Mk7 Golf R Discussion Thread

[Mikey1]

From what I've seen the DSG just about always weighs 20kg more than the equivalent manual

From the VGA brochure of the Golf Performance Range, why is there a discrepancy in weights between the manual and DSG variants of the GTI and R, as per:

GTI Manual: 1313 kg
GTI DSG: 1324 kg
Difference: 11 kg

R Manual: 1416 kg
R DSG: 1435 kg
Difference: 19 kg

[Mikey1]

Manual Transmission vs DSG

Has anyone ordered or is thinking about ordering a manual transmission R? Given that the overwhelming majority of orders will be DSG models, does this mean that manual transmission models will become orphans at time of resale? Is the GTI situation the same? Professional road testers have lamented the non-availability of the GTI PP in manual, but perhaps VGA have read the Aussie market correctly.

[Mikey1]

My car arrived at the dealer today pickup is scheduled for tuesday but may get it monday.

From the photo of the front number plate holder, it's going to be impossible for Lakin Custom Plates Brackets to produce an aluminium substitute of smaller dimensions utilising the existing 4 outer mounting points. Non-Euro standard size number plates will look out of place amongst a sea of ugly black plastic.

[Paul_R]

Has anyone ordered or is thinking about ordering a manual transmission R? Given that the overwhelming majority of orders will be DSG models, does this mean that manual transmission models will become orphans at time of resale? Is the GTI situation the same? Professional road testers have lamented the non-availability of the GTI PP in manual, but perhaps VGA have read the Aussie market correctly.

Very good question. I've been wondering this myself. Although I have ordered an S3 I am considering changing from manual to S-tronic partly due to resale issues. I suppose the best barometer will be how easily those with manual GTI and R Mk 6s shift theirs as they sell them over the coming months.

[andrew7]

Clearly the market for a manual R (even more so an S3 where very very few buyers will chose a manual) will be very limited (which is why there will be no manuals supplied by VW until September some 6 mths after the R's release; I imagine Audi took a similar approach with the S3). Clearly come resale time your potential market will be small. You might be lucky and find one of the few in the market at the time. However, it will no doubt be harder to sell. The manual performance market is more focused on the hard core hatch/sedan, focus ST, renault megane RS265, WRX etc

Personally, I think the big problem with manual R's/S3'S is that the 6 speed VAG DSG/S-Tronic is so good! Its tried and tested and really an incredible transmission still delivering real driving thrills to the driver both acoustically (dsg farts ) and some sense of connection/control to/of the transmission (i.e paddle shifters) unlike the slush box autos or worse CVT's (the latter are horrid- currently driving a loaner Outback and the CVT is insipid and uninspiring). You get a lovely distinct gear change with the DSG and as a bonus it sounds great. Its a sinch to drive in busy city traffic, but when you put the foot down it feels like youre in an F1 car with explosive lightning fast gear changes

[Dutch77]

From the photo of the front number plate holder, it's going to be impossible for Lakin Custom Plates Brackets to produce an aluminium substitute of smaller dimensions utilising the existing 4 outer mounting points. Non-Euro standard size number plates will look out of place amongst a sea of ugly black plastic.

I could be wrong but isn't that the same as the Mk6? If you weren't mounting a full size plate you either used a Lakin bracket within the Euro holder, or removed the Euro holder and used plugs to fill the holes.. pretty sure that's how it was on my GTI. I am going Lakin on the back to avoid wide drill holes in case I ever end up with smaller plates - for now I'm going to run full sized Euros.

[Jimi]

Yeah but on the mk 6/7 GTI/R (4 different cars) the holes are in 4 different spots. The Mk7 R has them almost in the corners. It's definitely the worst of the 4 in terms of being able to slim it down with a custom bracket. There's not much Lakin can do with the Mk7 R

[CT69]

Yeah but on the mk 6/7 GTI/R (4 different cars) the holes are in 4 different spots. The Mk7 R has them almost in the corners. It's definitely the worst of the 4 in terms of being able to slim it down with a custom bracket. There's not much Lakin can do with the Mk7 R

As discussed in the separate thread on this topic, Philip from Lakin does offer another solution, whereby the 4 holes are plugged with perfectly colour-matched plugs (which come from USA) then create smaller spaced holes which accommodate any size bracket in the future (mentioned by Dutch77 above). I seriously considered this option, but instead went for an albeit smaller bracket fitting the existing holes; my plate is slimline 372x100 so the bracket protrudes 7 cm each side, but will still look OK (I will have black and white plates on a black bracket on a white car).
Philip does not understand why VW insist on sending a full-size Euro bumper with the GTI and R, and (yet again) it shows a lack of understanding of the Australian situations. I asked my dealer about it. He said the bumper protects important things that sit behind it. (??!?)

[Jimi]

CT69 I've gone down exactly the same path as you. Fortunately the GTI plugs are closer together

[Dutch77]

Philip does not understand why VW insist on sending a full-size Euro bumper with the GTI and R, and (yet again) it shows a lack of understanding of the Australian situations. I asked my dealer about it. He said the bumper protects important things that sit behind it. (??!?)

The bumper might but that bracket certainly doesn't! Unless he's referring to the bracket.. which then makes a mockery of 4WDs fitted with big bull bars - all they need is a Euro plate holder.

Agree that the fitment direct from factory doesn't make sense, especially when the lower models in the range come with a clean bumper.

The Lakin plug solution is what I figured was the alternative, it's not perfect but probably still looks better than a slim plate mounted to the full sized bracket, unless you are like CT69 and working with white and blacks direct.

Anyway whether the bracket is there or not, Lapiz Blue is hot and would be my choice for the classy look (followed by grey with black wheels for the sports look).

[Rogue wolf]

Disagree Andrew, from following the market of Golf GTi/R the past year, any well optioned manuals with good Km's where snapped up quick & at the same prices as DSG models, there's definitely a market for manual models.

Only downside "imo" to the new R is the front looks absolutely gay, no aggressive look & that chrome strip is ugly, looks like there targeting a very mature market this time around, will be interesting when it comes to resale this time around if the buyers are still as eager as the mk6 models, as I've said previously I haven't seen one in person yet & may change my mind when I do, but looking at that pic of the blue R posted that front is just awful, wouldn't be surprised if they give the R a face lift in 1-2 years (personal opinion, no offence to those who have bought)

[AdamD]

GTI PP (DSG) 1364kg (carsales)
R (Manual) 1416kg (carsales)
R (DSG) 1435kg (carsales)

S3 Manual: 1425kg
S3 DSG: 1445kg

So the S3 is approximately 10kg heavier than the equivalent R.

[andrew7]

RW, take your point re manual second hand market, it may be there, its clearly not what the market the GTI and R are targeted at.

Re looks subjective as always, people as a rule dont like change (initially torrents of criticism of the MK6 R v's MK5R32 as you may recall but i suspect before your time The MK7 R is a change but still a classy, mature looking evolution of the MK6 (sharper lines, no LED lights on lower bumper seems the biggest criticism which is no biggie), plenty of boy racer cars out there if you want something more overtly aggressive, actually looks much much better in the flesh, and most importantly the power, drive, engine/exhaust/induction sound, handling and chassis are streets ahead of the MK6 R (if its looks are not doing it for you then the drive is angry/tough enough i can assure you), and after all its the drive thats key is'nt it? Go and have a look, have a drive, then make an assessment. If you dont like it, grab a manual STI then you've ticked manual and aggressive/boy racer looks so win/win

[Longy]

S3 Manual: 1425kg
S3 DSG: 1445kg

So the S3 is approximately 10kg heavier than the equivalent R.

The S3 is over 1500kg according to the official Audi PDF:

http://www.audi.com.au/etc/medialib/ngw/au/a3_spec_guides.Par.0014.File.pdf

[Dutch77]

RW, take your point re manual second hand market, it may be there, its clearly not what the market the GTI and R are targeted at.

Re looks subjective as always, people as a rule dont like change (initially torrents of criticism of the MK6 R v's MK5R32 as you may recall but i suspect before your time The MK7 R is a change but still a classy, mature looking evolution of the MK6 (sharper lines, no LED lights on lower bumper seems the biggest criticism which is no biggie)..

A buyer chasing a manual will obviously be keen on limited stock which may occasionally help boost prices for certain vehicles but on the whole I'd still suggest the second hand market would be similar to the new market for that vehicle and therefore the majority will be seeking DSG. Keeping in mind also that over the last 6-9 months the market hasn't been overly kind on DSG vehicles because of the issues last year.

Looks are definitely subjective. You only have to revisit comments when the GTI concept was released to hear the Mk6 people bagging it, locally and overseas. I was almost in that camp, but overtime it has grown on me and I am now a big fan. Same as the R, I'm still not convinced about the front bar particularly in white but overall I'm liking it. I'm even starting to think the Cadiz wheels aren't so bad after all.. (but no, I'm not accepting the PP wheels or red lines through lights).