Who has owned a 7.5R and CS ED40?

[golf nutter]

I am going round in circles, back and forth as to whether to get a 7.5R or an ED40...advice/review/thoughts about the two would be really good from owners. Thanks.

[king monkey]

You need to read this. Great stuff from Exonian.

http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=280393.0

[kmpowell]

IMO

7.5R - Facelift tech (LED lights, Digital Dash, MIB3), if DSG then the infinity better 7SP box, 18's look sh!t, very competent to drive, but lacks any sort of driver involvement, poor residuals, iffy driver image and rep' due to the cheap leases which flood the market.

ED40 - Pre facelift tech (Xenon lights, Analogue dash, MIB2), if DSG then the infinity worse 6SP box, 18's look great, great driver involvement, good to drive, hard to find one with good spec (DCC, Buckets, Dynaudio).

I considered both, and very nearly bought a ED40, but ended up with a new 245 instead.

[king monkey]

IMO

7.5R - Facelift tech (LED lights, Digital Dash, MIB3), if DSG then the infinity better 7SP box, 18's look sh!t, very competent to drive, but lacks any sort of driver involvement, poor residuals, iffy driver image and rep' due to the cheap leases which flood the market.

ED40 - Pre facelift tech (Xenon lights, Analogue dash, MIB2), if DSG then the infinity worse 6SP box, 18's look great, great driver involvement, good to drive, hard to find one with good spec (DCC, Buckets, Dynaudio).


I considered both, and very nearly bought a ED40, but ended up with a new 245 instead.

‘Iffy driver image’. Thanks mate. Even though you’re right, that hurt. 

[Exonian]

You need to read this. Great stuff from Exonian.

http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=280393.0

Oh god, that thread! 


golf nutter, how do you drive? And what do you want from the car?
Both are fantastic for what they are.

Clubsport has the looks, sense of occasion and rarity from a Golf enthusiast corner. It might look a bit contrived to an average passer by but who cares. Mine gets loads of compliments and questions, nobody has a clue what it is or means compared to a regular GTI.
Behind the wheel? Both have the same engine so both have lots of get up and go if you’re in the right gear.
Handling, one feels solid and secure at all times (subject to tyres) and one feels like a FWD hatchback one moment and a mid engined sports car the next when you load the diff up.
Both can bog down on launch like any other car so even an R can be embarrassed by a fast Diesel. Get it right though and the R will romp away.

Image? A Golf is a Golf! The CS40 has more kudos in enthusiast circles arguably but the R is the car known for bringing affordable 300PS performance and security to the masses (conveniently ignoring old Scoobies) so always in demand and very popular. R’s will have a much more varied breadth of owners where an Ed40 is an enthusiast special. Less capable but more involving possibly. For such similar cars they are quite different in feel, it’s been two and a half years since I was last in an R but I have nothing but praise for it and very fond memories. That says a lot as I’m normally quite blasé about cars.

The R rides a bit better from memory. Not much in it but the FWD Golfs can feel sharp ridges more in my experience. The CS springs feel a bit harsher than the standard GTI and R but that could be my imagination(?)
I’ve never tried DCC. Some wouldn’t be without it, I would’nt be with it. Neither car needs it in my opinion.

The CS40 has no fancy LED ambient lighting.
I don’t like the AID much in the 7.5 unlike the new Polo GTI which is better. The mk8 should be leagues ahead there. The original 7R’s had beautiful dials.

Bucket seats? Probably a deal clincher to most enthusiasts but mine doesn’t have them. I really like the standard seats though so it’s 50/50 with the R but the CS seats look nicer to my eyes.

I could go on for hours.

Toss a coin for it. You’d love both.

[king monkey]

One of my favourite threads that Exonian. I was trying to get hold of a CS at the time but it never quite happened. Always surprises me how different the variations of performance Golf actually are. The gti pp and CS are as different as the CS and the R. As Exonian says, the CS does ooze that sense of occasion that other Golfs don’t. I’ve been lucky enough to drive 3. Brilliant car which makes you feel special. The R is also great and a major improvement over my S3. Whichever one you choose you’ll be very happy!

[trueblue_ips]

One of my favourite threads that Exonian. I was trying to get hold of a CS at the time but it never quite happened. Always surprises me how different the variations of performance Golf actually are. The gti pp and CS are as different as the CS and the R. As Exonian says, the CS does ooze that sense of occasion that other Golfs don’t. I’ve been lucky enough to drive 3. Brilliant car which makes you feel special. The R is also great and a major improvement over my S3. Whichever one you choose you’ll be very happy!

Sorry for hijacking but why do you feel the R is an improvement on the S3 @kingmonkey? I'm waiting on delivery of an R but have not spoken to anyone who's driven both.

[king monkey]

One of my favourite threads that Exonian. I was trying to get hold of a CS at the time but it never quite happened. Always surprises me how different the variations of performance Golf actually are. The gti pp and CS are as different as the CS and the R. As Exonian says, the CS does ooze that sense of occasion that other Golfs don’t. I’ve been lucky enough to drive 3. Brilliant car which makes you feel special. The R is also great and a major improvement over my S3. Whichever one you choose you’ll be very happy!

Sorry for hijacking but why do you feel the R is an improvement on the S3 @kingmonkey? I'm waiting on delivery of an R but have not spoken to anyone who's driven both.

Had the S3 for 3.5 years. It’s a great car despite what some say.

Firstly, the R just feels so much more urgent. It feels like a far more focused car compared to the Audi. The R feels like it’s ‘on’ whereas the S3 was more like a motorway cruiser at times. The ride in the R is far better. Mine is on 19s without DCC and feels so much smoother than the S3 on 18s. The S3 has a habit of wallowing a bit. Even my wife commented on it and she really has no interest in cars. The S3 was like driving whilst sat on top of a barstool.

The interior of the Audi is better. I know people will disagree but the switches even feel higher quality in the Audi. For example, the window switches are big and chunky in the Audi compared to the R. But, Audi do use some cheap plastics too. There was a bit where I use to rest my leg which really annoyed me in the Audi. Having said that, I prefer the interior of the R. Tech is miles better and more user friendly. This is where the Audi felt really dated. The seats in the Audi didn’t hold you very well. Very flat, even the supersports seats.

Finally, I just prefer the VW brand. Not a massive fan of the Audi badge. I got so much hassle from people whilst driving it. In the R I’ve had loads of friendly chats with people etc. I’d take any performance Golf over the S3.

[golf nutter]

Thanks for the link to Exonian's write...somehow my search criteria didn't pick it up.  Very informative.

I would consider myself as an enthusiast with a past history of tin top Mk1 GTi, Mk1 GTi sportline (very rare) cabriolet, tuned VR6, Mk4 GT TDi 130, Mk5 GTi.  Being in my mid 40's I am not going to be racing about but want something that is fun to drive.

I initially had an R on my list due to the Haldex which is usable all year round, but it was their ubiquity and really poor residuals that has put me off.  Great car no doubt and good prices but as mentioned, the lease deals ruined it for owners in the long term.

The daft boost feature on the ED40 i would want to get remapped and release the full 300ps.  I love the way the CS40 looks...very special.  I need a car for a daily so DSG is a necessity, but again there are specific specs that I would want such as those lovely buckets, but that ramps up the price and there are very few with them fitted.  DCC?  not sure about that...would have to try it really.  I think i am probably talking myself into a ED40 when the time comes.   

[rwleigh]

I think i am probably talking myself into a ED40 when the time comes.   

You know it makes sense if you're a Golf enthusiast...