NEW 2025 MK8.5 GOLF GTI + MK6 GTI ROAD TRIP TO FANFEST IN WOLFSBURG - PART 1

[@carcrazyguysa4059]

I would have liked to see more of the base Mk8.5 would like to see what's different

[@volkswizard]

This road trip video isn't the review - this is the review I made once I'd got to Wolfsburg; kzbin.info/www/bejne/jJvYp5t9fNiDiMksi=QHthLQKdtQ8SPu7S

[@mooferoo]

I'm definitely a mk7.5 person, but that mk2 is the looker of the whole bunch for me.

[@volkswizard]

Probably widely regarded as the best GTIs those

[@shaunbromley8445]

Best gti for me. Maybe because I’ve had 4, including 2 Rallyes.

[@grandprix1337]

What a perfect excuse to get out of the UK. Wonderful.

[@volkswizard]

Sadly one had to come back

[@smiddysmidton8313]

First thing in the shots i noticed from 8.5 to the 6 was how much nicer analogue gauges are and the interior in general.

[@volkswizard]

Analogue gauges vs digital are like a nice chronograph watch vs one of those Apple Watches - do you want craftsmanship or functions ? Porsche mix the two which is perfect 👌

[@eponymous7910]

Mk6 definitely the best build quality of any golf. Pity the petrol engines were so unreliable

[@melaniezimmermann-jv7th]

​@@volkswizard992.2 hast left the tchat...

[@alanoliver379]

Got a TCR which I love but best Golf I ever owned (and I've had a few!) was my Mk2 Rallye.

[@volkswizard]

Both special but Rallye is specialer 🤓

[@greigmackay8465]

I had an 11 plate 5 door mk6 gti dsg 5 door for about a year. Absolutely loved it. Felt more modern to drive than it's age would suggest. Also, it had a very good spec too, xenons, heated leather with lumbar, dyna audio, reversing camera, 18" monza wheels etc. I put a stage 1 map on it not long after getting it. Made it even more fun to drive and it was good on fuel too. The stage 1 made it more responsive and flexible too as the torque was more and spread over the rev range better. I would have another one! 😎

[@volkswizard]

Sounds like a great package 👌

[@kevinlyons9716]

Mk8 Haptic steering wheel cruise: swipe up across speed control buttons gives +5mph, swipe down gives -5mph. Individual push on +/- gives 1mph. Really simple.

[@tonyjazz4073]

Loved all 3 days. Great experience especially the Sunday drive through VW Wolfsburg and nice to meet you too!

[@volkswizard]

Good to meet you too Tony. Glad you made the parade as not everybody knew about this and it was very special. Hope you got back OK :)

[@garymcgregor7048]

OMG seeing these amazing golfs gives me goose bumps. Remembering the ones I've had and more importantly the ones I wish I still had 😢. Great memories though

[@volkswizard]

I know what you mean Gary, I could have bought Mk1 Mk2 and Mk3 for £10k not that long ago!

[@garymcgregor7048]

@@volkswizard lovely to see Kate smiling too 😄

[@DarrenJMHughes]

Although I miss my graphite blue mk5 gti (should never have sold it, but that’s another story) I do love my Issac blue mk7.5 gti performance. Anyway, throughly enjoyable part one, so much I’m waiting for part 2…

[@volkswizard]

If you are going to sell a Mk5, buying a 7.5 GTI Performance is the way to go so no need for regrets. Glad you enjoyed part 1, working on number 2 right now :)

[@leebradfield2438]

I saw all of these bar the Mk2 parked up in Wolfsburg, we drove up there from Kent via the Nurburgring in our Mk7 gti, was a cracking trip. The show itself was great.

[@volkswizard]

Well done Lee for making the effort, see you next time 👊🏻

[@robertseidl6798]

My first VW was a 2001 MK4 GTI VR6 with a 5 speed manual in Reflex Silver and my sixth VW was a MK7.5 GTI in Dark Iron Blue with a six speed manual and plaid seats..loved driving both…hopefully there is a third GTI in my future.

[@air.fuel.gogogo]

Recently changed from a Mk5 to Mk6 GTI, and although I loved the 5, the 6 is equally as good but slightly more refined. Apart from an ABS unit fail, loving it so far 😎👍

[@volkswizard]

Oh the ABS pressure sensor fault - amazed most haven’t been sorted by now as VW we’re funding a fix for a while. I love the Mk5 but it would have to be a Mk6 for me too as they are amazing value for money and better at high miles than Mk7

[@colinsavidge9121]

I did this trip in a Type 2 camper a number of years ago. Great to be reminded of all the GTI's, I have had all but the Mk8.

[@billx4266]

Still love my mk7 clubsport

[@volkswizard]

I don't blame you :)

[@DC5dotty]

Traffic recognition never an issue in my M2 🎉

[@volkswizard]

Some else said BMWs didn't have problems with traffic sign recognition but the odd positive statement is contrasted by the complaints by BMW owners if you search. A relative has a new 1 series and it says a local road I know well which is 60 mph both ways is 50 one way and 60 the other!

[@chasf3433]

The Mk6 was built to compete with BMW and Mercedes on quality but cost VW too much to make hence the noticeable drop in quality with the Mk7 & 8. Also the more compact size is a real benefit for UK roads but still good space for four.

[@volkswizard]

Good point re size, usefully narrower than Golf 7 which is quite a hefty car and I am sure VW sell a lot of mirrors. Apparently Mk6 was a cost down exercise on Mk5 - it was made to look expensive but was actually cheaper to make - if that is through better design than I am OK with that as perceived quality is good and better than 'elephant's arse' plastic in Mk5.

[@katechapple217]

A brilliant trip! Would do it again in a heartbeat.

[@volkswizard]

Well there is 50 years of GTI in 2026 so I think we may well be back for that :)

[@katechapple217]

@@volkswizard I do hope so!

[@GreenMeanie76-jp8bp]

Wunderbar, Herr Chapple.

[@parvindermander5664]

I miss my mk5 GTI

[@jonathonbrett-qn1ic]

WOW GTI Heaven:) If you had to bring one home with your heart to keep forever what one would it be. And one with your head what would it be. Brilliant thank you Andrew Vdub:)

[@volkswizard]

Mk6 for head Mk1 for heart Honestly took no time to think of that JB:)

[@ravenmaster6364]

I had you down as mk2 over a mk1 kind of man Andrew 😂👍​@@volkswizard

[@apox5308]

Love it! Legend. Should have said I’d have bought the mk7 performance pack GTI i have

[@chroniccrypto75]

I still love my ed35 looks like a awesome drive with all the gti’s

[@RUDDY997]

Hi Andrew, with all the industrial issues at VW currently do you think this event will be held in 2025 ?

[@slen6293]

The speed recognition works perfectly on my bmw… just saying

[@volkswizard]

That’s interesting. Maybe you are just lucky or where you drive is more consistent with road signs. A quick search suggests that generally BMWs are similarly afflicted

[@malcolmscott4150]

Such fun was had by the looks of it - fabulous to see the journey Volkswizards - club schportz all the way :)

[@jenny80myles]

Instead of crash, I may cause a crash if I see this convoy because I would be too busy gawking instead of driving. :)

[@rollwithit2012]

Great video would have loved to take my CS 40 along will you be doing it again next year ?

[@volkswizard]

Thanks. I would have looked to take my Clubsport S :) Not sure about next year but 2026 for 50 years of GTI is a must 👍

[@rollwithit2012]

@@volkswizard yeah I definitely fancy doing that for the anniversary I guess there might be a few going from the Uk 🇬🇧

[@richfixescars]

Heavenly convoy.

[@volkswizard]

😍

[@peterleighton279]

Is your index finger aching from all the touchscreen inputs to do what a single button used to do? Not for me I’m a dinosaur!

[@volkswizard]

TBH once you set the car up how you want it there isn't much you need to fiddle with apart from nav and the older cars make you grateful for the standard nav and simple input methods, especially as demonstrated voice control (no fingers necessary 😉 )

[@billx4266]

25 kg luggage, traveling with wife.... 😀

[@volkswizard]

25kg was just the case, I think there was probably a good 15 more! In mitigation we were away for 11 nights in the end and pretty much used everything we took with us. Most others came back a week before us. Lucky it wasn't winter is all I can say :)

[@chrisp4899]

I think the build quality went down hill from the mk6

[@malchowle5618]

Wow that was special ....enjoy 😀

[@volkswizard]

Indeed it was Malc!

[@ShawaebTee]

mk6 gti guy here- is an R an upgrade?

[@volkswizard]

Same as with later cars really, on paper yes but sometimes less is more

[@bopnes]

Have you been offered the new Octavia RS to review. Seems there are no press cars/reviews anywhere despite it being on sale!

[@andrewjohnston2901]

great vlog andy what a trip this is !

[@billx4266]

ClubSSSSSSSSSSSSport

[@volkswizard]

I am trying to avoid it but it schtill schlips in :)

[@Robin-c8e1q]

Less tech please we're motorists

[@volkswizard]

Unfortunately the tech is there to allow for lowest common denominator motorists

[@matsnordell5108]

Mr Volkswizard - I'm so extremely tired of your videos with this constant bad sound quality. It's hard to hear what you're saying and if you turn up the volume it's just more noise. Please talk to your colleagues in the industry who also produces their own YT films about cars but with significantly better microphone sound. I don't understand how you can repeatedly fail to get good mic sound movie after movie after movie.

[@maverick4177]

Give your head a wobble mate

[@volkswizard]

I welcome constructive criticism but I think you are mistaking this video for one that can be carefully produced with plenty of time available and scripting. I will ask my colleagues who filmed the road trip how they handled filming on the fly but I suspect the answer will be that nobody actually did because it's too much like hard work. So it's basically a case of film this in a relatively rough and ready format or not at all and I think most viewers would go for the former. If you want to specify other recent videos where quality is an issue I can maybe do something about that but an email would be best. Thanks.

[@matsnordell5108]

@@volkswizard Thanks for the answer much appreciated

[@Spocksgoat]

Smashing, what a great trip. Look forward to part 2

[@volkswizard]

Glad you enjoyed it👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻