Author Topic: Just back from test driving R and Gti PP  (Read 19104 times)

Offline mcmaddy

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Re: Just back from test driving R and Gti PP
« Reply #10 on: 17 September 2016, 17:12 »
Hawaii 5-O - I need a five door and the only other car I've looked at is the s3

Joe - your right with that, same size rim as R but the tyre is slightly stretched on the gti. Good spot fella cheers
TCR, Pure Grey, DCC, Dynaudio and Climate Screen.

Offline Hawaii-Five-O

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Re: Just back from test driving R and Gti PP
« Reply #11 on: 17 September 2016, 17:43 »
Hawaii 5-O - I need a five door and the only other car I've looked at is the s3

I've ordered a five door. It's the 2 series coupe that's only two door. But anyway. What d'ya make of the S3? Better interior surely? But the downside is that you have to spec loads of extras to bring it close to GTD/GTI/R spec. Also discounts not as generous at VW.
Current: BMW M140i / ZF8 / 5 DR
Past: MK7 GTI / DSG / WHITE / 5 DR

Offline mcmaddy

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Re: Just back from test driving R and Gti PP
« Reply #12 on: 17 September 2016, 18:25 »
Didn't actually drive the s3 but I thought it looked too clinical inside for some reason. The spec is about the same with the addition of magnetic ride and 19s as standard, it also has the 7 speed S tronic too. Discounts are very low compared to the R so it puts it just out of reach really. I might have a look at the 140i though.
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Offline monkeyhanger

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Re: Just back from test driving R and Gti PP
« Reply #13 on: 17 September 2016, 20:34 »
Didn't actually drive the s3 but I thought it looked too clinical inside for some reason. The spec is about the same with the addition of magnetic ride and 19s as standard, it also has the 7 speed S tronic too. Discounts are very low compared to the R so it puts it just out of reach really. I might have a look at the 140i though.

I'm in an A3 saloon right now (courtesy car for the wife's A1 - too big for her so she's driving the R) - it's a very late 16 reg, don't think it is facelifted. The rear view mirror is a tiny bit smaller than the golf one, with a very thin bevel and very slim auto dimming button (which I like). I also like the layout of the climate control more on that than the Golf.

Not a fan of the pop-up screen - why hide it away when the car is switched off when you really need it while driving? Just have it set in a place permanently like the Golf's is - I do prefer the MMI navigational toggle button though - I find the touch screen of the Golf a bit clumsy sometimes.

Steering wheel is comparable, but prefer the Golf's button layout on the steering wheel, aside the sides of the central console, the door card and dash materials are comparable (different style of vents - round ones) and the A3 seats are less comfy. auto lights switchgear is much smaller and tidier on the A3.

The looks of the 1 series would always put it out of contention for me.
« Last Edit: 17 September 2016, 21:27 by monkeyhanger »
Whey ya bugger! It's finally arrived after an 8 month wait....
MK7 R 5 door, manual, Lapiz Blue, Prets.

Offline Exonian

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Re: Just back from test driving R and Gti PP
« Reply #14 on: 17 September 2016, 21:53 »
The GTI Santiagos are 7.5 inch wide and run a 225 section tyre and the R Pretoria runs 8.0 width and 235 tyres.
The Prets are lighter though and maybe that affects the ride.
I had both 18 and 19 inch wheels on both my R and GTI at various times. There's little difference between the two cars in ride quality when wearing the same size wheels and tyres but the chassis feels different in both cars.
I'd not call the GTI wheezy by any means and it should be significantly better on fuel so maybe there was something wrong with the test car.

I really don't see how a GTI CS would be a better long term investment than a regular GTI PP when the latter can be bought with massive incentives.
The CSS is a whole different kettle of fish but the regular CS is just Golf Cupra like the last two generations of birthday editions. Yep, they'll be worth more in the right spec than a PP but the whole cost of ownership should be way less with a PP. The second hand market might tell a different story but unless you can get a cracking deal on a CS then buying new means you buy a CS for what it is, not as a better investment.

Anyway, if you're even considering an R over a GTI then you'll end up either with the R or wishing you bought the R a few months later.
Those that don't want an R will likely not even consider one as they have different requirements when buying. There's quite a wide spectrum of sporty Golfs really and it's quite hard to choose between models even before you cast your net wider.
‘25 8.5R, ‘23 8R, ‘20 8CS, ‘19 135iX, ‘19 TCR, ‘17 Ed40, ‘17 GTD, ‘15 7R, ‘13 GTI PP, ‘11 GTI, ‘09 GTI, ‘98 Ibiza Cupra, ‘05 GTI, ‘06 Polo GTI, ‘04 GT TDI, ‘05 Fabia vRS, ‘02 GTI T, ‘03 Ibiza TDI 130, ‘01 Leon 180, ‘89 mk2 16v, ‘99 Ibiza TDI, ‘96 VR6, ‘98 Ibiza TDI, ‘92 VR6, ‘88 mk2 8v, ‘92 Polo G40, ‘91 mk2 8v, ‘89 mk2 8v, 205 GTI 1.9, ‘83 mk1 GTI, ‘80 Scirocco GTI, plus some others I’ve forgotten 

Offline p3asa

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Re: Just back from test driving R and Gti PP
« Reply #15 on: 17 September 2016, 22:25 »
Been out this morning to test drive an R and a Gti PP. Must say I was quite disappointed with the gti. The ride felt very very choppy against the R and they both had 19" wheels on. R felt a lot smoother to drive than the gti and the gti felt a bit wheezy which I suppose it would considering its 70bhp down on the R. The biggest surprise was that on exactly the same test route I got 33mpg out of the R and 30 out of the gti!! I've now got an even bigger dilemma than I had before I went  :whistle:


When I test drove an R recently with 19s I was convinced it had DCC as it was so smooth.
Turns out it was just a regular R so maybe there's something in the tyre sizes as has been suggested.
I was certainly expecting a rougher ride being used to 18s but it was the opposite.
HIS: R 5dr DSG Lapiz: Tech Pack: Keyless: 90% Tints: Pretorias: Rear View Camera
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Jackie Treehorn

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Re: Just back from test driving R and Gti PP
« Reply #16 on: 18 September 2016, 05:25 »
As Exonian says, if you are considering the R, i would get it as it may be the right time for you while the prices are good.  I think the test GTI car wasn't right as rough, choppy and lower MPG all seem at odds with the spec and proper reviews (not owner reviews) and with only 22lbft less torque it does seem odd to be so wheezy.  But based on your reviews (which is the important part) its a no brainer providing the numbers make sense...
« Last Edit: 18 September 2016, 05:30 by Jackie Treehorn »

Offline monkeyhanger

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Re: Just back from test driving R and Gti PP
« Reply #17 on: 18 September 2016, 13:52 »
As Exonian says, if you are considering the R, i would get it as it may be the right time for you while the prices are good.  I think the test GTI car wasn't right as rough, choppy and lower MPG all seem at odds with the spec and proper reviews (not owner reviews) and with only 22lbft less torque it does seem odd to be so wheezy.  But based on your reviews (which is the important part) its a no brainer providing the numbers make sense...

Definitely agree with the above...

Chris, go get the R, and try not to wince every time you fill it!  :grin:

There's nothing so expensive when it comes to the cars as chopping it in very prematurely and losing a lot on it (usually being in negative equity if PCPing) because you wish you'd got the next one up in the first place, buy the right car and keep it longer.

At least with the R, you know there's no Golf above it (excluding the rare as rocking-horse sh!te CSS with next to nothing off it), the modest 10ps gain of the facelift is probably going to come on the back of a higher RRP and less in the way of incentives.

Car tax changes next year will see a manual R cost £500 at point of sale plus £140 a year if it's registered after the start of April 2017, vs £185 a year for as long as you have it.
Whey ya bugger! It's finally arrived after an 8 month wait....
MK7 R 5 door, manual, Lapiz Blue, Prets.

Offline mcmaddy

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Re: Just back from test driving R and Gti PP
« Reply #18 on: 18 September 2016, 19:39 »
Been out in a work colleagues gti today and was 100% better than yesterday. Lovely smooth ride like the R and also 44mpg.
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Offline Exonian

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Re: Just back from test driving R and Gti PP
« Reply #19 on: 18 September 2016, 20:18 »
Been out in a work colleagues gti today and was 100% better than yesterday. Lovely smooth ride like the R and also 44mpg.
Did the first GTI have zero miles on the clock by any chance? Transport blocks possibly left in place.
‘25 8.5R, ‘23 8R, ‘20 8CS, ‘19 135iX, ‘19 TCR, ‘17 Ed40, ‘17 GTD, ‘15 7R, ‘13 GTI PP, ‘11 GTI, ‘09 GTI, ‘98 Ibiza Cupra, ‘05 GTI, ‘06 Polo GTI, ‘04 GT TDI, ‘05 Fabia vRS, ‘02 GTI T, ‘03 Ibiza TDI 130, ‘01 Leon 180, ‘89 mk2 16v, ‘99 Ibiza TDI, ‘96 VR6, ‘98 Ibiza TDI, ‘92 VR6, ‘88 mk2 8v, ‘92 Polo G40, ‘91 mk2 8v, ‘89 mk2 8v, 205 GTI 1.9, ‘83 mk1 GTI, ‘80 Scirocco GTI, plus some others I’ve forgotten