MK7 Golf GTI - owners reflections
Discussion
I posted the below in 'car buying', but what I'm after is actual owners thoughts and reflections.
Cheers
With a change of job earlier in the year and a loss of the company car I decided it was time to get a more interesting daily after years of fairly dull company cars.
The MK7 Fiesta ST is fun, fast and all the things the reports have said, but comfort is not one of them. The seat bolsters are simply too tight and the whole driving position is wrong – and I’m best described as lanky, so it’s not as a result of too many pies!
I’m struggling to think what to replace it with, whilst I have other cars for the fun stuff I still want something I can have some fun in on the daily 25 mile commute and other domestic stuff. Having had a MK7 Golf and done 90k in them I know that whilst a little dull they’re great at just being a car, so the question is, is the MK7 GTI the ‘perfect’ car? (preferably in manual performance pack spec).
I’d especially appreciate answers from those with experience of them, and those who’ve had a R too.
Cheers
Cheers
With a change of job earlier in the year and a loss of the company car I decided it was time to get a more interesting daily after years of fairly dull company cars.
The MK7 Fiesta ST is fun, fast and all the things the reports have said, but comfort is not one of them. The seat bolsters are simply too tight and the whole driving position is wrong – and I’m best described as lanky, so it’s not as a result of too many pies!
I’m struggling to think what to replace it with, whilst I have other cars for the fun stuff I still want something I can have some fun in on the daily 25 mile commute and other domestic stuff. Having had a MK7 Golf and done 90k in them I know that whilst a little dull they’re great at just being a car, so the question is, is the MK7 GTI the ‘perfect’ car? (preferably in manual performance pack spec).
I’d especially appreciate answers from those with experience of them, and those who’ve had a R too.
Cheers
Perfect? For my needs it is.
~15 mile commute I can do on either mostly motorway or mostly narrow, bumpy back roads.
I like space, performance, comfort, accessibility, economy, and toys.
I have a 16-65 5dr manual GTI with Performance, Technology, and Parking packs.
I average over 34 MPG on plain 95 RON, more in school holidays (36, actually). I like to press on where conditions allow. On boring drives 39MPG is easy.
Handling is very impressive for a road car, corner exit particularly so. VAQ diff isn't in your face agressive like an old-school LSD but traction out of turns is very good and the car overall feels eager to go where you point it.
Engine I really like, the correct amount of power for my driving, sounds alright, pulls everywhere, quiet at a cruise.
Manual box fairly good, slightly long throw but in no way obstructive.
Brakes feel good too (and parts are cheap). I just put new (Pagid) rear discs and pads on mine that were 99 quid including VAT. The fronts aren't a lot more.
Seats and driving position are excellent. Pedal positioning is set up (as are most new cars) to avoid accidental mixups on brake/throttle but it's better than some for rev matching.
Interior rattles seem a common-ish complaint. The Dynaudio speakers are better than the door cards and can cause some vibration, I need to get in there with some rattle tape soon. I currently have a small piece of cardboard tucked into the rear seat back catch as that rattled too.
The Bridgestones they come on are junk. Pilot Sport 4s are hilarious in the dry but OK in the wet (and very soft). New Goodyears are awesome at everything and seem to last very well.
I've driven a few Rs and had several S3s (and S1, S3, RS3, S4, RS4/6, multiple older GTIs, basically everything quick and VAG. I've also had a good amount of wheel time in 6 cylinder 1 and 2 series, A45, quick Clios and Meganes, assorted Type R Hondas...). For me the Golf is the best all rounder.
The R/S3 is easier to drive very fast and ultimately covers a lot more ground wet and dry. They are extremely polished and if you like speed you'll love them. For me they're just a little bit too easy. The manual box and lower power output of a GTI is more fun on the roads I drive on and a little more involving. I also think they look much better.
~15 mile commute I can do on either mostly motorway or mostly narrow, bumpy back roads.
I like space, performance, comfort, accessibility, economy, and toys.
I have a 16-65 5dr manual GTI with Performance, Technology, and Parking packs.
I average over 34 MPG on plain 95 RON, more in school holidays (36, actually). I like to press on where conditions allow. On boring drives 39MPG is easy.
Handling is very impressive for a road car, corner exit particularly so. VAQ diff isn't in your face agressive like an old-school LSD but traction out of turns is very good and the car overall feels eager to go where you point it.
Engine I really like, the correct amount of power for my driving, sounds alright, pulls everywhere, quiet at a cruise.
Manual box fairly good, slightly long throw but in no way obstructive.
Brakes feel good too (and parts are cheap). I just put new (Pagid) rear discs and pads on mine that were 99 quid including VAT. The fronts aren't a lot more.
Seats and driving position are excellent. Pedal positioning is set up (as are most new cars) to avoid accidental mixups on brake/throttle but it's better than some for rev matching.
Interior rattles seem a common-ish complaint. The Dynaudio speakers are better than the door cards and can cause some vibration, I need to get in there with some rattle tape soon. I currently have a small piece of cardboard tucked into the rear seat back catch as that rattled too.
The Bridgestones they come on are junk. Pilot Sport 4s are hilarious in the dry but OK in the wet (and very soft). New Goodyears are awesome at everything and seem to last very well.
I've driven a few Rs and had several S3s (and S1, S3, RS3, S4, RS4/6, multiple older GTIs, basically everything quick and VAG. I've also had a good amount of wheel time in 6 cylinder 1 and 2 series, A45, quick Clios and Meganes, assorted Type R Hondas...). For me the Golf is the best all rounder.
The R/S3 is easier to drive very fast and ultimately covers a lot more ground wet and dry. They are extremely polished and if you like speed you'll love them. For me they're just a little bit too easy. The manual box and lower power output of a GTI is more fun on the roads I drive on and a little more involving. I also think they look much better.
Fantastic reply, many thanks, just what I was looking for.
In summary whilst it may not be the fastest or easiest car, it is the best overall?
Like you I don't want something too fast, in part so it doesn't spoil the other stuff, and frankly you don't need it. I'm lucky to live surrounded by some good B roads, but equally want something I can do decent distances in with relative ease.
It seems as I suspected fro my experience of 90k miles in a more regular petrol Golf that a GTI could well do it all, cheers
In summary whilst it may not be the fastest or easiest car, it is the best overall?
Like you I don't want something too fast, in part so it doesn't spoil the other stuff, and frankly you don't need it. I'm lucky to live surrounded by some good B roads, but equally want something I can do decent distances in with relative ease.
It seems as I suspected fro my experience of 90k miles in a more regular petrol Golf that a GTI could well do it all, cheers
acme said:
Fantastic reply, many thanks, just what I was looking for.
In summary whilst it may not be the fastest or easiest car, it is the best overall?
Like you I don't want something too fast, in part so it doesn't spoil the other stuff, and frankly you don't need it. I'm lucky to live surrounded by some good B roads, but equally want something I can do decent distances in with relative ease.
It seems as I suspected fro my experience of 90k miles in a more regular petrol Golf that a GTI could well do it all, cheers
I agree with what Dr G was saying In summary whilst it may not be the fastest or easiest car, it is the best overall?
Like you I don't want something too fast, in part so it doesn't spoil the other stuff, and frankly you don't need it. I'm lucky to live surrounded by some good B roads, but equally want something I can do decent distances in with relative ease.
It seems as I suspected fro my experience of 90k miles in a more regular petrol Golf that a GTI could well do it all, cheers
It's a bit like Clarkson said (in my opinion); it's good at everything but isn't the best in any particular area.
I had a Mk 7 on a 14 plate for 3 years. I loved every minute. Comfortable, quick enough, sure footed, can do pretty much any task you throw at it. I had the PP version and loved the diff!
Obviously it will break traction in the wet with some spirited acceleration but there's zero torque steer.
My front tyres didn't last very long (mine was on Conti's) but I did exercise it frequently once up to temperature!
In short; you won't regret it
Mk7.5 GTI DSG here
Positives:
Good chassis even as standard, damping well judged
Good driving position
Engine has decent poke and still good mpg
Nice interior, with no rattles at all on mine
Good standard equipment level
Looks good to me eyes whilst remaining discreet
DSG great for everyday cruising
Negatives:
Electric steering devoid of any feel
DSG removes fun and involvement when pressing on
Chassis whilst highly competent, isn't set up to be playful
Arguably not particularly fun
Ultimately a very competant all rounder, but not a car that would make you eager to grab the keys and go for a blast.
Positives:
Good chassis even as standard, damping well judged
Good driving position
Engine has decent poke and still good mpg
Nice interior, with no rattles at all on mine
Good standard equipment level
Looks good to me eyes whilst remaining discreet
DSG great for everyday cruising
Negatives:
Electric steering devoid of any feel
DSG removes fun and involvement when pressing on
Chassis whilst highly competent, isn't set up to be playful
Arguably not particularly fun
Ultimately a very competant all rounder, but not a car that would make you eager to grab the keys and go for a blast.
Though manual is my preferred option I'm intrigued as to how the DSG performs (knowing it's a 6 speed wet clutch)
In my MK7 1.4 TSI ACT the DSG was a dry clutch 7 speed and at low speeds it was verging on dangerous; glide into a roundabout on light throttle so as to merge with the traffic, and etting back on the gas there ensued such a lag that you could literally count - in part for me it spoiled what was an otherwise superb mileage muncher.
In my MK7 1.4 TSI ACT the DSG was a dry clutch 7 speed and at low speeds it was verging on dangerous; glide into a roundabout on light throttle so as to merge with the traffic, and etting back on the gas there ensued such a lag that you could literally count - in part for me it spoiled what was an otherwise superb mileage muncher.
acme said:
Fantastic reply, many thanks, just what I was looking for.
In summary whilst it may not be the fastest or easiest car, it is the best overall?
Like you I don't want something too fast, in part so it doesn't spoil the other stuff, and frankly you don't need it. I'm lucky to live surrounded by some good B roads, but equally want something I can do decent distances in with relative ease.
It seems as I suspected fro my experience of 90k miles in a more regular petrol Golf that a GTI could well do it all, cheers
I'm going to be biased as I own one, but I'd sum it up by saying,In summary whilst it may not be the fastest or easiest car, it is the best overall?
Like you I don't want something too fast, in part so it doesn't spoil the other stuff, and frankly you don't need it. I'm lucky to live surrounded by some good B roads, but equally want something I can do decent distances in with relative ease.
It seems as I suspected fro my experience of 90k miles in a more regular petrol Golf that a GTI could well do it all, cheers
"It's not the best at any particular thing, but it remains the best in class overall"
I absolutely love mine, and I'm glad I chose the GTI, which I'll have remapped, over the less-engaging R (based on what I've heard)
acme said:
Thanks again for the replies. Next thing is to test one & not get too hung up on spec, which ideally is PP, heated seats & sunroof. Won’t be too picky on 3/5 door either. They do seem to hold their money, wonder how the MK8 will impact that?
I don't think the MK8 will affect the MK7/7.5 values, but only time will tell. The GTi's do seem to hold their value well, better than the GTD's i'd say - maybe that's down to numbers sold. I have a MK7.5 GTD DSG at the moment on lease which goes back next January - i'm looking to buy a 7.5 GTi manual (i've driven a GTD manual, and it's a nice snappy change with a fairly short throw). I'm just hoping my budget of 18k will be enough!Heated seats were standard fit from 65-plate on.
Gassing Station | Audi, Seat, Skoda & VW | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff