Volkswagen Golf GTI, is the go-to hot hatch still any good? | ReDriven VW Golf GTI (Mk7/7.5) review.

[@joshua4859]

I bought a 2015 Mk7 GTI last year, same spec as the one in the vid, and I absolutely love it. Has 128000km on the clock and still runs like a beast. Still hassle-free so far (touch wood).

[@mrpoppz838]

I was thinking of getting a gti, Mk7 preferably. Is there anything I should know about them? Is it worth spending the money? I’m a Uni student and have $3k saved up and idk if I should finance one or buy one upfront.

[@joshua4859]

@@mrpoppz838 dude its Def worth spending the money, but only if you can afford it. I bought mine last year August for about 20000$ but I had a car that was paid off which which took about 7000$ off the price plus savings of about 4000$. So my monthly payment isnt very steep. Also, take your time when you are looking around. I must have looked at about 10 different GTIs until I found my Gem. Make sure that you have no regrets with what you're buying becuase you have to live with it and look at it everyday.

[@petervanta3526]

Hey josh, I'm planning on getting this car in the performance model for $23000 aud. I do want to question the entertainment system (coming from an audi a3 quattro, 2015), is it any good?

[@joshua4859]

@@petervanta3526 hey man. Infotainment system is basic but it gets the job done. Has all your basics like radio, car warnings, tire pressure, media, Bluetooth etc. Has everything you need really. The screen isn't very hi resolution but yeah. Didn't buy the car for the infotainment system lol. I think you will be getting the same amount of tech as in the audi.

[@petervanta3526]

@@joshua4859 thanks for the reply and insight!!

[@jacktibbett7062]

I appreciate the review from the US. I don’t remember why I clicked on this video but I’m glad I did. I personally have a 2016 Autobahn with performance and lighting, just a hair under 95k miles or 152k km. My car has been a dream, previous owner had water pump and sunroof drains replaced when due, as well as DSG services and carbon cleaning. Obviously my car isn’t the same as everyone else’s, but I drive it pretty hard every day and it’s not had any issues whatsoever. I bought it with 74k (119k) on the odometer in August of 2020. All that being said, I couldn’t disagree more with the reliability section. The EA888.3 is a good, strong motor and with basic maintenance it’ll last far longer than mine has so far. Transmission as well. Both 6spd manual and DSG found in the mk7 are great and solid transmissions, if you take care of them. But that goes for any car. There are some dumb issues with GTIs but they’re all easily avoidable if you understand proper maintenance. That’s just my 2 cents though. Feel free to roast me for liking VW in the replies lol

[@ReDriven]

Hi Jack. Thanks so much for watching and commenting and, awesome comments. As far as the reliability goes, we're thinking that maybe the harsh Australian climate and our terrible roads is the reason that we see so many mechanical issues here. We've heard of far too many horror stories and while you're exactly right, with the the right maintenance they should be ultra-reliable, I have several friends that have GTi/R Golfs and all have had some major issues. In saying that, as we've read in the comments, many owners have had a faultless experience but it's the inconsistency that concerns us. - AK

[@jacktibbett7062]

@@ReDriven I appreciate the response as well y’all. From what I’ve seen, it has to be the climate difference. Don’t take me as a hard core, no wrong can be done Golf fanboy. I love them but every brand, every car has its problems. I understand the issues that arise, like water pumps and water drains. Just seems like in the US we don’t seem to have any of the reliability other issues. Once again I really appreciated the review, it was so comprehensive and I didn’t notice anything that got missed. You covered issues that needed solving, things that could be improved, but also highlighted great aspects of the car and remained absolutely unbiased and that’s absolutely the way it should be. Awesome video

[@ReDriven]

@@jacktibbett7062 Ah Jack thanks so much man. Really really appreciate the kind words mate. - AK

[@MrMrgiggles103]

@@jacktibbett7062 I've also been thinking about getting one and the one I'm looking at is a 2015 golf gti autobahn with 90k miles or 145km for $20k CAD. Was wondering if thats a good price and what things I should look out for when I go see jt in person. It's also from a dealership so I'm wondering if it's safe to assume if water pump and other consumable parts would already be replaced

[@jacktibbett7062]

@@MrMrgiggles103 for 20k CAD you can’t really go wrong, biggest thing to look out for is the water pump, 40k mile service, and if it’s DSG, see if the DSG service has been done too. But since it’s from a dealer, I would be surprised if those services haven’t already been done. See if they have a car fax report on it, that should include all of the service records if they don’t have physical copies. Good luck!

[@pheonixfps9248]

As a former vw mech, I think your mechanical representative is exacerbating some of those issues. They're not as common as he's making it out. Later Mk7's water pump issues where very minimal.

[@hughbugger]

For sure. And he completely overlooks the multi award winning EA888 engine with all its modern tech only seen in VWs.

[@einfelder8262]

Agreed. Painting the GTI as a time bomb waiting to drain your wallet is misleading in the extreme.

[@hughbugger]

@@einfelder8262 Yea for sure. The fact he also didn't even touch on the tuning possibilities is a shame.

[@pheonixfps9248]

@@hughbugger probably very clueless to the 10 second potential the stock motor has.

[@brianvieane3907]

It's not a big issue in the later ones I hear but I just went through my second one(water pump and thermostat housing) at 85000 miles. It is like a 700-1000 repair with parts and labor. Part is only like $300 if u do it yourself though. Otherwise car is stage 1 with only problems is the water pumps and the clutch blew out on stock one with tune but that was expected

[@simplesimonh123]

If you’re getting a mk7, get a ‘16 or ‘17. I’ve had my 17 for nearly a year now, and it’s been the most reliable vehicle I’ve ever owned, and my previous vehicle was an ep3 civic. It’s the perfect car for the enthusiast who still wants some practicality, and refinement. This car feels way more expensive than it actually is. The interior is gorgeous, the drivetrain is magical, the ride is sporty but still unbelievably comfortably. Way better than the focus st, wrx, civic si, and DEFINITELY better than the brz. No regrets here on the purchase. Also get the Clarke plaid if you can because it’s awesome.

[@carswnova]

"Arguments with speedbumps" I honestly appreciate your choice of words mate 😂✊🏿

[@ReDriven]

Cheers mate! - AK

[@ransfordrichards4864]

@@ReDriven ===

[@carswnova]

Hi again. Watching from South Africa only the tuned ones and dealership babies seem to last. I don't see any sunroof or any mad engine issues besides the carbon fouling and DSG (if they go unserviced) as I've observed we tend to keep our cars here, many still happily own theirs. Just watched your review again, tying to decide between the M140i, Civic Type R (2016) and a 2016 performance golf. Also looking for something I can work on myself. Of the 3 which would you go for? Practicality, Daily driving, grand touring and some track driving will be involved.

[@carswnova]

Bus seriously. This is good content. That cheat sheet comes in handy this side of the world too

[@bluecent]

I’ve had my GTI-P since new from Nov 2015, and now has 110,000kms. No complainants except for: - thermostat housing replacement at 80,000kms - foil trim around DSG peels and cuts fingers Full service history in great condition.

[@brettsletterbox]

Foil trim is a recall item. Mine was replaced with a trim that didn’t cut last year as part of a service at VW.

[@davidszymanski1382]

I have the exact same model and never had an issue besides getting the water pump done last service at 65k. Have an apr tune and it puts the car on a hole new level!! 5 years of hassle free motoring and she’s a little weapon. I’d definitely recommend 1! 👍🏼

[@ReDriven]

Awesome to hear mate.

[@harvesterofeyes8813]

My water pump broke at around 30,000 miles. Luckily no other problems and I bought it brand new when it came out. I have mods on it and still has been a solid car.

[@bart9522]

Brutally honest review. Love it!

[@ReDriven]

Thanks Bart

[@CapFlipGaming]

@@ReDriven I subscribed because of it! Good stuff!

[@thisfool89]

I just bought a 2013 base model 2 door GTI, and i freaking love it. It has amazing handling and is plenty quick enough. The interior is comfortable and even though its a 2013 it dosen't feel like im in that old of a car. Yes there are some draw backs like the armrest has basically zero storage space and the clutch dosent have a great feel to it, but overall i am super happy with my purchase.

[@ReDriven]

Awesome to read mate. Thanks for watching and commenting. - AK

[@timtuma4150]

One year update, hows the car doin?

[@thisfool89]

@@timtuma4150 car is still doing great. Granted I only drive like 2,000 miles year. I'm super lucky to live only 3 miles from work. I've decided to keep it stock so other then some cosmetics there have been no mods, although I would like to downsize my wheel so I can put on a taller tire. I did have to replace the trunk latch mechanism a few months after I bought the car but that was a $20 and 15 minute repair, and one day on my way home from a friends house my ECT just fell right out of it's bezel. I guess the clip that holds it in gave up on life. That was another $20 15 minute fix, but yeah other then that car is super good. There is I think a 2012 civic SI that takes the route to work as I do and we have done some rolling start pulls and I get him every time. Couldn't be happier.

[@xande47PT]

@@thisfool89 another update ? XD

[@thisfool89]

@@xande47PT lol sure. So in my last comment I said I drive 2k miles a year. I think that might be an exaggeration. I've owned the car for 4 years now and I've only put like 3.5k on it, so I might not be the best measure for how well these cars hold up. With that said, one of the heater connectors started leaking. A bunch of the coolant lines don't connect to hard metal pipes. For some stupid German engineering reasons all of the coolant hose connections are plastic connectors and they eventually give up on life, so I replaced all the plastic connectors with new ones and replaced all my coolant lines with those super cool HPS red coolant lines kits. Nowy engine bay matches my paint job lol. Other then that no mechanical issues. A cosmetic issue I'm really sad about is my headliner is completely sagging now. When I bought the car 4 years ago it just had a small bubble up near the front dome light now it's the entire thing sagging. No new mods. Just a new set of tires and a front break job.

[@davidmatthews3093]

I bought my Mark V GTI in 2006 and it has been my everyday car ever since. It’s still a joy to drive, fast, agile and practical. Strangely it’s got more economical as time has gone on. It’s still too fast for modern speed limits and I can’t see me changing it soon. It’s done 10x the mileage of the car featured and when it’s washed and hoovered looks great.

[@mrpoppz838]

I’m thinking of getting a GTI, it would be my first car and I’m on Uni. If u don’t mind me asking, is there anything in particular to know about the gti? Any problems u had with it? As well, would it be worth buying a gti with 150K+ km on it?

[@thefreshestprince89]

Wonder if your foot has gotten lighter over time/with age, lending to better fuel economy?!

[@reyjustimbaste1058]

i’ve had issues with my 09 mkv. first of all the recall on the abs, which had almost gotten me killed when it stopped working on me on a rainy day. i found out about the recall 2 months after i had it fixed. second, the one that soured me was the plastic intake manifold. ive had it replaced twice plus the obligatory carbon buildup cleaning. otherwise i love driving the car and am looking at what’s improved since the mkv

[@thebifguy]

I have had a mark V GTI. After 130.000 km problems would start to occur. I have constantly problems with my dash lighting up with an engine light. Honestly I loved the car every single day, but it is a car with high maintenance. If you are bit handy it can be easily done.( most of it) after chipping the gti it became a beast. 280 pk and 406 nm (stage 2) I recommend the mk5 if you are handy.

[@TheAmlx]

@@thebifguy maintenance bro, oils and filters need to be changed every 5-10k, secondly dirt actually messes up the sensors as well, depending which one it is you might have to go through some figure which one is faulty and just clean it out or replace but MAINTENANCE is key for these cars.

[@gw8024]

Just had my 2016 GTI in for its 5 year service today, it’s been leaking coolant and yes the water pump has gone. Needs a new battery as well so looking at close to $2k all up. Mechanic mentioned he’s replacing 3 or 4 water pumps a week but overall he described the engine as bulletproof if properly serviced. Great car overall but just be mindful of the potential costs, the 4 year service was quite expensive as well due to the DSG oil needing replacing.

[@Ghettede]

Man the garage ripps you of. I paid 600 euros for a waterpump with distribution belt and the rolls. Battery is around 200-300 euro i think. (It’s a gtd but same waterpump probs)

[@mynameisluist]

Is it a VW dealer? You should look into a reliable third party mechanic that specializes on Euro cars. I go to one that does Audis and Volkswagens and they only charged 650! Worth looking into.

[@TheStageOriginal]

Well not a big deal spending 2K$ on it in a two years, when you take in count that it's sort of compromise between "sport car" and daily driven car. Bro I bought A4 2.0 TDI 125kW and I have been in service cost around 5K$ for a three years and 80k kilometers driven and everything that failed during that time was just things that are sort of "consumer goods" car axle that's already 1,5k$ on it's own, even when you replace a fkin door lock which believe me one of 4 locks will fail each year due to it's great and uncomplicated design :D it's 250$ for replacement in non-autorized service. If you do it home then it's just like 50$ for non original part. And all of this was a service cost in unauthorised service...

[@hbonli]

I have been living with 2 VWs (one 4 years old and the other 9 years old). If you want reliability get those built after 2014 (2015 onwards). The mk7 golf is ok provided it wasnt driven by a maniac. The engine plastics are ok although I do agree the plastic waterpump issue may crop up. Otherwise the more likely problem you’ll end up with are the wheel speed sensors failing or roof liner sagging. My cars havnt have any major breakdowns at all.

[@User-cb4jm]

Do a regular 1.4T VW Golf 7/7.5 please. They sold in huge numbers in Australia around mid-decade and it’s interesting to see what issues lie with it in the long term. Looking back they were also reviewed very highly, and won just about all small car comparisons when new. The only known issue at the time was the DSG, but it’s interesting to look at it as a used car.

[@pummyy]

I have a 2018 model and just paid 3k for service because it blew its cam shaft pulley just after 4 years and 60k kms and right after warranty. while my 2009 Xtrail is still going solid . Bullshit German engineering.

[@l2icksta]

I have a 1976 gti mk1 with 400000kms and still runs the same as the day i drove it out of the showroom

[@ReDriven]

Ricky, so so jealous, one of my all time favourite cars. - AK

[@mrpoppz838]

Idk much mechanically about cars so hopefully u could answer my question, but if a car has that many km’s on it, shouldn’t it be needing a shit ton of repairs?

[@kylek328]

I bought my 2016 GTI SE at the start of 2018. After putting 35k miles on it (50k total on the dial), my only issue was a failed gas cap which was obviously covered under warranty. I’ve done all of the regular scheduled maintenance at the dealer to maintain the warranty without hassle, just to be safe. It’s an awesome car all-around and I highly recommend it.

[@kylek328]

I spoke too soon. Coolant pump and thermostat housing failed. I was a little late getting the low coolant light inspected (I topped it off) because I ruptured my Achilles’ tendon and couldn’t walk for 7 weeks. I confirmed the issue 10 days after my warranty expired and reported it. After waiting weeks for an answer, VW is only going to charge me $875, instead of $2200. It’s BS and makes me question ever buying another Volkswagen. Not only because it failed so soon, but because of their lack of empathy, given the circumstances.

[@oh_look_bananas]

@@kylek328 I hate hearing stories like this about vw. I’ve been wanting a gti for years now but been so hesitant because of all the failing components. Good luck with your gti man. Hopefully that’s all the major work she’ll need for a long time.

[@kylek328]

@@oh_look_bananas thanks man. Hope so too.

[@B1ood1ess]

My 2012 MK6 gti has been a great car but I agree, I don't think I would buy another one. I've had the turbo go out, radiator go out, water pumps, valve cover gaskets, intake manifold/sensor (which is all one part so you can't replace just the sensor), had to replace the headliner, not to mention getting the carbon build up cleaning multiple times, and all the parts are very expensive. My car has 120k miles and I bought it at about 60k miles, and I've put almost as much money into maintenance as I have into the price of the car. Maybe the MK7's are better but I'm pretty put off from volkswagen now. Many of these issues may be common on other cars too but having to replace the turbo at 100k miles was $5k which is a pretty massive pain in the ass, and i'm spending another 5k on the radiator, water pump, head gasket, valve cover gaskets.

[@jacobreyes9933]

Nooo 😭 😭

[@Malama1492]

$5K to replace the Turbo wholly dam 😳

[@kennethkariuki536]

@@Malama1492 A hybrid K04 costs significantly less than that. Don't know where he got a replacement cause that's overpriced

[@alexm7043]

i've had a lot of issues with my m6 gti too. Hopefully the mk7 ones are more reliable

[@wakaflockaproject]

Mk7 is more reliable. Mk6 is a headache stay away. Endure the owner has proof of receipts for work done and oil changes done on time and issues fixed when they occur

[@alexanderson9227]

Very accurate review, thank you. They are brilliant cars when they work but water pump on these is a real problem. I had to replace it on my car and a mate with his Audi had it replaced twice in 3 years. It cost a lot of money, specially on labour.

[@JacesOwnWorld]

I bought a base model 2017 GTI 6spd brand new. Have 97k miles on it. Still going very strong! Yes, I’ve had my fair share of things fail on it, but that’s mostly because of modding it. It’s currently IS38 91oct on meth with a custom tune, FBO, CTS FMIC, ST XTA coilovers, SB STG3 Endurance clutch, fully modded shifter components. Close to 400whp/430wtq. It’s quick, and pushing over double whp from the factory, hence why some things have failed, but the engine has been completely bullet proof, and the interior has had zero issues. Apple CarPlay works perfectly every time still, and it’s quick too. I think the MK7 GTI is okay from the factory, but it’s a little soft for me. Once modded though, it’s another animal altogether.

[@mrpoppz838]

Hey man I checked out ur channel, love the videos and the car, I want a gti for myself as my first car. Anything u suggest doing to the car? Would it be worth buying a gti with like 150k+ km on it? I really want a gti but for someone who’s in university I wanna make sure it’ll be worth the money in the end and not drag me into crippling debt

[@boskobuha9694]

@@mrpoppz838 me to same

[@jacquesjrroy785]

I like the honesty. I had gtiS. Mk2, mk4 and for the mk5 I had a audi A3 ( which is mecanically the same) . What a incredible hatch, direct injected turbocharged sequentially shifted... piece of crap. Had it for 4 years and it had all the repair you will find in forums ( waterpump, after run cooling pump, valves carbon deposite, turbo housing, main crank seal, windows slider (3), A/C condenser, blower motor, colum lock barrel. Just from 89k km to 158k km. After 20 years of gti this vw got me so scared I now drive a Toyota Camry!

[@michaelconverse5127]

I bought my 2015 GTI Autobahn with manual transaxle new. On one hand it’s a fantastic car. It’s small but has plenty of room inside. I did a stage 1 APR tune on it which is mild enough to not cancel the warranty but transformed the personality. It’s fun to drive even for very long trips, it’s well laid out and just an overall great design. It looks mature enough to valet at a nice restaurant too. Complaints : vw dealer service sucks. Early on I had an issue in which my car was very humid and misty inside whenever it would rain. I took it to the dealer several times under warranty for this and they found nothing. I went to install a tow bar to hall bikes with a couple of years later and after pulling certain parts out to do so, I found a huge amount of mold. I traced it to under the carpet etc. I found on my own through some testing that there are check valves that allow air out but do not allow water in, and they failed, allowing water to pour in during a car wash or heavy rain. It was going right under he carpet. Vw refused to do anything about it because the car was out of warranty, even though I’d complained about it for the time it was still under warranty on several occasions. 3 dealers and vw of America refused to do a thing. I ended up replacing the check valves and the seats and carpet with items from a wrecked GTI. There have been no other issues with the car since then until this week-I hit 76,000 miles and now I have a fairly heavy tick on the engine that I believe is the cam. So I’m divided. I still love the car. And other than the water issue and the recent problem it’s been extremely reliable. The two issues it has had, are not insubstantial and again, despite me being a lifelong vw driver I was appalled at the lack of assistance from vw or its dealers.

[@vr6gls]

My 2016 Golf GTI hasn’t had a single issue that these reviewers claim are “so common”. I bought GTI brand new and it has been the best car I have owned. I meticulously maintain my car and it has been reliable for over 120K. Ohh, did I mention I am big turbo as well??

[@SilverScarletSpider]

8:35 bloody brilliant work mates!

[@ReDriven]

Hahahaha cheers mate

[@kingjulian1549]

I'm a member of several Golf forums where just about every Golf has been modified within an inch of their lives and even in that world these cars are pretty reliable. A lot of the guys run Mark 5s too which are now all well over 10 years old and i'm not hearing daily horror stories. Sure water pumps are a common problem, but everyone knows about that. Life is short. Buy a good low mileage GTI, do a stage 1 ECU and TCU tune and you will have a hugely entertaining car which is the perfect blend of daily and performance car. Most of the competition ride too hard and will drive you nuts on rough suburban streets.

[@barriemoorcroft534]

I have a used 2007 GTI MK V with 120k km which I bought in 2018 as a 1 owner car. Almost 5 yrs later the car has now 20km more and been perfectly reliable and a joy to own. Granted Ive been working abroad so the mileage isnt so high but irregular use, regular servicing, and I couldnt be happier. Fuel consumption not too baad either, between 30 to 35mpg depending on how heavy the right foot is. Used as a daily driver, and still looks great.

[@joshuaadams3427]

any tips on keeping it well maintained? just bought an 08' gti myself

[@alanoki24]

As a person who has owned a MK7 GTI, I had the waterpump issues as well as a cracked piston. Great review!

[@danwangari7521]

The first you do when buying one is changing the waterpump

[@Max_Thunder]

Up to 50,000 miles my mk7.5 has been super solid. Driven through harsh winters and summers. We'll see how it goes the next 50k miles. Hopefully good ;)

[@ReDriven]

Awesome to hear Jason. - AK

[@BobK5]

Do you still have the Gti Jason, any updates on how the last year was?

[@Max_Thunder]

@@BobK5 Yep still have it. I just passed 66 thousand miles got my winter tires on and ready to rock another winter. No issues to report.

[@BobK5]

@@Max_Thunder thanks for the update Jason, the 7.5 GTi is a very cool car, all the best

[@parall4x]

from the US. just found your channel and really enjoying. excellent length plenty of detail on less prevalent issues you would otherwise never hear about without hours of digging through forums. excellent delivery and just relaxing to watch, thanks!

[@parall4x]

had a 2006 GTI and the oil burning, carbon buildup and general HPFP design were horrendous (chewed up camshaft lobes). seems those isssues were resolved at least within 10 years?

[@johnstewart42]

I’ve got 200,000 klms on my 2010 GTD. Only normal maintenance so far. Love it and 5 litres of diesel gets me 100 klms.

[@jcsrst]

Good to hear about all the potential problems. What you have there is very well maintained example! Usually they are hammered!

[@jamiebishop9512]

Picking up a 2018 gti tomorrow. 21k miles. 2 years warranty and free servicing. Fingers crossed.

[@lacrosse4higher]

Got my MK 7.5 S a few weeks ago and I get so many good emotions from it. Only thing is my old Prius had insanely better fuel economy and I miss refueling twice a month for dirt cheap

[@ReDriven]

So good to hear mate. Thanks for watching too. - AK

[@lavine0823]

Oh my dayz....Why hasn't this channel been recommended to me earlier 🤦‍♂️🤦 I live in Australia and watch heaps of car videos everyday and usually have to get my content from the UK...Great review on a car I am considering... This dude is just proper and genuine...provides the info we want...no b.s.... Yes I just subscribed 👍

[@ReDriven]

Mate thanks so much! I just had a great dinner but this comment of yours is the thing that has made my day! Cheers again man. - AK

[@marklambert2750]

I’ve had the Golf 7.5 GTI for five years now and what a great family car they make.

[@eppyz]

Technically the water pumps don't fail, the gasket between the block and the pump fails causing seepage or a leak. Why VW doesn't have a fix for this very well known problem is beyond me. Other than that? They are pretty solid cars👍😎

[@tommyclarke3225]

I’m on my 3 GTI and I love them. I’ve had both the stick shift and the DSG and the DSG is actually more fun and can handle the extra torque from my power module. Mine is forever in sport mode. When it isn’t, it feels unstable around corners but that’s all relative. I haven’t experienced any issues other than rattling in the back but that was covered with the warranty.

[@ReDriven]

Awesome to hear Tommy, congrats.

[@tommyclarke3225]

@@ReDriven although I should have mentioned that the Android auto connection disconnects often and makes me want to drive into a pylon. I’ve tested my phone and new cord in other cars and they work just fine. It’s definitely the car.

[@reklovjj]

Can you expand on the back rattling? My 2015 has back rattling (nothing noisy but there). What is it?

[@tommyclarke3225]

@@reklovjj it happened twice, both times it was strut mounts and bearings. Front then back.

[@paulherbert5548]

I am the original owner of a 2015 VW GTI-S model. I have never heard of or seen the water leaks this fellow mentions. I don't have a sun roof so I can't comment about roof leaks. By the way, I live in South Carolina where we get monsoon amounts of rainfall. The EA888 has been flawless. I'm also on the original clutch with 50K miles. The only unexpected fix was a air conditioner seal covered under warrantee.

[@ReDriven]

The water leaks are well reported online Paul. In fact two friends that own both GTI and R have had the issue. - AK

[@yoshithebest5924]

I got a 2017 VW Golf GTI S Under 30,000 miles, got it for under 25,000 U.S. dollars And I crashed it into a curb about a month later :D Though it’s fixed back into my possession and working like an charm! Love the car! Still annoyed I nailed the curb like an idiot

[@dmoar1303]

Just bought a 17 model 6 speed with 23,000 miles absolutely fantastic drive

[@evolvingguy2766]

As a purchaser of the platform who watch this video before shopping for one, he does definitely over exaggerate issues I’m the second owner of my car. It’s currently at 100,000 miles and has only needed one water pump replacement otherwise basic service maintenance if you follow the manual, the car is reliable. only thing outside of normal maintenance. I’ve had to replace was mirror glass that came detached. 2015 GTI Autobahn DSG Lighting package

[@silentvalue]

2015 and 2016 year models saw a few issues such as waterpump failure and wastegate issues on the turbos. I have had my 2017 for almost 5 years now tuned with all the bolt ons, and it has been a gem. I have the manual, so the clutch upgrade was an extra cost, but that's to be expected. German cars just require more persistent general maintenance than a japanese counterpart. You can beat on a honda for 100k miles worry free with total disregard for abuse, but with german cars, you gotta make sure to spend a little time with the ole girl here and there. Leads to a healthier relationship.

[@niconiconnu]

how does one check for those issues when not only buying but driving it everyday, does the car tell you the waste gate failed?

[@silentvalue]

@@niconiconnu waterpumps are completely random. I've had mine for almost 6 yrs now and it has a slight drip leak, but still holding up. I'll probably have it replaced within the next year as well as carbon cleaning at the same time. As for the turbo, most people with wastegate issues will get an epc light and limp mode upon hard driving at highway speeds, but it seems more frequent than it is bc online most who mention it are tuned. I doubt many people saw issues stock. Then again, i've been tuned for 5 years and never had an epc light, so i dunno. Maybe after a certain high mileage it would be good to check the voltage of the wastegate via vagcom. Im at only 61k miles right now.

[@picturesfromtheworld208]

That's why I own a Japanese car. Always wants the comfort and silence of a German car but I the maintenance costs always put me off. I'm at 80000 miles over 17 years. I've only done oil changes, air filters and.... That's it!!

[@frankyjas5184]

I’ve had 4 GTI’s. The 87, ‘08, ‘12, and now I have the ‘15. I do agree with most of what you said. Thankfully it hasn’t cost me a ton since I’m a mechanic so I’ve done pretty much all the work myself. But if you’re not a mechanic or you’re not really good with tools then yeah. This car will hurt your pockets for sure.

[@LegerAndCo]

the only thing I can say about these gti's is the waterpump/thermostat housing is junk. had a 2016 6speed that I bought with low mileage in 2018 at 70k my 1st water pump went. and now my 2020dsg that I upgraded to new, in 2020 is going threw its 1st waterpump at 102K kilometers. other than that make sure you do oil changes every 8000km Liqui moly or motul, keep a spare qaurt in the trunk if you drive it hard as these tend to burn a fair amount of oil. I'm stage 1 tcu ecu with all the bolt-ons aside from a downpipe. my old mk7 was stock aside from an airbox and muffler delete. DSG gearing make this car move faster imo once tuned. and dont have to spend 2-3 grand on a clutch upgrade on the glass house stock clutch. also here in canada the base models 2019 onwards had the performance pack as standard (golf r brakes, DQ381 7 speed, adaptive LSD, and more power.)

[@calvinjohnson2382]

Jim's taken the words out of mouth. See those issues all the time at the workshop. Constantly see water pumps letting go at 30 - 40,000km on even well maintained cars.

[@Ace21kg]

class action lawsuit in the US for owners of several VW models with water pump issues. extends warranty or if you've had repair you can get partial reimubursement.

[@richardstephenhempshall2451]

Had my 7.5 manual from new 4 years old now best car i have ever had ,never heard of major problems ,only thing i done is remove bag out of coolant expansion tank which can split & cost a fortune to repair. Try owning a Harley Davison you would be on here hours with problems🤣🤣🤣😂

[@karvapea50]

I bought 2015 GTI performance pack in february. I have ecu tune made in dyno and it produces 236kw and 440nm. I had few problems with rust and interior rattles, but everything else is fine.

[@arrebufoo]

I am surprised. Issues?? The only issue you can have is the water pump. 300€. I have one I know many people with this cars and no problems at all

[@darrylpinto3513]

Thanks! Love the honest commentary. I seriously was looking to buy one of these Mac 7s but now will definitely look into some of the issues you mentioned. It was the shape that I was after than the Mac 8, but I guess a new one would make more sense.

[@TheAmlx]

Oh bro, please tell me you didn't buy a different car just because of his review.. His review out of all was the most weirdest review Ive seen so far for this car... He did stress some key points (try to look for manufac. year 2016+ and maintenance is IMPORTANT change oils 5-10k miles, if you buy the car just look it up) but its not as bad as he portrayed it.. Otherwise nobody would be buying the car.. Im trying to import one as we speak and mine was in a car accident so I actually have to get it fixed first before driving it but still.. so far, the reviews and rl convos are highly positive, just dont forget the above mentioned things. Oh, I thought of buying the MK8 but the majority of reviews Ive seen werent positive (in difference to this one and MK7) but my personal beef w the MK8 is its interior, not a fan of it at all but the MK7 is just a gem 😍

[@Jus600RR]

The ad for the 2005 GTI is the best commercial of all time

[@sebastianiangrasso764]

I bought a very low klms demo 2020 model with all the latest updates so far no issues, I LOVE IT!

[@ckly]

13:30 bruh it’s a dct - ofc it’ll feel that way

[@yosefm170]

I can say, the central locking is a common problem. Had that in two doors on my Passat B8 and Audi A4 B8.5, warranty fixed these but kind of annoying

[@davidgomezorantes5278]

I was looking for one. And i just change my mind after i check all points of this video. Most of the GTI cars on my country come from the USA after they are crashed. Flooded or rollover. Definitely A AWSOME AND HELPFULL VIDEO TNX

[@HUNTERLARD]

I’ve a mk5 it currently has 360000km makes lifter noises leaks oil but still going strong can’t kill it

[@Excarituds]

The potential problems give me an excuse to upgrade. I have had mine for 3 years, So far only problem I had was high pressure fuel pump, decided to upgrade and car is still working like a gem. I do recommend learning how to take off the intake manifold because labor time is definitely expensive, parts eh its reasonable.

[@ridge9066]

If you have a good car keep it. These problems are uncommon. I’ve had friends “upgrade” expecting their new car to be perfect and have more problems then they did with their previous car.

[@Mav86asian]

I have a red one in pristine OEM look with stage 1 APR engine tune, 327PS, 23000km on the odo. Insane 100-200kph acceleration.

[@speeddemon311]

Really appreciate the honesty that comes across in all your reviews!

[@coryspencer3699]

2018 gti sport 60k miles bought new lots of aftermarket goodies and the car still drives great only issue is after many runs of hard braking 120mph plus had to rebuild a leaking brake caliper. Best upgrade better tires.

[@otter2183]

I still wish a manual was available, its not as though they don’t make a right hand drive manual either, you can buy one in the UK.

[@sunsetgarage755]

I daily drive the same car mechanically (albeit in a Skoda wagon package with the 6sp manual) and it has never let me down at all. I had the timing belt & water pump done regardless when I bought from OG owner, & it cost less than $1000 which is peace of mind. Looking at the sheer number of comments from mystified Mk 7/7.5 GTI owners that have not had any/many problems with these cars, I think AK possibly needs to do a redriven revisit in the future. Possibly the Skoda Octavia VRS (2015 onwards) which is mechanically identical to this GTI.

[@eyecontrol4900]

the VW DSG auto's are much more expensive to service and maintain. Good thing you got the 3pedal! damn shame that here in Aus, the manuals are dying out. Even on the used market, most of the Golf GTI's and R's i see are the autos.

[@diydrivenGA]

There are also civic owners that are having oi-dilution, headgasket and turbo issues with the 1.5t and there are others with 300k miles on these engines...turbo engines end up across the spectrum of owner experiences partly because design is impacted significantly by maintenance, driving style, and environment. Inherently these are great engines but the plastic bolt on bits are weak point and they are weepy engines. The manual is a bit underbuilt and the dsg requires maintenance and attention to driving style (drive it more like a manual then a traditional automatic). Since these cars are popular for enthusiasts, you can find stock turbo "take off" of the OEM IS2O for less than $300 so if you're just trying to get the most out of it, you can do so provided you can DIY or take it to a good shop. Biggest advice for any turbo car: premium fuel and highly rated oil at the weight specified and changed at 4-5k mile intervals. Stay away from cheap or fad oils, and extended drain options. Only use OEM oil filters. For DSG owners: use OEM fluid. Make sure the air filter is clean and check all clamps around the intercooler from time to time.

[@daveg5857]

Best purchase I ever made. Every day my commute puts a smile on my face. I so drive too fast, though.

[@Etency]

Fun fact... I have a VW Tiguan (2015) I just had my water pump changed on my vehicle. It was 111 000 tho (got the car at 60-65 000, dunno if previous owner changed it ) so potentially similar "issue".

[@Nissannx2000svg]

Funny thing Is I came across this video months ago and ignored the advice and bought a 2019 Rabbit edition with a 6 speed manual transmission. I can’t stop driving the car and my girlfriend would steal the keys to it whenever she gets a chance. The only thing I agree with in terms of the negative stuff are the tyres. They absolutely suck!

[@eyecontrol4900]

had any issues so far with the clutch or shifter? I found that the factory stock clutch and shifter in the Golf Gti and R , to be waaaay too light and spongy. Had no feeling at all, doesn't feel like a proper manual car. I'd imagine they would be cheaper to service and maintain longterm compared to the auto DSG.

[@PongasHeadgear]

great video. great host. great editing. *chef kiss*

[@ReDriven]

Cheers mate!!!

[@ManyArmedMooseDei]

The golf GTD with a manual transmission is the most glorious budget driving machine there is. It’s a bloody beaut. Also, those wheels and the slammed suspension seems like it’d be a nightmare going over potholes or trying to actually use it like a hatchback by having people and cargo in it simultaneously. And if that’s happening while going over a pothole? Herniated disc, here you come! Also, the running joke of FWD hatchbacks, especially ford fiestas oversteering into a hedge or front yard never gets old to me.

[@LucasVWGolfR]

This is my car featured in the video. The wheels are stock size (19”) but just a different style and a bit wider, and the suspension is lowered 20mm - so its hardly “slammed”. The suspension is very high quality and the springs are a progressive design, so its very comfortable. I can take 4x adults in the car in comfort and without any issues. The boot is still fully functional and while doing renovations on my house id regularly do trips to the Hardware store, fold the rear seats down, and fill the car up with timber, bags of cement and tools etc. It is still a very practical car.

[@ManyArmedMooseDei]

@@LucasVWGolfR ah. I figured payload would be an issue since there’s not much travel to the rear shocks, so I reckoned the rear wheel wells would be bottoming out while under load. Good to know. I prefer chunkier tyres on my vehicle, but that’s just me.

[@PNSinstant]

The fact that in today's markets a GTI even if upgraded still costs over 40k and people are willing to pay that is wild to me

[@MrInternFTL]

These are about 15k with 100k miles… I’m honestly stoked to buy one of these

[@LaminarBubble]

Mostly good, strongly disagree about the reliability. I'm curious what data was used to claim at 16:00 that it has a high failure rate /catastrophic engine failure and therefore not worth it? 2015's had some turbo issues (mine didnt), - but in my experience (which ill admit is mostly anecdotal), the Gen 3 motors seem to be solid. I've owned 2 for a cumulative 7 years and 80k miles and have had only normal oil change/tire rotations needed, with the exception of the hatch drainage grommet weathering away. The stock clutch is garbage, though.

[@Slipperystick73]

I just bought a 40th anniversary gti.. 195kw but it has 213kw on over boost for 10sec..great car loving it . Fortunately it’s my weekender not my daily so won’t get that much of a workout

[@aspiratedaloha2946]

Thanks for this refreshingly practical advice! Cheers

[@ReDriven]

Thanks for watching and enjoying! - AK

[@evonation630]

got a mk7 gti 7 years old now no problem at all apart from new battery and window wipers coming up 30k now so first set off tyres

[@mintybmx7122]

GTIs are way better than this vid says, I have a gti with almost 140,000 miles and absolutely nothing has gone wrong even with almost double stock power

[@gobluea2740]

Thanks for being honest with your verdict especially with GTI. Non-GTI regular 1.8T Golf is far more reliable for long-term ownership.

[@LucasVWGolfR]

Its the same engine, just with 1800cc capacity instead of 2000cc. Identical otherwise.

[@sonamrabgay5210]

Thank you so much for the honest reviews! Love it!

[@birdlaw1019]

I learned something today. The country that I thought was Australia, is actually known as "Stralia" lol. Great vid bud, thanks for the info!

[@ReDriven]

100% mate. Possibly the most important part of being Australian is to abbreviate everything! Thanks for watching and enjoying! - AK

[@mntccd]

Can’t believe I only found this channel today! Great stuff mate 👍🏼

[@andrewrobinson2485]

4 1/2 years in a std 2015 GTI manual, 55,000kms. Water pump changed under warranty, otherwise no issues at all. (it didn't fail, dealer picked up a leak at service and replaced it). Advantage with a non-Performance model is you can get a far more engaging and issue free manual gearbox, more comfortable 18 in wheels. 162kw vs 169kw - not much! Joy of cruising quietly and smoothly in Comfort or enjoying Sport mode or configuring you own mode. Lightly loaded, and sticking to the speed limit, best economy run was 5.8l/100km = 850km run to Melbourne from Sydney on a single tank - 50km until empty it said.

[@Chris-qe6qr]

How is the non-performance model more engaging exactly?

[@_Demonsthenes_]

@@Chris-qe6qr easy answer 😂 it’s not. The gearbox is the same, except you don’t get the bigger brakes, or the differential.

[@Chris-qe6qr]

@@_Demonsthenes_ exactly, it sounds like he’s just coping with not having the PP. You can still get a manual with the performance model (you can get a manual with any trim actually). I don’t see how bigger brakes and a limited-slip differential would add less engagement, if anything it adds a lot more engagement and fun

[@HughRussell06]

I’ve been looking at these, and it turns out that this exact one is now for sale on Carsales Edit: it got sold a couple of days ago

[@RhythmAndRibs]

My colleague bought a 2nd hand 2017 GTI, less than 100,000 km on the clock, FSH, and 4 months later had to replace the water pump & battery

[@billx4266]

I have a 3 doors GTI manual clubsport, it has a R engine, i still love it. It still looks better then the MK8. And BTW i live in europe, you must get the bad ones i guess, never had any problem with mine.

[@ReDriven]

We're thinking it's the roads and conditions here Bill. Both are pretty extreme. - AK

[@zdream720]

VW scene in the US is pretty strong, the gti/gli will take so much power on stock hardware with just tuning, it's pretty amazing.

[@zdream720]

@@ReDriven common problems in the North East US seem to be intake flap malfunctions and wheel bearings constantly going bad

[@Zsigmund]

great advice for buying any used car, Thanks!

[@Le_Desperado]

That's so weird I've had my 2020 GTI for two years with a burger tune and it's been amazing love it!

[@rambo7554]

Would love to see a review of the golf R 🙂

[@MercyShot83]

Bought a new one in 2020 (FL Performance) Have it for a year now with only 7.500km. Fun and good car. We will see how it will last over the years. Nice review!

[@ReDriven]

Congrats mate and thank you. - AK

[@belikeawolf4627]

hey, how many times do you fuel your car in a month?

[@MercyShot83]

@@belikeawolf4627 once or twice. In the holidays more often. I live in a big city where i mostly drive with a e-scooter. The GTI is just for fun or holidays.

[@m3n_sah968]

Man, Always like your honesty

[@CustomcrowdMitroc]

i have had ford mustangs, holden SS ute, ford xr6turbo amoung other cars, but so far my favourite car was my old golf mk6 gti, greatest sports car i have driven id happily swap my Holden ss for another gti or golf R. and my olf gti that had 160,000ks on it and had less issues in the few years i owned it than any of the other cars i mention above

[@eyecontrol4900]

what was it about the gti that you liked over the ss ? suspension and handling? gearbox? id' rather have the SS or a mustang as a fun daily driver than a gti or R, even if its a bit more fuel thirsty.

[@floydblandston108]

80% of the mechanical 'horror stories' that I've heard come from racerbois with 'StageIII' ecm tunes on their 3rd hand 80k mile beaters. If you abuse them, they'll break- just like Mom's Camry. That being said, anything with a turbo is a shorter lived and higher stressed unit requiring impeccable maintenance and an ear for hearing small problems before they get big, but if you want a genuine performance car you can use everyday, what else is better? I can't think of anything even close....

[@eyecontrol4900]

Focus Rs, civic type R , Wrx and 86 ? cheaper to maintain than VW, and more reliable.

[@floydblandston108]

@@eyecontrol4900 ; Focus!? You must be high....there's a reason everyone at the Ford dealership refers to them as the '(F)-us'. As to the WRX, over the full vehicle life, I'd disagree- Subies get sloppy, brittle and expensive at mileage where VW's still feel tight. 86's don't offer the same user flexibility, and I wouldn't be caught dead inside the rice-rocket Honda...I don't need the neighbors thinking the town's new connection just moved in next door!😄 If I was seriously pinching pennies, I'd consider that ugly little Hyundai 3 door, but.....uggh.🤮

[@eyecontrol4900]

@@floydblandston108 haha, no worries

[@eyecontrol4900]

@@floydblandston108 I only picked those cars because they are generally cheaper to service and maintain.Of course they dont feel as much luxury as a VW, but they are better bang for buck

[@floydblandston108]

@@eyecontrol4900 - again, I disagree. Having sold, serviced and driven them all, the VW is much better than you think, and the ones you mentioned, not nearly as good as you assume.

[@aidanmcmurtrie1424]

I got a 2018 golf GTI in late 2020 that only had 1 previous owner and 14k miles. F*****g love it

[@belikeawolf4627]

how is the fuel costs?

[@_Demonsthenes_]

@@belikeawolf4627 I see a lot of guys pulling 30 plus mph out of these. But this isn’t a Prius. It’s a hot hatch that wants to be driven hard, while also being comfortable and safe. 🤷‍♂️

[@_Demonsthenes_]

Mpg*

[@_Pet_Tech]

There is a learning curve for how to drive a DSG. I wouldn't put it as a negative.

[@ReDriven]

Very true, however, some twin clutch transmissions seem to be more intuitive than others. - AK

[@vuyolwethutshirana3144]

Thank you for the informative review, I'll be watching more of this channel as a new subscriber, and i am looking forward to seeing the other reviews...

[@ReDriven]

Thanks so much mate. - AK

[@majidosei2185]

I had a 1996 GTI with the same water problem. You would thing VW fixed that by now.

[@NeoCavo]

Rule of thumb.. If its Volks group anything - Volks, Audi, Porsche, Lambo, Skoda, Cupra etc.. It will be a beautiful car that will cost more to own than it cost to buy... Also, the water pump. My mate just had to replace the water pump in her TT and apparently the mechanic was like 'we expected you in here soon'

[@lhaakmeester]

Would love to see a review of its cousin the Skoda RS

[@segment.audiovisual]

What would you recommend other than a GTI in the same price range?

[@ReDriven]

i30N or Civic Type R mate. - AK

[@_Demonsthenes_]

Did this guy just recommend a civic type R over a GTI. A civic type r cost close to 40 grand, and a GTI you can grab for less then 20k.

[@ReDriven]

@@_Demonsthenes_ Granted a Type R can be had for around $40k but a mint condition GTI Performance like the one we filmed here and recommend out of all the GTI will still ask high thirties. Yes you can get them for far cheaper but a good one can cost as much as $38k. - AK

[@_Demonsthenes_]

@@ReDriven You guys paid 38,000 dollars for a 2016 GTI 😂😂 you guys got ripped off hardcore. Mk7 GTI PP with less then 20k miles sell for 20k all day 😂

[@ReDriven]

@@_Demonsthenes_ Oh mate, Australian prices are crazy. Once luxury car tax is included into the price of high end cars it gets very upsetting. A base spec Porsche 911 Carrera in US retails at around $100K, the same car here is $250K and that's before the on-road costs. Include on-road costs and you'll be looking at closer to $265K. A new Turbo S in the US starts at $203,000 where as here in Aus, it starts at $473,000 before any options and on-road costs.

[@lucasbeven4941]

I have 64k km on my base 2016 Gti. I also have a stage 1 apr tune. No issues so far.

[@thomas8734]

Is the tune worth it? I too have a 2016 base, 3 door, with 60k km and have been thinking about it for a while. Any issues with stock clutch?

[@lucasbeven4941]

@@thomas8734 I have a dsg. The tune is totally worth it. It feels like a totally different car.

[@KJ-bd2ku]

I was juggling between i30 vs corolla vs Golf and I'm definitely eliminating Golf. Thanks for the honest review!

[@richiesworld1]

Mechatronics units are close to $4k installed (waaaaay more at a dealer). Careful of that one. I'm still crying 😢

[@pwolsey42]

"Some people think ..., but they're wrong." I like a reviewer that is not afraid to put their opinion forward.

[@ReDriven]

Thanks Peter, I like a commenter that compliments me! - AK

[@nkgudih]

Iconic since 1975, and geared to follow the Bettle track, but can't help for being an endless money PIT especially as they age.

[@ozzierockets1163]

No reviewer mentions “max” leg room, I love the Golf being a German car with the amount of legroom for the driver. I’m 6’6 and fit easily

[@Gamgam4843n]

same also the visibility is the best I've experienced in a hot hatch. Japanese cars a terrible for it.

[@singhn4v]

Sick review mate!

[@ReDriven]

Cheers mate!