Discussion
so, after the initial praise after it was launched, I wondered how people were getting on with their Mk Vs?
are they proving fun to drive? do they feel quick or are they just 'nippy'?
I'm considering one to replace my A3 140 TDi (which is dull dull dull) and hoping that the latest GTi might bring some smiles back to my motoring
are they proving fun to drive? do they feel quick or are they just 'nippy'?
I'm considering one to replace my A3 140 TDi (which is dull dull dull) and hoping that the latest GTi might bring some smiles back to my motoring
Mate of mine has one - seems like a nice car.
However he has had loads of problems including needing a new steering rack, and all the reversing sensors falling out. He did have a few other issues too but I can't recall them right now. If I'd spent that much on a car I'd be pretty pissed off with the problems but he still seems to enjoy it.
I do wind him up that my flimsy french car has been fine despite doing more miles than him and costing a good few k less!
However he has had loads of problems including needing a new steering rack, and all the reversing sensors falling out. He did have a few other issues too but I can't recall them right now. If I'd spent that much on a car I'd be pretty pissed off with the problems but he still seems to enjoy it.
I do wind him up that my flimsy french car has been fine despite doing more miles than him and costing a good few k less!
I'd best be positive then. I've had mine 5 months now and I love it. I've had no problems with it and while it's quite nippy, it hasn't got blistering pace (although it replaced a 997S, so everything's relative I suppose). Seriously though, I reckon the feeling of mere nippiness comes from the fact that it feels so well built. No rattles, no real noise apart from the occasional welcome boominess from the exhaust, so you don't actually notice the speed you're carrying. Try one for yourself - hopefully it'll make you smile too.
Edited by gmk666 on Tuesday 26th September 21:00
Had mine since March( with fab DSG box)very pleased with it, and after 6000 miles no problems to report. Past cars include original Mk 1 bought new in 1980 two Mk2,s a VR6 and two BMW 328, and all I can say is that the MK5 would run rings around the lot of them.
The only potential problem is keeping my licence, as 100MPH comes up far too regularly!!
The only potential problem is keeping my licence, as 100MPH comes up far too regularly!!
interested to hear about how the Mk5 sounds...
one of the things I miss about my Alfa is the engine note
my current 4 cylinder diesel has made me vow never to have less than 5 cylinders or diesel again....but, if the GTi sounds good it may change my mind...
also, how are the seats in the Mk5?...my Audi gives me back ache and I need something that is more supportive...you get lumbar as standard don't you? are the Recaros worth it? what about the leather option?
one of the things I miss about my Alfa is the engine note
my current 4 cylinder diesel has made me vow never to have less than 5 cylinders or diesel again....but, if the GTi sounds good it may change my mind...
also, how are the seats in the Mk5?...my Audi gives me back ache and I need something that is more supportive...you get lumbar as standard don't you? are the Recaros worth it? what about the leather option?
had mine for 12 months, can't quite put my finger on it but for some reason I always want to drive it and enjoy driving it. It's fast, capable, handles very well, I've not been back to dealer once (touch wood), and first service says it's due in about 6K miles ( will have done 15k by then).
Plus points
- looks from front and sides, (rear is a bit bland)
- road presence
- handling and smooth engine performance
- ability to average 35.5 mpg over the miles I've done , yet still use all 200bhp at times
- seats very supportive
- dynamics of the car, and interaction with it (If you know what I mean)
things that could be improved
- auto lights and wipers a bit too sensitive
- need to have rear wiper motor replaced, as it has a bit of a mind of it's own, known issue at VW
- lacks boost gauge, and oil temp, which I would like to assess whats going on in the engine
- audio could be better ( radio reception is poor)
- electric folding mirrors don't always fold, u need to switch them again.
In all, minor point really against the car.
I chose to have a manual car, although I love the concept of the DSG, a few things put me off, it's new technology, so reliability unproven, it removed yet another layer of interaction with the car, made it more like a video game, not what I wanted.
All in all a good buy I think, there's still a 3-4 month waiting list for new cars, so it's still selling well.
Plus points
- looks from front and sides, (rear is a bit bland)
- road presence
- handling and smooth engine performance
- ability to average 35.5 mpg over the miles I've done , yet still use all 200bhp at times
- seats very supportive
- dynamics of the car, and interaction with it (If you know what I mean)
things that could be improved
- auto lights and wipers a bit too sensitive
- need to have rear wiper motor replaced, as it has a bit of a mind of it's own, known issue at VW
- lacks boost gauge, and oil temp, which I would like to assess whats going on in the engine
- audio could be better ( radio reception is poor)
- electric folding mirrors don't always fold, u need to switch them again.
In all, minor point really against the car.
I chose to have a manual car, although I love the concept of the DSG, a few things put me off, it's new technology, so reliability unproven, it removed yet another layer of interaction with the car, made it more like a video game, not what I wanted.
All in all a good buy I think, there's still a 3-4 month waiting list for new cars, so it's still selling well.
thanks, that's great feedback
have to say that none of your minus points would bother me in the slightest...even reliability doesn't really concern me as its a company car
great to hear that people are still genuinely enjoying their cars
out of interest, presumably most GTi owners also considered the Focus ST - why did you chose the golf over the ford?
have to say that none of your minus points would bother me in the slightest...even reliability doesn't really concern me as its a company car
great to hear that people are still genuinely enjoying their cars
out of interest, presumably most GTi owners also considered the Focus ST - why did you chose the golf over the ford?
Have a look on here www.forum.golfgti.co.uk/
Various core build issues reported (at above)
It is a fantastic car, I nearly bought one last year, but £25k for a good spec seemed too expensive to me.
Various core build issues reported (at above)
It is a fantastic car, I nearly bought one last year, but £25k for a good spec seemed too expensive to me.
I’ve done a couple of thousand miles in my old man’s 06 golf gti, 95% of which has been purely for “driving” including north wales, peak district, country blasting....you get the idea. The car has about 7.5k miles, 5 month old and had no problems at all. Performance wise it is certainly quick enough to make things interesting. More than enough grunt for safe and satisfying overtakes, the turbo comes in very early so hardly any lag and very strong mid-range. But the thing that impresses me most is the chassis and the way it handles. On fast sweeping roads it really is very good, I wish I could explain it more eloquently, but it just feels so assured, agile and “tight” if you know what I mean, and this is at speeds where other cars would be more than willing to demonstrate their foibles. You mention seats, even the standard seats have quite pronounced “wings,” I’ve not noticed any aches or pains and find them snug and supportive. And like I’ve mentioned, this has included 5 hour hoons with a 15 minute break for lunch!! It can sound quite diesely on cold starts, but once warm there is quite a pleasant throb to it. It is good enough for putting the windows down and flooring it through a tunnel for example, if you enjoy such things. (I do 
) The exhaust actually sounds quite fruity and the turbo is obvious also. Clearly, it is very good at blending into the background as well, very discreet compared to tango’d ST et al, a positive as far as I’m concerned. If I had one gripe, it would be that the engine is out of steam at 5100rpm. There are plenty more revs available but there’s just nothing there power wise, just a bit more would have been nice. But I guess that’s the price you pay when the turbo comes in at 1600rpm or something silly. I found I had to get used to changing gear sooner than I thought....and that was coming from a leon cupra that was all done by 5500rpm, so not much better! 
) The exhaust actually sounds quite fruity and the turbo is obvious also. Clearly, it is very good at blending into the background as well, very discreet compared to tango’d ST et al, a positive as far as I’m concerned. If I had one gripe, it would be that the engine is out of steam at 5100rpm. There are plenty more revs available but there’s just nothing there power wise, just a bit more would have been nice. But I guess that’s the price you pay when the turbo comes in at 1600rpm or something silly. I found I had to get used to changing gear sooner than I thought....and that was coming from a leon cupra that was all done by 5500rpm, so not much better! Edited by thepickle on Wednesday 27th September 23:11
A mate has an R32 and we had a blast in each other's car the other weekend. It felt completely different. Not better, just different. A lot more power and lot, lot more grip. I enjoyed it, but wondered how quickly I'd lose my licence if I tried to enjoy it as much as I do mine. I felt that because it was so planted, cornering speeds would get a bit too silly for the London streets I live on. Funnily enough, I think my mate preferred my GTI too. More fun he said, and loved the whistle of the turbo. Can't remember which, but either Autocar or Evo agreed. On a more subjective and aesthetic sub-note, I'm not a massive fan of the R32's bling grille and wheels.
When it came to replacing my Leon Cupra R, i tested both the GTI and the R32, the GTI was a great car and felt like good fun, very similar to the LCR. However, the R32 actually "felt" slower as it was so smooth especially with DSG. No Turbo spooling, no jerking between gearchanges just turbine like smooth. I decided to buy the R32, and I've not regretted it for one second, it's deceptively fast, grip is phenomenal and that V6 sounds lovely.
I'm pretty confident if i'd bought a GTI I would also be happy, but it felt too similar to the LCR.
I'm sure the new 240bhp, Leon Cupra will be a great car, but i just didn't like the loo of it.
I'm pretty confident if i'd bought a GTI I would also be happy, but it felt too similar to the LCR.
I'm sure the new 240bhp, Leon Cupra will be a great car, but i just didn't like the loo of it.
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