Future Car Research – MK7.5 R vs TCR vs GTI Performance – Owner Input Wanted!

[Toeman]

If u  nerves had a problem with thd pan roof  and it such a class feature  these summer months  must have for me

[DSGboy]

Owned my R from new in March 2019.  Fully serviced, well maintained. Lives in the garage, just about to cover 10500 miles.  Have taken advantage of the All In from VW. No issues at all, yet.  Not in a hurry to part with it, not when the upgrade to an Mk8.5 to my spec will need £23k+.
Boot space reduced in the R; not an issue for all tho.
Turning circle with Factory Pretorias is unwieldy.
A rapid car in all weathers. Solidly safe. Unflappable. Makes you feel happy when lovely wife is out in bad weather in it.

[Nino]

TBH - The more I look into it, the more the R doesn't nessacarily appeal to me.

I am however looking over the Clubsport edition 40 which I like!

[jcrollie]

I’ve had my TCR for about 3 months now. Done just over 3000 miles already. As you would expect, no problems but that isn’t very useful given the short ownership.

As a package it ticks every box as a GTI does, this just has a bit more special about it - the looks, interior, performance, etc. Mk7.5s are just brilliant imo.

I personally prefer GTI over R - just the look of them, FWD playfulness and lightness. If you want a manual car, go for the GTI performance I dont think you can go wrong with them at all. There are some nice cars available at good prices from VW. The TCR is a real bit of kit, but I haven’t experienced the others myself so little one dimensional. Unlike the GTI PP, there’s no urge for more power, etc. TCR looks and rarity are big selling point. The front diff makes it hook up really well when you are hammering it down a country lane or equivalent. IMO if you want a TCR I would say Performance Pack is essential, or at least DCC (although would be rare to find without PP but with DCC). There aren’t many for sale with good spec and mileage, certainly not for a reasonable price. Surprised what a deal I got on my car considering the spec and mileage. Another benefit is values have stayed strong since they came out, but MK7.5s are also generally strong. 

My MPG hasn’t been as good as what others have quoted. I get 300-350mpg per tank, includes some spirited driving but 90% gentle in normal. Long journey to Scotland I got just shy of 40mpg so get about 400 miles. When I got the car its long term was just shy of 25mpg, now its approaching 27mpg. Although, I am getting 30-33mpg when not commuting in and out of school so my MPG should improve now that I am almost done with that. So if you got a TCR I would suspect your mpg would be dependent on driving style/journeys. Doesn’t like stop start at all!

Hope this helps. Obligatory photo

[willni]

I personally think the mk7.5 performance is the best of the bunch, albeit the only thing I dislike about it which isn't a bad thing, it never feels like it's trying. The engine feels like it's jogging instead of sprinting when you put the foot down, even though it picks up pace very quickly but a remap would sort that.

Best thing about my car is how it suits every occasion and does it well. It'll definitely be a car that will age very well especially in the next 4-5 years, when you start to see less of them on the road.

My only advice is get one with as much options as possible as it makes it feel like a different car than a bog standard one.

There's two things on my car that do annoy (very very loose sense of the work) me though:
1. The larger discovery radio, the middle button between the up and down volume isn't illuminated. (Yes, it's as pedantic as it can get)
2. My rear seats don't quite lock hard enough which causes a slight rattle every now and then. But a bit of tesa tape fixes that.

Other than that it's more down to what I picked, I do wish I had a 5 door one and I also wish it was white silver, but I bought mine as it was the embodiment of what a GTI is, red and 3 door.

I will be in the minority here, but I do still believe the GTD had a better driving feel to it due to the torque from the diesel engine, but again it's because the GTI engine feels underworked, I would love to drive a GTI with a remap to see what it's like.

P.S I love my Pan Roof, wouldn't buy a golf without it.

[Nino]

Thanks for the input - At this point, its down to two cars.

- TCR
- Edition 40

[jcrollie]

If you haven't already, I am sure there's some comparison video you can watch (probably Volkswizard?). I'm no expert on the edition 40, but I think it's more appealing if you get it in manual guise (i.e budget CS). If it is DSG, then I think the TCR is a better package all round - although they are more money so that factors in.

[Nino]

If you haven't already, I am sure there's some comparison video you can watch (probably Volkswizard?). I'm no expert on the edition 40, but I think it's more appealing if you get it in manual guise (i.e budget CS). If it is DSG, then I think the TCR is a better package all round - although they are more money so that factors in.

Yeah I have watched all of his videos

This is my issue at the moment, I prefer the TCR front end and front lights. I love the grey colour and like that it has virutal cockpit and upto date infotainment system.

With the clubsport, I like the rear spoiler, the artantara steering wheel and the fact it can come with wingbacks & a build plaque.
But, its the older model and have the older lights and less aggressive front end.

I am leaning towards the TCR as its newer so by the time I am ready to get one, I should still hopefully be able to get VW all in for peice of mind - if not, I may also pull towards the Clubsport.

 

[fredgroves]

Just go with the TCR, its peak Mk7.5 and really quite different to any other Mk7.

Also they are 2019, so not ancient.

CS40's you'll get stuck after deciding you desire the rarest spec combo (bucket seats) and endlessly chase cars...

The TCR will drive much better, more bang for the buck and easier to find one.

Just my 2 pence.

[Hertsman]

Recent cars are a 66 plate Golf R followed by a 69 plate GTI TCR and presently a 19 plate Golf R and BMW 128Ti.

The Golf R and the GTI TCR are equally great. With the Golf R you get little bit more BHP and that all important AWD for ensuring all that BHP is used to maximum and the drive is assured, on rails even, you feel the additional weight and AWD planting you to the tarmac.

The GTI TCR gives you all that pace of the R but its a lot more lighter in the hand, agile, its a very different drive. the one thing the TCR nails is that it rarely tramps, you really have to floor it in damp conditions, and never had one experience of torque steer, so the TCR drive feels very secure, not quite R like, but with the Front Diff doing its wonders, you do not have to mediate your driving. Front tyres did go off and need replacing at 13k

In contrast, the BMW 128Ti which is very similar in spec, has this special ability to torque steer in damp from nowhere, making for some mild butterfly moments. Great car, but you cannot drive it to its performance in wet unless on newer tyres.

Looks? At time, some thought the TCR was a little too much, but personally think VW nailed the TCR in styling, mine had performance pack, with the reifnitz wheels and the Akra exhaust (great exhaust note) and loved walking up to it. The MK 7.5 interior is the best you will ever see in a Golf, again VW nailed it, nice blend of buttons, switches and updated tech.

Had little choice but to move on from my TCR at time, finances did not work out and took on the 128Ti on lease, but would love to have kept it, and when we bought the 19 plate Golf R we did look at a TCR, but they were an extra £3-4 k at time and in reality the Golf R is the better car, and head over mind, to which we have no regrets, the Golf R brings its own smiles, especially when weather is shocking.

TCR are really keeping their price, they more expensive than much younger MK 8 R and Clubsports with less mileage, so they will always hold their money.

Can see me picking up a 10 year old TCR down the road, weekend car..

My lease is coming up for renewal and hoping a MK 8.5 Clubsport sneaks into my allowance, as spec looking at is very TCR, the grey (moonstone i think) with the Black Estoril Alloys