The Mega MK7 & MK8 Golf GTI/GTD/R thread - Part II

Cetera

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118109933#Comment_118109933

Yeah, a camper was the plan and something to lug around the bikes. Then I realised how expensive that would be..not to mention the VRT cost to change from commercial to a camper! All in all, a very costly and foolish decision, which my missus reminds me of daily 😂

But sure, I’m happy out now with the R and all is forgotten 😂

JoeA3

I’m sure she forgave your financial folly when she saw the flash blue Golf arriving 😄

A colleague of mine has a new California on order. It’ll be at least another 6 months before he gets it. They’re big money, you’d really want to be into the camping. Conversions aren’t cheap either as you’ve discovered.

Cetera

Yeah, the California’s are very expensive alright - especially the higher spec ones! But buying a new transporter, converting it and paying the VRT isn’t far behind buying a new California 😂

She asking for me to insure her on it…………that’s another conversation however!

Zurbaran

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118109761#Comment_118109761

Exactly how I see it although I only imagine launching the thing once just for the novelty.

My yokes build week is this week but I have my suspicions that has not actually been the case.. After my last interactions with the dealer I’m not really arsed checking in with them.

Again the whole shine has gone off it but I guess we will see how it plays out.

Cetera

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118110416#Comment_118110416

What did you go for Zurbaran?

JoeA3

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118111150#Comment_118111150

He has a CS on order.

mcburns07

I usually go easy on new cars for the first 1-2km but to be honest I don't tend to drive my cars hard. You don't need to rag a modern hot hatch to extract performance anyway, they're plenty quick even when driven well within themselves.

Track use would be different of course.

Cetera

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118111835#Comment_118111835

Yeah, I won’t be driving it overly hard. I just want to start giving it a few full rev ranges in first and second. I’m probably safe enough to do that at this stage.

JoeA3

#Strut-gate problem solved.

Zurbaran

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118111150#Comment_118111150

As Joe says a cs. I may come across a bit moody about it but that’s just the buying experience, it’s not the wait which I knew was going to happen. Will all change of course on pickup if they don’t try anymore messing with the numbers but I doubt that.

I wasn’t initially but I’d be fully prepared to take it in December if it is actually being built now as I reckon the vrt increase alone will be around 2.5k but I don’t fully know how to calculate it.

Zurbaran

Did you fit the strut yourself Joe?

JoeA3

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118115909#Comment_118115909

Yep. 2 minute job.

It’s a RacingLine product, specifically for the MK8. I picked it up from Golden’s in Cork.

Zurbaran

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118115916#Comment_118115916

I had seen somewhere (not sure what brand) they were rubbing off some other parts but I’m assuming yours is okay?

How much was it if you don’t mind me asking?

JoeA3

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118116108#Comment_118116108

No issues with it rubbing or catching anything. I also removed the original manual strut, that may have got in the way alright if I left it in place. VW have left one of the mounting points in place for it and it was just a case of fitting a 2nd mounting point on the bonnet itself - you just remove an existing 10mm bolt and replace it with the supplied one. After that, the strut clips into place.

Its about €85.

Cetera

Pointless post…. but I managed 7.7l/100km on a 2 hour motorway spin in wind and wet roads. Cruise control locked at 125km/hour. Pretty decent for the performance. The 110bhp transporter on the same journey would do 7.1l/100km 😂

JoeA3

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118130750#Comment_118130750

I still struggle to get my head around litres/100km so I have it set to mpg in the car…

I got around the same on a recent long spin. But my long term average is around 25mpg!

Cetera

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118130767#Comment_118130767

Yeah, my long term average is around 27mpg, but I haven’t really driven it on too much yet

JoeA3

Another little mod. I had these in a box since before I got the car, but only got around to them today. I managed to do it without removing the glass too which is some achievement, given my typical DIY ability! Obviously easier to get at the clips if you remove the glass but there's a good chance of cracking the glass if you try that as @GavRedKing found out...

Once you release the clips, they pop off easily. The side assist lights are a little fiddly to remove then but not too bad once you've done one.

Pleased with result anyway!

ILikeBoats

New wing mirror caps or indicators?

I bought black caps for mine, also could get them popped off without removing the mirrors. Then the replacement caps wouldn't fit!! Bloody aliexpress 😣

JoeA3

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118137212#Comment_118137212

Just the black mirror caps.

These are AliExpress too and the fit is perfect. VW don’t supply them as an official part / accessory with the side assist cut outs. You’d have to buy them primed and then get them painted so it’d work out pricey.

Sexual Chocolate

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118104483#Comment_118104483

What model of Hankooks are on it already ? I'm currently shopping around for new tyres for my ST as the Grenlanders that came with it are 💩

Are Hankooks what the GTIs come with as standard ?

JoeA3

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118137805#Comment_118137805

It varies, there doesn't seem to be any pattern to it. Probably whichever tyres are closest to hand on the day its built. Mine is on Hankook too but I've seen them on Bridgestones and Goodyear too. Those seem to be the 3 of choice.

The Hankooks are Ventus S1 Evo3.

Zurbaran

How do you find the hankooks so far?

My build week has moved to week 6

JoeA3

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118138374#Comment_118138374

No complaints really so far. My one observation is that there's quite a bit of tyre roar / road noise but I'm not sure if that's a characteristic of the tyres or the car in general.

Zurbaran

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118138422#Comment_118138422

I found the same when on the second test drive when I went on the motorway. Was a lot more noisy than I was expecting. Think that one was on Bridgestones. The first test drive was the car Mark reviewed with hankooks but it was a very short test so didn’t notice then.

Is it louder than the 7.5 would you say? I believe the tyres are a bit wider so may be that.

Sexual Chocolate

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118137846#Comment_118137846

Yeah there the ones I was looking at.

Torn between kumhos or Falkens. Can also get PS4's for 132.50 with cash back offer.

See Frank Keane Deansgrange has a red CS in their showroom. 🤤

Killinator

Have to say I've used Hankook Ventus the last several times I've changed tyres and don't have any complaints.

Never found them wanting

JoeA3

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118138462#Comment_118138462

Tyres are exactly the same size as those fitted to the 19’s on the MK7 R. It’s a few years since I had the R so it’s difficult to make back to back comparisons but I do suspect the tyre roar is more noticeable in the MK8.

DaveyDave

On the topic of tyres, I watched this the other day. Pilot Sport 4 and Eagle F1 AS5 seem to be best all around from the tyres tested.

https://youtu.be/176LXZFUucc

Zurbaran

I have eagle f1 assy 5 on my current car and would definitely recommend them.