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Old 8th September 2012, 11:34   #1
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VW GLI 2.0 Turbo

It took 6 weeks of intense search to get a car I wanted. VW GLI MT. There were plenty of GLIs available in the market and most of them were automatic - I did not want to miss the Turbo fun with 'no work' auto transmission.

This one is a 2007 Model, 79000 miles (127k kms) on the odo, it seems a lot of kms, however, getting a 5 year old car under 100k mile is a bliss here. Since the roads and good, it doesn't really matter as long the car was maintained well and serviced correctly.

It is quite fun to drive, my earlier experience with Turbo is Palio multijet and Verna CRDI - unlike both of them GLI doesn't give that 'turbo kick' at a certain RPM. GLI seems to have power in all rpms (Torque peaks at 1800 rpm).

Spec:

Base engine size: 2.0 L Turbocharged FSI
Cam type: Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Cylinders: inline 4
Valves: 16
Valve timing: Variable
Torque: 280Nm @ 1800 rpm
Horsepower: 200 hp @ 5100 rpm
Drive type: front wheel drive
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Fuel type: Petrol 91 Octane (Mandetory)
Fuel tank capacity: 14.5 gal
Wheels/Tires - 225/40/R18 BF Goodrich supersport A/S
0-100kms - 6.5 seconds

Driving experience

Drove few miles around my home to adjust with the manual shifting (I've been driving an automatic since last 3 years), then took it to the highway. The power and torque was immediately evident, very easy to merge into the incoming traffic at 65Mph (105Kmph), once on the highway the car is pretty much stick to the ground, unbelievably stable. Unlike my old Malibu, the GLI's steering doesn't get so light at high speed, giving a good feel of control over the car. I think the low profile BF Goodrich is also playing a role here.

My next experiment was on an interstate highway where I can go upto 85 mph without attracting the cops. Took the exit to the highway and by the time I shifted into 4 gear, I was at 80mph (130kmph), then I didn't bother the 5th gear - straight went to 6th gear. Even on 6th gear at 80mph I am barely touching the accelerator, there is so much to press and I can feel the car is just waiting that to happen. The rpm stayed at 2500 at 80mph. Few cars started passing me and I automatically floored the pedal just to catch up with other cars. GLI could easily match up and over take the cars, after few minutes I realized I was doing 100Mph (160kmph), I had to reduce it to 85 quickly to avoid some 'unwanted' attention from the cops.

At any gear, the car is more than happy to rev, usually I change 1st gear at 3500rpm, 2nd and 3rd at around 4500, the remaining gears are depending on the current speed limit. What amazed me is - the car was barely at 3000 rpm when I was doing 160kmph, that means the vehicle still has a headroom of 3500 rpm (redline is at 6500). I immediately decided I will take this car to a race track where I can test the max speed. ( I will have to remove the speed governor before that - will be doing along with APR stage-I tuning).

Take off and braking

As long as I stay under 5000rpm there is no much wheel spin, I guess it is because of the ESP. There is a button on the gear console to switch off the ESP, I think switching off the ESP means lot of wheel spin (I haven't tried that yet). At the end of highway 87, there were some traffic lights and it was a good place to test the brakes. I didn't attempt a sudden stop, however, did a conservative stop from 80mph to 0 and stopping was easy, unlike my Malibu, GLI didn't make me feel that am going to slip over the next lane.

Tires/Wheels:
18 Inch GTI/GTI trademark alloys
225/40/R18 BF Goodrich supersport A/S 92W
Some of you guys may think it is too weird, these are the 2 things I wish I could change in my GLI, I am not a big fan of that 'funky' 'circle' alloys. Also, I wish it has a little more rubber on it. I think 40 Profile is too less, I have to really slow down when there are speed breaker. Road noise is relatively less though. I wish it had 17inch wheels and 50 profile tires, I may do a trade if someone wants to exchange for OEM rims.
Spare tire is a 205/55 on a 16 Inch steel wheel

Suspension:

Hard, that is one word to describe it. It has some sort of sports suspension and 40 profile tires also doesn't contribute to a better ride. Anyways, its good enough that my wife did not complain ( I notice significant change from Malibu).

Features:

Electric sun roof
10 speaker audio, pretty decent sound
Seats are manual hight/reach adjustments
Trademark GTI/GLI seats - used high quality cloths. The front seats
Very powerful HIDs
2 X12V power outlets at the front
1 X115V power outlet at the rear (near the rear AC )
1 X 12V power outlet inside the trunk/boot.
Trunk/boot access from back seat
Rear AC
Steering is adjustable for height and reach
Cruise control (very easy to operate)
Audio controls on steering wheel
Climate control

User experience from Wife

Electric sunroof - Wow
Great supporting/comfy seats
Direct access to trunk/boot - wow (food and drinks are more accessible than before).
Good lights - She noticed the huge difference by the HIDs
Nice audio
She has not complained anything so far, may be has not spend enough time on it..lol.


Next Steps:

Drive it for few months and do an APR ECU upgrade, that will change the numbers to 252HP and 400Nm Torque. I think that is a lot of HPs and Torque for $500

Here are the pictures,
Attached Thumbnails
VW GLI 2.0 Turbo-p1050079.jpg  

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VW GLI 2.0 Turbo-p1050080.jpg  

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VW GLI 2.0 Turbo-p1050087.jpg  

VW GLI 2.0 Turbo-p1050088.jpg  

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VW GLI 2.0 Turbo-p1050090.jpg  

VW GLI 2.0 Turbo-p1050091.jpg  

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VW GLI 2.0 Turbo-p1050093.jpg  

VW GLI 2.0 Turbo-p1050094.jpg  

VW GLI 2.0 Turbo-p1050095.jpg  

VW GLI 2.0 Turbo-p1050102.jpg  

VW GLI 2.0 Turbo-p1050104.jpg  

VW GLI 2.0 Turbo-p1050106.jpg  

VW GLI 2.0 Turbo-p1050111.jpg  

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VW GLI 2.0 Turbo-p1050117.jpg  

VW GLI 2.0 Turbo-p1050122.jpg  

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VW GLI 2.0 Turbo-p1050131.jpg  

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VW GLI 2.0 Turbo-p1050153.jpg  

VW GLI 2.0 Turbo-p1050152.jpg  


Last edited by raneeshvijayan : 10th September 2012 at 04:07. Reason: corrected typo
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Old 8th September 2012, 14:38   #2
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Re: VW GLI 2.0 Turbo

Congrats Raneesh on your purchase. The car definitely looks great both from outside and inside and has been maintained well. Did you get it detailed? I agree that 79K miles is not much by US standard where cars run fine way beyond 200K miles as long as regular oil changes are done. However be a little careful since as far as i remember even in US VW was considered slightly higher on maintenance but then most german cars are . $500 ECU upgrade definitely seems worth the money with 400Nm of torque. Drive safe.
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Old 10th September 2012, 07:38   #3
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Re: VW GLI 2.0 Turbo

Mods note: Thread moved from Assembly Line to Test-Drives & Initial Ownership Reports. Thanks for sharing.
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Old 10th September 2012, 09:18   #4
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Re: VW GLI 2.0 Turbo

A lovely car indeed.
Forgive the lack of knowledge about the US Car versions. Is this the same as the Jetta in Europe and here?
Or is it a Golf GLI with a boot?
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Old 10th September 2012, 09:26   #5
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Re: VW GLI 2.0 Turbo

Quote:
Originally Posted by raneeshvijayan View Post
It took 6 weeks of intense search to get a car I wanted. VW GLI MT.

Congratulations! Great choice – An MT in the US should be a rarity
This is actually the previous gen Jetta GLI right?
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Old 10th September 2012, 09:51   #6
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Re: VW GLI 2.0 Turbo

Quote:
Originally Posted by shankar.balan View Post
A lovely car indeed.
Forgive the lack of knowledge about the US Car versions. Is this the same as the Jetta in Europe and here?
Or is it a Golf GLI with a boot?
Pretty much yes, it is more appropriate to say a GTI with a boot.

@VB-San,

Yes, it is the 5th Gen GLI. Latest is 6th Gen that was introduced sometime 2 years ago.

MT is a rare thing indeed, only 'gearheads' get Manuals.

I was just exploring the engine compartment today and found Audi emblems all over. Looks like Audi A4 or something shares a lot of parts with GLI.



Raneesh
Attached Thumbnails
VW GLI 2.0 Turbo-phoenix2012090900987.jpg  

VW GLI 2.0 Turbo-phoenix2012090900988.jpg  

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Old 10th September 2012, 11:11   #7
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Re: VW GLI 2.0 Turbo

Congrats on your buy! Car looks fabulous! I always was a fan of the previous Golf GTI! Same engine, handling in a more practical avatar is mouthwatering! And good you got a Manual!

Cheers. Keep us posted!
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Old 10th September 2012, 11:35   #8
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Re: VW GLI 2.0 Turbo

Hey Raneesh, Congrats on the buy!! She looks good.

I was in Phoenix last year and the long straight wide roads just beg you to floor the throttle. Difficult to drive within the max speed limit (which is one of the higher ones in US)

PS: Where in phoenix do you stay?
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Old 10th September 2012, 12:31   #9
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Re: VW GLI 2.0 Turbo

Congrats on your buy. The car looks very well maintained even with that kind of odo reading. Do keep us posted once you get the ECU upgrade. Must be a hoot to drive.

Cheers..Keep revving
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Old 10th September 2012, 19:39   #10
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Re: VW GLI 2.0 Turbo

Thanks Guys.

Quote:
Originally Posted by lsp View Post
Hey Raneesh, Congrats on the buy!! She looks good.

I was in Phoenix last year and the long straight wide roads just beg you to floor the throttle. Difficult to drive within the max speed limit (which is one of the higher ones in US)

PS: Where in phoenix do you stay?
I live in Scottsdale.
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Old 10th September 2012, 20:07   #11
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Re: VW GLI 2.0 Turbo

>>>

Congrats and welcome to the club ( precisement : the Jetta Mk V club).

A stable, rugged, comfortable highway cruiser.

Regards
issigonis
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Old 12th September 2012, 14:35   #12
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Re: VW GLI 2.0 Turbo

Congrats! Nice looking car you've got there. Is this mechanically identical to the previous generation Jetta sold here in India?

Quote:
This one is a 2007 Model, 79000 miles (127k kms) on the odo, it seems a lot of kms, however, getting a 5 year old car under 100k mile is a bliss here.
That's quite a lot of kilometres for the vehicles sold there! And looking at the pictures, it is really well maintained for it's age!
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Old 12th September 2012, 17:45   #13
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Re: VW GLI 2.0 Turbo

Lovely Choice!
GTI with boot, looks in good nick
I find the Mk V design much better than the MK VI.
79000 miles is nothing here if well maintained.
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Old 12th September 2012, 20:46   #14
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Re: VW GLI 2.0 Turbo

Quote:
Originally Posted by W.A.G.7 View Post
Congrats! Nice looking car you've got there. Is this mechanically identical to the previous generation Jetta sold here in India?

Thanks. Atleast the body shell is same, but most of the other things are different - engine, suspension,features, tires/wheels etc...

That's quite a lot of kilometres for the vehicles sold there! And looking at the pictures, it is really well maintained for it's age!
Ok, if you think that is quite a lot of miles you must see my Malibu (parked next to the GLI with headlights ON - it has 125600 Miles on it (201,000 Kms) and still running like a charm. All you need to do is change oil every 3k miles. The Malibu is 2003 model 3.1 L V6.

A colleague in my office has a Chevy Truck with 375,000 Kms on it, he still does interstate trips on it at 80Mph with no issues. :-)

Raneesh
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