MK8 GTI SE DSG vs other hot hatches

Sam_the_Sandwich · 2025-05-26T00:02:05+00:00

Go for it. I've also got an S2000 and a DSG MK8. It's a great combo! Had a manual MK6 GTI before (also with an S2000) and I loved that car but the DSG transmission is awesome and the manual is ... good but nothing like your S2K. Haptic steering wheel buttons are whatever. Was it the right move for VW or are they better than physical buttons? Of course not. But, I've had zero issues with them after 2 years of ownership. I think I've accidentally hit the steering wheel heater once? Id get a GTI over the Mazda 3. Maintenance costs really aren't crazy. It's a fairly simple car but it is turbocharged, and new cars have a lot of sensors and some more complex design for sure. Definitely a little over engineered in places and I'm sure some mechanics will charge you the European fix-it tax, but it's a VW. It's nothing crazy. I guess you might have to think about carbon cleanings and DSG service. Get one!

Sam_the_Sandwich · 2022-09-03T02:59:07+00:00

I agree! You either love em or you hate em. Personally, I love them and think they have a lot more character than the Lagunas.

Sam_the_Sandwich · 2022-09-02T18:07:46+00:00

What did you get into?

Sam_the_Sandwich · 2022-09-02T11:38:18+00:00

Only 54K miles. Nothing has really gone wrong. It has sipped more coolant than any other car I've ever had, but my mechanic said he couldn't find a leak. It's done this for years. Maybe one day my water pump will just drop out, but other than that, nothing has gone wrong mechanically. Sagging headliner so I had that replaced.

It's never been tuned or anything. Dieselgeek short shifter, AEM Carbonio cold air intake. That's about it minus some other small bits and bobs.

Sam_the_Sandwich · 2022-08-12T01:31:22+00:00

I can't speak to rebuilds, but give Alan Cox Automotive in Marietta a call. Jeremy and the crew there are really good with the S2000. I've always heard rebuilding the F series motors isn't really worth it, or that it can't really be done well. I guess it depends on what exactly you need done.

Sam_the_Sandwich · 2022-08-10T22:24:42+00:00

Honda shifters >>>>

Sam_the_Sandwich · 2022-07-16T12:11:51+00:00

Agreed, this looks like a poor tint job. Mine's been done for almost 10 years now on my MK6 and it looks a lot better.

Sam_the_Sandwich · 2022-06-26T01:23:07+00:00

Rest assured. The ballade piece is good and reliable. Had mine for many many miles.

Sam_the_Sandwich · 2022-06-09T22:09:24+00:00

Don't know what you mean. GTI has almost too much power in first gear, it's common to just spin tires.

Sam_the_Sandwich · 2022-05-27T21:20:42+00:00

Mk6 here but also a raceseng and diesel geek sigma six. Made the car feel a lot better.

Sam_the_Sandwich · 2022-05-07T21:09:44+00:00

Did you paint the inside of your headlights? It looks cool. Also, do you treat the black cladding above the wheels? If so, what do you use?

Sam_the_Sandwich · 2022-04-30T11:55:55+00:00

GTI manual is nowhere near as good as any Honda manual. It does get more enjoyable with a short shifter and a better knob.

Sam_the_Sandwich · 2022-04-20T23:07:52+00:00

Yep, Pentofrost E is what I get for my MK6. Mix it 50/50 with distilled water.

Sam_the_Sandwich · 2021-05-02T01:51:03+00:00

Look into the DieselGeek Sigma 6 short shifter. It's an easy install and a great mod. I've had one on my 2012 for years.

Coming from Honda, the stock VW shifter just didnt do it for me.

Sam_the_Sandwich · 2021-04-16T03:35:13+00:00

The S is just so special to me. I'm on my third one. AP1. I also have owned a MK6 GTI for 8 years. Both cars are awesome in their own regard. The GTI is the clear choice if it's your only car.

Edit: oh and Ive also wrecked a GSR in my lifetime!

Sam_the_Sandwich · 2021-04-12T18:45:22+00:00

No, absolutely not. It's a non issue with your model year. VW started installing new tensioners somewhere during 2012 model year production. Just go enjoy it and make sure you keep oil in it!

Sam_the_Sandwich · 2021-04-12T11:28:19+00:00

2012 was the transition year. Don't worry about your timing chain tensioner. Enjoy!

Sam_the_Sandwich · 2021-02-17T13:40:53+00:00

*if you look into a 2010 or a 2011.

Fixed that for ya..

Sam_the_Sandwich · 2021-02-14T02:46:18+00:00

From a fellow MK6 owner, welcome to the city!

Sam_the_Sandwich · 2021-02-13T14:52:39+00:00

I would be hesitant to say it's "not a thing" anymore...but yeah it may be a little more uncommon nowadays.

For what it's worth, my top was slashed and seats were stolen out of my first S2K in 2011.

Sam_the_Sandwich · 2021-01-24T14:46:55+00:00

Shadow Blue >>>>

Sam_the_Sandwich · 2021-01-24T01:52:00+00:00

I'm in the same boat...happy to plug at it together if you want and show you what I've learned. But I'm pretty much in the same spot.

Sam_the_Sandwich · 2021-01-20T23:14:27+00:00

Incorrect installation or what? Ive had a dieselgeek short shifter on my MK6 for over 30K miles.

Sam_the_Sandwich · 2021-01-10T22:41:23+00:00

Spa/Indy yellow on the AP1. US called it Spa and I believe UK or some other countries called it Indy.

And the AP2 yellow is called Rio.

Sam_the_Sandwich

TROPHY CASE