Mk7 Golf R Discussion Thread

[andrew7]

^ Indeed, should be an option at some point.

[lenojd]

I'm surprised that Sat Nav (which is included this time unlike the $2k option in the MK6) would be a deal breaker when the rest of the package/drive is so good. Best bet if it is so important is to then spend the extra 5-10k (10k if you want Performance pack) to get the S3. I found the overall experience of the R superior and like for like unbeatable value at 10K cheaper (this was after is negotiated hard and well on both) (also prefer VW service and support etc).

For me it was absolutely a deal breaker. I had a MK6 R on order which fell through (dealer error) so was only really ever going to get the new one, as I've mentioned many times.. the interior, tacky glossy inserts and shlt sat nav were deal breakers on a 60k car (considering it looks no better than my 15-20k MKV GTI.

The differencen for me for a fully optioned S3 was about a little over 5k (bearing in mind the S3 has many more inclusions and options not found in the R with are prob worth give or take 5k).

So a no brainer in the end. Especially considering the discussion around upgrading comonents on a brand new car... there's no way I want to spend ~60k on a new car and then have to upgrade stereo, sat nav, wheels before driving it out the showroom! But each to their own

[asian23]

HI all.

Just orderd a lapiz blue R yesterday at my local. Projected delivery is next month so hopefully all goes well.

Very much a personal decision but I felt that the R looked much more racy-ish than the S3 which swayed me towards the R, especially with the revised front and rear bumpers, metallic wing mirrors and cadiz rims.

Here in WA, we only have 1 Audi dealer but many VW dealers and as such, much easier to get deep discounts on the R. S3 interior, screen and speakers are definitely a step above the R I felt, coming from a Mini with harman speakers.

[andrew7]

Fair enough lenojd, I thought long and hard about the S3 but as I said after getting excellent pricing on both $9-10k was the difference and that was too much to ignore for a humble ambo (i.e. $57.9 for the DSG R leather, driver assist exc roof, $67.3k for the s-tronic S3 with PP exc roof). I really like the look of the Lapiz Blue and like the Cadiz so it was a great value performance package. The glacier white s3 I was looking at whilst clean is pretty generic vs the Lapiz which is striking. Also couldn't get comfortable in the s3, foot position cramped, no R dead pedal footrest and A-pillar felt cramped. Also, maybe I also just struggled with the Audi "toff" image and wanted to stay with the "peoples car" Anyway, all good, as previously stated leaving individual aesthetic preferences aside they are both great performance cars to drive!

[Paul_R]

For me it was absolutely a deal breaker. I had a MK6 R on order which fell through (dealer error) so was only really ever going to get the new one, as I've mentioned many times.. the interior, tacky glossy inserts and shlt sat nav were deal breakers on a 60k car (considering it looks no better than my 15-20k MKV GTI.

The differencen for me for a fully optioned S3 was about a little over 5k (bearing in mind the S3 has many more inclusions and options not found in the R with are prob worth give or take 5k).

So a no brainer in the end. Especially considering the discussion around upgrading comonents on a brand new car... there's no way I want to spend ~60k on a new car and then have to upgrade stereo, sat nav, wheels before driving it out the showroom! But each to their own

Pretty much my reasons for going S3 too. I'll see how cramped the footwell is hopefully in a week or two when the dealer demo arrives.

[wasabiz]

Did VWA detune any of the golf performance models this time round?

[Dutch77]

Yes - R is 206kW v 221kW in Europe.

[sergioscirocco]

Guys I gotta say that I am very very happy with my new Golf R the sound that it makes is amazing , I have a Scirocco R as well and I can notice the difference in power and when you put it on race mode is when the beast awakes, I can definitely recommend you the car.

[7R]

I ordered an R today. $60,600 on the road but no point asking me where or how as my deal was exceptional and was not on the basis of haggling or any skill, just on the basis of someone I knew...

Fully optioned. With tinting too.

Waiting game starts... now!

I still need to sell my GTI.

[lenojd]

Very much a personal decision but I felt that the R looked much more racy-ish than the S3 which swayed me towards the R, especially with the revised front and rear bumpers, metallic wing mirrors and cadiz rims.

Here in WA, we only have 1 Audi dealer but many VW dealers and as such, much easier to get deep discounts on the R. S3 interior, screen and speakers are definitely a step above the R I felt, coming from a Mini with harman speakers.

Yeah I def agree on both points. Since is is going to be the car for my wife and I, I thought the S3 being less racy-ish would be better suited for her o drive than the R, especially with the 19"s.

[lenojd]

Fair enough lenojd, I thought long and hard about the S3 but as I said after getting excellent pricing on both $9-10k was the difference and that was too much to ignore for a humble ambo (i.e. $57.9 for the DSG R leather, driver assist exc roof, $67.3k for the s-tronic S3 with PP exc roof). I really like the look of the Lapiz Blue and like the Cadiz so it was a great value performance package. The glacier white s3 I was looking at whilst clean is pretty generic vs the Lapiz which is striking. Also couldn't get comfortable in the s3, foot position cramped, no R dead pedal footrest and A-pillar felt cramped. Also, maybe I also just struggled with the Audi "toff" image and wanted to stay with the "peoples car" Anyway, all good, as previously stated leaving individual aesthetic preferences aside they are both great performance cars to drive!

Yeah they're both awesome cars and I do agree that bang for buck, picking up a stock manual R for low 50's is awesome value IMO and if it was just going to be my car, not the family car then I'd probably have gone down that path.

My circumstances have changed since my last R order so now want some added refinement and 'class' hence now leaning towards the S3.

At the end of the day, we're all from the same family and will be driving awesome cars!

[readerr0r]

Yeah they're both awesome cars and I do agree that bang for buck, picking up a stock manual R for low 50's is awesome value IMO and if it was just going to be my car, not the family car then I'd probably have gone down that path.

My circumstances have changed since my last R order so now want some added refinement and 'class' hence now leaning towards the S3.

At the end of the day, we're all from the same family and will be driving awesome cars!

I remember someone mentioning that on a UK forum, VAG must be happy that peoples shortlists are various versions of their cars!

Though I can't complain, my shortlist was A3 Quattro, GTI, and the Octavia RS

[Brissienew]

I am considering getting an R or an S3. It seems strange that most of the oversea reviewers rated the R ahead if the S3. I thought they are mechanically almost identical, and price wise the audi is only around 1k more than the R (uk and Germany). Here the s3 is about 5 k more with similar specs, and the golf has 19 in wheels too.

[Dutch77]

I am considering getting an R or an S3. It seems strange that most of the oversea reviewers rated the R ahead if the S3. I thought they are mechanically almost identical, and price wise the audi is only around 1k more than the R (uk and Germany). Here the s3 is about 5 k more with similar specs, and the golf has 19 in wheels too.

There are some subtle differences. It's not dissimilar to reviews of the Toyota 86/Subaru BRZ twins determining a winner one way or the other.

[HPSOV]

I drove the R and S3 back to back yesterday and was surprised how different they are (cosmetic differences aside). The R feels quicker and more agile, it has a firmer ride and a much louder exhaust note. The S3 is softer and more relaxed. I can see how reviewers who drive these cars on tracks or at least on the limit of public roads would favour the R. I suspect in reality for the 99% of the time I spend in traffic the S3 will be the more practical choice... The R was more fun though...