The Good, The Bad, and The Surprising: My Mk8 GTI Ownership Review

[@MrMlyarber]

I just bought a '24 GTI Deep Black Pearl SE,. I love it, even with the quirks! Did you know that the Eco mode turns off the "Start Stop" mode. This is great for city driving for sure.

[@RLeeJones]

Lost at the infotainment system part. 16k miles on my MK8 I got new in Aug 2022. The infotainment system is simply a non issue for me. It’s no more glitchy than any other new car I’ve driven. I actually like it a lot. Super easy to use and the lack of “knobs” isn’t something I even think about.

[@youngtilt5506]

Just got a 24 s and within 48 hours I've had 4 people almost hit me. I'm gonna lose my mind but God I love this car

[@EddieRicks-i8v]

I had many vw and audi products and one in 5 can cost you money but mostly there are good quality products overall 😊

[@octane_media]

I one hundred percent agree , my mk6 GTI started to become a money pit at 220,000 miles but there were lots of memories in those miles

[@randyp6370]

I just purchased a leftover Moonstone Gray 24 GTI S, deeply discounted, (5K off sticker). As an old guy over 60 years old, I have no issues with the infotainment system, the auto stop/start is the only item I disable upon start, and climate control is not that difficult, knobs would have been nice but not the problem some make it out to be.

[@nastynate9529]

Love that you got the mk8 man, still loving my '23 S after 10 months. Had the shifter knob break and replaced already under warranty, and my rear view mirror is loose. Other than that its solid!

[@octane_media]

That’s awesome! I love that so many fellow owners watch the channel and reach out to me ! Have you done anything to it yet ?

[@nastynate9529]

Still running her stock for the time being. Waiting for the shop at work to clear out for the winter. Then we are going to begin with the bolt-on stuff. Won't be tuning until the warranty expires. The IS38/R turbo upgrade will happen at some point. For now we are looking at turbo inlet/intake, exhaust system, turbo muffler delete package. For the time being the mods are all aesthetic.@@octane_media

[@nastynate9529]

After watching the channel my girlfriend think she is getting a gti too lol.

[@robsinHL]

Have the 8.5, got it last week. It’s an amazing car. If you can, get the SE for the leather ventilated seats. Wow.

[@octane_media]

That’s awesome if you get the chance send me some pictures on my Instagram or email !

[@tonypatterson1419]

How are you digging the AWE exhaust? I started with the touring and then converted to track. I love the added growl without the resonator. I would love to see a tune comparison vid for the MK8. I went with the APR tune with the upgraded intake and intercooler. If you could get your hands on another MK8 with a different tune, I would be stoked to see your reaction. I think a 0-60 clip with your tune would be stellar as well. Thanks for the great content!

[@octane_media]

I will definitely have to try and do this ! And I love my AWE exhaust I’m going to be completely honest I think it’s actually quieter on the manual mk8 GTI vs the DSG mk8 GTI

[@patthi84]

you have now 655 .. good luck bro

[@octane_media]

Thank you man ! I appreciate it !

[@TheMrPavlik]

Best from POLAND:) i ordered my own GTI :) now waiting 10 months :)

[@octane_media]

That’s wild that there’s still that long of a wait ! Which trim package did you get ?

[@TheMrPavlik]

@@octane_media in Europe we dont have lukę in US 3 edition...we have 1 and you add what you want to your car. And we dont have manula in Europe too only DSG :) i takę almost all in my ...only subwoofer and matrix off .

[@octane_media]

@@TheMrPavlik that’s a really cool bit of information I didn’t know that thank you for sharing that ! If you don’t mind me asking are prices similar to the American market or are they fairly marked up ?

[@TheMrPavlik]

@@octane_media i paid for almost full GTI 42 500 $ ...but in Poland seriously if you want to but a new car minium prixe is about 37 000$ ...so I decided to join to GTI family...

[@tunaglove]

I came from 16 sti too. GTI 8 is a way better build. No doubt.

[@octane_media]

I could not agree more !

[@punkrockereibi]

Quick tip: you can just press the clock (little earth) and it would take you right away to the quick menu to deactivate ESC. Also: how did you get the R logo on the screen?

[@ronaldmcdonald8433]

Good afternoon, Great video's, keep up the great work. Any quality control issues? Whats your viewpoint or predicted reliability on tbe GTI over 10 year's ownership? Im cross shopping tbe GTI in DSG vs the GR Corolla. Just looking for a fun and reliable daily driver. Note: i have only owned toyotas over the past 15 years. Thus the concern about reliability.

[@octane_media]

Concern as far as mechanically with the dsg if you’re not on top of fluids and fluid exchanges they tend to wear out quicker just from personal experience! The mk8 GTIs have been great thus far I think my biggest complaint and also a nother ten year reliability point/issue would be the amount of tech and electronics so far so good on our ends but I can’t speak for another 8 years from now. That would just be my concern over all it’s been an amazing platform

[@ronaldmcdonald8433]

@@octane_media Thank you so much for the great feedback.I still have alot to think about. My ideal trim is the 40th anniversary. However they stopped making it. I may have to wait till the 8.5 release. I really want the adjustable suspension and zero Sunroof and 42k for the top trim is just crazy.

[@octane_media]

@@ronaldmcdonald8433if you could find a 40th used for a good deal that wouldn’t be a bad choice at all being as it’s the slick top and the suspension is adjustable via the electronic dampening I know the 380s just started rolling out as well if that’s something your interested in but I do think the 8.5 will be a nice little refresh especially if you want physical buttons on the steering wheel !

[@marwantariq8458]

i love your review it was very informative, i just wanted to ask a question out of your own opinion, which do you think is worth getting in the long run if i have money to buy both a golf r or a golf gti keep in mind that i live in a very hot country so which car would me most suited for it.

[@octane_media]

What is the price difference in your area ? If I had the money and could get one at msrp I would get the golf r for the awd and slight power bump they also look a little bit nicer. I also guess it depends on how you will be using the car if you’re not going to push the car to its edge you probably won’t get the full benefit either way. Instead I would say to atleast get a higher trim GTI like a 40th or a SE/Autobahn for the adjustable suspension that’s been a night and day difference between the two GTI’s. At the end of the day it is preference go drive both and see which one suits you more !

[@arisgolseen2693]

How do you have the base 8inch infotainment for the 40th anniversary?

[@octane_media]

Is that not a common thing? Both of the 40th AE on the lot I got mine from had this style infotainment system

[@mikeb3702]

I think the S and the 40th AE have the base infotainment screen. The SE and the Autobahn upgraded to the HK system.

[@mikeb3702]

@@octane_media Great video, just subscribed (just bought an SE less than a week ago, this past Fri)...lol and also came from an STI.

[@octane_media]

@@mikeb3702 that’s awesome! Welcome to the family haha how are you enjoying it so far ?

[@strker99]

This is a US spec 40th they come with the 8" screen. The Canadian 40th spec come with the 10" screen and the HUD.

[@nikodominiko]

I agree with all the points. I would also have completely manual seats, I don’t like it to be electric, all of them are too slow. The infotainment is a hit and miss. I have been having trouble with the steering wheel problem (travel assist) and is so annoying

[@octane_media]

The travel assist I think has to be my biggest complaint it comes on almost every single time my wife drives it when it’s cold, I’ve taken it in but they “can’t replicate “ the problem and it doesn’t store a code so I’m told.

[@Tigerex966]

Are retrofits to the porshe 7 speed manual availble.

[@injo476]

Beautiful thumbnail

[@jeremymitchell8470]

Still on the stock clutch after your tune?

[@octane_media]

Yes I am so far so good I’m about 5,000 miles on it with the tune !

[@rainbowshulacorns3666]

Which trim is this?

[@octane_media]

My manual is a 40th and the DSG is an S

[@sheffield8184]

That steering wheel would drive me crazy

[@octane_media]

It’s actually not as bad as I anticipated it to be but it can definitely be annoying when it’s feeling extra sensitive

[@sheffield8184]

I'm sure I've seen that vw putting buttons back on the 8.5 steering wheel

[@moereefer]

Is that a real tattoo on ur arm. ( PORSHE )???

[@octane_media]

@@moereefer yes you would be correct