My Opinion On Winter Driving The MK7 GTI

[@Coopjab]

A GTI with snows is a tank. I ran my brand new all seasons the first winter that I had my car and it do ...ok. Once I put snows on man is it a huge difference. Turning and stopping have been impressive, and the traction in snow is amazing.

[@James-vb8rb]

I've yet to have my GTI tuned during the winter, but in past years, I've had absolutely no issues with all-season tires. Really can make it anywhere.

[@vincentv1790]

Can you recommend for nyc winter? Im looking for all season

[@tomdoe1234]

If you don't have them already you should get the winter mats for your GTI. Mine came with them and they were awesome

[@dorkultra]

my golf R has been running like a beast since the temp drop, more than usual. took a hit at my mileage though

[@adamt3611]

Meh, I'll just leave the GTI in the garage when it snows or there's salt on the road and take my 4wd Tacoma. In my part of PA they love using the liquid crap...

[@Russellscottx]

I swear every mk7 owner either has a taco or traded their car in for one! Lol

[@adamt3611]

@@Russellscottx Heh I've noticed that too. My GTI is the summer and good weather car. Hell I won't even drive it in the rain. Yea I know it sounds silly, lol. It's a 2017 and doesn't even have 19k on it...

[@savagepandaprojects]

It's Quattro season! 😁😁😁

[@blackcatsarenopussies]

Have the GTI PP. Great car but in Wet/slippery you have to be gentle. It can spin easily when pushed a bit harder. Run with Conti TS850P in winter

[@vincentv1790]

What would you recommend for all season tires for winter in nyc?

[@blackcatsarenopussies]

@@vincentv1790 I live in Romania where the winters are the typical central continental with a lot of slush and periods of icy, snowy roads. NY winters can also be harsh. I do not recommend all seasons . You might get away with them like 90% of the time but when it's getting tough they won't be doing well. I am a believer in having winter and summer setups as the tires represent the only point of contact between you and the road. Many years ago with all seasons I went spinning on a snowy road just by driving in a straight line and ended in a ditch. All good but car needed repairs. Since then, proper winter tires in the cold season. I have Borbet V Model wheels 7.0Jx17xET49 with Continental TS850 205/50R17. They clear the calipers/brakes on my Performance Pack GTI And this is the size recommended by VW for winter wheels. And being more meaty the comfort thru snow and potholes is outstanding. You can check here for my car and some photos, it's a Romanian forum. You can use the translate feature if using Chrome but mostly you can check the photos. My Contis are good, actually multiple test winners at that time. Any performance winter tire from an established brand will do fine so don't overthink just don't go no name. I know it is extra money but it may be only one time they will need to do their job and you'll be happy. A few meters less in braking or better handling can make a big difference for you and your family's safety. Take care and good luck 🍺

[@vincentv1790]

@@blackcatsarenopussies i appreciated your fully thorough explanation, I guess having 2 sets would indeed bleed my wallet... all in all safety is crucial, so thank you for your thoughtful thoughts... as with the wheels im still undeciding whether to go with konig or rotiform... bbs and/or o.z are out of my budget range although they look so nice... enkei rpf1 is pretty nice indeed and stays within the budget... but with the harsh reality of the streets of nyc, ive seen people being robbed and left stranded with bricks all over their car wheels lol... so what would you say out of those 3 brands? Ill be more likely inclined toward staying stock suspension just because potholes and bump pretty much covered most of the roads in nyc. On summer tires I already have a set in mind which is the Federal 595 RSR, they run pretty meaty and super grippy especially going for stage 2 and dp in the neae future if any...Btw super appreciated of much of your thought process as well😇

[@blackcatsarenopussies]

@@vincentv1790 no worries 🍺 Don't know about American market but I wouldnt loose my sleep over the wheels choice. Konig and Rotiform are quite expensive in Europe. Not sure if Borbet is available. Really decent prices and top quality. German brand and from what I know the biggest in Europe, OEM supplier for VW, Audi, Merc, BMW. My original wheels from factory are Borbet. If not, just go for something simple from a reputable maker clean design the kind that doesn't attract the attention of wrong people. Or even better, second hand. I wouldn't mess with some crazy offset either. As for the rubber, even a cheap dedicated winter tire does much better than a premium all seasons in harsh winter conditions. I would suggest Nokia, Hankook, Nexen as I know they are somehow in the middle of the road price wise and with a very decent performance. Go for 205/50/17 as recommended, big difference in terms of comfort and safety, especially on snow or when you drive on bad roads. As for lowering I know in US you are all into that and bagging, stage 2 or 3 etc. I am not into that probably because I am a chicken and heard to many horror stories. The car is already set close to perfection, especially the suspension and the chassis. I don't go tracking and I also realize that no matter the tune it won't change into a Bugatti Veyron. Also my budget is not that stretchy. So my car is as stock as it gets. Looking at some guys once into tuning then it's an endless and mostly downward spiral. Anyway, whatever makes you happy, your money and you only live once. But I'd rather spend money on something else that gives me pleasure.

[@blackcatsarenopussies]

@@vincentv1790 forgot to add the link to that Romanian VW forum . It's my car's topic where you can see my winter setup vwforum.ro/topic/126712-golf-gti-pp-dsg-2016/page/3/

[@NiceGuyAidey]

Gti great cars ...... clean your steering wheel ; )

[@seanmcd72]

He did a video in the past where he cleaned it with a magic eraser! It looks like it has 18 years of use on it... :D

[@maxcichon2557]

Or at least wash your hands......

[@samchapman4471]

I’m glad you made this video man! I was living in Vegas for a few years (which is where I bought my GTI) and just moved to Germany a few months ago and I brought my car with me. One thing I’ve been worrying about is how it’s gonna handle in the winter months since this will be the first place I’ve ever lived that snows and has a REAL winter. On a side note, do you have your camera on a gimbal or something? I noticed that when you turned the video kinda panned to the side a little and then recentered on you when you straightened out

[@tomdoe1234]

Better get snow tires. I had a GTI with all season tires it was aweful in the winter

[@usa5046]

Snow tires are a must in Germany lol

[@delanobeek]

Wait. U brought a left hand drive car to Germany ? Isn’t Europe right hand drive

[@jeldibye]

Just curious, what was the process of bringing a US spec GTI to the EU?

[@tomdoe1234]

@@delanobeek no Europe drives same side as USA. It's great (weak) Britain that drives on the wrong side

[@niccologinanneschi5509]

Hi, what kind of springs eibach? you could send me the link? Thank you👍🏻🤟

[@jasonrego6855]

Dude the stock BS Potenzas are shit. Last year I got a set of Conti WinterContacts and what a difference. Winters all the way!!!

[@zubastik2992]

are your wheels out of balance? whats that noise?

[@Russellscottx]

Lots of camera noise going on and the tears are starting to howl from camber wear...time to get a new set!

[@johnr.1592]

@@Russellscottx Sounds like it could be a good time for a set of proper winter rubber...

[@Briskbillz]

How many miles are you at now bro?

[@Russellscottx]

About 71k now!

[@zubastik2992]

@@Russellscottx Mine is 2015 and I got 25k

[@Russellscottx]

Alex Shnaider that’s insane! Is it your second car?

[@zubastik2992]

MedicMagic yeah I got 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan as well also 25k miles😂. The GTI is 2 door apr stage 1 with dsg. I got the tune at around 2-3k miles.

[@JacesOwnWorld]

Look dude, what you need is straight winter tires, or I even recommend the Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06’s. I am IS38 manual pushing 380whp and 415wtq. I run 245/35 19’s all around. A set of the Conti DWS 06’s or something winter tires, is perfect for my car. I had no issues in hard snow storms, or making it up the mountain to go ski-biking on the DWS 06’s last winter. The GTI is just fine as long as you have a good tire for the winter conditions, even if it does spin tires easily. The same goes for any car though. Even my RWD 600hp E46 M3 manual has no problem in the snow with winter tires. Get the right tires. No need for this prolonged video bud.

[@troyseth8527]

Michelin x-ice on steelies with my 16 Gti. Snows make a huge difference.

[@interceptingfist5682]

Aftermarket wheels really help the mk7, because the stock one's are some of the UGLIEST wheels in existence.

[@ARentz07]

hard disagree

[@Jmoneyy365]

I disagree