Got the GTI back and returned the loaner R. TBH, even with my super critical eye, I can't even seen where they have repaired it. The paint match is perfect and the finish flawless, with no overspray what so ever. Been over the whole car (and wheels) and there's not a mark on it anywhere. Super delighted to have it back and it looks stunning.
Also noticed that since dropping it off last Tuesday 15th, it's only done 0.4 miles, so no ones been hooning it around in it whilst it was away. a happy bunny.
Now to continue to run it in and enjoy it (just clocked 200 miles on it on the way into work this morning).
Great news that the car is looking as good as you'd hoped now.
How does the GTI feel after the R?
What are your lasting impressions of the R?
That's a great question Exonian. I'm sure many here will expect me to say the "R" was in a league of it's own and that I'm now slumming it in a GTI, well for me not so.
First things first, the "R" is a truly stunning machine. It's very quick, safe and predictable. It also has a wonderful sound track (compared to the rather anaemic sound from the GTI). However for me, I found it felt a touch heavy (probably the AWD), with much weightier steering feel than the GTI (some may like this). For me, though as brilliant as the "R" is, the 2 minor issues for me are
a) It doesn't look anything special and was mistaken in our car park at work a few times for a standard Golf R-Line 1.4. Unless you look at the quad pipes (which I think are a little overkill on a small hatch), it does look pretty innocuous. I know the GTI is also a little understated by hot hatch standards, but I think the red accents at the front, and the fog lights etc., and the rear treatment with the twin exhaust pipes looks better to my eye. I know this is purely subjective and some people will prefer the "sleeper" look of the R
b) the other thing for me is that although the R is shockingly fast, it does it so well and with such composure, that (dare I say) it just borders on a little boring. Again I know the GTI isn't exactly the last word in hot hatch dynamics, but to me it just feels faster and more urgent (even though it's clearly not). Maybe modern hot hatches are now so good and do their jobs so ruthlessly well that they all feel just a little boring ?
Don't get me wrong, If I'd had gone for an R, I certainly wouldn't have been disappointed, it's a great car, but I find the GTI is just the nice middle (maybe conservative) ground between the GTD and the R in terms of looks, performance and fuel economy.
I'm sure many will disagree with me, but the acid test was, when I gave the R" back and collected my GTI, I didn't look back once at it, but instead had a grin from ear to ear whilst say back in my GTI. Maybe I'm just mad