Golf R -v- Golf GTI

[G-rig]

I would have thought the recaros would be a good selling point when time to sell. Agree they aren't for everyone but I know most enthousiasts would love them??

Having said that, the normal seats are fine for everyday use but don't hold you in on the track or spirited/mountain drives. Agree with WJ you dont slide around as much in the cloth seats compared to leather, ane the bolsters in the MK6 seem quite firm.

[AdamD]

I would have thought the recaros would be a good selling point when time to sell. Agree they aren't for everyone but I know most enthousiasts would love them??

I consider myself an enthusiast, and I certainly don't love them, although I'm happy to accept I'm likely in the minority on this forum. The standard seats rate very highly when compared with those of other cars in the same market segment. I would expect that the vast majority of R owners will still use the car for metro area commutes where practicality, accessibility and safety are just as important as performance appeal (if not more so). And that's before you factor in the extra cost.

[G-rig]

I consider myself an enthusiast, and I certainly don't love them, although I'm happy to accept I'm likely in the minority on this forum. The standard seats rate very highly when compared with those of other cars in the same market segment. I would expect that the vast majority of R owners will still use the car for metro area commutes where practicality, accessibility and safety are just as important as performance appeal (if not more so). And that's before you factor in the extra cost.

I just meant that most people would be happy to have them for free in a second hand car vs paying $5300 for them new. Agree the normal seats may be more comfortable and fine for every day driving.

[Silverarrow]

I have the Recaros in my current R32 (5 Door) which 3.5 years old, and while I agree they are great on the track - which I do on a reasonably frequent basis, I'd probably disagree with the highway/spirited drive on the road comment.

The upsides in my mind are:
The extra support/placement on the track
The sense of occasion when you get in the car (silly I know, but for the money, you'd want it to wow you more than just when you are on the track)
Better seating position overall (The recaros place you lower in the car or can be adjusted lower - my preference - than the standard seats)
If you do track the car they allow you to wear a helmet more easily.

The Downsides:
If you own a 3 door don't do it - no memory position and it's a pain to get people in and out of the back.
My wife hates them (getting in and out)
I drive Brisbane-Sydney regularly in a day and 10+ hours in the Recaros is not super comfortable
Questionable resale value...
And wear on the drivers side bolster

If I do get an R to follow on from the R32 I'll be getting the standard seats with leather. The money I would have spent on recaros will be partially funding my dedicated track car.

[G-rig]

Thanks Silverarrow, sounds like they aren't really worth it overall unless you track the car a lot.

I think a wallpaper on the PC will be good enough .

[dave_r]

If I do get an R to follow on from the R32 I'll be getting the standard seats with leather. The money I would have spent on recaros will be partially funding my dedicated track car.

Interesting to hear. So the missus really likes them Oh you won't be getting much of a race car for $2k lol

[elisiX]

I would have thought the recaros would be a good selling point when time to sell. Agree they aren't for everyone but I know most enthousiasts would love them??

I think most people get the whole ' what options are good for when it comes time to sell ' wrong. Enthusiasts make up a bloody small number of buyers.. 30 somethings with a young child would make up a big chunk.. and pimply P platers make up another serious portion. End result - those expensive recaro's might in fact make the car harder to sell if you expect to put a premium on the car come sale time. 5 Doors, Auto, options like Park assist will help sell every day over fancy seats, adaptive suspension and xenon lights.

That's not to say I wouldn't look for all those things when buying second hand - but I am one of those few enthusiasts.

[Corey_R]

Why can't VW supply Recaros WITH side airbags? Renault do....

The Audi S3 Recaros don't have side airbags either.

Also, side airbags in a "Motorsports seat" typical defeats the purpose. You get them because they're lightweight. You get them because they're more supportive and don't allow you to move to the left or right and be "out of the seat". So therefore a side airbag in theory should be useless with motorsports seats! But then again, using them without a harness is also a compromised solution...

[dave_r]

So therefore a side airbag in theory should be useless with motorsports seats! But then again, using them without a harness is also a compromised solution...

FWIW, I've rolled a car in a high impact accident that had these style seats using only a normal seatbelt and no airbags in sight. The only damage I sustained was while crawling out of the wreckage through all the glass! Airbags are a great safety feature but they're not the best thing since sliced bread....btw if you've ever been smacked in the face by one, they HURT!

[Silverarrow]

Interesting to hear. So the missus really likes them Oh you won't be getting much of a race car for $2k lol

Look at them as a 5300 dollar option (or even 4300 as they were in the R32) and you are in the Excel series fully kitted.....

Note I said partially funding a dedicated trackie, not a race car.... I'm talking disposable money not running an Elise.

[Silverarrow]

FWIW, I've rolled a car in a high impact accident that had these style seats using only a normal seatbelt and no airbags in sight. The only damage I sustained was while crawling out of the wreckage through all the glass! Airbags are a great safety feature but they're not the best thing since sliced bread....btw if you've ever been smacked in the face by one, they HURT!

I've had a bag in the face and agree....... Not fun.

[sharkablue]

I've had a bag in the face and agree....... Not fun.

Still a much better experience them slamming your head on the wheel or whatever else could possibly go wrong in an accident I suppose.

[dave_r]

Note I said partially funding a dedicated trackie, not a race car.... I'm talking disposable money not running an Elise.

Yeah I know, I was just taking the piss

[WhiteJames]

Top Gear: Mega Hot Hatch Test

Here's a prelude to the Top Gear, U.K. mega hot hatch review. Post # 7 has a little info on how the Golf R fared:

Golf R vs other hatches by the STIG... AT LAST !!!

and prelude to video or Top Gear episode:

The Stig v hot hatches - BBC Top Gear

The Golf R, Sirocco R, Polo GTI and Golf GTI are included amongst many other hot hatches.

Cheers
WJ

[G-rig]

while I agree they are great on the track - which I do on a reasonably frequent basis, I'd probably disagree with the highway/spirited drive on the road comment.

Maybe you weren't pulling enough lateral G's, I found that it's easy to move around a fair bit in the standard MK5 R32 leather seats. My new cloth seats in the GTI seem to hold you in a bit better. I used a CG-Lock on the track and would still much prefer some racing seats.

Anyway confirms my thoughts that they would be a PITA in a 3dr car. I don't usually do that many long drives but wouldn't want to be uncomfortable when I do. That's the end of that, and $5300 could go toward a lot of other options (ie, Standard leather seats + 19" wheels + MDI + Camera).

I think most people get the whole ' what options are good for when it comes time to sell ' wrong. Enthusiasts make up a bloody small number of buyers.. 30 somethings with a young child would make up a big chunk.. and pimply P platers make up another serious portion. End result - those expensive recaro's might in fact make the car harder to sell if you expect to put a premium on the car come sale time. 5 Doors, Auto, options like Park assist will help sell every day over fancy seats, adaptive suspension and xenon lights.

Yeah, i always consider it as it's not easy selling/trading cars at the best of time as you usually get shafted, so good to minimise the loss, but may as well get the things you want if you're keeping the car for 5 years.

I think Bi-xenon's are a sort after option, especially if you've had them once most people wouldn't buy a car without them next time. Also most cars may have them as standard equipment in a few years.

FWIW, I've rolled a car in a high impact accident that had these style seats using only a normal seatbelt and no airbags in sight. The only damage I sustained was while crawling out of the wreckage through all the glass! Airbags are a great safety feature but they're not the best thing since sliced bread....btw if you've ever been smacked in the face by one, they HURT!

Yeah, a lot of the time the airbags don't even go off. I was T-boned by a buy that ran a red light years ago in an E30 BMW, no airbags or fancy stuff but walked out without a scratch. Those cars were built pretty solid.