New Golf Gti MkVI

[Tobes]

Getting a company vehicle soon, so looking to offload the Navara and getting a weekend car. Took a new Golf Gti MkVI for a test drive today. To cut a long story short, I'm hooked. Has to be THE best all round car on the market, dollar for dollar. Sure it's a lot of cash for a small-ish car, but it's fast, handles great, quality is brilliant, every feature you could want, sounds good, gearbox is unreal, it looks stylish, and is fairly practical for most people's needs.

The DSG gearbox is fantastic, I went into the dealership wanting a manual but after driving the DSG, it's pretty hard to go past. It sounds like a race car on gear changes, and it so quick I think it would be difficult to beat it in straight line performance in a manual box. It is also great just driving around the city at granny pace too, it's relatively quiet but there's just enough exhaust note to know you're driving something with balls, ride is a bit firm but as you'd expect for a sporty car - certainly not unpleasantly rough.

For a GTi DSG with Sat Nav, Dynaudio stereo system and leather seats it's around $55,000. Not bad I think, considering what you get for your money. You'd get an SS-V holden for that, but in terms of refinement and features the Golf @#$% all over it. (And the Mrs refuses to drive anything bigger than a mid sized hatch)

http://www.golfgti.com.au/


Also test drove other cars in a similar bracket:

STi hatch - Rough, raw, unsophisticated, but bloody fast (basically as expected) but @ around $72000, a rip off. It's a subaru FFS

Mini Cooper S Chilli - Fun to drive, but: rough, terrible driving position, and the torque steer was like nothing else I have ever experienced. Full power acceleration through first or second gear literally pulls the car across 2 lanes of the road unless you really REALLY hang on to the wheel - it really did frighten me enough to make me not want to drive it hard at all. And that is with DSC turned on, was too scared to even try it with the DSC switched off. $43,500

HSV VX-R Astra - Not bad, but it's really still just an astra with a bit more power.... and being a HSV would have shocking resale one would think. $43,000

[Crazy200]

I also took one for a test drive yesterday, although I drove the manual one. Wippels now have both the auto and manual as demos.

I took it down to Withcott and then back up through Flagstone. The performance gain is noticable over my old MkV GT, and the handling is even better as well. The exhaust note is nice, but not overpowering or droney.

There is also a MRC (magnetic ride control) option, but I think it is a few grand. I have read on forums that it is a firmer ride, but is even better through the twisties.

A touchscreen display contolling the stereo is now standard, and for once there is a Premium Audio option available from factory.

I am looking at a three door manual, but have noticed that a lot of the extras are more expensive on it than the 5 door (sunroof 2050 versus 1890 in the 5 door).

Now just need to rob a bank so I can afford the R20 that comes out early next year with All Wheel Drive and 200kw.

[Chow]

Ben, is there any reason why you're going back to the manual over the DSG?? How did you find the DSG to live with every day?

[Crazy200]

We had the DSG box in the GT but were never really happy with it. Hill starts were very hard, even once we had the box re-programmed (VW identified the problem and attempted to fix it - applied to all DSG boxes internationally). The vehicle would roll back and then just spin the tyres once it got drive. On the other hand, if you rode the brake even the slightest it would engage the traction control and cut drive to the car.

Secondly, on our trip to Nowra last February we were diverted through the mountain roads at Kiama due to a car accident. While going up the main mountain climb the car lost all drive. We stopped to let the box "cool" and we continued with the clutch slipping. We took it to Wippels Service up here and as far as they were concerned, there was not a problem with the car. The problem with the box got worse and worse to the stage where we sold the car.

Thirdly, I know personally of two people who have had catastrophic failures with their DSG boxes. Essentially the clutches have engaged incorrectly causing the box to engage 2 separate gears, rending the car imovable. Once was to a chap here in Toowoomba (05-06) model, and the second person was down in Melbourne (MY08).

Forthly, if the car is to get an APR/Oettinger etc etc tune, the gearboxes will not take the extra torque for any long period of time. There are a number of posts on VW forums with people discussing this problem.
Finally, the cost of the 100k service on the box can be anywhere from $700 to $3200 depending on what clutch packs have to be serviced/replaced. I did not want to have to pay this much for a service on any car.

That is just our experience, friends and people on the forums. There have been just over 5000 MkV's sold, so I am sure that the faults would be a small percentage of totals sales.

[Chow]

It's good to hear an unbiassed real life assessment of the DSG from a a hard core VWer that has owned both types of gear boxes.....

I thought that the DSG (or PDK or whatever each marque is calling their version) was supposed to the auto that was changing the way we look at autos. Obviously they need some more development and refinement before they're able to give the years and years and years of problem free service your average Corolla gearbox from a hundred years ago still does.

Are you looking to buy a new GTi, or has the R20 finally been confirmed?

[Tobes]

you mention problem with the hill start, I found the same thing with the MK6 I test drove - i thought it was just my driving. Had to take off relatively quickly on an incline, started off just feathering the throttle but it didnt go anywhere so i gave it alittle bit more, then once the clutch took up, wheels were spinning pretty hektik. At the time I thought it was great fun, but now that you mention it as a continuing problem, and the prospect that my GF will be driving it (useless), makes me think twice.

[Crazy200]

The first 50 odd of the R20's will be here in about March I believe. I wish I could afford one, but another GTI might have to be the go.

[Meatwagon]

Crazy 200, sounds like you might read alot of bad information to me!

Tobes, buy one mate, and if you can hang out, buy the Gtir or as some call it the R20. You know my email if you want to chat about anything prior to purchase

[Chow]

I would have thought that given the fact that Crazy200 has owned MkV golfs in manual, normal auto and DSG, he'd be the one to talk to, not a car salesman who'll blow smoke up your arse to make you buy anything he can?

As for the "GTiR", I was under the impression that they were an "R" car, similar to BMWs "M" cars, and that it is called an R20. Like the R32, the R36, the R50, and now the R20.

[Tobes]

I would have thought that given the fact that Crazy200 has owned MkV golfs in manual, normal auto and DSG, he'd be the one to talk to, not a car salesman who'll blow smoke up your arse to make you buy anything he can?

As for the "GTiR", I was under the impression that they were an "R" car, similar to BMWs "M" cars, and that it is called an R20. Like the R32, the R36, the R50, and now the R20.

True, but a mechanic who works on Golfs everyday (meatwagon) would have a pretty good idea too I would think.....

[Crazy200]

Crazy 200, sounds like you might read alot of bad information to me!

Tobes, buy one mate, and if you can hang out, buy the Gtir or as some call it the R20. You know my email if you want to chat about anything prior to purchase

The information that I provided was given to me first hand. If you are a VW mechanic then you will be familiar with the MG**8 White 06 Golf that was out of action for three months while a new gearbox was supplied from overseas.

I am still a big fan of the Golfs however will only ever buy a manual one again. I chose to sell the GT and cop a 9K loss on it rather than continue owning one. Part of my decision also to sell the car was also the dealerships refusal to look further into the fault that our DSG had. Plugging in VAGCOM and "Not getting any faults" is not an acceptable response to three separate visits for the fault to be looked into.

Anyways...... Tobes if you do end up buying a new one, I do have my personalised plates for sale still. "VWG71"

[Hiroshima Screamer]

Driven a couple of new STI's, and i'd have to disagree. It is rough and raw, but with all the variable settings, satnav, DVD, torque biasing diffs, variable trac control systems etc, it's far from unsophisticated.
65-75k is a lot for a car you thrash the guts out of, and can just comfortably drive to work though.

[Tobes]

ah yes, but by unsophisticated I was more meaning that the interior (and exterior for that matter) lacks style and quality, looks like a KIA on roids, and the ride quality is pretty ordinary, not very comfy either.... And for me, I am never going to drive it hard enough to warrant adjustable diffs etc, and I just think i would hate myself if I spent that amount of money on a Subaru. Maybe an R32 Golf, or a near-new 335Ci beamer - even an FPV Force6. I like a bit of luxury with my sports....

[Meatwagon]

Chow you might be spot on there mate, just not what I have heard is all.

Crazy200 PM me with that full rego, have never had a gti sit in our workshop for 3 months???? Maybe 3 weeks????
I am not here to talk anyone into or out of buying anything, as every person has a car that suits them and their needs, and every person has multiple cars that dont suit them.

I dont know how your deal went down Crazy200, but can say we are more than willing to spend how long it takes to find a fault with the car, more than willing for someone to take me for a drive and show me. We dont deal with 'vag-com' but we use the factory style of it. Your right there when you say there may be faults it wont find, that has been proven many a time. I just hope that the experience you had didnt leave a bad taste with what is really a good product.

[Tobes]

A few snaps of the R20, Looks pretty tidy, I like the subtle class of the VW's, but this is perhaps a little too under-stated. Would have liked to see a bit wider track & pumped guards, something a bit more ballsy with the front grille. The rear end looks good though...

Still have to say the MK4 R32's are my favourite to look at, and are getting pretty cheap (cheap enough to be able to afford to spend 10k modifying it and still be able to pay a mortgage)


http://www.cafi.info/wp-content/uploads ... -620op.jpg
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/attachme ... 1255625155
http://www.automotiveaddicts.com/images ... 20-585.jpg
http://www.ausmotive.com/images/VW-Golf ... our-02.jpg

[Crazy200]

Not quite that pumped???

[Chow]

If you're genuinely thinking about an R20, have you also thought about an S3? THey're sexy as anything, and are from the same stable. Be about the same price too I think. And they're quattro too.

[Hiroshima Screamer]

Practical? classy?

Why not

[pow35]

How did you get a photo of my car?...

[Crazy200]

http://www.oneighturbo.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/oneighturbo-futrell-mk6-110309.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.oneighturbo.com/2009/11/03/futrell-autowerks-project-mk6-gti-video-series-debuts/&usg=__HVtbK4sycXmcNXA7H9L8dHLMQz0=&h=250&w=480&sz=40&hl=en&start=16&tbnid=Mh0QiItj8URZsM:&tbnh=67&tbnw=129&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dshow%2Bmk6%2Bgti%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den

[Tobes]

Did a quick play around with one in paint. Looks something like i would like it to. Not sold on the red, would probably buy either white or the dark grey colour

[Tobes]

Practical? classy?

Why not

You know I for one will never be that classy. Once, I tried, but didn't succeed

[POE?]

I want one in white, 3 door, MDI and the 18" wheels. Took one for a test drive just to see how it went but got blown away at what I could have had for the same coin. Prob buy one next year so the rex is up for sale