SIX THINGS I DISLIKE ABOUT MY UP! GTI !!

[@nr1pimme]

Wasn't the car lurching backwards simply because you let go of the clutch before the engine had the proper time to really stop going? I mean you seem to release the clutch half a second after you turn the key and I believe you even mention it in the video.

[@volkswizard]

Hi Spiny Norman. Thanks for commenting. I probably should have said I have parked in the same way for years and no other car has ever done that. I think the Up! GTI has a particularly heavy flywheel which bugged Chris Harris when it was being driven as the revs wouldn't drop between gear changes twitter.com/harrismonkey/status/968769817514823680?lang=en

[@chrisgibson5523]

It's more likely that it's only a 3 cylinder and as a result has a fairly heavy counter weight in the engine to make it run smoother. It's what you'd expect from a 3 cylinder really.

[@m4xww]

Surely it is to do with the balancing elements for the unbalanced engine?

[@jochem1986]

That's basically what he said in the video with "something is still rotating". Yes, the engine is.

[@bsayers45]

Tbf I find shifting into reverse in an up! A bit dodgy. The clutch or the selected fork catches on something

[@soranrix]

i just use the handbrake and put it nutral

[@volkswizard]

Hey Søren, since VW started making you press the clutch to start I always leave the car in gear to prevent it rolling away. In fact I always do this even in the older cars as it stops the brake pads (or shoes!) binding to the disk (or drum!) a particular issue when really the brakes are hot (say at a track day) or when it's wet. I've parked like that in a lot of cars and none do that jumping back thing. Thanks for commenting!

[@johnhyoutube]

@@volkswizard I've also noticed that jumping back, or forward, thing. Glad to see it's not just me!

[@volkswizard]

The government agency that deals with Driver and Vehicle standards in the UK actually recommends leaving a manual car in gear to prevent it rolling away on hills so it's not a bad thing to do www.safedrivingforlife.info/drivers-and-riders/drivers/driver-knowledge-centre/controlling-your-vehicle

[@blower1]

@@volkswizard If this is a chain timing engine (as opposed to cambelt) - then don't leave the car in gear with the engine off. The chain tensioner is hydraulic and relies on oil pressure, if left in forward gear and the car rolls backwards (or in reverse gear and it rolls forwards), the chain can slip a tooth as the crankshaft should never be turned in the opposite direction of travel when there is no hydraulic pressure to the tensioner (i.e. engine off). If this happens the next time you start the engine the timing will be out, at best it will run badly, at worst valves will be bent. This is a very little known failure mode of timing chain based engines - it usually happens on older engines as the chain stretches (wears) with age and is more prone to be loose when the engine is off and the tensioner in it's minimum position due to no oil pressure......you will find that nearly every 1.2, 1.4 and 1.6 FSI/TSI with a manual gearbox that had 'timing chain' slip or failure was for this reason.....when diagnosed they usually come back with 'the chain has stretched' and that was the cause of failure - when in fact this is the real cause and is just more likely to happen with a stretched chain.

[@blower1]

@@volkswizard Good advice for 15 years ago when everything was only cambelts, bad advice for cars with timing chains (see above)

[@manskinuk]

As a UP GTI owner out of the six complaints I agree with one, the tyres are substandard.

[@scottquattro4685]

I had one of the first uk ups as a daily driver and it didn't even have a passenger window switch on the drivers door, which meant leaning over to the passenger door to open that window, at least they sorted that out. I can't believe you didn't mention how long it takes to defrost that massive windscreen.

[@volkswizard]

Hi Scott. I never park it outside overnight and I defrost using warmish (not hot) water on other cars when they are frosted up unless it's still well below freezing when that's not a good idea if you mean demist rather than defrost, I've never had an issue as the a/c dehumidifies the air which demists it quickly in my car (if it's warm enough for a/c to work - it shuts off at approx 5 degrees centigrade). But again keeping it in a garage overnight means I never experience much of an issue.

[@MrZekToR]

I do enjoy your videos about the Up! GTI. I'm likely of similar age to you. I remember and enjoyed small lightweight hot hatches of the 80s and 90s. Most younger car enthusiasts are obsessed about the numbers. Certain manufacturers putting big HP in small cars aren't helping either. If a car is lightweight and tactile you simply don't need massive numbers under the bonnet. I find that most powerful, heavier hot hatches feel less agile, numb and hide their speed. Some are very fast, and you have to go fast to feel any excitement from behind the wheel. Smaller, lightweight more agile cars feel fast at saner speeds. They are great fun to chuck about at 30 MPH. After a decade of driving heavy powerful cars, 3x V8's, etc. I decided I wanted to rediscover the lightweight hot hatches of my youth. My last two fun cars have been the Suzuki Swift Sport. I've been driving the latest 1.4 turbo for 4 months now. I couldn't be happier. No monster HP here, but it does feel damn quick. It's only 975kg in weight - and you can feel that. It changes direction with an agility that nothing with a heavy engine in the nose can match. Even though it's modern with electric steering, the feel through the wheel is pretty damn good. It's great to drive all of the time. That's what makes cars like these such good fun. It's a real shame, because most youngsters just go looking for big HP and a 'badge'. When in reality they could save themselves a fortune and buy a car that is more fun, more tactile and more exciting for more of the time - at saner speeds. In most cases a lightweight car makes for a better drivers car, not a badge with big HP and a plush interiors. I like your Up! GTI. Do keep telling us more about it. Thanks.

[@69bock69]

Yea I'm a child of 5 gtturbo , 205 gtis, xr2s etc etc. Moved on to mr2 turbos , cosworths , 928 s2 etc. Then family house kids , and diesel!!!!! Got in to mk4 golfs at a late age , with blend of retro charm and the possible greatest diesel of all time. But the mk4 is getting tired and I'm in the market for small petrol car. This could be a car that ticks all the wish list. Plus they sell dump valve and cone filter! Hey it will make the noises , put a smile on my face and do 60mpg . Winner winner chicken dinner

[@Boz1211111]

for air vent.. yeah i was thinking about that when i first saw that interior.. and elbow rest.. i know how is it when my elbow starts to hurt on much softer material about four hours or so... thanks for pointing out those little things

[@davidcross47]

The armrest was the thing I hated most about my Up. Here’s my solution. Bought this memory foam mouse mat for £4 from Asda, cut the mat and wrist rest apart. Then just fix the memory foam rest to the armrest with some Velcro. Doesn’t look out of place and it’s a cheap and comfortable fix.

[@BROWNCOW89]

1 thing i dont like is that the dash lights only come on when the lights are fully on, i think it is pointless havin lights on when its not that dark just to be able to see the speedo?

[@watsonthinks2266]

The ups have rear drum brakes, which have at times caused the rear wheels to jam together thus stopping the car from moving on start up. The rear brakes also squeal when in wet weather.

[@volkswizard]

Rear callipers aren't perfect either - I've replaced hundreds due to seizing which cause heat that damages disc/pad/wheel/wheel bearing and they too can also be noisy too - many VW group cars suffer from 'mooing' noises forums.seatcupra.net/index.php?threads/256mm-rear-mooing-noise.340756/

[@dnt1971]

I've been watching your videos and enjoying them as the owner of a High UP! Tsi 90 for the last 18 months. The temptation to "upgrade' is strong. The thing is I think I'll stick with what I have as there really isn't anything the Gti has over mine that I can't live without or fix with a remap. I feel you are expecting too much from your tyres in the colder weather. I do understand your frustration as I'm on Bridgestone Ecopias in a 185/55/15 with not that much less power than yourself, but I expected them to perform at less than their best when the cold wet weather came along. I've since fitted winter tyres which as I'm sure you know are designed for 7 degrees and below. The grip is astounding but right away the mpg has suffered. I've not noticed the tailgate but I probably will now so thanks for that haha. The heater vents or lack of, yup also a slight irritation to me which I didn't think would bother me but it does. The moving when "switched off" has never bothered me because I always leave the car in neutral. The main thing that irritates me is the fact I can't see the top of the speedometer when I have the steering wheel in the optimum position. The seat could do with going a bit lower which would solve this for me, I'm not even tall at 5'10'. The fact the steering wheel doesn't adjust for reach shouldn't irritate me but it does a touch, however I was obviously aware of this when I test drove it. I can't actually rest my elbow on the door when I'm driving so haven't suffered the hard skin issue. Actually that wasn't the main thing, it was as other people have mentioned the candle powered headlights that illuminated the 10 feet in front of the car! I've subsequently fixed this with upgraded bulbs (Nightbreaker Ultimate) and an allen key to adjust the beams. Now they are like real headlights. Other than that I love it, even the non Gti feels like a hot hatch from the 80's/90's but without the crashing backwards into a hedge or breaking every 2 minutes. I thought that not being able to disengage esp/traction would bother me but it has very rarely intervened ( I mean on a spirited drive) and when it has it's been very subtle. As someone who is probably oder than you I've had also had my fair share of much faster and heavier cars but this continues to make me smile and within the legal limits. I'm about to go on a 3000 mile roadtrip in it which will see it visit its birthplace in Bratislave amongst other destinations. Thank goodness for heated seats.

[@danwright5592]

Get a remap or TDI Tuning box. It will totally transform your UP! for £3-400 instead of forking out a few grand to upgrade to the GTI

[@resnonverba137]

Glad the points you raise are minor. I've not had the reverse issue you report. I can smugly report that my fit and finish are fine at the back of my Up!

[@volkswizard]

Thanks for commenting Christopher. I'm not surprised about the reverse issue as not many people do what I do but I've never seen an Up! with a perfect tailgate so I am very surprised. It's not immediately obvious or at all when dirty but my eyes are trained to spot imperfection in metal panels so it jumps out at me even though it's glass.

[@monstrous_raccoon]

Still love my Up Gti 💗😁 There maybe some things that could be better. But i don't think for that price. The engine realy likes to go and it drives like a much bigger car. Don't have problems with the armrest because i don't use them. But it would look better. And for the speedbumps i always drive slow. Because i'm used to lowered cars. Can't wait for some KW coilovers in spring. 😁

[@thecraigmachine69]

I've had my up! GTI for about 6 months too. Like others comments below, the only problem I have experienced are the tyres. The tyres, like you mentioned are not the best in the wet. I wouldn't say dangerous, you just wouldn't want to plant your foot to the floor at lower speed when it's wet. When I have done this, it has never veered widely to one side, it tracks straight so not much of a danger in my opinion. I honestly never noticed the tailgate being a bit 'wonky' and I haven't had any shoulder pain (and I travel about 40 miles in it everyday). Cold hands while driving I found is rectified by turning the driver's air vent towards your hands, but I find more the problem with this middle vent is your phone in the cradle gets really warm when the blower is on high! I must say i never had that jerking problem in reverse (although I have a habit of taking the car out of gear when I turn off the ignition, so this is probably why I have never experienced this). Sorry Volkswizard, sounds like I'm shitting all over your video. Been following your videos just before ordering mine back in February and I'm a fan! Just don't want others to be put off by this great little car!

[@volkswizard]

Hi Craig, I'd say it's not ideal for the tyres to spin up when changing into 3rd gear which causes the traction control to cut the power for what feels like an eternity while you are on the wrong side of the road performing a perfectly normal, within the speed limit overtake of a slower car. I'm an experienced driver and only overtake when there is a reasonable margin for error so in that specific case it wasn't strictly dangerous but I've also been a younger, stupider driver of GTIs (got my first GTI when I was 24 in 1996) and have made mistakes where that minor delay in acceleration may well have led to an accident.

[@SantiagoZanoni]

Technically no car in any situation should be in 1 º 2 º or R ... for that is the hand brake. The engines all turn at different times. The motor does not turn off like a battery. It keeps spinning by its own inertia. Necessary to make the engine start with the same ease, roll more comfortable and consume less fuel, lower the temperature and most importantly, the internal metals do not get burned by friction.

[@b3ats]

A few gripes that I have are as follows: I have the Beats Audio pack and my passenger door trim does not like bass one bit. Anything remotely bass-y (not necessarily dance music) and the door makes the most awful sound. Doesn’t happen on the driver’s side - only the passenger side. A lack of one-touch window operation is really poor. I have a 14 year old Lupo TDi and that has one-touch windows, so for VW not to include it on the top of the range Up is pretty bad. Speaking of windows, if you need to open them for any reason and the exterior of the car is wet, then the interior of the car (and you) is most likely going to get wet too. Traction Control for me is a killer. If I want to have a bit of fun at the traffic lights then I can’t because the moment I start to accelerate in 1st the traction control kicks in. Once I’m in 2nd then the car simply refuses to accelerate which is both frustrating and embarrassing. The stereo is absolutely dire. Yes it’s modern and has Bluetooth and all the rest of it, but trying to use it is extremely cumbersome and most of the functionality is not fit for purpose. I have an iPhone with an Apple Music subscription and a pretty expansive library of tracks on my home computer. If I want to select something that I’ve recently downloaded to my phone then I can’t because I don’t get a view of downloaded music - I just get my entire library that I have to manually go through. Then there’s the app functionality, which is supposed to be the whole integral solution to the lack of a decent screen, except in order to use it in any meaningful way is effectively illegal and to be honest it’s just not that good anyway. Then there’s the DAB radio, which forgets which radio station you listened to when you last drove the car - several times I’ve set off only to find Absolute 80’s playing rather than TalkSPORT that I was previously listening to, which means a load of faffing about getting it back on whilst I’m supposed to be focusing on the road. The rear view camera has been positioned in such a way that it’s always getting caked with dirt or water, meaning that for the most part you can’t actually see much. The blowers on the air vents, even on the highest setting, are rubbish at best. There’s a speech button on the steering wheel that doesn’t do anything. Other than that I love it 😂 A gripe about buying it was that I was in the show room at 8:15am on 6th Feb (release date) and it wasn’t delivered until November! Why doesn’t the car have the option of heated mirrors and screen? I noticed that I could spec a heated screen on the e-Up but not this. Why?!

[@b3ats]

I though of one more today - I can’t adjust the seatbelt height, so whenever my daughter sits in the front it cuts into her neck. It is also at the wrong height for me too.

[@b3ats]

Another has also come to mind - the passenger door again. The amount of times the passenger door has had to be closed twice is terrible. I’ve also gotten into the car in the morning and found that the passenger door symbol is on because it didn’t close properly the evening before.

[@jasonpullar]

Great video, I agree with the tyre issue as I have had similar problems in the same conditions, and the ride is awful! But otherwise it is a properly fun car and you can't go wrong for the price, maybe the best sounding car in it's category.

[@volkswizard]

Hi Jason, I've done 4000 miles now and drove the car yesterday in damp (not wet ) conditions with temperature between 3-6 degrees and I have to say the tyres seemed to make a decent fist of laying down the power and going around corners (and even both at the same time!). In fact when filming the video I tried to replicate the TC cutting the fun and couldn't do it (it wasn't wet but in the past it did it in the dry too) so maybe, just maybe once you've gone through a few mm of tread they get better, quite happy to keep on researching this :)

[@jasonpullar]

That’s interesting to hear about the tyres performing better with less tread, I’ll look out for that! But yeah on a whole the tyres are good especially in the corners, I guess it’s just best not to go crazy in the wet/ damp but it’s still more than capeable in 3rd onwards. I personally have a black 3 door one 🙂

[@jasonpullar]

That’s interesting to hear about the tyres performing better with less tread, I’ll look out for that! But yeah on a whole the tyres are good especially in the corners, I guess it’s just best not to go crazy in the wet/ damp but it’s still more than capeable in 3rd onwards. I personally have a black 3 door one 🙂

[@51StPi]

On Volkswagen.de on the konfigurator there is the option of 5J x 15 with a set of winter tyres. The 17" wheels of the GTI put me off tbh, I felt the suspension was a little soft and hit the bump stops too soon especially with the reduced suspension travel, thought it would have been more fun with 16 or 15" wheels with a stiffer suspension set up.

[@Psychoticisownage]

All the new 3 cylinder behave like that when you turn them off, probably has something to do with the counterweighting which makes the engine a tad bit slower to turn off completely. Noticed it on the golf and the polo with the 1.0l engine

[@g__e__o]

About the glass tailgate: VW Brazil chose the cheapest option to equip the up with tailgate of the Citigo and Mii. But the TSI models they painted in black. I prefer this alternative because people said that the glass tailgate in a hot sunny day is really unpleasant and really gets the car hotter than necessary. Not that this is problem in most part of Europe anyway. About VW getting terrible tires. Why does this happen? I used to have a Golf 1.4 Tsi and they came with some Pirelli P7. I had to replace all 5 of them to Michelin. The same happened with the up! Tsi that I have. They came with some Goodyear Duraplus, which is suppose to be a "green tire, ecological one" that is really efficient. But they are hideous. They scream at every chance and whenever the pavement is wet it feels like I'l driving on butter. Terrible. I ended up changing them for a Michelin as well. About the lack of central air vents: nowadays it's pretty hot where I live, around 35 degree Celsius. I do miss them a little bit, but if I get on speedways the ambient air is usual pleasant in no time. If I'm in the city, it takes a really long time to get to a pleasant temperature. I still think it is a really nice car and I cannot help but smile whenever I change to second gear and accelerate. And I don't even own a GTI! :P

[@BoxallBoy1]

My biggest dislikes are that the window and mirror adjust/heater switches aren't illuminated so I can't tell if I have left my heated mirrors on! And I do hate the fact it has reflector housing halogen light setup a projector lens would of been nice or maybe a HID setup.

[@raynaulta310]

These are 2 things that also disturb me on my Up GTI, I now have Phillips H4 Extreme vision in the headlights. Low beam is better now, the headlights were too low from the factory. I think the Great Light is bad, probably because of the reflectors.

[@Kyrz13]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/aJaTgJudm9dpjKs have a look at this video. It is interesting modification, don't you think?

[@Boz1211111]

Well halogen bulbs are okay and definately solution for the price

[@leerfrancis9781]

Nothing wrong with tailgate. It’s a curved panel - curved in both ways. The edges of the glass are bevelled.

[@djhatstand7312]

The edges of the tailgate aren’t bevelled at all, the edges of the glass have what is called an arris, in the case of this glass it’ll be what’s called a bullnose. The reason for the distortion in the reflection is that the glass is heat sagged over a form/mould, the panel will only be as good as the mould it is made with, usually with a windscreen or side window you wouldn’t notice as your looking through the panel but because the tailgate panel is screen printed black at the bottom it shows the flaws in the reflection

[@graemeadamson7272]

Totally agree I think he's being a bit picky I honestly haven't noticed it on my tsi but there again wasn't looking for it Why would I FFS??

[@alexisamtosta]

Mate get used to it. Its a vw so will have loads of issues. But it is one of the few vw's I like

[@Wilko101]

That was good! You have to do a 6 things you love now please?! I’m seriously about to buy one of these and need that final persuasion lol!!

[@volkswizard]

Hi Andy, I will see what I can do, shouldn't be too hard but as with this video I don't want to tell people what they already probably will know so have to come up with some less obvious stuff :)

[@hamsterclamper]

Don't - I'm selling mine after less than 6 months, because it's so uncomfortable.

[@Boz1211111]

@@hamsterclamper Whats the main issue..? i like Up and i had a chance to sit on drivers seat and on my surprise seats were good for what i would expect

[@beano6452]

Distortion in the glass is known as roller wave. It’s a consequence of the toughening process. The fact the black makes it highly reflective means it’s very easy to see. However, if you look carefully at any full height curtain walking or window in a building, you will see the same thing.

[@volkswizard]

Nice info, thanks

[@alhangee]

I would buy the dunlop sportmaxx rt2's when you need new tyres. I have them and they have super grip in dry and wet weather.

[@simonproctor7896]

Had the same (different profile) on my Fabia and they proved fantastic tyres! Sold the car with 20k on the clock and still the original tyres!!

[@davebegbie362]

Surely you take the car out of gear before you turn the engine off? What you are doing cannot exactly be described as normal behaviour. Switch it off, then put it back in gear, if you are the kind of person that leaves a car in gear when switched off.

[@volkswizard]

Have said this a few times - the owners manual says leave the car in gear so even though it's widely accepted as not normal, it is something specified by the manufacturer. Most experienced drivers know to leave manual cars in gear as it prevents them rolling away should the handbrake no longer hold the car, a surprising common occurence on manual handbrake cars as the hot discs cool down. Never had to turn off then select a gear in any other car so I think this makes it is a fair addition to the "dislikes" section.

[@hanssoslow5374]

Love your video, very well done. I’m just about to buy a Up Gti and the first thing I will do is change the tyres. What would you recommend ?

[@swss]

Have owned my UP GTi for six months it now has 9k on the clock, some of the complaints are valid, tyres are pitiful and the arm rest is not good, however, complaining about the glass is a little odd as that's standard on all UPs. The reverse issue is downright daft, why would you leave it in gear? The vent issue has never bothered me, the last thing I want is hot air being blown directly into my face that I couldn't turn off, he didn't mention that the standard the heated seats are brilliant at warming you up when it's cold. Finally all city cars are narrow and all suffer from having to ride across the higher sections of those type of speed bumps, if you buy a small sporty car it will suffer from this, however, I would hate to have to take those speed bumps in an Abarth 500 which has a much harder suspension.

[@69bock69]

I've learned from a early age to always park it in gear?

[@matt9852]

Central vent is designed to shoot air to the rear. Use side vent to direct air to the driver.

[@volkswizard]

Hi Matt, Neither of the side vents reach my left side at all :(

[@matt9852]

@@volkswizard I've done 35k in a couple of years in a Citigo, as you'll know it is based on the same platform. I'm.6'4 but manage to angle the left hand vent in the right direction for left-of-face airflow. Alternatively if you are cold, stick the heated seat on!

[@Boz1211111]

i use middle vents in my car for 80% of the flow and i can understand what he is saying with this.. i have two middle wents directed to my body and it buggs me a lot if one is not directed exactly where it sould be

[@misfit2022]

The width is very similar to my car which is a supermini from years gone by 1646 mm. I have never thought it was that narrow but also going over speed bumps too fast can knacker the wishbones so best to take it easy anyway.

[@EAGLE_OF_PERSIA]

That Hard thing fir the elbowes in the middle of the car and in the sides are horrible pain for elbows and they give injure after a while to the elbows. Thanks for video.

[@volkswizard]

Thanks for commenting EaGle of PerSia 👍

[@volkswizard]

Thanks for commenting EaGle of PerSia 👍

[@oldcargeezer]

No longer available new, VW stopped taking orders in March 2019 although those with pre orders may still get their car.

[@alexmolete]

What do you know about VW reliability? Can their cars reach 200000 miles without any major problems to the engine and/or transmission? I've heard that TDI units are good, but what about these turbocharged, direct injection petrol engines?

[@volkswizard]

Hey Alex, good question. Well it's got a timing belt which is good news as chains will fail at some point. I'm not convinced about longer term reliability with any of the smaller (sub 1.4) litre engines, they certainly aren't TDI's in terms of reliability. There are reports of valve issues on a lot of Polos. I've not yet heard of any issues with the 1.0 engine in the normal Up!'s though but I don't really have much exposure to them. All I hope is that VW have uprated the TSI engine to handle the extra load of turbocharging. An experienced mechanic I know seems to think reliability won't be good but he is known as 'Mr.Doom & Gloom' :)

[@alexmolete]

@@volkswizard Thank you for your reply! I appreciate your work! Also, what do you think about SEAT?

[@volkswizard]

@@alexmolete Seat, Skoda, Audi all use the same hardware it's really only the quality of the non-mechanical bits that varies so reliability will be the same. I like Seat and Skoda but with VW offering so many crazy deals they seem to be forgetting the reason for the other 2 brands which are meant to be where the real value for money is. Instead Octavias are bought by people who want a car bigger than a Golf but smaller than a Passat rather than due to price.

[@chrisredfield3240]

@@volkswizard the Passat is now a bargain it's cheaper than a mondeo a superb and almost everything else

[@volkswizard]

Good point Chris, new model is quite pleasant too if specced well.

[@morganwilliams7886]

Avon ZV7 tyres transformed my UP No more wheel spinning and traction control and there relatively cheep compare to a lot of the other high quality tyres

[@volkswizard]

Interesting! Didn't see them listed on my tyres, same size as stock?

[@morganwilliams7886]

I’m not sure, I have them on my UP tsi with 15 inch wheels but they aren’t as low profile as the tyres on the GTI’s 16 inch wheels

[@Samosayummyyay]

I also got those Goodyear Performance tires, but with R45 sidewalls on my Toyota Auris Hybrid 2014. My car also has 200Nm of Torque and I NEVER have any loss of grip. Mind you, my car still does 0-100km/h (0-62mph) in barely under 9 seconds! Granted, my car does weigh A LOT more than your car does...but still, I too got GoodYear Performance tires on it. I used to run Toyo performance tires, but both my front tiers had cuts in the rubber for no reason...so swapped it out for GoodYear tires...and I noticed no difference at all...

[@volkswizard]

Unfortunately it's not as simple as that. When a vehicle is developed, the manufacturer will fine tune many of the tyre's attributes to suit the car they are to be fitted to. So an aftermarket Goodyear Efficient Grip Performance tyre, even one in the same size may be significantly different to the one fitted from new. Things like compound, sidewall stiffness, internal structure can all be different. Even if these were the same as on your car, comparing the cars' traction is pointless as they are completely different cars. Weight will make a massive difference, especially how its distributed as will suspension geometry, throttle response, transmission type (I presume yours is automatic). Plus there are many other factors such as surface, temperature, moisture that make any comparisions short of a scientific test futile. The tyres performed OK during the UK summer when it was (unusually) warm and dry this year. Where are you based? Having reread your comment, I notice you don't say your tyres are Goodyear Efficient Grip Performance, just Goodyear Performance, the Efficient Grip bit is crucial as these are low rolling resistance tyres aimed at reducing fuel consumption and emissions. And if you can't get your tyres to lose grip on a car like that, you aren't trying hard enough! Every car will exceed the level of grip provided by its tyres if speeds and loading are high enough and friction low enough.

[@tomhirschel8524]

The two things that annoy me are. (When it has been raining)Front window slightly open, and water drips in ? (2): Slow down in second gear, turn into a road, then accelerate , no power? Model 89BHP TSI. Maybe the UP GTI is better in that respect? Seats could be better too (Option List)?No problem with any of your gripes, but you do drive a Golf GTI Clubsport S.

[@volkswizard]

Hi Tom, I don't drive a Golf GTI Clubsport S any longer and anyway that was mentioned because it has loads more power and torque, runs tyres designed for dry warm use and yet it will still put down its generous performance in normal use without troubling the traction control, even on cold wet winter days. Water dripping in isn't all that unusual, not sure on second gear lack of power but turbo lag is there at lower engine speeds, unlikely to be any better on the GTI, would be worse if turbo was bigger on GTI. I think the seats are what they are to maxmise cabin space, you only have to look at an Audi A1/S1 to see how much space in a limited cabin bulky seats take up. Thanks for commenting :)

[@luupboy]

You can cure the water dripping problem by investing in some wind deflectors

[@Jakejourney47]

What was the song used at the start of the video?

[@volkswizard]

Good question (added to description):kzbin.info/www/bejne/nobFgGiGodijrLM

[@Drzee1968]

I notice your car is up! for sale, is this because you only keep your cars for a short time or are you wanting to change already? Also, the reversing dislike, it is odd, but I would say it's fairly unusual to switch the car off whilst still in reverse? Have enjoyed all of your up! videos, cheers Simon

[@volkswizard]

Hi Drzee 1968. glad you've enjoyed the videos. I'm relocating outside of Birmingham so will have a longer commute on motorways which aren't really suited to a city car, even a GTI one! I like cars to be suited to their usage hence why I'm happy driving a small car around town even though I can drive almost anything. It's as simple as that really. Still love it but it has to do a job well and while it does many things better than expected, a fast motorway commuter through the winter isn't really its forte. It's not even great on fuel at those kinds of speeds and in an accident with all the badly driven driven JLR company Range Rovers that frequent my new commute it won't stand a chance :)

[@joespittle1]

@@volkswizard have you had any thoughts on its replacement???

[@volkswizard]

Hi Joe, no idea really, not going to be too fussy but not afraid of a diesel as resale can't be too affected by mileage. Needs to be a bit bigger for sure. Actually I do get quiet excited when I see a Golf GTD estate and they aren't too different to Up! GTI in price now on the used market (early 65 reg cars) but Leon Estates with the 184 TDI are even cheaper, hard to get the right spec though on those.

[@NB_NB_NB]

I bought those EfficientGrip tyres for my Panda 100HP, because they were significantly cheaper than Eagle F1s. Big mistake. Ruined the handling due to the cold grip and jelly sidewalls.

[@richardmcfarlane-cen6132]

Hi Andrew, great review! I can't get over that the car continues travelling backwards, when the ignition is turned off. That is absolutely nuts! Still, the car is still very cool. My sister has just replaced her old Up! and, based a great deal on your content, I had tried to persuade her to make the upgrade to the GTi, but she plunged for the Up! Move instead. That said, apart from my brother, we remain a VW family. Thinking about the interior quality: I reckon that, if I had extra money kicking around, then I'd get it changed. Make it more plush inside and get a custom-made vent above the dash, to direct the air towards me. I like scarf-and-hat tongue-in-cheek scene at the end LOL. Although, no doubt, was you being partly serious. You look like you are about to go on a heist! On a different matter, the test drives are now happening for the ID. Would you be interested in doing a video on your thoughts about VW's "electric offensive"?

[@leerfrancis9781]

Richard McFarlane-Cen they don’t. It’s just the way he’s using it Parking leaving it in gear with the hand brake off, so what do you expect?

[@malcolmscott4150]

Great video and a lovely car - with a few tweaks a real GTI albeit not one that suited to motorways full of lorries - speed humps are useless traffic calming devices! Maybe next car could be a T Roc R??

[@volkswizard]

Hi Malcolm. I like small cars so I don't think it's worth having an SUV to overcome an occasional annoyance as they come with their own issues! My experience of a certain popular model is that it handles like a pig and uses a load of fuel due to being so big and heavy. I'd rather take the longer route around the speed humps! Motorways use is another story though but doesn't need to be wide or high, just be more relaxed at typical cruising speeds and have a bit more metal around me. Too much choice is the problem :)

[@the1beard]

Who turns off the ignition with the car in gear 🤔

[@volkswizard]

It says to leave the car in gear in the owners' manual

[@the1beard]

@@volkswizard How weird Guaranteed to end in tears or a wall

[@tredfxman]

Neat video! Personally ithink the Tires would be the biggest drawback in my op. A GTI needs to be safe to drive, and it gets safer through better traction. Its strange VW that usually take safety seriously, didnt in this case. I suppose it might be a price issue though, since car is so low price from scratch? However iv heard even GTI Clubsports can get 3 diffrent brands of tires & it can be bit of a russian roulette, which one you get.. Personally igot the Bridgestone Potenza 001 and i liked that because those Japanese made tires have among the best Endurance. Anyways otherwise im pretty sure you have pretty fun in this little thing right..? 😊

[@volkswizard]

Hi 3DFX, thanks for 'getting' the video. The car isn't really unsafe, I just feel VW have prioritized lower emissions than ultimate grip. I can almost imagine the chassis engineers being peeved that those ECO tyres were forced upon them by those higher up. And yes I still have a lot of fun :)

[@m43_felix]

which tires do you recommend ?

[@isoconfused8744]

you leave your car in reverse gear then take the key out? I think most people return it to neutral then hand brake then key... I call driver error on this one fella

[@volkswizard]

The owners manual says it should be left in gear

[@rundllx3228]

Well If the Car needs a little longer to switch off id suggest you to just wait 1 second longer between turning off the car and releasing the clutch. Dont get me wrong, but this point was pretty much unnecessary.

[@volkswizard]

Hi Rundllx32, thanks for commenting. This issue has certainly created discussion and if I'd known I'd have spent a bit longer on it in the video. The brief was to describe faults that annoy me and it 100% does hence its inclusion. The reason it annoys me is because no other car I've driven needs an extra long time for the flywheel to wind down. I've just reverse parked one that's for sale in my unit and it nearly made contact with the car behind it because I'd forgotten to allow longer (I can drive any number of different cars per day so it's hard to make allowances for odd behaviour that if I was tuned into just one car's foibles). I appreciate the feedback so thanks for taking the time.

[@Boz1211111]

On that note.. i wait untill i feel engine stopped, and even if i let the clutch fraction of a second earlier im always holding brake and releasing it after i completly release clutch. I placed a few comments on this topic now hope im not bothering, just wanted to join the discussion

[@volkswizard]

Discussion is good Boz

[@MrHords]

Can definitely agree with birmingham speed bumps!! Bloody filled with them

[@volkswizard]

..of which the big heavy cars/SUVs that can't stop very easily can fly over at very high speeds without feeling them...

[@MrHords]

volkswizard Indeed! I feel like we’re the only two people with Up! GTI’s in brum though. Haven’t seen any others on the road yet.

[@sparkford04]

Not a problem too worry about in the Wiltshire countryside or country towns. About as rare as an Up GTi or hens teeth lol.

[@volkswizard]

Which side of town are you on? There is a red one around my way with a reg beginning with F and I've seen a 67 reg ex-demo with a B at the start of reg also in red I think ,a bit further into town. That's it within Birmingham. Now the backlog has cleared I'd expected to see loads but it certainly not going to be as common as a Golf R (thank god!).

[@MrHords]

@@volkswizard I'm in North East Birmingham so near Sutton Coldfield. Mines a 67 ex-demo as I did have one on order but gave up waiting in the end and found an ex-demo one to buy. Might have been mine you saw as I commute into town every day for work! :)

[@maxhercigonja]

Dude, who goes over speed bumps at 30? In an SUV it's ok, but in a small car it's suicide... Also, most of the cars jerk when you turn them off and dunk the clutch... It because of the inertia of the engine

[@volkswizard]

Depends on the speed hump. The speed limit is 30mph so speed humps aren't designed to make people ago any slower than that. Most cars can do these at 30 no problem. As I have said before, the Up! GTI needs a longer time to stop spinning than every other car I've driven in 25 years of driving - this annoys me - simple as that :)

[@mr_glasgow84]

For me: *Non illuminating wing mirror adjusters and electric windows buttons. *Poor tyres *Lack of reach adjustment on the steering wheel. *Bulb quality. * I find that reverse gear crunches unless engaged slowly and carefully.

[@Boz1211111]

reverse gear should be engaged ony if car is not moving at all because reverse gears are not synchronised. also you shouldnt be pushing* reverse the same milisecond when you disengage clutch because outer transmission shaft has some mass and cant stop spinning instantly

[@bazzab1000]

See if a tornado red Citigo montecarlo tailgate fits, I bet it would...

[@mrstanhope1516]

I'm surprised with the fit of the rear hatch, not the VW build quality I would expect! I notice the Seat and Skoda version of the Up! have a more conventional metal and glass rear hatch. Could be a future mod if someone had the time and money? No doubt would have to swap out the lights and numerous other parts.

[@paultaylor9652]

Typical modern VAG, built by an accountant, I've always found the cheaper VAG cars a bit hard on the inside, but on the on the outside hard to beat.

[@volkswizard]

I don't mind the accountants cutting corners when it's a cheap car like the Up! which in GTI form is incredible value. There are some very disappointing bits on other cars that cost twice as much.

[@SinkyYT]

That lurch backwards is crazy!

[@TherymasterWidnes]

Bloody hell mate, talk about nitpicking. I can’t believe you never mentioned the infotainment system. It’s absolutely abysmal!

[@dbravo2740]

Cut to the point - 1:29

[@drivelinetime]

Loving your videos mate! Hopefully Audi give you a few more cars to play with 👌🏻

[@volkswizard]

Hi drivelinetime, thanks for commenting! The Audi loan cars are great but they come and go so quickly it's hard to really get a feel for a car. New A1 looks interesting though and I'd love to have a proper drive of the 200 PS version (Polo GTI engine) but all in good time :)

[@JTB93]

Put the car in neutral before you turn the key. Problem solved 🤣

[@wistfulherbz]

6 Things I dislike about the UP! GTI #1-6. It's not available in Canada..

[@MrMarkeboy1234]

That reverse issue could be classed as dangerous. Still love the car though.

[@volkswizard]

Thanks for commenting MrMarkeboy1234. It's a weird one and yes I could adapt what I do but I drive a lot different cars and I've never had this issue in any others so it's easy for me to forget in the Up!. It even happens when I park it in my garage at home and there is not much room there, it's lucky the car is short! Should I not be expecting to be able to release the clutch the moment the engine is turned off? I still love it too of course :)

[@volkswizard]

Just checked and handbookj actually says the car should be left in first or reverse flic.kr/p/2ceqGyx

[@MrMarkeboy1234]

@@volkswizard That sounds like a fudge for a known issue. I wouldn't be happy with that. Just imagine lifting off the clutch in reverse gear (engine already off) and it jumps into somebody walking behind you. Hmm you know how people like to try and claim off drivers insurance thesedays, even if the car hadn't come anywhere near them. I wonder if the other similar models for Skoda and Seat have the same problem?

[@volkswizard]

@@MrMarkeboy1234 What the manual actual says to do is what I am doing, if it was a fudge they'd say put it in neutral before releasing the clutch. It's a weird one :)

[@oddities-whatnot]

Why buy it then ?

[@volkswizard]

I saw your post before it was edited, glad you edited it. Just like people, no car is perfect and overall the Up! GTI is an incredible little hot hatch. Having a few flaws is perfectly normal and is a common subject for KZbin videos although less so now a lot of KZbinrs are being given cars by manufacturers. FYI I don't own it any longer.

[@SteveM-ly7oy]

Can you not buy winter tyres for this car? And secondly, I had an Up! and that glass tailgate hacked me off. The end came when I was rear-ended by a coach and the car was a write-off, but the glass coming through the cabin scared me and luckily my young son was not in the car. Now I've got a Skoda Citigo, half the power 60hp but half the price, it cost me 7000 pounds new. Better than the Up! to be frank. Mind you if you gave me 14k I would buy an Up GTi.

[@chubbybrown4real]

Hi volkswizard. I pick mine up Thursday from Carlisle and have to drive it to Inverness we will see.. up forum said u sold it,glad not true

[@volkswizard]

That's an awesome drive, are you going Glen Coe way not A9? Very jealous!

[@chubbybrown4real]

@@volkswizard Not this time of year,Glen coe is for the motorbike in the summer oh and the car now 😍

[@vapesquad3959]

Dude. The engine has to rotate down

[@volkswizard]

I get that but it takes massively longer than any other engine I've experienced, honestly!

[@martintetlow8657]

poor demist of the front screen I found annoyed me the most

[@volkswizard]

Hi Martin, another good point but one I don't get as the car's garaged overnight. Possibly relates to the compromised heater vent positions maybe?

[@TheJonn69]

This is not a cheap car in its class .....and you really are on a different planet ..£400 for a set of tyres ?? No ware near the the power to require that amount..this is a small expensive car for the average driver ..my god £14 000 cheap 😮???

[@volkswizard]

Well Jonn, the huge waiting list after the car hit the market kind of suggests that it's seen as good value. It's only a bit more than the 90 PS TSI. As for the tyres, 195 section for 200nm of torque which the turbo charger makes available from very low revs isn't actually that big. The Lupo GTI had 205 wide tyres and its smaller amount of torque took a lot of revs to exploit. Even the Mk3 Golf GTI had 205 wide tyres, 115 bhp and nowhere near the torque swell of the Up! GTI. The cost of the tyres is really down to the low profile rather than the width anyway which is purely for aesthetics and they do look great which comes at a price.

[@Boz1211111]

In terms of new cars its not considered expensive.. for us used to used cars that might sound crazy to call it cheap

[@hamsterclamper]

I dislike my Up GTI so much, I am selling it after less than 6 months. Rock-hard suspension, big wheels and a short wheelbase make for an unbearably uncomfortable ride. Pity because the concept appealed to me.

[@stevesas632]

Who drives with all those layers on? I can't even drive a car with a coat on, whatever the temp outside.

[@Josh-dy5lj]

I’m not taking my foot off the clutch until it’s in neutral

[@blurayffan66]

I have a 2 door 2012 (75PS)...my Top 6 dislikes....(1) My biggest complaint is I cannot get a comfortable reach to the steering wheel- I'm 6'1" and no probs with headroom but my arms are constantly getting tired due to awkward distance between the seated position and the steering wheel....anyone else finding this??? (2) A lot of water seems to enter into the cabin off the roof when I open and close either front doors on a wet day- wind deflectors are supposed to remedy this problem but look ugly (3) My rear window windscreen washer dribbles out water for ages afterwards once I use it to clean the rear window (4) My lovely Upsilon alloy rims were not long in showing signs of corrosion/damage (5) Fuel gauge seems very, very inaccurate (6) Awkward to fit aftermarket stereo and custom speakers. In spite of these 6 annoying issues I still LOVE my little Up! and would definitely buy another. They say it is the perfect city car which it is...but it's also excellent on my 15 mile motorway journey around Dublin to work everyday.

[@Seemann74]

My biggest dislike....GTI should have disc brakes one all wheels, i hate does stupid drum brakes…..Makes the car look like shopping car for mommy :D

[@volkswizard]

Fair point but they do work - they also rust though :(

[@gbadge9275]

But does it sound like a golf?

[@volkswizard]

Hi G Badge, IMHO it actually sounds better than any current Golf. I didn't even know the sound inside was that fake, just sounds so right for a 3 pot and isn't overly loud, very well judged. Outside though it's not that loud, though when I drove it in Wales in Feb I heard one from the outside and recall it sound very boosty which was surprisingly nice!

[@nataliedebiase5089]

Why dodnt you put it in neutral? Of course it's going to lurch.

[@divinewilliams3055]

no cd player which i dont like

[@MMMMMMMMMM857]

The only negative thing about your car, is that they put the steering wheel on the wrong side.. 🙄

[@volkswizard]

I knew there was something funny about it

[@nofarmersnofood2473]

Mach den Motor aus und Spring von dem kupplungspedal, der Typ ist selten dämlich der Motor läuft nach das ist bei jedem Auto so KEVIN.

[@equaliser2265]

The Fucking name should be number 1. And buy some winter tyres for winter temperatures.

[@volkswizard]

September isn't winter here in the UK.

[@adambraunstein3283]

Number 7: the artificial engine sound.

[@volkswizard]

Hey Adam, oddly it doesn't bug me like the Golf R's fake sound generator, probably because with the Golf it makes a decent real noise that's disguised by the silly Subaru sounding fakery

[@wogo1967]

Storm in a tea cup.

[@TalesFromTheBlahSide]

put it in neutral and put the handbrake on before you turn the engine off. basic good driving technique surely?

[@volkswizard]

Actually I like to leave my car in gear as per the instructions in the car's owners manual - this is actually basic good driving technique. Many cars have rolled away because they haven't been left in gear hence the proliferation of electric parking brakes in recent years. (This has all been discussed before in the comments from closer to when the video went live).

[@TalesFromTheBlahSide]

@@volkswizard So put it back in gear after you've switched the engine off. This has been basic drving technique since Lord Nuffield was plain old Billy Morris.

[@volkswizard]

@@TalesFromTheBlahSide The video was talking about things I dislike - having to change the way I drive after 25 years of driving VWs for this car I dislike - it's as simple as that.

[@TalesFromTheBlahSide]

@@volkswizard if you'd been doing it correctly to begin with you wouldn't need to change.

[@volkswizard]

@@TalesFromTheBlahSide So you think taking a car out of gear and putting back in is 'correct' when no other car needs this?

[@sherabnamdhak6485]

Looks like a sewing machine sounds like one too

[@volkswizard]

..but drives like a very wonderful car so I will forgive that :)

[@kingkicker3098]

This guys definitely not a car guy 😂😂😂

[@gaycha6589]

Glass is laminated

[@volkswizard]

Thanks Gay cha, that would make sense though doesn't explain its wonkyness as the windscreen is lovely and consistent

[@gaycha6589]

@@volkswizard - I suspect that it is lower quality glass compared to windscreen which has greater optical/safety reqs. I also correct my claim that rear screen laminated - according to Autoglass is is tempered/toughened glass as is sunroof. Only front screen is laminated. It s deffo not best quality and this must be the accountants at work.

[@onepoundmealdeal6118]

This car is total shit just get a polo gti way better tbf

[@johnhyoutube]

No 7. The really irritating lack of a memory position on the front seat recline mechanism.

[@volkswizard]

Good point but I probably noticed this at the first drive when I was in the back and the salesman in the front and I was testing rear leg room but it is still annoying agreed John!

[@rasherbasher8203]

Watching again👍

[@volkswizard]

👍👍👍

[@The_Cheques_Offender]

Volkswizard? More like Volksclown

[@Danny-qq5nr]

I think your nit picking, you keep saying it’s cheap so why don’t you just drive your Bentley?

[@volkswizard]

Px'd it for the Up!

[@Danny-qq5nr]

volkswizard That’s funny 👍

[@larsastering5789]

bmä blä blä 1hav a up tsi after 1 motor check 135 hp and 244 tork de best car aj hav sorry bad englich

[@volkswizard]

Thanks for commenting lars, your English is better than my ..Swedish?

[@renemerlr]

This is Not a Gti 115hp😹

[@volkswizard]

Seriously Rene, it's a hoot to drive as was the original 112 hp Mk1 GTI :)

[@Boz1211111]

i dont think that with rear glass is a problem

[@Boz1211111]

Just not what would you expect if it was perfect

[@Boz1211111]

no.2 excuse me you must be kidding you let go the clutch before engine stops

[@volkswizard]

I'd turned the engine off - waited the time I'd normally wait on every other car I've driven for 25 years - then released the clutch. I know the engine has to stop spinning but, trust me, it takes an unusually long time due to a big heavy flywheel strapped to a very small engine :)

[@Boz1211111]

@@volkswizard Yeah i see that, valid observation, but since every car is different, i would assume driver should adapt after noticing that. Keep us updated on your Up and thanks for replying! :)

[@alexberry7230]

Put it in neutral maybe 🤬

[@volkswizard]

Having had 2 cars roll away on me in the past, I'm in the habit, along with numerous other experienced drivers) of leaving the car in gear. It even says you should leave it in gear on P109 of the car's handbook - you can see it here: flic.kr/p/2ceqGyx

[@ef5936]

Change the springs and everything is solved.

[@inter7373]

Switch the car off first then put it into reverse, pretty simple

[@volkswizard]

Sage advice but it doesn't negate the fact that I've never had to do this with any other car before! I've done some testing with a Mk6 Golf R manual and if you are deliberate you can get a similar but less brutal effect if you jump off clutch quickly after turning engine off while in gear, However the Up! seems to be vulnerable to this for a much longer period after the engine is switched off.

[@leerfrancis9781]

volkswizard that’s cause it’s a lighter car.

[@nobuhlentuli8812]

Man every car does that when you take the ignition key of while in gear you just hate the car give it to me because I love it that car is cheap what do you expect man like come on am very not happy with your video it's not fare 😠

[@neilnewman6426]

Bit nit picky

[@markiesmith4537]

Fussy!!!! - This a waste of video time really!

[@TheJonn69]

this guy is the biggest girl going ..........go buy a bmw man