Golf R 3 door/5 door speculation/information thread

[G-rig]

Yeah - it's the official VW Golf R vs Scirocco R that was released (and posted here) on September 21 last year.

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[ENERG1]

3 or 5 dr?

Black does look pretty good, wouldn't stand out as much as blue.

5 dr mate as i already have a 5 dr black gti

Love Black for a colour its a great looking car so i don't mine cleaning it

[WhiteJames]

This last review I posted seems to confer with the comments made by the Top Gear Aus review of the Golf R re fuel economy:

http://www.motoringresearch.com/volkswagen-golf-r/

Less enjoyable aspects of this particular Golf R model include the ride, which is rather firm, and the fuel economy.

and

In practice, however, you will find it drinks fuel far more quickly than that suggests.

Past reviews of the GTI indicate that you can have your cake and eat it too with economy not becoming copious when asked to breath a bit deeper. Another thing that conerns me with the Golf R is the ride. Maybe I'm getting on in age, but I'm looking for the comfort/sports HPA KW SHS type of ride in my next ride. In this respect, even the Golf R may be a bit too hard core. A peaky motor may not help for ease of driving, definitely not fuel economy from UK reviews.

Diesel GTD is too boring with a narrow rev range for a truly good drive, not to mention waiting time at the bowser.

Auto Weekly's short and sharp review of the Golf R have them suggesting the DSG over the manual. The manual gate is still too long for a sporting drive. Short shifters can blunty the notchiness of the shift action, having driven a few in the past. After driving the GTI DSG and GTI Man back to back, I opted for the DSG over the manual, when manual was originally my first choice. Stiffer front springs (butt-0-meter) on the DSG over the manual and the electronic throttle on the manual was a let down. Auto Weekly seem to confer on the manual tranny.

Spoke to my dealer re: Golf R. No word yet. Seems to think Golf R with leather will be around the price of the outgoing R32; no suprise. No VIN number either for my ordered GTI.

Volkswagen had several MK6 GTI's in town prior to release, probably the same thing with the Golf R. Motor mags required a couple of months lead time to correspond reviews with release dates, not to mention ADR compliance.

Cheers.
WJ

[Corey_R]

I still think that the fuel economy will be a non-issue. It can't be any worse than the S3 or TT-S which shares the same drive train and similar weights.
I think that if it wasn't for the fact that the MK6 GTI's updated motor is such an improvement over the MKV's motor (which is what the basis for the R's motor is), then no one would bother mentioning it. I mean, no one has complained about the fuel consumption of the S3 or TT-S - so what gives?!

(lol yes... someone now go and pull up a review where someone has complained about the fuel consumption in the S3 or TT-S ).

As for the ride - just don't option the 19" wheels and save yourself ~$1500. As a few of the articles suggest. Or even better, put that $1500 into the Dynamic Chassis Control!

[WhiteJames]

^ Considered this. 20% stiffer springs of the Golf R is quite a jump over the GTI, depsite the 130kg weight penalty of the Golf R, which will soak up some of the spring rate. Even with ACC on comfort, ride should be very sporting comared to the better riding GTI with 20% softer springs.

The HPA KW SHS coilover and Sachs Coilover are the same kit for the GTI and R32 ... same spring rate & damper rates. The R32 is about 170kg heavier than the MKV GTI.

On past suspension reviews I have conducted, the extra weight of the R32 does improve ride over scarred and undulating sections of the roadways ... give the R32 (read Golf R) a greater GT type of ride. The lighter GTI tends to bounce over these types of bumps.

If the ACC softens up the damping too much, then the ride feels underdamped, as can occur with coilovers that are set on very soft, which was a problem of the stock MKV GTI and R32 suspension.

Edit: I'd stick with the 18" wheels on the Golf R. The 235 series tyre on the 19" would allow for some more flex & hence improve ride, but 19" for this country (or NSW state) may be pushing the boundary of friendship with 20% firmer springs in the Golf R. Depends on price of 19"wheels, for a few hundred more, you could add some aftermarket wheels and then sell them later on and return the original wheels on the Golf R, unadulterated.

Cheers.
WJ

[graeme86]

Hopefully it won't be the equivalent of this much when it gets here!

[fuzion]

coreying,

no one will get their hands no one to t-drive for a few weeks. but they are here 5 only (as press vehicles). and where do i get my info from? who knows! ..... who knows

[Corey_R]

Thanks for the info fuzion. It was actually dave- that asked, but it's info on the R, so we're ALLLLL interested

[AdamD]

no one will get their hands no one to t-drive for a few weeks. but they are here 5 only (as press vehicles).

Dare I ask, are there any 3-doors amongst them?

[poloplayer]

Found another review, hope its not a repost!

http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/Drives/Search-Results/First-drives/Volkswagen-Golf-R-2010-CAR-review/

[dave_r]

Thanks for the info fuzion. It was actually dave- that asked, but it's info on the R, so we're ALLLLL interested

LOL was me indeed, but I can appreciate people need to keep their sources secret so I'll just settle for confirmation of when the cars are in Melbourne. Then I'll start harassing my dealer for a "go"

I still have to find time to fire off an e-mail to those VWA people. If they don't bring a 3dr here, I'm not buying an R and won't be settling for a GTI. VWA will loose my business on 2 cars as the missus wants a new Polo GTI.

[elisiX]

If the review cars are about to hit the road then initial pre ordered dealer stock shouldn't be too far behind!~..

Still got a firm date of 20th May for the GTI but this is looking good for the swap if pricing is available within the next 4-6 weeks.

[Corey_R]

Are you interested in 5dr or 3dr cars elisiX? I can't remember and your sig don't say.

[elisiX]

Ideally 5DR DSG Blue/Black R w/ Leather, Xenon, MDI, Roof (and if I can swing it / justify it, Nav)

[Corey_R]

Cools. I'm waiting to see if I here anything from our friend Karl in relation to the 3 door R's. I've been told by a friendly dealer not to hold my breath for 3 door R's in Australia.

Having said that - the R32 probably had more 3 door sales than any other VW model they've had - so if Anke Koeckler came to Australia to expand the sales, I'm not sure that taking away all the R32 3 door customers and giving them to Audi etc is a good first move! lol