Owning a VW Golf GTI Mk8 - 12 Month Honest Review
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- Опубліковано 9 лют 2025
- My VW Golf GTI hasn't featured much recently. I've now owned it for over 12 months so it's time to talk about my honest review of owning a Mk8 2021 VW Golf GTI!
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GTI's are super reliable, I had mine for 8 years, first owner, absolutely nothing needed beyond yearly service. 👍🏽
bought mine with 10k miles on it a week ago. Fingers crossed :D
I’m opposite. I have “grown up” cars but I’m looking for something nostalgic and youthful. I just turn 47. I’ve got a Nissan Murano, BMW 240i conv, 440i conv, z3 and z4. I’m bored with those. Thus, the GTI manual I’m picking up tomorrow from the dealer. I grew up driving VWs. I guess I’m trying to recapture my youth with the last of the GTI manuals. 🎉
Make videos on it
I just bought MK 8 Gti 2weeks ago and im loving it..its fun , its powerful engine and roomy interior..superb quality
GTI's are a great combination of performance, comfort and practicality 👌
So is a 10 speed 5.0 Stang (which cost the same)
Best advice for any mk8 Golf owner is keep the battery well charged. I’m on my second and found a quick battery charge. Most tech issues people complain about are low battery related. The same with the 8Y Audi A3
I bought a new MK8 GTI end of last year. Long list of issues that have not been resolved after >3 months of ownership. Back door would not open from the inside - only issue solved. Car pulls to the right when you take your hand off the steering wheel and the clutch pedal squeaks and vibrates after 30mins of stop-and-go making it difficult to shift properly. In addition, the car squeaks during steering in wet conditions. Customer service is extremely underwhelming. Per VW policy no replacement car when your (brand new!) car is in the garage unless you stranded somewhere. Dealerships not reachable in metro area where I live, waiting times of 4-8 weeks for appointments. Then they proceed to tell you that the issues are ‘normal’. I’ve driven many cars (incl a number of crappy rentals) that have not had those issues I’ve experienced with this brand new GTI.
I have one fully loaded every option, never had a single issue,battery key fob changed once, that’s it nearly 10;000 miles, fingers crossed now,only issue is tyre pressures follow guidelines and it handles crap lower pressures by 5 psi and it’s fantastic?.. also considering your previous cars you mentioned then the GTI is probably better than you make out on this vid
I have had one of those error glitches pop up on my Mk8 GTI. It has less than 7,000 miles on the clock and happened to be sitting for a period of time in my driveway. I got a “ check starting system “ error code with the yellow triangle. It starts just fine and if I turn it off and back on the error goes away for a short time but then comes back. I am booked in to get it diagnosed, just wondering if any other Mk8 GTI owners experienced this.
Get a Golf R. Solves the problem.
Or just buy the OEM Golf-R turbo and throw it on the GTI with a map from the stock R. Reliable oem 300bhp for about £2k.
@@v4skunk739actually what u say makes better sense cause the golf r would probably be harsher on the road
You defo didn’t listen to his checklist of what he’s wanting for his next daily driver if you think a golf R solves the problem 🤣
Why a golf R?
Our insurance is £27 a month for 2 drivers
Iv not had a mk8 R show me a clean pair of heels yet and won’t too
So why a Golf R???
@@TheYorkshiregolfbandit It has awd not the worst suspension for a daily. I daily a subaru sti and the suspenbsion isnt stiff. Golf R has more power and is quite fun aswell.
Own a 2021 Clubsport and have had absolutely no problems with the infotainment system...methinks the issue is overstated IMHO
As for the insurance increase, it is across the board but I managed to get a quote close to what I paid last year. Not sure how insurance companies can really justify 300% uplifts...weapons grade profiteering.
Video starts at 2:11
You don't need a BMW or any car. More important things in life.
11k miles on mine, only gripe is the infotainment freezing fairly frequently. Best fwd sports car I’ve driven. Type R being the only competitor I haven’t experienced but that is more an R competitor
The tiguan R is bigger, compact more practical and revered to be unbelievably fun.
not everyone wants an oversized, top heavy, suv
Me and my fiancee have just purchased a 2019 audi s3, and SELLING our 2021 mk8 gti with the 19inch adelaide alloys due to horrendous build quality over our previous mk7.5 and the amout of issues we have had!
Its still under warranty but im telling you its not good!
Alarms going of left right and centre, literally every 2 or 3 seconds the sos error and travel assit error beeps, my partner travels 23 miles to work and 23 miles back every day. she got that irate she had to stop the car and get out (more than once!) Also we're having problems with the coolant actuator where it tricks the engine into thinking its over heating and goes into limp home mode 🤬 We contacted VW and they said and i quote, there having that much trouble with that issues that the back order could be till next march for a new steering weel and other parts. So weve said screw it and bought a 19 plate s3.
So we've gone back to a older car thats done slightly more miles and think that speaks volumes about the new mk8s and the new s3 (also been and driven a new s3)
Cheers Lee
I still love my '15 mk7 golf variant and the pano sunroof has never leaked!
Best car I have ever driven and owned
Mk7 rules!
Still got my 2015 performance manual 3 door. Can't think about a replacement because there isn't one
Yeah we loved our mk7.5 but the mk 8 was horrendous
The cost of insurance in this instance is down to its propensity to being stolen.
@@24k__J Obviously not obvious to Paul.
How do you steal it with smart key?
Tow it away?
@@sonofrobert Those who have optioned comfort access have made it even easier to steal. Read the manufacturer's small print!
The earlier models have the issues ironed out on later spec models.
I'd love to replace my Mk3 Touareg with a Mk8 GTi but with 12years NCB and clean license and living in a tiny little village my insurance is coming in at £1200 near enough. which personally I think is just too high for me. Yet if I bought a E92 M3 I'm getting quoted £550
Barley made any videos off it
How do you get warranty work done when the car is modified?
A cars warranty cannot be voided due to aftermarket parts unless the dealership can prove that the aftermarket part was the reason the car broke. Magnuson Moss Warranty Act
@@dontron6603 that’s US Federal Law. Can’t see that applying to UK.
I would love a mk8 but I think I will stick to the soon to began classic mk5
I've had a Gti and currently have a 2021 GTI Clubsport 45. The GTI was terrible re: infotainment - misreading road signs, map freezing and random reboots. My Cs45 has had IQ Light issues which my local VW could not fix as they didn't have the equipment. It also had a new steering wheel due to constant Travel and Emergency Assist bonging. If the CS45 wasn't such a great car to drive...I'd be back to an M2 comp. VW really messed up with the Mk8 Golf.....
Would you say the 2024 gti would have the problems solved?
@@johnnienguyen4822 I would hope so. Mines since been back for gear selector issues 3 times. Currently been with dealer for 2 weeks.
Why is an "honest" review? Have your past reviews been dishonest?
I’ve got a mk8 golf , on pcp had it for about 6 months , I’m thinking of seeing if I can go back to VW and trying to swap it for a gti
How about a BMW M340i/M340d? Greats motors offering plenty of performance but being more an M light model, maintain some comfort. Good luck 👍
Why did you say it costs £60-£65 to fill up? That's such a meaningless statement...
What a stupid comment
I just got my GTI mk8 and it's the black one as the same as yours in Taiwan 3 months ago, and my wife is driving it for daily usage. It's my first VW GTI and it's a really nice and fun car.
This puts a lot of my concerns to rest as I am waiting for my order of the Golf R from Canada. I know i could have some issues but the infotainment and engine is pretty much the same. So thank you! Great vid
I have a 2019 Golf Highline. Been looking to upgrade to the 2024 Golf GTI Autobanh but the interior is confusing me
Get a variant.
Way cooler!
The GTI is pretty cool but those Bimmers are amazing machines
Personally.. i would scrap the golf GTI and grab myself a Cupra Leon its the same car essentially just with less of a price tag, needing something a little larger Cupra Formentor, haven't had issues with either, exhausts can also be made or found.
@@24k__J Style wise.. imo the cupra looks better xD inside and out.
A fab video, thought out, planned, executed almost perfectly! Who needs a video editor?
Keep it up James, looking fwd to seeing what you do next! A road trip would be great, west to east, or in Europe visiting all your overseas mates!
Try a Golf R Varient.
More mature, sleeper look and more practical with the extra room, perfect size for everything!
I've had a MK7 SE Sportwagon since '15 and still love it. The 1.8t is amazing and I've gotten 39 mpg on road trip. I've carried a couch on roof rack with Yakima bars, been fully loaded for camping with 21cf cargo box and the back completely full and still passes with ease.
This size car is a great balance of incredible driving dynamics, economy and utility.
Enough power for me, the thing hauls when I push it, even in stock form. Always exciting to drive.
You probably need the R since you are into performance driving.
Cheers
Nice video Sol! I have mk8 GTI here and your reasonable explanation on GTI experience sounds persuasive! If you allow me to get this clip and let me introduce it with Korean subtitles for golf lovers here on my channel to share your great insight on GTI? ❤
Half the video is you just babbling on about completely unrelated stuff
how many mpg daily driving can you make?
Nice reliable performance hatch but it has no character
The stock tyres on my new 7.5gti were pirelli, excellent in the dry but it was like driving on ice in the wet
First service 10k miles, the dude said brake pads on back were worn 50% from all the corrections its doing.. probably wont go for a new vw again whole process was rubbish and poor service after. I complained about tyres but they were not interested, even after the dude having a test drive
what corrections?? brake pads worn down due to traction control? Well as a previous advisor in service, pads are a wear item. I would throw in better rubber and see how it does then while it is in warranty. Honda gave me the middle finger when I needed warranty work and I am still salty! Don't forget to get any questions written up and documented in case you ever call corporate
What about that Seat Formentador thing?
insurance is what is stopping me from getting one, its just too high
You really didn’t bother changing the battery on the key yourself? 😂
Lol
M340i with the b58 lump ticks every box
Supercars of London Awesome Video I think your MK8 Golf GTI has treated you well over the last year and I think you should definitely get an M4 Competition
Mechanically its amazing! Infotainment system wise its P**s Poor! the Infotainment system update failed several times & broke my car, that was to fix an endless list of electrical faults! If Im to buy another Golf MK8 I'll be pushing for a big Discount!!!
Good to see you again bud !
Upgrade the gti to a well speced macan T (same engine bigger size) or a last gen macan 2019 turbo which only has apple car play and no android auto. Its both a little interesting while being decent value due to 2 year service intervals (20k miles) and good on a pcp due to resell value. You get some clicks for first porsche on the channel as well.
Rs4, rs q3, sq5, x3 m140 are also that sort of price region.
I am personally looking into 19-21 macan turbo and rs4 carbon editions
Whats the long term mpg
I have the polo gti (same engine slightly detuned to 200hp) and average 35mpg from combined urban and extra urban. Best I've had was 50mpg on a drive through Cornwall.
Tiguan R 🤷🏻♂️ Still has a fun factor, room for modification (exhaust, lowering, wheels, body kit etc.), good fuel consumption. All in a bigger family friendly car. Ticks all the boxes of the Golf GTI with a little extra
Respectfully, why didn’t you go for an ‘R’ instead of the GTi? I’m looking at the 2020 Golf R as my next car.
Yes, the hatch is way too small and the car has a teenager look.
Variant rules!
Get a 2016 or around that audi s3 or rsq3 for something bigger
OMG.. has anyone ever owned a car that had a “gearbox fault”. Yikes!
Have you ever a 2023 ferrari SUV: Purosangue and a 2023 ferrari daytona sp3 a new ferrari hypercar?
So the previous owner had snagging problems and warranty work carried out and you've had a couple in the past year so being that the car is only a few years old I wouldn't call it reliable or bullet proof. I'd be unhappy if that was my car I'd owned for 2 years.
Civic type R would be a sweet replacement.
They are $20k more than a GTI in the states.
Civic type r hideous looks
Teenage car..lol
But your not grown up ?
Coming from a guy that don’t even know the differences between “your” and “you’re “.
Skoda Octavia VRS
That M4 competition grill has ruined the car.
😂😂😂😂😂
Sorry but the golf is ugly, fwd, sound is loud but cheap, nothing special. Not to mention the annoying stuff like touch BS and so on... Buy a Porsche or BWM as a daily for a super car channel.
I think the point is to have a daily is to keep the miles off the exotic cars.
@@jeffk464 Kind of true, but for an old and "cheap"R8 V10? Also daily can be more unique and fun too.
what part of it is ugly?
It’s not ugly and touchscreen is clean and great
@@jamesmedina2062The fish headlights..lol
Mk7.5 rules.
Get a BMW
330i
Bit dull for Supercar channel sorry, did VW donate the car?
Ridiculous comment
oh so Aventador is much better daily eh?
this or the clubsport
Or buy a OEM Golf-R turbo. Throw it on the GTI with a Golf-R map. OEM reliable 300+bhp. Pretty much plug and play. £2k.
The hatches are just to small. I don’t like hatches at all. Why I don’t like the golf R it’s over priced and very small. However VW are great value for the money and a lot of models get great fuel economy
That's you sorted then.
I like the size, its surprising use-able amount of space. I think if it gets much bigger it will lose its charm, its zippy and agile.
Are you from The US of A?
GTI’s and R’s are the perfect size for UK roads
M340i
M340i best car to look at next
NCOL - Normal car of London 😴
Rs3!
Looks like a Dacia :)
Spend your money daddy ya can’t take your money with ya 😊
Cons: it’s boring. All VAG products are.
GTI Clubsport are pretty nice. Way better to drive than R.
I wish I agreed. Any car rated tops for fun factor would not be on the map if it really was boring. Reliability is the issue for me.
Awful after market Halfords like accessories
Cmon 💪🏼
Car doesn't look that good anyway! What's all the fuss ??