Discussion
2017 brought the facelift, and you ideally want the 245bhp model with the better diff.
From 2016 onwards they all had decent spec as standard (heated seats etc)
The facelift brought apple carplay and android auto as standard, which is high up on my wishlist.
Beyond alot of the uprgraded 245 peromance pack models come with bigger wheels, which although look great, make it heavier and the ride far worse.
Optional upgrades, if you are an audiophile then standard speakers wont be good enough,
If it is equipped with factory leather, it will likely have electric seats, the tartan option is manually operated.
From 2016 onwards they all had decent spec as standard (heated seats etc)
The facelift brought apple carplay and android auto as standard, which is high up on my wishlist.
Beyond alot of the uprgraded 245 peromance pack models come with bigger wheels, which although look great, make it heavier and the ride far worse.
Optional upgrades, if you are an audiophile then standard speakers wont be good enough,
If it is equipped with factory leather, it will likely have electric seats, the tartan option is manually operated.
The mark 7 ran from 2013 until 2017. There weren’t a huge amount of options, but ones to have (for me at least) would be the performance pack, dynaudio, adaptive chassis control, larger nav. Leather was an option too. I think even a standard one is decently equipped for what it is.
They’re a great all rounder, a decent drive but relatively cheap to run and practical with a good badge, hence the prices.
They’re a great all rounder, a decent drive but relatively cheap to run and practical with a good badge, hence the prices.
bencollins4 said:
The mark 7 ran from 2013 until 2017. There weren’t a huge amount of options, but ones to have (for me at least) would be the performance pack, dynaudio, adaptive chassis control, larger nav. Leather was an option too. I think even a standard one is decently equipped for what it is.
They’re a great all rounder, a decent drive but relatively cheap to run and practical with a good badge, hence the prices.
Sorry I meant mk 7 and 7.5, again my knowledge is limitedThey’re a great all rounder, a decent drive but relatively cheap to run and practical with a good badge, hence the prices.
The Mk7.5 (2017 onwards) is probably the optimum choice here, in particular a car with the 'Performance Pack'. If I remember right, the late 2019 models onwards were all fitted with the 'Performance Pack' as standard, as a run-out perk. You'll find most facelift cars are DSG too.
Options wise, as above, the more sought after options would be a larger wheel choice, Dynamic Chassic Control (DCC), leather interior, dynaudio and perhaps sunroof. However, worth doing some research on the latter as MANY examples of cars fitted with these starting to creak and rattle with age, some leaking due to blocked drainage holes, which is an issue that has plagued the VAG group for quite sometime.
Colour wise, on a facelift car, I'd personally go for something a little more unusual, such as White Silver, Issac Blue or Onyx White.....be careful of those facelift cars which are advertised as black....as it may be 'Ruby Black', which in my opinion is really not very nice in the flesh. (Brown/burgundy) and was discontinued very shortly after release for good reason.
The standard tartan interior is pleasant enough to be honest, but if you can find a car with the option 'art velours' alcantara option, i'd say that is possible the optimum choice...of course leather is a nice touch too.
Standard GTi wheels are 18" 5 Spoke "Parker" wheels, which again are nice enough and probably the best option for a non-DCC equipped car....however, i'm quite keen on the 19" Brescia and Santiago wheels, which were both options. I would avoid any car which may have been retrofitted with the "Pretoria" wheels from the Golf R, as these were prone to buckles and cracks for whatever reason.
Then of course I guess the ultimately Mk7.5 choice would be the Golf GTi TCR which took power to 290bhp and was offered in 'Pure Grey' and unique interior/trim level....but you'd budget would need to stretch. (This was a specific model, not a GTi pack so to speak).
Do a google search for "2019 Golf GTi Brochure pdf" and you'll soon get a better feel for what you may / may not want.
Options wise, as above, the more sought after options would be a larger wheel choice, Dynamic Chassic Control (DCC), leather interior, dynaudio and perhaps sunroof. However, worth doing some research on the latter as MANY examples of cars fitted with these starting to creak and rattle with age, some leaking due to blocked drainage holes, which is an issue that has plagued the VAG group for quite sometime.
Colour wise, on a facelift car, I'd personally go for something a little more unusual, such as White Silver, Issac Blue or Onyx White.....be careful of those facelift cars which are advertised as black....as it may be 'Ruby Black', which in my opinion is really not very nice in the flesh. (Brown/burgundy) and was discontinued very shortly after release for good reason.
The standard tartan interior is pleasant enough to be honest, but if you can find a car with the option 'art velours' alcantara option, i'd say that is possible the optimum choice...of course leather is a nice touch too.
Standard GTi wheels are 18" 5 Spoke "Parker" wheels, which again are nice enough and probably the best option for a non-DCC equipped car....however, i'm quite keen on the 19" Brescia and Santiago wheels, which were both options. I would avoid any car which may have been retrofitted with the "Pretoria" wheels from the Golf R, as these were prone to buckles and cracks for whatever reason.
Then of course I guess the ultimately Mk7.5 choice would be the Golf GTi TCR which took power to 290bhp and was offered in 'Pure Grey' and unique interior/trim level....but you'd budget would need to stretch. (This was a specific model, not a GTi pack so to speak).
Do a google search for "2019 Golf GTi Brochure pdf" and you'll soon get a better feel for what you may / may not want.
Edited by MattyD803 on Friday 4th August 15:55
Edited by MattyD803 on Friday 4th August 17:03
MK7.5 was the last 3-door, finished in 2018. If considering a non PP car, I would recommend the 18" wheels, not the 19" upgrade as very noticeable difference on ride quality. Also tyres, GTI is renowned for road noise due to uneven wear on tread. Cheaper non OEM tyres make this worse imho and brand of tyre also affects how durable tread is before the dreaded road noise. PS4 were particularly short-lived.
Thanks for all the advice guys
This one has come up local to me, I’m guessing way overpriced for what it is?
https://www.esplanade.co.uk/vehicles/used/1020804/...
This one has come up local to me, I’m guessing way overpriced for what it is?
https://www.esplanade.co.uk/vehicles/used/1020804/...
I think that is overpriced by about £4k. I'm sure there are cheaper examples on Auto-trader. The Onyx white is the more expensive paint option over metallic. It has the 19" Santiago alloys which look nice but are a pain to clean and does make the ride a little harder. Also has leather rather than tartan.
If you want a Mk 7 rather than a 7.5, the closer to 2017 the better spec it has included as standard. I've got one of the run-out Mk7 models but even that didn't have Apple CarPlay/Android Auto as standard.
If you want a Mk 7 rather than a 7.5, the closer to 2017 the better spec it has included as standard. I've got one of the run-out Mk7 models but even that didn't have Apple CarPlay/Android Auto as standard.
Edited by Aunty Pasty on Tuesday 8th August 20:55
Don’t overlook the GTD as these outsold GTIs consistently in the earlier Mk7 model years, and certainly offer a lot as an allrounder. This commonality explains why they’re usually found at 15-20% below GTI prices, despite near identical list price new.
I was looking at GTIs and Rs, before concluding a GTD fitted my current needs amply. You may rightly assume a GTI has the nicer drivetrain, but don’t overlook the derv if you’re only relying on hearsay.
That £20k 2016 GTI isn’t much out of step with current prices, certainly not 20% - though I’d expect it to slip up to 5% or so if it doesn’t sell in the next 4 weeks or so.
I was looking at GTIs and Rs, before concluding a GTD fitted my current needs amply. You may rightly assume a GTI has the nicer drivetrain, but don’t overlook the derv if you’re only relying on hearsay.
That £20k 2016 GTI isn’t much out of step with current prices, certainly not 20% - though I’d expect it to slip up to 5% or so if it doesn’t sell in the next 4 weeks or so.
The Cardinal said:
Don’t overlook the GTD as these outsold GTIs consistently in the earlier Mk7 model years, and certainly offer a lot as an allrounder. This commonality explains why they’re usually found at 15-20% below GTI prices, despite near identical list price new.
I was looking at GTIs and Rs, before concluding a GTD fitted my current needs amply. You may rightly assume a GTI has the nicer drivetrain, but don’t overlook the derv if you’re only relying on hearsay.
That £20k 2016 GTI isn’t much out of step with current prices, certainly not 20% - though I’d expect it to slip up to 5% or so if it doesn’t sell in the next 4 weeks or so.
Thanks, diesel isn't really fit for my use, I will be covering around 8k miles a year mainly on b roadsI was looking at GTIs and Rs, before concluding a GTD fitted my current needs amply. You may rightly assume a GTI has the nicer drivetrain, but don’t overlook the derv if you’re only relying on hearsay.
That £20k 2016 GTI isn’t much out of step with current prices, certainly not 20% - though I’d expect it to slip up to 5% or so if it doesn’t sell in the next 4 weeks or so.
Hippea said:
Thanks, diesel isn't really fit for my use, I will be covering around 8k miles a year mainly on b roads
I think this is the right choice moving forwards. I had a brand new Mk7 GTD DSG back in 2015 and whilst it was very capable (for a diesel), it wasn't a patch on the GTi, especially not a 245bhp PP car. My overall economy over the 2 years averaged just over 43mpg, so not particularly brilliant on fuel either.Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff