Mk7 Golf R Discussion Thread

[lawsy82]

Ok, I went against the Audi S3 and today bought -

White Golf R
DSG
Leather
Sunroof
Assistance package

I got it for $60,700 drive away and delivered in 2 weeks! Not sure what everyone else has paid but I'm happy with the car! Can't wait to pick it up

[andrew7]

Well done Lawsy, I'm surprised as I recall you were clearly favouring the S3 (as was i at one point! $$ saving and great R package/drive got me to switch).

Some initial thoughts:

Pro's
- DSG is lightning fast, faultless, next level compared to my MK6 GTI DSG (the GTI was very good no issues)
- car feels absolutely planted and stable on the road, chassis just feels balanced and locked in.
- further to this damping is spot on, absorbs bumps/imperfections much better than my MK6 GTI.
- no creaks. groans, chassis flex over speed bumps, driveways etc, no rattles, MK6 GTI very creaking and noisy in comparison (had sunroof ? this didn't help and one key reason I choose to forego roof this time around, apart from losing $ on options on resale)
- leather seats are comfortable and supportive, dont miss electric controls as plenty of micro adjustments.
- Car looks beautiful, very sharp and well finished, much meaner/tougher presence in the flesh.
- Nav, MFD and in car settings etc work well and are very quick/easy to use.
- Engine/exhaust sounds great, growly and angry, lovely induction note as the turbo spools.
- Steering is precise and gives good feedback, brakes spot on.
- Bixenon and LED driving lights are superb (never had them before)
- Just back from a night drive, interior beautifully lit with plenty of blues LED lights/dials and classy switch lights.

Cons:
- ? Soundaktor a bit full on, will have to see how this goes over the next few weeks.
- Nav screen is small as we all know, large screen Discover Pro would have been the icing on the cake of what is a sensational car.

Overall
Despite some late second thoughts about choosing the more "sensible" GTI Performance, the new R rocks and sits at the pinnacle of hot hatches (dont rely on me, many reviews place it right at the top). Its represents a huge leap on the MK6 in all levels, beautifully planted and responsive, a rocket when you want, still retains a light go-carting feel but with fantastic dynamics and performance

[lawsy82]

Well done Lawsy, I'm surprised as I recall you were clearly favouring the S3 (as was i at one point! $$ saving and great R package/drive got me to switch).

Some initial thoughts:

Pro's
- DSG is lightning fast, faultless, next level compared to my MK6 GTI DSG (the GTI was very good no issues)
- car feels absolutely planted and stable on the road, chassis just feels balanced and locked in.
- further to this damping is spot on, absorbs bumps/imperfections much better than my MK6 GTI.
- no creaks. groans, chassis flex over speed bumps, driveways etc, no rattles, MK6 GTI very creaking and noisy in comparison (had sunroof ? this didn't help and one key reason I choose to forego roof this time around, apart from losing $ on options on resale)
- leather seats are comfortable and supportive, dont miss electric controls as plenty of micro adjustments.
- Car looks beautiful, very sharp and well finished, much meaner/tougher presence in the flesh.
- Nav, MFD and in car settings etc work well and are very quick/easy to use.
- Engine/exhaust sounds great, growly and angry, lovely induction note as the turbo spools.
- Steering is precise and gives good feedback, brakes spot on.
- Bixenon and LED driving lights are superb (never had them before)
- Just back from a night drive, interior beautifully lit with plenty of blues LED lights/dials and classy switch lights.

Cons:
- ? Soundaktor a bit full on, will have to see how this goes over the next few weeks.
- Nav screen is small as we all know, large screen Discover Pro would have been the icing on the cake of what is a sensational car.

Overall
Despite some late second thoughts about choosing the more "sensible" GTI Performance, the new R rocks and sits at the pinnacle of hot hatches (dont rely on me, many reviews place it right at the top). Its represents a huge leap on the MK6 in all levels, beautifully planted and responsive, a rocket when you want, still retains a light go-carting feel but with fantastic dynamics and performance

Haha yeah mate I loved the S3 - but the 5 month wait didn't suit me and I was happy to get the Golf R with every option on the road for pretty much $60k.

The R was very impressive. Very quick and love the torque and exhaust note. This car with a APR stage 1 reflash will be ballistic

[7R]

After almost two weeks and 340km with Limey I am still very happy with the purchase. I do have a couple of niggles that I hope other members can help me with -

1. Auto headlights - I notice sometimes when the lights are on auto that they will come on and go off (as they should when moving from an underpass back into daylight) but sometimes the lights go off and so do the lights in the dash board. All that is on is the needles - nothing else. The headlights and dashboard are then dark when I next go into an underground car park. Seems to reset when I am next in the car but has happened a few times.

2. Mode button on steering wheel - this doesn't bring up the driving MODE screen on the Disco Media. I have the Driver Assist package installed and it selects either LIM or ACC when the on/off button is pressed on the steering wheel above the mode button. I saw others post (when referencing how hard it is to see the MODE switch next to the DSG selector) that the MODE button on the wheel does the same. Is this a config issue or only for non-DA equipped cars?

3. Harsh change DSG 1->2 - I notice that under hard acceleration if I am in manual mode the change between 1st and 2nd under high revs is unusually harsh. Coming from a MK6 GTI this is a little surprising. Anyone have a similar experience.

I have noticed a couple of gouges in the cowling above the dash board to the right of the steering wheel. THought they were glue or sticky remnants during delivery but they won't rub out so probably a scratch. Bummer but what can you do?

The Discover Media screen is woeful. The reversing camera is essentially pointless after dark which is a bummer compared to the Mk6 which was excellent at night. I saw in another thread someone referenced a potential upgrade being developed by Alpine that will integrate with the existing dash... anyone got any more information on this one?

Also - anyone with VCDS in Sydney south west? I am making a list of changes and would be happy to swap alcohol for someone to do this. I saw the cornering lamp upgrade earlier in this thread and will be doing that in the next couple of weeks.

[adam298]

But how? How do you adjust the sound actuator?

[Dutch77]

3. Harsh change DSG 1->2 - I notice that under hard acceleration if I am in manual mode the change between 1st and 2nd under high revs is unusually harsh. Coming from a MK6 GTI this is a little surprising. Anyone have a similar experience.

I haven't any harshness on my GTI, but I was curious how the DSG is behaving on the Mk7 R overall?

I commented on this briefly in the GTI thread, I had a pretty average unit in my Mk6 but so far I've noticed the Mk7 box is a lot smoother and most importantly in D is showing a greater tendency to hold first especially in low speed manoeuvres (eg. car parks) instead of going to second at walking pace a la Mk6, and I've found it holding fifth at 60km/h at times as well.

Realise playing with M or ultimately DSG tuning could possibly have helped with the Mk6 (ignoring manic S).

Wondering whether Mk6 to Mk7 R owners are seeing this as well.

(Must admit I have no idea what differences, if any, there are between GTI and R boxes, and what adjustments were made between Mk6 and Mk7, same reference DQ250 notwithstanding)

[Dutch77]

But how? How do you adjust the sound actuator?

VCDS change.

[DrK]

Well done Lawsy, I'm surprised as I recall you were clearly favouring the S3 (as was i at one point! $$ saving and great R package/drive got me to switch).

Some initial thoughts:

Pro's
- DSG is lightning fast, faultless, next level compared to my MK6 GTI DSG (the GTI was very good no issues)
- car feels absolutely planted and stable on the road, chassis just feels balanced and locked in.
- further to this damping is spot on, absorbs bumps/imperfections much better than my MK6 GTI.
- no creaks. groans, chassis flex over speed bumps, driveways etc, no rattles, MK6 GTI very creaking and noisy in comparison (had sunroof ? this didn't help and one key reason I choose to forego roof this time around, apart from losing $ on options on resale)
- leather seats are comfortable and supportive, dont miss electric controls as plenty of micro adjustments.
- Car looks beautiful, very sharp and well finished, much meaner/tougher presence in the flesh.
- Nav, MFD and in car settings etc work well and are very quick/easy to use.
- Engine/exhaust sounds great, growly and angry, lovely induction note as the turbo spools.
- Steering is precise and gives good feedback, brakes spot on.
- Bixenon and LED driving lights are superb (never had them before)
- Just back from a night drive, interior beautifully lit with plenty of blues LED lights/dials and classy switch lights.

Cons:
- ? Soundaktor a bit full on, will have to see how this goes over the next few weeks.
- Nav screen is small as we all know, large screen Discover Pro would have been the icing on the cake of what is a sensational car.

Overall
Despite some late second thoughts about choosing the more "sensible" GTI Performance, the new R rocks and sits at the pinnacle of hot hatches (dont rely on me, many reviews place it right at the top). Its represents a huge leap on the MK6 in all levels, beautifully planted and responsive, a rocket when you want, still retains a light go-carting feel but with fantastic dynamics and performance

Great review - and agree with all points!

Congrats in finally getting your ride mate!

[andrew7]

Thanks Koe, loving it!

Its early days for me but in relation to some of 7R's queries, I agree re the DCC mode steering adjustment (I also have driver assistance), haven't had much success locating it via the steering wheel (still learning, I need to read the manual!) but find it is not hard to push the mode button and adjust (it doesnt need to be done very often).

Drove briefly in manual mode and no issues with gear changes under hard acceleration. In D mode the DSG changes are instantaneous, quite incredible really, seamless, much smoother than my MK6 GTI.

Found the reversing camera OK tonight and with the parking sensors its all pretty easy to park and reverse etc

[pcho]

Thanks Koe, loving it!

Its early days for me but in relation to some of 7R's queries, I agree re the DCC mode steering adjustment (I also have driver assistance), haven't had much success locating it via the steering wheel (still learning, I need to read the manual!) but find it is not hard to push the mode button and adjust (it doesnt need to be done very often).

Drove briefly in manual mode and no issues with gear changes under hard acceleration. In D mode the DSG changes are instantaneous, quite incredible really, seamless, much smoother than my MK6 GTI.

Found the reversing camera OK tonight and with the parking sensors its all pretty easy to park and reverse etc

This is my first DSG, I find that from a cold start in the morning I get a very very slight clunk sound when it shifts from 1st to 2nd ( only when I am a bit heavy on the accelerator. Is that normal. That is the only time I here the clunk sound.

I seldom drive in auto mode, I am still a manual guy at heart

Perry

[Ohmang]

This is my first DSG, I find that from a cold start in the morning I get a very very slight clunk sound when it shifts from 1st to 2nd ( only when I am a bit heavy on the accelerator. Is that normal. That is the only time I here the clunk sound.

I seldom drive in auto mode, I am still a manual guy at heart

Perry

Manual is fine to use when the DSG is warmed up. Probably leave the car 5 mins in Auto mode. The shift points are slightly different when the trans is cold -you will find they slide between gears until the temperature increases.

What i usually do is wait until the water is at temperature then start manually shifting.

Wait till the oil temperature of the motor is at 80 degrees before you start driving hard etc.

[choC]

So I just got the call and I'll hopefully be picking up my R on Friday

Just wondering, do I need to "break in" the engine for any specific period before having some fun?
I obviously won't be red-lining it straight out of the gates but I've heard some people barely take their car above 3.5k revs until it's done 1000kms on the odo...

[anduril]

What I've been told by the service manager before I drove the car out of the dealership:

- Make sure you use the full rev range, the car has already been 'run-in' at the factory
- Don't let the sit in idle for too long (over 15 minutes)
- Don't sit on the same speed and rev level for too long (ie: cruise control on highway)
- Make sure the car is warmed up before you drive/push it
- Take the car on inclines/declines and down shift and let the car roll down

I guess different people will have different opinions on how the cars should be driven but all the above sounds reasonable to me.

[DoggieHowser]

If I'm on the highway, I'd use the cruise control to set the speed but use the Manual mode and shift down to get the revs to vary even at the constant speed

[lenojd]

What I've been told by the service manager before I drove the car out of the dealership:

- Take the car on inclines/declines and down shift and let the car roll down

I guess different people will have different opinions on how the cars should be driven but all the above sounds reasonable to me.

what do you mean by this?