Fast Golf for Oldies
Discussion
Hi
I am a life long petrol head. My wife isnt.
Since we got together we have had a succession of family friendly cars culminating in a 5 series touring which is now:
a) a bit old
b) far too big
... since the boys have left home and the missus has flogged her own car we are a one car family/couple
The most obvious solution for me is a Golf GTi however Im a bit out of touch with the current model line up not to mention how they cope on long journeys. We live in Leeds and the boys are in London, driving is easily our preferred option - in the 530D this is lovely.
Advice welcome on how the various GTi versions cope with munching motorways
Cheers
We recently purchased a new GTI 8.5 coming from a 530d touring (68 reg). After the BM comfort and refinement is not a strong point with the GTI even with the variable dampers set to comfort and on 18" alloys. As a drivers car it's more fun feeling lighter with much better steering. Having owned a number a GTIs in the past (mk2 in 90 & mk5 in 05) we were looking to relive the past but so far it's a case of mixed feelings. We have kept the BM for long distance drives.
Hoofy said:
Depends on how much in-built padding you have. The seats are quite firm on the warm version (GTE) which to me makes it uncomfortable.
Also for longer journeys I understand the GTD will give you a better MPG if you can afford to pay up to £1.99 per litre!
I think £1.99 per litre is long gone - £1.85 nowAlso for longer journeys I understand the GTD will give you a better MPG if you can afford to pay up to £1.99 per litre!
I really like the gti it is a great car to drive with a good weight balance and good grip. I prefer it to the R which (although is faster) isn't as fun.
I had both the 240hp and 265hp versions and the 265hp one was noticeably better (although louder and less refined).
It is reliable, parts are reasonably cheap and the fuel economy is fine (30 in town, 40 on the motorway).
But it is not a comfortable car for the motorway. It feels squished and the engine drones a bit. Without a sunroof it is quite dark.
You haven't given a budget or desired age so it is difficult to advise alternatives.
I had both the 240hp and 265hp versions and the 265hp one was noticeably better (although louder and less refined).
It is reliable, parts are reasonably cheap and the fuel economy is fine (30 in town, 40 on the motorway).
But it is not a comfortable car for the motorway. It feels squished and the engine drones a bit. Without a sunroof it is quite dark.
You haven't given a budget or desired age so it is difficult to advise alternatives.
I had a Mk7 R for 6 years and it was a good car. My wife has a 7.5R which is definitely an upgrade over that and has the right options. I now have an 8.5 Clubsport and it's a great all rounder. Much more fun than my R was and on DCC it's comfortable enough. Bit of tyre roar on the motorway but that's about it....very easy indeed to live with. Have driven my wife's car recently and it just doesn't seem anywhere near as fun to drive as the Clubsport. It's as quick (to a point - watch the Carwow video) but the Clubsport pulls harder and feels a lot faster. Had one little software niggle which will get sorted when it's serviced shortly but bar that, very impressed. And quite a rare car too. As everyone's defaulting to crossovers and SUV's, these cars are seldom seen.
I think they are great cars, had my 2023 GTI Clubsport for just over a year now. Purposely looked for one on the smaller 18” wheels with dynamic chassis control; the aim being a hot hatch which is fun to drive on an occasion but isn’t a pain in the arse when Mrs DTP or I are using the car for work or ferrying aged parents to the doctors. The ride is firm, well damped, but not uncomfortable in, er, comfort mode. It’s noticeably more “jiggly” on Scottish roads in Sport; Nurburgring mode, unique to DCC, softens the suspension but sharpens throttle response, steering, and really is a hoot.
Fine motorway cruiser, plenty comfortable for me. Just doublechecked with my wife as she took the car 4 up from Aberdeen to Glasgow and back in an afternoon last week. She thought it plenty comfortable and no complaints from the 3 passengers.
In saying all this I’ve not driven a non-DCC car.
Fine motorway cruiser, plenty comfortable for me. Just doublechecked with my wife as she took the car 4 up from Aberdeen to Glasgow and back in an afternoon last week. She thought it plenty comfortable and no complaints from the 3 passengers.
In saying all this I’ve not driven a non-DCC car.
numtumfutunch said:
Thanks everyone
Having seen available discounts I am fortunate enough to be considering a new car
Much as I value having fun on B roads I really need something that can go up and down the motorway network with some refinement as it will be our only car
In that case get the Edition 50.Having seen available discounts I am fortunate enough to be considering a new car
Much as I value having fun on B roads I really need something that can go up and down the motorway network with some refinement as it will be our only car
numtumfutunch said:
Thanks everyone
Having seen available discounts I am fortunate enough to be considering a new car
Much as I value having fun on B roads I really need something that can go up and down the motorway network with some refinement as it will be our only car
An M240i is where I'd be looking.Having seen available discounts I am fortunate enough to be considering a new car
Much as I value having fun on B roads I really need something that can go up and down the motorway network with some refinement as it will be our only car
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202604291...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202603020...
Had a mk7 gti performance, did a trip to st tropez in a day, solo driving. About 850 miles.
Found it very comfortable and not at all tiring.
Dsg would have been even easier.
Seen your last post re buying new. Based on my experience I can’t imagine a new gti won’t be as able to crunch the miles pretty easily.
Happy buying. Lucky sod.
Found it very comfortable and not at all tiring.
Dsg would have been even easier.
Seen your last post re buying new. Based on my experience I can’t imagine a new gti won’t be as able to crunch the miles pretty easily.
Happy buying. Lucky sod.
downthepub said:
numtumfutunch said:
Much as I value having fun on B roads I really need something that can go up and down the motorway network with some refinement as it will be our only car
Indeed, DCC in comfort might be more comfortable than the standard suspension - I should have mentioned that 
Also, I don't think you'll get much of a discount on a 50th.
numtumfutunch said:
Thanks everyone
Having seen available discounts I am fortunate enough to be considering a new car
Much as I value having fun on B roads I really need something that can go up and down the motorway network with some refinement as it will be our only car
Make sure you ask about lead times. They were quoting 6 months + when I was looking at the start of the year, I ended up in a pre-registered car.Having seen available discounts I am fortunate enough to be considering a new car
Much as I value having fun on B roads I really need something that can go up and down the motorway network with some refinement as it will be our only car
I would also echo the calls for DCC. No complaints from the wife and kids on long journeys with that in the softest setting (...and they would definitely have moaned. The firm fide was ultimately the reason I had to get rid of my FL5 Type-R).
How regular are longer motorway journeys and what is the rest of the driving mix?
A 530d at motorways speeds is at <2000rpm and a pretty quiet relaxing place to be. It's what they were built for. Haven't owned but have been a passenger in the GTI and found it quite draining on the motorway (no DCC so no experience of how much better). Cross country & actually fitting in parking bays the Golf is much better.
A 530d at motorways speeds is at <2000rpm and a pretty quiet relaxing place to be. It's what they were built for. Haven't owned but have been a passenger in the GTI and found it quite draining on the motorway (no DCC so no experience of how much better). Cross country & actually fitting in parking bays the Golf is much better.
doogal said:
Make sure you ask about lead times. They were quoting 6 months + when I was looking at the start of the year, I ended up in a pre-registered car.
I would also echo the calls for DCC. No complaints from the wife and kids on long journeys with that in the softest setting (...and they would definitely have moaned. The firm fide was ultimately the reason I had to get rid of my FL5 Type-R).
Nice sounds like you got your CS potentially in the end?! What did you opt for?I would also echo the calls for DCC. No complaints from the wife and kids on long journeys with that in the softest setting (...and they would definitely have moaned. The firm fide was ultimately the reason I had to get rid of my FL5 Type-R).
Ended up in a non-clubsport car actually. For what I need the car for (ferrying kids about and a few motorway trips), the normal GTI ticked all the boxes and saved a useful bit of cash!
Same colour as yours but black pack, black roof, HK, DCC, 19" Queenstown wheels.
You were right on the stereo, need to look into that centre speaker upgrade!
Same colour as yours but black pack, black roof, HK, DCC, 19" Queenstown wheels.
You were right on the stereo, need to look into that centre speaker upgrade!
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