The Mega Mk7 Golf GTI/GTD/R thread

theintern wrote: »

Some great stuff in there.

This one is a 162 so hopefully it's activated, if not I'll be asking to have it included.

I would never have thought of the sat nav sd card, or the centre caps on the wheels, cheers!

If the car has discover pro, i.e the bigger screen there won't be an SD card and app connect is enabled as standard.

If buying from a main dealer, you are mostly covered anyway but there are a few niggles to consider.

There's a few bits to consider with them mechanically IMO but they are probably only things you need to be aware of if buying internationally or from a non franchise seller.

Someone on here recently with a GTD had issues with the coolant sludging I think. This is becoming increasingly common and isn't exclusive to the diesels, any model with life long coolant can (and do) suffer. Symptoms are low heat output in the cabin and dirty or discoloured coolant so make sure the coolant is a fresh light pink colour and that the cabin heaters get good and hot.

leaking coolant pumps/ thermostat housings are popular too but there's no real way to check for this pre purchase as the pump is buried in the engine bay and leaks are usually very gradual, but no harm to make sure the coolant level is correct.

All multimedia control unit units, both pre and post facelift can be subject to various glitches, most can be solved with simple software updates but just make sure the infotainment, bluetooth, park pilot and nav work correctly, fluidly and are responsive to touch and aren't doing anything unexpected.

Keyfob batterys don't last very long in these cars, whether they have keyless entry or not, the batterys only seem to last 2 years ish tops, they are cheap and easy to replace but again i'd just make sure both keys are working at test drive. The engine start button on keyless cars can fail too, so make sure one gentle press of the button starts the car, having to push the button hard or more than once is a sign of failure on the way but again, these buttons are a cheap easy replacement.

If looking at a DSG car, make sure there is no juddering/ shuddering or squeaking noises when taking off or changing gear or this could be indicative of excessive wear on the clutch pack, they aren't particularly prone to this, but if it's seen hard driving previously it's a possibility. I'd also make sure to shift in and out of park a good few times as the park lock switches in the selector can fail, it won't leave you stranded but it does put a warning light on the dashboard for the gearbox.

The high beam assist modules located in the rear view mirror are prone to failure too, so activate the high beam assist by pushing forward the light stalk (even on a day time test drive) as once the system is activated, even when not in use, the fault will show up on the dashboard if the module is faulty.

The foam gasket around the rear door speaks can crumble and fail which lets rainwater leak into the rear passenger footwells, this isn't too common but it does happen so I'd just make sure the rear carpets are dry and the rear speakers are working. While you're back there make sure the center rear air vent works and the controls are in place, it's more popular in family wagon Golfs than performance models but the positioning of the vent means kids with little legs kick the little directional adjusters off the vents and they then get swallowed down into the vent.

The window switches are made from chocolate too so make sure they all work and make sure that one touch works for both front windows. Sometimes all they need is to be re calibrated but the mechanism in the switch can fail too, you should feel the switch clicking firmly at each activation, if the switch feels vague or loose, it's knackered.

Looks like a long list, but none are huge issues (bar maybe the coolant issues) and most can be easily rectified, even DIY.

Performance pack models are due a diff oil change every 4 years regardless of mileage, so that might be a good throw in to get if you are looking at 2016-ish models. The first brake fluid change is due at 3 years old too, so i'd make sure a 2016 car has had this done. The DSG oil change interval on the 7 speed is a lot longer at 120k kms.

Great advice there TFB, are you a VAG tech/sales man?

I'd be very taken aback if a salesman had any knowledge to that degree...

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

You'd often wonder how salesmen make it to work in the mornings. I've a few good friends in sales. Fancy watch, Pringle socks, Geordie shore hair doo, but the lights are on and nobody's home. They'll approach you looking a million dollars and smelling like a Hollister store and then ask you how do you know how many spokes an alloy wheel has or something. You have to marvel at what they do though, it's a way of life, I couldn't hack it now personally.

The ears on every Audi salesman in the country are burning

Bet-on tight shiny suit... pointy brown shoes... ice white teeth :pac:

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

You'd often wonder how salesmen make it to work in the mornings. I've a few good friends in sales. Fancy watch, Pringle socks, Geordie shore hair doo, but the lights are on and nobody's home. They'll approach you looking a million dollars and smelling like a Hollister store and then ask you how do you know how many spokes an alloy wheel has or something. You have to marvel at what they do though, it's a way of life, I couldn't hack it now personally.

Just back home from checking out the car, and that description of the salesman is literally exactly correct

Thanks for the advice guys, and especially Joe, meant I went in there knowing my stuff or at least sounding like I did! Took the car for a test drive and inspected it pretty closely and honestly couldn't find anything really wrong. One of the alloys has a nick and app connect wasn't enabled so was delighted I knew to check.

I had my mind mostly made up already but when there were no red flags, I went ahead and made the deal. Officially part of the club now and can't wait to pick it up next week! They're going to fix the alloy scuff and enable app connect for me.

I didn't get a chance to read the advice here about the services before I got there, so I'll be checking to see what they're going to do when they service it and try get some of those bits done.

After 13 years of owning (and loving ) GTi's I officially moved on yesterday.

The relationship started way back in 2006 when I got a one year old, black 3 door Mk 5 Gti, which I held on to until 2011, when I gave it to the Mrs. She kept the car until 2017, when she traded it for a Toyota HCR (no accounting for taste there )

I upgraded to a nearly new Grey Mk 6 Gti in 2011, which in the height of the recession and was one of the few Mk6's on the roads. The spec was pretty bleak, but it was pretty exclusive...

I pre ordered a Mk7 when the order book opened around May 2013, and received my car just 2 week after Joe got his. I think I was one of the first batch of Mk7 Gti in the country at that time. There are a few pics of that car on here (way back). That one was a manual 5 door, white, with a panno roof and DCC. Unfortunately the DCC was possibly broken as the ride (even in comfort) was harsh.

Held on to that one until Aug 15, when I upgraded to the MK7 DSG Carbon grey, again with the panno and DCC, and upgraded media (again a few pictures on here somewhere). Did love that car, and was sorry to see it go.

Have loved the time with the cars, and If I was to pick my fav it would be the first Mk5, due to it being my first performance car and just a simple but great drive, without all of todays gadgets.

That car and would always put a big big smile on the face

Did you eventually buy one of those cars you were telling me about MisterDrak?

You have to tell us what you’ve moved onto misterdrak.

Well wear.
Hope you get much pleasure from it.
Did you trade in gti?
There are more and more petrol af hybrid 5 series being sold now.
I’m in a g31 520d myself and the 5 is a super car. Do a lot more mileage than you so diesel suits.

Sounds like your GTi would be a good buy for someone on here MisterDrak.

Good luck with the new car.

Is that the Mediterranean Blue 530i that Beshoffs had for sale?

I saw a sweet 191-WW-4 grey GTI-P yesterday near Greystones on my way to work. Anyone here own it? It was very nice!!

Car looks the business MisterDark! Not sure about the suit though lol.

I’d consider swapping the front grills to the gloss black versions though if it were mine. Nicer than the chrome imo especially on an M Sport.

After what seemed like an age but was actually only a week, finally picked up my GTI yesterday. The dealer forgot to enable app connect as promised so have to go back to him but apart from that I'm over the moon.

Just gave it a quick wash and wax to get rid of the all the water spots the dealer left on it so I'm ready to show it off..

162, PP, Carbon Grey, manual, keyless, 17k miles, 19 inch Santiagos, reversing camera, alarm. Lovely thing to pick a car up on Friday and have the time to enjoy it over the weekend. Getting on the power is a joy, loving how it feels through corners, but taking it very handy at the moment till I get used to the extra power...

The colour is very interesting, really looks different in different lights, I wasn't sure about it when I first saw it but it's growing on me big time.