Golf R Observations and Questions

[parso_rex]

I think you guys are a bit harsh on the WRX's, pre 09 OK but the later models with the VF52 turbo aren't too shabby when fitted with leather and they're 15,000 20,000 cheaper than an R - thats quite a lot. The two cars are not the same at all but the Rex is very easily cheaply modified to easily be quicker than your R too and the same flash that everyone is using removes the roughness totally. Look at the cost of aftermarket parts and you will cry V our shaftings. Their suspension is a bit lame but really so too is the R's its slightly better for sure but its no track weapon either. The WRX's brakes are smaller and gearbox only 5 spd stereo crap and its not as pretty as a golf but who sees that when you are driving the thing. Both cars have very good resale too unlike all the other options and both are AWD which I love
So if I did not have 60K road to spend on a good all rounder like an R and only $45K I would get a Rex. or maybe a second hand R8 but that would require an additional $150K I will work on this

[Candyman]

Hasn't changed my opinion of the current model and I'm a Subie fan !

Soft, agricultural, cheap interiors, soft paint, archaic drivetrain, flat seats, stock exhaust is sub par ....

I'd take a GTI any day.

[entice]

I agree with teh candyman!
Also a subie fan, but you cannot compare teh ergonomics and fit/finish of the 2 brands.

45K to spend, buy a GTI.

Japanese dont do leather like the euro's do. Integration is also an "afterthought" for the japanese. Sat Nav on the wife's Outback compared to my golf, same model years (PS her car cost more than mine) is atrocious!
Drivetrain on the Subarus is the only plus. And if that floats your boat, you're better off with a Lancer IMO, as you also get the 10yr powertrain warranty. But if you think teh R is expensive, go price an Evo .... be sure to be seated (80K mark for top model)

[parso_rex]

and yes for the massive difference in price you don't expect that ? The suspension and exhaust are fixed for about $1500 and a tune at $1000 and the R won't keep with it. Only the leather seats are fine not the cloth none of these cars have proper LSDs either. What I'm trying to say is they are different beasts and should not be compared, they both do their jobs very well

[Candyman]

No

Compare the GTI to the WRX

Compare the R to the STI

Id take VAG in both cases. Stock.

The WRX (current) is a fail. Major fail.

I struggled moving on from modified XT - at least it was multipurpose in function

We drove the WRX and GTI back to back. The GTI was so far ahead. The WRX was faster - so what. It was so mediocre in other areas the go fast didn't even matter.

We did the same when we bought the R. Comparing it back to back with the WRX and the STI. Same conclusion.

If go fast was the only criteria there are far cheaper options than a WRX

If it works for owners, awesome.

[parso_rex]

Fair enough. I am not loyal to any particular brand I believe there are quite a few good options from the mid 30's up but they would include all those cars plus the Megane and a BMW. I actually think the GTI when highly specced is overly expensive for a FWD same goes for a full spec R. The R is certainly not a vehicle that excels in any one area but it does rate highly in pretty much all of them that count

[Candyman]

I'm also one of those that think the last good Forester turbo was the 06/07. Very fond of the GTs as well.

Subaru have messed up their entire brand in the past few years

Even the one good looker they had, the Liberty, is now a mess.

Enough off topic chatter from me

[Rob_R]

Subie have admitted dropping the ball but promise to resurrect an all round ball tearer which we will have in Oz in 2013. Sorry will be released in 2014 who knows when we'll get to see it here.

Yeh think your right CM, need to get back on topic.

[SilvrFoxX]

If they whack in a turbo on the BRZ I reckon that will be a monster

[kaanage]

over servo'd brake pedal

I have NEVER seen a MkVI owner agree with me on this, here

Adzy, there's another MKV GTi owner in the same position as you in this thread

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/forums/f112/considering-cancelling-r-order-keeping-mkv-gti-66974.html

boobs

[adzy]

I hear ya adzy and agree

We passed an RS250 on the way up and it has great presence on the road and as you say, a drivers car

The R is a good all rounder but pretty soft and numbing.

VAG isn't known for reliability either so go for it

Good luck mate

Cheers bud, go for it I will!

---------- Post added at 08:41 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:29 AM ----------

I have NEVER seen a MkVI owner agree with me on this, here

Adzy, there's another MKV GTi owner in the same position as you in this thread

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/forums/f112/considering-cancelling-r-order-keeping-mkv-gti-66974.html

boobs

Yeah the brake pedal feel is a shocker! I wouldnt be surprised to feel a light/soft and squishy pedal on a Camry but not a GTI.. oh well Im living and learning

PS: I cant beleive that some manafacturers use marsh mellows for suspension components!!

[Candyman]

RCD gremlins

Wouldn't recognize meda in or bt phone even though both connected and phone showing on MFD screen

Hitting phone button on RCD muted sound ???

Turned car off, locked and unlocked it and all good again

WTF

[Ryan_R]

Phone button works as a mute button when no bluetooth is installed (or is coded to that effect). Maybe something didn't load properly.

[Klink1313]

TPMS randomly went off

Tyres all fine

WTF.

Happened to me also. Turns out I had a very slow leak. VW fixed for free

Not sure there is a leak.

Pressures are spot on.

Oh well

Hey CM, did it stay on or reset?

Nah, reset turned it off

Hmmm, weird!!

Mine went off during the long drive home after xmas holidays. Pull over. Tyres look ok. Doh .....can't find my pressure gauge (still don't know where it is). Get back in the car pull over at first service station 30km down the road. Tyre pressures all ok. Hit the reset button. Everything been ok since. Tyre pressures still ok so no slow leak. As stated above in the Pulitzer Prize winning post by Rob_R weird.

[Candyman]

Ahhh makes sense

Dealer visit required I guess

Flakey unit or software