VW Golf GTI mk5 vs mk8 

Without doubt a future classic.. probably up there with one of the best cars ever built

If you keep the intake valves clean its a wonderful car. Mine has 140,000 miles and counting!

@@ddrrFA5 Same!

my mk5 has 190,000 miles and no issues, its also stage 2 plus tuned soon to be stage 3 ko4. shit will not die haha

And the Mk4 has done it already;)

@Daniel Murillo I'm not a fan of the micropenis of a shifter in the center. Mk7 for me had a more practical interior. Can't stand all of the touch controls. How am I supposed to figure out where they are while I'm driving without taking my eyes off the road. Seems counter intuitive. Mk7 and mk7.5 nails the sweet spot between sleek interiors and practical design.

@@nickhudd2011 Reminds me of a chicken nugget.

@Phil I got the 7.5 Love that car.

Mk7 1.8 with a tune beats both! Lol mine is a S base model but i love the simplicity of that as driver more than even the mk7 gti. Thats just me though ima a cheap ass and totally happy with it.

@@eurownedmk71.88 What country are you in to have a 1.8l engine?

Do you have the FSI or TSI engine? I used to have the mk5 with a FSI engine, and it gave me loads of probs. I have a VW R32 now :D, but I still miss the mk5 GTI. AWD is nice, but the little turbo pocket rocket sweeettttt, and the R32 is quite heavy and because of that, is somewhat slow in passing speed.

@@mrlabonte I test drove a MK5 GTI & the R32 version at the same VW official dealer. I went out in the GTI first, then the R32. The GTI was better for me, the R32 felt heavy and a lot of work whereas the GTI felt light and way more fun. I never bought any of them though ironically, both had the DSG and I preferred a manual,for obvious reasons. Funny thing is though now I’m in Australia and I’ve currently got a Jetta 155 Highline Sport with a DSG and I like it, would prefer a manual but it’s difficult or near impossible to get a manual version of this car. Anyways yeah the MK5 GTI was very good.

@@colin4793 Dudeeeeee wooowwwwww!!! It’s so nice to hear someone else having a similar experience!!! It’s crazy. Yes that’s exactly it!!!!!! The R32 feels a bit too heavy and the car always feels obstructed by that. Fun little car due to the awd but lacks a bit of pace, and impedes overall enjoyability. I just might sell my r32 and would be considering going for the mk5 gti, but the awd is so much fun. Manuals are fun I have to say; I guess dsg is good for convenience… haha. Im sorry you couldn’t find the manual one…

One of the best exhaust notes going around! Miss my R32, though a bit nose-heavy.

Mk5 GT Sport here. She served me well. Upgrading to 2021 Skoda Scala cause im older now with a family, but by God Ill miss my mk5 :(

Same here. Traded my Mk5GTI, which I owned from new for 10 years, on a mk7.5 a couple of years back. I still miss the Mk5 - especially the steering. The 7.5 is more refined but lacks the 5's feedback and tactility. If I'd known back then what I do now, I'd have kept the Mk5GTI. Best car I've ever owned by a mile.

Buy my Edition 30!

I've currently got a mk5 GTI manual and was thinking of trading up to a mk7 GTI but I think I might hold on to it now, just love driving it.

Sold my Mk5 GTI less than a year ago for an Audi S3. Really regret selling it. The GTI was a far superior driving car and put a bigger smile on my face. Was definitely one to keep.

Its like selling iphone12 for an iphone 2 , yeay right..

Mk6 is good too

Carbon buildup

For drive mk5, for styling the mk4 for me.

@@matthewsmith2787 Mk6-7 were the best, Mk5 looks like a Japanese car, so unGerman, hated Golfs when they looked like this, you can see why VW only did it for one make, trash.

Un German? It looks more like a Audi from that era from the front I’d say. Never heard anyone say it looks jap in my life.

The engine cover doesn't even have a VW logo, I assume so they can share it across the VAG group

Especially with seat.. seat used to be cheap audis 😔

They put money where it matters. The MKVI and MKVII became very cheap in mechanical areas. The MKVIII is gone back to better materials. One example. The MKV had an aluminum alloy subframe, missing on the rest until the MKVIII. My MKV has all Aluminum Allow front suspension bits (Front a donor Passat).

One thing he didn't mention (unless I missed it) on the MKV is the soft touch coating in the interior. If you glance at it too harshly it will come off. This is not just an age thing, it was an issue when the car was new as well, owners reported some of the soft touch finish lasted less than 6 months from the factory. Also the FSI engine does have some known issues that can kill it if not dealt with. Like the fuel pump cam follower and the timing system/belt, if you aren't the type to regularly service your car, it WILL bend the valves or send shards of metal into your valvetrain.

@@spencerquimby4726 ahhh soft touch. Mine has faired well after 17 years. It’s started showing age at five or so. It’s a matter of what you used to clean it. People would touch with harsh chemicals and that would cause it to bubble and peel. I was very careful. My car is an 05/06 so it is covered in the “soft” rubbery material. My head liner on the other hand has failed twice and my wind shield is in need of replacement, but VW no longer makes there blue tinted ones.

The new fiesta is a lot nicer than the previous model, but your right new cars seem to generally be worse than their predecessors

It’s the work of Satan unfortunately

Same here, bro, I feel fortunate to own one, and tuned, the 5 can hold its own!

Yea, totally dude. I think its also due to the older mk4 gti being a heavy old unit if a thing. Vw knew they had to up their game with the gti when ford had the rs and honda had the ep3 type r

I think the Mk6 was the best generation. Same comfortable sporty feeling car , but the interior quality was improved and the TSI engine was , overall , more reliable. But I agree, every generation has been very minor changes, except the Mk6 to Mk7 was shift towards a new vision for VW trying to be the mid luxury European brand , the Hyundai Veloster is the new cheap and fun hot hatch. Having had both a Veloster and GTI , the gti is better but if you were to buy a new car the Hyundai is the better deal especially since the interior quality seems to be moving backwards from the mk7 to the mk8

Yes a lot changed with the Mk 5 and the Mk 6 & 7 were updates but I'll be totally biaised and choose the Mk 7 as it's the only GTI I've owned! (after Mk 4 & 6 diesels). Test drove a Mk 6 GTI but decided to wait for a Mk 7 and it's been great. Can't say there's anything about the Mk 8 that makes me want to trade mine in so will keep on going with it for as long as I can. Plus we got the golf ball gear knob back with the Mk 7!

Mk5 also comes in tsi!

The mk4 is literally lighter than the mk5 with a more reliable power plant, gtfo

Agree. Never had a 5, but I've owned a 3, a 6, and now a 7. The 7 is miles ahead of the other two, honestly feels more like an Audi than a VW, and the jump in torque from the 6 to the 7 was instantly noticeable. I also can't say enough about what a stickier set of tires does for the 7. On the OEM rubber, the car felt like it was capable of much more, but the front-end would give up and the XDS would kick-in. With better tires, it just grips, and grips, and grips. The car comes alive and reminds you that the chassis was developed by the same guy who did the previous Porsche GT3.

Mk6 is also very awesome

You drove the R and found you got more enjoyment out of the MK5 GTI? That is interesting, but definitely not the first I've heard that from... What do you really like about the MK5 GTI the most?

Mk5 is arguably the worst looking generation

Tsi as well just did a full cleaning on mine as well

How many Ks has your mk5 done?

Have mine the same length of time 13 years, 130k miles and going strong, gearbox rebuilt, Sachs clutch, rear springs snap over time so will be upgrading shocks to b4 or b6 Bilstein and few oem suspension components. Definitely a future classic

Too many functions placed on touchscreens, as is sadly the case with so many new cars, instead of a few easy to use short-cut buttons.

I heard the mk8 is a mk7 underneath. The mk5 was designed from the ground up after mk4

Some of those interior controls- like the sliders- are just different for the sake of being different. I think it stems from VW wanting the ID3 to avoid the scorn from the Tesla fanboys button and knob hatred and they just shared the controls with the Golf/GTI. How is a rotating knob not preferable to a fussy touch slider?

Totally agree

I used to buy Golfs thinking they were good quality and solidly made, the Mk8 is just blending in at the crowd

Same here, sold my mk5 gti last year after 12 years (I was second owner) and bought a mk7 gti ‘performance’. Still misses the fabulous seats…

Mk6 was a cost cut MK5. All the good points of the MK6 are even nicer on the MK5 👀

Mk6 definitely has the most premium interior

@@matthewsmith2787 yooo not even..ever been in a MK7?

@@jmccann6735 I own an 06 GTI, I test drove an 18 GTI and I was honestly really surprised to find I prefer the MK5. I was so excited to get one out for a drive but all in all they feel very similar. The MK5 takes it for me in all the driving input areas such as steering feel, clutch feel, and suspension. I really disliked the actual steering wheel in the MK7 compared to my MK5, it's way too skinny. As for the interior in MK7, it's pretty nice, not a fan of the pedal placement and I prefer the seats in my MK5 (they're a bit narrower and hug me better), but it's still not much different or "modern" than my MK5 with the RCD330 head unit with apple carplay and android auto. I think I'll be keeping my MK5 for a while.

@@JulitoPapitoo A really good summary, I agree pretty much all the way. Especially with the steering wheel, only wheels I've held so far that I prefer over my MK5s are a 2020 Lexus IS F-Sport, and new-gen Porsche 911s. Drove a few MK6 GTIs and a few MK7s, but once I drove my first MK7 R, set in stone man. The R has juust a few more interior touches to give it that premium feel, and hoooly fuck a Stage 2 DSG Golf R is just...wow. Easily faster than 95% of the road, from a launch and a roll. With some good coilovers, bushings, and something like Michelin Pilot Sports (all on the R I drove), the handling was on point with my MK5 (also pretty modified) and undoubtedly superior than it, especially into the triple digits. The MK7 R in terms of tunability, durability, and overall performance and power delivery is hands down one of the best packages Volkswagen has ever manufactured. But stock for stock? No mods? .... MK5 GTI for sure 😁👌🏻

Or try and find an Edition 30

@@andrewmooney9966 then give that a remap 😂

5 door though more practical lose the clean lines/proportions you get with a 3 door. Same can be said for all hot hatches except the Yaris GR, unfortunately.

that's a cracking comment, passion decides in the end ahh

i own the same cars and i agree ..problem is i have two cars that car both good but my heart says gti is more fun but awd is quite a lot of fun also

Same here

Material quality has definitely gone down a notch on Mk8, Dieselgate and an expensive electric car programme to blame, but I think the build quality is just as good as Mk7

I have a mk7 gtd. It's not going to set the world alight but i actually love it. You can drive it hard and still see near 60mpg

When you remapped it did you have to put it on a dyno? I’ve got a 2007 GTI and want to get it remapped

@@about48hotchiks you don't need to Dyno... Just get it mapped all good. Unless you want 300hp then you will have to start changing lots of things . .turbo ..intercooler...etc etc and do stage 2 remap

Same here!

Wow, is this with the original engine ?

@@Miaxkash Yes it was the original engine. Great car, I miss her.

@@seinsmeld13 wow, mine just clocked a healthy 200,000km. I love mine so much, I can only imagine how you feel.

@@Miaxkash I would have kept my GTI however a close friend od mine split up with his wife and needed a car so I sold him my GTI. What can you do, eh?

I hate it, seen them in the flesh and not a fan of it

the back just looks like a polo

Same here, still misses the excellent seats of the mk5 gti…

I have about the same time for my commute and I still haven't gotten tired of driving my mkV, great car

thats cool, i test drove 2005 e46 M3 and in my opinion it didnt come close to how fun my mk7 GTI is (or really how sweet my friends mk5 jetta 2.5 is) sure, the BM is much faster but something about the way a volkswagen feels on the road just has me hooked!

ey dude... that E39 still does things to some of us humans... lol

@@rayoflight39 oh definitely! I remember seeing my first one when I was 16 and always aspired to own one.

I am pretty sure you mean the ea113. The ea888 was introduced in the MK6 GTI. The mk6 R was the last VW to use the ea113.

@@acukeric Think I said Mk V Gen 2 or ‘update/facelift’....Call it what you like. Mmm: thought V meant 5 in Roman numerals ? A misunderstanding perhaps ?

@@BertoniBertone I stand corrected. I was talking specifically about the Australian market. Looks like things are different in the US market for the mk5. 😊

@@acukeric And indeed Europe & UK where I reside. With VW’s ‘de-contenting’ regime added in for good measure, looks like they’re trying to short-change the average punter. South Korea , I suspect, will be the beneficiary since they’ve hoovered up a lot of German talent....

You will get one ,,,,

I went from a 5 to a 7.5. The 7.5 has the advantage on fuel economy, the differential, brakes, and arguably looks. The 5 was put together much better and the DSG shifted faster under load. Because it looks old people underestimate it's performance which was also fun. BUT the DSG was rougher at low speed.

@@jaketurner3890 Well if you look up shift actuation times for the DSG for the 5 and the 7.5 DSG the 7 speed is actually faster. It must just feel that it isn't when your driving it? Don't forget the 7.5 has different drive modes that the 5 didn't have, and when the 7.5 is in sport the DSG will shift faster than the 5. I never had a 5 but I did have a MK6 for 5 1/2 yrs. I agree that the interior build quality is not as good. You notice it in the plastics on the door cards and how things fit together on the inside. I also think the MK6 was quieter going down the road, while the 7.5 has more road noise and wind noise. I also think the 7.5 rides much stiffer, but then again, it handles much better as a result. Fuel Economy is excellent. I did a road trip from Prescott, AZ to Gilla Bend, AZ and went 211 miles on 4.2 gallons of gas, you can do that math, but its right at 50mpg. That is gong on average speed of 65 mph. So that is frickin amazing. All and all I feel the best comparo to the MK5 is the 7 and 7.5. That is a huge compliment for both.

The 5 did have a sport mode that only affected the DSG instead of the steering and DSG like the 7.5. The DQ250 shifted harder than the DQ381 does but that makes the 7 speed much much smoother and a little more refined. The 7.5 is a great car but I don't know it's a huge improvement over where the 5 set the bar.

@@jaketurner3890 My MK6 didn't have a sport mode on the DSG, I mean it had the "S" on the shifter but all that did was wind out the gears more didn't change the actual speed of the sifts like the 7.5 DSG does. Is there a huge difference between the cars? Yes probably from its construction and build that we cant see, but from the driving experience they both are very similar and maybe that was the whole idea VW had? To get its mojo back 😎

I agree. Mk6 is the sweet spot.

MK5 is the sweet spot Mk6 just looks cheap

Because we have hidraulic steering, a real feel to it, independent 4 wheels suspension and a good gearbox. And a a very driver focused calibration for all these.

@@AdHD1905 mk2 focus is a very early epas system, the rest is good but the steering imo doesn't hold up. Sick engine tho.

Agreed about the the interior quality. They really upped it for mk6 and mk7.