TCR

[Jim_mk7.5]

I think it patently obvious anyone with a CSS wouldn’t swap it for anything else in the Golf range full stop. The only exceptions I can quickly think of are a sudden change in circumstances requiring more seating or a finance deal finishing on the CSS. Even the latter I’d think you’d find a way around it to keep the car.

Maybe swapping a regular 265PS CS40 for a TCR once the warranty is up on the former and/or a PCP deal coming to an end, or maybe a requirement for DSG if you have a manual Ed40. Something along those lines.
A CSS is a very different beast. Incomparable to any other Golf despite sharing a lot of components.

The TCR has a purpose of its own. As above, it offers more than a regular GTI but isn’t an R.
Many people, self included, love the understated looks, all round utter competence and sheer blistering speed of the R, but there will always be others that want a bit more driver involvement and less conservative looks with similar performance. The basic ingredients are there in the VAG parts bin and for what it is I think VW have done a great job with the TCR.

Having seen one in the flesh at Exeter VW recently sporting all the signature bits (pure grey, Reifnitz, decals) I think it actually looks better in the flesh than in any photo, as does the CS40.

A CSS it ain’t. It’s just different.

Agreed. That’s the thing about the Mk7; there’s a performance Golf for every occasion. Tbh I probably have a CS over a TCR just because it’s an anniversary model but the TCR does fill a gap and will undoubtedly be brilliant. Think I’d be afraid to put miles on a CSS!

Anyone afraid to put miles on has bought a car for the wrong reasons. The CSS is a hardcore Golf not a work of art.

With all respect to the OP, his views seem a bit dimwitted. Every review of the TCR says it’s no more than a GTI P with extra power, slightly harder ride and a  body kit and not a track special. So why would you have any expectations that it might be a CSS rival?

Yeah I'm with you, cars are there to be driven. Enjoy them 

Even the very special stuff. Had a mate who bought a 458 Speciale new back in 2015 with his brother. Covered 7k in 7 months on track days, driving tours and generally just using it. Went up £85k in value in that period. 

[candy turbo]

i did nt say it was a css rival , its not by a country mile , i just thought after all the good reviews ive read it would be “ special “ golf but in the flesh imo its looks so wrong , like a nice gti has gone to halfords for its styling

[BobbyT]

It's a runout which pays homage to the TCR racing cars, I guess they have to add some styling cues. They won't be to everyone's taste.

I don't mind the styling but then again I do like a wing or two   

[king monkey]

I think it patently obvious anyone with a CSS wouldn’t swap it for anything else in the Golf range full stop. The only exceptions I can quickly think of are a sudden change in circumstances requiring more seating or a finance deal finishing on the CSS. Even the latter I’d think you’d find a way around it to keep the car.

Maybe swapping a regular 265PS CS40 for a TCR once the warranty is up on the former and/or a PCP deal coming to an end, or maybe a requirement for DSG if you have a manual Ed40. Something along those lines.
A CSS is a very different beast. Incomparable to any other Golf despite sharing a lot of components.

The TCR has a purpose of its own. As above, it offers more than a regular GTI but isn’t an R.
Many people, self included, love the understated looks, all round utter competence and sheer blistering speed of the R, but there will always be others that want a bit more driver involvement and less conservative looks with similar performance. The basic ingredients are there in the VAG parts bin and for what it is I think VW have done a great job with the TCR.

Having seen one in the flesh at Exeter VW recently sporting all the signature bits (pure grey, Reifnitz, decals) I think it actually looks better in the flesh than in any photo, as does the CS40.

A CSS it ain’t. It’s just different.

Agreed. That’s the thing about the Mk7; there’s a performance Golf for every occasion. Tbh I probably have a CS over a TCR just because it’s an anniversary model but the TCR does fill a gap and will undoubtedly be brilliant. Think I’d be afraid to put miles on a CSS!

Anyone afraid to put miles on has bought a car for the wrong reasons. The CSS is a hardcore Golf not a work of art.

With all respect to the OP, his views seem a bit dimwitted. Every review of the TCR says it’s no more than a GTI P with extra power, slightly harder ride and a  body kit and not a track special. So why would you have any expectations that it might be a CSS rival?

Yeah I'm with you, cars are there to be driven. Enjoy them 

Even the very special stuff. Had a mate who bought a 458 Speciale new back in 2015 with his brother. Covered 7k in 7 months on track days, driving tours and generally just using it. Went up £85k in value in that period. 

Well, you won’t change my mind. I like to not drive my R at all. Just wash it then pop it back in the gallery space I’ve created for it. 

On a serious note, £85k increase is crazy. I can remember people buying CSS and saying that it would increase in value. I presume that didn’t happen? Not sure how their value is holding up. I’d love to have a go in one!

[Yusee]

The CSS is one of the worst hot hatches ever made.
You can’t take your kids to school in it. Useless thing.
By all accounts it’s a brilliant sports car though.
Sounds like it was a bit of a bargain too. I’d buy one for 34k if I was in the market for a sports car.

As for the TCR, it hasn’t been helped by its badge.
I may have considered one, but it’s looking very pricey next to a discounted PP.
And no manual box- for that reason alone, i’m out.

[AGB]

Even the very special stuff. Had a mate who bought a 458 Speciale new back in 2015 with his brother. Covered 7k in 7 months on track days, driving tours and generally just using it. Went up £85k in value in that period. 

The problem with limited numbers cars is that people are terrified to drive them when they appreciate for fear of writing off their value so kudos to your mate and his brother for driving it and taking it on track. I don't remember the last time I saw a road going Ferrari at a track day, they're always dominated by GT Porsches.

The true cost of getting an allocation for a Speciale is measured over a longer term relationship with a dealer. I doubt that many owners buying at list made much of a profit when you calculate the depreciation against the number of cars required to get a Speciale allocation.

[AGB]

seen a tcr in a dealers today ..... i DONT like the seats , side skirts , rear diffuser , side decals
ill keep my clubsport S any day

I thought there were elements of the car that were a bit Halfords / Civic Type R - the side decals are way too loud and they're a poor piece of design, totally agree and the price of them is also laughable. The rear diffuser is also a bit excessive but with the car in pure grey with black Reifnitz wheels, it doesn't look as obvious, it's when you look down at it from a rear three quarter angle, you see how much more pronounced it is than the CSS. You don't see it unless you're looking at it and I imagine this applies moreso to a black car. Feel the roof line is bit apologetic, they should have retained a wing like the CSS but then they're offering those horrible Oettinger Race Flaps which look like they were stolen from the Civic Type R parts bin.

I wasn't keen on the seats either and hoped they would have used the Recaros from the CSS (if you're going to draw a line to a race car...) but the colour pattern has grown on me.

Pure Grey paint looks exceptional on the car and while I know it was used on a Transporter first, doesn't detract from what a lovely colour it is combined with the red GTI design elements and black trim.

Dynamically, it never tried to be the CSS and I think it's only journalists who are making the comparison as the CSS is the GTI gold standard and nearly comparable from a power output perspective. Owning both, I can tell you that the TCR doesn't hold a torch to a CSS. But that would be like complaining that the CSS isn't a practical car for a family.

[AGB]

Well, you won’t change my mind. I like to not drive my R at all. Just wash it then pop it back in the gallery space I’ve created for it. 

On a serious note, £85k increase is crazy. I can remember people buying CSS and saying that it would increase in value. I presume that didn’t happen? Not sure how their value is holding up. I’d love to have a go in one!

You drive your car? How strange!

The Speciale is one of the finest modern Ferraris and will continue to appreciate and appeals to collectors and drivers so I understand what drives the valuation. But if you want to talk crazy... Porsche produced a special edition 911, it was basically a 997 series Carrera S that the Exclusive Manufaktur (Porsche's customisation department) went to town on - a Sport Classic. I saw it in photographs and it looked alright but then I saw one in the metal and was blown away by how well made it was and just how much attention to detail and consideration went into the design. Beautiful. Dynamically, it was still one up from the bottom of the 911 range in terms of performance but they only made 250 cars. Car new, circa £130k. There is a delivery miles example up for sale at £399k. A 7 year old car. I know the owner and he sold the car to the dealer for £300k and they initially had it up for £495k!

[Jim_mk7.5]

Well, you won’t change my mind. I like to not drive my R at all. Just wash it then pop it back in the gallery space I’ve created for it. 

On a serious note, £85k increase is crazy. I can remember people buying CSS and saying that it would increase in value. I presume that didn’t happen? Not sure how their value is holding up. I’d love to have a go in one!

You drive your car? How strange!

The Speciale is one of the finest modern Ferraris and will continue to appreciate and appeals to collectors and drivers so I understand what drives the valuation. But if you want to talk crazy... Porsche produced a special edition 911, it was basically a 997 series Carrera S that the Exclusive Manufaktur (Porsche's customisation department) went to town on - a Sport Classic. I saw it in photographs and it looked alright but then I saw one in the metal and was blown away by how well made it was and just how much attention to detail and consideration went into the design. Beautiful. Dynamically, it was still one up from the bottom of the 911 range in terms of performance but they only made 250 cars. Car new, circa £130k. There is a delivery miles example up for sale at £399k. A 7 year old car. I know the owner and he sold the car to the dealer for £300k and they initially had it up for £495k!

Remember reading the evo review of the Sport Classic, when it was released. A luxurious Carrera with everything clad in leather. But prices went and are mental. Seen a few of AT over the years and just gone mad now.

The Speciale was incredible. Went with them to pick it up.



Unfortunately, it got written off after 7 months hence I know how the value increased by £85k in that period..   

[dubber36]

Unfortunately, it got written off after 7 months hence I know how the value increased by £85k in that period..   

Hmmm, crash for cash