Why EVERYONE Hates the MK8 GTI and MK8 Golf R

Why does everyone HATE the MK8 GTI and MK8 Golf R? Well not everyone does, but a whole lot of folks really hate the MK8. MK8 issues like bad software, MK8 steering wheel, MK8 haptic, MK8 buttons and of course the dealer markups lead to a lot of bad feelings about the MK8 GTI and MK8 Golf R! I have really loved a lot about this car in the 2.5years ive had it.

MK8 MODS!

Filmed and edited by the best video dude in the biz, Ray Youman

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Disclimer:
The content of this video is available for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for the professional advice of a mechanic who has personally inspected your vehicle, nor does it create a relationship of any kind between the Humble Mechanic and you. Every situation may be different, and the Humble Mechanic does not make any warranties, whether express or implied, as to the accuracy, fitness, or applicability of the information or automotive parts portrayed in this video to any project and makes no guarantee of results. The Humble Mechanic and any sponsors of this video will not be liable for any damages related to personal injury, property damage or loss of any kind that may result from the use or reliance on this video and/or any automotive parts represented in this video. You are using the information and automotive parts portrayed in this video solely at your own risk.

[HumbleMechanic]

As much as we poked fun, and pointed out some real issues, I have LOVED my MK8! Im kinda bummed to be selling it. But if you are in the market for a MK8.. HOLLA!

[danhalen]

“The dealers have a lot of power” but the consumer has more. If people would stop buying cars at marked up rates, the dealer has to sit on that inventory.

[spgg]

6:30 2024 Golf GTI S 380 owner here- If you can see where the blue plastic is on the shift knob, that has a tendency to fragment off, giving you little plastic splinters. Really annoying to have a splinter on the palm side of your knuckles when driving. Not sure if that's the case on the Rs, but definitely got me thinking about getting a new shift knob. Volkswagen quirks aside, it really is a good looking car that's super fun to drive.

[nnarcosis]

Manufacturers have gone to capacitive touch and screens for one reason and one reason only, Cost Savings. The MK8 is a demonstration in cost savings.

[pkt]

I don't understand VAGs war on buttons. I can't touch my phone while driving, but it's cool to strap a massive table to the dash and scroll 3 menus to get my heated seats on.

[westonite]

I think a lot of these issues wouldn’t have been such a big deal if it wasn’t following up the mk7, which did such an amazing job of getting the basics right. The obvious cost cutting felt like a betrayal of the GTI/R’s reputation of feeling like it was a class above its price point

[aluminumfalcon]

Across the board, not just VW, not just cars, technology has gone too far. It’s time to back it up about a decade and stay there.

[spaulagain]

The problem with the MK8 is that the MK7/7.5 was amazing and got the basics right. So the MK8 was a regression.

As a MK7R owner, I'll keep it forever. But swapping the MK8 drivetrain would be sweet...

[CigarGhost]

Because they botched interior finish quality and topped it off with terrible ergonomics with touch hvac controls.

[miika-williammadjar]

This channel has been my go to channel for VW Golf MK8 stuff. I actually ordered mine in the summer of 2021 and got it in the summer of 2022 (through multiple delays and chip shortages in the EU) Even though it’s a regular one and an estate, still the best place to learn stuff about my car. Thank You @HumbleMechanic for being as awesome as you are! 🙌🏼 Greetings from Estonia! 🇪🇪

[CubanRider]

Great video, very thorough. The main problem with the Mk8 is that the Mk7 was near damn perfect and they changed it a lot, and not for the better. We sold our '22 GTI prematurely and briefly considered a new Golf R, but the local TX dealer wanted $71k 😆 We ended up with a M240i which is good, but we miss our VWs.

[jedidiahbirchard]

I personally find it despicable how integrated vehicle functionality has been placed into the infotainment screen. I’m a tech for an vehicle manufacturer and there’s a van that lost its HVAC controls after a botched software update and over a month later we still can’t get the customers van back to them because we’re waiting on a software fix. What happens when the hardware fails and it can’t be replaced because it’s no longer manufactured. Vehicle obsolescence is becoming way to sever of a problem for how expensive cars are becoming.

[stimproid]

Haptics and lack of physical buttons for basic functions.

[kevinbuja]

I’m 64 and blessed to be able to have owned brand new Mk I GTI, 2 Mk 2 GTI’s (both 8v, 16v you had to wring the engine out to get the benefit of the 16v) and a Mk I R (2012), and I have to say, the Mk I and Mk 2 GTI’s were the most fun to own and drive. I could do a lot of the maintenance myself and there wasn’t so much electronics on them.

Same for the Scirocco of that era. Although, I have a weak spot for the Corrado, especially in that yellow.

[ihavealife]

I went through chick-fil-a the other day in my MK6 R and they wrote down that it was a crossover. So I would take SUV as a compliment.

[PerformanceProjects]

I love mine. I never had a MK7 but had a 6 GTI, 6 R and 4 GTI and they were all great. I wanted a GR Corolla but after test driving it, feeling how unapologetically rental car the interior is and a 10k ADM, I walked on it . Found a MK8 GTI 40th the next day for MSRP, drove it and realized how I love VW and drove it home. It took just a couple days to get used to the interior functions and I love them now. Crazy thing is my 24 Rav4 Hybrid has a way worse functioning infotainment and a much cheaper interior (and for much more money spent.).

[RadostinVelchev]

It is a great car but the monobrow styling in the front puts a lot of people off.

[DK-Design]

Charles, I met you when you, Chris, Eric and some other car-tubers during a meet at Venice Beach before SEMA 2018. Just picked up a Mk7 GTI, I have a whole bunch of your content to watch now. 👍

[nathanjones]

Not to mention us DSG owners that have to kill auto/start-stop every time we start the car, and it’s also in the infotainment menu, no physical button. Yes, it can be flashed off permanently, but already have a passive/aggressive relationship with the dealer, rather not make it even more complicated.

[acidhand]

I've had my MK8 GTI for 3 years and I love it. For a front wheel drive it has a good amount of giddy up and go, the sound of the exhaust note is really good in sports mode and you remove the parcel shelf and I've got mine with the full luxury package and sunroof and on nice sunny days the car is awesome. The people who complain about the haptic buttons don't own a MK8. I was looking at a Toyota at one stage and all their buttons on brand new cars look like they've come out of the 80s. My version with the heated and ventilated seats on a cold morning just rock. Only issue I have is that when in full sports mode and have a bit more fun the fuel goes down as the speed goes up, so she thirsty!