PoloDriver

Well done John! It looks great, even with the protection on it!

Ooh Spirit VW… Hmm, I guess I’m not far from you if one day you want to take out an excited passenger 😉

Car looks perfect! Hope you have fun with that mate – get a video up if you can, although I imagine you are out in it right now 😛

My build week was 38, meant to be with me by the end of October? Not gonna hold my breath just yet. LOL

I can’t wait to see your impressions after you’ve had it for a few days… It’s lovely!

Can you confirm that it comes with the fancier MFD like this: http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/bubuskey/IMG_3713.jpg as opposed to one like this: http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv187/kripstoe/DSC00063_2.jpg

Even though both the SEL and the GTI both have Midline MFD listed in the standard features, all the pics of LHD GTIs have the fancy MFD as they have the extra fuel and temperature dials that no other Polo has.

Hi everyone,

Will get some more pics up as soon as possible. Been having to much fun. Going down a storm with people. Lots of double takes from other drivers 🙂 Glad I went for the LED daytime running lights, they make it. Also went for the touch screen radio which gives the cabin a hi-tech feel. Sounds really good too. Car well insulated from outside noise.

Bad news is there is no Bluetooth phone answering capability, which is just plain crazy. I have multimedia interface sockets so why no Bluetooth. Nuts. When you start the engine it almost sounds like a 3-litre, nice.

Alan – the DSG box Alan is a dream to use, don’t think I’ll go back to manual now. MFD does a number of things, but doesn’t look quite like pic 1 or 2 that you posted Court. Certainly does not have the fancy petrol gauge graphic you show.

http://twitpic.com/2umzf8

When you get yours you won’t be able to leave it alone, I can’t!

John – sounds brilliant and like the car is receiving a lot of attention.

Roll on March…

MY CAR IS ON THE BOAT!!!!!! WOOOHOOO!! 😀

Thanks John, I’ll be sure to link up some photos – though, I believe ours are exactly the same spec! RC510, Xenons and Flash Red is all I specified I believe? I can’t even remember!

Quick question, are any of you guys on active forums on the Polo GTI topic? I struggle to find any!

Shame, I thought the audience for the Polo would be much larger. Has every reason to be, hot Polos since the G40 have been mostly frowned upon as it’s not a “proper” GTI – hope this new one can make the vital change.

I had just clocked onto polodriver.com in the past week or so and have been keeping up with John and his order – looks like it is the best source for the latest news!

Hmm, you can probably tell this is my first VW (second car to be fair though :() so I am not up-to-date with the lingo. I know I have the touchscreen radio – not too sure on the code now as you have fired two numbers out that don’t resemble mine in the slightest! 😛

John, one question I have is – How is the blip on the throttle when you down shift?

Thanx for that Rich. Makes interesting reading.

The 1.4 Twincharger with DSG is quite a heavy set-up so it’s very impressive for the 6R GTI to weigh 14kg less than the 9N3 GTI especially with the improved safety features of the 6R.

I thought about ‘downsizing’ to the last Polo GTI for my previous company car in 2007 but it just didn’t feel right when I compared it to the Golf GTI Edition 30 I ended up getting. One of the things that put me off was the old 1.8T as the emissions were almost the same as the Golf and that had 80hp more and obviously a size up. Not a chance this time though. The 6R has a fantastic air of quality and get a lot of people to ‘downsize’.

Talking of which – have you seen the £13k Golf Twist? Limited run with the 1.4 engine. Almost the same spec and price as a Polo 1.4 SE, but will be here within a month or so – that should appease some prospective Polo purchasers who wont wait 6 months for delivery.

Hi Rich,

Yes I was hoping you’d take the publicity shots. 🙂 Doing the work of VW UK I reckon. Just put mine away in the garage for the night. ‘parting is such sweet sorrow’ as the Shakepeare line goes. 🙂

I envy you Rory in the highlands, all those miles of open roads. Will be a blast.

Hi John,

Glad to hear that you are enjoying it! Could you tell us if it has headlight “spray washers” for the Bi-Xenons headlights as it looks like it in the photo?

Hi BJ,

Yes, Court is right about the regs. The washer system does indeed look like the ones used in the promo pics. I had the system on the last Polo GTI to have Xenons, 2000 model. These however are a little bit more automatic in that they wash the lights once the ignition has been switched on for the first time, then every fifth time the windscreen washer system is used.

Other nice touches… LED lights change in their intensity depending on what other lights you have on. Electric windows can be closed with the remote control key fob, 2007 Polo GTI didn’t do this. Speedo and rev dials light up on their own once the ignition is turned on and vary in their intensity according to outside light or whatever lights you have switched on.

Thanks John for giving us GTI owners (in waiting) your thoughts, if you have time some pics would be appreciated. I have been told week 43 (unconfirmed), cannot wait…

Cheers.

Hi Court,

Thanks. As mentioned in the other thread I am planning to go with the VW OEM option as it would integrate seamlessly and discreetly, as per the setup in our Golf with the RCD510 (which has so far connected to Nokia, Sony, LG and Samsung phones perfectly).

Its puzzling why its not an option on UK Polo GTIs…..it can’t be a space or technical issue as the Germans can have it, but whatever the reason, VW UK doesn’t seem inclined to divulge it……..as far as I can tell!

I am curious regarding the Fiscon kit though, considering you mentioned its about the same costwise, does it do all the VW OEM kit does, including being able to be operated by, say, the MFS wheel phone controls if it were retrofitted in the GTI…and more?

OK, so it may not be as good as the latest VW OEM kit then.

Frankly, it’s unbelieveably that Volkswagen UK shortchanged ALL UK buyers by not allowing us the Bluetooth phone option…….WHY?!!

http://twitpic.com/2vrug2

http://twitpic.com/2vrujq

As promised a while ago, a couple of pics.

Re the Bluetooth debate, everyone is perplexed over the issue as to why we can’t have it. I would rather have a factory fit than have my dash messed around with now.

Yes BJ, climate option fitted. They don’t match but I can’t say I find it too disturbing. The pic of my dash is on here. Does that help?

Thanks guys, it’s hardly noticeable, guess they have to nitpick something in a review……….!

Yes, asking an awkward “simple question” at the top might help in determining why we can’t have Bluetooth in the UK.

Dont worry Rory! The MFD is controlled by buttons on the wiper stalk – it’s been the same way on VWs for the last 30 years, except it was called an MFA back in the early days.

Great video here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbjWSziMZZ8

Shame I can’t speak German! Incidentally that’s the exact car that VW UK showed to the press a couple of months ago.

You’re right of course, I know I’d seen the 124 in pics somewhere, but all the tests have been 123.

It’s a shame you couldn’t get to that Milbrook day… they seem to have let any idiots in http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ij5zphbRj8c

No, that can’t be right as the rear pics show the exhaust and fuel filler on the proper side of the car. Move along, nothing to see here apart from the crazy ramblings of a fool who can’t wait for his car.

Seems we’re getting stiffed in the UK again!

You can now order the “Detroit” Alloy wheels in 17″ on the German configurator for €150.

These I believe are what we call in the UK “Monza Shadow” and are the 18″ option wheel on the Golf GTI Mk 6.

In fact, they were actually on the Polo GTI on the VW stand in Geneva earlier in the year:

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_3XlcZOq3xK0/S8i2k2-mZPI/AAAAAAAAAPg/iWv_4Ia4z2o/2012%20Volkswagen%20Polo%20GTI.jpg

NOOOO!!! That was the only one option I really wanted too 🙁

Why is the UK market being shafted so much, surely we were not the smallest consumer for the Polo GTI?

Chaps, just back into town… and seen Rich’s post from VW UK and the rest… so is it: “No phone, no wheels and no leather!”

Not quite.

The VW Bluetooth hardware required to allow voice and touchscreen control with the RCD and RNS 51O radio is the GSM antenna (plug in, under dash), Microphone #3B0 035 711B, Bluetooth interface #5N0 035 730C and the VW voice command cable. Swapping the wheels over at PDI is a good idea but at a loss about how to get the Alcantara leather.

Once again Volkswagen UK is absolutely useless regarding customer service. Talk about not being able to organise a soiree in a brewery! Blatantly stating, “…non compatible with phones in the UK etc…”.

As stated previously we have a new Golf Match on the drive sporting a RCD 510 with it all fitted and delivered from the factory only last month! It all works in that car. Have we switched all switched to some strange new mobile phone system in the past few weeks?

It now begs the question, are VW UK being economical with the truth or are they just plain incompetent? Thank goodness I bought it as an additional “toy” otherwise I’d be rather cross!

I think it’s a conspiracy by VW UK worried about the Polo hitting Golf GTI sales. I just love a bit of paranoia in the afternoon. 🙂

It looks like it BJ, thats why they’re only €150 upgrade. The tyres are the same at 215/40R17.

I like this comment from one of the GTI forums:

‘They did it with the Mk 3 Anniversary… wheel rims. Then again on the Mk 4 Anniversary… wheels and centre caps. Then again on the Mk 5 GT/GTI… wheels and centre caps. And now on the Mk 6. VW don’t learn that polished type wheels and UK roads don’t mix.’

Perhaps they have now learned this and decided that it’s not worth the warranty claims.

Talking of the GTI forums… there’s a guy who’s got a supply of the latest VW Blueooth kits. Part number 3C8 035 730A This should include everything you need to retro-fit.

http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=169384.0

£275. Not a bad price at all considering the factory one on the Golf is £240 and this one will work with ALL phones and not just rSAP Bluetooth profile phones.

Any news on Rory’s car I wonder? Should be soon.

Nothing to tell yet chaps. Meant to be here by Wednesday, if not my dealer and their main dealer will be getting a roaster of a phone call. The salesman dealing with my car was on holiday last week (of course he can have a holiday but when I have had a £20grand car on order for 6 bloody months I expect more!!) – I am certain the main dealer would not have bothered sending it down if there was no salesman to do the deal, they may have kept it in their showroom up there??

Unfortunately, I did not have the time to go and check as I was on a weekend break (one final blast in the Suzuki really :P)

My colleague turned up this morning in a courtesy Audi A3 1.8T S-line with DSG so I managed to grab the keys off him at lunch to get a feel for the 7-speed DSG on a powerful motor.

I was very surprised at the amount of creep available. It won’t creep up or hold on a hill like a traditional auto, but for general crawling in traffic it’s just perfect. Do you find similar John?

How much do you use the paddles/sequential? Whenever I put it into manual it just felt odd, almost alien, like a video game as you couldn’t ‘feel’ what gear you were in like a manual. Perhaps its something to get used to over time. When it’s in S mode it really goes, I had to get on the motorway to really give it some juice all the way to 7000rpm.

I was also impressed how early it changes up when tootling around, it’s up into 7th by the time you get to 45mph.

So all in all I was very impressed, and now even more looking forward to the Polo.

Still build week 15/11/10 after the latest update. Not long now!

There is a 5 door black metallic one for sale on the VW website. Mann Egerton of Swindon – £19,995

Also… They’ve done well to get 1100 miles on it, it was only registered on the 19/10/2010!

More than likely a cancelled order, VW dealers were under strict instructions from Milton Keynes to not order any for stock/demo so supply wasn’t further limited… That said, can’t be that hard to use a pseudonym on an order form.

Mine gets it’s first big run this weekend with a trip up to Manchester. Going to see how it fairs on fuel consumption over longer distances. Previous model GTI was very good, with over 40mpg easily achieved on most runs, unless you floored it everywhere of course.

46 is my unconfirmed week too… Unless they’ve bumped me back 3 weeks as well as you 🙁

Welcome to the club!

Mine arrives in Fort William tomorrow at 14:00ish…

Booked holidays from work as of next Wednesday so will collect it then. They will keep it in the showroom until then 🙂

Can’t believe I have been waiting 6 months for this, honestly cannot wait to see it up close… highlight of my year!

I placed an order for a Polo GTI at the end of June and the latest unconfirmed build date is now week 2, having previously been week 40 and then week 45. Assuming it takes about five weeks to deliver, then I will have waited about eight months! Having said that, I did order the panoramic sunroof which my dealer tells me is the main cause of the delay.

I am pleased to hear that people are now taking delivery of their cars and that they are happy with them, so I shall just continue hoping and waiting…

I’ve been reading these posted comments for the past few weeks, and they´ve been very helpfull. I learn some details that I wasn’t even aware about my future car.

My car is due to arrive at the last week of the year.

Mine is a LHD, because I’m from Portugal, and I have some dificulties finding comments about the Polo GTI in other places, does anyone know alternative ones?

I’ve order black with 3 doors and I can´t wait to put my hands on it 🙂

I like that people who have the car already (like John) have nice things to say about it.

P.S. Sorry about my English 😛

The engine sound is great, one of the first things I noted when I got mine.

Performs brilliantly as a motorway cruiser. I had been on the motorway before but this was the car’s longest journey so far.

My trip up to Manchester was horrendous, obviously there was a mixture of speeds achieved, the car averaged 42.6mpg. On the return journey, which was straight forward and ‘motorway speeds’ possible, this dropped to 40.7mpg. The motorway part of the trip saw the average hover around the upper 30s.

No other GTI spotted on the route either.

Just been advised by the dealer that my estimated build date has now gone back another six weeks to week eight…

Rory – What a fiasco! Think I’d follow the car to the main dealer if tomorrow finds the guy can’t fix the equipment. Don’t cancel the order, it’s a great car! Just cancel the dealer.

Good point Court. Schu, I don’t know if the vehicle up there is taken but I can certainly give you contact details if you are interested. Don’t know the spec though – just know it’s candy white.

I know in Ford our IDS is nothing special, just a cable like you say for VW. However, I know if my IDS has broken down somehow, I’d be acting a lot quicker as 70-80% of work in a dealership will need that diagnostic system. Warranty is out of the question – serious money would be lost. Might as well send 3 techs home for the day!

It has to show KPH as all UK registered cars have to be able to show MPH and KPH, whereas cars on the continent only have to show KPH.

Until the very latest VW white illumination all cars had KPH and MPH in the dial. They’ve now moved the KPH to the MFD. A bit like Porsche did a few years ago.

So I can’t get instantaneous speed on MFD whatsoever? 🙁

Anyway, car is bonkers. Love it!

So everything came up Milhouse in the end Rory?

You sound like you’re enjoying it anyway… make sure you do!

My lease company only tell me the ETA on the 11th of every month. I’m hoping that the next update they’ll confirm it will be built the week after in Week 46 like they said last month.

Please no more delays!!!

Rory, very pleased for you. Happy motoring!

On the MFD mine also shows KPH. The manual refers to changing the display settings, so may be possible to change that.

Have you gone for Xenons and LED’s on your car? I couldn’t see your earlier pics as I’m not on Facebook and it wanted me to sign in to view. 🙁

There is a white one for sale now as well in Nuneaton! I am getting frustrated now. Looks great in white.

Dammit! That’s my car – what’s it doing there?

Hi Nuno,

The LEDs come with the xenon lights, all one option.

This darkened glass, I swear it wasn’t there when I spec’d my car :S

Anyway, every now and then (when there is enough people interested) we get a guy up from Glasgow who darkens the glass. Done a few RSs for us and a few sales cars the customer wanted done. My girlfriend recently got a new car, one of the techs got a new car, my car and a few other customers will surely get this specialist up to do darken the back three. Although, I feel the windscreen is pretty dark as it is??

Court, is that really your car? LOL

No, not really my car, just first white one I’ve seen. Mine is even more basic spec than that car!

After sticking in the RCD510 this will be the next thing on my list..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOwL4Td8Ncs

Easily done by changing the bump stops to Scirocco ones and changing the gas struts to ones off a Mk 1 Seat Toledo (!)

I know what you mean. March seems along time away for me! When is it supposed to be here JCW?

Alan, was week 43 put back to build week 46 – haven’t the courage to ask if it now confirmed or slipped again…

Can anybody inform me of the time it takes from the build date to arriving at the UK garage? Also how long it takes from the beginning of the build to rolling out the factory door?

JCW, mine had a build date of week 36, Sept 6th. I remember it had left the factory within around 1 week and it arrived at my dealer in the middle of week 39 and I took delivery of it that weekend.

Thanks for the info John.

Court, does that mean the RCD310 display will be blue and the climatic white?

I was thinking I would quite like the xenon lights at they look pretty cool. Do they make much of a difference and are they worth it? Would it be too late to get them added to my order, my car is not expected to arrive until March 2011.

Doom, gloom and despondency…

Date slipped again to week 47, dealer also not happy (I think he wants my money!). Have still not seen one in the flesh – I must be mad.

Court, hopefully VW are consolidating RHD GTIs and they build them WEEK 47!

That’s great news Court, you must be delighted. Will be worth the wait and will be some Christmas present. There are some nice pics of a white Polo on the uk polos net forum just now!

Congrats Court…

Though I am jealous.

Spotted a red one today in Glasgow on my way to work. Was parked in an office car park, so will need to take a nosey later on, if it is still there!

I’ve heard of quite a few cars that use a litre of oil in their first 1000 miles when they bed in. I presume when you say everything is ok under the bonnet that the oil level was firmly near the max on the dipstick?

Can you believe the Sales Manager at Mann Egerton Swindon thinks he can get £21,995 for that black GTI I had a test drive in? I wasn’t going to say anything about my experience as they were doing me a favour by letting me drive it, but after seeing it still at the inflated price I feel I should say my piece…

The day before I test drove it the sales guy was dealing with called me up to say there was a problem and his sales manager said it was £21,995 – I forcefully asked what options were on it to make it that price as all I knew about was the metallic, xenons and DAB RCD 310. He called back after checking with said sales manager to say I could have it for £20,000 – oooh £175 off!!

Is there any wonder sales have a bad rep? Surely no one wants a Polo that bad to pay 2k over the odds? It’s hardly a Ferrari 458.

Have been following PoloDriver since I ordered by GTI in June (Black metallic, Xenons, DAB 310 etc) to replace my MkV Golf GTI and these comments in particular. Thanks for keeping me and I’m sure many others up to date with what has been happening.

I have just come back from Dorchester after receiving a call on Thursday to say my car has arrived, and after seeing and sitting in it, it everything I was hoping it would be (can’t wait to have a drive). I wasn’t too worried about the radio, but ordered the bluetooth touch phone kit to keep me handsfree.

I was just walking out of the showroom when a display showing the Kenwood Multimedia System caught my eye. Plugged in my IPhone and straight away all my play lists came up, and all my phone contacts were immediately available. It also has Garmin navigation, TV and Parrott Bluetooth. Has anyone had this fitted, and if so, is it as good as it looks?

Phoned my VW dealer in Bridgwater (yeah, spelled correctly) to be informed my car has already been built… Of course I am ecstatic but they put me through 2 weeks of thinking of canceling the order. If I could show a graph of my emotions this past month it would look like map of the Himalayas. Why do they do this?

So Court, mine will be on the same ship so thanks for the link.

Bet the f**ker sinks…

There’s quite a lot of info on many of the VAG forums about ships etc.

Here’s the schedule:
http://www.pwl.de/static/schedules/vwl_hb.pdf

The ship should be leaving today for Santander.

I just this minute got this from my lease company: “An update regarding the progress of the VW Polo we have on order for you. The vehicle has been released from the factory and is currently at the port of exit in awaiting shipment to the UK. Once the vehicle has arrived at the dealers we will contact you to arrange a suitable delivery date.”

Arval is my lease company for my sins 😉

The ship has taken a little detour to Sheerness to do a drop of VAG vehicles from Emden so won’t be getting to Santander till 27th therefore will probably not arrive back into Emden till the 30th.

Thanks for the info Court, I will cross my fingers…

Yes, I really like that interior, you can get it in most European territories too.

Shame, I think the jacara seats and Monza wheels are a bit hackneyed nowadays. I think something like the 17″ Boavista wheels off the SEL would have been great – as long as they were unique to the GTI 😉

I love the blue – when I was choosing my Golf GTI last time I was so tempted with the blue. It would have been the colour I’d have chosen, but they said they had a silver one en-route and I don’t have much patience – can you tell?

If I could have had any options that kept me in the monthly budget I’d set myself then I would have had that blue. Looks lovely!

PS – I managed to source a RCD-510 with DAB a couple of days ago at a bargain £200!! Considering it’s £285 for the stereo + £175 for the DAB option I thought I did well. They even threw in £30 worth of brand new internal glass DAB aerial too. I’m very happy 🙂

PPS – The City of Rome docked in Grimsby last night finally. Won’t be long now!

Got e-mailed by a chap from VW magazine today – was asked if my car can be featured in February issue… Let me think… OK!! :p

Yeah, from VW Driver (sorry).

I will be sitting down today and writing my thoughts on the car, I have to have it done by the last week of the month. The chap said it would either be a drivers letter or a feature – either way, my car will be a celebrity. 🙂

Hoping the snow clears so I can get some more decent pictures. :S

I’ve always had a very soft spot for the late Mk 1 GTI metallics namely Helios Blue and Lhasa Green and I mustn’t forget my fav VW car/colour combo of all time – a Mk 2 1992 Golf GTI 16v in Oak Green…

The invasion has started.

Spotted today a new Polo GTI in white. The car was parked in a side road in Stratford upon Avon.

My dealer phoned me up yesterday to say that my car was still pencilled in to be built in week eight. According to him however, VW has sold more cars than they predicted and there are more orders than there is capacity available to build them. Therefore VW UK, VW France, VW Germany, etc are having to negotiate with the VW factory to build their orders. I bet the German (home) market will get top priority too.

I don’t hold out much hope and I feel that my custom is not important to VW. I’m not sure how much of this story I believe (it sounds complicated enough to be true), but I’m getting pretty close to cancelling my order.

Cheers John. Sounds a nightmare Schuey, there seems to be no consistency with the ordering process. There is a 5-door red one for sale on VW’s website priced at £18,999.

Update, car is at the port. Tell me something I didn’t know 😉

Court: Did they say which port (Spanish/German/Abbu-Dabi)?

Hehe, no it’s in a port in the UK. I presume Grimsby looking at the ships that have been coming and going. I believe that most VAG cars come through Grimsby as Sheerness is mostly for the South-East dealers and the Inchcape dealer network.

It’s all down to how quick the dealer can get the car from the port now…

The whiskers came off my cat not so long ago, looked like someone had cut them on one side!

Bridgwater VW aren’t part of the Inchcape group, but that really sounds like they’re on the ball. Perhaps they use their logistics.

If I had anyway of contacting my dealer they’d be so sick of me!

Court

Bet you can’t wait. How long since you ordered?

I saw a white GTI up at Northfield, Cirencester. Trying to flog it off with £280 off… Bargain, they are so generous!!!

Dammit, a rabbit walked across my keyboard – no, I’m really not joking.

I got the same message today… 🙁

1. They have the VIN number already.

2. No, it’s a dealer thing. Costs a fortune. Sales guys love to sell it as they make massive commission on it. Worth not a lot (buy it in for £20ish). Missus is a service manager therefore I know all about Supaguard/Diamondbrite etc.

3. Diamondbrite will be done during the PDI. Takes 5 minutes to apply, but the interior needs a little time to dry.

Can anyone help with a query on the MFD. According to the owner’s manual a digital speed display should be available from the menu. This does not appear when you scroll through the menu and the secondary speed option does not appear in the menu either, it appears to be permanently on and is in km/h, any ideas?

Iain – The secondary speed indicator is positioned down the MFD between two lines and is displayed as KPH only. I have never been able to change this to MPH. I’m happy with it though and it does make sense to have both MPH and KPH.

Got my registration number, all I need is the car now… it’s STILL at the port.

Also got my reg.

Pick it up Saturday… Has been a loooong wait, ordered it when Somerset was still warm (14th July)!

Hope you hear soon Court.

Not long now Court. I saw that red one I spotted in Glasgow again today and parked beside it and had a nosey. Looks awesome, everything about it I love. Think the interior looks great.

CAN’T WAIT…

Picked mine up on today with between 4 & 6 inches of snow on the ground – couldn’t delay though, one word “sweet”. Got a few photos but drag & drop doesn’t seem to work, how can I post them?

Whoop whoop! Thursday 23rd I’m off to Birmingham to pick up my GTI… I hope the weather isn’t too bad 🙂

Good luck and best wishes to all of you about to get your respective cars. Hope you enjoy as much I as have with mine. Great present.

Very bad weather here in Warwickshire but the car has handled well.

The LED fairy lights look very festive too. 🙂

I agree. Have often commented to friends that from the engine note you would never guess you were driving a 1.4.

Really pleased for you Court, looks great. Welcome to the club! 🙂

I installed the RCD-510 DAB tuner today. It’s brilliant to have 6 Music and 5 Live in the car now.

http://i53.tinypic.com/124eio0.jpg

While I was at it I installed a Nokia CK-100 Bluetooth car kit. I not a fan of the non-OEM look so the CK-100 was perfect as there is no screen just a small button that I’ve located between the gear knob and the cup holders.

http://i55.tinypic.com/11v625k.jpg

Here’s the microphone:

http://i53.tinypic.com/2lsfd46.jpg

It can also stream music from most Bluetooth phones if you so require.

Oh, and here’s another shot of the car. It’s awesome!

http://i55.tinypic.com/20ucv4k.jpg

It would be a pleasure – I’d like to say it was easy, but I have a graze on every knuckle after fitting it all.

In other news I went out for a spirited drive this morning over some rough B-roads. The Polo was very skittish, like it was bouncing around, even on the straights. I was quite worried to say the least. I suspected incorrect tyre pressures so when I got back I checked them and not one of them was less than 4 psi over the recommended pressure; 44 and 45 psi on the front and 40 on the rears! No wonder it was skittish, that’s almost Kwik-Fit incompetence.

Just been informed my car is in the country and I should have it next week.

I thought I would give my impressions after 4 weeks of ownership with my Polo GTI. Coming down from a Mk V GTI Golf I was initially worried about the space, but soon discovered that the driving position and environment are excellent. I am still coming to terms with the difference in the weight, the Polo is much livelier on the road, but still retains very competent handling. The steering is on the light side and lacks some feel at low speed but does improve when driving more rapidly.

The engine is a delight, with so much torque that you have to be a little careful with the accelerator pedal when pulling away as wheelspin can be easily induced. The traction control doesn’t seem to compensate for this but it may be the condition of the roads after the snow. I am still amazed by the power delivery throughout the rev range. It did surprise me however, to get an oil warning light coming on last weekend after 1100 miles, but my garage says that is normal until the engine has bedded in.

Because of the road conditions, I have been cautious not to go too mad, but my overall fuel consumption is standing at 37.6mpg (half the mileage being around town, with plenty of hills). On one recent longer trip I managed to achieve over 48mpg. The gearbox is also brilliant, especially when driving around the town, and the paddles come into their own when you want a quick change down to overtake.

The only mistake I made was to have fitted the VW approved Kenwood Multimedia unit. This proved useless, as it constantly dropped my Bluetooth connection and the main screen shone too brightly, especially at night, which meant I had to switch it off to drive safely. My dealer put the original RCD310 (with DAB) back in and that is working exceptionally well. Yesterday I had a Parrot Mki9000 hands free system installed, which is working fantastically with my iPhone. I can highly recommend ConnectMyCar (a subsidiary of Carphone Warehouse) who fitted it expertly at my home within 4 days of ordering online.

So as you can see, I am extremely happy with my new acquisition, and will be looking forward to clocking up many more miles in it. To anyone thinking about cancelling their order, my advice would be to wait, it is well worth it.

Hi guys,

Been keeping tabs on here for ages but this is the first time I’ve bothered to post anything. I’m loving all the great things being said about the GTI so far.

My one is down for build week 6 and I cannot wait. It’s been 4 months since I ordered it so I’m finally seeing some light at the end of the tunnel.

Excellent news! The dealer rang me today to say that I now had a confirmed build date of week commencing 31st January (week 5). This has been brought forward three weeks from their previous estimate.

With a bit of luck I should get the car by the middle of March.

PM – it sounds as though you have had the longest wait of anyone or has anyone else had (or having) a longer wait? I did get to see my first GTI in the metal today. There is a white
pre-registered one with a panoramic sunroof at Gilbert Lawton in Manchester. It looks great, but I really think it needs the xenon headlamps for the full GTI effect though. I bet that there won’t be that many Polos with sunroofs around now that they have been removed from the UK options list.

Hi John,

I think it was ‘DorsetDC’ that had the oil light on at 1100 miles. We have done just over 500 now, I have checked the oil once, seemed ok but now you have mentioned it, I will make more frequent checks! As you say – it does take time for the engines to bed in, so I think it will settle in due course.

Apart from that (touch wood) all seems good, there seems to be a slight noise (sounds like big rain droplets) coming from the bottom of the windscreen area, not sure what this is, only notice it when driving slowly, am not pushing it as the mileage is still very low.

Hi John, its not a major noise, if it was I would have been back down to VW in a flash! I think it may be something called a ‘scuttle panel’ which may be slightly loose, I guess sometimes with new cars this is the downside, once they take to the road you can un-earth a few minor issues, but for a car costing almost £20K I would not expect there to be many!

Apart from that, I love driving it, although yesterday we just seemed to constantly be stuck behind slow traffic all the time which put paid to any exuberant driving!

You seem to be loving yours – I have yet to see another one on the road!

Hi John and all, yes – I can confirm oil consumption. Checked this weekend and the dipstick level had dropped to around the halfway mark! Have got just over 700 on the clock, but I guess the first 1000 miles are always likely to be heavier on fuel/oil. As you say though, other new cars I have had have not consumed oil quite as fast as this. Am looking for it to settle soon.

Average fuel was 41mpg on first tankful and 39 on the second. Slightly heavier right foot. 🙂

Hi Paul,

Yes it seems ironic that the car is frugal on fuel but not on oil. Hopefully this will change. Re Auto Express and 52 mpg. What were they doing, pushing the car?! I’ve never had it in the 50s.

I had a brief read of the Auto Express and evo reviews and both seemed rather negative of the Polo I thought.

I tend to treat with a pinch of salt the Auto Express ones anyway , but I am sure not so long ago they were praising it up, and now they are knocking it back down again!

I will have another read (probably buy a copy) and pass proper judgement then!

Sorry, just to reply to Schumacher’s comment on the pano roof… On the few days where you can really take advantage of it, in this country with our skies constantly hanging cumulonimbus like Xmas decorations, would it really have been worth it to have the pano roof fitted anyway? Meh, in my eyes its just another gadget to get screwed up. Maybe it would start leaking onto my dashboard and possibly ruin the car and/or mess up the electronics. To be quite honest, I wouldn’t have that extra fitted even if they said I can have it for gratis. I might be completely wrong here but it is, nevertheless, my opinion.

On the plus side I did have the Xenons and the RCD510 fitted. I am happy with the analogue setup for the radio, since the car will most likely be due for other enhancements by the time analogue is phased out and they switch over completely to digital. Climatron is simply a gadget/gimmick… If you’re hot you turn on the air con, if cold the heater, not really rocket science, just 1 more button to push. Convenience pack is only the most practical if you smoke in the car. Little washers to wash your headlights? How often am I going to use them? 😛

PM – presumably you wouldn’t buy a convertible either then? I believe that the market for convertibles is very big in the UK compared to the continent. This article from the SMMT is a few years old though.

http://www.smmt.co.uk/articles/article.cfm?articleid=8731

Yeah, roof was more about design for me too. Looked cracking in the launch pictures.

Anyone know where/how I could get the 17″ Shadow wheels they spec in Germany? Keen to know rough cost. Still can’t decide if I’d rather them than the standard wheels :-/

Hey, awesome news… I pick up my Polo GTI tomorrow, wooohooo!!! I can’t wait. I got a phone call last week but I was away on what would be my last outing (apart from the commute to work) in my ’58 reg Polo. I phoned back yesterday to arrange a time to pick it up. Very pleased, I am… Tonight sleep, I won’t (chuckle).

Schumacher – No I never been a lover of convertibles, cabriolets or soft tops either, you are quite right. Maybe it just depends if you like that sorta thing or not. I do enjoy them in the right circumstances but I wouldn’t pay my money for one. I have seen quite a few about, that I have noticed.

John and Rory – Once again, I suppose it’s what you like more than anything else. I agree that it does look fantastic from a design feature point of view. I will definitely give it more careful consideration next time I am in the market for a new car.

I like the black insert wheels too, btw. I’ve seen some other custom ones as well… same design but looks like they been cut a different way to give a sharper appearance… really really (really) like those ones too 🙂

Ordered mine back in November and it should have gone into production this week I hope. Have been told it should be at the dealer around March 1st which is good cus i got a custom 11 plate lol. Really can’t wait, havent seen one on the road at all yet, went and looked at my dealer’s white demo one though… 🙂

Yay! Got my car today, I am really impressed. The wait finally paid off. I only noticed later that the one set of lights is not working. Not the Xenon or the fairy lights… The ones on the very inside, I think it’s the sidelights, I can’t get to work (maybe something I am doing wrong). Dealer said I should make a turn past there tomorrow so they can take a look. Other than that I am chuffed to bits. Getting it to do snail pace from stopped was a bit jerky (getting into parking).

@ Schumacher & James, just hang in there mates. Good luck, hope you don’t have to wait as long as I did LOL. Really a super car, was worth it. Thanks for the well wishes Paul.

Great stuff PM – very pleased for you 🙂

I don’t have Xenons but as John said, hopefully your lights are all ok!

Enjoy it mate, watch the oil level in the first few 100 miles as it does have a tendency to burn off a bit initially.

Hi PM, every 50 miles I would say is a bit to cautious. 🙂

About once a tankful at first I would say (350 miles), I was checking it from cold (which is wrong). Manual
says to check from warm once the oil has drained back to the sump. Situation should start to improve once
a few thousand miles are on the clock!

Thanks Paul, that’s very helpful. I can’t read the manual without falling asleep for some reason though. It might as well have been written in greek. Some things I understand, but when looking for specific things, I find it hard to pinpoint exactly what I want to know. I’ll get there eventually LOL.

Scott just hang in there man, it will come. I ordered mine in early May 2010. That makes it 9 months. I can see a pattern developing here, can you? Peeps that ordered 5-door model were always gonna wait longer. Just take heart in the fact that alot of us had to wait the same amount of time as you. That’s if you get it in May, much more after that you probably will be the one thats waited the longest. I’m gonna quote from another post that I saw “Anyone thinking of cancelling your order, are you mad? Go find something to keep your mind busy while you wait because u wont regret it.” Or something to that effect. Good advice that…

I can’t believe the delivery wait time Scott is having to endure. That is beyond a joke!!

Scott – It depends what exact spec you wanted but you could always cancel your order get your deposit back and go and buy one of the demo Polo GTIs that are popping up at dealerships. Less made to measure I guess and more off the shelf.

It doesn’t seem confined just to Polo GTIs either, as I know of someone who has just cancelled a new Golf order after the delivery time kept being put back. The car was ordered last autumn and they had initially been told a ‘before Xmas’ delivery and now told a summer delivery. They’ve bought a new Merc B class instead.

PM – It was me who said that stuff last year about cancelling orders etc, high on the excitement of getting mine, but even I would be tested by Scott’s wait.

Great news Schumacher.

Has anyone ordered the car in Reflex Silver?

Hi James, I am based in Glasgow. Ordered mine in August, 3-door Shadow Blue metallic. Due to arrive at the start of April, although might be earlier than that. It is a company car so just putting up with it. Bit annoying when you see them for sale on VW’s website though.

Think it is just a case of hanging in there.

John – There was a silver one for sale on carsales.com.au. Really like it in silver actually. Are you still enjoying the car?

PM – VW with all its acquisitions of other brands is getting too big and losing the plot. I also think that higher order numbers than anticipated has caused them problems.
Ooh very nice, Reflex Silver, had the 2001 GTI in that… loved it. Buffs up really well. ‘Showroom Shine’ is a brilliant car cleaner… waterless car cleaning! Other products are available. 🙂
When you get the chance post some pics on here.

Hi Alan, yes still enjoying it. Good luck with yours!

Think we should have a Polo GTI rally this year.

I was at my local VW agent last November, and one of the workshop guys said that some customers are switching to other makes because of the long lead times. Waiting best part of a year is not acceptable, there could be something else that crops up in the meantime that you prefer.

@PM/John – out of interest, would you mind checking the “Print Status” on your owners manual please (back cover). Mine says 17.05.2010. Although I know most of the functions, nothing in there about the paddles. VW agent says that is the latest manual. Many thanks indeed.

Hi Paul, mine says 17.05.2010 also. To be honest I rarely use the paddles, or the cruise control I ordered. 🙂
Oh well it’ll sound good when I come to sell it and reel off the extras.

Hi PM/John – many thanks indeed for your very quick replies, yes – I was surprised it did not have anything about the paddles although I obviously know how they work anyway.

I was not aware that DynAudio speakers were an option though.

John – yes the extras will make your car more desirable when you come to sell it.

Many thanks indeed guys.

Hi guys, I hope you are all well and enjoying your cars. Those still waiting, good luck for a speedy delivery.

Just wanna ask all that have had their cars for a little while: I keep getting a text on my MFD *See safe locking Owners Manual*… I don’t seem to be able work out what it’s trying to tell me. Do you lock the car with one button push or two? The only reference to it is Safe Lock relating to the deadlock mechanism. Is this just an old message that needs to be cleared or am I locking the car the wrong way everytime? If it’s just an old message, can someone please tell me how to clear it?

Thanks John. Basically I am a n00b then LOL. I’m off to try look how to get into the settings now. Love the car but I hate the manual. Other friend says that it’s a guy thing :/

I think I found my own solution for once. You people are all right… 1 lock press to lock, 1 unlock press to unlock drivers door and 2 unlock presses to unlock the whole car. What I think I need to do is press OK on the wiper arm next time I see the message. Thanks for your help guys 😉

Just for the record, (I am sure you guys know this anyway), VW can re-program the ‘un-lock’ sequence as I found it annoying first of all to have to press the fob twice to unlock the whole car – I guess I am used to it now. My dealer said they would re-program it for me if necessary, so single press would unlock the whole car. I will probably leave it as it is though now.

Hi people,

Yeah I think I am just lucky with mine only taking 4 months hopefully!! LOL. In terms of insurance PM I have found it brilliant… I’m only 19 and I was looking at a Fiesta ST which was guna cost me 3k to insure but the GTI is only gonna cost me 1.1k with Elephant…. Also PM what do you think of the Supaguard? I’m thinking about it but not sure.

I’m pretty gutted that I didn’t add the steering wheel stereo controls on and it’s too late now as its built… doubtful it can be put on now when it arrives in the UK!

Has anyone had extra tinting put on there windows? Im thinking im going to dark smoke the rear windows and wrap the roof in black.

Rich, not entirely sure if I am allowed to do this so please remove my post if it breaches site rules.

I replaced all 4 tyres on my car about 2 weeks ago, I have 2 tyres left if anybody is interested? These were on the rear, 7mm left.

Yes James is young, a city trader perhaps? I’ve got socks older than that. 🙂

Supaguard by the way is a marketing ploy…you can do similar oneself for a tenner.

James, don’t take my word for it, look about three quarters of the way down this page re supagard…

http://www.clean-image.co.uk/articles/paint-sealant-faq.html#280

PM I totally agree! 🙂 Anyone else got more pics of their GTI to post? 🙂 Has anyone had any decent races yet lol? I’m looking forward to the fact it looks so subtle so I’ll have all the idiots on the roads thinking it’s a regular Polo… they’ll get a shock when I’m saying BYE BYE!

Raced my friend’s Corsa VXRacing – they are terrible when a corner is involved.

Apart from that, no. Although, I did get 1.4 leptons on my travels today. Think it would have went a little further too…

Leptons are a measure of speed used on car forums. A few people who have stated an actual speed they were travelling have got in trouble for it.
Use your imagination to work out the units… would it help if I put 1.44 leptons? LOL

LMAO! *Breathes a sigh of relief* thanks guys, I was like at total risk of looking like a n00b 😀 … JCW, security message meaning the one I was getting referring me to the owners manual about Safe Locking? TBH, I haven’t been paying attention to whether or not the message is still coming up. Will look next time I am out, roughly 3:30am tomorrow. If you people want to get together for a day out in the summer, I might be up for that idea. Definitely not now though, and only if we can get a decent group together. Hopefully at least 10 of us. There are still a couple of people on this forum that have not yet taken delivery of their orders, so lets see what happens.

Dayum, I love my car 😀

Excellent news!

My dealer has informed me that they now have my GTI in their possession! I’m going to have a look at on Thursday and will be collecting it on Friday 4th March. Can’t wait.

Ok scratch that lol. Schumacher that’s good news mate, enjoy. 😉

Paul – I know – I hope I’m not dreaming. I ordered the car eight months ago!

Are you supposed to run this car in or is it good to go as soon as you get it?

Although newer cars are very different in regards to ‘bedding in’ than older cars, I would leave it 1000 miles before any harsh acceleration.

The car will of course loosen up over the next 6000 miles or so…

James – that is excellent!

I went for a sneak preview of mine yesterday and it looks fantastic.

The interior looks far better in real life than in the photos and the sales assistant was raving about the bi-xenon/LED headlamps. Despite waiting eight months for it, it is still the only Polo GTI they have sold at that dealership.

Roll on Friday…

Fantastic news James and Schumacher… Yes, the Bi-Xenon/LED light setup really adds a quality finishing touch to the car, apart from the obvious advantage they have over standard lighting. I get compliments all the time about the car and people do give long looks at the car. The one time this guy on his bike spent so long looking in his mirrors at the car, he didn’t see the traffic light go green!

Then another time, a guy in a 2.0L Astra accelerated as I was trying to pass him, but he was unable to deny me my rightful place in front.

One other time, I actually saw in my rear view mirror, two guys in another car having a discussion about my car. Is it a Polo? Is it a Golf? *Guy smacks forehead* Ooooh, It’s the GTI… something like that. I just had a good snicker to myself about it LOL 😀

I managed to get Friday off work LOL!! How sad, might be able to go and see my GTI tomoz!

HEHE! Can’t wait now.

Out of the shadow blue metallic, getting my car next week…. Finally!

Ohhh! I haven’t seen one round here apart from the dealers one and I’m worried that the delivery mine came on will have loads haha! Hopefully not….

I’m so sad… the last two nights I’ve been going to the place where the dealer takes in all their new VWs and Audis. Went there tonight and nothing… Went up to the dealer and it’s THERE in the showroom window 🙂 Not long now!!!!

Cheers Paul! Gettin’ her at 1pm.

James/Schumacher – we do expect a full account by close of play today 😉

Well apart from someone almost taking my front end off on a roundabout by overtaking me in the right hand lane in order to turn left at the first exit, I’m very impressed. The car is incredibly well built compared to my previous GTI, particularly the interior which seems to cocoon you and is very comfortable.

I’ve never driven an automatic before, so it is taking a bit of getting used to and my left leg keeps looking for the clutch pedal, but I will get used to it in the end, although it does at times feel as though a computer is driving rather than me. I’ve had a go with the flappy paddles and sequential gearstick too.

The sunroof is a mechanical work of art – it’s been a nice sunny day here so I’ve had it open all the time. Hope it doesn’t go wrong. I also discovered that because I have ordered the rear parking sensors, a little graphic appears on the radio display showing you how close you are to any objects. I don’t remember anything being mentioned about this feature in the catalogue or on the internet.

My only negative so far is that it doesn’t seem to sound as rorty as my old 1.8T Polo GTI and there seems to be no turbo whistle.

I’m going to go out again later when it is dark so that I can properly check out the bi-xenon headlamps.

What can I say!! I absolutely love her!! The GTI sounds sooo nice and drives so nicely as well. Also the little features as Schumacher stated like the picture on the media player when reversing just add that little bit extra 🙂 Like Schumacher I am off out now to check out the Bi-Xenons! Going to take a random cruise up to Coventry… just for fun lol!! I’ll let you know how I get on and then I’ll post some pics tomorrow once I’m back from another road trip to Essex lol!!

I’ve just come back from a swift drive now that the roads are quieter and I’m seriously impressed.

John – the engine does make some nice sounds after all.

Paul – I use Shell V-Power, I used it in the old GTI too.

James – the thing that particularly surprised me is that despite having only the basic radio (I’m intending to replace it with a Pioneer sat-nav) it does show the parking sensor images. I’d have expected that to only be available on the touch screen radio or the sat-nav.

It’s great to hear that everyone is pleased with their purchases…

Hey! I’m planning on putting V-Power in mine as well… Which will happen today as I have used 3/4 a tank since yesterday afternoon lol.

Schumacher – Yeah it is so good that the reversing picture is available on all of the radio options – I have the touch screen but I have seen it on the RCD310 as well.

So far I have got 270 out of the tank with 1/4 left and 90 miles showing on my trip computer. Last night I was actually addicted to cruise control on the motorways lol!

I had my first fill up yesterday. Something weird though… The owner’s manual says the car has a 45-litre tank, and I still had a 20 mile range on my MFD screen, but still managed to fit in 50.91 litres. O.o Can anyone tell me of any similar experience or did I get conned at the filling station?

Oil light came on again today. Hadn’t checked it for a while as have nearly done 6000 miles, give or take a couple of hundred, and hoped it had settled down… obviously not.

Is there an issue with my car or with the TSI engine in general I wonder?

As I’ve previously mentioned, the last model GTI never had this issue even from new!

I phoned the customer services number for Shell and logged my complaint, in relation to the obvious error in the amount of fuel they supplied me. They gave me a reference number, took my phone number and said the retailer will contact me after they have completed an investigation. I made my intention clear of not supporting Shell, any of its branding or any subsidiary company, should they not rectify this matter and re-imburse me for the lost revenue.

At 280 miles my engine oil still looks fine, don’t think it has used anything.

@PM – glad that you have complained. Of course this may well have affected a lot of other customers at the same garage.

There is no way you would get 50 or so litres in the tank, even allowing for fuel to go up to the filler, I would say 46 litres at a push.

@Alan – good luck with your pick up, have not seen any shadow blues around but great choice! 🙂

Once again I noticed a conversation in another car through my rear view mirror. Now I am not terribly good at lip reading, but I could clearly see the woman in the back seat, probably tending to a child say: “What’s that, Harold?” to which was replied: “Well, that’s the new Golf GTI, Julia.”… Boy, someone’s going to be really confused when they see the Golf GTI… 😀

Picked up the car earlier. It is brilliant, love the colour. If someone can point me in the right direction of posting pics, I will do that later.

Hope everyone is enjoying their cars.

Occasionally, mine makes a short squealing noise when I accelerate hard. I think it might be from the supercharger. Does anyone know if this is something to worry about?

Sorry, my last comment relating to James in the 3rd paragraph was actually for a reply to Schumachers last post. :”>

Sorry for confusing the issue Paul, it was Schumacher’s post relating to the noise. *Blush*

Hopefully the attached link will work to a couple of pics of the car. Not the best pictures as it is from my Blackberry.

Alan – Lovely looking car. Enjoy!

Yes – great looking car Alan, as I mentioned before, we did consider a Shadow Blue initially but then plumped for the Candy White.

As PM says, it really does make the red on the grille stand out.

@PM – We have a 3 door, not sure about the other guys tho!

Alan

PLEASE post more photos as I ordered a red GTI a week ago and I’m seriously considering changing to Shadow Blue… hope you enjoy yours it looks great.

Hey guys! I honestly have managed 53 litres for the last few fills! I’m getting about 380 a tank 🙂 Also can someone check if they got a jack etc in the boot under the floor as I only have a spare wheel and bit for the wheel nuts! Cheers guys!

Saw my first GTI on the road last Saturday morning (12 March). It was a Candy White one on the A14 just east of Cambridge at about 8.20am.

Looked really nice.

On the fuel tank question I have a 1.8T Polo and when the fuel gauge has said it’s empty with 0 miles showing on range setting on computer, I can still drive another 40-45miles safety and at fill up that takes around 45litres. I dodn’t think I’ve ever got 50 litres into the tank though.

A

Hi all. Have been reading all your comments since I ordered my GTI last September. Shadow Blue 5 Door, Bi-Xenons, RCD510 and sunroof. It was scheduled to be here (Perth) mid-May but just heard will be ready for me next week. Can’t wait after hearing what you all have to say.

AllyE – that’s great news. I only know of three GTIs with sunroofs and now the option has been deleted from the UK spec they will be extremely rare.

I’ve done just over 500 miles in mine now and I’m pleased to say that the engine is definetely starting to feel a bit looser.

Schumacher, just don’t forget to check your oil after you fill up. It’s a good idea to do it when you get home, just let the oil settle for 20 minutes. Don’t check it while it is cold. Mine is also going well, I have not hit 500 yet but not far off.

Paul- I’ve now done over 6000 miles in the above red motor and it still seems fairly thirsty for oil. It has used so much at times that I have found myself looking for oil leaks on the garage floor… all fine there though.

As I said before it’s ironic you save on fuel only to spend on oil. Is it another reason VW may shelve the engine? Cracking little motor agreed but high maintenance a possibility.

Paul, I would take 2 years to complete 10k miles too. I checked my car’s oil after first fill up and it still looks okay. I should probably expect to need topping up oil on next fill up in about 180 miles.

Some idiot put a scratch into my bumper while it was parked, very possibly somebody pushing a buggy or a bicycle past it, I was seriously not impressed. :/

James, is that silver? Car looks good, man. If it is silver, then my car looks the same, except with 5 doors. I was very weary of getting heated seats though, saw one episode of Top Gear and they stripped a car and found out how heavy they were. The car is much more nippier when it isn’t loaded with a heavy extra like that.

PM – No it’s white, i have just edited it a bit on iPhoto lol!

Paul – Yeah I have done numerous long runs to Bournemouth, Nottingham and Essex lol!

Sorry guys to hear of your minor damage issues, people are selfishly careless I’m afraid.

I do have a few stone chip marks on my car so I recently ordered the touch up paint from VW. Then with the aid of a cocktail stick I was able to paint inside the chip. Stand back from the car and you would be hard pressed to see the original damage.

Thanks for the update JCW, yes I put a little more oil in ours today, I must confess I am just putting small amounts in each time, I get so nervous of overfilling that I think I am under doing it. I reckon I have put in 3/4 litre in 1,300 miles though.

I have been driving it in ‘grandad’ mode most of the time while it is new, but yes, the car does take on a different character when you want it to.

Sometimes the DSG can annoy me a little, example going down a hill, I may lift right off the throttle if I see traffic ahead (but I still want to maintain a reasonable pace), the box will shift down when I don’t want it to, likewise going up steep gradients it still seems to select a gear lower than I really want, so I tend to override it in these situations.

The other day tootling along at around 50mph behind loads of traffic, got it up to 54mpg average, that was the highest I had seen it, but yes, in the main it is in the 40s.

Noticed something today after these oil consumption issues. After some spirited driving pulling away from some traffic lights I saw quite a lot of bluey hazy smoke from the exhaust, felt sorry for the guy behind!

Noticed it once more when booting it to overtake something. Seemed to clear after that but not what you expect really from a new car. I am sure this is ok though.

That is some reassurance I guess for me John if you have had this as well. It was quite a cloud actually, I was quite surprised. But, it was the first longish run it had for a few weeks, most of the time it has been stop/starting in town at low revs.

I decided to ‘blow the cobwebs away’ as it were, I was not going mad but just driving quickly/safely and getting the revs up a bit.

I had topped the oil up again yesterday by a small amount. I did not see the problem anymore later on, again will have to keep an eye on this. Now on 1,400 miles by the way.

PM – Go back to the dealer with it and get them to explain. I’m sure they’ll be happy to help.

Hi PM/JCW

This may be of interest on the Skoda site http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/187398-help-required-with-mfd-message-please/, this refers to the ‘Check Safe Locking’ message.

It appears that its not an error of any kind but warning that the car will be deadlocked when you lock it. So if someone was inside the car (young kids for example), the car cannot be opened from inside.

Mine does not do this, but again from this thread, it would seem it has to be de-activated by VCDS, which means a trip to the dealer. I am sure it is a case of them hooking a laptop to it and de-activating the warning. It should not be chargeable.

Mine was obviously set differently upon collection, probably depends on the dealer.

I’ll try adding the link to the photos now….

http://s1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff451/Schumacher9/

Oh, so basically, the car needs to refer the same warning about safe locking everytime. As a safety feature, possibly. Not because I might be locking the car wrong everytime. Alhough, who knows, maybe I am. 😛 I just don’t see the point, especially if the car only has one driver, as is the case with myself.

About another 150 miles till my next oil check, so will keep you posted. I am going to try wash the car and take some overdue pics tomorrow.

I won’t fix the scratch now, as much as it bugs the living #@!$ outta me. In maybe a few months or so, I will go to a place that specialises in paint chips and have it done professionally. 😉 Hope you guys are enjoying your cars as much as I am enjoying mine.

Rich, I swear it was so weird the day I went to go get my car from the dealership, I saw one on the way there (also a silver one), and one on the way back (a white one). The GTI badge really messes with people’s heads, though too – I always see discussions happening. So funny, they might as well be saying ‘Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No! It’s Superman!’ Hehehe.

Paul, those are just the daytime running lights. If the Xenons were on, they would have flooded the picture. I took the shots late in the day for maximum effect. I can take a pic with the Xenons on if you want.

Thanks for the nice comments, guys. 😀

No problem Paul, I’m so sorry it turned out too look so serious to you, because I never intended it that way mate. 😉 I have yet to check the oil for the second time, about 100 miles to go.

I was just wondering about earlier comments with reference to smoke when ‘booting it’, if you know that overfilling with oil can cause it to be discarded through the exhaust system and create smoke (not at all trying to be funny. Or at all saying this is the case, just putting it out there).

Re: Oil consumption. You only have to Google ‘oil consumption and TSI engine’ to see that there may be a bit of an issue. As we know the engine is in many VW cars.

Thanks for that interesting link JCW, I will have a read of that sometime. Just back on the oil theme, had email from my dealer today, but nothing really that we don’t already know.

They said, yes, oil use will be greater up to 3000 or so miles. They were not too concerned about the smoke coming out of the exhaust, as they said that it could produce smoke after a period of low RPM which is the situation I had.

I am still only on 1,400 so still very early days.

Great news AllyE… enjoy!

I did an oil check today and it is in the middle of the hatched area between the twp orange markers. At just over 500 miles, this will be the first time I have to top up oil, I am thinking just one pint. Will do that tomorrow. The good stuff is expensive though, I hope they are right when they say it’s only in the beginning.

AllyE, hope you are enjoying your car as much as I am enjoying mine. If you wanna see my car, just click ‘Older Comments’ at the bottom of the page (it’s the page right before this one), I have put some links to some pics. Would love to see your car. Maybe you could take some close up pics of the article in your newspaper too? On the other hand, I could just paste them again I suppose. Here they are.

http://picpaste.com/002-Qqikyp68.JPG
http://picpaste.com/003-2K1etERC.JPG
http://picpaste.com/004-7DyqDibn.JPG
http://picpaste.com/005-aOexvTfa.JPG

http://blog.drive24.co.uk/roadtests/2011/03/first-drive-vw-polo-gti/

James, just to be sure, you DO know that your car will break if you don’t top up the oil? Don’t you?

Schumacher, I’ve done about 800 miles and had to top up with more-or-less a pint of oil. On the other front, I saw no Polo GTIs like the one we have till the day I went to go fetch mine… One on the way to the dealer and one on the way back home and not a single one since. Here’s the thing though, I have to drive around A LOT as part of the work I do. So you would think I should have seen plenty. I swear it’s true when they say sometimes the truth is stranger than fiction man. LOL.

Don’t get me wrong here, I love my car. My next car, if I ever need one, will definitely be a manual transmission again though. I really do like the DSG compared to an automatic tranny. Let’s be honest here… You can give it any fancy name you want and even give it 7 clutches, DSG still means automatic. :P~~~

Someone is in for a good week. Whilst driving along M4 on Tuesday (26 Apr) I passed car transporter with VWs and amongst the cars was a silver Polo GTI.

I passed it at Chippenham (Jn 17) heading towards South West/Wales.

Andy

Nice write up JCW, yes it does fly when you want it to! Interesting about the oil, we still only have 1800 on the clock, and I am sure the consumption is not quite so bad, but I have just recently bought a new 1 litre Castrol Edge top up for £17!

I still need to keep an eye on it though, but yes, I love the car!

Hi James, I can’t say I have heard that particular ‘clunk’ that you describe, I did have an issue that I mentioned on one of my earlier posts (28th April) where I got almost a grinding kind of noise when I moved the shifter back to full auto from the manual position. Car was going very slowly at the time, it was almost like I interrupted the auto downshift and got some cog clashing!

James, I have noticed going over speed bumps the rubber in the door squeaking, although it seems to be fading a bit.

The issue with the *clunk* noise on the tranny, I doubt that it is anything to worry about. I get it too but I find it to be more of a natural working noise rather than something getting damaged. There is a guy at work that has an Audi with a DSG box, I will ask him if he hears any such noise and post what he said (for an objective point of view, of course). Also, with our cars being new, some tightness may be a factor that might be smoothed out over time. DSG, while being a relatively new enhancement, has been around a while and very likely been debugged (no pun intended, LOL) if necessary and been revised. Or at least I hope so, for all of our sakes.

JCW, I am not saying for a second that I don’t like my car the way it is. Contrarily, I love the beast. Maybe I just need more time to bond with it LOL. Brilliant car. I am enjoying my car as much as you are yours.

I saw another one on the road today, on my way back from work just before 3pm. Candy white 3-door with standard headlights, no pano roof, 60 plate, on the M1 N, just outside London. That’s the 3rd one that I have seen, which may or may not have been the same car LOL. It would be really interesting to know the sales figures since release. Does anyone know where to find a reliable source to that statistic?

I am totally at risk of looking like a complete idiot when I ask this, but can somebody please tell me where the car’s battery is?

Hi people,

I have *just* clicked over 1000 miles and would like to give some feedback over the oil issue. I have used a bit of oil (on two occasions, the first time more than the second, the sum being less than a pint) from when I got the car on Feb 9th.

Since the last time I added oil, I have driven another 350 miles (approximately) and the oil level still covers the hatched area. Next time I fill up with fuel I will check again, possibly giving a better idea about it. 8P

As promised, I spoke to the other chap at work that has a car with DSG. It is definitely fine to hear a sound when you select one of the gear options as you describe, James. I notice a sound too, but it’s not alarming, more of an engaging sound that what you describe as a ‘clunk’.

Paul, I read your reply with interest. When I get to your present mileage, I would have used about a pint less oil, if the current trend is maintained. I find it extremely hard to believe there were posts from other chaps claiming not to have used any oil, hardly used and/or not having to add any. I do echo your comment about the main thing being your enjoyment of the car, though. I do too.

My fuel consumption, at best guess, comes close to that of the 2008 non-GTI 1.4 Polo (manual tranny) that this car replaced. Not bad considering the extra power under foot, eh? Granted, I don’t floor the accelerator every chance I get, but it’s so easy to grow horns with a car like this. 8D

That is unbelievable Schumacher, 2500 miles with no additional oil. It just proves it does seem to vary from engine to engine. A lot of our driving does tends to be short journeys, that may have a bearing on the consumption.

I will be checking ours again this weekend although we have done no more than 150 miles since I last checked.

I will be very interested to hear what your dealership say John. I have just checked ours and had to top up with a small amount again, 2100 on the clock now. This takes it to about 2 litres from new, the manual says a litre of oil ‘up to’ 2000km (1250 miles) so I am over that threshold.

I did have a thought though. I wonder whether the level settles somewhat when it reaches a certain point on the dipstick (like 1/3 up the hatched area) before taking considerably longer to drop further? I don’t think it is particularly linear but it does seem to drop to that sort of level quite quickly, thing is with oil, you can’t take chances and I would be too paranoid to test that theory!

Bottom line though, of the new cars I have owned the in last few years, I have never had to be as attentive to the oil level as I have with the Polo.

Any of you driving along the M4 in your white Polo on Sunday about 6.30pm. You were between Chippenham and Swindon.

Looked good.

Andy

That answers that then Rich. Mine was the one registered in Q3.

I loved playing around with howmanyleft to see what sort of numbers for each type are out and about. I had been thinking about numbers sold of my GTI.

Rich – if 1000 is the VW UK target, I’m tempted to say, well maybe if they hurried up and built them, then they might sell them.

James – thanks for saying it might be you, are you Wiltshire based?

Andy

John – it is good that VW appear to be taking your oil consumption problem seriously. There is obviously a huge variation in the amount of oil that the engines are using. I bought a litre of oil the other day, just in case. I’ve now done 2,700 miles in my GTI and only put in 200 ml to get the level back up to the top of the dipstick.

Hi James – I’m down the road in Swindon.

On the subject of oil again, pulling away at a roundabout today I could not help but see a plume of bluey coloured smoke coming out of the exhaust.

This happened a few months ago as well, it quickly cleared but you just don’t expect to see it.

Car has hardly been used in the last 2 weeks as we have been on holiday so only short journeys since, but I am not comfortable seeing this.

Interesting you get the same John, this was just pulling away from a roundabout though so probably less then 2,500 rpm.

We have just notched up 2,200 miles so still very low, I had to add a bit more oil this afternoon, so that is over 2 litres in that mileage. I am wondering how long I need to leave it before mentioning to VW.

I did make one enquiry with VW about 3 months ago, saying that it was burning oil faster than I thought, but the response was “it will use oil” given that it is a new engine. I did not persist then, but I am wondering when it will settle or whether there is a fundamental ‘fault’ or problem here?

Will be interested to hear what they say John. There certainly does not seem to be a problem with power or fuel consumption but you wonder what long term effect it will have.

I did some ‘spirited’ driving in it today and again on occasion I saw some blue smoke out the back.

Yes, yours has done over 4 times the mileage we have done and you would have thought things should have settled a long while back.

I have fired off an email to my dealer expressing my concern but not expecting much back given that the mileage is still very low.

Well I hope there is no problem with the engine James. I sent an email to my dealer at the beginning of the week (which they have acknowledged) but have had no answer yet. I would have expected an answer quite quickly if all they were going to say, the engine is new give it a chance, after all I am still on only 2,300.

But the fact there is a bit of a delay has made me think whether there has been some kind of issue raised within VW and they are waiting to find out what to do next.

I may be completely wrong but you never know. All I know is the first 2000 miles has cost me £34 in oil.

Sounds like I am in the same situation as you John, it still sounds like major work for an engine that has been around for a while. Then again tuning it for 180PS obviously has to cope with greater tolerances so it can’t really be compared to ‘normal’ 1.4 TSI engines.

My car is a Dec 2010, again possibility ones that left the factory some months after have upgraded piston rings?

Hi Joe,

I definitely think you made the correct decision regarding buying brand new if you had the choice available to you, I always wonder how it would have been treated in those 4000 miles. Exciting stuff eh?

Regarding the fuel, I try if possible to put the higher grade fuel in, but I certainly don’t make a point of it. VW do recommend using higher octane fuel and I swear it runs more efficiently, but I am not too fussed about being ‘loyal’ as it were to a particular brand. On my last tankful of Shell V-Power, I got an average of 42 mpg as opposed to about 39 on normal unleaded, but maybe the traffic conditions etc were better this time round.

Can’t really answer your question regarding the alloy wheels, maybe somebody else on here can advise.

Don’t worry about the oil, I am going to put a post up later with an update, but that is not to say your car would be affected, highly unlikely I would say.

Good luck with the car, you will enjoy it!

Many thanks Paul, it is very exciting! I’ve already got 3 colleagues keen to come out with me + an excited girlfriend and equally excited parents – it’s proving quite popular already!

I totally agree re the way demonstrators are driven. I know that different driving styles can benefit a car, but not so early in it’s life.

I suspect my test drive was rather tame compared to most who get behind the wheel, but I was on completely unfamiliar roads and I was looking to buy it. I had no desire to do anything that might ruin it!

Any way, it should also help the residuals in 3 years’ time, not that I’m looking that far ahead just yet!

Thanks for the comments re the fuel. I will aim to use a higher grade fuel whilst I bed the engine in and see how I get on with it.

I’m sorry to hear about your car. I hope they’ve given you a GTI equivalent as a loan car. Hope all gets sorted asap.

Many thanks

Joe

Many thanks Joe – you will have some fun with it for sure. I suspect my loan car will be a base Polo or VW Fox, they rarely oblige and lend you a car of comparable spec.

Hi Rich/Paul

Many thanks for the info re the wheels. I will definitely be looking into this in the near future to see how expensive it will be.

Thanks also for the info re Evo and MSN. I’m a big Evo fan so will look forward to reading their comments in due course. Having read their group test on the GTI recently, I hope they will appreciate it on a day-to-day basis, as it’s got very different qualities to the Clio RS!

Paul, it’s a bit of a cheek if they downgrade you for that length of time. I’d expect them to offer you something much more comparable! Hopefully you won’t be stuck in it too long.

Hi Joe, I am fairly sure that if you want Monza 2s they have to be imported from another country and I also know that they are rather expensive… I will find out a price next week.

James

Hi guys

Many thanks for your emails re the wheels and hi to CroTom too.

Thanks for looking into this James and the pic does look great Rich. I might call the dealer I spoke to the other week and see if I can get more info off him, but based on James’ comments I feel the price may put me off. I do love the standard alloys in any event so it’s not all bad!

I picked my car up on Friday morning. The VW dealer (Vindis in Huntingdon) was super efficient and very pleasant to deal with. I have clocked up 270 miles so far and I checked the oil tonight and it’s spot on – so far, so good. I reckon I’ll do a further 350-400 miles by this time next week so I will keep checking.

As for the car, I’m loving it! So pleased that I chose the Polo over the others I looked at. Been taking it nice and easy, so I’m sure I will be even more pleased once I can start enjoying the engine even more.

Hope CroTom and Paul get yours sorted asap so you’re back out enjoying yours too.

Joe

Joe – Monza 2s (Shadow) are roughly £500 for the set of alloys plus about £100-£150 per tyre. So if you want to put Dunlop tyres (I assume this is what are on your 17″ Monzas) It will cost you about £1100 with tyres. (On VW’s site the wheels are £465 for the Golf GTI with tyres included – this is a promotional price when you buy the car).

On the other hand I have been informed that there are some very good Monza Shadow imitation alloys out there for a few hundred quid – still trying to track down where these are coming from.

James

Paul – Will be interested to hear how you get on. My piston ring upgrade is scheduled for August 1st.

Hi ppl,

As promised, here’s the oil situation with me. I have 1,500 miles on the clock and have used 2 pints of oil. The exhaust is black and sooty. I’m not sure what I am going to do yet or if I should.

Another update from me, as you know my car has been with VW this week for the piston ring upgrades but…

At the 11th hour VW are insisting on a 1000km test (625 miles) which I know John mentioned earlier in the thread. This was disappointing as I thought I would be sorted, my dealer has acknowledged the problem but had to go along with VW’s instructions.

Tomorrow I will get the car back and then it will be retested after the stipulated mileage has elapsed.

My dealer has been good about it, but for an expensive repair VW want all the specific facts before authorising the work, so I guess I can see their view point.

Hi John, interesting story there with the lawyer!

I have got my GTI back now and have started the countdown (1000km or 625 miles). My dealer said it can go back before then if I have concerns as I reckon it will get very low if I go the full distance. I am not expecting to have to do another 600 mile test after though, I am surprised they have requested that from you.

My dealership have been excellent, but at the end of the day they have to go along with what VW say, even though they argued the case for my car. I am sure I saw a small amount of oil smoke out the exhaust when driving back from the garage!

Many thanks Joe, sounds like you have been enjoying your car, can’t believe you are nearly up to 1000 miles, we are only on 2,500 in 7 months!

Yes – you must be getting bored of reading about oil issues now and it is a pain really to get it resolved. I have just started the countdown of my 625 miles (1000km) until I take it back in. The good news for you, is that your car being several months newer should not be affected as VW have taken corrective action with the piston rings on later models.

What is really annoying now is that I am not supposed to top it up until I take it back, so I can’t really take it far away (not like 100s of miles away anyway). The dealer has topped it right up now, so much so I can’t even see the hatching marks on the dipstick so it should be good for the 1000km.

I am on a kind of ‘priority’ with my dealer, so as soon as I want to bring it in, I should only need a couple of days’ notice and they will have a courtesy car ready and they can do the work.

Its all a pain, but it should all be sorted soon!

Yes, we have another car as well James hence the very low mileage. 🙂

Hi PM, blimey – it is quite a while since anyone posted on here! 3 pints in 2000 miles, I think that is about 1.8 litres, yes – that is still quite a bit. That seems to be a little bit better than myself but not much.

When I posted on 22nd July, I stated that I was on the 1000km test, so far I am only 230 miles into it, so a bit of a way to reach the 625 miles equivalent! Interestingly the oil level does not appear to have dropped at all, but I think this is simply because the dealer has brimmed it right up (more than I was doing), so it appears on the dipstick at least that the level is not dropping.

As ever, keep an eye on yours, that still sounds like too much oil yours is using. 🙁

Hi guys!

Some new info from me. As some of you know due to excessive oil consumption my engine was changed.

But problems with new engine started. In first 2000km engine used 1L of oil. I have added 0.6L of oil after that and it lasted only 900km. Yesterday, an additional 0.5L was added.

I have a Masters degree in mechanical engineering and I am working as a design engineer in German company that is supplier for major car companies, including VW and I have to admit that something wrong is going on with this engine (1.4 TSI). I am really worried about whole situation.

It is a shame if you are thinking along those lines John. It almost seems that VW don’t know exactly how to fix it, the upgraded rings are the recommended fix, but it seems even replacement engines are not guaranteed to resolve it. Surely cars coming out of the factory now don’t have this problem?

I am rather hacked off with it (as we all are) – I will go mad if VW puts us on another 1000km test when we take it back in a few weeks.

Hi John, no – I bet you were not best pleased. As far as I am aware, my dealer have the piston rings in as they are expecting my car back very soon.

I checked my oil level earlier and surprisingly again, in nearly 400 miles the level does not seem to have dropped at all. Maybe it will suddenly drop?

Another concern for me is that if the issue does drag on, it could start to affect resale values later on. I think we are a way off that, but once cars are ‘labelled’ with known bugs/faults, it is bound to affect their desirability for resale.

I’ve been noticing that some Polo GTIs have a black fin, part of the rear aerial, mine doesn’t… I want one! 🙂

Guys I do not know if I made things clear. My first engine in car was already factory upgraded with new piston rings. As I said only first 20,000 engines had that problem, your dealer can easily check this using engine number. So my first engine had new rings and was consuming oil. My second brand new engine shipped from VW is latest version and is again consuming oil and I am not pushing it hard.

So to be clear, cars coming from factory have this problem and piston ring replacement cannot be solution for our problem. Only for first batch of engines and VW officially made that clear.

John – yes the little fin on the roof is for the factory fitted sat nav. Like yourself, I don’t want VW to pull the engine apart if I can help it. The exhaust still looks very sooty though.

That is really terrible John, I am so sorry to hear this latest report from you. It’s getting somewhat ridiculous, as I am not confident that even replacement rings will sort it. It’s just not on with a £20k car to have to lift the bonnet every other day to check the oil level.

I have read other reports about re-honing the cylinder bores, this is why I believe replacement engines have been authorised in some cases. I suspect they may replace the engine in your case.

Good luck, and please let us know what they say!

I put a link up earlier today to another Polo website, not approved link as of yet. It showed many guys talking about their Polo GTI oil probs. Some guys I recognised off this forum. New engines , piston rings, you name it and in many cases problems persist.

Now we know why VW was rumoured to be considering pulling the engine from future models.

Don’t reckon I will be sitting in my car for a good couple of weeks… it’s a joke.

Time to club together then and buy the press car, one that actually works. 🙁

Gents

I’ve just checked my oil and it is about about 20% of the way down the hatched area of the dipstick which is where it was when I topped it up 2000 miles ago (I’ve now got about 4700 miles on the clock).

Therefore it is still using a little bit of oil, the exhaust trims are a little bit sooty, but I’m not getting clouds of blue smoke or pouring oil into it like some of the rest of you are.

Given that VW say in the manual say that it will use up to 1 litre in the first 1200 miles and consumption is likely to be higher for the first 3000 miles, should I be concerned as having completed 4700 miles it is still using a little oil?

By the way, my car was built in the first week of February – is it just the earlier cars that have the oil problems or are the problems affecting later cars too?

Your thoughts would be welcome.

Pleased Evo mag are aware of the oil/engine issues. I had been thinking that the car magazines should hear of our collective plight.

Update on mine… think it could be 3 weeks without the car, as my dealer is having problems getting the rings quickly. I’m firing warning shots across their bow! I think that they should be given the opportunity to fix things but I won’t hesitate with legal action if things get worse.

Hi Rich,

I am from Brentwood, so you’re just up the road from me! I had my test drive at the Romford VW on Saturday. Sorry to hear yours is going back, fingers crossed you and John get yours back asap.

I really do hope these issues have been ironed out of the new builds!

Couple of questions:
– Which extras are a must to get in your eyes?
– Any which you got at the time but hardly use? And any that you wish you got?

Callum – I reckon our pain will be your gain, as by the time you get your car, the oil consumption issues will be history. It is a shame that for such an exciting car, our initial experience has been spoilt by this problem but I am sure it will be sorted in due course.

Enjoy speccing it out, I would imagine you will have to wait until early 2012 though if a factory order.

Nice one Callum, good choice. Mine is also a Candy White 3-door, with climate control and DAB. I was not able to choose options as mine was a stock car at the time. Any idea when delivery will be?