Chalfont

9 months and 15,000 miles later and the GTI started asking for its first service. After years of self servicing the A4 I thought I should atleast start by sending it in to a proper VW dealership just in case. Then I was reminded why I started self servicing the A4 - because for what must only be an oil & filter change my most local dealership wanted well over £300. I checked and although my local VW dealership was the most expensive I wasn't going to save much money travelling 20-30 miles to another VW dealer. So as the car is an import and not under VW UK Warranty I thought stuff their official dealers and I took it to the local independent VAG specialist - £200 and the car was much much better looked after - these are the guys that did the cambelt on the A4.

I had thought the brake pads might be getting low on the unseen (inside) as I had started hearing a grinding. But apparantly my discs are a bit corroded - from damp UK weather and not much use recently. I have 2 choices - new discs or belt down the road and stand on them a few times - anyone got any experience of "slightly" corroded discs?

Anyway I can report that after 15K in the GTI these are my thoughts:

Good:
Damn good "all rounder" - not much it does't do well.
When pushed this is a very vry capable car - rare to get a road empty enough to really test it.
Fuel economy isn't bad - much better than the 3.slow
I like the fact its a little bit rare - so whilst it blends in with the other million+ Golfs on the road those special edition BBS alloys are a nod to the informed ;~)

Bad
I want full leather
After Six years of Tiptronic Quattro means I still find 230bhp through FWD a challenge on wet roads & 1st gear
2nd gear needs to be longer - or I should have ordered DSG to avoid mid over taking gear changes.
1% of the time I wish it was a bit bigger
Last black car I'll ever own

Overall:
Still love it and I'm still only £500 away from it being a chipped 304BHP shopping trolley that will scare Porsches!!!

schnellmb

just take a few hard stops....should clear out the rust.

quattrothatcould

I have a question for you; maybe a little side project if you're interested (I need a euro trunklid :-)