How Does Mark VI GTI Compare with Mark V

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07-01-2010, 07:13 AM
elisiX

There may be an argument with regard to performance between the two, but I know which car I'd rather be sitting in.

The MKVI's interior is miles ahead of the MKV - on so many levels. And part of that is the overall refinement and sound. (or lack thereof)
07-01-2010, 07:15 AM
G-rig

Quote:

Originally Posted by elisiX

There may be an argument with regard to performance between the two, but I know which car I'd rather be sitting in.

The MKVI's interior is miles ahead of the MKV - on so many levels. And part of that is the overall refinement and sound. (or lack thereof)

How is it better besides the minor points listed in the above post? I for one think the top vent design of the MK5 was over-complicated and a major source of rattles, also extra work to swap head units.

I've heard the mk6 has more sound deadening/quieter but this takes away some of the fun making it too refined.

I know you'd be rather sitting in the one you've just ordered.. :cool:
07-01-2010, 07:17 AM
elisiX

lol G-rig. :)

I considered very seriously the MKV when it came out - but I couldn't get over the 'grey' interior.

The look and feel of the MKVI is very different and a significant improvement IMO.
07-01-2010, 07:20 AM
G-rig

Quote:

Originally Posted by elisiX

lol G-rig. :)

I considered very seriously the MKV when it came out - but I couldn't get over the 'grey' interior.

Not sure i get it, the new one has a grey interior too:

http://www.volkswagen.com.au/vwcms/m...odule_0005.htm

would be worth it for less rattles anyway.
07-01-2010, 07:29 AM
Corey_R

Quote:

Originally Posted by triode12

Like I and G-rig have mentioned, it isn't about absolute power - it is about fun. If you find changing gears on your Polo's stick shift tiring then I'm not so sure you are getting the point we are trying to put across.

Sure the Polo has less power than both the MkV and VI (and would probably lose both cars on the track stock for stock) but it still outguns them (by a mile) in the fun stakes at legal speeds. It is a fast and nimble little car - and is more faithful to the original Mk I than the MKV and VI.

You can have fun with any car at track speeds even in an old bomb...actually probably more so in an old bomb. :)

And there are better cars out that have more power and better handling than the MkVI GTI at about the same or lower cost.

My Pirelli has more power than the MkVI GTI (stock vs stock). Even chipped it will still have more power but that isn't the point. What the MkV GTIs have over the MkVI is the driving experience (read fun) at legal (everyday) speeds - not only at track speeds.

The MkVI is a wee bit too refined and I am not the only one that has said so (several others have tried it at track day are politely keeping their opinion to themselves to avoid upsetting MkVI owners). Several magazine and online reviews have also alluded to this fun killing refinement.

IMO - the plot was lost once VW felt it necessary to fit an electronic resonator to pipe the sounds of the engine bay into the cabin of the Mk VI GTI (to replicate the GTI experience). All that refinement have come to nought.

No, I understand what you're saying, but you misunderstand what I'm saying. It's not the changing gears that's tiring, it's the application of the throttle to have a smooth driving experience, especially around my area were there are many traffic lights on 80kmph streets. The accelerator in the Polo GTI with the ECU update is pretty sensitive. Sometimes you don't want "fun", you just want to drive and be comfortable, the GTI allows both. (and I know I can switch the ECU back to stock, but it's a pain and means I can't have the additional power if I need it during that trip).

So anyway, if the MK6 GTI's exhaust isn't loud enough and that's taking away from your 'fun', then change the exhaust. Instead of doing the APR Stage I, the APR Stage II is highly recommended.

And then, even at legal speeds, the GTI is just as fun as the Polo. But unlike the Polo, or most other of these other cars with "better power or handling at the same cost", you can also put the DSG back into D (which backs off the pedal sensitivity etc) and just cruise around comfortably.
07-01-2010, 07:50 AM
elisiX

Quote:

Originally Posted by G-rig

Not sure i get it, the new one has a grey interior too:

http://www.volkswagen.com.au/vwcms/m...odule_0005.htm

would be worth it for less rattles anyway.

One is black, one is grey. Don't know how else to explain it to you.

One looks sophisticated, one less so. But that's just what happens as products are updated.

When the MKV first came out, I was really keen on one. I still think the body shape is awesome and like it equally to the MKVI.

But the interior just didnt feel right to me.
07-01-2010, 09:09 AM
triode12

Quote:

Originally Posted by coreying

No, I understand what you're saying, but you misunderstand what I'm saying. It's not the changing gears that's tiring, it's the application of the throttle to have a smooth driving experience, especially around my area were there are many traffic lights on 80kmph streets. The accelerator in the Polo GTI with the ECU update is pretty sensitive. Sometimes you don't want "fun", you just want to drive and be comfortable, the GTI allows both. (and I know I can switch the ECU back to stock, but it's a pain and means I can't have the additional power if I need it during that trip).

So anyway, if the MK6 GTI's exhaust isn't loud enough and that's taking away from your 'fun', then change the exhaust. Instead of doing the APR Stage I, the APR Stage II is highly recommended.

And then, even at legal speeds, the GTI is just as fun as the Polo. But unlike the Polo, or most other of these other cars with "better power or handling at the same cost", you can also put the DSG back into D (which backs off the pedal sensitivity etc) and just cruise around comfortably.

If you are referring to the surge of power in 2nd, I got used to it after 5mins of driving - It is all a matter of control.That surge is what is so attractive about the Polo GTI. Power in the range where you really need it for city driving - nimble and quick enough to change lanes in fast moving traffic.
07-01-2010, 09:25 AM
pologti18t

I have a Polo GTI + APR. Its extremely hard to launch fast. Too much power too soon :)

The Golf GTI is a much nicer car to drive at any speed. I would take a Golf GTI over the Polo any day if price wasn't a factor.

As for the interior of the MKV over the MKVI. The MKVI is much classier. The quality is superior and the interior colour has moved a few shades darker (and classier) over the MKV. Just look at the standard cloth in the MKVI GTI. It is darker than the MKV.
07-01-2010, 09:30 AM
triode12

Quote:

Originally Posted by elisiX

One is black, one is grey. Don't know how else to explain it to you.

One looks sophisticated, one less so. But that's just what happens as products are updated.

When the MKV first came out, I was really keen on one. I still think the body shape is awesome and like it equally to the MKVI.

But the interior just didnt feel right to me.

I beg to differ, I prefer less chrome in the cabin. Given the choice again, I would still go with the interior of the MkV - we all have different tastes. In years to come, I feel the VI will look dated while the V will not have suffered so much. From what I've read on this very forum, the MkVI does suffer from rattles too - so much for improvement over the MkV. The problem probably lies with the automotive parts subcontractors who manufacture the vents and dash for VW.

My "new" Seth Afrikan 07 GT has a rattle coming from the driver's side airvent (getting this fixed by the dealer). It only rattles when driving on the highway at high speed and on rough roads, on city roads under 100km/hr, it is rattle free. While my Wolfburgs manufactured Pirelli is still rattle free and I hope it stays that way (knock on wood). :)
07-01-2010, 09:32 AM
triode12

Quote:

Originally Posted by pologti18t

I have a Polo GTI + APR. Its extremely hard to launch fast. Too much power too soon :)

The Golf GTI is a much nicer car to drive at any speed. I would take a Golf GTI over the Polo any day if price wasn't a factor.

As for the interior of the MKV over the MKVI. The MKVI is much classier. The quality is superior and the interior colour has moved a few shades darker (and classier) over the MKV. Just look at the standard cloth in the MKVI GTI. It is darker than the MKV.

Then turn off the APR tune. It doesn't need it IMO - it is fun enough w/o the tune. If I were to mod a stock one, I'd go for suspension upgrades first.

I didn't notice the difference in colour between the two - so subtle the change was.
What I didn't like was the deletion of the Climate control LCD screens in the MKVI - feels like costs were cut somewhere.

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