Volkswagen Golf R: The 30,000 mile Q&A.

"Saracen" (manualdoucheelitist)
09/02/2013 at 00:08 • Filed to: Q&A

I have a Golf R. Candy White 4-door. No nav or sunroof. I bought it new and have put 30,000 miles on it in fourteen months (so clearly I'm liking it).

I was thinking of writing a review, but I thought I would just do a Q&A session on the car, since I'm bored and will be at the computer all night.

So, fire away and I will be glad to answer questions.

DISCUSSION (26)

thebigbossyboss > Saracen
09/02/2013 at 00:11

Snow already?

Saracen > thebigbossyboss
09/02/2013 at 00:12

The picture is from last December. I haven't taken any recent pictures of it so I just grabbed something I already had uploaded.

thebigbossyboss > Saracen
09/02/2013 at 00:13

Ah. I was going to say "you poor soul" because where I grew up in the mountains it can snow anytime ;)

Anon > Saracen
09/02/2013 at 00:14

How hard is the clutch?

thebigbossyboss > Saracen
09/02/2013 at 00:14

Was it good value for money? I feel like golfs are overpriced and expensive to maintain...is this true?

GhostZ > Saracen
09/02/2013 at 00:16

How does the 4WD work on tarmac? It is as understeery/front-drive heavy as the old Haldex units? (from my understanding, this one isn't Haldex, right?)

Or is it basically like driving a FF until you hit the snow?

190e30-Now with COSWORTH > Saracen
09/02/2013 at 00:18

I don't know what it is, but every time I see an R on the road I freak out, while when an R32 or GTI passes by, I could give a shit.

On a scale of 1 (selling the subie to keep it) to 10 (giving up bacon for all of eternity), how much do you like it?

Saracen > Anon
09/02/2013 at 00:19

Pedal effort is light, and I didn't have any problem getting used to it, or modulating it.

Saracen > GhostZ
09/02/2013 at 00:22

It uses Haldex IV, which is proactive. It will send power to the rear wheels depending on slippage and throttle angle.

I would say that it isn't any more understeery than my B6 Avant was, and unlike the B6 is capable of provoking some oversteer with some VAG-COM coding: Watch videos of Golf R's with the ESC defeat. Even with a stock haldex controller they can drift on tarmac!

Saracen > thebigbossyboss
09/02/2013 at 00:31

Value for money: I paid $31800 for my R. The consensus is that it's overpriced, but I think I disagree, especially considering I paid $1200 under invoice for it. It's lots of fun to drive, very practical, comfy and spacious seating, a nice stereo, AWD, and it has the German comfort and refinement that I love.

Some call it an overpriced Golf. To me (and others who bought it), it's a discount Audi S3.

Regarding maintenance costs...I can't really comment from experience yet, as I have not had to pay a penny for maintenance. But really, I don't forsee it being outrageous. Occasional carbon cleanings, a $40 cam follower every 30k miles, the usual oil changes and spark plugs etc...no big deal.

Saracen > 190e30-Now with COSWORTH
09/02/2013 at 00:34

I'd give it a 7.5. 8 if it sounded like an R32.

I don't love it yet, but I like it very very much. Very very competent, but it needs more, as Clarkson would put it, "zing". I do think it needs to sound better. I'm pondering downpipe and exhaust options.

Victorious Secret > Saracen
09/02/2013 at 00:35

Can I have it?

Saracen > Victorious Secret
09/02/2013 at 00:38

Trade you for a clean RS2.

Coty > Saracen
09/02/2013 at 00:44

I really wanna steal this idea. The Q&A thing.

Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs > Saracen
09/02/2013 at 00:44

31.800?? Are you in Canada?

Saracen > Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs
09/02/2013 at 00:48

Nope. I live in the U.S.

msrp was 35k-ish. Dealer had every car on sale for %10 off, which came out to 31,800 (invoice was 33k)

Saracen > Coty
09/02/2013 at 00:48

Go for it!

YSI-what can brown do for you > Saracen
09/02/2013 at 00:50

My parents are trying to find a car for my sister. She will be DD all year, wants a nice interior, and for the car to be comfy. I was wondering if this is a good option?

Saracen > YSI-what can brown do for you
09/02/2013 at 00:52

If she wants AWD I'd say check it out...they're cheaper than ever right now.

If not, I would say wait for the MKVII Golf/GTI. or check out the new Jetta 1.8T. Under 20k and gets 36mpg highway.

YSI-what can brown do for you > Saracen
09/02/2013 at 00:54

My parents insist she gets AWD. We aren't planning for her to get the car until a few years down the road, so the MKVII Golf would be a good choice.

Saracen > YSI-what can brown do for you
09/02/2013 at 00:56

There may be AWD versions of the Jetta making it over for this generation as well.

Saracen > thebigbossyboss
09/02/2013 at 00:57

I love the mountains, but they're for visiting :)

Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs > Saracen
09/02/2013 at 01:19

That seems like a LOT for a Golf.

Saracen > Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs
09/02/2013 at 01:22

But it's a good deal on an S3.

legory > Saracen
09/02/2013 at 02:44

Do people not realize that in some places they're charging 40K for a Golf R? 31K is a great deal. It's worth it, GTIs have awesome interiors and are really well-rounded cars, so I'm assuming the R is even better.

Long Live the Longdoor > Saracen
09/02/2013 at 09:08

Doesn't have, as a May would say, "the fizz".