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

[Nino]

Hey folks,

Long-time member here and just looking to pick the brains of those of you who currently own (or have owned) any of the following MK7.5 Golfs:

> Golf R
> GTI TCR
> GTI Performance

I’m not in a rush to change cars, but I always like to research the living hell out of potential next cars well in advance helps me go in with my eyes open when the time comes.

Current car: Edition 35 GTI – Absolutely love it and plan to keep enjoying it for at least another year or two. It’s been a solid, characterful daily with enough poke and practicality to tick all the boxes.

Previous car: 65-plate MK7 GTD (low mileage, full history, etc) and honestly, it left a bit of a scar. Despite the “on paper” quality, I had no end of issues:

- Heater matrix replacement
- Multiple solenoids failing
- Dodgy switches and electrics

It’s made me a little cautious about stepping back into another MK7 chassis car even the facelift.

About me: I’m the kind of enthusiast who keeps his cars meticulously maintained with no expense spared preventive over reactive always. I also like to own cars that are a bit left-field or rare so I’m not sure how the R snuck onto the list, but here we are 😂

So here’s what I’m hoping to learn from owners of the above:

> What do you love about your car?
> What do you dislike or find annoying about it (no matter how small)?
> Any common issues or niggles you've run into that I should be aware of?
> And if you’ve had more than one of these (or driven them back-to-back), which felt better in terms of driving feel and reliability?

I know there’s loads of threads on each of these individually, but I’d really appreciate some head-to-head, real-world feedback from long-term owners or anyone who’s spent time with more than one of these cars.

Thanks in advance! 

[fredgroves]

The only "rare" one on your list is the TCR.... the rest are about as mainstream as a Fiesta ST.

The TCR was the last hurrah of the Mk7.5, not quite a Mk7 CSS rare or crazy, but still out there as a rare beast.

[Adam T7]

Had my GTI Performance for nearly 6.5 years from new. Great car, possibly best I’ve ever had. Only niggle (and it’s really small) is the heated mirrors, no apparent auto turn off and no warning light to indicate they are on.
Like you, great believer in pro-active servicing and keeping it immaculate.

[Toeman]

As Adam said  the 7.5 golf gti performance is  as good a car as anything out there  and if you have good spec on your car  its very hard to see past it  if you go to look at something else     the tcr is certainly bit more special      good luck in your search 

[fredgroves]

Oh BTW, top tip... Avoid one with a sunroof unless you want to keep paying for replacement surrounds when it cracks

[P6GTD]

7.5 Performance. Best car I have ever had and is the reason I still have it after 6 years with no plan to change. Only problem has been
the most common…. water pump/thermostat leak at 40k miles and 5 years.
The only different tip I can pass on to you is to look for a GTI (early 2019 onwards) with GPF to get the best genuine exhaust sound. No pops and bangs but a lovely deep bass note.