Golf R Observations and Questions

[AJAY]

Hey AJAY....yeah gotta say they look pretty good mate.
Im a fan the the grey look, hence ordering the gunmetal VMR rims...

Cant wait to see some better pics..

Enjoy your weekend drives mate

Hey Fab, Nice choice on the gunmetal VMRs! They were actually what inspired me and what and I based my colour choice on. When do you get them?

Anyway heres a better picture of the car in daylight for all of you



I've been driving the car as much as I could this weekend, its such an upgrade from my old GTI, for some reason it feels bigger and a lot more luxurious. One thing I have noticed though, and I think someone else mentioned here, is that the turning circle is quite a bit larger than the MkV GTI. ACC was definitely an excellent option to get as the ride definitely feels a lot smoother and refined than the one I test drove without it (even in normal mode). Dynaudio sound system is excellent, though I do find myself keeping the volume to a minimum so I can enjoy the growl of the car. Overall great car, so happy with it!!!

Haven't had a chance to take it for a good blast due to Sydney traffic and urban roads, and trying to go easy on it for the first few hundered KMs, anyone able to recommend some good roads for driving in the Sydney region?

[runningmanz]

When it's 40 deg, not only will a CAI not do anything, but you'll be lucky if a FMIC does much at all. 40 is just too much I think for any real performance.

Follow runningmanz lead, don't smah the car when it's hot if you want it to love you long time man.



Anyway, quick R question, my MDI when playing iPhone 4 songs, only plays through the front left speaker..? Radio, CD and Bluetooth all play properly through 4 speakers. Any ideas?

Yeah 40c is just too hot to thrash them. At least you can get something lol, my Gen 3 Ipod won't even detect :/ Anyone else got an old Ipod to work in thier R? Otherwise might have to check it out with my local VW service guys.

[runningmanz]

Hey Fab, Nice choice on the gunmetal VMRs! They were actually what inspired me and what and I based my colour choice on. When do you get them?

Anyway heres a better picture of the car in daylight for all of you



I've been driving the car as much as I could this weekend, its such an upgrade from my old GTI, for some reason it feels bigger and a lot more luxurious. One thing I have noticed though, and I think someone else mentioned here, is that the turning circle is quite a bit larger than the MkV GTI. ACC was definitely an excellent option to get as the ride definitely feels a lot smoother and refined than the one I test drove without it (even in normal mode). Dynaudio sound system is excellent, though I do find myself keeping the volume to a minimum so I can enjoy the growl of the car. Overall great car, so happy with it!!!

Haven't had a chance to take it for a good blast due to Sydney traffic and urban roads, and trying to go easy on it for the first few hundered KMs, anyone able to recommend some good roads for driving in the Sydney region?

Gratz mate, looks sweet! yeah the R almost feels like a midsize car, yet is so compact compared to the old MR Bishi sedan lol. I love how the R just feels so planted to the ground and is so refined, yet at will can press you into the back of the seat and have you grinning from ear to ear! it almost does it all! Never had this much fun driving EVER. If only their was more spare time!

[Corey_R]

Anyway, quick R question, my MDI when playing iPhone 4 songs, only plays through the front left speaker..? Radio, CD and Bluetooth all play properly through 4 speakers. Any ideas?

You're best to look through the MDI Niggles thread, or at least reask the question there. Try reseating the cable. Or try the USB cable with a USB key, just for troubleshooting.

[AdamD]

Hey Fab, Nice choice on the gunmetal VMRs! They were actually what inspired me and what and I based my colour choice on. [snip] Anyway heres a better picture of the car in daylight for all of you

That gunmetal looks the business - very very nice. In my opinion that shade looks far better than the factory black (with the possible exception of a black car). Full credit to you for getting it done!

[AdamD]

Follow runningmanz lead, don't smah the car when it's hot if you want it to love you long time man.

+1. My car gets babied (and I mean babied) if it's anywhere above 30. Even mid-high twenties I start taking it easier. I even try to limit my a/c use at times.

In the GTI, I notice moderate variations in performance between, say, 10-20 degrees, 20-25, 25-30, and so on. Each of those steps feels like a passenger's weight to me. 10 degrees and one up versus 25 and a passenger - feels like 15kw!

[Ideo]

Haven't had a chance to take it for a good blast due to Sydney traffic and urban roads, and trying to go easy on it for the first few hundered KMs, anyone able to recommend some good roads for driving in the Sydney region?

Looking good mate.

Putty Road heading north of Windsor towards Singleton is my favourite road within driving distance from Sydney. Amazing stretch, and you can get to Pokolbin and then come back on the Wollombi Rd which is another good road.

Great Northern Road to Wisemans Ferry is also a good run, you can either go to the ferry and turn around, or follow the road up to Gosford then come back the Old Pacific Highway

Old Pac. Enough said. Too low a speed limit, but a great road.

Royal national park is decent as well, but often busy.

And then there are my other roads, which I'm not going to tell anyone about

[VW Central]

+1. My car gets babied (and I mean babied) if it's anywhere above 30. Even mid-high twenties I start taking it easier. I even try to limit my a/c use at times.

In the GTI, I notice moderate variations in performance between, say, 10-20 degrees, 20-25, 25-30, and so on. Each of those steps feels like a passenger's weight to me. 10 degrees and one up versus 25 and a passenger - feels like 15kw!

What your experiencing is what's called 'heat soak' do your self a favour and buy a Front Mount Intercooler. Especially for where you live it will greatly improve your driving experiences. Aren't too expensive either

[triode12]

+1. My car gets babied (and I mean babied) if it's anywhere above 30. Even mid-high twenties I start taking it easier. I even try to limit my a/c use at times.

That's crazy. Above 40 Degs I understand but our cars are built much tougher than that.

[wooduck]

In my R the high level brake light is full of condensation. Anybody else have the same problem?
Took it to a dealer and it has to be booked in to fix. Service guy warned me not to try and remove it.

[REXman]

Hey anothe Q,

Does the R, or the GTI have forgies in it?

[MurphyTheElf]

That's crazy. Above 40 Degs I understand but our cars are built much tougher than that.

Absolutely. If I drove my car that way, because I live in Perth, I'd basically be driving it like a Camry for 8 months a year! No thank you. Keeps the fluids up, keep an eye on the gauges - and enjoy the vehicle you purchased.

[REXman]

Absolutely. If I drove my car that way, because I live in Perth, I'd basically be driving it like a Camry for 8 months a year! No thank you. Keeps the fluids up, keep an eye on the gauges - and enjoy the vehicle you purchased.

Just cause you do it doesn't mean it's ok. I'm not saying your def wrong either though.

But I'm sorta leaning towards the idea that if it's hot, thrashing the car is no good as cars get very hot, and although engineered to a point, I don't think 35-40s is a good thing if you want your car to last.

Call me crazy but the higher the temp, I believe it gets exponentially worse! You can feel the decrease in performance at temp, and this tells me the car isn't happy.

Just what I believe, I haven't done any tests.

[triode12]

Hey anothe Q,

Does the R, or the GTI have forgies in it?

The R should have forged pistons. The same engine (EA113) in the Pirelli does.

The early MkV GTIs (2005) had them too. After that they removed them. Can't tell you if the MkVI GTI has them though - it having the new EA888 engine. You should ask WJ.

[MurphyTheElf]

Just cause you do it doesn't mean it's ok. I'm not saying your def wrong either though.

But I'm sorta leaning towards the idea that if it's hot, thrashing the car is no good as cars get very hot, and although engineered to a point, I don't think 35-40s is a good thing if you want your car to last.

Call me crazy but the higher the temp, I believe it gets exponentially worse! You can feel the decrease in performance at temp, and this tells me the car isn't happy.

Just what I believe, I haven't done any tests.

There is a middle ground between "babying" the car as AdamD stated, and "thrashing" it as you mentioned. That is, driving it like a Camry versus driving like you stole it. I don't do either.