Golf R 3 door/5 door speculation/information thread

[Christopher]

...
I still live in hope that when VW finally make the announcement and get feedback from dealers about people who are only interested in 3 door model, that they'll reconsider.

If not, perhaps privately importing might be the way.. Given that all the relevant approvals have been given and requirements have been met.

[GTi Crow]

I could be wrong, but didn't the initial releases for the Mark 5 GTI contain only 5 door versions and it was some months down the track (possibly from demand) that Australia then opened it up to 3 dr versions.

Perhaps this may happen for the R as well.

[Corey_R]

@Christopher - I think there are issues about doing this. I'm sure there is some rule about not being able to import cars which are already sold locally by their manufacturer.

@GTI Crow - yes, the MKV GTI initially only came in 5 door. They came from South Africa. The 3 doors were made in Germany. So they didn't bring the 3 door until they started bringing in the R32 which were all made in Germany.

I do hope they change their mind....

[pologti18t]

I am interested to hear what "other" cars people will choose over the R

As far as I can see that market is dominated by 5 door hatches (MPS3, STI) or 4 door sedans (Evo).

[dave_r]

I am interested to hear what "other" cars people will choose over the R

As far as I can see that market is dominated by 5 door hatches (MPS3, STI) or 4 door sedans (Evo).

Seems that way in the under $100k bracket. Only things I can think of are S3, TT(-S) and 135i. What else is there? 370Z fits in, but no way I'd spend that much on a jap car!

[Qikas]

Not really impressed (nor surprised) by Karl Gehling’s response, ..usual corporate jargon, ie “small demand, ..reduce complexity”. Was the decision made to minimise the complexity in their lives? ..and did Karl even have a background or interest in cars prior to becoming a GM? He ‘assumes’ those of us who won't compromise on a 2-door would/should “reconsider the five-door once it is released”. Why would we? If he had any appreciation of what the new Golf R represents to the brand, I’m sure he would have written something more appropriate, rather than the bland and passionless disinterest he made clear in his response.

Not sure what they’re panicked about anyway, VWA sold over 30,000 cars last year, the only Euro car maker to make into the top 10 (by a big margin). If their key concern is ‘small demand’, then why don’t they start making cars like Toyota? Imagine how boring the world would be if, for instance, Ferrari’s only concern was sales volume? Yes I know VW exist to sell cars and make money etc etc but surely VWA (and Karl) realise that VW are not in the business of making cheap and cheerful cars!

Coreying, it’s not good enough, so rip into Karl

[Corey_R]

Well - I did reply saying that I won't consider a 5 door as I'm not looking for a family hatch, so I'll take my business to another company that is selling 2/3 door cars.

I had also sent an email to Anke Koeckler last Thursday or Friday saying that I've contacted her because Karl hasn't replied to his emails Not sure if that's why we now have a reply from Karl, or whether she is yet to read my email or reply to it.

But in the end, I don't think they'll really have any idea until customers come into the dealerships interested in a car, but then leave because it's not available in 3 door.

[dave_r]

If he had any appreciation of what the new Golf R represents to the brand, I’m sure he would have written something more appropriate, rather than the bland and passionless disinterest he made clear in his response.

That is exactly what I thought!

I had also sent an email to Anke Koeckler

I had her as a CC when I sent my original e-mail and it was still there on the reply. I've replied back expressing my opinion on having a "form letter" response to a genuine concern. It wouldn't have been that hard to do a decent response. After all he's the GM of the Press division. They play word games for a living.

It isn't like I'm some time waster, I've stumped up my hard earned for a car. If that doesn't qualify as a serious buyer, then VWA can suck my bat.

[Axis]

Personally I'm not sure there's a lot wrong with his email. He stated the facts and expressed hope that, with those facts in mind, you might still find something to your liking.

Sure you may not like those facts and what they mean to your situation but he can't change those facts so what more could he do? From his point of view he now has (as far as I can see) 2 or 3 people who have expressed interested in a 3 door version... hardly enough to make him think he's got a valid business case to change the decision that has already been made.

Don't get me wrong, I am also disappointed at the decision as I believe the 3 door is an important part of the golf range... I'm just not sure that a more flowery/market speak email which conveyed the same facts would have made anyone feel any better about the response.

[MariusGT]

anyone know (not sure how to go about finding this out?) the ratio of 3 v 5 door R32's?

It would be an interesting stat to chuck about in this thread.

Even the 3v5 GTI numbers would be interesting..

[Corey_R]

Yeah - those numbers would be very interesting.
It seems that there are far more 5 door GTI's than 3 door - especially in the MK5 that was only available as a 5 door for the first year or two.

In the R32 it seems that although there are still more 5 doors out there, the ratio of 3 door to 5 door increases substantially. Though, it could be just the area that I live

Some type of official numbers would help though

[cme2c]

I am interested to hear what "other" cars people will choose over the R

As far as I can see that market is dominated by 5 door hatches (MPS3, STI) or 4 door sedans (Evo).

Renault Megane III RS250.

[Qikas]

I'm just not sure that a more flowery/market speak email which conveyed the same facts would have made anyone feel any better about the response.

Not sure anyone expected a flowery response, but market-speak was something he already conveyed. He could have made some mention of a 2-door release in future, or whether the Scirocco R was still in contention (as another 2-door option). Instead, his response left existing VW owners (including one with 2-door Golf R on order) with the impression that their preferences were irrelevant and they were prepared to lose those sales (and loyal customers). One thing's for certain, I won't be giving my money to VW if they see this legitimate segment of the market as expendable.

[G-rig]

I could be wrong, but didn't the initial releases for the Mark 5 GTI contain only 5 door versions and it was some months down the track (possibly from demand) that Australia then opened it up to 3 dr versions.

Perhaps this may happen for the R as well.

That's probably the case and everyone is worrying about nothing.

However they could be being coy in the event that the Scirocco R may finally get here in which case a 3dr Golf R would be very similar as far as models in the stable.

[Corey_R]

That's probably the case and everyone is worrying about nothing.

As I said before, with the MKV they had an excuse. ALL Golfs for Australia were coming from South Africa which only made 5 door models. In this case, they're actively REMOVING 3 door models from the Australian market when ALL Golfs come from Wolfsberg which makes both 3 and 5 door models.

So I can understand why you would not bring the Golf R in 3 door, and remove the Golf GTI 3 door model, only to bring them back 6 months later...