Thoughts on the R

[Booth11]

Really good one year review Rebecca, and given lived with my GTD for three years and was as impressed with it as when received, not too surprising the R is a car that still gives.

One observation on DCC, is that these version 2 dampers are active in all modes, so as much as you do not select 'comfort' you are getting the benefit of the DCC in all modes regardless.

My colleagues vanilla GTI is definitely a little harder in his normal than the normal with DCC.

But will caveat that by stating that ride is acceptable but definitely firmer (have been the passenger many times, he now has R envy though)

One other observation was you never mentioned economy once which imagine just says you have really embraced the "it is what it is" attitudes

Individual is now my stock mode setting with engine sound on Eco, the R makes such lovely noises of its own (when drop into S on the DSG) without drowning them, and the soundaktor does grind on you when just moving around in traffic.

Race is always only a second or two away as you state and therein lies the beauty of the car in how you can shape it to your day and mood and not vice versa.

Yes it definitely still gives. 

I know the DCC is adaptive in all modes (also had previous gen on my mk6 GTI), and constantly adjusting to driving style/conditions etc, so am aware of its additional benefits over just softening ride etc in comfort, but even taking that into account, it's still think it would be something I could easily live without. I have driven and been a passenger in a friends non DCC mk7 GTD several times, and know that it's an option that I would not massively miss.  If my budget was restricted it would be the thing I would drop over the other things.  I like a firm suspension. 

I didn't mention economy more through oversight than anything else, lol, but you are quite correct, it doesn't bother me in the slightest.  My average mpg in previous mk6 GTI wasn't great so no great shock that the R is what it is, which is low - varies between 19/20mpg and 23/24mpg depending on time of year (school term traffic versus schools hols traffic here makes a marked difference).  Whilst many do return reasonable mpg figures, IMO, you don't get an R is you are overly concerned with mpg.  And I'm not. 

[Booth11]

Brilliant little update Rebecca!
I'm still not entirely convinced that all the pictures you post are aren't photo shopped. No car can be THAT shiny

Cheek! I can assure they are not photoshopped.   The only editing that takes place is editing out the registration number and the occasional tweak of contrast/light if the conditions have been very sunny, and that's only on the odd few.  I don't believe in posting pics that have been photoshopped to unrealistic proportions, or HDR pics, what's the poin in that? Many of my pics are to demonstrate the finish and quality of detailing products and so they need to be as close to reality as can be. A decent camera and a bit of time to get it right in-camera, makes a lot of difference

So, yes, it really is that shiny.....well not today, but most of the time. 

If you say so

I'm sorry you doubt my word kalimon but I'm not in the habit of telling porkies.

[kalimon]

Brilliant little update Rebecca!
I'm still not entirely convinced that all the pictures you post are aren't photo shopped. No car can be THAT shiny

Cheek! I can assure they are not photoshopped.   The only editing that takes place is editing out the registration number and the occasional tweak of contrast/light if the conditions have been very sunny, and that's only on the odd few.  I don't believe in posting pics that have been photoshopped to unrealistic proportions, or HDR pics, what's the poin in that? Many of my pics are to demonstrate the finish and quality of detailing products and so they need to be as close to reality as can be. A decent camera and a bit of time to get it right in-camera, makes a lot of difference

So, yes, it really is that shiny.....well not today, but most of the time. 

If you say so

I'm sorry you doubt my word kalimon but I'm not in the habit of telling porkies.

I don't,  I was joking
Must have got lost in translation

[Booth11]

I don't,  I was joking
Must have got lost in translation

It did get lost in translation. 

Glad my integrity remains in tact. Phew!

[Hertsman]

Really good one year review Rebecca, and given lived with my GTD for three years and was as impressed with it as when received, not too surprising the R is a car that still gives.

One observation on DCC, is that these version 2 dampers are active in all modes, so as much as you do not select 'comfort' you are getting the benefit of the DCC in all modes regardless.

My colleagues vanilla GTI is definitely a little harder in his normal than the normal with DCC.

But will caveat that by stating that ride is acceptable but definitely firmer (have been the passenger many times, he now has R envy though)

One other observation was you never mentioned economy once which imagine just says you have really embraced the "it is what it is" attitudes

Individual is now my stock mode setting with engine sound on Eco, the R makes such lovely noises of its own (when drop into S on the DSG) without drowning them, and the soundaktor does grind on you when just moving around in traffic.

Race is always only a second or two away as you state and therein lies the beauty of the car in how you can shape it to your day and mood and not vice versa.

Yes it definitely still gives. 

I know the DCC is adaptive in all modes (also had previous gen on my mk6 GTI), and constantly adjusting to driving style/conditions etc, so am aware of its additional benefits over just softening ride etc in comfort, but even taking that into account, it's still think it would be something I could easily live without. I have driven and been a passenger in a friends non DCC mk7 GTD several times, and know that it's an option that I would not massively miss.  If my budget was restricted it would be the thing I would drop over the other things.  I like a firm suspension. 

I didn't mention economy more through oversight than anything else, lol, but you are quite correct, it doesn't bother me in the slightest.  My average mpg in previous mk6 GTI wasn't great so no great shock that the R is what it is, which is low - varies between 19/20mpg and 23/24mpg depending on time of year (school term traffic versus schools hols traffic here makes a marked difference).  Whilst many do return reasonable mpg figures, IMO, you don't get an R is you are overly concerned with mpg.  And I'm not. 

This is where the personal element comes in as other than when driving spiritedly my wish is for a softer ride on the local drive (Been programme of road repairs over last couple of years in my area so not the potted mess it once was)

Came from two S Line on the pure S Line suspension and though once loved that firm ride too, it did actually wear on me the second time around.

So given my penchant now is more for supple ride on the daily moving around its likely where we differ.

23.1 MPG was my last £60 of Momentum (£1.17) which was predominately local runs, so given that and with engine only at 600 miles pretty happy and can still see 30's when runs truly mixed.

But its more curiosity now, as did not bat and eyelid on last fill, just did it and drove off.

[Booth11]

Latest micro mod - fitted the Badgeskins sun visor stickers to cover the garish airbag labels.

Absolutely love them, perfect cover-up for the nasty garish white and yellow airbag stickers - banished at last.  The Badgeskins stickers are nicely subtle and superb quality.  Very easy to fit, I just followed the instructions from their website, making sure the area was thoroughly clean with IPA, I already had some but they include a couple of wipes in the pack.  The badgeskins are supposed to be applied in temps no lower than 15 degrees, so I switched the engine on and heated the car up to about 18 degrees before fitting them.  After much deliberation and sitting in the driver’s seat with the labels temporarily tacked on, I decided to fit the one on the folded side of the visor so that it was the right way from the drivers field of vision.  The right choice.  Few pics...

Sun visor pulled down





Sun visor folded up







Field of vision from driver’s seat







Fitting instuctions http://www.badgeskins.com/how-to---visor-badgeskin-application.html

Badge skins sun visor stickers - correct size for Golf  http://www.badgeskins.com/store/p161/VW_-_12273_-_Visor_warning_label_badgekin_set.html

[Watts]

I was sceptical when you first posted about these but actually they door look very good. Those airbag signs ard annoying but I must say I don't notice them too much? Are they easily removeable do you know?

[Booth11]

I was sceptical when you first posted about these but actually they door look very good. Those airbag signs ard annoying but I must say I don't notice them too much? Are they easily removeable do you know?

They look much better than I was expecting.  I don't know how easy to remove but I should think they would be easy enough with a bit of IPA to loosen.

[Raffe]

I don't know how easy to remove but I should think they would be easy enough with a bit of IPA to loosen.

The chaps on the BMW F30 forum remove the oem stickers by laying a piece of kitchen roll soaked in IPA (not the beer) and then wrapped in cling  film and they seem to lift off easily.

Think the badge skins look bang on though, like the contrast of matt/gloss 

[monkeyhanger]

If those badge skins are a bugger to get off, are there any requirements for the info under them to be visible - e.g. would you fail an MOT with these stickers in place, or are VW just being super-responsible by placing them in the first place?