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General => New forum members => Topic started by: Tractor Dave on 16 February 2023, 07:36

Title: Golf R coming soon
Post by: Tractor Dave on 16 February 2023, 07:36
Hi all from West Wales.
I've very excited to be getting back into a golf after a long break. I previously owned a Mk11 16v 3 door which was one of the best cars I've ever had. I had it back in 1991, so you will know I'm no spring chicken! J226TPJ if anyone knows where it is now?
I'm also into my Audi's and have a couple of interesting classics including an ultra rare Nothelle S2.
Anyway, you guys seem an interesting bunch and I'm bound to need advice.  :cool:
Title: Re: Golf R coming soon
Post by: Snoopy on 16 February 2023, 13:01
Welcome
Title: Re: Golf R coming soon
Post by: Exonian on 19 February 2023, 19:27
Welcome aboard Tractor Dave  :smiley:

It looks like you’ve had some interesting cars in the time since you last had a Golf GTI.  :cool:

Do you have a build date for your R yet?
Title: Re: Golf R coming soon
Post by: Tractor Dave on 19 February 2023, 20:29
Welcome aboard Tractor Dave  :smiley:

It looks like you’ve had some interesting cars in the time since you last had a Golf GTI.  :cool:

Do you have a build date for your R yet?

Yes. I'm collecting it on the 1st March  :cool:
Title: Re: Golf R coming soon
Post by: Exonian on 19 February 2023, 21:07
Not long now then! :afro:
Title: Re: Golf R coming soon
Post by: Tractor Dave on 01 March 2023, 19:55
Well, picked up my Golf from Swindon VW today and thoroughly enjoyed the drive back to Wales. Very impressed with the car and the service I received from the guys at Swindon.  :cool:
Title: Re: Golf R coming soon
Post by: Exonian on 01 March 2023, 22:12
Congrats Tractor Dave.
Living in Wales you’ll at least have some great roads to drive the new steed on.

It would be nice if you could post up a few photos, we don’t see many 8R’s on here which is a shame.
Title: Re: Golf R coming soon
Post by: Tractor Dave on 01 March 2023, 22:20
Thanks. Will do. Does this forum have a tapatalk link? I find that the easy way to upload pics.
Title: Re: Golf R coming soon
Post by: Exonian on 01 March 2023, 22:27
No, but it’s dead easy.
Hit reply, just below the text box in blue is “add image to post” hyperlink which takes you straight through to an image uploader. Only takes a few seconds :afro:

Let’s see a few more of your collection too!  :smiley:
Title: Re: Golf R coming soon
Post by: Tractor Dave on 09 March 2023, 12:46
Here is a pic of me collecting. Weather has been grotty so no new pics yet.

(https://i.postimg.cc/RCYJPTgK/2023-03-01-13-06-55-148.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/yWFNx048)
Title: Re: Golf R coming soon
Post by: Tractor Dave on 09 March 2023, 12:49
Here is the Nothelle

(https://i.postimg.cc/Pq8d5mWs/2022-11-09-15-27-35-892.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/xkYwsNpt)
Title: Re: Golf R coming soon
Post by: Tractor Dave on 09 March 2023, 12:53
And the Ur. Just a shell atm after full glass out 're spray but slowly coming together.

(https://i.postimg.cc/yxDPM8qP/2022-10-29-12-52-37-851.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/SYpC8qx2)
Title: Re: Golf R coming soon
Post by: Exonian on 09 March 2023, 18:00
A very impressive fleet Dave, thanks for posting the photos up. Hopefully the new Golf isn’t getting too dirty - is it a 20 Years edition?
Have you owned the ur-quattro for long?
How does the Golf R compare to the Nothelle S2?
Title: Re: Golf R coming soon
Post by: Tractor Dave on 09 March 2023, 18:46
No, not a 20. It has the performance pack, DCC, heated seats, reversing camera, voice control and dealer fitted dash cam. I'm still running her in and haven't taken her out for a few days due to the amount of salt on the road. I have the use of a 2000 tdi passat for running about.
The Nothelle is about the same power as the Golf but the drive is very different. Have you ever driven an S2? Old style turbo gives you a huge surge of power higher up the rev range. It's really thrilling. Handling is another story and very unrefined compared to the golf. I had an S3 recently and the power delivery was from much lower down the rev range and more linear.
Handling wise the Golf is way ahead of the S2. Suspension development has moved so far since the 90's. I
I've had the Ur about four years. I took her on as a project as the bodywork was really poor. She has been in bits for three years now! Long story.
Title: Re: Golf R coming soon
Post by: Exonian on 10 March 2023, 05:54
As soon as I posted that the penny dropped that it had the wrong wheels for an R20Y!
A really nice spec though.
I’ve never had the pleasure of driving an S2 I’m afraid. I’ve always been crushingly dull and just bought an endless line of Golfs and their close relatives. I always look at other things and wonder but have stuck with what I know as the size and feel of them just kind of works for me. I grew up with and am now growing old with the same old recipe although I’ve stopped modifying my cars now.
I guess it must be hard finding the time to devote to the quattro restoration but now the shell is done it’ll probably feel like you’ve made significant progress, you’d not want to finish it too quickly or otherwise you’d have to find another project!
Title: Re: Golf R coming soon
Post by: Tractor Dave on 10 March 2023, 08:16
Yes, know what your saying. Unfortunately I'm a sucker for projects and unable to resist. I picked this up before Christmas and it's almost done. The engine had blown and it was going to scrap  :cry:
I just had to save her  :smiley:

(https://i.postimg.cc/3RSntr4H/a74745b08bd51946f34b8b901c967d04.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)

And I did this one last autumn.

(https://i.postimg.cc/KvyJQW4j/2023-03-03-10-55-10-912.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/mh8Yg8YW)

And finished this last spring  :cool:

(https://i.postimg.cc/DyPQyy6d/2022-04-07-14-58-50-437.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/HVj86mfV)

P!us a couple of others  :embarrassed:
Title: Re: Golf R coming soon
Post by: Snoopy on 10 March 2023, 16:45
Nice collection  :cool:
Title: Re: Golf R coming soon
Post by: Exonian on 10 March 2023, 18:18
Anybody might think you have just the tiniest inclination towards the four rings Dave!

Lovely cars, all of them. Do you have a huge barn to keep them all in like Harry Metcalfe or do you just enjoy them then move them on to finance the next one?
Title: Re: Golf R coming soon
Post by: Tractor Dave on 10 March 2023, 18:36
Is it that obvious  :embarrassed:
Most have been sold to finance the next. The Nothelle is a keeper though. I built that up from a shell. It took ages to find all the missing parts.
The Ur will go when she's done as well. And the A4 TQS is currently for sale.
I would love to do a GTI of Corrado. Just never come across one (yet)  :grin:
Title: Re: Golf R coming soon
Post by: Exonian on 10 March 2023, 19:48
It must be quite a challenge getting hold of bits for some of them, all part of the fun though and knowing the right people must help. Some of the bits on those cars must be really hard to obtain.
I remember seeing some Nothelle equipped Audis at shows many years ago, the ‘N’ alloys must be super rare.
Title: Re: Golf R coming soon
Post by: Tractor Dave on 10 March 2023, 20:14
Yes, getting parts can be a challenge. The Nothelle itself is very rare. I believe only 7 were sold in the UK and about 2 or 3 S2 Coupes. They were killed off when Audi released the RS2, which was about the same price. I only found the original wheels that were on the car last year.
Title: Re: Golf R coming soon
Post by: Exonian on 11 March 2023, 15:56
The Nothelle certainly is quite the rarity! Mind you, none of your projects are exactly common sights.  :cool:
Even a Golf 8R is an unusual sight out on the roads!
Title: Re: Golf R coming soon
Post by: Tractor Dave on 02 May 2023, 13:45
So I won't bore you with the details but after two very enjoyable months with the R I have a new Rs3  :cool:
(https://i.postimg.cc/k53tgprK/2023-04-28-12-42-19-345.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/FYpKPGHH)
Early days to compare but the Golf was not far behind at all.
Title: Re: Golf R coming soon
Post by: Exonian on 02 May 2023, 13:56
Ahh, there it is! Been wondering the last day or so how you were finding it.
Looks lovely.
I’ll keep an eye out for your Golf up for sale if it’s Bong Free!!

Really liking the look of the RS3 there, very discreet.
Title: Re: Golf R coming soon
Post by: Tractor Dave on 02 May 2023, 15:28
It's already on Sinclair vw Neyland website for £3k more than they gave me!
I'm not complaining mind as I made £1k on it.
It's a cracking car and in some respects more easy to live with than the Rs.
Title: Re: Golf R coming soon
Post by: Exonian on 02 May 2023, 18:04
Such is commerce! Seems to be the common mark up these days, Brenbo’s R was similarly priced above what the dealer paid him for it as a recent example.

Early days for you granted, but what have you found the greatest differences so far between the R and RS? (aside from the interior obviously!)
Title: Re: Golf R coming soon
Post by: Tractor Dave on 02 May 2023, 19:15
So far
R seats more comfortable
R softer ride with both in comfort
Rs switches and dash way better. Proper logical switches and buttons
R quieter
R feels more roomy
R better on fuel
R cheaper to insure (and buy)
I prefer the dash layout in the Rs.
Still assessing everything else  :cool:
Title: Re: Golf R coming soon
Post by: Exonian on 02 May 2023, 20:54
Interesting.
My son has an A3 S-Line so I’m familiar with the interior on that and have to agree with you on the dashboard logic.

Again, very early days, but did you notice much difference in the engine pick up in normal driving? Obviously once the five-pot gets into stride it’s in a different league. 
Title: Re: Golf R coming soon
Post by: Tractor Dave on 02 May 2023, 21:51
Not yet. I'm running her in for a thousand miles or so. Keeping revs below 4k atm and will slowly build up. Just back from fishing club meeting and I don't seem to have auto dip beam which I had on the R. Also no cordless phone charger.
Title: Re: Golf R coming soon
Post by: Exonian on 03 May 2023, 06:01
There are a good few things that aren’t on the standard kit list in the RS3 that we have on Golfs. They’re buried away in the Audi options, some as packages and some stand alone. Going back the other way the Audi S3 and RS3 have heated leather and not cloth seats. 
Title: Re: Golf R coming soon
Post by: Exonian on 23 May 2023, 16:46
How are you getting along with the RS3 now Tractor Dave, you should be all settled in by now.  :smiley:
Title: Re: Golf R coming soon
Post by: Tractor Dave on 23 May 2023, 19:54
I defo preferred the Golf  :cry:
Title: Re: Golf R coming soon
Post by: Exonian on 23 May 2023, 20:49
Oh dear.
The engine/chassis/brakes combo of the Audi hasn’t won you over then.
It’s the heated steering wheel that does it - once tried there’s no going back! 😁
Title: Re: Golf R coming soon
Post by: Tractor Dave on 23 May 2023, 20:58
No, it's not wone me over  :sad:
Golf was a much better daily for a more mature driver like me. I'm finding the Rs gearbox very jerkey, difficult to drive smoothly at low speed. Don't get me wrong, fantastic car but Golf was over £10 k cheaper and did everything in a more refined way.
Title: Re: Golf R coming soon
Post by: Exonian on 23 May 2023, 21:10
Likely deliberately engineered/programmed in to distance the RS3 from the more svelte S3 for price justification.
Where do you go from here, will you stick with the RS?
Title: Re: Golf R coming soon
Post by: Tractor Dave on 25 May 2023, 17:09
Currently in Germany on a little road trip to Nothelle with the S2  :cool:
Back soon.
Title: Re: Golf R coming soon
Post by: Exonian on 25 May 2023, 19:02
Awesome! Enjoy!  :cool:
Title: Re: Golf R coming soon
Post by: Tractor Dave on 25 May 2023, 19:33
They treated me like Royalty.
(https://i.postimg.cc/XYYK2HnF/2023-05-25-08-26-49-000.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/hfN7v0zP)
Title: Re: Golf R coming soon
Post by: Exonian on 25 May 2023, 21:00
Brilliant! Is this your first visit? Was it part of an organised trip or something you just did yourself?
What do they mostly cater for nowadays, is it more towards older ‘classical’ models or more modern examples too?
Title: Re: Golf R coming soon
Post by: Tractor Dave on 26 May 2023, 06:29
Yes, first trip. All self organised. Just me and my brother. I've been wanting to go for over three years but Covid got in the way.
My S2 had the full conversion there in 1994 when it was brand new, then sold new by Scotts in London. It was £42k!
We were met by Marcus Nothelle who now runs the business with his son. Marcus father retired some years ago.
They had a mix of new and old but mainly older classics. Marcus is a K-jet expert and has all the correct kit for setting up. So quite a few gti engines in the workshop.
Marcus put mine on the rolling road to see if the conversion was holding up. She made an impressive 315ps, even on 97 fuel.
(https://i.postimg.cc/tJLcgWqR/2023-05-24-11-44-46-034.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/D4P6jW4R)
Title: Re: Golf R coming soon
Post by: Tractor Dave on 26 May 2023, 06:36
Really fantastic workshop

(https://i.postimg.cc/HnDpqJq5/2023-05-24-13-30-19-979.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/vghF9mHH)

(https://i.postimg.cc/vHyYXVLw/2023-05-24-09-12-41-654.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/14W134jv)

(https://i.postimg.cc/G2YRxL4p/2023-05-24-09-09-07-315.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/WF2x2P6R)

(https://i.postimg.cc/VL48RHkX/2023-05-24-09-08-13-724.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/TpyF20mP)

(https://i.postimg.cc/ZqvzJbFL/2023-05-24-09-08-18-571.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/67Km0NP7)

(https://i.postimg.cc/j2Kp6zV8/2023-05-24-09-08-06-329.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/ZB7s4v53)

(https://i.postimg.cc/Pqw9B6T3/2023-05-24-08-51-31-675.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/gwGghHw8)
Title: Re: Golf R coming soon
Post by: Snoopy on 26 May 2023, 07:16
 :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool:
Title: Re: Golf R coming soon
Post by: Exonian on 26 May 2023, 20:50
I think I’ve run out of superlatives here, but wow! It’s honestly like seeing a copy of Volkswagen Audi Car magazine from the 1990’s being lived out in 2023. What an absolute treasure trove of amazingly kept VW’s and Audis.
I’m guessing that’s an actual Frank Biela race car and not a replica?  :cool:

Well worth the wait for your trip. Is your brother a VW/Audiphile too?
Title: Re: Golf R coming soon
Post by: Tractor Dave on 26 May 2023, 21:52
Yes, still pinching myself. We spent most of the day there.
I asked Marcus Nothelle about the Biela but his English isn't very good and he just said that it's a good car, so not 100% sure.
My brother has had Audis but currently owns a classic Alfa. Never mind.
Title: Re: Golf R coming soon
Post by: Exonian on 27 May 2023, 20:35
With a quick bit of internet digging it seems the Audi is an original works supertourer, so most likely an ex-Biela car from yesteryear. It looks like it still gets used on track going from their Instagram.

We can forgive your brother for the Alfa! Your brother has great taste too!
Title: Re: Golf R coming soon
Post by: Tractor Dave on 27 May 2023, 21:53
I think it belongs to Marcus Nothelle and it's his track car (amongst others).
Title: Re: Golf R coming soon
Post by: Tractor Dave on 31 October 2023, 17:53
Back in a Golf again  :cool:

(https://i.postimg.cc/mkhxXvFL/2023-10-31-16-59-20-558.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/SY0tjtr3)
Title: Re: Golf R coming soon
Post by: Exonian on 31 October 2023, 19:55
🎉🎈!!
Shame the RS has gone but the R20 looks lovely  :cool:

With the lifter in the garage there’s no excuse not to keep the underside as clean as the bodywork!   
Title: Re: Golf R coming soon
Post by: Tractor Dave on 31 October 2023, 20:01
Cheers Andy.
I'm going to clean the underside tomorrow and do the underside with bilt clear wax.
Hopefully this ones a keeper  :smug:
Title: Re: Golf R coming soon
Post by: Snoopy on 31 October 2023, 20:26
Nice looking R
Title: Re: Golf R coming soon
Post by: Exonian on 31 October 2023, 20:54
You’re not hanging about Dave!
Well worth doing though whilst sheltering from the storm.
Title: Re: Golf R coming soon
Post by: Tractor Dave on 02 November 2023, 18:44
So while the car is nice and clean underneath, I put her on the lift for some extra protection. I really like Bilt Hamber products and their clear wax is very good.
I've also done the wheels with ceramic protection.
(https://i.postimg.cc/j5NpB0qK/2023-11-02-14-59-28-773.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/vgY26K6S)

(https://i.postimg.cc/76vc3s3R/2023-11-02-14-59-47-657.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/McDdxYr0)

(https://i.postimg.cc/t4YmLQDf/2023-11-02-15-34-19-431.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/QFZbTz2k)

(https://i.postimg.cc/LsPQ8tc3/2023-11-02-15-53-28-308.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/XZVk2C7r)
Title: Re: Golf R coming soon
Post by: Exonian on 02 November 2023, 21:04
That’ll keep everything looking good down under, you’ll have an underside to impress MOT testers for the next 30 years  :cool:
I admire your dedication and speed of work, all done before the first coating of road salt
Title: Re: Golf R coming soon
Post by: Tractor Dave on 02 November 2023, 22:17
Thanks Andy.
Anyone tell me how the plastic wishbone covers come off on the front? Are the plastic clips one time use? I need to remove to clean properly and spray.
Title: Re: Golf R coming soon
Post by: Exonian on 05 November 2023, 21:50
A couple of mins into this vid suggests they’re simple enough to remove and refit, he mentions captive nuts for the rear so fronts possibly the same and no mention of single use bolts/nuts
https://youtu.be/SNCaBPC0CUc?si=pcKxX3vB7Gv0hI2-
Title: Re: Golf R coming soon
Post by: Tractor Dave on 06 November 2023, 07:42
Thanks for that. I found a thread on another forum and they are quite easy. Plastic pins push out of the clips and if careful can be re used. Captive nuts only on the back. Apparently the covers are only fitted on the mk8. Make the car slightly more aerodynamic.
Title: Re: Golf R coming soon
Post by: Exonian on 06 November 2023, 17:17
Yes, all part of the aero improvements of the mk8 and good traps for grit!