Author Topic: My thoughts on the Golf R - Initial Impressions  (Read 8579 times)

Offline Misterp

  • I live here
  • *****
  • Posts: 666
Re: My thoughts on the Golf R - Initial Impressions
« Reply #10 on: 14 August 2015, 09:56 »
I'm a bit of a purist too like others but unfortunately money talks.
Golf GTD mk7 DSG pearl black - collected 25 September 2013.

mjh_056

  • Guest
Re: My thoughts on the Golf R - Initial Impressions
« Reply #11 on: 14 August 2015, 10:20 »
Be selecting my next vehicle early into 2016 and have a few on my list with the R at the top of that list to be shot at by others to convince me their way.

But the closer the time to choose comes the more the R is stretching its lead and your review has maybe added to that a little more.

Not many can stay in same car for 6 years they like a change but think my experience with the GTD convinces me even more to stay in same vehicle but enhanced by in my case 4WD and 300BHP as outside of them my specification would be pretty much the same.

Comments that did resonate:

1. Was toying with staying with Pure White as it contrasts the trim really well, in a storm trooper way but do agree that if having an R it has to be Lapis Blue as its such a great colour and says R instantly.
2. The Cadiz wheels. Originally thought preferred these but now really leaning towards the Pretoria and more so as DCC is a must option for me.
3. Think you summed up the styling really well as it does look awesome from the rear but could do with a tweak to front end to just make bit more of a statement, maybe beef up the intakes a little bit. Though the dual DRL are first thing you see coming towards you :) love them, really stand out from all other makes that have DRL.
4. Only seen in 3 Door previously and would likely go 5 door as have now and think those photos support still that out of all hatches the MK7 supports the 5 door best of everything else out there in keeping its lines.
5. 4WD in getting off the line. Its been very wet this week and though new tyres have made a huge difference there is still that yellow light flashing away at me at times!


With regards the DSG and creeping. Think that is just familiarisation and managing the auto hold as you can let it creep if it suits but also it will hold solidly if wish it to also. Just having a feel for the pressure on the brake.

My DSG took a little while to bed in as it is smoothly seamless now where as out of the box you did notice some minor delays.

DSG + Auto Hold + DCC = the most effortless of drives for those times of peak traffic.

The one thing rarely use is the Sat Nav and though its an option on the R from what understand then will likely bin that for the Pretoria's this time around.

If leather was half way reasonable then maybe, even half leather! but they ridiculously priced and no way option them

Loved the review and photos and think just convinced me even more of direction be taking when change next


Offline Misterp

  • I live here
  • *****
  • Posts: 666
Re: My thoughts on the Golf R - Initial Impressions
« Reply #12 on: 14 August 2015, 10:57 »
Mjh I'm in the same boat as you. I'm fighting over spec and car. My last two cars have been dsg. I would definitely like to drive the R in auto and manual guise to decide.

Golf GTD mk7 DSG pearl black - collected 25 September 2013.

Offline matchboy

  • I live here
  • *****
  • Posts: 3,160
Re: My thoughts on the Golf R - Initial Impressions
« Reply #13 on: 14 August 2015, 11:15 »
Great write up Craig, and awesome pictures!

That's why I went for Lapiz Blue, as that's the only colour that's R specific.  I like the stealthy side of it, but also I like other VW owners knowing what's coming up behind them  :laugh:

With regards the rolling forward with the DSG, you soon get used to that, and the pressure you need to apply on the brake.  Took me a while to get used to it but its second nature now.

Did you slap it into Sport and Race then move the lever to the left and have a go driving "manually" with the paddles?  Is great fun, it really is.

Options wise, for resale and for comfort I'd recommend the DNS Pro (buyers will expect the top of the range stuff in an R) and the Carbon Nappa Leather (it's ridiculously expensive at over £2.5k, but its a massive step up over the normal leather).  Reversing camera is also very useful!

I'd highly recommend the R, totally different kettle of fish to the GTI (and I loved my GTI, great car!).  I took one of my mates out in it the other day, he doesn't really know much about cars and would take the p!ss saying its just a Golf etc etc - he absolutely loved it and couldn't believe the speed (took him down some nice country lanes  :evil:) - he now wants me to drive him everywhere  :grin:
Audi RS5 2018
Gone: BMW M4 LCI Competition Package
Previous: Mk 3 Audi TTS, Porsche 981 Cayman S, Mk 7 Golf R, Mk 7 GTI, Mk 6 GTI, Mk 5 GTI and so on....

mjh_056

  • Guest
Re: My thoughts on the Golf R - Initial Impressions
« Reply #14 on: 14 August 2015, 11:41 »
Mjh I'm in the same boat as you. I'm fighting over spec and car. My last two cars have been dsg. I would definitely like to drive the R in auto and manual guise to decide.

Not entirely sure what the standard R list is and will not even bother to look till early 2016 as it may just change in what is standard and what is not but do have definite, maybes and excluded

Definite

1. 5 Door: Moving from 3 door to 5 door has made carrying passenger something not even think about where the huffing and puffing and squeezing in of folk used to really do my head in :)
2. DCC: Divides many but having come from S Lines and for me noticeably feeling the difference in modes a must have really and maybe more so in the R
3. DSG: The real decider for me was that wife drives the car fairly regularly and 170BHP of my previous manual S Line used to make her a little nervous with its nothing then go! nature. So she loves the DSG in the GTD and with 300BHP think staying with DSG makes sense as even though I was toying with manual again really do love DSG and that's it now, decision made.
4. Winter Pack: Think standard now but a must for them heated seats :) though so wish add the windscreen to this!!
5. Colour: Lapis Blue - Obviously lots in this colour but as everyone states for very good reason and happy to be instantly recognisable as an R



Maybe

1. Pretoria: The more so for DCC comes with fact that thinking of these over Cadiz. Be weighing up pennies.
2. Park assist: Happily park as sensors are a great aid but if cheap and have pennies left then maybe
3. Keyless: think maybe standard?


Excluded

1. Leather Seats: Would love some half leather if they were even available but cannot justify the cost of leathers.
2. Sat Navigation: From what understand an option on R still and given how much use maybe ££ want to spend elsewhere and get self a battery charged Garmin or something for Glove Box. Think the upgraded units look amazing but as tend to mainly listen to radio and rarely use Navigation its a lot of ££ for very little use. So unless becomes free I will be passing on this.

Offline CraigW

  • I live here
  • *****
  • Posts: 2,305
Re: My thoughts on the Golf R - Initial Impressions
« Reply #15 on: 14 August 2015, 12:12 »
Thanks for the comments guys. Really had a great day yesterday getting to know the car. I will try and answer any questions when I get a chance. Just snowed under at the moment  :sad:

Offline matchboy

  • I live here
  • *****
  • Posts: 3,160
Re: My thoughts on the Golf R - Initial Impressions
« Reply #16 on: 14 August 2015, 13:24 »
Thanks for the comments guys. Really had a great day yesterday getting to know the car. I will try and answer any questions when I get a chance. Just snowed under at the moment  :sad:

It's Friday Craig - the clients can wait until Monday!  :laugh:
Audi RS5 2018
Gone: BMW M4 LCI Competition Package
Previous: Mk 3 Audi TTS, Porsche 981 Cayman S, Mk 7 Golf R, Mk 7 GTI, Mk 6 GTI, Mk 5 GTI and so on....

Offline Watts

  • Forum addict
  • *
  • Posts: 4,703
Re: My thoughts on the Golf R - Initial Impressions
« Reply #17 on: 14 August 2015, 15:15 »
Good review Craigw, nice car - shame you couldn't find anywhere scenic to drive it!
2019 Oryx White 5dr TCR.

Was - 2015 Tornado Red 3dr GTI PP, manual, Santiagos, Audi short shifter.

Offline Mark V GTD

  • I live here
  • *****
  • Posts: 1,292
Re: My thoughts on the Golf R - Initial Impressions
« Reply #18 on: 14 August 2015, 17:19 »
Mjh-056 - Sadly few of the items you mentioned such as Winter Pack and Keyless are standard on the R - only the GTD and the GTI (along with navigation which is still an option on the R)....

Offline am1w

  • Serious forum addict
  • *
  • Posts: 9,544
Re: My thoughts on the Golf R - Initial Impressions
« Reply #19 on: 14 August 2015, 17:53 »
Thanks for the comments guys. Really had a great day yesterday getting to know the car. I will try and answer any questions when I get a chance. Just snowed under at the moment  :sad:

Just imagine, snowing in summertime in Glasgow. Shockingly depressing. I suppose you have blizzards for Christmas. :laugh:
I do love Glasgow and its people. Great city.

Super write-up. Being snowed-in does help prose and poetry. :grin:

As for the M235i, it is a terrific car and I wish I had one. Just can't get BMW out of my veins.
RED TORNADO 7R, 5 DR, DSG, DCC, DNS, DYNAUDIO, KI, WP, HBA, LN, SP