Mk7 Golf GTI Discussion Thread

[Mikey1]

Obviously if xenons are a MUST then it will be the only option moving forward but again, how much more will one pay on a second hand car for them when most people have no need for them bar the looks.

I have Bi-Xenons om my Mk5 GTI and on the C200K family wagon. I just couldn't go back to halogens, regardless of whether they are the superior projector style or the old school reflector type. The difference between Bi-Xenon and halogen is significant in so many areas, regardless of the type of driving you do. The benefits include:

• A bright white light helps to maintain concentration and reduces eyestrain.
• You can see a lot more of what's ahead in most circumstances, using low and high beam, except in fog.
• They have automatic self-leveling.
• They have built-in lamp washers.
• They have a very long service life, at least 5 times that of halogen bulbs, probably never needing replacing during the original owner's use.

The only detraction apart from the significant cost of $2K is the fact that prestige brands have moved onto the next generation of lighting, that being LED, which just proves that halogen is really technology from the last century. This is one area where the automotive industry is dragging its feet, while the bicycle accessories industry has embraced LED technology completely.

[Dutch77]

I'm happy to admit the halogens are rubbish but I have xenons on my other car and while they're vastly superior on unlit roads at night I simply don't do sufficient night driving to warrant the outlay. Street lighting easily overpowers whatever lighting is on the car. I don't see the country at night often.

Not to mention I am still not a fan of the red line in the lights. The R and other models have a much better finish with the non-red stripe.

Now if someone could do an aftermarket LED unit..

Must admit the Audis always look smart and premium with their headlight finishes.

[kennyc]

The Xenon's are better than the halogens, yes. But I don't see a significant difference. From my experience last weekend driving through the mountains at night with no other lighting at all, I thought the xenon's could be brighter (maybe I just cannot remember how the halogens looked).
But what annoys me the most on the Xenon's for the GTI is the fact that we paid over 2k for them and it is half a set!! If the R has the proper set with both U lights lighting up and GTI has only one of the U's lighting up, we should at least pay half the price!!

[Dutch77]

The Xenon's are better than the halogens, yes. But I don't see a significant difference. From my experience last weekend driving through the mountains at night with no other lighting at all, I thought the xenon's could be brighter (maybe I just cannot remember how the halogens looked).

You've forgotten how bad the halogens are.

[AdamD]

You're very fortunate to have had the opportunity to test all three (or four?) models. The GTI-PP by all accounts is a very good package, if based purely on rational criteria, but fortunately many of us in this forum choose what we drive on more emotional grounds, particularly if our budgets allow this.

I've driven all four (GTI, PP, R, 'Roc) fairly extensively as well. I'd say that the rational choice would be the GTI; the most entertaining overall would be the PP, or possibly the Scirocco.

Great for the track, but apparently of limited benefit in the real world of street use. The standard GTI's extended differential lock is supposedly very effective in this role.

Drive the two back to back with some enthusiasm on tight and twisty roads and I'm confident you won't be saying this. If you're the type of driver who enjoys pushing on in low-mid speed corners, and appreciates the extra balance, the PP's diff is entirely worth the outlay in my opinion. It's a significant improvement over the XDS in the standard GTI - but only in a very limited range of operation.

[AdamD]

You've forgotten how bad the halogens are.

I'm pretty sure the halogens in the Mk7 are worse than in the Mk6. I recently did a fair bit of evening driving in a Mk7 GTI with halogens, and although I wasn't able to compare them directly to those in my Mk6, the poor beam stood out for me immediately.

Dutch and I will have to do a meetup one night and take some photos of beam throw etc - Mk6 vs Mk7.

[Dutch77]

I'm pretty sure the halogens in the Mk7 are worse than in the Mk6. I recently did a fair bit of evening driving in a Mk7 GTI with halogens, and although I wasn't able to compare them directly to those in my Mk6, the poor beam stood out for me immediately.

Dutch and I will have to do a meetup one night and take some photos of beam throw etc - Mk6 vs Mk7.

No need, I have already done some advanced computer modelling to demonstrate the issues:

[joema]

...If you're the type of driver who enjoys pushing on in low-mid speed corners, and appreciates the extra balance, the PP's diff is entirely worth the outlay in my opinion. It's a significant improvement over the XDS in the standard GTI - but only in a very limited range of operation.

How much improvement and in what conditions is the key issue. I have a Mk 6 stage 2 GTI with an aftermarket WaveTrac LSD. On the Mk 6 it is a huge improvement if driven in a sporty fashion on public streets. Racetrack use isn't necessary to appreciate it. Any time you are accelerating briskly from a stop and turning, the effect is pronounced. This happens frequently in the real world - say you are in a turn lane, waiting for an opening to turn left/right in front of oncoming traffic.

OTOH if you drive very sedately you would never notice the difference.

Personally I would never have a Mk 6 GTI at stage 1 or above without a mechanical LSD. However my wife would never notice the difference.

The Mk 7 GTI has a lot more torque, yet the XDS is improved, which somewhat compensates. Exactly how much does this close the gap to the PP? Unfortunately there have been few highly focused tests of PP vs base GTI.

If someone like WhiteJames could test drive a PP vs base GTI and give an informed review, that would be useful to the entire GTI community.

[Mikey1]

No need, I have already done some advanced computer modelling to demonstrate the issues:

These are great depictions, and my only conclusion is you better leave your Mk7 with halogens at home after dark, as your stealthy appearance will surely land you in dire straits!

[Mountainman]

I'm pretty sure the halogens in the Mk7 are worse than in the Mk6. I recently did a fair bit of evening driving in a Mk7 GTI with halogens, and although I wasn't able to compare them directly to those in my Mk6, the poor beam stood out for me immediately.

I have owned both and you are correct - mk5 & mk6 halogens are much better than mk7 halogens.

This xenon v halogen thing though is not always clear cut. My other car is a Forester XT with (like other Jap cars) standard xenons on low beam (they remain low beam all the time) and halogen high beams. The outstanding thing about the lighting is the dramatic bright effect it has when switching to high beam ie. xenon low beam combined with halogen high beam. It absolutely kills my all halogen mk7 Golf for bright flooding light coverage all the way down the road. It's the halogens that do it, not the bright white close up focus of the low beam xenons. And halogens are much more restful on the eyes.