Mk7 Golf GTI Discussion Thread

[Mi16 Man]

Spotted these babies at Gerald Slaven in Canberra....

[Jimi]

Is it just me?

The Mk6 looks pretty good with halogens. They gave the car a bit of the look of a rally car of yesteryear.

On the Mk7 the headlights look a bit lost from most angles other than front-on, as if they're smaller than before or the housing has gotten larger. It's sort of like when someone who wears glasses all the time takes them off; it just looks a bit funny (I wear glasses so I can say this!).

I've specced the bixenons because I think ill use them, but even though I'm not sold on the red line through the cluster, their general appearance keeps growing on me too

[Tobes_WIR35]

Well, yes - in terms of pure driving, Volkswagen could easily decide to build the Golf GTI as a real competitor to the current RS Megane... but they don't, which is probably a deliberate decision.

I agree with WJ, motor journalists and other enthusiasts in that the Golf GTI is an 8/10ths car (that's hard to dispute) but that's not to say it isn't a good car - far from it. I think the Golf plays to its own strengths well very, in regards to what today's average Golf GTI owner expects from their car, so like the Mk5 and Mk6 GTI, I think it continues to be a better car for it.

By not chasing ultimate performance or purist ideals, the car ends up being attractive and accessible to a broader audience. In fact, it's a car I can see myself recommending to my own folks (should they suddenly feel the need for speed), and you can't easily claim the same thing with a hot Focus or Megane - though depending on one's viewpoint, that may not necessarily be a good thing, haha.

There's no complaints from me about the current package of the Golf GTI. It's all-rounder strengths are why I bought the car. However, surely it wouldn't be too difficult for them to offer something of a more "driving enthusiast" version. They went halfway there with the ED35 and again this time with the Performance Pack, but it'd be nice to go the extra step with a version that has completely switchable traction control and ESP, perhaps a full manual DSG program (no interfering overrides) and maybe some other weight reduction and performance/handling enhancing features, or at least options.

[Tobes_WIR35]

I've specced the bixenons because I think ill use them, but even though I'm not sold on the red line through the cluster, their general appearance keeps growing on me too

It's not just you mate. I think you've made the right decision. Don't get me wrong, I like understated elegance, but I think the halogens just look too bland. Even the cheap Kias and Hyundais have HIDs with LED DRLs these days. The red strip may or may not be too much, but the actual headlights themselves look schmick.
I should say that part of my job as an electrical engineer is lighting design, so it's something I notice. A lot of people couldn't care less.

[raygti]

Have you ever tried bringing your car to a complete stop from a 100km/h just using the handbrake? You'll be amazed at just how inefficient it is. You just seem to keep rolling forever. And maintainence? At least there are no more stretched/broken handbrake cables to worry about.

I havnt used it for that purpose. however over the past 30 years of my parents owning a car. and having falcons that have done 500 000kms+ they have not once snapped the parking brake cables. that 500 000kms has 5 different drivers also so everyone is different.

i would be worried about when the electronic brake fails and what cost implications will be rather than a snapped cable which would be a straight swap/adjustment. not saying it will fail but just something i think is absolutely stupid for cars. now using your park brake. how long before the switch wears out. that type of switch will be used everyday also so one would hope its durable.

just like this keyless design . in an event that you have to switch your car off it takes 5 seconds for the system to recognise to shut the engine off . whereas a key takes less than a second?

its a move that car makers are doing. along with keyless start etc. great feature if hands are full. however gimmicky in my opinion. half the thrill of driving is turning that key over

[tonymy01]

There has been plenty of discussion in the electronic brake on the past, if your car battery has issues, apparently there is some kind of tool that can be used to mechanically wind off the locked pads...pain in the proverbial..

[Diesel_vert]

You can engage the handbrake electronically while the vehicle is in motion by pulling and holding the handbrake button (like you would similarly with a conventional handbrake lever) but you'd only do that in an emergency for obvious reasons.

In the event of an electronic failure, where the handbrake fails to disengage, I would presume there is some sort manual override built into the car somewhere.

Otherwise, you'd have to get out the jump leads, which, depending on what's involved in getting your car restarted, may or may not be entirely practical depending on the situation.

Oh, and executing a handbrake or J-turn just got that much harder. Spoilsports!


EDIT: just saw the post above - damn, what were you thinking VW?

[captainkarisma]

Hi guys,

Sorry if this is off topic but just wondering what people think of the general theft rating of the GTI?

[Alex31]

Hi guys,

Sorry if this is off topic but just wondering what people think of the general theft rating of the GTI?

If this is in regard to the alarm option. Get it, it's only about $500 I think, and it will give you some sort of piece mind. Even with insurance a stolen car is still a huge inconvenience....

[Brendan_A]

If this is in regard to the alarm option. Get it, it's only about $500 I think, and it will give you some sort of piece mind. Even with insurance a stolen car is still a huge inconvenience....

GTI come standard with an alarm.