Golf GTI: the good, the bad, the weird...and appreciation thread

[Johnson4]

Hi all,

I've had my GTI for just over a month now. Brilliant "little" car, and a lot of fun. In the past I've owned a Hilux, an MR2, an MX5 and a *cough* Lancer... so here's a few things that surprised me compared to those cars:

The Good

• The footwell light -- neat!
• The silky smoothness of... well, everything! That engine is as smooth as butter... not sure I've ever experienced anything like it.
• The fuel warning reminder... it says please!
• The hi-fi -- it was only by accident that I discovered I had a 6-disc changer!
• The auto-lights, just brilliant (the auto-wipers, not so much).
• The cruise control -- still works a treat with manual transmission.
• The steering wheel. That leather is just so delicious I could eat it with a spoon.

The Not-So-Good

• The footrest to the right of the accelerator pedal -- handy, but often my foot gets caught on it. Has made for some interesting hill starts.
• The MDI interface with my iPhone -- always says it's "not optimised for this device" and will often confuse track titles or not play the first few seconds of the track.
• The 18" rims -- gutter magnets. Everytime I park I get the sweats.

And the Weird...

• It could be my imagination, but when accelerating it feels like there's a noticable drop in torque around 2.5-3k... passengers notice it too, like I've taken my foot off the accelerator. Any ideas?
• I asked the dealer to disable the day-time lights, but for some reason they're now back on. I'm pretty sure I haven't reset any factory settings...

I'd be interested to hear your thoughts...

[hooba]

For the gutter magnets, I'd recommend you take a look at Rimskins - Wheel Rim Protectorshome - whilst they don't look that discrete when installed on the 18s, they certainly do wonders for your nerves.

To add to your list:
The Good

• Anti glare rear view mirror - bloody brilliant.
• Rear view camera - considering the amount of tight inner city work I do, I don't think I could buy another new car without one.
• The subtle exhaust note, just enough to make it sound fun.
• The rear dipping passenger side mirror, brilliant for spotting high gutters.
• The bottom end torque, oh boy, do I love that GRUNT.
• The little bit of fur covering the front seat belt clips - noice!

The Not-So-Good

• The user manual is tough reading.
• The dumbo rear view mirrors - they stick out by a long way. If they offered a large view of what is going behind like the Audi A4 I could forgive them, but these ones don't.
• The user interface with the stereo and climatronic could be easier to understand and become familiar with.
• I still haven't mastered the art of controlling the auto recirculation of the air.

And the Weird...

• Hectic drivers who want to race....

[Corey_R]

The footrest to the right of the accelerator pedal -- handy, but often my foot gets caught on it. Has made for some interesting hill starts.

There's a footrest to the right of the accelerator pedal?!

[mfl]

There's a footrest to the right of the accelerator pedal?!

I use the vertical section of trim next to the accelerator a footrest too, when using the cruise-control

The Good

* The interior, especially the GTI cloth trim ( 1st car without a leather interior in 10 yrs)
* The front seats in the GTI.
* The bottom end torque.

The Not-So-Good

* The indicators on the left-hand side of the steering column
* The brakes could be better.
* The user manual is tough reading.
* The too subtle exhaust note
* The lacks of exhaust pops etc, - in the manual compared to the DSG.
* The drivers seating position, needs more adjustment.
* Sun-glasses holder too small
* ESP you cant fully switch-off
* No turbo boost or oil pressure gauge.

And the Weird...

* One only reversing light,

[slipshot]

Lol... I do too... but it's "vertical trim", not a foot rest, and so listing that as a bad point is hardly fair

Anyway... to add to the lists:
The Good

• The indicators on the left-hand side of the steering column
• The too subtle exhaust note
• The drivers seating position

Too right on these. The indicators being on the right is a weird thing for me when so many cars available in Aus are also in the UK and the indicators are on the left. Which means they either cannot be arsed or it costs too much - or something else. Anyhow, it's nice to have two cars now the same and stops the errant wiper sweeps we're all so used to.

Always found drivers seating position fine after finessing. Woh betide any one who tries to mess it with it as it takes ages, for me, to get it just right.

[triode12]

Too right on these. The indicators being on the right is a weird thing for me when so many cars available in Aus are also in the UK and the indicators are on the left. Which means they either cannot be arsed or it costs too much - or something else. Anyhow, it's nice to have two cars now the same and stops the errant wiper sweeps we're all so used to.

Always found drivers seating position fine after finessing. Woh betide any one who tries to mess it with it as it takes ages, for me, to get it just right.

AFAIK the position of the indicators is the same for most if not all German/continental made cars. e.g. BMW, Holden Astras. It is not a VW specific feature.

[Nath]

AFAIK the position of the indicators is the same for most if not all German/continental made cars. e.g. BMW, Holden Astras. It is not a VW specific feature.

Yep you're correct, friend had a euro built astra and it drove her nuts for the first few months.

[Nath]

Hi all,
And the Weird...

• I asked the dealer to disable the day-time lights, but for some reason they're now back on. I'm pretty sure I haven't reset any factory settings...

The MDI interface is a pain I agree. On the DRLs you can disable them via the indicator stalk, there's instructions in a thread here somewhere but also in the manual.

[booya]

For the gutter magnets, I'd recommend you take a look at Rimskins - Wheel Rim Protectorshome - whilst they don't look that discrete when installed on the 18s, they certainly do wonders for your nerves.

To add to your list:
The Good

• Anti glare rear view mirror - bloody brilliant.
• Rear view camera - considering the amount of tight inner city work I do, I don't think I could buy another new car without one.
• The subtle exhaust note, just enough to make it sound fun.
• The rear dipping passenger side mirror, brilliant for spotting high gutters.
• The bottom end torque, oh boy, do I love that GRUNT.
• The little bit of fur covering the front seat belt clips - noice!

The Not-So-Good

• The user manual is tough reading.
• The dumbo rear view mirrors - they stick out by a long way. If they offered a large view of what is going behind like the Audi A4 I could forgive them, but these ones don't.
• The user interface with the stereo and climatronic could be easier to understand and become familiar with.
• I still haven't mastered the art of controlling the auto recirculation of the air.

And the Weird...

• Hectic drivers who want to race....

How come mine doesn't dip (talking about the passenger side view mirror when in reverse)? How do you activate it?

[booya]

The Good:

1. Brilliant dynamics, absolute JOY to drive everyday to and from work. I actually look forward to that 20-30 minutes of solitude enjoyment!
2. RNS-510 is probably the best system out there right now
3. Rear view camera image quality (even in the dark)
4. Best steering wheel design ever!!!!!!

The not-so-good:

1. Some ignorant people still reckon its girly!
2. Rear view camera should have guide lines on screen to show where the car is being steered to (the lines are instead static)
3. Xenons should be standard for this calibre car
4. No memory function on leather seats (really wanted this feature)


The Weird:
1. The cleverly concealed boot opener / RV camera - was valet parked at a 5 star hotel and wife and valet could not figure out how to open the boot. Also, wife initially thought I had left the latch open when driving off during the first week when it was just the camera "opening up"
2. Single reversing light at the back