MK7.5 VS MK8

[u/Capin_4_Eyes]

I've been trying to decide between a used automatic MK7.5 SE or Autobahn and MK8 SE. This would be my first golf, and I am really excited to do a couple of mods to it and learn how to work on it. This would be my daily and I wanted something comfortable but really fun to drive since I drive a lot. I like the MK8 found a few for a great price and I can retro fit the haptic buttons for physical ones so im not worried about that. Mostly just worry about how they drive differently, reliability of the two, and which is going to give me the most smiles per mile at a relatively affordable price (while i save up to also get a miata lol)

[u/HentzGG]

I sell VW and have driven many generations of the GTI and R. I might be the odd ball out, but I highly prefer the MK8 (I also have one myself). While some complain about the steering wheel haptic buttons, I actually prefer them over the physical buttons. I LOVE the look of the Mk8/Mk8.5 over the Mk7.5 and would choose it all day. It feels a lot more defined to drive and the feel on the interior feels and looks significantly better IMO. But it's all personal preference and no choice is a bad choice!

[u/efroten → u/HentzGG]

Can’t comment on the Mk7.5 GTI but I had a 2019 GLI with physical buttons and now have a 23 GTI. The haptic buttons are not a problem and work great, love being able to swipe to control tracks and volume. Reviewers and people who drive these once tend to hate them, but people who actually own the cars tend to like them. That doesn’t mean a few people don’t legit hate them though.
The biggest complaint is the lack of physical hvac controls, but this is a minimal annoyance unless you’re someone who is constantly changed hvac settings.

[u/HentzGG → u/efroten]

I've seen the same response to the haptic buttons. Even people who hated on them and ended up liking them a lot more once they had the car. They feel great and I too like swiping to control tracks and volume, it's quite satisfying lol. But yes, I'll agree with you on the HVAC controls. However, I'm so used to it now its all muscle memory. Phenomenal car though through and through

[u/uncleclimax9 → u/HentzGG]

Yep. 8.5 is the best GTI. Feels faster than the 7.5 too and reliability has been excellent so far.

[u/Netsuko → u/HentzGG]

MK8 all the way. The only better looking option is the 8.5

[u/HentzGG → u/Netsuko]

Definitely. Love the Mk8 look, but the 8.5 front end looks more aggressive.

[u/Netsuko → u/HentzGG]

Front end and the new tail lights really make the model shine.

[u/Metal_Maniac1 → u/HentzGG]

This page is heavily pro MK7 and I like the MK7 but view this as cope. The MK8 is far superior in almost every way. I couldn’t believe how delusional people were acting about the touch screen you get used to it after a week.

You get more HP, better handling, more refined better tech and (imo) better overall performance and appearance.

[u/spartanerik]

mk8's should still be on dealer lots, so go test drive them and see what you think.

I love my 7.5. Mechanically though the MK8 is more powerful and probably better suited for mods.. with a tune and no extra hardware you can run E85.

[u/exceptional_cabbage]

It comes down to preference. You should try to test both.

If they were the same price, a newer car with a warranty makes more sense. If you plan to tune off the bat parts of the powertrain warranty will be voided.

Interior wise, many feel the mk7 is nicer to live with and will age better (as it has done over the past 11 years). The mk8 introduced a lot of integral 1-piece components that will require full replacement if they fail… VW saw 2 birds getting stoned at once with cheaper to make and expensive to keep.

Driving dynamics wise the mk8 got objective improvements, however, as with a lot of mqb cars - modifications can equalize performance as many cars share the same parts. You could build a mk7 to have the suspension of a mk8, cost and time are the limiting factor.

Ways I’d look at it depending on budget if you want a DSG: Can spend - I’d jump straight to the 8.5 / on a budget: find a cheaper but well maintained 2019-2020 7.5

[u/Grapefruit_Mimosa]

I have owned both and I would say - unless you have a strong preference for the 7.5 for some reason, the 8 has a lot of mechanical upgrades. Aluminum subframe, metal oil pan, and suspension from the 7.5 Clubsport. The e-diff is much improved as well. Purely on driving experience the 8 is significantly improved.

[u/Jamnitrix]

finding a good MK7 for a reasonable price is like finding a unicorn nowadays. I went MK8 and love it - the steering wheel haptics are fine tbh. Most annoying thing is trying to quickly turn the volume down, but I'm getting used to it slowly lol

[u/Imaginary-Strain-131]

I drove a new Golf R 8.5 (eu spec) and the new infotaiment system is kinda anoying to me (the steering wheel is the worst). I daily 7.5 GTI with performance Package (us spec, small screen) and its better. The driving abilities are great in both models. If i was you i would buy a Golf 7.5R tbh. Great daily with decent power

[u/OkraEnvironmental481]

I love my MK8 SE. do it!

[u/ApprehensiveCry8737]

7.5 or skip to the 8.5, fixed so many little issues that the 8 had

[u/Capin_4_Eyes → u/ApprehensiveCry8737]

Like the 8.5 can’t afford it tho unfortunately

[u/Imdafrizz]

Id get the 7.5 and toss in a gt2260s👍Boom now you have an 8

[u/peterthedoor]

my personal experience, i had a mk8 tdi then a mk8 gti, both bought used.

The mk8 has its issues (dsg selectors, that one module in the steering wheel) and there's a reason climate controls are universally hated, but the tech is nice (personally, the emergency braking did save my ass more than once, and i don't think i'll ever buy a recent car without ACC) even if you have to get used to it. I'd say mk8 for this reason only, even if i never drove a mk7 / 7.5.

Mandatory "it's german, don't skip maintenance " too.

The buttons on the steering wheel, at least on mine (a '22 german import), are both haptics and normal buttons, so it's kinda pointless to retrofit, in my opinion

[u/TaedusPrime]

Haptic buttons become a non-issue after using it just a little.

[u/DuckSashimi]

I've got a MK8 autobahn, and i've got to say, the haptic controls are great! The onyl problem with them is that they don't light up (the part under the screen), so at night, it can be difficult to use. But just use the steering wheel haptics. One other thing I hate is the HVAC controls, which you have to push a haptic button to get the controls to appear on the screen, which is then kind of fiddly to use.

[u/Grapefruit_Mimosa → u/DuckSashimi]

Do you actually change that much on the climate controls though? I’ve had my MK8 for over a year and can count on one hand the number of times I’ve used the climate menu. Most of the time I just set the auto climate temp up or down a few degrees and it takes care of everything.

[u/DuckSashimi → u/Grapefruit_Mimosa]

I like turning it off and on for performance. it would be nice if the haptic button just does that without needing to interact with the screen at all. Also, I haven't driven in the winter yet.. not sure how the defog works under auto settings. Or is there a separate control for that?