New MY08 GTI owner here too

[Fallen]

Hi all. Had my CW GTI for a week and a half and loving every second of it. Getting some 35% tint on it next week, which should finish it off nicely.

I've been reading that the US guys are getting an AUX input in the glove box - I take it this doesn't apply to AUS? Pity...

Anyone know if the GTI has factory protection for the cloth seats? Thinking about giving them all a coat of Scotchguard just to be sure.

Also had my dealer say that the engine is factory bedded in and I can drive it how I want straight from the get-go. Pointed out to him that the manual suggests taking it easy for the first 1,000km - news to him.

Haven't had any rattles so far, but is it just me or are the speakers really poorly supported? Pushing the stereo anywhere near a decent volume and a touch of bass buzzes the crap out of the panels. All my levels are flat, and it's not drum and bass I'm listening too. Got far less buzzing from my 20yo commodore with a 12" sub!

Apart from that, looking forward to many years of fun and hopefully not too many speeding fines

[TimT]

hi!

The dealers mostly dont have a clue what theyre on about. My service manager said to me "I dont *think* you need to run it in at all" it was very confidence inspiring.

I think normal common sense rules apply. Dont be too scared to apply the throttle from early on. Just keep the revs down for the first 1000kms at least.
Its best to take her up and back down the gears too.

Ive got almost 4000kms on mine now. So she is still just a baby.

[PM_]

Wow - Another MY08 CW GTI here

The 35% tint should look very nice in a CW GTI... definitely a must IMO =)

[Supergroove]

Funny you should say that about the dealers.

When we were getting the run down on the car yesterday, I mentioned there is an arrow on the fuel gauge indicating the side of the fuel cap. She immediately told me there wasn't, only to find out 5 mins later and say, Ohhh you were right about that.

Also asked why we don't get the edition 30 in Australia to which she said, I haven't heard of it, and there "probably wouldn't be a market for it here anyway" Ok so thats why little old NZ is getting it....Huuuuuuge market there!

Just bit my tongue and got shown how to tune the radio......

[SlyOne]

Fallen, congratulation man, you got to post some pics.

When I got my GTi in 2005 i had a small rattle from the driver's door. I took it back and they reseated it.

[mljchan]

the engine may be "bedded in", but the rest of the car isn't. so as the other guys are saying, take it easy for the first 100km, and you'll be fine.
cheers and congrats on the new car.

[WhiteJames]

Good idea to read the owners manual.

The manual should state that you should not drive GTI any faster than 2/3 max speed (@170kph) and avoid high rpm for first 1,000km. Sales Consultant reiterated the same to me.

Better to take it easy for first 3,000km and gradually build up to harsher punishment. Definitely take it easy for first 1500km.

The motors are bench tested before leaving the factory and they have a new method of smoothing out the cylinder walls to reduce bedding in fragmentation of metals. Still no guarantee though.

Seen guys put chip on car at 1,000km and blow diverter valve before 2,000km. Be kind to it and it will look after you.

Good idea to have oil + filter change at least every 7500km (5,000km with chip).

Cheers
WJ

[johno]

hello amd welcome to the forum

im sure you'll enjoy the ride

[mrx]

Originally Posted by mljchan

the engine may be "bedded in", but the rest of the car isn't. so as the other guys are saying, take it easy for the first 100km, and you'll be fine.
cheers and congrats on the new car.

Exactly, even if the engine doesn't need to be run in, the brakes & tyres will be "a bit green" to begin with.

For the record I didn't baby my engine, I always try but the best I have ever been able to last is 500km. I think the most important things are don't flog it until normal operating temperature is reached and vary the engine RPM as much as possible. Mine is really starting to loosen up nicely now, at 8000km - and the oil consumption is better than when it was brand new.

[dodgey]

Congrats on the car Fallen!! Whatever you do, make sure it's all warmed up before you do anything hard with the car.

I bought mine in Wollongong and drove it up to Sydney taking the long way. No constant revs but I really didn't baby it

Still going strong!!

[Fallen]

Cheers for the comments. As you say, it's quite hard to take it easy with the temptation there but the double demerit points over here in the west over the last few weeks have certainly helped!

The DSG takes a while to get used to. But once you get a feel for it and learn how early to drop a gear or two through corners, the beast just flies through it. The handling is just amazing. And don't get me started on that exhaust note :)

Here's a couple of quick pics (more to come once tinting is done and custom plates are transferred) - the other car is my ex-pursuit VL turbo commodore that I'm currently dressing up to sell after 8 years of ownership.

[SleekY]

Go the VL!

[Hilton_K]

I say don't race the GTI but give it a bit of stick. But beware the clutch and brakes need bedding in. So this means no harsh changes and try to avoid repeated heavy braking.

What I did was full throttle all the way to 6K in 2nd or 3rd then jump off the throttle and let the engine idle itself back down to around 2K. Did this every once in a while before 1000Km, have not used one drop of oil at all Don't be scared to give the car a bootful just don't drive it like a race car for the 1st 1000Km. I'm also a believer in the 7,500Km services as I live near alot of coal mines which means DUST, also keeps me in the good books if any warranty issues come up!

Oh and x2 on the full operating temprature, do not boot it until that little needle hits 90C. For the record I let my GTI Idle down from it's elevated cold start idle to it's normal idling speed before driving it in the morning. This takes about 1:30 from the time you kick it in the guts, I usually start it and then pack the boot and by the time thats done it's all ready to rock and roll.