Golf R - Tips

[WSK]

Boring thread ahoy!

Looking for a new daily - and had thought about the usual 330d's, X5's, A6 etc. Didn't really even want to look at golfs because.. 'It's a golf' - But the more GTI's and GTD's etc. i seen, they are hard to look past for an all rounder, even if the prices have shot up abit . Also i must add, i don't do Massive miles, and live in the city centre.

So in the market for a 5dr, DSG R i think - I know a load have had them on here.

Is there anything in particular to look for? After a certain mileage? Any spec which is preferable to have etc.?

Thanks

 

[richie_mck]

They are a great all rounder but I went golf r to a 330d touring and the BM is a much nicer car to be in despite the dirty diesel. If you're not doing big miles personally Id be looking at a 335i / 340i

 

[Boydie]

DSG service
Full haldex service (which includes pump removal and clean)

nothing else really major that would spring to mind apart from your usual checks on any used car

they (and S3’s) are fantastic all rounders - I’ve loved my S3 for over 4 years now and driven daily

 

[Deezer-D]

Thermostat housing is part of the water pump and are prone to leaking. Dear at Audi £8-900 and £5-600 at specialist.
Apart from what Boydie has mentioned they’re pretty reliable. Stage 1 map and a few bolt ons (induction kit, TIP, turbo elbow and turbo muffler delete) will get you 360 ish bhp.
I’d a 2016 Golf R and replaced it with an S3 as it was such a good all rounder. Not hard on fuel either.

 

[Toeman]

Golf gti performance are an option as well as a golf r

 

[redanni]

Been dailying an R for close to 6 years now (hard to believe) and still loving it.
Not the most exciting thing but does everything so well.
Only issues I’ve had was thermostat and front caliper seized but both replaced under warranty.
Although I do still hate them DSG farts

 

[Lyons]

I loved ours and they are a great all rounder, but as Richie says an F30 (or even 4 series Gran Coupe) would be a nicer all round package.

 

[Paddy_R]

I got board of mine (30k miles done in less than two years) and am now driving a Mercedes E class coupe which is much nicer in everyway but not as fast.

Was a good car, fast, smooth, well built, handled well etc and I never had anything go wrong with mine but ultimately I've only had one car less time. I honestly believe if I'd have bought the GTi I'd still have it.

 

[Chris100]

I had the chance to drive an R and the GTI TCR back to back, I ended up buying the TCR. The R was dull and bland to drive, they are absolutely everywhere as well. The TCR was the complete opposite, really fun and engaging to drive and you very rarely seen one on the road.

It also held its money very well, I should have actually kept it as they are selling now for what I paid for mine 2 years ago.

 

[Toeman]

what did you end up gettin or still looking

 

[WSK]

Cheer's all.

As a BMW fan a 330d/335i would suit me perfectly, But I think the Golf R is just a scratch I want to itch lol.. yes also not a fan of the DSG farts to be honest lol!!

So still on the hunt, for such a mass produced car, there's not many out there you would want to buy.

 

[NickR]

Cheer's all.

As a BMW fan a 330d/335i would suit me perfectly, But I think the Golf R is just a scratch I want to itch lol.. yes also not a fan of the DSG farts to be honest lol!!

So still on the hunt, for such a mass produced car, there's not many out there you would want to buy.

Have you considered a GTI Performance Pack?

I preferred the handling of my 7 GTI PP to my 7.5R.

 

[Lyons]

Cheer's all.

As a BMW fan a 330d/335i would suit me perfectly, But I think the Golf R is just a scratch I want to itch lol.. yes also not a fan of the DSG farts to be honest lol!!

So still on the hunt, for such a mass produced car, there's not many out there you would want to buy.

You won't regret it.

Don't compromise with a GTi.

 

[NickR]

You won't regret it.

Don't compromise with a GTi.

I wouldn't say a GTi is a compromise as such. They are both very capable cars that do things slightly differently and have different characteristics.

 

[WSK]

I have considered a GTi and would like one, but as said i want to scratch the R itch first at least.

Most GTi's seem to be a lot better spec'd tbh

 

[NickR]

Spec wise, both of mine had Dynaudio which was a nice upgrade to the sound system. Discovery Pro nav is nice too as it gives you the bigger screen in the dash.

Panoramic roof made the inside of the cabin nice and light. I chose the fabric seats over the leather as I found alot of the VWs I looked at, even with lower mileage had saggy leather.

Those would be my spec must haves if I was buying another. Comfort access was nice to have but not essential.

The virtual cockpit in the 7.5R was great and made the car feel modern and up to date.

If you're going for a 7.5R, try and find a pre-WLTP car as they had 310hp as opposed to the later cars 300. When I was buying the GTi I found that I had to go to the mainland to get a spec that I wanted.

 

[Lyons]

What about an S3?

 

[ChrisL]

Have to say love my 7.5 R, the handling/ride isnt as good as the 7.5 GTI PP I drove but at the time it was the only colour of blue (Lapiz) my other half liked.

The S3 seats were brilliant but the nav system stuck on the dash just isnt nice at all bit like the Mercs nav systems, just looks like an after thought.

Another great contender is the Cupra 300, much more bang for your buck and seem to hold their value now quite well.

 

[Toeman]

I have considered a GTi and would like one, but as said i want to scratch the R itch first at least.

Most GTi's seem to be a lot better spec'd tbh

Interior of the gti is nicer imo but I am slightly biased

 

[Bronk]

Interior of the gti is nicer imo but I am slightly biased

i agree.. the GTI/GTD interior is much nicer than a R interior

 

[Chris Mac]

Having owned an R and now a GTi Clubsport, the performance GTi’s are so much better than the R. For the 1 day every 2 years that it snows the R may be better, but for the rest of the time the PP GTi/Clubsport/TCR is so much better.

 

[Christopher]

thermostat housing

also i'd love to try one with DCC. mine on standard suspension is quite crashy

 

[ChrisL]

thermostat housing

also i'd love to try one with DCC. mine on standard suspension is quite crashy

Mine is crashy enough for a stock car. I also think the Potenza tyres on mine are quite "road noisey" lol

Looking forward to getting MPS4S all round eventually.

 

[NickR]

I had the DCC on the R and it made a good difference.

 

[DC.]

Got rid of my Bridgestones but went for Goodyear Eagle F1’s instead. Can’t fault them.