Golf R Line

[matchboy]

Perhaps VW will rectify this when there's a mid-life facelift.

Then you'll buy one, mine will look out of date, and that's when I start to let it bother me 

The front end is the problem with the R, apart from the DRL's it's too plain - the GTI is far better looking.

[CraigW]

Perhaps VW will rectify this when there's a mid-life facelift.

Then you'll buy one, mine will look out of date, and that's when I start to let it bother me 

The front end is the problem with the R, apart from the DRL's it's too plain - the GTI is far better looking.

When it comes to trading in I think it will be a tough choice Mark. Obviously the 300bhp and AWD is a huge turn on but could I live with looking at the same interior for another 3 years (albeit a very nice interior) or would I get bored after 6 months? Honestly, I don't know

[matchboy]

Perhaps VW will rectify this when there's a mid-life facelift.

Then you'll buy one, mine will look out of date, and that's when I start to let it bother me 

The front end is the problem with the R, apart from the DRL's it's too plain - the GTI is far better looking.

When it comes to trading in I think it will be a tough choice Mark. Obviously the 300bhp and AWD is a huge turn on but could I live with looking at the same interior for another 3 years (albeit a very nice interior) or would I get bored after 6 months? Honestly, I don't know

If you're anything like me, you'll go for something different - as after 3 years you want to be looking at something different inside the cabin - and the R is pretty much identical to the GTI inside bar a couple of bits of trim.  I'm thinking the new Ford Mustang for £30k 

[CraigW]

Perhaps VW will rectify this when there's a mid-life facelift.

Then you'll buy one, mine will look out of date, and that's when I start to let it bother me 

The front end is the problem with the R, apart from the DRL's it's too plain - the GTI is far better looking.

When it comes to trading in I think it will be a tough choice Mark. Obviously the 300bhp and AWD is a huge turn on but could I live with looking at the same interior for another 3 years (albeit a very nice interior) or would I get bored after 6 months? Honestly, I don't know

If you're anything like me, you'll go for something different - as after 3 years you want to be looking at something different inside the cabin - and the R is pretty much identical to the GTI inside bar a couple of bits of trim.  I'm thinking the new Ford Mustang for £30k 

The Mustang would definitely give that wow factor but knowing Ford the interior will probably not be up to scratch. Plus to have the real Mustang experience you would have to go for the 5.0ltr V8 rather than the 2.3ltr Ecoboost and I would dread to think what the fuel consumption would be on that 

[dubber36]

I've just looked on the configurator at the R Line and xenons are optional. £1200 if you want GTI like DRL's. Climate control is extra too and they are only showing 17" wheels on there with no 18" upgrade.

Perhaps as a petrol with a manual gearbox it looks OK as a new buy, but spec up a diesel DSG and it's really close to GTD money. I expect the residuals to be far lower than the GTD, so it's to be hoped that there will be a few nicely speced cars at reasonable prices in a years time.

[fredgroves]

I looked at a GT TDi before I went for the GTD... start adding the stuff to it to match the GTD spec and it quickly becomes more expensive.

The "bundles" like the GTD is are always cheaper than fitting the same options (even if you can) to a lower model.

[matchboy]

The Mustang would definitely give that wow factor but knowing Ford the interior will probably not be up to scratch. Plus to have the real Mustang experience you would have to go for the 5.0ltr V8 rather than the 2.3ltr Ecoboost and I would dread to think what the fuel consumption would be on that 

Totally the V8!  And then a lot of money in the bank to pay for that petrol    Looks immense, especially in yellow however 

Sorry for the OT posts!

[Exonian]

TBH that would really annoy me if someone said that having swapped a GTI for an R !

2 ways to look at it though - on one hand, shows the strength and broad appeal of the GTI brand, on the other hand the R brand is less well known and no doubt will be for a long time - just the way some like it.  I suspect some people who have an R golf like the fact that only those in the "know" understand it but no doubt some will see that as a downside..

  Which is why I made the 0-60 comment to him; and then he shut up  (He's a douche anyway!)

The GTI is far more recognisable and always will be - the lay man doesn't know what an R is, but they do know what a GTI is - so no point letting it irritate.  It's a bit like when someone says 'all BMW's look the same' - unless you know the difference between the variants then you can understand these sorts of comments.  And I like the understated nature of it - if I didn't I'd have bought a Focus RS 

Never mind the R being a bit bland and all BMW's looking the same (which they unfortunately do) it could be worse - the S3 is almost invisible it's that subtle.

[monkeyhanger]

That's the problem with the R as I see it. It's so understated that it doesn't raise any eyebrows or draw any attention. Some will see that as a good thing but for me personally if i'm paying £30k plus for a hot hatch I would want it to stand out from the crowd, not as brash as the new Focus RS or Civic Type R but something that is more aggressive and says to others that this car means business.

The Mk6 R stands out from the crowd where the MK7 does not. Perhaps VW will rectify this when there's a mid-life facelift.

The MK8 will be the facelift, and it's only a few years away. I quite like the subtle looks. Get a DBP, put black mirrorcaps on it and it will be a real wolf in sheep's clothing. If you want everyone to know it's an R then get Lapiz. I picked Lapiz purely because I liked the colour - I'd have gotten a Lapiz GTD if it had been available. MK5 had the best looking front end IMO.

[carl1]

Perhaps VW will rectify this when there's a mid-life facelift.

Then you'll buy one, mine will look out of date, and that's when I start to let it bother me 

The front end is the problem with the R, apart from the DRL's it's too plain - the GTI is far better looking.

I must be the only one who thinks the R has a better looking front than the GTI, i also think the GTD has a better looking front and wheels than the GTI, but i'm now glad about red stripe as it makes mine stand a bit as it's not one of those company/ GTD cars, they're bloody everywhere. No offence private GTD owners.