Fifth gear tonight...mk7 tiff's verdict

[bigmig95]

I had a fully loaded MK7 GTi with DSG for the day yesterday and as you'd expect it felt tighter than my older mk5.  It was a great car to drive round the lanes and ticked all my boxes, it certainly had more of a bark from the exhaust when accelerating compared to my oem mk5 exhaust.

Shed loads of settings to mess about with but just left it in sport mode which was plenty comfy enough for me pottering around the Warwickshire lanes.  Very refined in D mode on the DSG and good fun in S mode

My only dislikes (and some of these are being picky)

1 - Overall shape and styling of the car (prefer the Mk5 and MK6)
2 - Very slightly reduced boot space over the mk5.  Space saver wheel panel sits way above the wheel in its well, I can only assume to make room for a full size wheel.
3 - Seats IMO are not as comfy as my std mk5.  maybe cause I'm not used to them
4 - The price

Given a choice between the two I'd grab the Mk7 over the mk5 (for daily driving).  But at the price fully loaded DSG's are selling at I'd buy a 135i.


Not given Chris Harris a run for his money with that review  . 

[tony_danza]

Whilst I tend to agree it doesn't *need* to be hot on track, is a bit annoying you can't switch everything off so you can at least have a go.

Lift off oversteer is what makes FWD cars fun. Sure 99% of owners won't use it, but I do and it makes me laugh.

Will I write off the mk7 as a dud? Nah, it's still on the list to replace Liz's car (with the P-Pack, for when I use it, obviously).

Same stuff we see every time "oh, it's not as good as my mkX - blah blah blah" resistance to change.

[Scottymon]

Bet you can switch it all off in VCDS... GTI has never been the fastest or best handling hot hatch has it.

.

Love the Mk4 R32 on the same episode.

[xjay1337]

The Mk7 does lift off oversteer if you turn the ESP off.
Mk4 chassis is soggy and soft compared to a Mk5 or 6. It's nowhere near as rigid.
The Mk4 R32 is the only Mk4 that handles somewhat decently.

And if anyone's driven an R32 the throttle response is HORRIBLE. Try driving it at 5-10 mph in standstill traffic. Not thanks.

[Scottymon]

It's the look of the Mk4 R32 I was referring to more than the drive (I've never driven one), perhaps I shouldn't if they aren't that good:

[swgti]

My next door neighbour has a turbo'd black Mk4 R32, currently running about 550bhp, more or less standard to look at depending on what wheels he's got on but boy oh boy does it sound good.

[xjay1337]

It's the look of the Mk4 R32 I was referring to more than the drive (I've never driven one), perhaps I shouldn't if they aren't that good:

Cupra splitter lol!

[skyinsurance]

I loved the team test last night when Potato got out of the car and Tiff was in the back egging Jonny on.. hilarious! 

[Scottymon]

Was a good episode, all about cars!  Imagine that (Top Gear) for a car show.

[xjay1337]

Shame the presenters are all soul-less boring people.

The decent car reviewers aren't on TV.

[mortygttdi]

Chris Harris for Prime Minister

I do prefer to test drive and have my own opinion on a new car if it's something I'm thinking of buying, but I also like to know if Chris Harris has drove it cos he is a driving god

I'm still not sold on the mk7 looks, I do prefer the a3/S3

[Tejinder]

The MK4 is MIQ's from r32oc, absolute stunner