I wanted to provide some updates on this thread. I have since moved on to a Mk8 GTI. Some notes since I'm still doing the make-a-GTI-a-GT-car thing. I think many of these notes could easily apply to the Mk7.
Suspension and Ride Quality
The Mk8 has a stiffer suspension and it uses lighter components and upgraded bushings. You would expect this combo to ride more harshly and be counter to my goals, but it actually rides better. I find the ride quality to be very similar to my Mk7 upgraded with the Koni Special Active dampers. However, I will likely still upgrade my Mk8 to the Konis at some point because they're so good.
Wheels and Their Effect on Ride Quality
I "upgraded" to lightweight 17" wheels (Sparco Assetto Gara) because the stock 18's are super uggo. I like the look and I like the extra sidewall. However, although lightweight wheels respond more quickly to inputs and improve the ride over larger bumps, they also are more susceptible to out-of-balance vibrations and small bits of road texture. This can make the ride feel busier at times. In the future, I will probably swap in some VAG OEM 17" wheels that are heavier for that reason. Lighter wheels have a benefit at the track and at autocross, but honestly they are not needed for a daily driver or tourer IMHO. With lighter wheels, a very good wheel balance is required. Note on that below...
Getting a Good Wheel Balance
One major challenge I've experienced with this combo (stiffer suspension + lighter components + lighter wheels) is getting the wheels balanced so I don't have a vibration on the highway. I tried 3 different wheel/tire combos and balanced them multiple times, and all were vibrating. I was convinced I had another issue with this car like a bad hub or even a bent axle. But after some reading and helpful input from others in this community, I was able to get this resolved:
In general, Hunter Road Force balancing is the way to go for most cars to get the best ride. However, most shops use a setting called "Smart Weight." This is designed to save shops money (by using fewer weights and taking less time) by setting a threshold of allowable out-of-balance force that the machine thinks won't be noticeable. This threshold is typically 18-20 lbs. Guess what? This amount of road force is totes noticeable. So, I insisted the shop get all wheels below 10 lbs road force (this is the same threshold Honda and Toyota use on some of their newer cars) and it worked! My car rides much better now.
(FWIW, I didn't have this same balance challenge in my Mk7, so I think it's this combination of stiffer suspension + lighter components + lighter wheels that made it more sensitive.)
Having a smooth ride over long distances is a key element of a good GT car, of course. Insisting on a better balance isn't something I thought I would have to do but it turns out it can make a difference.
Overall Mk8 Impressions
The Mk8 has a lot of things going for it that fits into my goals. The improvements are iterative, not transformative. A little quieter, less wind noise, more stable at high speeds, a nice power bump, a responsive suspension, a calm interior (I personally like the infotainment stuff), comfortable enough, and nice quality-of-life assistants (ACC, travel assist, BSM). The seats are different from the Mk7, which I was unhappy about at first. But as they've broken in, I've decided it's both good and bad. It's just trading one thing that gets sore on a long drive for different thing that gets sore on a long drive. Such is life in your 40s, apparently.
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I still miss my little red Mk7 every day though 🥹
