MK5 Golf Gti / ED30 to Polo Gti... anyone done it?

[Beddie]

Hello all
First post and straight in with the questions lol

As per the title really, thinking about dipping my toe into world Polo for the first time and wondered if anyone on here has gone down the same road?

Currently running a lightly modded stage 1 ED30 and fancying a change after 2 years and 43K and the new Polo Gti is really floating my boat at the moment, trouble is i can't find a dealer demo/test drive anywhere! Just wondered whether anyone with a new Gti had come from a Golf and what you thought about the change?
Love the look and the idea of the new Polo Gti, just worried whether i'll miss the big car 'feel' and performance of the ED30?

TIA
Steve

[alexperkins]

Hi Steve

Welcome to the forums!

I have just done quite the opposite. Gone from a Polo GTI to a golf edition 30!

I did contemplate a new Polo GTI, but something about it not having such a good engine, the spec being lower without the great options the ed30 comes with as standard (plus all the extras) and its general high price over little gain put me off the idea!

Did you have a DSG or manual ed30?

I think its a weigh up - smaller car with a pretty powerful engine, or a bigger car with a really powerful engine thats perhaps fun in a different way.

[Beddie]

Hi Alex

Cheers for the welcome mate! Thought it time i posted as i signed up 7 years ago! lol!

My ED30 is DSG and i'm a definite convert to 2 pedals now hence why the Polo really appeals, running stage 1 mapping so 300ish bhp, ARBs, WALK kit, VWR springs, Milltek, Carbonio, S3 brakes and some other bits and bobs i've probably forgot!

Guess i'm just feeling like a change and the Polo is the only thing doing it for me and my budget lol

[Edi30]

Hi,

Well I have done exactly as you ask gone from a 57 plate black DSG Ed 30 to a Black Polo GTI 6r. This is my first time as a polo owner and have has mine for nearly two months and done 1200 miles. Well you will notice the difference in performance even over a std Ed 30 but this is really only noticeable when you get to higher speeds as the Polo with it's supercharger just goes from nothing unlike the Ed 30 which does have a bit of turbo lag ( but I quite like that).

I like the look of the new polo over the MKV golf it just looks sharper. The polo rides very similarly but is more bouncy as there is less weight. The polo is more frisky in a good way with a little torque steer so you feel like you are going quicker. You have to be a little more delicate with the throttle as a result. I would say the polo is more fun and benefits from less weight as it changes direction faster and is really great in tight corners. The steering is a lot lighter so you have to drive with a more delicate touch to get the best out of it.

The polo reminds me of my old mk2 golf GTI in size and chuck-ability so in summary I am having just as much fun but at a slightly lower speed.

I would recommend you try one before you buy but I am really enjoying mine.

Cheers,
Edi30

[Beddie]

Cheers for the reply edi30, nice to get an honest view of the Polo from a fellow '30 owner, much appreciated!

Currently trying and failing to get some time behind the wheel of a Polo to help me make the final decision, probably going to take out either the Skoda Vrs or Seat Ibiza at the weekend to get a feel for the engine/power and go from there...

[Edi30]

Hmmm, not sure trying these will give the right experience? I also have MK6 Golf GTI in Candy White and the Polo is very similar when you are in it such as look and feel, quality etc, one of the reasons why I went for the Polo it was similar more fun and only 65% of the cost of my Golf. The drive is different obviously but as I have a family I still need a Golf sized car when we go away just for the boot space and sheer relaxed all round ability of the Golf but the Polo for me is fun as most of my trips are A & B roads so I need something to blast between the bends and has the ability to overtake quickly! Both cars will do this but it's great to have both (I am very lucky).

Good luck with the test drive anyway.

[DorsetDC]

Hi Beddy,

Thought I would copy my post on Polo Driver to see if it would help you in your decision making:-

I thought I would give my impressions after 4 weeks of ownership with my Polo GTI. Coming down from a Mk V GTI Golf I was initially worried about the space, but soon discovered that the driving position and whole driving experience is excellent. I am still coming to terms with the difference in the weight, the Polo is much livelier on the road, but still retains very competent handling. The steering is on the light side and lacks some feel at low speed but does improve when driving more rapidly. The engine is a delight, with so much torque that you have to be a little careful with the accelerator pedal when pulling away as wheelspin can be easily induced. The traction control doesn’t seem to compensate for this but it may be the condition of the roads after the snow. I am still amazed by the power delivery throughout the rev range. It did surprise me however, to get an oil warning light coming on last weekend after 1100 miles, but my garage says that is normal until the engine has bedded in. Because of the road conditions, I have been cautious not to go too mad, but my overall fuel consumption is standing at 37.6 mpg (half the mileage being around town, with plenty of hills). On one recent longer trip I managed to achieve over 48 mpg but expect this to come down when I start exploiting the performance. The gearbox is brilliant, especially when driving around the town, and the paddles come into their own when you want a quick change down to overtake. The only mistake I made was to fit the VW approved Kenwood Multimedia unit. This proved useless, as it constantly dropped my Bluetooth connection and the main screen shone too brightly, especially at night, which meant I had to switch it off to drive safely. My dealer put the original RCD310 (with DAB) back in and that is working exceptionally well. Yesterday I had a Parrot Mki9000 hands free system installed, which is working fantastically with my IPhone. I can highly recommend ConnectMyCar (a subsidiary of Carphone Warehouse) who fitted it expertly at my home within 4 days of ordering online. So as you can see I am extremely happy with my new acquisition , and will be looking forward to clocking up many more miles in it.

I have no regrets in changing the Golf for the Polo.

[Edi30]

All this talk of Golfs and Polo GTI's made me want to post some pics of my old and new cars. I need to take some more pics as have posted these before so sorry for those that have seen these before.

Gone but never forgotten. The day I traded it in.


My new toy!


And the two current cars

[Beddie]

DorsetDC: Many thanks mate! Again it's great to have feedback from MkV Golf owners who have swapped into a Polo as i'm really agonising over the decision lol!

Had a result today though! Managed to find a dealer about an hours drive away that has the elusive GTi Demo! Booked in at one dealer at 10am for the first MOT on the ED30 then booked on the Polo test drive at 2pm, cant wait!

[Edi30]

Good luck with test drive hope you enjoy it? Looking forward to hearing what you thought about it?

[Edi30]

Took my Polo out for a good drive yesterday and really opened it up (havent had the opportunity due to poor weather for a few weeks) and I was surprised just how quick it was, I think its freeing up nicely with a kick at about 4000rpm. I would say it's on a par with a my standard MkVI Golf GTI TBH.

[Beddie]

Well finally managed to get a test drive in a GTi! Had it for about an hour and i liked it, a lot!

Good points: Looked and drove great and the size difference compared to my Golf was not really apparent from the cabin and it all felt very familiar, makes a great noise too and was impressed with the low down grunt from the charger, made my ED30 feel a little laggy when i got back in! Deceptively quick car but i think the broad spread of power masks the actual speed and therefore it doesnt feel as fast as it actually is if that makes sense?
MPG on the return normal driving leg of the test drive was great too and i really did enjoy driving it!

Bad points (for me anyway): Brakes were atrocious! Even the missus commented on how she needed to really push them lol, maybe an unfair comparison though as i have 345mm fronts on the Golf with race pads/fluid and hoses so would definitely need to upgrade the brakes!
Drivers seat wouldnt go low enough for mrs Beddie (she's 6'2" and long in the leg) so although she said it was perfectly comfy she did look a little cramped and felt she was sat on the car rather than in, i'm only 6' so fine for room but did agree that it would be better from a driver feel point of view if it was lower
Think i may also miss the ED30 grunt but again an unfair comparison as there is a difference of 120Bhp and i would inevitably map the Polo to close the gap...

So at the moment we have decided to keep hold of the Golf for a little while longer to see how the Polo 'R' rumours turn out

[Edi30]

I agree with what you are saying and all fair points as its a little difficult to compare a modified Ed30 with Polo GTI. If you don't need the space then the Polo is a great car to replace the Golf as is does deliver in all other areas. Not sure the Polo R is going to happen as there are as many rumors saying yes and no to production.

[whitegtipolo]

I hope the Polo r is coming out cos I will defo get one

[Edi30]

I hope the Polo r is coming out cos I will defo get one

I have read today that it is more likely that VW will produce it now as Audi are going to make an S1!?? However we will wait and see I expect it will be all change next week as another mag writes something different