Golf R 3 door/5 door speculation/information thread

[Baxter]

it's still beyond me about why you guys think that since they have KEPT THE SAME spec in those countries for the release of the R means that they will CHANGE THE SPEC for Australia is beyond me!!

..............the R may end up with only about a $10,000 premium over the GTI. That would mean a 3dr manual Golf R would be $48,990 +

I'd suggest people are making those comments because you said previously that the R possibly could be had for high 40's... and to see that price point, it is fairly safe to say this thing will NOT be specced like the R32.

[Corey_R]

Nah - the topic of cloth seats in Australia came up way before I mentioned that price information. It's just now come up yet again by new members of this forum who weren't around for the first time around (or 2nd or 3rd )

Btw, the VW person who suggested that price above, also said it'd still have leather as VW Australia are very aware of the market expectations from such a car...

In the end, we just have to wait for the official specs and price release. I'm just sick of people saying "we'll have this cause they have that", even though the same situation existed in the past with the R32

[Pauly]

I think people are expecting kit to be removed from the car, if VW are expecting to make the Golf R cheaper then the R32.

So the best way to cut the price down, is to remove the expensive items, and leather is a big part of that.

Remember VW Australia DID NOT reduce the price on the GTI, but they included abit more kit as standard, like the touch screen audio unit.

Looks I suppose its still 5 months away from being released, alot of other news will come out in the mean time.

Heres hoping over the next 5 months we can get some confirmation from VW Australia if the Scirocco R will come to Australia.

[dave_r]

IFAustralians just expect leather in a '$60k+ hatchback' (which is what the R32 is on the roads).

I don't care about other people but I expect it in a 60k car and have ordered the car on this basis.

But all this banter about what is and isn't standard is pointless. Until they release the official spec, anything said can be interpreted to mean something else or many assumptions made. I'm still wondering where the Feb release of pricing/spec is.

[Corey_R]

Feb release? Why would they release the specs and price in Feb for a car not due to May/June/July?

[Tim]

Feb release? Why would they release the specs and price in Feb for a car not due to May/June/July?

So they can pre-sell the innitial stock!

[pologti18t]

There is a 3 way comparison between the R, Megane 250 and the Focus RS in this month's Wheels.

[Corey_R]

So they can pre-sell the innitial stock!

Well... they had no trouble selling the initial stock of GTI's when they only announced the prices and spec two weeks before its release - so since us customers were too eager and willing with that, what reason have they got to change?! hehe

[WhiteJames]

The three way Megane -v- Focus -v- R test is basically a cut'n'paste job from UK CAR mag with a few words changed. Weight of R looks to be @ 90kg heavier than the GTI. Given most of the weight comes off the front compared to the R32, should make the R a better drive than the front heavy & heavier R32. I think a better comparison to the R would the std Megane Sport without the LSD or Cup suspension. Megane Cup LSD & esp Focus RS just too hard core for 80-90% of the time. It may be unlikely that corporate pricing is available on the initial batch of R vehicles. Additionally, its great that the R has an additional pump for the haldex system to push drive to the rear prior to any actual slip, longer term: will this pump be reliable? Could there be issues similar to the fuel surge/cam follower/fuel pump on the chipped MKV GTI? This haldex system seems more complex again over the older type haldex in the R32.

Cheers
WJ

[pologti18t]

I think a better comparison to the R would the std Megane Sport without the LSD or Cup suspension. Megane Cup LSD & esp Focus RS just too hard core for 80-90% of the time.

LOL... how many parameters would you like to change to improve the result for the Golf R

[WhiteJames]

^Valid point. Important to note that Megane Cup LSD/Focus RS are aimed at the pointy end of the enthusiast spectrum. Golf R, if a bit dull, like most VW products these days, is not aiming to be so hard core.

Found another review that appears objective. I become worried when I hear all good or all bad of a product. This outlines plusses and minuses of the Golf R.

http://cars.uk.msn.com/reviews/articles.aspx?cp-documentid=152178553

Conundrum of whether the Golf R's premium pricing is justified over the GTI has not been solved completely. As I suspect, when pushed consistently into the higher rev range, I expect the Golf R to use a good deal more fuel than the GTI. Have to keep that cylinder temperature cool with plenty of fuel on the Golf R with the big turbo and all. Another issue for me to consider is the ride of the Golf R. I found the Mark 6 GTI fabulous in ride/handling mix. Not perfect in terms of damping, requiring some extra rebound & compression on some roadways ... ACC should go far to fixing this. The Golf R on the other hand, is stated to ride 'firm' (esp with 19" wheels). If its firm in the U.K. It's definitely gonna be firm down here in Aus. Having said that, don't think the Golf R will be anyting like a Bilstein PSS10 or KW V3 in terms of firmness.

Cheers.
WJ

[G-rig]

LOL... how many parameters would you like to change to improve the result for the Golf R

For those thinking it's too refined, a retune, coilovers and exhaust would top it off nicely then it would be better than the others anyway whilst having the luxuries you expect. Stock for stock is a bit of a useless debate as these cars are detuned for AUS.

Does ACC dull the ride softer than standard or increase firmness, never really looked into it. Still doesn't improve wheel gap/cosmetics like aftermarket solutions.

What have you decided today WJ? I know what it's like .

[Baxter]

Still doesn't improve wheel gap/cosmetics like aftermarket solutions.

Agreed there.

Something to think about

[G-rig]

Here is a photoshop ZZ2 did with the OZ Ultras (had them on my MK5) which would suit it too a tee, with more straight lines on the MK6. Would buy those wheels again fairly quickly (or the Superturismos). Most of the factory options are just pissing money away and not sure if ACC is a gimmick or not. Dont mind the stock Talladega's but not 100% convinced - good because they are something new.

Shown at standard height:

[G-rig]

Some more options: