2015 VW Golf GTI Performance Pack
Discussion
Picked up my new Golf GTI last week. I previously had a 2013 Ford Focus ST; readers cars link here http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Due to illness I barely drove it over the last 12 months so decided I would use the equity in the low mileage to trade up to something new. It also needed new tyres so man maths suggested now was a good time to move it on.
I was looking for something with a slightly lower insurance group to insure my other half on the car at a later stage and after a test drive almost went for an Alfa Giulietta 1.4 170 Sportiva. However, I was worried I would miss the performance of the Focus badly so after looking at a used Audi TT I stopped by at my local VW showroom in late May and ordered a Golf GTI. I've always admired them and I use my car a lot for work so I need an 'all rounder' rather than a track day toy. VW were doing some healthy discounts so I decided now was the time to buy.
Went for a 3-door in night blue and standard alloys. Didn't go crazy with the options list but ticked the following:
- Performance Pack (extra 10hp over std, bigger front brakes and a limited-slip diff)
- Dynaudio soundpack
- Car-Net App-Connect
I also benefited from the mid-15 spec changes so gained discover Nav, winter pack and keyless entry.
Anyway, some pics:
I'm absolutely delighted with it and the spec selections I made fix the 'issues' I had with the Focus. The Golf just feels a step up in every way, especially refinement and build quality.
Despite being 20hp short, I find the Golf is nicer to drive than the Focus because it's less peaky in the power delivery. While the Focus was great fun, it suffered from axle tramp and would spin its wheels too easily. In the Golf, with smoother power delivery and the trick diff, I've not seen any of that so far.
The Ford Sync technology was also starting to grate on me as it couldn't keep pace with my iPhone so I'm glad I ticked the Apple Car Play box as this just works.
Feel free to ask any questions - including why not a Golf R if you must
Due to illness I barely drove it over the last 12 months so decided I would use the equity in the low mileage to trade up to something new. It also needed new tyres so man maths suggested now was a good time to move it on.
I was looking for something with a slightly lower insurance group to insure my other half on the car at a later stage and after a test drive almost went for an Alfa Giulietta 1.4 170 Sportiva. However, I was worried I would miss the performance of the Focus badly so after looking at a used Audi TT I stopped by at my local VW showroom in late May and ordered a Golf GTI. I've always admired them and I use my car a lot for work so I need an 'all rounder' rather than a track day toy. VW were doing some healthy discounts so I decided now was the time to buy.
Went for a 3-door in night blue and standard alloys. Didn't go crazy with the options list but ticked the following:
- Performance Pack (extra 10hp over std, bigger front brakes and a limited-slip diff)
- Dynaudio soundpack
- Car-Net App-Connect
I also benefited from the mid-15 spec changes so gained discover Nav, winter pack and keyless entry.
Anyway, some pics:
I'm absolutely delighted with it and the spec selections I made fix the 'issues' I had with the Focus. The Golf just feels a step up in every way, especially refinement and build quality.
Despite being 20hp short, I find the Golf is nicer to drive than the Focus because it's less peaky in the power delivery. While the Focus was great fun, it suffered from axle tramp and would spin its wheels too easily. In the Golf, with smoother power delivery and the trick diff, I've not seen any of that so far.
The Ford Sync technology was also starting to grate on me as it couldn't keep pace with my iPhone so I'm glad I ticked the Apple Car Play box as this just works.
Feel free to ask any questions - including why not a Golf R if you must
f1nn said:
Why not a golf R?
(The GTI looks lovely)
(The GTI looks lovely)
theshrew said:
I went from a older GTI to a ST and agree they are better to drive and the build quality is brilliant.
Im currently toying with the idea of another GTI or R I had a look at the R last week and it was great. not driven either yet.
So why the GTI over the R ?
A few reasons.Im currently toying with the idea of another GTI or R I had a look at the R last week and it was great. not driven either yet.
So why the GTI over the R ?
1 - Price; yes lease deals make monthly payments very similar but as a private buyer looking to have the option to own the car after a few years this makes a difference
2 - The looks; IMO the GTI is a better looker than the R. I know it's still a Golf but it has nicer details all round like the red strip at the front and I prefer the 2 exhaust pipes over the R's 4
3 - The GTI offers enough real world performance; just when I thought I'd found an empty road to have some fun in the Focus you quickly catch up with the traffic and it's all down to pedestrian speeds again. 95% of the time I would have been fine in a 'normal' Focus 1.0l and it bugged me that I wasn't using the car's performance while paying more for insurance / petrol / road tax. Getting an R would have been buying even more untapped potential going to waste so why pay more for it
4 - My other half is only just starting to learn to drive and I'm not sure she would be able to handle the extra power of an R !
5 - You don't see many GTIs and I think the GTI badge has greater heritage than R
6 - Always wanted one!
I was thinking of getting rid of my 2014 PP, but every time I get in it, I'm struck by how nice a place to be it is. I've got all the toys (except that connect app thing, and a sunroof), it has the cheapest insurance I've ever had on a non-classic car, and - most importantly - it's not an R 
Q
The R doesn't do it for me as said it looks a bit bland, it's my 4th GTi and I can see me keeping mine until the Mk8.
macajc88 said:
A few reasons.
1 - Price; yes lease deals make monthly payments very similar but as a private buyer looking to have the option to own the car after a few years this makes a difference
2 - The looks; IMO the GTI is a better looker than the R. I know it's still a Golf but it has nicer details all round like the red strip at the front and I prefer the 2 exhaust pipes over the R's 4
3 - The GTI offers enough real world performance; just when I thought I'd found an empty road to have some fun in the Focus you quickly catch up with the traffic and it's all down to pedestrian speeds again. 95% of the time I would have been fine in a 'normal' Focus 1.0l and it bugged me that I wasn't using the car's performance while paying more for insurance / petrol / road tax. Getting an R would have been buying even more untapped potential going to waste so why pay more for it
4
5 - You don't see many GTIs and I think the GTI badge has greater heritage than R
6 - Always wanted one!
All these sums it up for me, mines is poverty spec other than the DBP paint it's a very well equipped car even more so with the extras you get now.1 - Price; yes lease deals make monthly payments very similar but as a private buyer looking to have the option to own the car after a few years this makes a difference
2 - The looks; IMO the GTI is a better looker than the R. I know it's still a Golf but it has nicer details all round like the red strip at the front and I prefer the 2 exhaust pipes over the R's 4
3 - The GTI offers enough real world performance; just when I thought I'd found an empty road to have some fun in the Focus you quickly catch up with the traffic and it's all down to pedestrian speeds again. 95% of the time I would have been fine in a 'normal' Focus 1.0l and it bugged me that I wasn't using the car's performance while paying more for insurance / petrol / road tax. Getting an R would have been buying even more untapped potential going to waste so why pay more for it
4
5 - You don't see many GTIs and I think the GTI badge has greater heritage than R
6 - Always wanted one!
The R doesn't do it for me as said it looks a bit bland, it's my 4th GTi and I can see me keeping mine until the Mk8.
Bizarrely, I have a bit of a soft spot for these. I say 'bizarrely' because I really dislike the R and have no time for boggo Golfs (which I think are far from being the best superminis).
The GTI seems to me to bring the best out of the car's looks and, more importantly, gives it a great marketing position: fast (but not pointlessly fast), sporty (but not in your face), premium (but not showy or super expensive).
You've probably got the best colour, too, OP!
The GTI seems to me to bring the best out of the car's looks and, more importantly, gives it a great marketing position: fast (but not pointlessly fast), sporty (but not in your face), premium (but not showy or super expensive).
You've probably got the best colour, too, OP!
ORD said:
Bizarrely, I have a bit of a soft spot for these. I say 'bizarrely' because I really dislike the R and have no time for boggo Golfs (which I think are far from being the best superminis).
+1 standard Golfs look really bland (Focus better looking in basic trim) and the nice 'Pretoria' alloys excluded so does the RBungleaio said:
Lovely car but I'm slightly biased as my GTI goes into production next week.
Nice! What have you gone for? Mine took 2.5 months from order to arriving at the dealerfurrywoolyhatuk said:
Well done for not getting a gtd!
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