Golf R Observations and Questions

[triode12]

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.

It is a very common problem with the MKV GTIs, I am surprised that it hasn't been fixed in the MKVI platform.

It is a bitch to fix - so yes, the service guy wasn't trying to pull a fast one when he asked you not to touch it.

[weewilly]

glad I live on the Sunshine Coast, never have felt a 40c day.... There is a noticeable difference in the acceleration on hot and humid days and I do have a tendency to back off.

[wooduck]

It is a very common problem with the MKV GTIs, I am surprised that it hasn't been fixed in the MKVI.

It is a bitch to fix - so yes, the service guy wasn't trying to pull a fast one when he asked you not to touch it.

I would have tried to fix it myself but he was adamant not to touch it. I'll book it in.

[AdamD]

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

I should probably clarify. My idea of babying is what others would probably classify as fast. But I do avoid full throttle or big revs (ie 5,000+) on hot days. Irrespective of what the car can or can't take, it's about peace of mind for me, and I'm happy to do it (and still enjoy driving my car).

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.

I don't know about your GTI, but the oil temp in my car jumps above 100 if I so much as look at the throttle sharply on a warm day. I try to keep it in the 95-100 zone if I can, unless I'm having a (literal) red hot go, in which case, I've seen 114 up the twisties - even on cool nights.

As an aside (and keeping this thread on topic), the R I drove kept its oil much cooler than my GTI. Even after 30+ minutes of spirited driving, it barely touched 90.

[Corey_R]

Yeah, I've found that with my Golf R it sits at ~86 to 88 most of the time. If you have 30+ days and you give it plenty of WOT, then you might get 94. I thus far haven't seen it above 95.

[weewilly]

mine goes up to 90 and sits there no matter what I do.... but i sense that most here have different view than I do regarding "no matter what I do"...

[Corey_R]

mine goes up to 90 and sits there no matter what I do.... but i sense that most here have different view than I do regarding "no matter what I do"...

No no... not the water gauge in the taco. The oil readout in the MFD. Unfortunately you can't have the oil display up at the same time as the speed or something like that. But it will change regularly based on how you're driving - very different to the water which gets to 90 and then doesn't change unless you have a problem!

[REXman]

That cruise I went on recently with my mates GTR, got my R's oil temp up to 102 (thats what it was when we had stopped for about 2 mins and my mate mentioned his temp - so I checked mine!). It was obviously higher (by a bit) when cruising. That was a solid punt, tyres were crying at the end of it, even around slow easy turns at that point - its like they died! (night time - Ambient was about 25/26)

Normal driving at the moment keeps it at around 87-90 in D mode driving like a camry.

Soon as I hit it though it goes up to maybe 92-95 degrees, If its spirited and for a short run.

[weewilly]

No no... not the water gauge in the taco. The oil readout in the MFD. Unfortunately you can't have the oil display up at the same time as the speed or something like that. But it will change regularly based on how you're driving - very different to the water which gets to 90 and then doesn't change unless you have a problem!

yes went out and got manuel. never read one before, a new experience.

[REXman]

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.

Thats pretty cool to know - thanks heaps man.

No wonder these cars can crank some power with bolt ons!

Not even the new STI has forgies in it (which makes that extra thirty kay over a WRX just that little bit harder to swallow)

[hooba]

If you drive an R and are worried about what the hot weather will do it, don't.

Remember that is why VW short changed you a few kilowatts on the aussie spec engine, because to live in a hot climate country.

[Corey_R]

Hehe... but then I fixed up that VW short changing and then some

[DDTW]

Hehe... but then I fixed up that VW short changing and then some

How has yours been acting during hot weather?

[Corey_R]

We've had some ~40 degree days here. Whilst I have noticed that it drops power on days like that, so does any turbo car. But I mean, it's not like I'm doing time trials or anything, so it hasn't really bothered me. I also don't really do much with the AC - I just leave it set to 24 and it's fine, night or day, hot or cool. (On my MKV GTI, I set it to 22 and didn't change it. 22 on my R is uncomfortably cold, but 24 is nice).

[BezzyR]

Spoke to a VW Head Mech about the oil temp... he said these things will go to 130+ no worries... havent seen mine go past 94 tbh...