Golf R Observations and Questions

[Big_Dave]

Corey,
Yeah, I can just see myself getting on my back under the front of a car in the showroom.lol.
I'll pay someone to do it before I do that.lol

However Corey you are 100% right. It is all to do with approach angles, and the easiest way to find out is to grab a R from dealer and take it home.
Couple of problems with that is -
1. Local dealer only has one R in their demo fleet
2. there is a waiting for about a week for test drives
3. As I have already signed the paperwork, I dont know how ameniable they will be for me to take car out again
4. AND how are they going to get their car back after I have barricaded it behing my razor wire and minefield.

[Corey_R]

Lol... some dealers are actually quite flexible. Hell, they might even let you take it overnight *gasp*. But then, I see you're in QLD, hehe....

[Pepe]

I think you're asking the wrong question

It's not the ground clearance you need to worry about. It's how far out in front of the front wheels the front skirt is, and how far out behind the rear wheels the bottom of the rear exhaust tip (or rear valance if that's lower) is.

In other words, it's the approach and departure angles which are important.

If you are genuinely concerned, you'll have no other option but to go to a dealer who has an R in stock, take your tape measures, and measure it up yourself. Measure from the centre of the wheel to the front lower most tips of the bumper. Then measure the ground clearance that they have. So now that you have two sides and the 90degree angle of your triangle, you can use a calculator to get the angle from the tyre to the lower most tips on the bumper. Do the same on the rear.

It is that figure which is important. That determines how steep your driveway can be whilst still allowing you to drive straight up it. If the driveway is steeper than those figures, you'll have to approach and depart at an angle to avoid scraping.

That's actually what I meant when comparing to the M2, the overhang at the front is roughly the same

[dave_r]

3. As I have already signed the paperwork, I dont know how ameniable they will be for me to take car out again

Mine offers drives all the time, they're sadistic bastards though just making the wait longer hehe.

[SilvrFoxX]

Mine offers drives all the time, they're sadistic bastards though just making the wait longer hehe.

+1... I suggest you go down during the week.. weekends are tough cause everyone lines up for a run.. just ring em up first

[hooba]

Anyone driven a Golf R and Megane RS yet?

I'd be interested to hear how they compare. The Megane looks like a nice little Scirocco substitute.

[Corey_R]

I haven't driven the Megane RS250 yet, but I wouldn't mind taking one for a spin. Black in that photo doesn't really do it any justice, but it looks fantastic in some of the brighter colours. The interior is an improvement on previous Megane's, but still not on par with the Golf GTI/R.

[poloplayer]

One of my considerations along with the R for the pogo's successor

[ratedr]

If you live in Melb, I would say Megane is a viable option. In NSW, dealers are few and far between.. Not great for servicing or warranty issues down the track.. I owned a 2003 Clio Sport, bought in Melb and while at Wollongong for uni, had it serviced by a semi-retired French car enthusiast.. The only Renault dealer I know of in Syd is near the airport.. Looks pretty drab too.. A KIA showroom would outshine Renault!

I just had Golf R for a few days for extended test drive.. Its bloody awesome and the build quality of the cabin is astounding.. It's as solid as a rock.. The only shoddy bits I didn't fancy were the foam boot inlay for the spare tire and the foam under the bonnet for cushioning.. Surely rubber would be longer lasting? The foam just looks like an omission from pre-delivery, but its not! You will know what I mean when you open the bonnet. Otherwise, hard to fault. I would buy the aftermarket LED lighting kit to go all white throughout the car versus the yellow bulbs.. I like the Lexus white look and will go with the LED backlit dials.

The AWD drive is incredible for grip.. When you slam your foot down, there is minimal delay for the rear wheels to quickly propel you from standstill. You will often be looking in rearvision mirror for traffic! It's only a downside when you expect the tail end to fish out after a tight corner.. it won't.. It grips like a glove and I think it would take a lot to get sideways movement..

And I am in support for non-ACC with 18" wheels. The standard setup is perfect.. It's still heavy and tight, but light over the bumps.. The guys at the dealership ordering their own R's said they went without ACC as they weren't grandpas with diapers.. It's comfier than many BMWs I have ridden in.. I think the overall weight of the car helps, its not light and jolted by bumps in the road..

And as for weight, it feels heavy! For a small car, it feels like a brick.. I haven't driven an S3 or know the weight difference is, but just wonder how the alloy body would alter the driving experience. I don't think it's an issue for the steel body R as it keeps it planted firm against the road.. You just wonder though, 2-300 kgs lighter.. Would be 0-100 in 4 something I guess..

[SilvrFoxX]

I am guessing you havnt had an AWD.. as a Subaru driver the Golf R feels right at home it behaves as you expect an AWD to. I selected the ACC as it allows you to not only have the softer ride in Sydney streets when the car is fully loaded ( remember the back passenger ride is not the same as the driver) but when you have it in sport it changes the steering setup as well.. if you dont have it you wont miss it.

The AWD setup is what makes the car feel planted, I would also suggest that the distribution of power to all wheels gives it a much heavier feel over its GTI sibling.

Do tell what is the after market lighting you speak of...

[Corey_R]

And I am in support for non-ACC with 18" wheels. The standard setup is perfect.. It's still heavy and tight, but light over the bumps.. The guys at the dealership ordering their own R's said they went without ACC as they weren't grandpas with diapers.. It's comfier than many BMWs I have ridden in.. I think the overall weight of the car helps, its not light and jolted by bumps in the road..

Great feedback about the R. I've enjoyed reading this post and your previous one on the subject. But since I've seen two comments along this line from you in relation to ACC, I just thought I'd point out that you've missed the point... which is understandable since your test car doesn't have it, and most of the dealers don't get it either.

It's nothing to do with comfort, or what size the wheels are, it's about the fact that it measures the suspension and body 1000 times per second and is constantly adjusting (based on the three profiles of comfort, normal, and sport). It's about the fact that it keeps the car flatter during cornering, dynamically reducing body roll, without the need for overside anti-sway bars which ruin the comfort for the rest of your ride.
Driving a car with ACC set to "Normal" is not the same as driving a car without ACC.

So I'd recommend that since you've had plenty of time in a car without ACC now, that you jump into a car with ACC and throw it around some corners. Even if you just leave it in Normal

And as for weight, it feels heavy! For a small car, it feels like a brick.. I haven't driven an S3 or know the weight difference is, but just wonder how the alloy body would alter the driving experience. I don't think it's an issue for the steel body R as it keeps it planted firm against the road.. You just wonder though, 2-300 kgs lighter.. Would be 0-100 in 4 something I guess..

I'm not sure about this steel body vs alloy body thing. But there is only 21kg difference between a stock 3 door manual R and the stock 3 door manual S3....

[Fab_R]

Great feedback about the R. I've enjoyed reading this post and your previous one on the subject. But since I've seen two comments along this line from you in relation to ACC, I just thought I'd point out that you've missed the point... which is understandable since your test car doesn't have it, and most of the dealers don't get it either.

It's nothing to do with comfort, or what size the wheels are, it's about the fact that it measures the suspension and body 1000 times per second and is constantly adjusting (based on the three profiles of comfort, normal, and sport). It's about the fact that it keeps the car flatter during cornering, dynamically reducing body roll, without the need for overside anti-sway bars which ruin the comfort for the rest of your ride.
Driving a car with ACC set to "Normal" is not the same as driving a car without ACC.

So I'd recommend that since you've had plenty of time in a car without ACC now, that you jump into a car with ACC and throw it around some corners. Even if you just leave it in Normal

I know its been covered to death on the ACC -v- Non ACC but having lived with ACC since June this year, it is a frigging awesome option and I'm totally glad that I got it.

I'm always using it, but never in "Normal" Just Sport (on good roads, freeways and smooth twisty's) and "Comfort" on crap roads.

Corey_R is spot on, go and plonk your bum in a ACC equipped R and go for a good long drive in it.

The dealer is most likely wanting to keep the price down for your purchase.

[Icarus]

Let the picture speak a thousand words.

[Prodigy]

Let the picture speak a thousand words.

Thats porn, is it yours?

[Icarus]

Thats porn, is it yours?

Yes, that's my baby. I still cannot wipe the smile off my face.