Anyone Switched From a 6C to a BZ?

[rbz5416]

Looking at replacing my 6C & considering the BZ. Anyone here made the same switch who could offer their thoughts?

[SRGTD]

I don’t have a BZ but I do have the pre-facelift version - an AW Polo GTI+ and I switched from a 6C Polo GTI. I owned my 6C for four and a half years from new and have had my AW almost four years from new.

IMHO, the build quality of my 6C was better than the build quality of my AW; it had more uniform, tighter panel gaps / shut lines and it felt generally more substantial and better screwed together. VW seem to have an ongoing policy of cost cutting and I’m aware with the BZ, they no longer paint the engine compartment and the underside of the bonnet in body colour - it’s left in a grey primered state (my AW’s engine compartment and bonnet underside are painted in body colour). I think the perceived quality of the 6C’s interior was better than the AW - e.g. the 6C’s door cards have a fabric panel insert whereas the door cards on the AW and BZ are just hard scratchy plastic.

The AW / BZ has a roomier cabin than the 6C and feels more refined. It also has larger, more usable boot space. I personally don’t find the seats in my current AW GTI+ to be particularly comfortable (I never had an issue with the seat comfort in my 6C).

I’ve had no unscheduled visits back to the dealership and my AW has been completely reliable with no faults and no warranty work required (it was the same with my 6C; no faults and no warranty work required).

Would I ‘upgrade’ to a BZ? Probably not as I’m not a fan of VW’s trend towards more minimalist interiors; removing physical buttons and switches and replacing them with touch panels / touch screens (admittedly, many other manufacturers are the same). The BZ Polo isn’t as bad as the current model Golf in that respect, where pretty much everything has to be accessed through the infotainment touchscreen.

[rbz5416]

Many thanks, that pretty much backs up what I've read in reviews. Prices soaring while quality/usability declines.

May wait & see how the new BMW 1 Series is.

[VWbuyer]

I did that a year and a half ago. Changed from 2019 GTI to 2023 GTI. The new car feels far better than the old one. Smoother gearbox and generally seems to drive better. Also the old car had some body issues (e.g. doors that kept needing adjustments) and a strange chirping sound from the engine when turning left which the dealer couldn’t fix. The new car has had no issues whatsoever. Also the headlights are far better.
I have got used to the haptic controls (which was a concern originally after reading reviews). I don’t mind them at all now and actually quite like them.

[rbz5416]

Thanks.

I've no use for the GTI or even R Line & having checked VW stock, there isn't a single used Style model available anywhere. But looking at the R Lne asking prices, they're ridiculous at just a couple of thousand less than BMW ask for a similar age/mileage 1 Series!

[SRGTD]

Thanks.

I've no use for the GTI or even R Line & having checked VW stock, there isn't a single used Style model available anywhere. But looking at the R Lne asking prices, they're ridiculous at just a couple of thousand less than BMW ask for a similar age/mileage 1 Series!

The GTI isn’t for everyone.

I think with the R Line trim level, VW focuses on aesthetics to appeal to customers who place importance on a sporty looking car but who don’t want or need the higher running costs associated with a performance model such as a GTI. It’s the same with some other manufacturers that have a trim level with a sporty appearance - e.g. Ford and its ST Line, BMW with its M-Sport trim level and Mercedes with its AMG Line. With the facelift Polo R Line, it has some of the same styling cues as the high performance top of range mk8 Golf R (Polo R Line has ‘R’ badging and its optional alloy wheels and standard seat upholstery are the same as on the Golf R).

With the Style trim level, I think it’s is more about added value and additional equipment within the standard price to appeal to customers who value high(er) equipment levels over a sporting appearance.

As for the price of the Polo R Line; I seem to remember when I was considering buying my GTI+ back in 2020, it would have cost more to buy a 1.0 litre 115ps R Line with DSG and equip it to the same spec level as a standard spec GTI+ (2.0 litre 200ps with DSG). So yes, the R Line does seem to be expensive for what it is relative to some of VW’s other trim levels.