MKV vs. MKVII

"Agrajag" (Agrajag) 09/15/2015 at 11:23 • Filed to: vw, vwlol

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I drove a MKV VW from 2006 until 2015. In July of this year I traded the GTI for a MKVII TDI. My thoughts on the differences between the two generations inside.

I owned two different MKV’s in that period. First a 2006 Rabbit and then a 2009 GTI. The Rabbit had a flawless record during its 75k mile tenure. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . I loved(still love) that car, but the constant recurring issues forced my hand. After a delightful dealer experience I was the proud owner of a brand new MKVII TDI.

Why would you get another VW?

I like the practicality of the hatchback and VW still does it best.

So you’re a fanboi?

No. I just like the car.

Why not another GTI then?

After a test drive and a few years of !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! I settled on a TDI this time around.

Brief Review of TDI

It’s great.

In Comparison to MKV

It’s not as great.

Exterior styling is fine. I was never a big fan of the MKV styling, but it had grown on me over the years. Personally I think the MKVI is the nicest looking of the bunch.

When you open the door is where the majority of changes become evident. The door hinges in particular lost their multi-position stops in lieu of a metal strap which merely keeps the door from performing a 180 into the front fender.

old style:

new:

Another gripe is that the passenger seat no longer folds flat. A useful feature I only used maybe twice. Probably why they got rid of it.

Not an annoyance but an observation: The glovebox no longer has a dedicated space for the manual. It just sits in there with all the other nongloves. CD drive and someother stuff now take its place.

The MKV GTI steering wheel was the best wheel I’ve ever put my hands on(that includes you F430 Scuderia).

The MKVII not so much. The new GTI wheel is better but I still prefer the MKV’s.

Also not a fan of touch screens in cars. I prefer to adjust my treble with a dial.

Now most of these are minor quibbles, but they worry me as VW seems inclined to cut costs more and more.

Good Things

The car does not disappoint where it matters most to you and I. It’s fun to drive. Steering feel is a bit lighter but responsive as ever. I missed the joys of driving on skinny all-season tires over the fat grippy summers I had on the GTI. Also much comfier.

The interior fit and finish is spectacular as one would expect.

And there is this. All day.

I’ve yet to average less than 50mpg on a tank. With a smaller fuel tank than the MKV and with the limited driving I have to do, $20 lasts me 2 to 3 weeks.

TylerJ > Agrajag 09/15/2015 at 11:28

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As much as I’d like to get a TDI, I can’t stand tan/ beige/ white headliners and pillars when the dash is black.

This is also why I’d love a GTD in the states.

Jcarr > Agrajag 09/15/2015 at 11:33

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Interesting. How do you fold the seat flat like that?

I’ve put 60,000+ miles on a MKV Jetta (2005.5) and I have to say, I haven’t been too pleased.

Maybe it’s just the typical issues with the first year of a new generation, but quality has been a real issue for me.

Constant airbag lights, replacing the driver’s side door wire harness because it wasn’t designed long enough, replacing the rear coil springs at 80,000 miles. The rubberized finish on most of the interior buttons is awful and peels off. The clear coat on the wheel chips and gets dirt underneath it, making the wheels look terrible.

That said, it has been a fun car to drive and I really like the 2.5. I’m just a little hesitant about buying another one given all these quality issues.

Steve in Manhattan > Agrajag 09/15/2015 at 11:40

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Nice gauge layout - well-presented and not too much information. Volt I rented recently had fussy dash, and you would not like the fussy touch screen/instruments.

Agrajag > Jcarr 09/15/2015 at 11:44

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It’s the lever with the arrow pointing to it.

I’d keep yours as long as you can. I believe the 2.5 to be the best engine VW’s made in a long time. I know two people who abuse the hell out of them and they are running strong. One has close to 200,000 thousand on it and the other about 140,ooo on last check. The latter sees almost no maintenance. Like 30,000 miles between oil changes.

Agrajag > TylerJ 09/15/2015 at 11:45

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I would get the GTD in a heartbeat.

TylerJ > Agrajag 09/15/2015 at 11:50

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Many would, I imagine. I doubt it’ll happen and I’ve been itching to get away from my ‘10 tC. It gets paid off next month and I’ll be heading to a dealership to hopefully nab a 4dr, S, DSG, LP for $26k or so.

Jcarr > Agrajag 09/15/2015 at 12:00

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Yeah, I love the engine. It sounds great and pulls hard for only 150hp.

Ash78, voting early and often > TylerJ 09/15/2015 at 12:35

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I will never go back to a dark headliner again :D

There is nothing like the open, airy feeling of a light one, even if it does end up covered in random drink splatters and scuff marks.

Saracen > Agrajag 09/15/2015 at 12:35

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Nice!

I bought a MK7 TDI two months ago. Sportwagen SEL, with a 6MT. I love it!

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Agrajag 09/15/2015 at 12:54

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I’m guessing the CD player is now an option on most trims. maybe the non CD cars have a pocket for the manual.

GTI Sprinks > TylerJ 09/15/2015 at 13:14

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TDI Cup was the closest thing we got in recent memory. At least that had the gti/gli spec brakes. Ashame it didn’t even get the big turbo featured in the euro GTD.
Fortunately because VW parts are so compatible, it’s not too out of the realm of possibilities to DIY and make one’s own GTD. As car enthusiasts, i feel like that’s the best option. The old “made not bought” line of thinking i suppose.

TylerJ > Ash78, voting early and often 09/15/2015 at 13:21

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But it doesn’t match the rest of the interior! It drives me crazy that it’s just a random color stuck there. Maybe if they could make it a grey that is close to the silver trim, I’d be okay.

Ash78, voting early and often > TylerJ 09/15/2015 at 13:38

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I think it works as long as the headliner matches the lower dash (in a 2-tone dash like VW often does). I just see the upper/black dash as something to break up the monotony of a monochrome interior.

TylerJ > Ash78, voting early and often 09/15/2015 at 13:57

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That would be fine too. I originally was talking about dashes that are solid black with maybe a bit of silver trim and then a tan/beige/white headliner. The difference just seems jarring.

The Powershift in Steve's '12 Ford Focus killed it's TCM (under warranty!) > Jcarr 09/15/2015 at 14:28

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This is the sort of thing that’s kept me out of a VW. I’d love a TDI wagon, but everyone I know who has bought a VW and kept it for more than 5 years has stories like this. Sometimes the electrical issues are minor, other times they’re catastrophic, but there are almost always issues. It’s scary when a TDI wagon was a $5k premium over my Focus.