OF HAPPENINGS

"twochevrons" (twochevrons) 02/14/2016 at 18:04 • Filed to: VW, Volkswagen, GTI, Of happenings

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So. After engaging in radio silence for far too long, I have something to report. This wound up on my driveway late last week.

As much as I love !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , it is undeniably a bit long in the tooth. I don’t mind doing my own repairs, but doing them in an unheated garage in the depths of winter was beginning to get a bit old.

Used 2015 GTIs are just beginning to show up on dealer lots, most of them former VW company cars or employee leases. Sold as certified used cars, they end up with better warranty coverage than when sold from new, since the certified-used warranty stacks on top of the remaining balance of the factory coverage. I test-drove a DSG-equipped one a few weeks ago, and while I was very impressed by it, I still wanted to be able to row my own. When the dealer called me back last week, saying that they’d just got one in with the exact specification I wanted (manual transmission, sunroof and xenon lights), there was no question as to whether I’d take it.

I’ve only had it a few days, but I’m thrilled with it. Some random thoughts on it follow:

The interior is a bit dark for my liking – black leather, black carpet, black dash, with gloss black accents – but it’s a very nice place to be, and feels well put-together (yes, I’m a dash stroker). The red light strips on the doors and sill plates are a nice touch.

Swivelling xenon headlights are magical – I’d consider them a must-have.

The shift action is a big improvement on the Mk6, and probably one of the nicest I’ve felt on a transverse-engined car. Wonderfully precise, short throws, and perfect weighting. The clutch is incredibly light, too – even in crawling traffic, it is never a chore.

The Fender premium audio system is good, but not great. I’m by no means a bass-head, but I still felt as though it was lacking in low-end punch. The MDI iPod interface is clunky and unreliable, but paired up with my Nexus 6P over Bluetooth, it works like a charm.

The steering wheel is awesome – chunky, flat-bottomed and leather wrapped – but the steering itself is almost entirely devoid of feel. It weights up nicely at high speeds or in sport mode, but it still feels a bit like driving in a video game.

Apparently, the latest generation of the 2.0t is good for 300-ish horsepower with just a tune (APR’s Stage 1). I’m quite happy with the GTI’s performance as it is, but it’s nice to know that there’s plenty of room for improvement if it becomes too tame for me.

With there already being plenty of press coverage of the GTI, I didn’t think that there was much point in a full review, but if anybody wants to know anything about it, feel free to AMA!

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > twochevrons 02/14/2016 at 18:07

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jkm7680 > twochevrons 02/14/2016 at 18:10

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Yisssssssss I approve!

Looks great!

Old Red Wagon > twochevrons 02/14/2016 at 18:13

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Very nice, i just took delivery of my 2016 GTI a month ago and it’s an amazing car. Enjoy it.

twochevrons > Old Red Wagon 02/14/2016 at 18:21

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Nice! Part of me wanted to go for a 2016 for the updated infotainment, but I couldn’t quite justify waiting or buying new just for that. Same goes with the performance pack – there just don’t seem to be any used PP models right now.

I like the E30 wagon, by the way! I’m in the process of importing a car, too – a 1968 Triumph 2000 estate that my grandparents owned since new . Have you got yours on the road over here yet?

Old Red Wagon > twochevrons 02/14/2016 at 18:29

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Thanks! Being able to use Android Auto/Apple Carplay was pretty high on my list. Being able to use Google Maps with my phone on the infotainment without needing to spec an Autobahn GTI with navigation was huge. The performance pack i couldn’t pass up, for the price the differential alone was worth it, throw in the brakes and i had to do it. I plan on autocrossing the car from time to time so it was a no-brainer.

Yes the wagon is here in the states. Just drove it today actually. I have big plans for that car and will update the Oppo community as i mod/restore it.

Steve in Manhattan > twochevrons 02/14/2016 at 18:30

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What’s not to like? Get some light-colored seat covers and have at it!

twochevrons > Steve in Manhattan 02/14/2016 at 18:33

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I’m sure I’ll get used to the dark – it’s just the complete opposite of the light tan and birch interior of my 850R! The seats are nearly as comfortable, too, and that’s very high praise.

whoarder is tellurium > twochevrons 02/14/2016 at 18:34

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Yes, when you’re ready... get a simple Stage 1 tune. VW/Audi respond soo well to a lil’ more boost pressure and fuel.

Congrats!

(I miss my Stage 1+ 1.8T A4 now.)

twochevrons > Old Red Wagon 02/14/2016 at 18:37

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I am impressed at how good the XDS brake setup is, but I do hear that the electronic diff is a huge improvement. The lack of Android Auto and CarPlay will definitely hurt at times – I was keen on it for the same reason – but I’m still thrilled with the car.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > twochevrons 02/14/2016 at 18:39

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I think you’ll learn to love it when you see how your black leather seats will look as good as day one, ten years from now.

twochevrons > whoarder is tellurium 02/14/2016 at 18:43

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I heard that on Mk6 GTIs, the APR stage 1 tended to toast the clutch in pretty short order, so my plan is to hold out for a little longer to see how Mk7s fare, but it’s definitely on the agenda.

Right now, though, it’s still far quicker than anything else I’ve ever owned, so I’m still having plenty of fun.

whoarder is tellurium > twochevrons 02/14/2016 at 18:48

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Yep. I have heard that you can potentially hurt the clutch with that torque number.

If you do decide to go for it, I highly recommend Imola Motorsports in Plymouth.

Side note: I believe you can actually get a time limited trial tune as well... but that might be too tempting ;)

Happy break-in miles!

mazda616 > twochevrons 02/14/2016 at 19:39

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I love these! Congrats.

WhiskeyGolf > twochevrons 02/14/2016 at 20:10

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Amazing! Nice 3 door too, in the proper pure white. Congrats, you have my car (but mine will have PP haha)

twochevrons > WhiskeyGolf 02/14/2016 at 20:53

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I wasn’t too keen on the white to begin with – I really wanted the charcoal or dark blue, but it’s grown on me – I love the contrast with the black bumper trim, wheels and sunroof. I’m toying with the idea of wrapping the rest of the roof black.

I’d have definitely gone for the performance pack if I was buying new, but there don’t seem to be any used PP cars around; if I recall correctly, it only became available midway through the 2015 run.