Mk7 Golf GTI Discussion Thread

[AdamD]

Discover Media Mk7's aren't compatible with wired ipods. I haven't tried bluetooth audio yet, but putting files onto a memory stick does work well. Navigating audio files is done strictly by directory and file names.

You should be able to retro-fit an MDI in order to do this. See:
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/foru...olf-87352.html

Aus spec Mk7 GTI's do not have pop-up headlight washers

Australian cars get the washers when xenon headlights are fitted; this is an ADR requirement and all cars with xenons must have them.

[readerr0r]

Edit: Post was better suited for iPod thread

[Jimi]

Great write up sucnip. It's a shame the car isn't perfect. You do make me feel a bit better though about forking out for xenons (whiter and with washers). It was a pretty agonising decision - 2 grand for lights is a lot when the car comes with lights anyway.

I'm glad the negatives are more to do with the media system than the drive even though I like my technology.

Enjoy the car!

[n0d3]

Just got a call from my dealer saying that my stock GTI PP will be here around the middle of the month! Excited.

[hng]

Hi Guys, I'm planning to trade in my 08 Civic Type R to get a new car this year.
There are several cars on my list and the Golf 7 GTI is one of them.
I'd just like to get more information from the experts here before making any decisions.

How reliable are VW products (especially the Golf GTI) in general? I know there are a lot of negative comments in the media about VW's reliability but I'd just like to get more accurate information.
I am planning to get it in manual as I enjoy driving manual more and want to avoid the potential DSG issues as well.
How long is the waiting list at the moment?
How is the customer service in general? Are there good and bad VW dealerships?

Appreciate your feedback.

Cheers.

[nat225]

The media only reports people who r not happy but outspoken.

I have had my mk6 gti dsg for over 3 years and have not had any issues.

But bear in mind i followed everything by the book fof running in process and never ever push the car hard until the oil is up to 90-95 degrees C, about 15mnts og gentle driving. Golf mk6/7 has oil temp display. This oil temp is different to coolant temp which every car shows.

Also, because the service interval is 12 mnths, it is expected that the owners do regular fluid level check n other basic stuffs.

Good luck!

Sent from my GT-I9300T using Tapatalk

[Lemonskin]

I've had my mk 7 GTI for just 3 days but I'm already madly in love with it. I came from a 6R Polo GTI so I'm no stranger to VW's but this is just a massive step up in class and performance. Coming from the Civic, it'll be quite different, you don't have to wring its neck so much to get the performance. The ride will be a fair bit more supple but handling is still amazing. Feels a little less go-kartish compared to my old car or yours, but still sharp as a tack.

[hng]

I've had my mk 7 GTI for just 3 days but I'm already madly in love with it. I came from a 6R Polo GTI so I'm no stranger to VW's but this is just a massive step up in class and performance. Coming from the Civic, it'll be quite different, you don't have to wring its neck so much to get the performance. The ride will be a fair bit more supple but handling is still amazing. Feels a little less go-kartish compared to my old car or yours, but still sharp as a tack.

Thanks for the feedback Lemonskin.
Yeah I will expect a huge difference moving from my CTR to the Golf GTI, including the interior and the refinement.
You are right, I have to rev it hard to get the power/torque, it's a different beast when it's gone past 5000 revs though, and it sounds great and addictive too.

How has your experience been with VW?

[stedes]

Hi hng

Just offering my opinion as I've had a CTR in the past and a GTi (albeit not a Mk7):
- Completely different character of the cars. CTR has the screaming NA 4-cylinder that revs up really high. Manual gearbox. Means you have to keep the revs up much higher than normal to keep a decent pace. In the Golf you will find that while it revs very easily to it's redline, this is much lower than the CTR and the car pulls very strongly from low revs.
- The GTi has a nice linear sound all the way to the red line. The CTR changes when that red light comes on and is great and addictive and you won't get that sound in the GTi but the sound of the engine/exhaust with the popping on gearchanging is great too. Just different.
- Interior wise: I found the interior of the CTR to be very well made and using quality plastics. The quality of the plastics in the Mk7 is higher but the design less "adventurous" and nowhere near as "cool" and futuristic as the CTR. Again...different. I found the seats in the GTi to be a bit narrow for me, but I weigh 110kg which is not average. They are otherwise more supportive than the CTR and you can also get leather which, at the time I bought mine, you couldn't on the CTR.
- Refinement: GTi wins hands down. I recently drove a late mode Civic (i.e. newer than the CTR) and the refinement of the Mk7 is miles ahead.

My experience with VW in general over the last 20 years has been excellent. During that time I, and close family, have owned 4 Golfs, a Polo, and 3 Audis. Reliability is not like a Lexus i.e. the occasional thing will go wrong, but apart from a 1.4 engine going on a Golf Mk3 after 16 years and 240.000km we've had no major troubles. My information is that the negative comments about VW stemmed from a rumour that a fatal accident involving a Golf in Melbourne in 2011 was the car's fault. In fact the driver was using a mobile phone when the car was struck from behind by a truck. Also...the car involved was not a DSG. There have been numerous recalls involving a version of the DSG but then again all manufacturers announce recalls all the time...In a nutshell, most people's experience is good but don't expect the perfect reliability of the Honda.

As for ordering, I'm glad to see I'm not alone in planning to order a manual car (ordering a Mk7 TSI manual for our second car in the next few days). I think currently for a factory order, if you ordered now you would get delivery around July. VW of Australia seem to have cars coming all the time though and if they have one coming that is to your preferred spec you could have it sooner.

Lastly, a lot is said about customer service. A lot of people have had bad experiences but it is probably fair to say that on fora such as this one, we tend to hear more of the bad ones rather than the good ones. I personally have been treated differently by different dealerships but then again my experience with other brands has been more or less the same.

Hope this helps you...

[Lem2808]

Hi guys, I have refueled for the first time my new GTI Mk7. I used BP 98 octane but I have noticed 'some' reduction in pulling power. I'd be interested to know if anyone had noticed it too.