GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk7 => Topic started by: Steve04 on 19 April 2021, 23:20
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Hi all,
I currently own a MK6 Polo GTI. In the near future I'd like to get a MK7.5 GTI TCR.
Constantly on the lookout for either a White/Grey, Performance Pack, Reifnitz Alloys and Red Cloth stitching. Finding it quite hard to come by! :grin:
Just wanted to know is it worth having the Performance Pack on the car? And is that the highest spec available? (in terms of power).
Cheers :smiley:
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Performance Pack on the TCR doesn't give any extra power, it's still 290ps.
The pack includes 19 inch wheels (Pretoria or Reifnitz), dynamic chassis control and speed limit increased to 164mph. The pack with Pretoria's also included semi-slick tyres.
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Thanks for the reply mate. :smiley:
Trying to hunt down the exact spec will be fun!
Adding onto the first post. The Polo GTI has a couple of minor issues (squeaky brakes when reversing, few rattles in the car, DSG can be a bit jumpy, throttle response not always the best). Is there anything to be aware of in terms of issues with the TCR?
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Thanks for the reply mate. :smiley:
Trying to hunt down the exact spec will be fun!
Adding onto the first post. The Polo GTI has a couple of minor issues (squeaky brakes when reversing, few rattles in the car, DSG can be a bit jumpy, throttle response not always the best). Is there anything to be aware of in terms of issues with the TCR?
Some late date mk7.5 Golf GTI TCR models with the optional panoramic sunroof have suffered from cracks in the sunroof surround (not just TCR models; owners of late date Golf R’s over on VWROC.com forum have also had the same issue). Have a read of this discussion thread;
https://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=286255.0
Also be aware that if the list price of the car was in excess of £40k when first registered (many GTI TCR’s did have a £40k plus list price), it’ll fall into the luxury VED band, so annual road tax will cost £490 per year at current rates (standard VED rate of £155, plus luxury rate of £335). Luxury VED applies for five years from the second time the vehicle is taxed (so from years 2-6).
You’ve said your existing car has a few rattles. Any car can suffer from interior rattles and squeaks - even premium cars costing significantly more than a VW Polo GTI or a Golf GTI TCR, so there’s a chance that upgrading to a Golf doesn’t eliminate unwanted interior noises.
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Constantly on the lookout for either a White/Grey, Performance Pack, Reifnitz Alloys and Red Cloth stitching. Finding it quite hard to come by! :grin:
Just wanted to know is it worth having the Performance Pack on the car? And is that the highest spec available? (in terms of power).
There's only two seat options, cloth and leather. Leather seems very rare so that's one issue out of the way! White and grey pretty common too. As to the performance pack, is it worth it? The top speed increase is academic. DCC is raved about but is it essential? No. Personally I wouldn't be too bothered particularly if you stick with the standard 18s which are excellent. I liked the Reifnitz hence that was my choice, not a need.
Otherwise 69 plate cars onwards will mostly have the Akra exhaust but also more likely to be in the higher tax bracket as SR said. Sunroof issues seem finally to be addressed by VW so if you get one and it goes, not ideal but at least there should be no warranty issues now. There are a few other possible options but really the car is very highly specced as standard so just go for it!
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No complaints with mine, I got lucky and the hunt didn’t take too long but they are rare and I had to travel to get mine.
As for tax, mine was listed at 39,900 so the dealer who spec’d it knew what they were doing and added everything they could to keep below.
As for PP, 19” fill the space much better and look nicer than 18” IMO and the DCC makes a difference. When the car set 8:05 on the Ring it did it in comfort mode with the DCC.
Good luck with hunt as last I looked on autotrader only about 25-30 nationally.
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At least one respected (that will make him laugh) member on here hated DCC on the TCR to the point at which he got rid of the car. And it was very much a TCR-DCC combination that caused the hate.
I'm a bit of a DCC sceptic too (despite 2 out of 3 of the Golfs I've had with it....) and wouldn't make that an essential in choosing another car at all.
Remember also that the TCR likes to drink 98 only really. Factor that into your man-maths.
The TCR is a great car, it really is, but it wasn't cheap when it came out and it still isn't.
Watch that you don't get caught in the current TCR fetishisation and spend more money on that than a brand new Mk8 Clubsport - which in many ways is an even better driving car (although not without some other downsides, but driving is not one of them)
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I've said it before and I'll say it again, if it's a special model with a unique colour (Pure Grey) get it! I know too many people that regretted not getting the Deep Pearl Blue in the mk5 R32, on down the line.
Every car will have issues even Rolls Royce and Bentleys, I wouldn't get too hung up on them especially with a car that will most likely still have some manufacturer warranty. I have a sunroof on my GTI and use it everyday, it's just easier to be a dictator with a sunroof. :grin: I also have 19's and no DCC and never found it uncomfortable.
From memory later TCR's had the Akrapovic Exhaust and rear view camera as standard, which I'd have a think about if your budget to stretch that bit extra since titanium exhausts are horrendously expensive.
Would you be after a 3 door or a 5 door version? :smiley:
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Thanks for the reply mate. :smiley:
Trying to hunt down the exact spec will be fun!
Adding onto the first post. The Polo GTI has a couple of minor issues (squeaky brakes when reversing, few rattles in the car, DSG can be a bit jumpy, throttle response not always the best). Is there anything to be aware of in terms of issues with the TCR?
Some late date mk7.5 Golf GTI TCR models with the optional panoramic sunroof have suffered from cracks in the sunroof surround (not just TCR models; owners of late date Golf R’s over on VWROC.com forum have also had the same issue). Have a read of this discussion thread;
https://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=286255.0
Also be aware that if the list price of the car was in excess of £40k when first registered (many GTI TCR’s did have a £40k plus list price), it’ll fall into the luxury VED band, so annual road tax will cost £490 per year at current rates (standard VED rate of £155, plus luxury rate of £335). Luxury VED applies for five years from the second time the vehicle is taxed (so from years 2-6).
You’ve said your existing car has a few rattles. Any car can suffer from interior rattles and squeaks - even premium cars costing significantly more than a VW Polo GTI or a Golf GTI TCR, so there’s a chance that upgrading to a Golf doesn’t eliminate unwanted interior noises.
Thanks for the advice SRGTD. We've spoken quite a bit over on the Polo forum!
I've got to say I love the Polo GTI and would be really sad to see it go, the problems I mentioned are extremely minor and not a reason for getting rid (if I did). Since laying eyes on a Grey TCR in a VW dealership I've wanted one! :grin:
Wasn't aware of the tax difference, so thanks for that. Will be heading into VW in a months time to have the Polo serviced, will have a chat with them and see if they've got anything or know of one anywhere.
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Thanks everyone else for your input, very helpful. Interesting to hear the difference of opinions regarding PP/DCC. I've never driven a car with DCC so it would be good to have a test drive (difficult with COVID).
@willni; I'd be looking for a 5-door, I tend to travel a lot with friends so this would be a bit more convenient.
How is the MPG with the TCR?
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Well, 5 door should make your search easier.... 3 door is a bit of a unicorn that some get hung up on which means a long hunt and probably paying a lot more money because of the unicorn status.
You are after a second hand car, the chances of driving ones to find options you like and then finding the right combo... from a small number ever imported into the UK of a model that is/was expensive vs other performance Golfs....
You probably need to be realistic and if there is one near you and nothing about it is a red line to you, choose that one.
Either that or keep dreaming :whistle:
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Thanks for the advice SRGTD. We've spoken quite a bit over on the Polo forum!
Yes we have! :smiley:.
When I read your earlier posts, I was 99% certain you were S_94 from uk-polos.net as you’d previously mentioned that when the time came to replace your Polo GTI+ you’d like a mk7.5 Golf GTI TCR.
Good luck with your search. I saw a GTI TCR in grey with Reifnitz alloys yesterday and I thought it looked great :cool:.
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Thanks everyone else for your input, very helpful. Interesting to hear the difference of opinions regarding PP/DCC. I've never driven a car with DCC so it would be good to have a test drive (difficult with COVID).
@willni; I'd be looking for a 5-door, I tend to travel a lot with friends so this would be a bit more convenient.
How is the MPG with the TCR?
I was in your position with regards test driving. I booked a GTI PP, a TCR and R. Both the GTI and R didn’t have DCC. I liked the ride but felt the road a bit. I liked the performance of the GTI and then the R but once I clapped eyes on TCR it was love at first sight. Once in I had a play around with the different ride modes. I wanted DCC as I had read the ride was a bit harder on 19 and I wanted wife and kids not to feel it so much. As it was my car they still needed to come out with me a lot in it. I said to the guy I want it. In fact before I’d seen it or driven it I paid a deposit over the phone lol I just wanted it for the looks and performance knowing it was going to be better than the other two.
With comfort mode on I felt the difference and soaks up the bumps that bit better than the previous 2. In sport mode it’s really solid and great for a bit of fun.
Took a few longs trips out this weekend and on way back from Brighton my wife suddenly said “I love being in this car, it’s really comfortable” that was until I dropped in to sport to accelerate on to motorway and the 365bhp kicked her in the butt 🤣🤣 she’s getting used to that these days though lol
Each car is different for different people so I can’t really sell to you and say yes do this and get that as everyone is different. Everyone’s body and mind is different and reacts in different ways to how the car is so there is no blanket. If someone says don’t bother with DCC I would say don’t bother listening until you have tried and made up your own mind.
As for the car as a whole, if you want something that everyone has and don’t pay much attention to then GTI and R are for you. I didn’t buy the TCR purely for what it is, I loved the looks and performance thought was different and not like others. I wanted something for me to make me happy and for once in my life get what I want. I didn’t know though at the time how much different! I have lost track of people stopping to chat while I’m cleaning, GTI drivers pulling over to let me past so they can shout out what a great car! I wasn’t looking for attention as I’m not really like that but I do appreciate a car lover as I am and for someone to say something is nice.
It was actually my wife that said go for TCR. Not just for the colour, as every woman who’s commented to me, they seem to love the grey, she said go for it otherwise you will only look back with regret if you don’t and it’s only a couple grand more!
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Oh and as for MPG. I had a Revo stage 1 and not very much difference in economy. I usually get 250-270 out of a take on 95 Ron. It can run on it fine and my Revo SPS I can’t switch fuel types for a bit more performance and change the ECU if I want.
I filled with V Power at beginning of weekend and have done a lot of motorway miles with ACC on set at 72 (70 in real terms) and switched between comfort and Eco and range is roughly 360 miles. I’m on 180 trip so far and not quite half a tank used.
I drive urban most of the time and tend to push a little more 😁
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How is the MPG with the TCR?
Pretty good. A long steady motorway run can be 44mpg. Local driving (low traffic levels) in the summer 36ish, winter 30. Shorter winter drives in the upper 20s. Weight of right foot dependent.
Pretty sure the rear view camera was standard.
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@fredgroves; Definitely. I've got a mate who's been looking for a MK4 Golf R32 for about two years now and still can't get one he wants (very specific). I know that's a bit different as that's a much older car, but yes if I see one that is roughly what I want I'd probably go for it. :smiley:
Thanks for the advice SRGTD. We've spoken quite a bit over on the Polo forum!
Yes we have! :smiley:.
When I read your earlier posts, I was 99% certain you were S_94 from uk-polos.net as you’d previously mentioned that when the time came to replace your Polo GTI+ you’d like a mk7.5 Golf GTI TCR.
Good luck with your search. I saw a GTI TCR in grey with Reifnitz alloys yesterday and I thought it looked great :cool:.
Haha I had a feeling you'd know it was me straight away! There's something about the TCR that has stood out to me since seeing it.
Thanks mate. Funnily enough I've only ever seen one, exactly like you mentioned in Bristol. Had to be careful as I couldn't stop staring at it while trying to drive. :grin:
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@Kpow99; thanks that write-up mate. I'm glad you're enjoying the car and from it what sounds like I would too. I bet that 365hp is fun!
@Watts; sounds pretty similar to what I'm getting with the Polo GTI which is good to hear. Cheers mate.
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One thing to understand about suspension, ride and DCC is that (to quote the Right Honourable Member for Exeter) is that DCC is an electronically adjustable shock absorber. The real thing that effects ride isn't so much the dampening, its the springs itself.
DCC cannot change the springs.
There is no direct equivalence between DCC and non-DCC.
To my knowledge there are no back to back tests of equivalent Mk7 (or Mk8) Golfs with DCC and non-DCC cars.
The best there might be would be someone like myself who had two nearly identical cars back to back with and without it... and I have to say without was never an issue.
Generally, all you ever hear about DCC are people who spec'ed it then believe it makes all the difference. I definitely would say that is not the case and do not get hung up when chasing a second hand car. That's purely FOMO.
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One thing to understand about suspension, ride and DCC is that (to quote the Right Honourable Member for Exeter) is that DCC is an electronically adjustable shock absorber. The real thing that effects ride isn't so much the dampening, its the springs itself.
DCC cannot change the springs.
But DCC does change the behavior of the springs by altering the compression and rebound rate between the different settings available :wink:
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Remember that if the list price of the car was >40k, you will have to pay the £400+ tax amount each year.
My car doesn't have the performance pack. I wish it did but only because I prefer the wheels that come with it. Mine has the Belvedere wheels which I am really not that keen on. Plus they get scratched/swirled really easily.
My car dfoes have DCC though. I like it but it's very subtle in terms of the difference between driving modes. Noticable, but subtle.
One thing I've never been able to find out is whether the black roof is an option or part of the performance pack. Mine is pure grey but doesn't have the black roof. Most of the other pure greys I have seen do have the black roof though.
Car gets a lot of attention, all of it has been positive so far. I'm glad i bought it but would have got something else if I'd known I'd be working from home for a year. I bought it in March 2020... so barely driven it.
I have uploaded the Golf TCR brochure that I was given when I got the car. Might be useful to someone. https://www.mediafire.com/file/p3x1tb0shkrc32y/brochure.pdf/file
Edit: Just looked at the file again and it's a sort of hybrid quote/brochure for one of the cars they were suggesting I buy. I went with another but it will at least give an idea of the standard equipment and some indication of costs for options.
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Black roof was a £555 stand alone option on the TCR. It wasn't part of the Performance Pack.
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Black roof was a £555 stand alone option on the TCR. It wasn't part of the Performance Pack.
Ouch. That's not cheap. It'd be a pain to keep it scratch free too. Birds seem to love my car so i'm constantly trying to remove their droppings from the roof :(
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Thanks for that @jf111. :smiley:
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Just get the roof wrapped black, it's cheap, provides protection to the paint underneath and it's made to be replace when it gets tatty. :smiley:
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I think there are only about 800 TCRs in the UK so your options will already be significantly reduced compared to an R for example. However I guess it wasn’t the most customisable car as most options were standard and the ones that weren’t I don’t think many people specked (such as leather).
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@fredgroves; Definitely. I've got a mate who's been looking for a MK4 Golf R32 for about two years now and still can't get one he wants (very specific). I know that's a bit different as that's a much older car, but yes if I see one that is roughly what I want I'd probably go for it. :smiley:
Thanks for the advice SRGTD. We've spoken quite a bit over on the Polo forum!
If you are in bristol then you are welcome to try mine without DCC on 18s.
Yes we have! :smiley:.
When I read your earlier posts, I was 99% certain you were S_94 from uk-polos.net as you’d previously mentioned that when the time came to replace your Polo GTI+ you’d like a mk7.5 Golf GTI TCR.
Good luck with your search. I saw a GTI TCR in grey with Reifnitz alloys yesterday and I thought it looked great :cool:.
Haha I had a feeling you'd know it was me straight away! There's something about the TCR that has stood out to me since seeing it.
Thanks mate. Funnily enough I've only ever seen one, exactly like you mentioned in Bristol. Had to be careful as I couldn't stop staring at it while trying to drive. :grin:
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Sorry, late to the party, it’s been a busy week.
I may well be the (dis)respected member representing Exeter, sitting my umpteenth term despite several scandalous car swapping incidents and mass vote rigging... (thanks Fred :grin: )
Where were we?
Let’s start here with the official TCR manifesto:
https://www.volkswagen-newsroom.com/en/publications/more/booklet-golf-gti-tcr-the-driving-presentation-162/download
Buying and selling limited run Golfs opens up a whole finicky and fickle enthusiast market, and it depends on how you want to play it as to which advice you need to particularly pay heed to.
Loads of proper advice here from actual owners that covers off most angles.
Being an end of line car the TCR comes with the superb adaptive LED lights and the useful rear camera as standard.
Mine had Dynaudio which was excellent.
The heated front screen was useful but not an essential.
Most love DCC but I didn’t get on with it when I had a knackered back. Generally it was good but wasn’t quick enough reacting to prevent sudden jolts being transmitted by sharp irregularities. The non adaptive suspension I have in my mk8 Clubsport doesn’t transmit crashes but is slightly bumpier than a DCC TCR. Having said that, in full sports mode the TCR DCC damping feels like you have an extra 20psi in the tyres.
Pay accordingly for the spec and you’ll get a relative amount back when selling on again. So if you want a particular spec just hold out for it.
Those that are after a certain spec will likely pay for the privilege but will be likewise rewarded (probably) on selling. Such is the way with enthusiast specials. And god almighty are some enthusiasts fussy and impossible to please, just see some of the Edition 40 threads. The wheel and suspension packs were over £2k so I’d imagine that would follow through to used prices.
If you just want a TCR to own and enjoy then it’s not critical to have one of the two optional packs.
The Belvedere alloys are very light but as jf111 said, they are prone to getting marked. It’s very easy to change the wheels though, for instance replica Reifnitz or Pretoria can be added afterwards in 18 or 19” diameters, or anything else that takes your fancy.
Watts gives a good indication of fuel usage. 98 RON and keep it under 4000rpm sees reasonable mid thirties MPG but once the higher revs pile on the engine will drink a lot more fuel.
The brakes are good, the handling excellent, the exhaust sounds are unique whether you have Akra or not, and the car has its own special look and feel amongst the range of Performance Golfs. So the rest is down to whether or not you want a specific pack, number of doors and other bits of optional spec or not.
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Nice one Exonian, always a great insight from you :wink:
Thanks for the PDF link too, always like a good read.
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Thanks to all TCR owners for arousing my interest & giving helpful information, especially Exonian & Kpow99 (for his thoughts a while ago on buying what you feel, as we are only here once).
Just in the throws of changing my 2019 PP for a TCR. Hopefully looking to collect it Friday.
Will update with full spec once in my grubby mitts, but very excited!! :laugh:
Cheers, Chas.
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Err, thanks guys but I don’t actually know all that much aside from spending a bit of time using the cars and relaying my thoughts. Everyone has different wants and needs so it’s very hard to be objective. I’m more of a subjective person so in different threads it’ll probably look like I prefer different things when I’m actually just trying to focus on the plusses and minuses of the particular topic from my experience and viewpoint.
Big congrats to you Chas, you’ll certainly appreciate the differences between the models. The TCR does just about everything the GTI P does then adds all sorts of dimensions to it. That’s what I love about these fairly low volume Golfs. Yes they’re a bit expensive and tread too close to the all conquering R, but they’re the sort of cars an enthusiastic owner would want to make from their standard GTI yet keeping the factory warranty and knowing it all works in harmony out of the box.
And then you can add a bit of your own extra spice too should you want... :cool:
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Thanks to all TCR owners for arousing my interest & giving helpful information, especially Exonian & Kpow99 (for his thoughts a while ago on buying what you feel, as we are only here once).
Just in the throws of changing my 2019 PP for a TCR. Hopefully looking to collect it Friday.
Will update with full spec once in my grubby mitts, but very excited!! :laugh:
Cheers, Chas.
Happy to help and good luck. You won’t regret it at all. Daily smile every time I get in 😁😁😁
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Funny thing just happened. Wife got home and said there was a man walking past the house and he slowed down and stopped and was looking at the house, then realised he was looking at your car! 🙈🤣🤣
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Thanks to all TCR owners for arousing my interest & giving helpful information, especially Exonian & Kpow99 (for his thoughts a while ago on buying what you feel, as we are only here once).
Just in the throws of changing my 2019 PP for a TCR. Hopefully looking to collect it Friday.
Will update with full spec once in my grubby mitts, but very excited!! :laugh:
Cheers, Chas.
Hi All,
Well I did collect my TCR yesterday, photos below.
Im very pleased with how it drives and looks. Just need to master the DSG box now, as Ive only owned manual's in the past. Cheers, Chas.
(https://i.postimg.cc/bvqs11C2/IMG-1943.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/SntShYpy)
(https://i.postimg.cc/63mqsg9d/IMG-1944.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/XG94d2BJ)
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Looks great. :cool:
Sounds like a fantastic spec too.
It was my first car that wasn’t a manual box also. I do miss the manual, but only very occasionally, and once you are used to the TCR for the other times it’s so much better.
Enjoy!
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Welcome to the club! Well done and glad you got what you wanted.
Put in sport mode and slot that stick in to manual and it’s a lot of fun!
The rev will red line but it will still change up automatically to protect rather than “bouncing” on the stopper. Makes it noisy and fast lol. Get a stage 1 and even more so!
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The car looks fabulous chas :cool:
Good to see one on a 70 plate too.
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You wont ever be disappointed with it. I always give mine a doubletake as i walk past it, lots of other people do too 😀
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Thanks guys for all your comments & support.
Haven’t driven it today, just updated the radio stations & logos. Totally agree about the appealing looks, so much more aggressive than my previous 245 PP. Cheers, Chas.
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You wont ever be disappointed with it. I always give mine a doubletake as i walk past it, lots of other people do too 😀
I know what you mean 🤣🤣 had another GTI driver pull over and let me pass before pulling in behind me today, gave him a flash of hazards. Then pulled up next to me at lights lol
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Just wondering if anyone with a tcr with the akra can tell me what the exhaust is like in everyday use? Does it drone on motorways or can it be fairly civilised?
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Just wondering if anyone with a tcr with the akra can tell me what the exhaust is like in everyday use? Does it drone on motorways or can it be fairly civilised?
It's very quiet from inside the car. No droning, perfectly civilised on motorways etc. Slightly louder if in sport mode but i think it's fake noise. I need to hear it from outside!
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To be honest a neighbours relative visits every so often and he has a MK7.5 gti and on start up and pulling away its a lot louder than my TCR + Akra.
To me the Akra is very low key, but it has a nicer sound (subjective) when you get up the top end of the revs.
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That’s great to know. Good info guys thanks. I’ve got a friend who’s looking at a tcr and he’s a bit stuck if it’s worth only looking at an akra equipped one. Cheers.
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The Akrapovic is lighter, looks better but sound wise there is nothing in it really. When looking for a TCR it was a nice to have but not a necessity, having DCC was much more important to me. The extra cost of the Akra exhaust can easily push the car over the 40k mark and then you jn for much more tax, i'll stick with my stainless system thanks.
Just get a decent TCR with DCC and other extra options as i did, if it comes with an Akra exhaust then bonus......but not essential imo.