Search Car Reviews:



Volkswagen Golf

Volkswagen Golf GTI long-termer

With a new set of optional black alloys fitted, our Golf GTI Edition 30 looks fantastic – and they are the finishing touch to a truly fantastic driver’s package

VW Golf GTI

Text: Owen Mildenhall / Photos: Pete Gibson

November 2007

  • Rating:
I’ve got some new wheels... but that doesn’t mean I’ve had to say goodbye to my beloved Golf GTI. It’s simply that our long-term VW is riding on a fresh set of alloys. And, crucially, the updated rims have solved the only criticism I had concerning the Edition 30.

As you may have read in our two previous reports, my sole quibble with the flagship GTI was that I didn’t think it looked quite as good as the standard model. The colour-matched bumpers and side sills meant the special was perhaps a little too ‘red’.

But fit the 18-inch powder-coated wheels and the difference is amazing. The black alloys are a perfect contrast to the red body, while the chrome lip around the edge glints beautifully in the sun. A £1,500 dealer-fit option, they give the Edition 30 a much more purposeful stance and a touch of exclusivity. What’s more, on a purely practical level, they hide brake dust and are far easier to clean than the multi-spoke wheels which were originally fitted.

And I am not alone in my love of the new alloys; general opinion around the office is that the GTI looks superb, and I’ve even been on the receiving end of various ‘love your wheels’ hand signals from other GTI owners out on the road. So, if you are a Golf fan, let me know what you think.

But it’s OY56 ZVE’s all-round abilities, not simply its flashy new rims, which make me adore it. My colleagues and I have put more than 17,000 miles on the clock, and reading the comment book in the GTI’s glovebox, there’s not a single negative view – it’s just page after page of compliments from various staff members. Even those who regularly drive the more hard-core hot hatches on our fleet (the Honda Civic Type R and Renaultsport Clio 197 spring to mind) love the Golf for its unrivalled blend of entertainment and comfort.

The beautifully detailed cabin, the punchy and flexible engine, plus handling that’s both friendly and involving, ensure the GTI is always a special car to drive.

It hasn’t been on its best behaviour recently, though. There’s been a strange steam engine-like chugging sound from under the bonnet, which the combined wisdom of our road test desk has diagnosed as a loose belt.

It only happens when the engine is cold and, strangely, when our Edition 30 recently visited Motorline VW in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, for its first service, the technicians said they couldn’t hear it, or find a problem. The check-up was completed quickly and efficiently, and while the £255 bill stung a bit, it was the first major cost I’ve incurred with our GTI. But it’s frustrating that workshop staff couldn’t get to the bottom of the mystery noise – maybe they were too busy looking at the wheels!

0 Comment

Be the first to comment on this article

You need to register to post comments. Existing members can log in below to comment, otherwise click here to join.



Sponsored Results

More VOLKSWAGEN GOLF articles

Social Bookmarks
  • facebook
  • digg
  • delicious
  • furl
  • stumbleupon

Pictures

VW Golf GTI
VW Golf GTI
VW Golf GTI
VW Golf GTI
- Advertisement -

Other Reports

REPORT

[+]
NEW WHEELS Our Edition 30 looks fantastic, with its 18-inch Detroit black rims contrasting perfectly with the red bodywork.

PERFORMANCE With more than 17,000 miles on the clock and the first service carried out, the 2.0-litre engine has loosened up and feels more eager than ever.
[-]
SPEED BUMPS A creak from the left rear damper crops up on my commute, which seems to take in every hump in London.

STONE CHIPS The lower lip of the Golf’s front bumper appears to be very prone to damage. And because this area is colour- coded, rather than black plastic, the marks really show up.
On fleet since:January 2007
Price when new:£22,310
Running costs:72.1ppm
Mileage:17,004/30.9mpg
Costs to date:First service (£255.20)
Options Fitted:Sat-nav (£1,845), rear parking sensors (£350), power fold mirrors (£110), xenon lamps (£750), black wheels (£1,500)
Insurance Group / Quote:18/£620
Any Problems?:Engine noise
Find Used Cars

Find your Volkswagen Golf with our new used car search.

Find Used Cars
- Advertisement -
Company Website | Media Information | Contact Us | Privacy Notice | Subs Info | Voucher Codes | Sitemap
Our Other Websites: Computer Buyer | Computer Shopper | Custom PC | Den of Geek | Evo | Fortean Times | IT Pro | Know Your Mobile | London is Free
MacUser | Men's Fitness | Micro Mart | Mobile Computer | Octane | PC Pro | The First Post | iGizmo | iMotor | DigitalSLR photography | bit-tech | Dennis Comunications | Mac Channel | Channel Pro