[Toner]

Anyone got an opinion on the quality of the interior of the MkV by comparison to the MkIV. I've heard a number of people say it's a real let down. Having not been in a MkV yet I can't make my own opinion...

PS: No offence to MkV owners[:I]

 

[JamesR]

I think the mk4 interior is definatly better it's BMW like and merc style materials. The plastics in the mk5 are harder and the gray colour also makes them look cheaper, but it is screwed together just as well from the test cars I have had. I have heard a few people on here thou with a few trim problems etc however. Might be worth having a look through the posts.

 

[Gwynn]

My wife's Touran Sport arrived yesterday and although there is evidence of the VAG accountants penny pinching with some of the materials it stands up well to comparison with our soon to go Mk IV V5. When we were test driving some "premium brands" had cheaper looking interiors in comparison to the Golf especially the BMW X3.

 

[jasonmymail]

Yeah, now you see I'm not convinced by the MkV interior.

When I first sat in a MkIV in 1999 I was blown away by the quality, the feeling of luxury, the soft plastics, the deep dash giving a feeling of security and the awesome blue dash/console and red highlights. It just oozed class and nothing else in the class (or many from above) could come anywhere near it, let alone match it. I had to have one! I remember driving round the entire M25 at night when I first got one in 2001 marvelling at just how good the interior felt to be in. For me it was worth spending all those extra pennies to drive something that did understated luxury so well.

I just don't get that sitting in the MkV. The grey plastics don't say luxury, the dash although people say is more logical doesn't have the same fluidity, and the steering wheel is ugly. I don't doubt it's any less solid, just that I don't perceive it to be.

VW have taken away some of what made the MkIV so desireable. OK MkV much better drivers car hands down but I'm hoping that VW see sense and offer at least the option of a nice matt black finish with some softer feel plastics - that would sell it for me.

A shame really considering that most other manufacturers follwed VW's lead and made vast improvements to their cabins. Sat in a Ford Mondeo the other day, and don't laugh but the interior wasn't half bad.

 

[businessboy]

i'm picking up my mk5 next week, and i also agree, the interior's not a selling point! first time i saw an s model, with grey plastics was awful! i do love the exterior styling, and have been told the interiors in the higher models - the se and gt's are much better. i also hate the standard wheel - so opted for the leather one.

gona be really sad to see my mk4 go, but it's done alot of miles and nearly 4 years old now, i'd rather get something newer. i know i'll be leaving a classy interior, but oh well, just hope the mk6 will be an improvment!

 

[kenl]

I have not owned a mkIV but I have to say I am extremely happy with the internal quality of the SE mkV. The seats are excellent as it the driving position (once you spend the time to set up the seat and reach/rake adjustable steering wheel).

Really like the dials and the layout of the dash with everything falling neatly to hand. I'm not a big fan of fondling plastics so not fussed if some them are of slightly inferior quality. Some though say that the quality is the same, just that the colour takes a while to get used to.

 

[jasonmymail]

Kenl - I think you're right, colour has a lot to do with it. I had a BMW with a light grey interior and hated it, plastics looked cheap and got dirty/looked aged quickly, friend had the same car some months after I sold mine, black interior quality seemed about 100% better and looked much much smarter.

Would like a MkV but might hang on, it's early days yet so maybe they'll introduce a black option. Nice to see they've kept the blue instrumentation and hope it looks as fab as it does in the MkIV at night.

Otherwise I'm going for an A3, just loathe to spend ?2k more on same platform/engine car when the only things I don't like about the MkV are the gry plastics and Mr Blobby rear valance.

 

[kenl]

Have you driven both Jason. No point spending 2k extra if you don't like thedrive as much of thew Audi.

 

[Irish]

They can't drive *that* differently, surely???!

 

[Graham]

I have to say, when I first looked at the base spec Mk5 in the showroom I wasn't too impressed with the interior. To much grey plastic, hard seats, didn't like the steering wheel or the air conditioning knobs. However, with SE trim, Satnav filling the grey expanse and leather wheel and 2Zone I think the interior now looks exceptionally classy - but a f**k of a lot of money to pay for cosmetic improvements!

As an absolute minimum I would say get the SE with leather wheel. If you can possibly afford it go for the GT version with 2Zone as standard.

 

[RayBanUK]

Sorry to be off topic but Jasonmymail, I recognise you! Did you not write an opinion on your Golf a few years back on Ciao!? Im also on there too and wrote one about my MKIV when I first got it. (im rayliu on there).

The plastic on the MKV arent the best but I guess it doesnt help that its grey and not black. I really dont like the new steering wheel lifted from the Polo either but the 3 spoke looks much better. But honestly, its not that bad to detract me from buying a MK5 as its still a lot better than the competition. The MKIV dash is not as good as its hyped up to be cos aside from the top of the dash, the bottom half tends to flake and peel.

 

[Toner]

Wow, a fair bit of opinion here. [8)]

Having ditched my MkIV(GTi, 205bhp) two years ago and driving Audi A4 that now also needs to go I have to say the interior plastics and dash have become really important to me, especially when I have to look at them and use them for 35,000 miles p.a.

I agree that VW really showed up the French and Japanese and even BMW with the MKIV interior and it seems that to date the MKV can't get up to that spec. But I feel this is VAG marketing here. ?2K more for the equivalent in the Audi range and what do you get? A badge and better plastics!

But having said that I tried a BMW 530d... have you seen the plastic in that... eurghh, it's even worse and for a ?30K car its a bit of a disaster. With role models such as this bringing interiors down a notch or two maybe we are in for a period of cheaper looking plastic, rather than the softer coated stuff found in MKIV and Audi A4 upwards interiors.

I have been considering MkV GTi, but the interior is putting me off. Maybe once Recaros are standard, a possible black dash created and dealer discounts are available... it might be the time!

 

[jasonmymail]

Quote: posted by RayBanUK on 30/09/2004 12:26:55

Sorry to be off topic but Jasonmymail, I recognise you! Did you not write an opinion on your Golf a few years back on Ciao!? Im also on there too and wrote one about my MKIV when I first got it. (im rayliu on there).

Yep that's me - see you got a diamond for your review too!

I had a 1.6SE back then, which was followed by a BMW coupe and then a smokin' Clio 1.2RN ('Renault Clio' am I allowed to say that on here?) before I came back to a beloved VW - Golf V5.

I know what you mean about flakey/peely - mine's OK apart from where key's knock the plastic by the window switches.

I still prefer the MkIV interior though - at least for the time being. I know I'll probably get a MkV and will probably get used to it it just doesn't wow me like the MkIV did when I first got one. 3 Spoke Wheel definately looks better, but still not nice and chunky and rounded like the MkIV.

 

[jasonmymail]

Quote: posted by TalkTorque on 30/09/2004 13:08:03

Wow, a fair bit of opinion here. [8)]

But I feel this is VAG marketing here. ?2K more for the equivalent in the Audi range and what do you get? A badge and better plastics!

My thoughts exactly. MkV shape is growing on me - Mr Blobby rear valance aside but that can be changed. I like the look of the A3 and the interior is class but at ?2k more for the same platform/engine it's a bit much, especially when the Golf is getting the better reviews. Golf definately seems to be going mainstream and allowing the A3 to take the prestige small hatch mantle.

So I'm in a dilema. I have to pay privately for my car so ?2k extra is a lot of money, especially as I don't do big mileages and I've got about 100 other things I want to spend my money on too.

I'm hoping VW will give us black dash/black plastics option. I've got a feeling that would make it look much more solid. OK OK Mr average is moaning about dark drab interiors, but I like that dark cocooned quiet solidity that comes with nice soft matt black plastics.

?18,000 for a car and they don't wanna spend the ?100 it would take to put in really superior plastics, but then I suppose there would be no point in the A3[}]

 

[jasonmymail]

Quote: posted by Irish on 30/09/2004 05:34:03

They can't drive *that* differently, surely???!

Don't think they do - how What car put the MkV 1st and the A3 4th in their test defies logic, especially with a BMW and Volvo between them!

I still dribble when I see your A3 tho - that interior is so smart.

Irish - what the hell are you doing up at 05:34 or is Ireland now in some different time zone to us??? The only time I've ever seen 05:34AM is when I haven't been to bed yet [8D]

 

[Irish]

Working!

 

[Mork]

When I test drove the MK5 I had got out of my MK4 straight into it and didn't like the interior but when my new MK5 was delivered and can't understand why I didn't like it as it's fine, looks very clean and modern. Only problem is I've only played with the car for five days as I've been in Canada for 3 weeks! just had a look at one of my post showing a picture of my car and I miss it! how sad is that [^] Don't get my hands on it for another 6 days []