The Mega Mk7 Golf GTI/GTD/R thread

I'm driving a Leon FR with the same engine as the new GTD. The only time I get less than mid-50s to a tank is when I have to do some town driving, regularly hits closer to 60. That's 90% N-Roads at around the limit and 10% in really heavy traffic.

Cane it up and down to work and it does 50, carefully breaks 60 with ease. Just to show what can be had if you're careful:

The weight loss on the MQB cars has made a big difference. I had a CR170 VRS and 44 was about all I got from that.

It's not the same as what you're looking at but I drove a Mark V GTI recently and got straight into my Leon afterwards.

For normal driving the Leon felt faster. By normal driving I mean taking it to about 3.5k revs maximum. The newer diesel engine in them is pretty refined and more free revving than the previous ones. You can have fun on back roads but you do drive it a little different - you can be caught out in the wrong gear if you're not careful. There's very little lag and it's pretty linear. But when pushed the GTI just keeps pulling to the red line, whereas the diesel is finished at about 4.5k and you need to change up. To me that's an annoyance. There's less weight over the front end in the GTI which is also nice - you do feel it pushing on.


To me at your mileage I'd probably go for the GTI. It won't ruin you with running costs. I'm doing about twice your mileage so the diesel savings are very noticeable.

carsfan wrote: »

I didn't realise the noise was fake. I thought the exhaust sounded good too . Is this artificial too?
I drove the regular gti but would get the performance model which has a front diff that is supposed to improve the handling even more.
Vw have improved the spec of the cars and are offering 3 free service sand a free tech pack if ordered before the end of this month.
The dealer I am talking to says that the petrol is making a big comeback and he has sold no gtd models and a couple of gtis along with 3 golf r.

Exhaust note is real alright and very nice sounding... but hard to hear it unless you are idling or have the windows down at low speed. The cabins are so well insulated these days, hence VW putting this artificial yoke in!

Yeah the spec changes and offers that VW are doing now make it an attractive proposition. You know that the R is "only" around 4.5k over the GTI PP now too?

It always puzzles me that people can be very comfortable spending upwards of €35k on the car itself but are so apprehensive if it costs a bit more in motor tax or fuel consumption. Generally the biggest cost associated with a car especially a brand new one, is depreciation.

Not saying it is irrational to buy new. If no new cars were bought then there would be no second hand ones. It's a nice feeling to own a car that someone else hasn't owned before you.

But my point really is that people seem to focus on the wrong costs - €570 v €200 motor tax, 30mpg v 40mpg. These are minute in relation to spending upwards of €35k on the car itself, yet they become the deciding factor when buying.

carsfan wrote: »

My neighbour bought a 120k car recently and is delighted it costs 390 euro to tax.

Nice! What car did s/he buy?

To be honest, the GTD is overpriced for what it is. It's a warm hatch priced higher than the hot hatch GTI.

Used GTDs go for big money due to the mix of running costs and poke but GTIs also aren't selling as well as they used to meaning used ones ain't cheap either.

The GTD will be cheaper overall most likely but it comes down to if you want to spend the bit extra for the better car.

carsfan wrote: »

Mister dark, is yours manual or dsg?
What do you think of the car overall?
Tbh those figures are putting me off. I thought I would manage closer to 40. Maybe I would as my commute is 20 miles each way on main roads and a little town driving.
I would prefer the gti over gtd I think but am torn. I think gtd is so dear may as well buy a 320d bmw if that's the way I'm going

You'll certainly get mid to high 30's if your commute is mainly N roads and you keep your speed at or under the limit and keep the revs down, etc, etc... but what's the point of a GTI if you can't push on a bit?

The MK7 is definitely more economical than previous generations (I had a MK5 too and it's noticeably better on fuel than that was). The MK7 has stop/start tech too although I'm a bit skeptical as to how effective that is. 30+ mpg on a 230bhp petrol car is pretty good IMO

But if you are that anxious about a few MPG then I think it's not the car for you.

I'm also seriously considering a change from the 520d e61m to the mk7R.

Haven't been able to find a test drive car in dublin yet. I've read that some of the garages are getting demos in Jan.
Only option I'm touch and go on is the DCC. Is the standard ride ok for my motorway commute I wonder?
Rear view cam, keyless and the winter pack are cheap additions. The larger screen, leather and dcc are all 1.8-2k each, bit steep.

Had a mk5 gti before the E61 and that averaged 33/34 mpg again and again on my mostly m50 commute. From looking at the uk mk7r forum, that's easily achieved unless you're caning it.

My other 2 options are 1-2 year old 330d or A7 Quattro. I'm a one car family with two kids 6 and 8, so I don't need the estate space any more.

Interesting that your delivery is already February. Might hang on to test drive and order for July reg instead.

EDIT: btw my e61 average on the same commute as the gti is 43mpg. So you can expect to spend about 30% more annually on petrol. I'm happy with that given the performance you get.

carsfan wrote: »

The recession must be over if we are all thinking of getting out of our diesel 520s and into petrol gti/r golfs.

Must be!
For me it's down to an 'amount' to spend on a replacement every 2-3 years.

The 520d touring is great and filled a necessary need for space, but the running costs are high, wheels and parts especially. It's blown two injectors and also recently blew the turbo in the 2.5 yes I've had it. I'm not a hard driver at all and it's the tame steptronic. Both times were on the m50 at 60mph tripping along to work at 7am.

EDIT: forgot to add, the run flats are €300 per corner, replaced 3 sets since I got it. And got them aligned every time. It's bloody melting them!

the diff between 35mpg and 43mpg isn't as big as the diff in performance, and hopefully a decent service pack & warranty.
Both were similar price before but now the R is nearly 10€k cheaper, albeit with a slightly lesser spec.

carsfan wrote: »

Now trying to decide on final spec for the car.
Any body opinions on the options. I would like leather as that's what I have and think it improves the look and feel of the interior.
Anybody have it in theirs?

Leather is lovely - but it's very expensive and VW leather quality isn't the best from what I've seen. How about a (cheaper) compromise. The half-leather / alcantara option. I spec'd this and it's very nice, and it's less than half the cost of full leather.



Keyless entry is another very useful option, definitely one I'd glad I spec'd.

blingrhino wrote: »

Lapis blue
5 door dsg
Sat nav and rear view camera standard and a service pack thrown in if you order before end of November .
For the extra 5 grand over the Gti I think you will,always be kicking yourself you did not go the extra mile to get the R.
Never drove one !

I've also ordered similar spec, 5 door dsg, Lapiz blue, leather. Lots of other bits and pieces come as standard. Didn't bother with the DCC or upgraded professional nav. Test drove the one Keanes had a couple of months ago. Didn't think it was worth the "old" premium over the GTI but with the price and spec changes it makes a lot more sense now.

carsfan wrote: »

That half leather/alcantara looks lovely.
Can I ask are the arm rests covered in leather/leatherette and is the centre portion of the seat alcantara or the normal fabric.finally are the back of the front seats leather or fabric?
It looks lovely as you get to keep the check pattern. Any more pics?
I'm deffo going keyless option too.

Yes, armrest, door cards, seat backs, backs of headrests, are all covered in leather (or more likely "leatherette"). It's pretty much the same coverage as full leather except for the centre of the seats (fabric) and the inside of the bolsters (alcantara).
The centres of the seats are the normal check-pattern fabric.

Here's another pic:

Ah jesus, was hoping with my R on order I'll be unique, but seems to be an invasion coming!! (brace yourself!)

What build week are ye all getting? I have build week 51 which is quite good seeing I ordered it 2 weeks ago. UK guys are seeing up to 6months waiting time.

Joe,

I do like that alcantara trim, if I go again, im ordering that...

What do you use as mats ? Just the standards ones supplied with the car, or do you have additional on top of that ?

Also do you find any scuffing on the GTi kick boards / sills, if so have to you keep them in order ?