How Does Mark VI GTI Compare with Mark V

[Corey_R]

They are both good if u are buying a new car thn mk6, if u want basically the same thing 2nd hand/demo then mk5.

Word/

+1
That's about the sum of it - they're both great cars. I certainly loved my MKV and would still own it if it wasn't crushed.

[Dubya]

Most would agree that the changes between Mark VI and V GTIs are nowhere near as significant as those between previous generations.

The main changes to the GTI in the Mark VI include:

XDL
Knee airbag
8% more power
Better radio head unit
Better fuel economy (~-0.4l/100km)
New twin exhaust
No door protector strips
No air vent on top of dash above radio unit
Additional options (notably ACC, rear view camera, park assist, 8-way power driver's seat)

(The list is more or less in order of how I would value each new feature personally.)

Otherwise, many of the changes seem to be change for changes sake, or at least stylistic rather than functional.

While the front of the Mark V GTI was markedly different from cooking versions of the Golf, the Mark VI is nowhere near as distinctive.

Gone is the deep grill and scooping bumper. The new bumper has a large number plate holder that may mean the small black Euro style NSW plate that looked so good on the front of the Mark V GTI will not fit as neatly - or can the plate holder be removed without leaving mounting holes exposed? If not, white Euro plates would probably be needed to properly fit the plate holder.

While I know new cars take time to get used to, I still think the Mark V is far better looking from the front.

The justification I've read for the new front, ie to invoke the first GTI, seems lame. Could it be that the distinctive grill of the Mark V GTI and GTs was encroaching too much on Audi's image? Or was it the lower production costs of a common bumper across the range that drove the change?

The new front perhaps is the single most (if not only) disappointing part of the new GTI.

The rear of the new Golf is definitely smarter, the painted lower bumper looking much better, as do the tail lights, I think. No question the new twin exhausts are an improvement too.

But other changes appear to be mainly for the sake of change, such as those to the sunroof control knob which has gone from being a neatly recessed knob to one that protrudes quite a bit. The mono instrument binnacle is replaced by one that houses two individual and more sporty binnacles for tacho and speedo within each dial of which is housed a temperature or fuel gauge. LED colour of the info display is now white instead of red. The steering wheel has changed (improved?). As has the location of the driver's power window controls slightly (but centre console mounting is always more practical, I think).

Apart from the list of functional/equipment changes above, can anyone suggest what other significant changes there are on the Mark VI and what else makes it a better package overall and worth moving to from a young Mark V?

The investment allowance available until the end of this year aside, I'm struggling to find a compelling reason to upgrade.

Recently had another, closer look at the Mark VI GTI and Mrs Dubya thought the interior with its plastic (carbon-fibre-look) highlight trim in place of the brushed alumunium looked cheaper. Thought the plastic finishes around the door map pockets and centre console had rough edges and not as well finished as Mark V.

I noticed the front and rear headrests on the Mark V appeared smaller and had a lot of detailed stitching whereas on the Mark VI they appear larger and have no detailed stitching to break up their very flat and bland appearance and look quite blah compared with the Mark V headrests.

The Up arrow key on the steering wheel control is less ergonomic and harder to operate due to the high OK button in the middle. The buttons on the Mark V wheel are a lot easier to activate with thumb.

That number plate holder!

Just some observations . . . nothing to get upset about or yell "don't buy one then!".

On the plus side, there is the SD slot in the RCD510 which I understand obviates much of the need for an iPod cable. The better-placed window controls and the RVC option.

But jeez, those headrests do look pretty rank compared with the Mark V's . . .

It will be interesting to see what changes are in store when the MY11 GTI is announced in coming weeks and if any of these items is addressed.

[G-rig]

All very trivial things, the door pockets are actually better IMO as they are fully lined and best of all the speakers are in the proper location at the front of the door. Stock sound is much better than MK5.

I'll probably get a europlate so that fixes that.

The general finish on the dials/controls and general interior plastics are much nicer on the MK6 IMO, esp the aircon controls.

Anyway it is what it is, whichever model you got.

[Corey_R]

It will be interesting to see what changes are in store when the MY11 GTI is announced in coming weeks and if any of these items is addressed.

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/f112...tml#post503979

[Dubya]

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/f112...tml#post503979

But in the GTI specifically?

[Corey_R]

There haven't been any GTI specific changes announced. These changes cover the entire series, including GTI and R.

[AJW]

The only info I could find on the MY11 GTI changes are:
MY2011 (BW22) spec change photos wanted. - Tyresmoke Forums

This is a UK site and it mentions that the "GTD, GTI LED rear lights applied as standard".
Who knows if this will happen in Australia.

[Corey_R]

Yeah - the LED Rear lights on GTI and GTD were not on the changes for Australia (which were in my list linked above).

[G-rig]

Yeah - the LED Rear lights on GTI and GTD were not on the changes for Australia (which were in my list linked above).

They better not be (for those of us who already have a MK6 ).

I did prefer the MK5 headrests but didn't want to agree with Dubya. If i ever got custom leather i'd probably fit some MK5 ones, the shape is a bit smaller.

[ConR]

MKVI personally...main reason was is the cheap looking black bumper sills on the front and rear...sorry, but for a $40k car (base) you would expect body coloured sills...really don't like those...personally of course

same time, they seem to have made the seats a little more "snug" in the VI...and for people like me that are a little more "plump" than others, it can feel awkward at times...kinda like having someone push in your sides...

of course, it could also be a way of VW telling me that I'm fat ass and I need to lose weight...not only do I hear it from my wife, but I paid $50k to get it from a car too!!!