Golf R Observations and Questions

[AdamD]

Right, have now changed tyres. Turns out I'll need some new rims as a couple of them are buckled. Any one know where I can get some new 19" talladegas? Or maybe even the R32 mags cos they're pretty good looking as well (and easier to wash). What's the difference b/w oem and aftermarket vw wheels?

I'd be scouring eBay for a start, and you can check the classifieds section here on VWW of course.

Most aftermarket replica rims are poorly-made Chinese rip-offs, that are both heavier and more prone to buckling/cracking/peeling/etc than OEM rims. So you'd want to do your research before you slap down hundreds on a set from Tempe Tyres or the like.

The Golf R32 rims are 18", not 19". I have a set of the later Mk5 R32 style (Omanyt) on my car.

[phpmedia]

A buyer's guide - known issues with MkVI Golf R

Hi everyone! I'm really sorry if I'm posting this in the wrong area but I had a look through the forums and couldnt find an answer to my specific question.

I just signed up to VWWatercooled and I'm looking at buying a 2012 Golf R from a local dealer that I know quite well (pretty excited!!!). My question to you knowledgeable folk is, what are the things I should be on the lookout for, i.e. common faults etc?

The specific car that I'm looking at is, as I said, a 2012 R with the 19 inch black wheel option and the reversing camera. It has around 43,000km on it, so I know it's essentially due for a service (which I will have done as a part of the purchase). It also has a cold air-intake, Stage 1 tune and overall it seems to have been reasonably well looked after.

The biggest worry I have is that the car has not been serviced through a genuine VW dealer-workshop. The 15k service was done through a local, reuputable VW specialist and the 30k service was done through the previous owner's brother - who is a mobile mechanic. In terms of the tune being on the car, I'm not too worried, I know a lot of people get these sorts of things done to simply better fuel efficiency and the car's day to day performance, plus the car doesn't show any signs of being "flogged". The original owner was a family man and only traded it in because he wanted a bigger and more pricey sedan.

Thank you all in advance for your input

[Cantgiveyouthat]

I think the price is the key missing item here.

[phpmedia]

That's a little undecided because they're going to do the service with it, maybe some new front brakes and a warranty... So it's looking to be mid-high 30's.

[Lucas_R]

Basically the only things i could possibly see you needing soon are:
- brake pads/disks (depends on whether the car is manual or DSG and if its been used in alot of stop-start traffic. DSG cars will generally wear the brakes out sooner)
- Ignition coil packs. You can get a full new set for about $150 so its not a big expense.


Apart from those things which generally wear out after 40,000-50,000km, there shouldnt be much else to worry about.

The engines and drivelines are hugely reliable and robust, and can take a fair beating.

[Cantgiveyouthat]

Contrary to what the sellers think on Carsales, I think you can get a 2012MY13 in the very low fours that is lower mileage, unmolested and with a couple of options. Most of the R's in the $40k+ mark have been on there for a few months now.

I don't have big issues with chipping, but you are kidding yourself if you think it has not had a bit of a flogging. Given the dubious second service I'd look elsewhere unless I convinced myself the money reflected the risk. Low to mid $30's might be the mark. There are heaps of other cars out there.

[Cantgiveyouthat]

Can't argue with anything Lucas has written.

[phpmedia]

Basically the only things i could possibly see you needing soon are:
- brake pads/disks (depends on whether the car is manual or DSG and if its been used in alot of stop-start traffic. DSG cars will generally wear the brakes out sooner)
- Ignition coil packs. You can get a full new set for about $150 so its not a big expense.
.

Thanks Lucas, as I said, the car will get some new front brakes as I think they only have about 10k left in them at most; the rotors seem to have a decent lip in them.

Interestingly, I didn't think it would need new coil packs? Is that something that generally needs doing at around about this age?

[phpmedia]

I don't have big issues with chipping, but you are kidding yourself if you think it has not had a bit of a flogging. Given the dubious second service I'd look elsewhere unless I convinced myself the money reflected the risk. Low to mid $30's might be the mark. There are heaps of other cars out there.

I think you're right in the sense that, why would someone get an air intake and a chip if they don't drive in a "spirited" fashion? In saying that, the car didn't appear to have ever been launched because upon driving it today, it didn't engage launch control first go - I've heard this can occur when the car hasn't been launched before, so I ran a test... I could be wrong?

In respect to the second service, I'm not worried that service wasn't undertaken or something to that effect, morseo frustrated that it might have some affect on the liklihood that VW would give any sort of grace period after the remaining 10 months of manufacturer's warrantyruns out.

[SilvrFoxX]

I think Cantgiveyouthat is a glass half empty kind of guy, I have chipped my car but never flogged it, given it a squirt from time to time but chipping was to sort out the power delivery issue that the detuned factory offering presented.

The R is a pretty robust package, they run the 6 speed wet clutch DSG so generally don't suffer the recent issues the 7 speed dry clutch version did.The Engine is the previous MKV that has been strengthened so it is a tried and tested recipe which I haven't heard giving any issues.

They do drink a bit of oil, bout a litre every 10k keep an eye on this i usually check it every month anyway.

Personally I have no interest in the 19 inch rims, look good but my mates tends to drone a bit and the turning circle is garbage.

The price sounds ok but it is the options that will determine if you are getting a really good buy.. leather, satnav, ACC, MDI reverse camera, sunroof.. if you have any of these then you are getting good value

The service record is a tad concerning, I am just coming up to my 3 year service and intend on going to RAMSPEED post the final VW service. At least anyone buying mine will know that it had VW looking at it through the first 3 years, this is just for peace of mind.

Anyway you should be fine the Golf R MKVI is a good spend. oh yeah check the amount of rubber in the tyres and check the front tyres on the inside shoulder they have a tendency to wear heavily and you can't see it from the outside

[phpmedia]

Essentially, I'm after a fun but reliable car. As much as I would love to, I'm not going to be able to afford to track the car etc for the first couple of years of owning it. The purchase of the car is to essentially have something that is super fun to drive around town (luckily in Canberra, we have awesome roads to use.... when they're not full of Canberran drivers) and doesn't put me to sleep.

I'm not too phased about leather, I know it's a sought after option but at the same time, it's not a make or brake for me. I too don't really care about the 19's, in fact I'd be interested in swapping them with someone who has a nice set of 18's

I had a look over the tyres and the front ones are relatively new.. I think it was the fronts - either way, one set was newish and the other was the original set. The inner shoulders seemed to be worn fairly evenly and not frayed either.

The engine and DSG felt very tight. The gearbox didn't seem to have any lag or apprehension in its' shifts and not havign driven a standard R, it was hard to compare the tune to anything else, but I can appreciate how much mid-range pull it had - something I understand to be absent in the standard tune.

As I said, I'm a little concerned about the fact that VW didn't do the servicing on the first two intervals but I will have them go over it with a fine tooth comb before I make a final decision.

[WallySimmonds]

What a well timed thread. I am also in the market for a 2011 Golf R, test drove a white DSG one today. 27000 on the clock and seemed to go very well. I am actually quite keen on it and will be trading in my Toyota 86 for it if I do decide to go ahead.

I didn't realise the engine was out of the Mk5, but it seemed to go alright. I actually liked it better than the Scirocco I drove earlier this year, felt more 'solid' in the wet.

It has a leather interior and reverse camera/sensors, and is fairly tidy overall. They have offered me it for 39844, and it comes with with the remainder of the factory warranty (1 month) and with a 'limited' 12 month dealer warranty. That doesn't sound that great so will be pushing to get a extended warranty on it.

What do you think guys - at this price am I just better off trying to get a newer Mk6 GTI (or dare I say it, Mark 7 GTI) given the Mark 7 R was officially 'released' today in AU? I'm kinda thinking the prices of these will go down.

Loved the car though, totally sold on it.

[jamesatfish]

I too don't really care about the 19's, in fact I'd be interested in swapping them with someone who has a nice set of 18's

Keep in mind that if you really prefer 18"s, a car delivered that way will have a tighter steering ratio and smaller turning circle than one delivered with 19"s. The difference is quite noticeable when doing a 3 point turn but not such a big issue once at speed.

As I said, I'm a little concerned about the fact that VW didn't do the servicing on the first two intervals but I will have them go over it with a fine tooth comb before I make a final decision.

I wouldn't discount a car because of a non-VW dealership history- personally I trust my two local VW specialists (Northside Europeans in Mitchell and CVWC in Belconnen) far more than either of the dealers. My VWs won't see a dealership service department except for recall or warranty repairs.

In the same light, ask the selling dealer if you can get one of those 2 independent specialists to do a pre-purchase inspection on the R, which will show up any issues and give you piece of mind re the service history and condition.

[SilvrFoxX]

It has a leather interior and reverse camera/sensors, and is fairly tidy overall. They have offered me it for 39844, and it comes with with the remainder of the factory warranty (1 month) and with a 'limited' 12 month dealer warranty. That doesn't sound that great so will be pushing to get a extended warranty on it.

What do you think guys - at this price am I just better off trying to get a newer Mk6 GTI (or dare I say it, Mark 7 GTI) given the Mark 7 R was officially 'released' today in AU? I'm kinda thinking the prices of these will go down.

Loved the car though, totally sold on it.

Probably get a bit more off that price though leather was worth 3300 as an option, DSG 2500 and reverse camera 500, sensors are standard, so you have some good additions to standard.

Hard to advise one way or the other with GTi and R there is a massive thread on that, though my personal view is that the GTI is a fun car but the R is just that much more. The R7 may have just been released but it will take years to get here so enjoy now

[phpmedia]

Probably get a bit more off that price though leather was worth 3300 as an option, DSG 2500 and reverse camera 500, sensors are standard, so you have some good additions to standard.

Hard to advise one way or the other with GTi and R there is a massive thread on that, though my personal view is that the GTI is a fun car but the R is just that much more. The R7 may have just been released but it will take years to get here so enjoy now

I should clarrify, I'm good mates with a sales person at the VW dealership with whom the car that I'm looking at was traded. As a result, he's given me honest appraisal of the car and will endevour to have the service department look over it and conduct the service on the car that is needed.

I have driven a MKVII GTI and I must say that while the performance of the MKVI was good, the MKVII leaves it for dead! Particularly with a performance pack. Even the new standard GTI makes the MKVI feel like a completely different, out-dated car. I wouldn't be looking at MKVI GTI - the R is that much better. Plus the difference between the MKVI R and a MKVII GTI is hard to put into something that easily contrasted. I wouldn't remomend that any person go in a particular direction without knowing precisely the sort of driver they are or what they want from a car. Both are great but completely different sorts of cars.