Paging Golf R Owners Past/Present/Future

"Tripper" (tripe46) 04/10/2020 at 13:27 • Filed to: None

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Let me start by blaming IM for informing about neat deals on fast cars. Then I will go ahead and blame myself for reaching out to the guy that sold me the Alltrack to find out if the deals were deals.

All up to fate after that, right? Of course he was quick to respond, and they have one Tripper spec. Blue, 3 pedals w/the Magnetorheological dampers (DCC). I told him that it would be difficult to make a deal since I just bought and would be trading the AT (maybe the forester...up to my wife)

My hesitation...I have already had this car in Audi S3/DSG flavor. Really liked it, but sold it because someone wanted to buy it from me and I missed the 3rd pedal. I had other complaints (overly numb/falsely aggressive) electronic steering settings, but mainly it was just the DSG. It’s great, but requires too much setup to get it to work the way you want and at the end of the day when you roll to a stop it’s still an automatic so the focus just isn’t there.

Still, on paper it’s nearly the same car. I’m in PA and dealers are closed so I have plenty of time to cool off of this, and should because deals will probably only get better and there is always the chance that my personal situation could worsen. So I am keeping all of that in mind, but the sales guy is understandably eager and will be even more so when he’s allowed to do business.

I planted the seed with my wife. She said, “They make a fast one? Why didn’t you just get that instead of doing this shady tune thing to the slow one?”

I know a few of you have had/still have MK7 R’s. So yea/nah? Even if you have never and never plan to own any VAG product. Yeah/Nah?

Hope your Friday feels like a Friday.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Tripper 04/10/2020 at 13:33

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I plan for my next car to be an R, despite my last Mk7 experience. Keep in mind, the R is built in Germany, so in theory the build quality is better. I will say, the clutches in these are even weaker than the GTI’s. 

bob and john > Tripper 04/10/2020 at 13:35

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I mean, I would. If i wasnt planning on getting a truck next (possible off-roadtyness needed for next job, + I wanna tow bikes without a trailer) a golf R would be on my shopping list

wpudvah: GTI, Super Beetle, now with more 80-Series > Tripper 04/10/2020 at 13:35

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NSFW tag... I’m not going to be able to stand for a few minutes.

vondon302 > Tripper 04/10/2020 at 13:37

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Im a v8 pony car murica kind of guy but damn dats purty!

Cash Rewards > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 04/10/2020 at 13:43

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My mkvi was built in Germany, and it was a pos with continual issues

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Cash Rewards 04/10/2020 at 13:44

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Was it the engine?

functionoverfashion > Tripper 04/10/2020 at 13:45

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I want that, but with the body of a golf wagon. 

Tripper > vondon302 04/10/2020 at 13:45

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I love that feeling as I am on the opposite side of the spectrum. When a car is so nice that you’re like “can’t see myself driving it, but I sure as shit like looking at it from here!”

Tripper > functionoverfashion 04/10/2020 at 13:48

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Yea I tried explaining that my thinking behind getting the “slow” one was because I was thinking more space/less pace. She argued that the space is not that much more particularly for us because one dog cannot fit in the AT. So she’s really not wrong.

B_dol > Tripper 04/10/2020 at 13:49

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When we were expecting our first kid the Golf R and GTI were the only vehicles capable of replacing my wife’s Miata RF (in our opinion).

We test drove both and my wife enjoyed both but found the GTI to be more playful and nimble. Chalk that up to FWD vs AWD and heavier weighted steering on the R. Love the R steering wheel and shift, it commanded a premium in price though. My wife chose a fully loaded used GTI (performance pack, autobahn, etc.) and the previous owner was OCD enough to ceramic coat and clear bra the car. It is a great car and enjoyable to drive, but it never feels overtly special.

I probably would have gone with the R, but she is just as happy saving us the extra $$.

It has been 100% maintained by myself (bought at 15K miles) without issue. I hear a lot of stories but they seem to be overblown and this was a cherry example - likely to be replaced before it makes it to 75 K miles.

GolfR Guy > Tripper 04/10/2020 at 13:50

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I have one, 2017 DSG, DCC, ACC. I’m happy with mine; the steering is pretty good imo for being electric, the power delivery is great, and I really like the dsg actually. I live in Los Angeles though, so the traffic in manual would have been not great.
Also, since you get some winter weather in PA, the 4-motion system will be of benefit.

People do say the GTI is more fun on turn in though , probably because it’s 300 lbs lighter than the R. Also, the GTI comes with a real LSD, and gets better mpg. 

Tripper > B_dol 04/10/2020 at 13:51

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That’s great intel! I’ll also be self wrenching and am not at all phased by what the internet has to say about German cars. This will not be my first or last one if I pull the trigger.

Tripper > GolfR Guy 04/10/2020 at 13:56

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Nice, and yes AWD is not a must but a strong want as this my dd/dad car and I have it in my current Golf. My mom has a 19" GTI and while I agree that it is more fun on turn in, I don’t like how FWD it feels while you’re doing that. Those haldex units do a fackin magical job of moving the power around when you are dashing through turns.

Textured Soy Protein > Tripper 04/10/2020 at 14:00

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I would never buy an R because I like sunroofs and it doesn’t offer one. 

Tripper > Textured Soy Protein 04/10/2020 at 14:01

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I’m an all or nothing guy. Slicktop or Ragtop, there is nothing else.

B_dol > Tripper 04/10/2020 at 14:01

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I will say while it can scoot quickly it is not as confidence inspiring (nor fun) as an AWD or RWD alternative (as mentioned by others here).

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > Tripper 04/10/2020 at 14:03

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In my area Rs aren’t budging, but holy cow are there discounts on new GTIs 

WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI > Textured Soy Protein 04/10/2020 at 14:10

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Just graft one on from a GTI. Duh.

vondon302 > Tripper 04/10/2020 at 14:19

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Since my wife bought a FOST and did bolt ons to it, my taste has changed.

Plus Oppo helped too.

Ash78, voting early and often > Tripper 04/10/2020 at 14:27

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For what it’s worth, when I first drove the Alltrack in 2017, my impression was “Why would anyone buy this instead of a GTI with a roof box?”

I very nearly bought an Alltrack a couple months ago, but balked for size/space reasons. But the underlying concern was still there — why not just a GTI?

If you really, really like the details of the R, then there’s no swaying you. You get better seats, a few other interesting touches...but at the end of the day, it’s still front-biased, and a well-optioned and well- tuned GTI can keep up with it in many situations, all for like $10k less cash (or more) .

( My dad has the 2004 model with 6MT and the VR6. That’s a viscerally different experience — the sound, rumble, speed, and it was appreciably nicer than the stock GTI of the MkIV era. Today the decision is much closer between the two . Same engine, etc )

Textured Soy Protein > Tripper 04/10/2020 at 14:27

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I’m an all my cars must have the ability to tan my bald head guy.

Textured Soy Protein > WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI 04/10/2020 at 14:28

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This “grafting” would involve a sawzall...

WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI > Textured Soy Protein 04/10/2020 at 14:30

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VW Max > functionoverfashion 04/10/2020 at 14:55

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Europe got a MK7 R wagon

GTD wagon too iirc

DutchieDC2R > Tripper 04/10/2020 at 14:55

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Its a shame you guys dont get other proper hot hatches than the VAG variants. I'd always choose an A45 over an R. 

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Textured Soy Protein 04/10/2020 at 14:56

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The Golf one is prone to leaking and making a lot of noise. There have been multiple totalled Mk7's due to the car flooding. It’s an awful design. By 5k miles mine sounded like two pool noodles rubbing together. The lack of sunroof is a massive selling point on the R. 

Textured Soy Protein > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 04/10/2020 at 15:02

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I’m a VAG hater anyway so I won’t be buying one, sunroof or otherwise.

Cash Rewards > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 04/10/2020 at 15:27

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Yeah, all engine related repairs, that were coming up every six months. Never left me stranded, but became a money pit pretty quick

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Cash Rewards 04/10/2020 at 15:47

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They did improve the engine reliability for the Mk7, at least internally and timing wise. 

Cash Rewards > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 04/10/2020 at 15:57

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Yeah, I've heard. But the mkvi was a bit of a mess, and for how many they sold you don't hardly see used ones still on the road

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Cash Rewards 04/10/2020 at 16:00

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On the other hand, I had a friend with a K04 swapped one that lasted 145k miles with him, without any issue. Made around 340whp for most of it’s life. Then the next owner almost immediately filled it up with 87, and killed it. 

Cash Rewards > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 04/10/2020 at 16:04

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Oof. I did have that chat about carbon buildup with a tech, and said I was using sonoco. Told me not good enough. Chevron, shell, or Mobil only. Nothing else would keep those motors running without buildup

DasWauto > Tripper 04/10/2020 at 17:28

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I keep having to remind myself of certain practicality issues (roof rack mounting situation mostly and I want more ride height) to avoid buying one to replace the WRX. I love the way they look, the power and the interior, but I might just end up in a truck. Or a next gen STI, the mind wanders.

Peter Piper > Textured Soy Protein 04/10/2020 at 17:36

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The European variant does.

daveman - all new cars have totem pole face > Tripper 04/10/2020 at 23:07

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I got a 19 mk7.5 R back in December replacing a Focus. The R is the first automatic I’ve owned in over 20 years. Was a tough choice after test driving both the dsg and manual. The dsg is just so quick.

I eventually found that going custom mode with race engine setting and comfort suspension was my go to. The car is quick and ride s smoothly. Although, i t’s a combination that can get you in trouble. There is almost a lack of effort needed to get going fast and not much drama. This may be a reason why someone would want a manual to feel a little more involved and the feeling of the push and pull of the car while rowing gears. My weekend car is an MX5 and although much slower than the R it is much more exciting to drive .

The 19" wheels do lead to a nerve wracking wince across my face when hitting a pot hole. The whole car feels like it bottoms out. There may be 18" wheels in my future.

With the dsg there is a little bit of a lag when hitting the gas. This can be alliviated by tapping the gear knob into sport mode and letting the engine rev higher. I keep it in sport mode on the highway for instant passing power.

The infotainment works great and the digital cockpit display is awesome. I wish it was just slightly more configurable. I do miss the voice command destination of the Ford. Can’t just say destination Target. You can set many favorite places so there is a work around to this. But even then. I know where the Target I go to is. I want to find a place in cities I’ve never been in on the go and not look up an address to punch in.

It’s only been about 3000 miles so far so can’t speak about reliability, but really liking the car. Lots of fun for a daily driver. It’s quicker than it looks, and has a great sound system. It’s a great combo of easy smooth drive and hoonability.

The cons... No sunroof. This may be a good thing I’ve heard of some issues with VW and Audi sunroofs leaking . It o nly has 1 USB port and it’s in a little cubby under a lid which means you need to keep the lid open to charge a phone. With s uch a clean and well laid out dash I have no idea why they didn’t leave a little gap in that lid big enough for a wire to go through. The fake sound is a little gim micky for my taste, but at least it can be turned down if set to eco mode.

After quiet a bit of back and forth with the dealer got them down to just under 38k. I did get blue with black wheels. It’s a brilliant color, but very hard to keep clean.

bob and john > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 04/10/2020 at 23:28

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holy fuck LMAO

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Cash Rewards 04/11/2020 at 10:27

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It wasn’t the carbon that killed it, it was the sudden onslaught of misfires due to running advanced timing, more boost, and 87 octane.

Tripper > daveman - all new cars have totem pole face 04/11/2020 at 14:00

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Nice. I’m familiar with the DSG. I had an 16' S3 for just a touch over 3 years. It was also blue which is the most likely color for the R in question. They’re going to slap a set of silver pretoria wheels on in place of the directional looking wheels if we make a deal.