END OF TERM REPORT + LIKES & DISLIKES - Mk8 Golf GTI Clubsport

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE HERE AND GET ME TO 50K (big thanks all those that have got me to 40k)

Mk7.5 GTI TCR vs Honda Civic Type R footage is from this Autocar video with the lovely Matt Prior:

In this video I share with you my totally unbiased and honest opinions on owning a Mk8 Golf GTI Clubsport after 15 months and 15000 miles of daily use.
I also share with you my likes and dislikes which have developed over my time with the car.
This will be the most in depth and detailed review of this car, formed from much longer exposure to it than any media loan. So sit back and get comfy and enjoy all 28 minutes (hopefully under 30 with ads)

[spainter]

I suspect that t-shirt will get a few double takes if they don't know your background 😂

[stiguy]

About high prices for services people tend to forget that the whole dealership, showroom, equipment, and do not forget staff etc etc needs to be paid for aswell. So being in a nice airconditioned showroom while waiting for your car is going to need to be paid one way or another. I agree service prices seem outrageous compared to DIY or a small independent shop but their running costs are nowhere near that of a small 1 or 2 bay garage with only one person running the whole thing. Also the equipment these shops are having to buy are running in 100's of thousands easily especially with EV stuffcoming along. I'm quite sure everyone is paying a part of that with just an oil change and filter. As a DIY'er i think profit margins (on parts especially) are crazy high but working in a dealership (not VW) makes me see the other side aswell. All in all yes i agree prices are very steep but yeah there is another side to it aswell.

[chrishowarth]

When I took my CS in, they kept it for two days doing the update.. they blanked all my settings including VW assist. They also removed the engine cover and kept it due to the recall .... apart from that I love it 😀

[broughy]

I had the creaking from the front and there is a recall for the shock absorber dust covers I believe which solved the issue 👍

[dirkdesouza]

Andrew, what does the "new chapter" hold my friend? Although I am "across the pond", your vids are very informative and a great watch. Update on my end, its been a year and still no sign of my ordered Golf R, however the dealer did get back to me and stated there was an "unspoken for" GTi performance dressed in black that was incoming August. I jumped on it and will be taking that unit. I have advised them to hold my R order and when that arrives, I would swap out the GTi and get into the R. Is that a wise decision or should I just sit tight and wait for the R. Issue is we do not have any concrete time frames and thus quite lost. All that to say, what is the next chapter for the Volkswizard?

[guse]

I keep my GTI in custom mode…everything is on sport except the suspension. When I start the car, the exhaust sounds like it is in sport mode. I have changed it to comfort mode before turning the car off and the next time I start the car, the exhaust does not sound like it’s in sport mode. So what features are resetting back to comfort because Pithecanthropus exhaust doesn’t seem to be one of them?

[NiceGuyAidey]

Had a few nightmare days updating my software in my R a month ago, The OTA update just ruined the whole system and my car spent a few days at the dealers being sorted, Now it works a treat so much more responsive and quicker ....

[Keka-vgut]

I think most people complaining about mk 8 infotainment dont drive or own one actualy as its all just down to getting used to the system espacially coming from mk7 and bitching about intuitivity vecause for the lack of buttons but just like youd have to get used to a smartphone after switching from a cell phone you need to get used to it but it certainly isnt worse. Actually after you figure it out usability is just the same or better. Its the same at first typing a number on a cell phone might be faster at first but once your used to it its certainly faster on a smartphone.
Also for your point about modes reseting maybe its just your car but mine in germany stays in the mode you leave it in after restarting only one that does differently is nürburgring mode which defaults back to sport mode

[happydude]

What is making you think the drive mode is in eco even though its saying its in sport???

[slen]

TCR all the way!
Infotainment here compared to an f40 1 series is seriously poor.
But I don’t doubt they are incredible to drive!

[bruts]

Kept my mk8 cs for 3 months. And it broke my heart, completely unusable interface warnings non stop.
Made a profit on it here in Ireland 🇮🇪 due to the lack of stock from brexit. Wouldn’t touch and vag product with this software from 2021 onwards.
Back to a Gti 7.5 pp and absolutely delighted with it

[psiturbo]

in the US it must be changed at a authorized service station, proof it was serviced for warranty purposes

[chrisdavie]

Great video, and indeed series of videos on the MK8! I’ve just swapped out my old MK7.5 for a MK8 and the reviews really helped - especially the shortcuts and best way to use the infotainment system.

[domefford]

The latest update has fixed all issues with cruise control

[malcolmscott]

Great send off Andrew for the mk8 CS - glad to see over 15 months the car was reliable and entertaining for all and respect for taking care of it so well 🤘

[dog-bite]

Sorry to see her go Andrew. Regarding the piano black trim, could you borrow or ask someone with one, to polish it with a nano polisher, like the Carbon Collective or Flex one, on your SEAT?

[simonupex]

Hi Andrew there's only one way to gain an accurate MPG figure for any car, that's fill up to fill up the rolling MPG figure the car's info gives you should be used as a guide only not to be taken as the gospel truth as some people think it is.

[mazpr]

I suffer from dry eyes, so having those vents way down is a super plus for me.
Savagegeese did a review of the mmk8 GTi and stated the new platform was miles better than the previous generation.

[danielrussell]

Well done andrew a great review as ever and it is clear how much you love the car and enjoy driving it to give such honest feedback. I have experienced much of the same issues on my 8 life an early production version but it is superior to the 7.5 in driving terms but I loved my 7.5 and 7 both were great cars
Good luck to you both in your new home and with your new car and with volkswizard look forward to future videos Daniel

[chrispreston]

Where did you get those paddle shifters extenders? I’ve been looking for some on eBay and Amazon but they are horrible tacky carbon fibre efforts, yours look really subtle