[anandpadhye]

During a Mumbai trip during Diwali, specifically checked the FE across the Express Way.
Used the "Since Refueling" gauge for this.
Refueled at the start of the express way in both directions. Here are the numbers:

Wakad - Kalamboli:



Kalamboli - Wakad:



Travel in both directions was in the afternoon with temperature ranging between 28 and 35.

I may drive to Mumbai again this week, this time it will be in the morning and it's winter now, so will update with new numbers for the season

[anandpadhye]

Inspired by many videos on the internet, tried the coin test on the GTI, looks like we are short by at least 2 cylinders :

GTI Coin Test

[akash_v12]

Hi Anand!

Just read the entire review and boy oh boy! what a review and what a car!
I’ve only seen a few GTIs around Pune, but I’m not sure if I have seen yours. Would love to see it up-close and personal someday soon!

Thanks
Akashdeep

[anandpadhye]

Originally Posted by akash_v12

Hi Anand!

Just read the entire review and boy oh boy! what a review and what a car!
I’ve only seen a few GTIs around Pune, but I’m not sure if I have seen yours. Would love to see it up-close and personal someday soon!

Thanks
Akashdeep

Thanks Akashdeep!

If you are in Pune too, let's catch up after the lockdown.

Cheers!

[anandpadhye]

Back in Feb, I got all 4 tyres replaced and while doing so, tried to see if the full size stock alloy wheel with stock tyre would fit the spare wheel well and I did. So kept one of the 4 outgoing tyres as spare (the one in best condition) and decided to get rid of the space saver (T125/60R18) and ordered the stock wheel from the VW dealer (INR 24000). Just received it yesterday and got it fitted.

Brand new wheel:






The bottom part of the black plastic grip of the boot floor cover fouls slightly, so I have placed foam piece in between to protect the tyre side wall and alloy (need a better long term solution):


The part number of the stock wheel and price break up:


So this is another charming aspect of buying and maintaining a car in India (especially, one that makes no sense at all) - I continue to pump money into the economy, in this case, Rs. 18739/- in the manufacturing and supply chain while making a vital contribution of Rs. 5246-- to the govt in this difficult time!

Finally, after almost 3 years (since the Laura is gone), I now have a car with a spare wheel again! None of my friends and family would understand my joy. According to them - a car with missing doors and lacking a stepney is just stupid!

[anandpadhye]

Did a quick one day round trip of ~400km to meet a long time colleague and friend who has been working from home in his village near Sangli since March. Felt really good to meet after ~8 months!

Carried food from home and ate it at a beautiful isolated place en route

Saswad -Phaltan road is in excellent shape, super smooth tarmac. GTI got an opportunity to stretch her long legs. The route also has 3 small ghats - Bopdev, Salpe and a small one near the destination. GTI was in her elements!

Some photos:

[AdiSolEn]

The only word that comes to my mind to describe this machine is 'exhilarating'! Thanks to Anand sir, I took a short spin in this car. It is just amazing really. The lag is 0, so it just starts pulling from the get go. The pull is relentless. And it just keeps going on and on, even after easily crossing the 3 digit mark. We drove through some sections of the highway with regular traffic, and boy oh boy, it weaves through it all like magic. I even drove over some really rough patches, and it doesn't scrape at all. I honestly have a huge fear of scraping the car, having owned the Octy Mk1. But keep the GC in mind, and you can travel over most surfaces with ease. I couldn't really shake off the exhilaration for the remainder of the day

Likes:
1. Amazing acceleration.
2. Great handling.
3. Suspension is just the right amount of 'stiff'. I personally like such a setup. It lets you know exactly what kind of surface you are driving on, without it being uncomfortable.
4. Gearbox is just too good. The all too familiar DQ200 is super smooth, and with the great engine it is mated to, it just shows what true engineering excellence is. I know this box has its share of issues, and I don't deny those, but in this car it shines to its fullest!

Dislikes:
1. Well, really there is only 1 dislike after that short spin, and that is that cars like these are not available anymore (yes I know I am poor)
2. I am not going to go and elaborate the other stuff like space saver spare, gearbox reliability issues etc.

I really hope I do get a chance to own something like this one day!

[anandpadhye]

Originally Posted by AdiSolEn

The only word that comes to my mind to describe this machine is 'exhilarating'! Thanks to Anand sir, I took a short spin in this car. It is just amazing really. The lag is 0, so it just starts pulling from the get go. The pull is relentless. And it just keeps going on and on, even after easily crossing the 3 digit mark. We drove through some sections of the highway with regular traffic, and boy oh boy, it weaves through it all like magic. I even drove over some really rough patches, and it doesn't scrape at all. I honestly have a huge fear of scraping the car, having owned the Octy Mk1. But keep the GC in mind, and you can travel over most surfaces with ease. I couldn't really shake off the exhilaration for the remainder of the day

Finally we met! Good to see your test drive report!
And yes, suspension is stiff so I can take corners the way I can't even imagine taking in an i10

BTW, just have a look at the underbody protection of the GTI:


These Germans really know how to build the cars!

[anandpadhye]

Originally Posted by anandpadhye

Wakad - Kalamboli:

Attachment 1954121

Kalamboli - Wakad:

Attachment 1954120

Did another trip last week.

Pashan - Kalamboli:



Kalamboli - Pashan:



Note: Kalamboli is 15m above MSL and Pashan is 570m above MSL

Since refueling:



700+ range (and this includes 1 downhill Pune Mumbai and 2 uphill Mumbai Pune trips + a few office commutes in Pune)

For the records: The car is a 189bhp petrol automatic

[megazoid]

Impressive fuel efficiency figures Anand. Goes to show that the large hearted polo has multiple personalities and can be a frugal proposition too when the mind decides. But, is this not a huge test of will power? On the other hand, the average speeds are healthy.

[anandpadhye]

Originally Posted by megazoid

is this not a huge test of will power? On the other hand, the average speeds are healthy.

Stupid speed limit of 100 on the express way, rains and family mode, so I just set the CC to 90/100 for most part, it's so relaxing! And yet, 71kmph avg speed which obviously includes the toll naka queues (reasonable wait this time though, not huge) and trucks crawling in all 3 lanes climbing the ghats thereby breaking the momentum!

GTI really has split personality. Hot hatch when we are in mood and very economical when driven normally.

[petrol_power]

Hi, I picked a used GTI recently, and I am having few doubts.
1. Can you kindly tell regarding the option to fold the mirrors? Is there no mirror folding function? as I am not able to find any such options.
2. How to turn off the AC completely as it is not getting turned off like in GT TSI.
3. Headlamps - This is not as powerful when compared to the new age LED headlamps available in many cars these days, is there any option to improve it without spending huge amount of money?

[anandpadhye]

Originally Posted by petrol_power

Hi, I picked a used GTI recently, and I am having few doubts.
1. Can you kindly tell regarding the option to fold the mirrors? Is there no mirror folding function? as I am not able to find any such options.
2. How to turn off the AC completely as it is not getting turned off like in GT TSI.
3. Headlamps - This is not as powerful when compared to the new age LED headlamps available in many cars these days, is there any option to improve it without spending huge amount of money?

Hi,

Congratulations on the GTI.
Which color did you get?

1. Mine does not have auto folding mirrors.
2. Press the AC button so it will go into fan mode, then turn the fan speed knob anti clockwise to reduce the fan speed to zero.
3. Yes headlamps are not that powerful, I have not found any option to improve these yet!

[anandpadhye]

GTI crossed 32,000km mark last week. That's not much in 57 months and I am guilty of not spending enough time with her...too many wheels, too little time!

Here is a photo from last week when we were cruising and a passenger spotted a rainbow. I was asked to stop and click a photo and well, all I could spot was a GTI



BTW, she is still as fresh and tight as she was when she first came home in Jan 2018. Quality is top notch and everything is put together so well. She has taken a lot of pounding on our bumpy roads filled with potholes, Mt. Everest size speedbreakers, speedbreakers with built-in potholes, flyover joints designed for steeplechase races...and she has survived with no pains or aches anywhere, no rattles, no nothing. And she has been driven in S with paddles many times and if and when I overlook or miscalculate a bump, she gets airborne!

Like in this lovely Volkswagen ad:

https://youtu.be/qG4IaHgqH00

Cheers!

[ThePoloDriver]

Originally Posted by anandpadhye

GTI crossed 32,000km mark last week.

Congratulations!

32k kms are a lot for a car that is seen as more of a "weekend car".
This question might seem a bit weird but has your GTI picked up any "battle scars" during all those 32000 kms? If I had a GTI, I don't think I'd be driving it this much just because I'd be too scared to take it out on our roads.
Anyways, wish you many more happy kilometres with your GTI!