Mk7 vs mk 7.5 - Thoughts please

[minke]

Hi,

I'm looking to buy a secondhand GTI. I owned a MK6 GTI.

At the moment (ignoring km and age) I'm looking at two

MY16 MK7 GTI . DSG, No roof, tartan. MY16 has GPS and Apple car play

other

MY18 MK 7.5 GTI Original.

Differences as I understand them

MK 7 vs Mk 7.5 GTI Original
Five door vs three door
18" vs 19"
GPS vs no GPS but I think has apple carplay so can just use iPhone
MY16 vs MY18


Both have Xenons, DSG, no roof. Prefer leather but cannot have everything. Both have reverse cameras. I think both have front/rear sensors.

I've had three door cars before and I use to hate how the ingress and egress was compromised by the smaller aperture of a three door and you had to be more mindful of not hitting the car parked beside you.

Anything I'm missing?

[Lucas_R]

Personally id go with the MY16 regular GTI. I think the GTI Original's look very bland (someone at work has a white one and it looks terribly bland) not too mention that the 3 door would be a pain day-to-day for the reasons you mentioned.

In saying that, at the end of the day its going to be your car, so get which ever one you prefer and you think will suit you better.

[minke]

Personally id go with the MY16 regular GTI. I think the GTI Original's look very bland (someone at work has a white one and it looks terribly bland) not too mention that the 3 door would be a pain day-to-day for the reasons you mentioned.

In saying that, at the end of the day its going to be your car, so get which ever one you prefer and you think will suit you better.

Wife's car. Our other car is the family saloon. This would be to get her to/from Work twice a week and that's it.

How is it bland vs GTI? What am I missing when looking at the two?

[Dutch77]

The horrible wheels on an Original?

The tech that came with 7.5 (no big deal) is missing on the Original, so there wouldn't be much between it.

As Lucas said, go for what you prefer/suits your needs.

[gregozedobe]

Hi,
I've had three door cars before and I use to hate how the ingress and egress was compromised by the smaller aperture of a three door and you had to be more mindful of not hitting the car parked beside you.

Anything I'm missing?

There is better visibility over the right shoulder on a 3 door body (the blindspot from the B pillar is further back - more significant for taller drivers who have the seat further back), and as you have already commented, the larger doors can be less handy in tight spaces

[Kachingg]

Don't forget the 16 comes with the 6 speed dq250 and the 18 comes with the excellent dq381 7 speed having had both i would never buy the 6 speed if i could have the 7 speed its far superior in every way lots will tell you its no great difference
I disagree vehemently
Also you will have the upgraded R brakes on the 18 as well don't discount that either
You will have more torque and less weight with the 3 door as well
If it's not your main car and the back seat will rarely be used go the 3 door

[tw586]

I have a MY18 gti original, fitted with DQ250 box, test drove the 5 dr with the 7 speed and found the 6 speed a better drive ( to me anyway) The 3 doors are a little bit of a pain but used to it now. I believe all the Originals were 6 speed and it was about 7 grand cheaper. I like leather but I find the clark trim nice and not so hot in the sun as leather of the 5 dr. I have the DAP and active LED lighting is standard but no push to start. I fine the level of tech available is great but it could do with the active suspension and electronic trick diff. I have had the car now for over a year and still surprised by it , great brakes, fantastic fuel economy and it uses ULP95 not the expensive 98. I think a MY18 original would be a better deal compared to an older 5 dr, also the 7.5 was bought about to address the glitches and deficiencies identified in the Mk7, its also @ 200kg lighter, forgot to mention, the active cruise, emergency braking and lane assist as part of the DAP is one of the cars best features as its saved me a few times. keep in mind too, as it is a p plate approved car in nsw it may help resale latter on, hope this point of view helps.

[Kachingg]

I have a MY18 gti original, fitted with DQ250 box, test drove the 5 dr with the 7 speed and found the 6 speed a better drive ( to me anyway) The 3 doors are a little bit of a pain but used to it now. I believe all the Originals were 6 speed and it was about 7 grand cheaper. I like leather but I find the clark trim nice and not so hot in the sun as leather of the 5 dr. I have the DAP and active LED lighting is standard but no push to start. I fine the level of tech available is great but it could do with the active suspension and electronic trick diff. I have had the car now for over a year and still surprised by it , great brakes, fantastic fuel economy and it uses ULP95 not the expensive 98. I think a MY18 original would be a better deal compared to an older 5 dr, also the 7.5 was bought about to address the glitches and deficiencies identified in the Mk7, its also @ 200kg lighter, forgot to mention, the active cruise, emergency braking and lane assist as part of the DAP is one of the cars best features as its saved me a few times. keep in mind too, as it is a p plate approved car in nsw it may help resale latter on, hope this point of view helps.

The 5 door you drove would have had the dry clutch dq200 7 speed i was referring to the dq381 wet clutch 7 speed

[Dutch77]

I assumed he meant a 5 door GTI 7.5 - in which case it has the DQ381. It's an ok box, but it didn't blow me away - it did provide a better S map on the R, but then again that's a mapping issue and not direct to the gearbox.

Ultimately I still say pick the car that suits, if you're not worried about resale and the three door suits then it's a bit more unique; otherwise grab the older five door and either way enjoy the ride.

[ABCD]

The GTI Original would still have most of its factory warranty. Also in the latter half of 2018 VW started to offer 5 year warranty on new Golfs. All other things being roughly comparable (and assuming you can live with the 3 doors) the warranty would be the clincher for me. The fine print though will be managing to find a less than 12 month old GTI Original on the second hand market!!