Nothing worse than opening footage and realizing there's no audio... this isn't quite the GTI review I wanted to bring you guys, but I hope you enjoy it anyways! Maybe we'll link up with Tim again in the future for some more shenanigans.
Konig makes 18x8.5 5x112 +43 wheels that weigh in at 17.5 lbs. Perfect for the GTI or R. All you need is decent 235, 200TW AAA tire. Why import tires from Italy? also 245 isn't a good fit for a 18x8 wheel. Side wall will cavitate in corners.
@@luisrangel2510 im running conti premium contact 6, much better than pilot. I had on gti 7 always PS tires and 1st time decided to try on gti 8 conti 6. Much stiffer and better for performance. Only during rain I'm kinda not sure that they're have better grip
I'm 8,000 miles into my MK8's lifespan and I couldn't be happier that I was able to pick one up. Personally, I have grown accustomed to the swipe controls on the steering wheel and find myself getting frustrated when I drive a car that doesn't have them, and I have never once accidentally pressed a button on the wheel while turning or driving. I have always used Android auto, so the lack of buttons doesn't really affect me much and it's really not distracting to change climate settings when you are driving. I may be in the minority here, but all of the things this car gets knocked for are what ultimately drew me to its design. I feel like it uses the same design language that made people fall in love with GTI's but added some forward-thinking design elements and tech so it will stay relevant for years.
I agree with you 💯. I really think 10 years from now people will look back and realize how innovative and ahead of its time this car was…Once you “get used” it, then every other car with push buttons becomes frustrating because then you have to search and find buttons.
My car is about to hit 30k today and I'm still not sick of the touch sensitive buttons! That being said, I have brought in in 3 times to fix the travel assist warning lights that periodically come on, but they haven't been able to fix them. Regardless I still love my MK8!@@trackeagle6013
Although the touch controls in the MK8 Golf are not as desirable as physical buttons and knobs, it’s not as bad as people think. You develop muscle memory where things are on the steering wheel. The only thing I cannot speak for is the larger head unit and its controls on the dashboard. My fiancé and I purchased an S trim which has single zone climate control as it is done through the infotainment.
The only ppl that complain about the interface are folks that don’t own them …you get used to it in a week… when the first iPhone came out everyone lost their minds about not having a physical keyboard….
I used to have an mk7 R and I loved it. I’m in a Tesla model 3 performance now and the lease is up next year and the mk8 R is at the top of my list. Problem with the gti is that once you option it out how you want, it’s really close to the price of the R. Problem with the R is that right now, no one is selling anywhere close to MSRP.
@@timtishenko9092 yeah my hope is that this time next year when it's time to hand back my car the prices will be a bit more sane and that maybe the dealer I bought my MK7 and my wife bought her XC60 Volvo from will treat me right and sell me an MK8 at MSRP.
In Canada I'm seeing VW dealerships selling the 8R with a 50% premium over MRSP!! $70K Canadian with 8% financing?!?! GTIs are higher too but selling for $50k.
Love my MK8 GTI, couldn't be happier. I am surprised no one is showing the stock exhaust pops you get on the manual transmission model. This is the perfect car.
I drove both the 7.5 R and 8 GTI. Went for the 7.5 R and haven't regretted it once. Traction is just too big of a factor especially here in The Netherlands where it rains a lot. The GTI does have more personality with the red accents though. Sometimes the only difference you see between a Golf R and R-line are the exhausts lol
I love my MK8 GTI. Neuspeed springs, intake, AWE catback, Enkei’s, and some body bits. It’s refined, plenty of tech, and just the perfect daily. I went 6MT so unfortunately will need a clutch when high torque tunes come out.
Awesome Video! Thank you for sharing. I put a deposit on a black 2023 GTI S here in Los Angeles, and got a message from the dealer that it’s on it way to So CAL. Looking forward to getting behind the wheel of my GTI.
MK8 is awesome and the new EVO engine is superior to previous gens, that new turbo is awesome. The tech is awesome, go test drive one ! It is very receptive to mods. A stage 1 tune alone and this thing is a BEAST not to Mention with full bolt ons or Stage 2 or even E85
I absolutely love my Mk8 Pomelo Yellow! I actually prefer it over the Golf R. I choose the color and honeycomb foggers over the better performance. The MK8 is plenty fast!!!
Agree 100% I just got a pomelo yellow 40th Anniversary Edition. I grin from ear to ear each time I drive. So what if there are faster cars. It’s not just all about speed. I wanted something balanced and entertaining in everyday driving on real roads, not the racetrack. In the end, mine may be the only unmodified GTI in America - I love it as it came from the factory!
I've had my GTI since July 2022. I am loving the haptic buttons on the steering wheel. Once you're used to sliding left and right, it's hard to go back to buttons. I didn't notice this much in the summer, but now that it's winter, the climate control could use a lot of work. The defrosting options on the left side of the steering wheel also don't make sense. Climate control is really the only area that I miss buttons and knobs. Is it perfect? Nope! Overall am I happy? Yep!
I had a 7.5 GTI for over 4 years. I test drove the 7.5 GTI and 7.5R back to back (twice) and honestly I was very disappointed with the R. It soured my experience so much I had the opportunity to get a MK8 R but went with the GTI. Now it does seem they've made the R a much better road weapon this time around. But I didn't even bother with looking at the R because how much I thought the 7.5R sucked. That said ive had my Mk8 GTI for near 8 months and I absolutely love it. I have the performance trim (the top trim in Canada and Autobahn is mid trim. Not sure the difference b/w American versions). Pro tip for MK8 GTI owners. In Custom settings you can select the DCC three levels above sport! Trust me it's a huge difference...I believe this option only comes with the top trim
@@Zach-tm7oh the R is faster and it's noticeable. BUT the R is much heavier which is also noticeable and I didn't like the way felt while driving. No way it deserved the premium over the GTI. Now the new R seems to have made the R worth the premium. But again I was so turned off by the driving experience of the 7.5R that I didn't think the new one would be any different. That said I would need to test drive it before giving it any consideration
I like my stock mk8 gti better then my old mk8R that I sold and way better then my stg2 mk7r that I still own. Better mpg, way better handling better brakes. I couldn't be happier. It will stay stock I don't need it to be faster its already tough putting the power down. I'll just keep enjoying its tight handling and playfulness.
My MK7 GTI was the last FWD I will ever own. For every mod that I did to increase speed and grip, I just walked away disappointed. Stratified ProTune, springs, 245 wide MPS4S on 8.5” lightweight wheels, RSB, intercooler. All to get FWD wheel spin.
Snow and rain are why the R makes perfect sense. Not dry performance. The GTI is great in great weather. Accelerating in foul weather is the issue in a 2wd vehicle. As far as I'm concerned. I owned a GTI for 297k and then bought an R.
who uses 300ps in snow or rainy weather ? Rally car? In all other aspects its useless for daily driving. I get the appeal of 4wheel drive but it has no character on the streets what so ever as fwd or rwd cars do.
I have an FK8 now and was very much considering the MK8 but the GR Corolla maybe calling my name if I can find one. Between the MK8, The FL5, The GR Corolla and manual supra there is so many amazing cars that all may be the last gas powered manuals we ever get to buy
You like GTI is your choice! As an Albertan I preferred the 4 wheeler over two wheel ancient technologies. Seven month wintery road in a lightweight small car you need 4 wheel! VW Golf R is amazing and never let me done in any snowfall! Power? Yes with stage one she is unbeatable little go kart! Only one I don't like about it, is the electrical break instead of hand brake, that is definitely not for me. Prize? Look up the car prizes and what you get for it! The R still under 60! What you get from R for her prize vs other cars is not bad! It is always personal choice and different taste. I am a veteran European rally racer and I can tell you the time when I was swap my Lancia Delta to a quarto ohh hell yeah that was a night and day difference! But as I said is personal preference. Cheers Okanagan is beautiful!
I love how the MK8 drives. But can't enjoy the interior no matter how much I've tried. It feels and looks much cheaper than the 7/7.5, the haptic takeover was a very bad move on VW's part (the dude who made that decision got sacked and rightfully so btw. So VW knows... lol), and the exterior design looks like a mishmash of 4 different languages and was greenlit by a bunch of execs who were coming off a 3 month bender. It's performance though. Chef's kiss. The MK8 stock handles damn near as well as my MK7 does with all of it's suspension work. I'm also excited to see where the MK8 will go tuning wise. Early looks at tunes show much promise. I wouldn't be surprised if we see just bolt on Stage 2 8's go toe to toe with IS38 swapped 7's. But man, is the MK8 one fugly SOB inside & out. Oof.
It's kinda ironic how you were speaking about missing the point while you're missing the point completely, of the R. The R is way more interesting for a lot of people because you can only do so much with an FWD drive car. Sure, Suspensions have gotten better, LSDs have gotten better, Tyres have gotten better but trust me, above 350hp you're starting to encounter the limits of an FWD platform rather soon, especially in the second and third gear proper lock type twisties. That's not even mentioning driving these type of twisties in the rain, i mean just forget about it all together. The way you can put power down with an decent AWD car when actually having an considerable amount of power (400hp upwards, at least) is just something else. When you're still modulating the throttle in your 350hp FWD car out of the corner you're probably flat on the throttle with your 450hp AWD car for a second already, if not two.
GTI owners (well anyone, but especially FWD cars with power)… when you are ready for your first set of tires do your research. You’ll be amazed at how much of a difference better tires can make with putting the power down.
is brake boosting nonexistent on the mk8s? on some spirited driving in my old car i could be braking into a corner and give some gas while still braking to get it going and it seems the mk8 just doesn't like that
That GTI is so amazing to drive,(Tim) quick and agile and Yes''No torque steer"😀👍 Coming from a Golf R owner Taking that GTI on Westside road must have been a blast to drive.
Y’all can just keep deluding yourselves on the GTI… Golf R all the way, no contest (price aside). I had a Mk6 GTI which was a really fun car. Currently have a Mk7.5 R, and even stock frankly it’s next level compared to a GTI. If Mk8 pricing wasn’t so ridiculous, I’d seriously consider upgrading to the Mk8 R for sure.
@@luisrangel2510 they announced two weeks ago that they’re preparing to drop a lot of different tunes and parts! Of course though, they said it’s dropping soon 😅 so no exact date yet
I have owned MK8GTI and now 8R. The claim in the title is misleading at the very least. 8R is so much a different car in the way it handles and in the way you need to drive it in the corners. It's not even comparable. If you have rains or snow in your region, well that's the end of the story for GTI. Surely you can drive, but it's just a regular car, I had more fun in Rav4 back in a day. For R winter is as much fun as the summer if not more. GTI is a great and fun car, probably the best FWD car on the market. But it's not in any way will replace you R.
I’m just not sold on the MK8 due to its appearance in and out. It’s performance is great, and finally what a GTI should be like from the factory, but the girly front end is hideous, and the interior ergonomics are atrocious. MK7 was pinnacle.
Always the argument between the GTI and the R in all the Golf models ... Everyone to their own BUT The R will always be a better driver's road car than the GTI ... I will stick to my R thanks
Save the money and get the 7 GTI, it's objectively more beautiful, has less cheap plastics and better build quality, it has normal physical climate dials and unless you're on a track, you will not notice the 0.3 seconds difference in the real world, but you will notice half the money remaining in your pocket.
Whats the best car for under 35k? Opinions? Im trying to get closer to the 30k mark and I am thinking of getting the 2023 GTI S for around 31.5k. I want speed but also a good looking interior ect.
@@matt-mk7qx I already claimed one from my dealership for 31.5 lol. I buy from a military dealership so they don’t markup and I pay no taxes for the car as well
@@mattaqube hey Mr Matt, i am military as well. what dealership is that? would love to order from them. i am here at fort bragg, havent found a truly military friendly dealer around here. they just view us as prey lol. also how do they make you not pay sales tax? do they basically “eat” that expense and sell it to you at msrp and basicaly theyre the ones who pay the tax?
@@PeterPyo I’m not 100% sure why we don’t get taxed and what not, but it might be because I am overseas in Germany and so they won’t tax the car unless I bring it back to the states within 6 months of buying the car. The car dealership is called military auto source (MAS) for short.
@@RB12377 An automatic GTI is a bit like wearing a pink tux to me. But that is entirely subjective, understandably there are folks who can drive manual but don't enjoy it for whatever reason. I found the DSG felt laggy and quick shifting made the car feel unstable. Again, my driving might be more aggressive than most.
@@RB12377 two years of owning the manual, no issues smoking my clutch after 30,000 km. Sounds like you just need practice on driving to me. Faster? That depends on the driver, I beat these DSG's all the time. Just takes a little skill.
Im guessing they wont mk8 the jetta/gli until they start working on the mk9 gti like they basically did with the last gen. Ughhhh. Gtis actrually superior again:(
The GTI is fun, but just like the owner says, no traction. Coming out tight corners or just trying to pull out into heavy traffic, all that power and torque just spins the front tires (even with the LSD). Modifications, more power just makes it even worse. Whereas the R just launches like a bat out of hell in every situation, it's really nice and worth the extra scratch. I have an MK7 R with way more modifications, with added front camber and caster it transforms the handling of this car. Turn in is amazing, sideways power slides can be done at will. I will never go for an MK8 until they get rid of that crap haptic touch interface. I don't care what anyone says, it is a deal killer for me. I will just keep running my MK7 thanks. If I were to get something new right now, I would spend a bit more and get a M240i, I am sure with some basic suspension bits that steering feel issue can be easily rectified. It's a LOT more care for the money.
@youtuber-cc8sx At a minimum you will need a set of aftermarket lower control arms and camber plates. I went with Whiteline for the LCA's (other option is SuperPro), and 034 for the camber plates (although there are many options). I also have ground control coilovers and replaced all the bushings (front and rear) with Super Pro. I also have several other bits like upgraded sway bars, dead set kit, and a couple other odds and ends. As for difficulty, that is somewhat relative. I am a seasoned DIY mechanic with many years of racing car modification experience and a garage with a lot of tools. Replacing the parts is not that difficult IMO, however getting the ground control smaller diameter springs to work with the 034 camber plates required some customization, and just getting everything lined up and working the way I wanted was a fair amount of trial and error. If you were paying a shop to do it, that could get expensive.
I will continue to enjoy my Mk7.5 GTI with it's real buttons, analog gauges, manual handbrake, distinctive seats that don't look like a gaming chair, etc. The new one is a complete miss for me. Even VW has realised their mistakes and recently announced it would remove the haptic pads from the wheel and replace them with buttons. Who knows, maybe they'll figure out a way to fix the rest too... One can hope...
I'm right there with you. I'm on my 4th GTI. I picked up a 2018 SE with only 14,200 miles on it when I bought it. I had a Mk4, a Mk6 a Mk7 and now the Mk7.5. I was thinking bout going Mk8, before I got the 7.5. Honestly the deal breaker for me was the gear selector. It really just look terrible. The touch screen stuff I'm sure I could get used to, but the tiny flimsy looking gear flapper is just a total miss. Some of the most important upgrades that VW made for the Mk8 can be bolted directly onto a Mk7/7.5 anyway. I think I'll wait and see what the Mk8.5 brings to the table.
After owning a Mk7 R and wife dailys a Mk7 Sportwagon, I can tell you the Gaming looking chair is a million times more comfy. And you need to really drive a Mk8 to understand the changes. Its night and day for the better performance wise.
I will continue to enjoy my 2002 sunfire, without buttons at all, without heated seats or power windows, and without any sort of comfort at all. Why? Because I simply can't afford anything newer. Therefore everything newer is shite.
That’s not because they realized their mistakes, it’s because people won’t stop complaining about them when they haven’t actually tried them out for themselves. The system isn’t bad it’s just very different.
It is. Minimalistic and super tech-focused. I love the look of the cluster as well, just disappointed in some of the infotainment controls and climate settings..
I would never consider having a MK8 not with ALL the controls being Haptic Touch Sensitive not only that the HVAC controls aren't even lit good luck trying to adjust these controls while driving. Using this type of system is not safe as stated in this review you must take your eyes off the road to SEE where to place your finger imagine hitting a bump in the process. I've read that VW chose this type of system because it was cheaper...which makes sense for their bottom line. Interested in a MK8 go drive one and use those controls let's hear replies.
Except they aren't backwards. The outside groove direction mean nothing. The inside vents between the rotor surfaces are what's important. But if you knew what you were talking about you'd know that already! lol
I had already done that :/ moved the transmitter around slightly and cable came partially out. Sucks but with 550+ videos it's bound to happen once haha. Never again!
I live in europe and i own a MK7 gti clubsport, 3 doors manual. For me, this will be the last gti i own, the new 5 doors gti's are for me no real gti's anymore, sorry. Also why 5 doors..... And the front, i dont like it at all. They failed....
@@MrWolf2212 lol and that's all you can come out with, sounds like you are in love with Vw shit built cars, and thatbis okay because you are not alone.
Nothing worse than opening footage and realizing there's no audio... this isn't quite the GTI review I wanted to bring you guys, but I hope you enjoy it anyways! Maybe we'll link up with Tim again in the future for some more shenanigans.
Encore video at area 27 next time? 🤔
@@timtishenko9092 Yes. This.
@@RoadsUntraveled I'll bring my track prepped MK7.5R, with maybe a VR6 surprise.
You should try the mk 1 scoda
Konig makes 18x8.5 5x112 +43 wheels that weigh in at 17.5 lbs. Perfect for the GTI or R. All you need is decent 235, 200TW AAA tire. Why import tires from Italy? also 245 isn't a good fit for a 18x8 wheel. Side wall will cavitate in corners.
I love my mk8 gti so far. 6k miles in, Lowering springs, pilot sport, intake exhaust. And can’t wait for a tune!
Pilot sports made a huge difference??😅 noticed with my piggyback tune I’m spinning a whole lot.
@@luisrangel2510 im running conti premium contact 6, much better than pilot. I had on gti 7 always PS tires and 1st time decided to try on gti 8 conti 6. Much stiffer and better for performance. Only during rain I'm kinda not sure that they're have better grip
i popped a tire hitting a speed bump so my mk8 gti went off the road and now is in a ditch. it has hella damage to it. i’m depressed now
I'm 8,000 miles into my MK8's lifespan and I couldn't be happier that I was able to pick one up. Personally, I have grown accustomed to the swipe controls on the steering wheel and find myself getting frustrated when I drive a car that doesn't have them, and I have never once accidentally pressed a button on the wheel while turning or driving. I have always used Android auto, so the lack of buttons doesn't really affect me much and it's really not distracting to change climate settings when you are driving. I may be in the minority here, but all of the things this car gets knocked for are what ultimately drew me to its design. I feel like it uses the same design language that made people fall in love with GTI's but added some forward-thinking design elements and tech so it will stay relevant for years.
I have the S (I’d have gone to the SE if I drove more) and actually love the interface
I agree with you 💯. I really think 10 years from now people will look back and realize how innovative and ahead of its time this car was…Once you “get used” it, then every other car with push buttons becomes frustrating because then you have to search and find buttons.
My car is about to hit 30k today and I'm still not sick of the touch sensitive buttons! That being said, I have brought in in 3 times to fix the travel assist warning lights that periodically come on, but they haven't been able to fix them. Regardless I still love my MK8!@@trackeagle6013
Although the touch controls in the MK8 Golf are not as desirable as physical buttons and knobs, it’s not as bad as people think. You develop muscle memory where things are on the steering wheel. The only thing I cannot speak for is the larger head unit and its controls on the dashboard. My fiancé and I purchased an S trim which has single zone climate control as it is done through the infotainment.
The only ppl that complain about the interface are folks that don’t own them …you get used to it in a week… when the first iPhone came out everyone lost their minds about not having a physical keyboard….
really liking my MK8 S so far. You get use to the lack of buttons very quickly
Absolutely love my MK8. Is there a lack of buttons? Didn't notice. Lmfao yeah you acclimate very quickly.
I have a '21 Arteon so some buttons and some haptic "buttons" and honestly, I don't see the issue with the haptic. At all.
I used to have an mk7 R and I loved it. I’m in a Tesla model 3 performance now and the lease is up next year and the mk8 R is at the top of my list. Problem with the gti is that once you option it out how you want, it’s really close to the price of the R. Problem with the R is that right now, no one is selling anywhere close to MSRP.
So hard to find without paying over MSRP. Its rough!
@@timtishenko9092 yeah my hope is that this time next year when it's time to hand back my car the prices will be a bit more sane and that maybe the dealer I bought my MK7 and my wife bought her XC60 Volvo from will treat me right and sell me an MK8 at MSRP.
You would be an idiot to pay anything over MSRP for a R or GTI.
In Canada I'm seeing VW dealerships selling the 8R with a 50% premium over MRSP!! $70K Canadian with 8% financing?!?! GTIs are higher too but selling for $50k.
I’ve got a fully loaded MK7 Golf R and I absolutely love and cherish it, best car I’ve ever had.
Thoughts on the Tesla, worth a look?
Love my MK8 GTI, couldn't be happier. I am surprised no one is showing the stock exhaust pops you get on the manual transmission model. This is the perfect car.
i love that your a manual transmission enthusiast!!! big love from the UK! keep the manuals alive please! ;)
I drove both the 7.5 R and 8 GTI. Went for the 7.5 R and haven't regretted it once. Traction is just too big of a factor especially here in The Netherlands where it rains a lot. The GTI does have more personality with the red accents though. Sometimes the only difference you see between a Golf R and R-line are the exhausts lol
Mk7.5 R traction is awesome! No drama, just go.
I love my MK8 GTI. Neuspeed springs, intake, AWE catback, Enkei’s, and some body bits. It’s refined, plenty of tech, and just the perfect daily. I went 6MT so unfortunately will need a clutch when high torque tunes come out.
Just ride the stock clutch until it starts to slip and cause issues. Try not to launch at every light and you'll be fine.
Picked up my MK8 yesterday! Very happy with the car!
So happy for you.. where i live i can’t find any 😢
Awesome Video! Thank you for sharing. I put a deposit on a black 2023 GTI S here in Los Angeles, and got a message from the dealer that it’s on it way to So CAL. Looking forward to getting behind the wheel of my GTI.
MK8 is awesome and the new EVO engine is superior to previous gens, that new turbo is awesome. The tech is awesome, go test drive one !
It is very receptive to mods. A stage 1 tune alone and this thing is a BEAST not to
Mention with full bolt ons or Stage 2 or even E85
I absolutely love my Mk8 Pomelo Yellow! I actually prefer it over the Golf R. I choose the color and honeycomb foggers over the better performance. The MK8 is plenty fast!!!
Agree 100% I just got a pomelo yellow 40th Anniversary Edition. I grin from ear to ear each time I drive. So what if there are faster cars. It’s not just all about speed. I wanted something balanced and entertaining in everyday driving on real roads, not the racetrack. In the end, mine may be the only unmodified GTI in America - I love it as it came from the factory!
I've had my GTI since July 2022. I am loving the haptic buttons on the steering wheel. Once you're used to sliding left and right, it's hard to go back to buttons. I didn't notice this much in the summer, but now that it's winter, the climate control could use a lot of work. The defrosting options on the left side of the steering wheel also don't make sense. Climate control is really the only area that I miss buttons and knobs. Is it perfect? Nope! Overall am I happy? Yep!
Yeah nice gti fwd there is always 1 thing that’s missing in my opinion >4motion haldex
I had a 7.5 GTI for over 4 years. I test drove the 7.5 GTI and 7.5R back to back (twice) and honestly I was very disappointed with the R. It soured my experience so much I had the opportunity to get a MK8 R but went with the GTI. Now it does seem they've made the R a much better road weapon this time around. But I didn't even bother with looking at the R because how much I thought the 7.5R sucked. That said ive had my Mk8 GTI for near 8 months and I absolutely love it. I have the performance trim (the top trim in Canada and Autobahn is mid trim. Not sure the difference b/w American versions). Pro tip for MK8 GTI owners. In Custom settings you can select the DCC three levels above sport! Trust me it's a huge difference...I believe this option only comes with the top trim
Was the power difference between the 7.5r and 7.5 GTI not that big?
@@Zach-tm7oh the R is faster and it's noticeable. BUT the R is much heavier which is also noticeable and I didn't like the way felt while driving. No way it deserved the premium over the GTI. Now the new R seems to have made the R worth the premium. But again I was so turned off by the driving experience of the 7.5R that I didn't think the new one would be any different. That said I would need to test drive it before giving it any consideration
got my moonstrip grey autobahn last month and already went Stage 1 with 034 LOL . Love this car
I like my stock mk8 gti better then my old mk8R that I sold and way better then my stg2 mk7r that I still own. Better mpg, way better handling better brakes. I couldn't be happier. It will stay stock I don't need it to be faster its already tough putting the power down. I'll just keep enjoying its tight handling and playfulness.
I am getting the golf R manual! I can’t not wait!!
Boom! Thanks for coming out! Let us know when you're back in the Okanagan. We will always have something for you to drive. 🤩
Was a ton of fun! Next season let's do it.
My MK7 GTI was the last FWD I will ever own. For every mod that I did to increase speed and grip, I just walked away disappointed. Stratified ProTune, springs, 245 wide MPS4S on 8.5” lightweight wheels, RSB, intercooler. All to get FWD wheel spin.
I've always found it's an uphill battle with fwd cars, more so than rwd. At least rwd cars look cool when they're spinning and getting sideways haha.
Snow and rain are why the R makes perfect sense. Not dry performance. The GTI is great in great weather. Accelerating in foul weather is the issue in a 2wd vehicle. As far as I'm concerned. I owned a GTI for 297k and then bought an R.
who uses 300ps in snow or rainy weather ? Rally car? In all other aspects its useless for daily driving. I get the appeal of 4wheel drive but it has no character on the streets what so ever as fwd or rwd cars do.
What a beautiful location this is.
I have an FK8 now and was very much considering the MK8 but the GR Corolla maybe calling my name if I can find one. Between the MK8, The FL5, The GR Corolla and manual supra there is so many amazing cars that all may be the last gas powered manuals we ever get to buy
Bro got inner battles within himself over these options 🤣
You like GTI is your choice! As an Albertan I preferred the 4 wheeler over two wheel ancient technologies. Seven month wintery road in a lightweight small car you need 4 wheel! VW Golf R is amazing and never let me done in any snowfall! Power? Yes with stage one she is unbeatable little go kart! Only one I don't like about it, is the electrical break instead of hand brake, that is definitely not for me. Prize? Look up the car prizes and what you get for it! The R still under 60! What you get from R for her prize vs other cars is not bad! It is always personal choice and different taste. I am a veteran European rally racer and I can tell you the time when I was swap my Lancia Delta to a quarto ohh hell yeah that was a night and day difference! But as I said is personal preference. Cheers Okanagan is beautiful!
I love how the MK8 drives.
But can't enjoy the interior no matter how much I've tried. It feels and looks much cheaper than the 7/7.5, the haptic takeover was a very bad move on VW's part (the dude who made that decision got sacked and rightfully so btw. So VW knows... lol), and the exterior design looks like a mishmash of 4 different languages and was greenlit by a bunch of execs who were coming off a 3 month bender.
It's performance though. Chef's kiss. The MK8 stock handles damn near as well as my MK7 does with all of it's suspension work. I'm also excited to see where the MK8 will go tuning wise. Early looks at tunes show much promise. I wouldn't be surprised if we see just bolt on Stage 2 8's go toe to toe with IS38 swapped 7's.
But man, is the MK8 one fugly SOB inside & out. Oof.
Beautiful GTI, love the matte finish
It's kinda ironic how you were speaking about missing the point while you're missing the point completely, of the R. The R is way more interesting for a lot of people because you can only do so much with an FWD drive car. Sure, Suspensions have gotten better, LSDs have gotten better, Tyres have gotten better but trust me, above 350hp you're starting to encounter the limits of an FWD platform rather soon, especially in the second and third gear proper lock type twisties. That's not even mentioning driving these type of twisties in the rain, i mean just forget about it all together. The way you can put power down with an decent AWD car when actually having an considerable amount of power (400hp upwards, at least) is just something else. When you're still modulating the throttle in your 350hp FWD car out of the corner you're probably flat on the throttle with your 450hp AWD car for a second already, if not two.
I test drove the R after years in my Gti, but I found the steering too heavy for my taste
12:33 not a chance. I prefer my mk7 seats over my mk8. The seatbelt in the mk7 felt a lot more substantial as well.
Is that on stock suspension? Great wheel fitment if it is!
Just went back and heard it’s on lowering springs, looks great!
@@Patterack91 Wheel gap taken care of with Racingline springs. :)
hopefully you get a chance to review the GOLF R
GTI owners (well anyone, but especially FWD cars with power)… when you are ready for your first set of tires do your research. You’ll be amazed at how much of a difference better tires can make with putting the power down.
I wish I lived in your climate with our mk8 CS GTI
It’s just been staged 1 no mods and it’s 405.7 bhp now
Videography straight out of Forza 👌
GTI will get you into euro cars. Entry into the "tight" handling and stability the car is known for.
We have snow 40% of the year so the R is a no brainer for daily driver here
Great video! Love Tim’s GTI!
Love my mk8 so far mods soon need to do intake exhaust wheels and tires
I take is a waste of money doesn’t do anything
is brake boosting nonexistent on the mk8s? on some spirited driving in my old car i could be braking into a corner and give some gas while still braking to get it going and it seems the mk8 just doesn't like that
That GTI is so amazing to drive,(Tim) quick and agile and Yes''No torque steer"😀👍 Coming from a Golf R owner
Taking that GTI on Westside road must have been a blast to drive.
It was great! Felt almost as quick as the original Golf R when I drove it years ago..
@@RoadsUntraveled That was a great video as well from HPA
Y’all can just keep deluding yourselves on the GTI… Golf R all the way, no contest (price aside). I had a Mk6 GTI which was a really fun car. Currently have a Mk7.5 R, and even stock frankly it’s next level compared to a GTI. If Mk8 pricing wasn’t so ridiculous, I’d seriously consider upgrading to the Mk8 R for sure.
I adore my mk8 SE man, very excited to add an APR tune whenever it drops!
Any news on when they’re dropping? 😅
@@luisrangel2510 they announced two weeks ago that they’re preparing to drop a lot of different tunes and parts! Of course though, they said it’s dropping soon 😅 so no exact date yet
Nice. Get ready to be slow on Apr tune
@@alvaroperez7879 went with 034, update its very quick now
I have owned MK8GTI and now 8R. The claim in the title is misleading at the very least. 8R is so much a different car in the way it handles and in the way you need to drive it in the corners. It's not even comparable. If you have rains or snow in your region, well that's the end of the story for GTI. Surely you can drive, but it's just a regular car, I had more fun in Rav4 back in a day. For R winter is as much fun as the summer if not more.
GTI is a great and fun car, probably the best FWD car on the market. But it's not in any way will replace you R.
For us broke boys out here, I still love my mk5 😅
same just got my first car; mk4 gti vr6 🤣it's cool
I have the mk8 club sport with 300bhp loving it so far
not in the UK with its winding and perpetually wet roads
And R is what 100% of GTi owners actualy want
mk8 R (as Clubsport) has 2 pistons calipers 😉
Put Michelin sport cup 2 on a golf R and try.
I’m just not sold on the MK8 due to its appearance in and out. It’s performance is great, and finally what a GTI should be like from the factory, but the girly front end is hideous, and the interior ergonomics are atrocious.
MK7 was pinnacle.
Girly front end? What does that even mean? Lol
Idiot
@@leeyoxall6556 me?
I wish they made the GTI in rear wheel drive instead of front wheel drive or all wheel drive.
@@bobbydemondukes I thought the R is all wheel drive.
Man you should drive an Elantra N, not a hatchback but I think you’d like it better than the Veloster N !
It’s a Kia get that threw your head shabby interior poor ride and they break why do you think they come with a 10 year warranty
Always the argument between the GTI and the R in all the Golf models ... Everyone to their own BUT The R will always be a better driver's road car than the GTI ... I will stick to my R thanks
Save the money and get the 7 GTI, it's objectively more beautiful, has less cheap plastics and better build quality, it has normal physical climate dials and unless you're on a track, you will not notice the 0.3 seconds difference in the real world, but you will notice half the money remaining in your pocket.
VW should drop a proper VR6 golf before everything turns electric. RIP the VR6.
Talk to HPA out this. ;)
I like the haptic control's in my mk8
Whats the best car for under 35k? Opinions? Im trying to get closer to the 30k mark and I am thinking of getting the 2023 GTI S for around 31.5k. I want speed but also a good looking interior ect.
u can’t even get a base model mk8 gti for 31k if u want a S it’ll be over 36k without dealership markups
@@matt-mk7qx I already claimed one from my dealership for 31.5 lol. I buy from a military dealership so they don’t markup and I pay no taxes for the car as well
@@matt-mk7qx it’s a 2023 gti s and comes in about 2 months
@@mattaqube hey Mr Matt, i am military as well. what dealership is that? would love to order from them. i am here at fort bragg, havent found a truly military friendly dealer around here. they just view us as prey lol. also how do they make you not pay sales tax? do they basically “eat” that expense and sell it to you at msrp and basicaly theyre the ones who pay the tax?
@@PeterPyo I’m not 100% sure why we don’t get taxed and what not, but it might be because I am overseas in Germany and so they won’t tax the car unless I bring it back to the states within 6 months of buying the car. The car dealership is called military auto source (MAS) for short.
so you can run 87 octane in the new MK8?!
Yes sir! 240hp on 87oct!
So insane.. first new turbo car in the last couple years I've driven that will take 87... Everyone else is 89, but more often 91 minimum.
Incorrect on the brakes. The new mk8 R has twin piston brakes on the front, unlike the 7R which is only single piston
You should have gotten the 6 speed manual though.. Loving my MK8 Performance.
I’ve had both 6sp and dsg dsg is actually more enjoyable
@@RB12377 An automatic GTI is a bit like wearing a pink tux to me. But that is entirely subjective, understandably there are folks who can drive manual but don't enjoy it for whatever reason. I found the DSG felt laggy and quick shifting made the car feel unstable. Again, my driving might be more aggressive than most.
@@nastynate9529 I had the manual it’s much slower and the clutch smells of smoke if you beat on it
@@RB12377 two years of owning the manual, no issues smoking my clutch after 30,000 km. Sounds like you just need practice on driving to me. Faster? That depends on the driver, I beat these DSG's all the time. Just takes a little skill.
What size wheels are those?
18x8 et40
what wrap is that?
Looks like a stealth wrap making the stock paint matte.
Looks terrible
I love my mk7 GTI .
Im guessing they wont mk8 the jetta/gli until they start working on the mk9 gti like they basically did with the last gen. Ughhhh. Gtis actrually superior again:(
I bet you can do a software upgrade and easily get over 300hp/tq
You won!
The GTI is fun, but just like the owner says, no traction. Coming out tight corners or just trying to pull out into heavy traffic, all that power and torque just spins the front tires (even with the LSD). Modifications, more power just makes it even worse. Whereas the R just launches like a bat out of hell in every situation, it's really nice and worth the extra scratch.
I have an MK7 R with way more modifications, with added front camber and caster it transforms the handling of this car. Turn in is amazing, sideways power slides can be done at will.
I will never go for an MK8 until they get rid of that crap haptic touch interface. I don't care what anyone says, it is a deal killer for me. I will just keep running my MK7 thanks.
If I were to get something new right now, I would spend a bit more and get a M240i, I am sure with some basic suspension bits that steering feel issue can be easily rectified. It's a LOT more care for the money.
@youtuber-cc8sx At a minimum you will need a set of aftermarket lower control arms and camber plates. I went with Whiteline for the LCA's (other option is SuperPro), and 034 for the camber plates (although there are many options). I also have ground control coilovers and replaced all the bushings (front and rear) with Super Pro. I also have several other bits like upgraded sway bars, dead set kit, and a couple other odds and ends.
As for difficulty, that is somewhat relative. I am a seasoned DIY mechanic with many years of racing car modification experience and a garage with a lot of tools. Replacing the parts is not that difficult IMO, however getting the ground control smaller diameter springs to work with the 034 camber plates required some customization, and just getting everything lined up and working the way I wanted was a fair amount of trial and error. If you were paying a shop to do it, that could get expensive.
I will continue to enjoy my Mk7.5 GTI with it's real buttons, analog gauges, manual handbrake, distinctive seats that don't look like a gaming chair, etc. The new one is a complete miss for me. Even VW has realised their mistakes and recently announced it would remove the haptic pads from the wheel and replace them with buttons. Who knows, maybe they'll figure out a way to fix the rest too... One can hope...
I'm right there with you. I'm on my 4th GTI. I picked up a 2018 SE with only 14,200 miles on it when I bought it. I had a Mk4, a Mk6 a Mk7 and now the Mk7.5. I was thinking bout going Mk8, before I got the 7.5. Honestly the deal breaker for me was the gear selector. It really just look terrible. The touch screen stuff I'm sure I could get used to, but the tiny flimsy looking gear flapper is just a total miss. Some of the most important upgrades that VW made for the Mk8 can be bolted directly onto a Mk7/7.5 anyway. I think I'll wait and see what the Mk8.5 brings to the table.
After owning a Mk7 R and wife dailys a Mk7 Sportwagon, I can tell you the Gaming looking chair is a million times more comfy. And you need to really drive a Mk8 to understand the changes. Its night and day for the better performance wise.
It does look like a gaming chair! Hhaha thanks for that. Tim is right though, they're great to sit in. I do like real buttons though..
I will continue to enjoy my 2002 sunfire, without buttons at all, without heated seats or power windows, and without any sort of comfort at all. Why? Because I simply can't afford anything newer. Therefore everything newer is shite.
That’s not because they realized their mistakes, it’s because people won’t stop complaining about them when they haven’t actually tried them out for themselves. The system isn’t bad it’s just very different.
Such a good looking car
but i live in canada so awd its the way to go
Tires outweigh awd in most scenarios.. You'd be surprised! Also depends where you live.. BC doesn't get too bad in the winter.
@@RoadsUntraveled did you evr been in a real snow storm or somewhere that you dont see the asphalt for 500km straight
I thought the thumbnail was from Forza Horizon……
Flattered :D
Would rather have an i30n
Korean piece of garbage cheap interior rides poorly there’s a reason it comes with a 10 year warranty 😂
That dash is impressive
It is. Minimalistic and super tech-focused. I love the look of the cluster as well, just disappointed in some of the infotainment controls and climate settings..
Its gorgeous to look at! Usability? Eh, not so much.
Aaaaaannnndddd it has an engine light 9:14
That's the traction control light. Pops on when putting putting DSC into sport or fully disabling it.
As a very proud mk8R owner, no thanks lol.
Where did you get those hp numbers? 🤣 Those must be the numbers with the piggyback!!!!
I would never consider having a MK8 not with ALL the controls being Haptic Touch Sensitive not only that the HVAC controls aren't even lit good luck trying to adjust these controls while driving.
Using this type of system is not safe as stated in this review you must take your eyes off the road to SEE where to place your finger imagine hitting a bump in the process. I've read that VW chose this type of system because it was cheaper...which makes sense for their bottom line. Interested in a MK8 go drive one and use those controls let's hear replies.
Ya, but at 400-500 hp, and its just no fun without AWD. Stock? ya, I'd agree
With 360bhp its more than what they need… check out our latest vlog
Great driving machine, but I definitely do NOT need haptic buttons and ridiculous infotainment menu nonsense
No GTI wagon tho 🤔
That’s where the Skoda Octavia VRS MK4 wagon comes in. Same engine and power as mk8 GTI
Ugh. Just line the gli up with the gti already. So stupid they gave it the same powertrain only too hold back on it a few years😫
5:56 but do we really trust someone who installs their rotors backwards? 🤔🤣
Except they aren't backwards. The outside groove direction mean nothing. The inside vents between the rotor surfaces are what's important. But if you knew what you were talking about you'd know that already! lol
"Stupid sh!t GTI owners say when they couldn't afford an R is the caption of this video"
My stage 1 mk7.5 beats r from a roll and it’s a better daily driver
VW already abandoned these touch sensitive buttons for the next facelifts
Comment didn’t age well lol
Reminds me of Forza Horizon 1
Thank you - ill keep my R :) - it doesn't matter if we "need" it - we want it and can do it. R is better across the board.
the MKVIII is so ugly compared to the MKVII and MKVI and MKV, but hey im happy for the update in tech thats always a plus!
No fwd for me R is way danker
GOLF R FOR SALE 10K OVER STICKER
Always make mic checks...
Yeah we all learn the hard way
I had already done that :/ moved the transmitter around slightly and cable came partially out. Sucks but with 550+ videos it's bound to happen once haha. Never again!
I live in europe and i own a MK7 gti clubsport, 3 doors manual. For me, this will be the last gti i own, the new 5 doors gti's are for me no real gti's anymore, sorry. Also why 5 doors..... And the front, i dont like it at all. They failed....
they need driver mod
Just the styling is really bad, theyve made it look worse.. the front face and lights mainly
Can't stand the interior in these at all and that light bar is stupid
No buttons, shit build quality, engine issues, great car vw made 🤣
shit build quality? I dont think so
@WildRabbit006 shows how much your blinded then.
@@amsingh3041 lol that's the resposne I was expecting... Just internet sh!t talking
@@MrWolf2212 lol and that's all you can come out with, sounds like you are in love with Vw shit built cars, and thatbis okay because you are not alone.
Nope! It's the other way around buddy.
Sounds like someone couldn’t afford the R
*11 iykyk
It’s not as bad as you guys put it. Imagine you are forced to drive single motor electric car!