MrFancypants
Autocross Champion
I purchased this car in October of 2009. It was the second MkVI GTI my local dealership received, and the first with a manual clutch. Because it's a 2010 it had the ala-carte option list, and I chose the sunroof, adaptable HIDs, and Dynaudio. I believe the only two options I did not select were leather and nav, because I wanted me some sweet sweet plaid seats.
Current state:
100% stock, if you don't count the non OEM tires (Bridgestone RE760) and tinted windows.
How I use it:
Mostly as a daily driver. While I'd love to get it on a track, I haven't taken it to any track days. The hardest use it's received is on my various "sport tours" where I find the squiggly lines on Google Maps and drive them. Usually this leads to a track day's worth of "abuse" to the car, as it'll spend hours in the upper RPMs bombing through corners as fast as I feel safe.
How I care for it:
Strict adherence to Volkswagen prescribed maintenance schedule, nothing more, nothing less.
What's gone wrong:
- Electrical issue at under 10k miles that caused an awful noise from the stereo, fixed under warranty and hasn't returned.
- Intake manifold failed at ~90k miles, fixed under warranty.
- That's it, the GTI has been the most reliable vehicle I've ever owned.
What's worn out:
- OEM suspension needs some work. The shocks' low speed dampening isn't quite what it used to be, and while they're not blown the transition into corners isn't as well controlled as it used to be. I've also noticed some cracking in the rear position bushings on the front control arms.
- Rear brake pads replaced at 60k, the front brake pads are still original and appear to have been designed to outlast the rest of the car.
- Engine mounts are feeling pretty floppy.
- Oil seepage from cylinder head cover; ~1 qt lost every 10k miles
- On its third battery
- Headliner is drooping a bit under the sun visors
- Some noticeable wear on random plastic interior pieces
- Driver's seat bolster, door side, is showing some fraying
- Note: I'm being nitpicky, but I'm not complaining. I'm extremely impressed at how tight the car still feels after 100k miles.
What I like:
- I didn’t realize how much I loved an engine with a healthy mid-range until this car. That wave of torque combined with that gearing is fantastic.
- Great handling balance, very easy to control at the limit.
- XDS doesn't get enough praise, IMO its biggest shortcoming is not providing the driver with enough feedback when it's operating, like a mechanical limited-slip would. In practice it feels about 75% as effective as a mechanical limited-slip at getting the power down, maybe a touch better if you're good at sensing it working and feathering the throttle just right to get the most out of it. The problem is that it's just so easy to overwhelm with too much throttle.
- Adaptable headlights are magical at night when you're running your brights on a curvy road.
- Firm, but not punishing ride quality.
- Great seats. Keeping with the overriding theme of the car, perfect balance between sport and comfort. My then wife-to-be loved the plaid so much she married me.
- Overall the interior is just fantastic. VW could have just released it and it would still hold up against the current competition. Not only that, but it's held up quite well too, it's been far more durable than I expected.
What I don't like:
- The "ESP OFF" button does not do what it says it's supposed to do. Had I known, I would not have purchased this car. The upside to this is that it has taught me to drive the car better to keep it from turning on, the downside is that it's a shame that such an easy to balance car can't let the rear hang out.
- The brakes feel "meh." I've read some praise, but they just feel mushy to me. To be fair my last car had very good, firm, direct brakes. Thankfully there are cheap ways to fix this on the aftermarket, which I intend to get to.
- I should have bought the four door version. Not a fault of the car, obviously, but that extra door would make the child's seat easier to deal with.
What I intend to change in the relatively near future:
- Bilstein HD shocks, probably with an ECS tuning mount kit
- Control arm bushings, rear position, may as well go with the S3 mounts
- Tyrolsport brake caliper stiffening kit
- S3 shifter with metal bushing kit(s) to replace old rubber parts
- BFI stage 1 drivetrain mounts. I'm open to suggestions, I want slightly stiffer than stock, but this is not a race car
Cars I could replace it with (but probably won't):
- Fiesta ST - but probably won't because car seats are a snug fit
- Mazda3 - but probably won't because I still like my current car more
- GTI, MkVII - but probably won't because my current GTI has life left in it (MkVIII maybe?)
TLDR: Best car I've ever owned.
Current state:
100% stock, if you don't count the non OEM tires (Bridgestone RE760) and tinted windows.
How I use it:
Mostly as a daily driver. While I'd love to get it on a track, I haven't taken it to any track days. The hardest use it's received is on my various "sport tours" where I find the squiggly lines on Google Maps and drive them. Usually this leads to a track day's worth of "abuse" to the car, as it'll spend hours in the upper RPMs bombing through corners as fast as I feel safe.
How I care for it:
Strict adherence to Volkswagen prescribed maintenance schedule, nothing more, nothing less.
What's gone wrong:
- Electrical issue at under 10k miles that caused an awful noise from the stereo, fixed under warranty and hasn't returned.
- Intake manifold failed at ~90k miles, fixed under warranty.
- That's it, the GTI has been the most reliable vehicle I've ever owned.
What's worn out:
- OEM suspension needs some work. The shocks' low speed dampening isn't quite what it used to be, and while they're not blown the transition into corners isn't as well controlled as it used to be. I've also noticed some cracking in the rear position bushings on the front control arms.
- Rear brake pads replaced at 60k, the front brake pads are still original and appear to have been designed to outlast the rest of the car.
- Engine mounts are feeling pretty floppy.
- Oil seepage from cylinder head cover; ~1 qt lost every 10k miles
- On its third battery
- Headliner is drooping a bit under the sun visors
- Some noticeable wear on random plastic interior pieces
- Driver's seat bolster, door side, is showing some fraying
- Note: I'm being nitpicky, but I'm not complaining. I'm extremely impressed at how tight the car still feels after 100k miles.
What I like:
- I didn’t realize how much I loved an engine with a healthy mid-range until this car. That wave of torque combined with that gearing is fantastic.
- Great handling balance, very easy to control at the limit.
- XDS doesn't get enough praise, IMO its biggest shortcoming is not providing the driver with enough feedback when it's operating, like a mechanical limited-slip would. In practice it feels about 75% as effective as a mechanical limited-slip at getting the power down, maybe a touch better if you're good at sensing it working and feathering the throttle just right to get the most out of it. The problem is that it's just so easy to overwhelm with too much throttle.
- Adaptable headlights are magical at night when you're running your brights on a curvy road.
- Firm, but not punishing ride quality.
- Great seats. Keeping with the overriding theme of the car, perfect balance between sport and comfort. My then wife-to-be loved the plaid so much she married me.
- Overall the interior is just fantastic. VW could have just released it and it would still hold up against the current competition. Not only that, but it's held up quite well too, it's been far more durable than I expected.
What I don't like:
- The "ESP OFF" button does not do what it says it's supposed to do. Had I known, I would not have purchased this car. The upside to this is that it has taught me to drive the car better to keep it from turning on, the downside is that it's a shame that such an easy to balance car can't let the rear hang out.
- The brakes feel "meh." I've read some praise, but they just feel mushy to me. To be fair my last car had very good, firm, direct brakes. Thankfully there are cheap ways to fix this on the aftermarket, which I intend to get to.
- I should have bought the four door version. Not a fault of the car, obviously, but that extra door would make the child's seat easier to deal with.
What I intend to change in the relatively near future:
- Bilstein HD shocks, probably with an ECS tuning mount kit
- Control arm bushings, rear position, may as well go with the S3 mounts
- Tyrolsport brake caliper stiffening kit
- S3 shifter with metal bushing kit(s) to replace old rubber parts
- BFI stage 1 drivetrain mounts. I'm open to suggestions, I want slightly stiffer than stock, but this is not a race car
Cars I could replace it with (but probably won't):
- Fiesta ST - but probably won't because car seats are a snug fit
- Mazda3 - but probably won't because I still like my current car more
- GTI, MkVII - but probably won't because my current GTI has life left in it (MkVIII maybe?)
TLDR: Best car I've ever owned.
