A few mk 7/7.5 GTI questions
Discussion
Considering a lightly used Golf GTI with a budget of up to £20k. Will be a 5dr manual most likely, and think the budget will be enough to get a 7.5, but have a few questions.
1. What are the main beneficial changes with the facelift?
2. Was android auto standard before the facelift, and if so when was it standard fit?
3. What are the nice to have options? (Hate the term "must have")
4. Are there any known problems with later cars, would be 3 years old at most.
1. What are the main beneficial changes with the facelift?
2. Was android auto standard before the facelift, and if so when was it standard fit?
3. What are the nice to have options? (Hate the term "must have")
4. Are there any known problems with later cars, would be 3 years old at most.
1) 220>227hp, analogue dash>digital, larger infotainment display, updated F&R lights & bumpers.
2) Not a clue
3) DSG if that's your thing. DCC is an often favoured option, but found it a waste of money to be honest.
4) Water ingress from rear doors - press the carpets hard to see if any water comes through. Rear shocks if DCC is fitted.
2) Not a clue
3) DSG if that's your thing. DCC is an often favoured option, but found it a waste of money to be honest.
4) Water ingress from rear doors - press the carpets hard to see if any water comes through. Rear shocks if DCC is fitted.
£20k should easily get you into a facelift car.
On point 2 - the pre-facelift can have Android Auto as long as they've got the MIB 2 head unit. This was fitted from the 2016 model year (build week 22 2015). But on a facelift I'm 95% sure it is standard fit
Also the main must have option I'd have thought is the Performance Pack! Pushes things up to 230bhp on the pre-facelift and 245bhp for the facelift!
On point 2 - the pre-facelift can have Android Auto as long as they've got the MIB 2 head unit. This was fitted from the 2016 model year (build week 22 2015). But on a facelift I'm 95% sure it is standard fit
Also the main must have option I'd have thought is the Performance Pack! Pushes things up to 230bhp on the pre-facelift and 245bhp for the facelift!
Mk7.5 looks better but I personally don’t like the digital dash!
Join the mk7 owners uk on Facebook and have a look there’s a few for sale including my mk7
Performance pack is a must have, when I was looking I also wanted the pro nav dynaudio and panoramic roof,
I personally prefer the leather over the tartan,
Go look at some cars there’s some beauts!
As an example mine has loads of options 3yr old with just under 34k on it and it’s just parked up doing nowt now as I have a company car, dealer said they would sell it for 18.5k so I’m listing it at 16.5k so plenty of car for the money!
Join the mk7 owners uk on Facebook and have a look there’s a few for sale including my mk7
Performance pack is a must have, when I was looking I also wanted the pro nav dynaudio and panoramic roof,
I personally prefer the leather over the tartan,
Go look at some cars there’s some beauts!
As an example mine has loads of options 3yr old with just under 34k on it and it’s just parked up doing nowt now as I have a company car, dealer said they would sell it for 18.5k so I’m listing it at 16.5k so plenty of car for the money!
For me the leather interior was a must have - I tested cars with the fabric interior and they just felt a bit low rent in comparison. As so many of these were lease cars there are very few with the leather option....that's the only thing holding me back replacing my 2013 GTI with a newer one - they're great cars.
I have a 2016 Golf GTD which has done 70k miles.
I think your main questions have been answered but with regards to things to look out for.
1) Saw toothing on tyres. My car did this and it makes a similar sound to worn wheel bearing. New tyres and alignment solved the issue. The standard for Bridgestones aren’t very good . I replaced mine with Michelin PS4 and noticed a drastic improvement in traction/ wet weather grip and reduced noise.
2) Electric handbrake problems. Auto hold function can be temperamental.
3) check the adaptive cruise control works. Sensor for aAAC on mk 7s is mounted low down and is easily damaged.
4) check bonnet release. Mine broke and was fixed under warranty.
5) One of the dampers is misting on mine. Works fine but have had heard of people having them fixed under warranty.
6) Diamond cut alloys are prone to getting white spots under lacquer.
I think your main questions have been answered but with regards to things to look out for.
1) Saw toothing on tyres. My car did this and it makes a similar sound to worn wheel bearing. New tyres and alignment solved the issue. The standard for Bridgestones aren’t very good . I replaced mine with Michelin PS4 and noticed a drastic improvement in traction/ wet weather grip and reduced noise.
2) Electric handbrake problems. Auto hold function can be temperamental.
3) check the adaptive cruise control works. Sensor for aAAC on mk 7s is mounted low down and is easily damaged.
4) check bonnet release. Mine broke and was fixed under warranty.
5) One of the dampers is misting on mine. Works fine but have had heard of people having them fixed under warranty.
6) Diamond cut alloys are prone to getting white spots under lacquer.
For Android Auto and Apple Carplay you need a 16 model year car.
Cars with Technology pack (Discover Pro nav and Dynaudio) will then have app connect as well.
Cars without Technology pack (smaller, standard screen) it can be retrofitted for a few hundred quid by buying a licence from VW. You will likely also need to replace the USB connector in the centre console with the newer one.
Cars with Technology pack (Discover Pro nav and Dynaudio) will then have app connect as well.
Cars without Technology pack (smaller, standard screen) it can be retrofitted for a few hundred quid by buying a licence from VW. You will likely also need to replace the USB connector in the centre console with the newer one.
Edited by Dr G on Tuesday 9th July 17:05
Thanks all, useful feedback.
It's for my wife so while the performance pack is desirable for me it won't be a priority. Not sure I will need DCC if sticking with 18 inch wheels but will try and test drive it without and see what the standard ride quality is like, was under the impression it was pretty good as standard.
It's for my wife so while the performance pack is desirable for me it won't be a priority. Not sure I will need DCC if sticking with 18 inch wheels but will try and test drive it without and see what the standard ride quality is like, was under the impression it was pretty good as standard.
Diamond cut alloys are a PITA and apparently a bit pricey and some to replace. Alternative is to go powder coat grey maybe.
Most of the other elements seem to be personal preference when looking at a late 7 Vs a 7.5. Just like some would take Leather (just about) over Tartan and grainy old phone screen over dials. Tartan all the way!
I wouldn't have minded Dynaudio and not having to spend a couple of hundred quid to get Android Auto (which I haven't, yet), but everything else is neither here nor there to me.
IMHO, I would say far better to spend any wriggle money on a Clubsport ED40 than a very simple lar newer model with the odd extra trinket.
Most of the other elements seem to be personal preference when looking at a late 7 Vs a 7.5. Just like some would take Leather (just about) over Tartan and grainy old phone screen over dials. Tartan all the way!
I wouldn't have minded Dynaudio and not having to spend a couple of hundred quid to get Android Auto (which I haven't, yet), but everything else is neither here nor there to me.
IMHO, I would say far better to spend any wriggle money on a Clubsport ED40 than a very simple lar newer model with the odd extra trinket.
I'm on my second Golf. First was a 7 GTI, now on a 7.5 R.
I think it's worth noting the car has clearly been designed as an auto with DCC. The drive mode features do virtually nothing without those two features. In the manual, adaptive cruise is significantly less effective and the emergency braking will stall the car. The DCC is absolutely EXCELLENT, and anyone who says otherwise didn't spec it. It makes a HUGE difference to the ride. I use it almost daily.
Performance Pack is a must. I can't understand why at £800 anyone ever bought a new GTI without it, given it provides bigger brakes, more power and crucially, the magic VAQ differential - an excellent piece of kit. Also, good luck selling a non PP car at five years old without for more than 50p.
Android Auto can be retrofitted by simple activation code (dealer) to anything from February 2016 build.
I think it's worth noting the car has clearly been designed as an auto with DCC. The drive mode features do virtually nothing without those two features. In the manual, adaptive cruise is significantly less effective and the emergency braking will stall the car. The DCC is absolutely EXCELLENT, and anyone who says otherwise didn't spec it. It makes a HUGE difference to the ride. I use it almost daily.
Performance Pack is a must. I can't understand why at £800 anyone ever bought a new GTI without it, given it provides bigger brakes, more power and crucially, the magic VAQ differential - an excellent piece of kit. Also, good luck selling a non PP car at five years old without for more than 50p.
Android Auto can be retrofitted by simple activation code (dealer) to anything from February 2016 build.
Baldchap said:
I'm on my second Golf. First was a 7 GTI, now on a 7.5 R.
I think it's worth noting the car has clearly been designed as an auto with DCC. The drive mode features do virtually nothing without those two features. In the manual, adaptive cruise is significantly less effective and the emergency braking will stall the car. The DCC is absolutely EXCELLENT, and anyone who says otherwise didn't spec it. It makes a HUGE difference to the ride. I use it almost daily.
Performance Pack is a must. I can't understand why at £800 anyone ever bought a new GTI without it, given it provides bigger brakes, more power and crucially, the magic VAQ differential - an excellent piece of kit. Also, good luck selling a non PP car at five years old without for more than 50p.
Android Auto can be retrofitted by simple activation code (dealer) to anything from February 2016 build.
They're fine without DCC, I have one and drive it on fairly crap roads. It's in no way unsettled or uncomfortable. Not to take anything away from DCC but a lot of the time it's a "nice to have" rather than essential. Given that DCC is never 'off' the only days you're not using it are the ones you don't drive the car I think it's worth noting the car has clearly been designed as an auto with DCC. The drive mode features do virtually nothing without those two features. In the manual, adaptive cruise is significantly less effective and the emergency braking will stall the car. The DCC is absolutely EXCELLENT, and anyone who says otherwise didn't spec it. It makes a HUGE difference to the ride. I use it almost daily.
Performance Pack is a must. I can't understand why at £800 anyone ever bought a new GTI without it, given it provides bigger brakes, more power and crucially, the magic VAQ differential - an excellent piece of kit. Also, good luck selling a non PP car at five years old without for more than 50p.
Android Auto can be retrofitted by simple activation code (dealer) to anything from February 2016 build.
I do use adaptive daily in a manual, it works very well. I don't tend to use cruise outside of motorways and even then when traffic flows at a fairly consistent pace (i.e. 50mph & up). A DSG car would certainly allow you to use it at lower speeds but even then I think I'd still prefer to take control myself in heavy traffic.
Automatic braking would only stall the car in the same way that a driver would stall if they failed to dip the clutch.
They sell without PP. There is a value difference but it isn't extreme.
I have a non pp GTI tbh I have never thought oh I wish I had a PP .This maybe because I find the standard car excellent and I struggle to use its performance in normality.I went for a very low mileage nice spec and colour GTI rather than a low spec PP No regrets
either way its a great car cant really fault it
either way its a great car cant really fault it
Dr G said:
Baaaaaah - without the tartan it wouldn't be a GTI for me
Absolutely. Tartan is part of the history of the GTI, which is why every generation has had it. Leather seat facings and pleather otherwise for the bargain price of £1,500+ is an indication of the other side of Big Co.Seems like a good a thread to bump as any
Wondering if any owners can comment further on the differences and how much a gap, if any, there is in handling and performance between
Mk7 GTI with PP
Mk7.5 GTI
Mk7.5 GTI Performance
I am in the market for a manual one. Prices quite strong of course.
Some of the 7.5 Performance are not selling but when they come down to within budget they sell before I can go look at them.
I am looking for something practical, comfortable but with a bit of handling and feedback for those rare roadtrips. However, it seems wrong to go in the middle and seems like I should either go for an older 7 PP or go higher for the 7.5 Performance
The one thing I do miss from previous cars is good brakes.
Its very difficult to just go test drive for various reasons so any and all feedback appreciated
Wondering if any owners can comment further on the differences and how much a gap, if any, there is in handling and performance between
Mk7 GTI with PP
Mk7.5 GTI
Mk7.5 GTI Performance
I am in the market for a manual one. Prices quite strong of course.
Some of the 7.5 Performance are not selling but when they come down to within budget they sell before I can go look at them.
I am looking for something practical, comfortable but with a bit of handling and feedback for those rare roadtrips. However, it seems wrong to go in the middle and seems like I should either go for an older 7 PP or go higher for the 7.5 Performance
The one thing I do miss from previous cars is good brakes.
Its very difficult to just go test drive for various reasons so any and all feedback appreciated
Lee540 said:
I'm looking at and test driving a 2019 GTI Performance tomorrow with DSG, at £25k, shows how much cars have risen following pandemic.
I thought all facelift GTi's were 245?
No, 'standard' mk7.5 GTi is 230bhp. 245bhp only for Performance Pack Cars....but I do believe towards the end of the production run in around 2020, it was only GTi Performance available......I thought all facelift GTi's were 245?
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