GTI vs R running/maintenance costs

[candywhite12]

Been a proud owner of the GTI mk6 for 7 years (DSG), sold it and now looking to get an R (also DSG).  Doing around 15k miles/year.  Any help with how the 2 compare maintenance-wise would be great.

[Gaz W]

No difference, only exception being Haldex service due every 40k miles on Golf R due to 4MOTION.

Service schedule/pricing/regime otherwise is exactly the same!

Brake/tyre wear is going to be much the same it all comes down to driving style, use of the car etc rather than one being more expensive than the other!

[Finglonga]

Apart from above, Fuel is the biggest, the R requires Super, the GTI doesn't.

[candywhite12]

No difference, only exception being Haldex service due every 40k miles on Golf R due to 4MOTION.

Service schedule/pricing/regime otherwise is exactly the same!

Brake/tyre wear is going to be much the same it all comes down to driving style, use of the car etc rather than one being more expensive than the other!

haldex service has to do with 4motion then, i take it the R will still need the dsg service as well?

[Gaz W]

No difference, only exception being Haldex service due every 40k miles on Golf R due to 4MOTION.

Service schedule/pricing/regime otherwise is exactly the same!

Brake/tyre wear is going to be much the same it all comes down to driving style, use of the car etc rather than one being more expensive than the other!

haldex service has to do with 4motion then, i take it the R will still need the dsg service as well?

Correct yes only the R has 4MOTION so requires haldex service, GTI does not have a haldex so is not serviceable, however worth noting I didn't mention previously he GTI performance has a differential which is serviceable (every 3 years) and is in some respects similar to a haldex system.

There are a number of variants of DSG gearbox e.g. 6SP/7SP and yes some require servicing both on R and GTI. 7SP generally are filled for life and not serviceable, majority of 6SP are serviceable interval is every 40K miles however there are a couple of exceptions where 6SP are filled for life and not serviceable so worth checking your gearbox code with local dealer.

[Booth11]

I came from a mk6 GTI to a 7R.  Fuel is the main regular difference in cost, and I used 98/99 RON in the mk6 too so make a fair comparison.  Overall, over the same journeys, the R returns about about 4-5mpg less than the GTI did over the long term. Had it 2 years nearly.

[Bullfinch]

What's the difference in insurance costs between the two (UK market)?  I assume the R is in a much higher insurance group than the GTi.  Also what about VED (car tax)?  Is the R is one of the uber-expensive groups £500 per year?

[brettblade]

What's the difference in insurance costs between the two (UK market)?  I assume the R is in a much higher insurance group than the GTi.  Also what about VED (car tax)?  Is the R is one of the uber-expensive groups £500 per year?

It may be in a higher insurance group, but I found the real world difference only to be £20-30 for me.  Interestingly, the GTI, R and S3 were all much of a muchness with only £60 or so separating the cheapest from the most expensive while the Leon Cupra was about £350 more!

[SRGTD]

What's the difference in insurance costs between the two (UK market)?  I assume the R is in a much higher insurance group than the GTi.  Also what about VED (car tax)?  Is the R is one of the uber-expensive groups £500 per year?

Insurance groups; from Parkers - http://www.parkers.co.uk/car-insurance/insurance-groups/
Golf R; group 34. GTI (performance pack and non performance pack models); group 29

Insurers use so many factors in calculating premiums these days, the difference in insurance groups isn't really an indication of any likely difference in premium. To see what the difference is in £'s terms, suggest you get a quote for both the GTI and R.

The VED for the R depends on the CO2 emissions and the manufacturers list price (not the price you pay after discounts) of the car including options (CO2 figures below for VW brochure).

If list price is £40k or less;
Manual gearbox (CO2 180 g/km); first year £800, subsequent years; standard rate of £140 per year.
DSG gearbox (CO2 160 g/km); first year £500, subsequent years; standard rate of £140 per year.

If the list price is over £40k; the VED in the first 5 years the standard rate is paid (so years 2-6) increases by 310 per year.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/vehicle-excise-duty/vehicle-excise-duty

[vidman2]

When I moved from a M& GTipp to my R my insurance went up by £10 pa but MPG went down by 4mpg on same type of journeys.  Much prefer the R for its planted feeling and its get up and go.

Servicing costs were the same for a 3 year package.