GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk7 => Topic started by: drisser on 19 December 2016, 21:25
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Firstly
apols to those who sent me a message regarding a possible clubsport S I had found. Turns out the dealer didn't know is CS form his CSS.. no surprise there.
I was also changing jobs so have been a bit manic and not online much.
Anyway, after much pondering, I did a lot of ringing around because I have found myself strangely drawn to the Clubsport. I have always liked the Mk7 GTi but never thought it was quite special enough to run as a 2nd car. My 330d ticks so many boxes it really is the best real world car I think is out there.
With a deposit on an M2 for late 2017 I have been pondering (and still am) if I want to spend £45k on that car. Doing so would probably mean getting rid of the 330d and that would be a wrench. Alternative thought was buying a Gti and spreading the mileage around a bit but I wanted something that was a bit more exclusive than the normal GTi.
I looked around but I like the fact its a limited run car and knowing how good the std car is, I thought it was worth a punt. So after much ringing round I had given up really my must have's were manual, 3 door, not white, black roof or sunroof, bucket seats and not much more than that - one car I found was nearly £40k !
I nearly found my perfect car twice . One spec amendable but they would budget on list price and it was too much. The other was near perfect spec but DSG and it had to be manual.
I gave up but then luck found me pretty much the perfect car. 3 door manual, tornado red with black roof, 19 inch Brescias, Bucket seats, Car Net and Adaptive Chassis (I wasn't fussed about this but it was a car coming into stock). I got a really good deal by agreeing to register the car this month even though I am not taking delivery for a couple of months - the dealer has been great and agreed to store it inside for me until I am ready.
I really hope this car lives up to my expectations and is so good I don't feel the need to take the M2 as something would have to go.. The Golf ticks so many boxes in my mind - practical, fast, exclusive, looks great and is the perfect compliment to the 330d for hopefully a long term keep. It is no question expensive given you can get a 14 plate GTi PP for around £20k used but my experience with the 330d is " spec and buy what you really want, otherwise you end up changing cars too often". 18 months into 330d ownership I still love that car and intend to keep it for 5 years +.. here is hoping the Clubsport does it for me too !
I have a few names of dealers I contacted who did have cars coming in or already in stock so let me know if you are in the market for a CS I am happy to give you their details in case its worth a bell..
I haven't even seen the physical car I have bought in the flesh yet - just a video.. Hope I am not insane !!
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Sounds great and yeah if you have any details of dealers please PM me
I have suddenly had a thought about changing as much as I like my GTI I just want something a bit more as it's not a daily driver anymore.
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The spec and colour that you have bought sounds really good. I've seen a few in the flesh now and I think they look much better that in pics/videos! I've sold a 7R to buy my Clubsport (currently getting built) as I wanted something a bit more special as I intend to keep it for a few years. The CS fits that bill nicely with its unique styling, limited build, numbered plaque etc.. Also, I've owned the edition 20, 25, 30 and 35 so it would have been rude not to have had the edition 40! I'll miss the 4wd traction of the R, but I do very few miles so the exclusiveness of the CS, for me, will far outweigh that. I'm sure you'll be very happy with it, all the owner write-ups on this forum have been very positive.
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Neil Birkitt seems to like the one he had on test in VW Driver mag.
That's normally a good sign!
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Ben Barry of Car Magazine has a Clubsport as a long-termer and reckons its better to drive/live with than an R.
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....... I haven't even seen the physical car I have bought in the flesh yet - just a video.. Hope I am not insane !!
Welcome to the insanity club!!
I bought mine unseen & had not even been in the standard GTI beforehand. I ordered in April & took delivery in late October, it was well worth the wait. Fantastic performance & the interior really feels like a special place.
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It could be worse - when I got my GTI, I'd only actually seen a lower spec car in the flesh (1.4TSI I think) as I was out living in Cyprus when I ordered.
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That would've been pretty much my ideal spec, not jealous at all :wink:
Can't recall any negatives reported so far so I doubt you'll be disappointed!
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It could be worse - when I got my GTI, I'd only actually seen a lower spec car in the flesh (1.4TSI I think) as I was out living in Cyprus when I ordered.
I've bought a clubsport s and never ever sat in a gti . Madness.
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Thanks for the comments guys, am really hoping it feels special and makes me want to keep it long term. I hope the seats, alcantara etc make it feel that bit different inside.
forgot I have the video. Enjoy ! this is as close as I have seen to the real thing but it is my actual car. Good view of the buckets for those interested
https://video.citnow.com/vt8kx9yxCc7
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Very nice and as I said before, I think you'll be well pleased with it. :cool:
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Looks great. Am i right in thinking there is no lumbar support on those seats?
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Insane, perhaps not but definitely a little crazy! Looking at the maths then it's hard to justify spending this much on a golf considering the discounts available on the other models and I spent a lot of time deliberating even after the order was placed. My head trying to convince me I should have ordered an R or the performance pack. So I think all people who order the Clubsport are a little crazy but in a good way.
Great car by the way! Red and silver were the colours on my shortlist - I went Silver in the end and no regrets but I still love red and with the black roof I believe the optional wheels work best too but it's all personal choice.
Back to the car, I have found no negatives moving from a std MK7 GTI to a CS. If I was really picky I do miss the red door strip lighting and the footwell lighting but this pales into insignificance when you sit in those seats and hold the steering wheel.
The cars dynamics are at least 1 or 2 steps above the GTI - see the other post ending 'can't be long now' if you want to read further details. Not sure if it will fully fill any void left if you decide not to pursue the M2 but if you liked driving the std GTI, then what's not to like about a GTI with an R engine in a sharper chassis with a great interior and some might say an improved exterior.
Enjoy it drisser
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Cheers, share your sentiment on the logic, it can't really be justified given a nice low mileage PP can be had for under £20k but I know that I would always have hampered after the CS.
As for the M2 yes it's another level performance wise but stepping from that to my 330d would feel like I am going up not down as the 330d interior with head up display, tan leather etc is lovely. At least with the golf its "different" to the bmw completely. I think the seats in particular will be worth the extra.
I have also come to realise the 330d is as fast in the real world as I could realistically enjoy so spending £45k on something quicker but with a lower spec interior might not be sensible. Plus it's another £15k to find.
Am dying to see it in the flesh as I think red looks great on the CS and there will also be not that many around in that colour.
Personally I just don't like the golf R looks so it was never in my shopping list. I plan to keep it a long time so something that didn't lose a ton of money was important.. Hopefully the relative lack of discounts will mean greater desirability and price and selling time.
Glad you are enjoying yours, all the reviews seem positive so far.
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I have a CSS but I still admire the CS and think VW have done probably their best Anniversary model yet by far.
This YouTube vid of a CS (not CSS) at the 'ring says it all, looks a little frisky early on with cold tyres as the (very skilled) driver has to correct some oversteer (44 seconds), the GT3 comes in at 4.42 and he never loses sight of it, amazing.
https://youtu.be/Z6VPhtFKni8
I think the French text says car is unmodified and on the optional Michelin Cup tyres
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Yea I saw this vid, some great driving
It does back up the theory that a well driven modern hot hatch will keep pace with most top end cars on the right roads...
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Also EVO mag are running the CS that VW Driver have just reviewed as their long term test car.
Ian Everleigh will be the 'owner', he's run a few VAG cars of late including a Cupra so will be interesting.
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The cars dynamics are at least 1 or 2 steps above the GTI - see the other post ending 'can't be long now' if you want to read further details. Not sure if it will fully fill any void left if you decide not to pursue the M2 but if you liked driving the std GTI, then what's not to like about a GTI with an R engine in a sharper chassis with a great interior and some might say an improved exterior.
Enjoy it drisser
The dynamics are clearly above the R as well that for the top sports variant (until the CS was introduced) was leaving a lot to be desired. I never test-drove the GTI as it it didn't seem neither powerful nor focused enough for my like but I did try the R twice and although not a bad car at all, there was a distinct level of overall involvement and feedback missing from it that it always felt more like a capable GT than well, an "R" as in "race-car". Funnily I think there is much more "R-ness" in the Clubsport in terms of driving feel, setup, interior and exterior than there is in the R. Anyone looking for or prioritizing the same things, there is probably no dilemma between the two cars. Which is good as being quite different after all they can meet much broader requirements.
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The cars dynamics are at least 1 or 2 steps above the GTI - see the other post ending 'can't be long now' if you want to read further details. Not sure if it will fully fill any void left if you decide not to pursue the M2 but if you liked driving the std GTI, then what's not to like about a GTI with an R engine in a sharper chassis with a great interior and some might say an improved exterior.
Enjoy it drisser
The dynamics are clearly above the R as well that for the top sports variant (until the CS was introduced) was leaving a lot to be desired. I never test-drove the GTI as it it didn't seem neither powerful nor focused enough for my like but I did try the R twice and although not a bad car at all, there was a distinct level of overall involvement and feedback missing from it that it always felt more like a capable GT than well, an "R" as in "race-car". Funnily I think there is much more "R-ness" in the Clubsport in terms of driving feel, setup, interior and exterior than there is in the R. Anyone looking for or prioritizing the same things, there is probably no dilemma between the two cars. Which is good as being quite different after all they can meet much broader requirements.
How do you think an R should differ from a GTI?
I think VW have always tried to make the R(inc 32) a mature fast car like the RS Audis.
While the GTI can be a more 'fun' (hence the '40 years of fun' slogan that's been bandied around this year).
Having owned an R and now a CSS, I find the R a bit one dimensional and 'normal' unless driven hard, something that's hard to do on the public road while the CSS seems to require a lot more mental processing to get the best out of it, managing the amount of throttle when taking into account the grip available, tyre temperature, ambient temperature, road surface, steering lock applied which makes it more involving.
For example I've seen more ESP activation in my CSS in 200 miles than I ever saw in my R in 8000 miles and I don't think CS Ed40 is all that different.
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How do you think an R should differ from a GTI?
I think VW have always tried to make the R(inc 32) a mature fast car like the RS Audis.
While the GTI can be a more 'fun' (hence the '40 years of fun' slogan that's been bandied around this year).
Having owned an R and now a CSS, I find the R a bit one dimensional and 'normal' unless driven hard, something that's hard to do on the public road while the CSS seems to require a lot more mental processing to get the best out of it, managing the amount of throttle when taking into account the grip available, tyre temperature, ambient temperature, road surface, steering lock applied which makes it more involving.
For example I've seen more ESP activation in my CSS in 200 miles than I ever saw in my R in 8000 miles and I don't think CS Ed40 is all that different.
Exactly. The driver requirements on the CS are higher but for those eager to keep up, it makes for a way more involving and rewarding experience especially when pushing the car. On the other hand the R feels like it drives itself rather than allowing/requiring you to do it, there is no "drama" whatsoever. This is ok for the most part or when you just want a daily car with some oomph and great traction but becomes an issue when you want to drive it hard and near the limit. The sharpness of the steering or the chassis feedback just aren't there or at least aren't where you'd expect them to be on a top sports variant as the R name suggests. There is always some vagueness and uncertainty which prevents you from approaching the limits as you can do with confidence on more focused cars. In the CS for example, I feel like I can use every last inch of road width available to me and position the car any way I want to, I can't say the same thing for the R in which I felt I had to back off way earlier and be less aggressive.
ESP flashing on a 306bhp FWD just 200miles in, with semi-slicks, this time of the season is hardly a surprise and is probably traction than grip related. Personally I find the PSC2 an overkill even on a car without rear seats unless it's a dedicated track/weekend car. There is no doubt the CS/CSS limits are higher than the R's, but there are some prerequisites to get there simply due to their nature.
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Well I got my vehicle reg doc through today so am the proud owner of a lovely red CS that I have never seen, clapped eyes on, sat in or driven..
Think I have run out of you tube reviews to convince myself it will be worth it !
Anyway it is in storage for a couple of months at the dealer as I don't want to put it on the road in winter so looking forward to going to see it in a few weeks.
Review online seem very positive and even the piston heads drive of the CSS half concluded the CS might be a better all round proposition given it has most of the tasty bits without losing rear seats etc. time will tell anyway but hope this Gti will be a long term keeper.
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I can't possibly imagine how you won't love it, especially if you appreciate a truly sporty ride. The car is set-up so well, the steering is direct and precise and the chassis balance just sweet. Let alone the looks part.
Also, three days ago I came back from vacation and driving way lesser cars (painful). Took it for a spirited drive that same day and the sound of the engine during acceleration was intoxicating (hadn't particularly noticed that before) while the exhaust was on full song not only during upshifts (DSG) but also when suddenly letting off the throttle (pops and crackles :smiley:)
PS. Irrelevant maybe for some, but did I say that it will happily carry 4 of us, with 2 suitcases and a stroller in the boot? :wink:
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Good to hear scanesare as I am just talking to garage about white one at the minute. I don't daily the GTI anymore so just want something a bit more special when I do get to drive.