I need a Golf GTI/R in my life.

[Taco]

About a year or even a bit more I started shopping around for a new car to replace my Holden Cruze SRI-Z 2014 that I had bought new (had holden employee discount available through a relative) and it was also my first car to own, going from red Ps to green Ps now to full license.

Among my initial test drives were Audi S3 (Love it), Golf R (I mean it felt like a toy loved it), BMW 125/135 (Don't remember which think it was 125 as it didn't leave me wanting more).

Now finally I want to go ahead and purchase a Golf!
To me I feel it is a middle ground between the Audi S3 and entering into my first euro experience (Parents always had Holdens).

What I would like to know is what do you guys/gals recommend I look for in a Golf with a budget of $40k give or take. I have looked around primarily at demo 7.5's which seem to be about the $40-43K either no options or with DAP. Personally I don't care to much for DAP and have been more so looking for the infotainment pack primarily due to the Dynaudio. The Virtual cockpit is nice and all, but also I just see it as another electrical component that could go faulty.

One question I have here would be is the Dynaudio something worth looking for compared to a standard GTI set up?

Really stumped as I don't know what will fill the void that the test drive a year ago of the S3/R left me with.

Then there is also the GTI Original, could go with that, but no key less entry or push button start has me . Apart from that I could get an Original go aftermarket audio and as for adaptive suspension? Don't know if that's something that is a must for me.

Any help/guidance/recommendations is really appreciated.

[Kachingg]

If you like your music loud you MUST get the dynaudio it simply rocks if you listen to abc and talkback and only ever have music soft then the stock system will suffice but for pumping the tunes dynaudio is where its at

Don't discount the d.a.p either its a really good system i like it

For your budget a gti demo is looking ok but a r demo will be more

Whatever you pick welcome to vw ownership mate enjoy

[Dutch77]

New car will be a GTI - but yes, I'd keep DAP on there as well. If nothing else it future proofs the car as everyone else will expect it on there.

If you're not wedded to the new car thing, and don't care for the latest gizmos then why not a 1 year old Mk7 R? They're going to be low 40s and you said yourself it was the R/S3 that gave you the buzz.

GTI is definitely superior to a 125i, but you'll probably kick yourself in a year and be looking at another change.

(speaking as someone who kicks themselves every 12 months lol)

[WallySimmonds]

Yeah, at a minimum I'd be considering a 7.5 GTI with DAP. They get adaptive cruise, right?

I personally wouldn't bother with the original myself, namely because of the lack of adaptive suspension. In saying that, if it was the difference between not having one and having one, I might be tempted!

Another option to also look at is a demo 7 R. I'd imagine if there's any stock left dealers would be pretty keen to get rid of them (although probably not 40k cheap).

[Taco]

Thanks for the input. I hear heaps of people say adaptive suspension is a must. Though having driven a Cruze myself and being a passenger in my parents commodores over the year such as vf Calais, ve Berlina I don't feel if adaptive suspension is a must for me.

I was doing some further looking last night and have a question about the R, is dynaudio an option for Rs or standard? And if anyone knows what options pack should I look for on a mk7 R.

[Dutch77]

Thanks for the input. I hear heaps of people say adaptive suspension is a must. Though having driven a Cruze myself and being a passenger in my parents commodores over the year such as vf Calais, ve Berlina I don't feel if adaptive suspension is a must for me.

I was doing some further looking last night and have a question about the R, is dynaudio an option for Rs or standard? And if anyone knows what options pack should I look for on a mk7 R.

I don't think it's a must - it's an improvement.

Dynaudio was standard on the 7.5 Wolves, and is now an option on MY18.5 models.

Pretty sure Mk7 R only had DAP and sunroof as options. I'd say yes to DAP, and your call on sunroof.

[Taco]

Thanks, so dynaudio not available on any mk7 R apart from Wolfy.

[LibraR]

Thanks, so dynaudio not available on any mk7 R apart from Wolfy.

Correct. And also on the Mk7.5 until very recently, where it can be optioned on the MY18.5. VW would never admit, but there was a HUGE cry over lots of forums because it was an option on the higher spec, non-performance models, but not on the flagship unless it was a Wolfie.

That situation has been sorted out now.

My Mk7 doesn't have the dynaudio, but it would be a box ticked if I were buying one now. The standard system is "just OK" - better than some, but needs more guts. Dynaudio sorts that.

Adaptive suspension is not a necessity I don't think if the single setting is stiff enough. I leave mine in Sport/Race setting for the dampers, and only even think of comfort mode if there is extended poor road surface at urban road speeds. I don't find it harsh at all, and like to feel that the car is bolted to the road, without wallow or slop. Comfort setting is more like a magic carpet ride - doesn't suit the car in my opinion. I've not driven an R without the adaptive dampers, s have no first hand comparison as to relative feel compared to the adaptive setting. Hopefully they have set it closer to "sport" than "normal"

[Splashalot]

FWIW I think the adaptive suspension is the GTI's best individual feature. It basically gives you two cars in one. In sport the GTI has a front end to match the previous gen Megane RS I drove, in normal it is, well, a GTI and in comfort it is as smooth and comfy as a base golf
on thick sidewalls. Check out this review for an accurate appraisal: 2017 Volkswagen Golf GTI manual review | CarAdvice

However, having said that, the GTO Original sounds a fantastic package.

I have DAP and I'm sold. Previously I thought it of marginal real World use and just a host of things to go wrong. But in effect it is brilliantly useful.

[Taco]

Anyone have any comment on these options? These are local to me on carsales.

2016 GTI 7 - I think this seems the best of the bunch.
2016 Volkswagen Golf GTI 7 Auto MY16

2017 GTI 7.5 - Thinking price could be a fair bit lower seems its a 2017 with compliance date August 17. And VW are offering new GTI 7.5 for 45.5k drive away.
2017 Volkswagen Golf GTI 7.5 Auto MY17

2015 R - The only local option, seems like its the povo R (no offence) doing a little bit of research on similar year Rs this should potentially be below 40k.
2015 Volkswagen Golf R 7 Auto 4MOTION MY15

2017 GTI Performance Edition 1 - Not so local, but I don't mind driving here as compared to other side of Melbourne.
2017 Volkswagen Golf GTI Performance Edition 1 7.5 Auto MY17

Edit. Does anyone know if there is a way to see how long a car has been listed on Carsales for?

[Kachingg]

I think its how much money do you want to spend?

Also how important is power to you vs everything else?

The gti 7.5 with dap is nice as i really like the ease of use with mine love just plodding along in traffic steering and the car doing everything else takes all the stress out of peak hour plus the digital display is great don't forget you can code the digital display to show the r dash instead of the gti one i have had this done and looks fantastic

If power is your main goal i would go the 7.5 gti performance rather than the nearly 3 year old r even tho it has low k,s the gti with a ecu stage 1 tune would be a weapon also don,t forget that the performance gti has r brakes a limited slip diff and most important might be fitted with the new dq 381 high torque 7 speed wet clutch gearbox find out and if it is i would grab it!
The 7 speed puts the 6 speed dq250 to shame i have one in my car and my old car had the dq 250 its night and day if you can test drive a normal gti and then jump in the performance one see what you think

Lastly if price is the main consideration you have already picked it with the 2016 gti

You will be happy in all of them and all will lose you your license in a twitch of your right foot

Now you got to pick one good luck with whatever you get mate don't forget to let us know and post some picks

[crainger]

Correct. And also on the Mk7.5 until very recently, where it can be optioned on the MY18.5. VW would never admit, but there was a HUGE cry over lots of forums because it was an option on the higher spec, non-performance models, but not on the flagship unless it was a Wolfie.

That situation has been sorted out now.

My Mk7 doesn't have the dynaudio, but it would be a box ticked if I were buying one now. The standard system is "just OK" - better than some, but needs more guts. Dynaudio sorts that.

When we were shopping, we found the standard Golf system to be better than the high options in other cars. We found the Harman/Kardon system in the Kia Stinger GT to be as surprisingly dull as the car itself.
When my gf and I were comparing pros vs cons. Price, DynAudio and the red on black interior pushed as to the GTI. Glad the R now gets DynAudio.

[LibraR]

I think its how much money do you want to spend?

Also how important is power to you vs everything else?

The gti 7.5 with dap is nice as i really like the ease of use with mine love just plodding along in traffic steering and the car doing everything else takes all the stress out of peak hour plus the digital display is great don't forget you can code the digital display to show the r dash instead of the gti one i have had this done and looks fantastic

If power is your main goal i would go the 7.5 gti performance rather than the nearly 3 year old r even tho it has low k,s the gti with a ecu stage 1 tune would be a weapon also don,t forget that the performance gti has r brakes a limited slip diff and most important might be fitted with the new dq 381 high torque 7 speed wet clutch gearbox find out and if it is i would grab it!
The 7 speed puts the 6 speed dq250 to shame i have one in my car and my old car had the dq 250 its night and day if you can test drive a normal gti and then jump in the performance one see what you think

Lastly if price is the main consideration you have already picked it with the 2016 gti

You will be happy in all of them and all will lose you your license in a twitch of your right foot

Now you got to pick one good luck with whatever you get mate don't forget to let us know and post some picks

I agree with a lot of this. The GTI has the 6 speed DSG though. 7 speed dq381 is in the R only.

Also, even the Performance version with LSD will not march the R for outright pace in real world driving. Depending what you are seeking, the functional comparison by Kachingg is pretty much on the mark.

For what it’s worth, I drove all variants back to back before settling on the R and don’t regret that decision for a second.

[Dutch77]

I agree with a lot of this. The GTI has the 6 speed DSG though. 7 speed dq381 is in the R only.

Also, even the Performance version with LSD will not march the R for outright pace in real world driving. Depending what you are seeking, the functional comparison by Kachingg is pretty much on the mark.

For what it’s worth, I drove all variants back to back before settling on the R and don’t regret that decision for a second.

The 7.5 GTI PE1 has the 7 speed which I believe is what Kachingg was referencing.