mind owned one.
I've had a Seat Leon with the 1.4TSi (150) & 7-speed DSG for over 4 years. Hasn't been slow-witted & the problems where only in hot countries (mainly China & cured by changing to a different grade of oil.
I won't have a DSG without the steering wheel paddles to allow simple & fast manual over-ride without even having to take a hand off the steering wheel.
Most people I hear criticising the DSG have never driven one never mind owned one.
Glosphil said:
I keep reading opinions that the 7-speed dry-clutch DSG is slow-witted & problematic.
I've had a Seat Leon with the 1.4TSi (150) & 7-speed DSG for over 4 years. Hasn't been slow-witted & the problems where only in hot countries (mainly China & cured by changing to a different grade of oil.
I won't have a DSG without the steering wheel paddles to allow simple & fast manual over-ride without even having to take a hand off the steering wheel.
Most people I hear criticising the DSG have never driven one never mind owned one.
Spot on! I've had a Seat Leon with the 1.4TSi (150) & 7-speed DSG for over 4 years. Hasn't been slow-witted & the problems where only in hot countries (mainly China & cured by changing to a different grade of oil.
I won't have a DSG without the steering wheel paddles to allow simple & fast manual over-ride without even having to take a hand off the steering wheel.
Most people I hear criticising the DSG have never driven one never mind owned one.
PHZero said:
Surely not that much of difference to make it worthwhile to be shelling out for 'premium' fuel! Each to their own. I think you're mad though!
There are some cars it makes a huge difference too, but on others there is no change.I had a Honda Mk4 Jazz hybrid for a year, there was absolutely no difference on normal or super. If anything normal fuel was very slightly better.
However on the golf 1.5tsi dsg I've found it's like driving two completely different engines comparing normal unleaded and super.
The turbo engines do seem to make the best out of good quality fuel, plus there is less ethanol now in super.
Some people can say the 1.5tsi is a bit slow to react sometimes, but super and S mode do make quite a big difference.
matt21 said:
More very helpful feedback thank you.
Pardon my ignorance, but which is likely to be more troublesome. Wet or dry clutch?
The dsg in my car is a newer version but also doesn't have oil change intervals for the gearbox unfortunately.Pardon my ignorance, but which is likely to be more troublesome. Wet or dry clutch?
While it's a good gearbox, I doubt long term life above 80/100k miles will be that long without oil changes. However, I plan to change before then so it won't be an issue.
I did actually consider a GTi even though I don't need the performance, as the gearbox in those is stronger and has 40k oil change intervals.
Another good point with the 1.5 is that they have recently dropped the £1k cam belt changes that were due every 5 years. If you plan to keep the car under warranty you don't have to budget for a change, as it's now only every 150k odd miles.
Whataguy said:
I
In ordinary drive mode it changes up early, mine is permanently in sport as this also disables the eco-coasting function.
When you take your foot off the accelerator in drive the gearbox disconnects and you are coasting at idle. Touch the brakes or the accelerator and it re-engages gear.
Many people probably won't even notice that it's doing it, apart from a lack of engine braking until you touch the pedals.
I don’t know about the VW auto in eco, but in BMWs you can disable the ‘coasting’ feature in iDrive. I did, In ordinary drive mode it changes up early, mine is permanently in sport as this also disables the eco-coasting function.
When you take your foot off the accelerator in drive the gearbox disconnects and you are coasting at idle. Touch the brakes or the accelerator and it re-engages gear.
Many people probably won't even notice that it's doing it, apart from a lack of engine braking until you touch the pedals.
Sadly in the 1.5/150 VW the coasting function can’t be disabled unless you use sport mode. It’s a pity as sometimes you might want normal drive mode but not the coasting.
On the 1.5/150 the car coasts at idle, but on the 1.5/130 it shuts the engine off completely- stop/start while you are driving. There is a small backup battery that runs things while the engine is off, but the system can’t be disabled even in sport mode.
It’s not widely known, so was lucky that I’d bought the 150 instead of the 130.
On the 1.5/150 the car coasts at idle, but on the 1.5/130 it shuts the engine off completely- stop/start while you are driving. There is a small backup battery that runs things while the engine is off, but the system can’t be disabled even in sport mode.
It’s not widely known, so was lucky that I’d bought the 150 instead of the 130.
I think the DSG debate depends in how old the box is.
I recently drove a 22 plate Polo 7 speed dry clutch DSG, was really surprised it didn’t have the foibles of earlier DSG equipped cars I tried, and was quite decent.
In the early 10’s the 7 speed dry clutch DSG’s were dire. I recognise that roundabout scenario mentioned earlier. Lots of shunting in stop start driving. I remember cacking myself because the car would get flummoxed and lose all drive, not great if you are exposed at a junction etc. As a zipcar member, I drove multiple dry 7 speed DSG equipped cars, in Golf Mk6, Mk7, Polo. All dim witted and shunty, no matter what engine they were attached to. They were so bad, when it came time to buy my own car, I got a manual Golf, even though I spend the majority of my time in London traffic.
Still prefer a torque converter auto any day of the week to one of these dry 7 speed DSG’s. Also tried Volvo’s DSG type box in an XC40, and Kia’s DSG type box in a Sportage. With these, because of the nature of the technology, they can’t provide seamless drive in all situations. You do wonder for a split second, esp with unexpected speed changes, will it / won’t it? I prefer the behaviour of a torque converter, where you always have some kind of drive.
Perhaps more expensively engineered boxes like Porsche PDK would be better, but I don’t have experience with those.
I recently drove a 22 plate Polo 7 speed dry clutch DSG, was really surprised it didn’t have the foibles of earlier DSG equipped cars I tried, and was quite decent.
In the early 10’s the 7 speed dry clutch DSG’s were dire. I recognise that roundabout scenario mentioned earlier. Lots of shunting in stop start driving. I remember cacking myself because the car would get flummoxed and lose all drive, not great if you are exposed at a junction etc. As a zipcar member, I drove multiple dry 7 speed DSG equipped cars, in Golf Mk6, Mk7, Polo. All dim witted and shunty, no matter what engine they were attached to. They were so bad, when it came time to buy my own car, I got a manual Golf, even though I spend the majority of my time in London traffic.
Still prefer a torque converter auto any day of the week to one of these dry 7 speed DSG’s. Also tried Volvo’s DSG type box in an XC40, and Kia’s DSG type box in a Sportage. With these, because of the nature of the technology, they can’t provide seamless drive in all situations. You do wonder for a split second, esp with unexpected speed changes, will it / won’t it? I prefer the behaviour of a torque converter, where you always have some kind of drive.
Perhaps more expensively engineered boxes like Porsche PDK would be better, but I don’t have experience with those.
Edited by wyson on Tuesday 16th January 12:52
Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff