Golf R Observations and Questions

[Candyman]

After a year of ownership, here are my gripes about the R as a shortlist. The positives outweigh these by a longshot but negatives always hang around like a bad smell

Appearance
Erase all use of piano gloss black on trim (or at least improve the scratch resistance)
Do not use silver accents on side airvents (to eliminate reflection in side windows)
Use some quality exhaust tips, not the cheap ones installed stock
Improve panel fit - irregular and wide gaps is unacceptable
Add sacrificial strips on the underside of the front bumper extensions
Get slightly more aggressive in panel shape, this is your sports model
Return back to the slimline headrests for the rear seats
Try something else besides grey plastics everywhere
Eliminate all fuel economy gauges on the MFD. This is a sports car, provide sports gauges
Get rid of the cheap oil and water filler caps. Actually, improve the quality of the engine cover as well

Mechanics
Stop detuning your sports car
Get some Brembos on this car, now
Fix the DSG once and for all. It's 99% there, just sort out the last 1%.
Give us back the rotary controls for the heated seats
Give us a decent audio system and improve the touchscreen response time. Some of us have more than 10 songs.
Deliver improved DV, actuator and DP, Stock are average if not rubbish.
Revise the rear hatch wing - it does nothing functionally for downforce so use it to divert air to keep crap off the rear hatch.

I have a few others that have died along with some brain cells. They'll come back to me at some stage.

Still, even with all the above, one of the best all rounder cars I've owned so far.

[SilvrFoxX]

Appearance
Erase all use of piano gloss black on trim (or at least improve the scratch resistance) - Nooooo I love the Piano Black
Do not use silver accents on side airvents (to eliminate reflection in side windows) - Nooooo I love the Silver Accents
Use some quality exhaust tips, not the cheap ones installed stock - meh, never paid it much mind
Improve panel fit - irregular and wide gaps is unacceptable - Yup
Add sacrificial strips on the underside of the front bumper extensions - Yup
Get slightly more aggressive in panel shape, this is your sports model - meh, put it next the the rest of the range and it has some highlights
Return back to the slimline headrests for the rear seats - Never saw the last ones to know
Try something else besides grey plastics everywhere - Like what..?
Eliminate all fuel economy gauges on the MFD. This is a sports car, provide sports gauges - Hmm Like the idea of sports guages.. like those in the XR5?
Get rid of the cheap oil and water filler caps. Actually, improve the quality of the engine cover as well

Mechanics
Stop detuning your sports car - QFT
Get some Brembos on this car, now - I was reading that other countries get ventilated discs
Fix the DSG once and for all. It's 99% there, just sort out the last 1%. - I think they are always working on that
Give us back the rotary controls for the heated seats - Get cloth seats and it isn't a problem like those pleather seats you have
Give us a decent audio system and improve the touchscreen response time. Some of us have more than 10 songs. - QFT +1
Deliver improved DV, actuator and DP, Stock are average if not rubbish. Can't comment.. just want the smoke to go away, maybe a catch can as standard
Revise the rear hatch wing - it does nothing functionally for downforce so use it to divert air to keep crap off the rear hatch. - meh

I would only add that half the accessories should be standard ..ACC, Blue tooth, MDI and RVC should just not be options

[Candyman]

Seats, cloth or leather, must have heated seats.
Exhaust tips- they will last a year before pitting.
Piano black - tacky
Vent silver trim - old man style and causes stupid reflection in side window
Grey plastics - look at the C63 for some ideas. Stunning.
Smoke ? Have had no exhaust smoke whatsoever on mine.

Edit - I definately don't want ACC as standard, the others, agreed (although RVC is not something I need)

You need these mate (would fix the crazy arse lower control arm issues present on all Golf's, especially the lame OEM bushes)

VW MK5 MK6 GTI GOLF R Audi S3 Arm Super Pro Lower Control Arms & Anti-lift Kit | eBay

[SilvrFoxX]

Then put your money down for one of there.. seems to address all your concerns

BMW M135i (2012 onwards) - Car Reviews - MSN Cars UK

[Candyman]

Already have my name down on the bosses C63 mate, as discussed

No concerns with the R, just listing things that need addressing to make it closer to the perfect all rounder

[SilvrFoxX]

Guess you have the readies to run it.. just don't let FA find out or he will bore you to death with lecturing

[Candyman]

Finally have induction noise how I want it, or Wolf Whistle as the wife calls it

Wife is addicted to buying stuff for the R, love it

[tonymy01]

Finally have induction noise how I want it, or Wolf Whistle as the wife calls it

Pics or it didn't happen
What did you get?

[bobdog]

Has anyone who place a factory order in 2012 receive a build date for their vehicle yet?

I placed my order at the end of Oct 2011, and I still don't have a build date.

Not too sure if I can wait any longer...

[San Gimignano R]

Has anyone who place a factory order in 2012 receive a build date for their vehicle yet?

I placed my order at the end of Oct 2011, and I still don't have a build date.

Not too sure if I can wait any longer...

You must have the patience of a Saint. I would have drawn the line at 3 months.

[jlgumby]

Has anyone who place a factory order in 2012 receive a build date for their vehicle yet?

I placed my order at the end of Oct 2011, and I still don't have a build date.

Not too sure if I can wait any longer...

Feel for you mate, I also placed an order in Oct 2011. They told me March, then May, then June, now September maybe.

Will have waited 12 months and the whole point was so that I could move my GTI before it got too close to 100K kms, now I'm at 99K dammit.

Cancelled the R after waiting 10 months and have ordered something else I wanted and it will be delivered in three weeks!! Wouldn't have happened had it come when they said it would. Bit dissapointed but over it now. If you're like me and very particular with what you drive, it's difficult cos not much really compares to the R I think so it's hard. Painful wait eh...

[bobdog]

When I initially placed the order I was told may be a 6 to 8 month wait. This wasn't too bad as we were building a house at the time and thought that if the car arrived in Jun we would have been settle in the new house.

Now it is getting to the point of being ridiculous waiting this long and not getting a build date. Oh well what can you do.

The hesitation I have in cancelling the order is that I'm not to sure what I would get in its place.

I like the look of the Megane but it is only 2 door. May consider the Focus, but ideally would have preferred an auto, but this won't be a killer. Even consider the 3 series.

What car did you get instead?

[jlgumby]

I like the look of the Megane but it is only 2 door. May consider the Focus, but ideally would have preferred an auto, but this won't be a killer. Even consider the 3 series.

What car did you get instead?

I know how you feel, if they were just able to tell you it was coming, everytime I asked, they could only tell me that the factory has the order. Thanks.

I got a bit carried away and am now waiting for a 1M. Just happened to be talking to a dealer and turned out they had one on the water making its way over. So I thought what the hell, I've worked hard, enjoy the results of it and get what I want. So I cancelled the R and dropped them a deposit on the M. Bit more money but due to the limited production, I reckon it will hold it's value very well. So the cost of ownership over 3 years may even be less than had I bought the Golf as BM threw in free servicing for three years also. We'll see. Will be fun.

[Whistler]

I know how you feel, if they were just able to tell you it was coming, everytime I asked, they could only tell me that the factory has the order. Thanks.

I got a bit carried away and am now waiting for a 1M. Just happened to be talking to a dealer and turned out they had one on the water making its way over. So I thought what the hell, I've worked hard, enjoy the results of it and get what I want. So I cancelled the R and dropped them a deposit on the M. Bit more money but due to the limited production, I reckon it will hold it's value very well. So the cost of ownership over 3 years may even be less than had I bought the Golf as BM threw in free servicing for three years also. We'll see. Will be fun.

Yep, that will be fun! And if VW don't turn up the wick a little on the next R I'll consider the same!

[bobdog]

I know how you feel, if they were just able to tell you it was coming, everytime I asked, they could only tell me that the factory has the order. Thanks.

I got a bit carried away and am now waiting for a 1M. Just happened to be talking to a dealer and turned out they had one on the water making its way over. So I thought what the hell, I've worked hard, enjoy the results of it and get what I want. So I cancelled the R and dropped them a deposit on the M. Bit more money but due to the limited production, I reckon it will hold it's value very well. So the cost of ownership over 3 years may even be less than had I bought the Golf as BM threw in free servicing for three years also. We'll see. Will be fun.

Awesome stuff.

Budget won't allow a 1M unfortunately. But totally jealous