Mk7 Golf R Discussion Thread

[Dutch77]

They're probably ordering them as spare parts, which will always attract a wacky price compared to factory fit.

Agreed there, although still an odd decision by VWA not to offer them here given the €100 price difference between a Cadiz and Pretoria - given how much better they look and the number of R buyers on here who would likely have preferenced them.

Appreciate it adds complexity to their desired simplification of stock specs, but it's not like a sub-$200 cost on a factory order is a deal breaker. It's a lot different to the $2k odd that the 8 inch screen would cost and that the dealer would be stuck with if things fell through.

Geez pretty sure offering them as a $500-1000 option would have still netted a high take up rate and a nice profit earner for VW, and we know they're not shy about that.

[Mikey1]

Agreed there, although still an odd decision by VWA not to offer them here given the €100 price difference between a Cadiz and Pretoria - given how much better they look and the number of R buyers on here who would likely have preferenced them.

Appreciate it adds complexity to their desired simplification of stock specs, but it's not like a sub-$200 cost on a factory order is a deal breaker. It's a lot different to the $2k odd that the 8 inch screen would cost and that the dealer would be stuck with if things fell through.

Geez pretty sure offering them as a $500-1000 option would have still netted a high take up rate and a nice profit earner for VW, and we know they're not shy about that.

Agreed entirely! It makes you wonder who is advising Volkswagen Australia on their apparent lack of understanding who their customers are and what they want. Perhaps the problem is that we fussy enthusiasts are the early adopters, while the bulk of future customers are not, and perhaps they are the ones driving VWA policy. From the MY2015 changes to standard specification and available options, VWA continues to disenfranchise the local consumer.

For comparison purposes, in South Africa, they also only have the 19 inch Cadiz fitted as standard, with no alternatives, while our neighbours across the Tasman have the 18 inch Cadiz as standard, with the 19 inch version a NZ$2000 option or the 19 inch Pretoria a NZ$2,250 option.

[Disciple]

Hey Mikey,

Seems an exception rather than the rule. Detailer buddy of mine took paint measurements on another MK 7 Golf R in the Lapiz Blue colour and measured 110-130 microns across the whole car. The one I did measured 75-100 microns.

For further reference, our Polo GTi still has 100+ microns across all panels and it's been compounded twice.

For anyone still playing along, I did a follow up wash on the car today that belongs to "armthehomeless". I re-calibrated my paint depth gauge and found the car infact has well over 130 microns on most panels, down to about 110 on the vertical panels (doors and rear hatch door).

[Dutch77]

For comparison purposes, in South Africa, they also only have the 19 inch Cadiz fitted as standard, with no alternatives, while our neighbours across the Tasman have the 18 inch Cadiz as standard, with the 19 inch version a NZ$2000 option or the 19 inch Pretoria a NZ$2,250 option.

To the best of my knowledge VW does not own VW NZ, so the local importer seems to be listening to what their customers want and allowing the option? They've even priced them with about the same profit margin I suggested above.

(and they also get to option keyless entry and stop/start - although at $1,250NZ I wouldn't bother, the Discover Pro for $2,750NZ and Dynaudio $2,000NZ on the GTI but not the R)

[team_v]

Agreed entirely! It makes you wonder who is advising Volkswagen Australia on their apparent lack of understanding who their customers are and what they want. Perhaps the problem is that we fussy enthusiasts are the early adopters, while the bulk of future customers are not, and perhaps they are the ones driving VWA policy. From the MY2015 changes to standard specification and available options, VWA continues to disenfranchise the local consumer.

For comparison purposes, in South Africa, they also only have the 19 inch Cadiz fitted as standard, with no alternatives, while our neighbours across the Tasman have the 18 inch Cadiz as standard, with the 19 inch version a NZ$2000 option or the 19 inch Pretoria a NZ$2,250 option.

I think you will find that the majority of VW owners do not actually care to upgrade their wheels.
The problem with using the forums as a reference point is that you get an echo chamber.

Likely 50% of people on here have aftermarket wheels.
Once you go outside into the real world you see maybe 2% of VW's on aftermarket wheels if that.

[Dutch77]

I think you will find that the majority of VW owners do not actually care to upgrade their wheels.
The problem with using the forums as a reference point is that you get an echo chamber.

Likely 50% of people on here have aftermarket wheels.
Once you go outside into the real world you see maybe 2% of VW's on aftermarket wheels if that.

I agree the majority don't, but I think GTI/R buyers do. The Mk6 is a great reference - I would say at least a third/half of GTIs I see have Detroits over Denvers, and I see roughly the same ratio of Rs running 19 inch Talladegas.

I still suspect if the Pretorias were offered as a $500 option over Cadiz there'd be at least a third take up if not more (and that's giving VW a fat margin, if it was per Germany and only $150 that take up could be over half).

There is a swing, particularly on Euros, to OEM plus these days. If I could have got Pretorias at a decent price then I'd have put them on my car (aftermarket admittedly, I'm not asking for an R wheel to be optionable on a GTI).

[team_v]

I agree the majority don't, but I think GTI/R buyers do. The Mk6 is a great reference - I would say at least a third/half of GTIs I see have Detroits over Denvers, and I see roughly the same ratio of Rs running 19 inch Talladegas.

I still suspect if the Pretorias were offered as a $500 option over Cadiz there'd be at least a third take up if not more (and that's giving VW a fat margin, if it was per Germany and only $150 that take up could be over half).

There is a swing, particularly on Euros, to OEM plus these days. If I could have got Pretorias at a decent price then I'd have put them on my car (aftermarket admittedly, I'm not asking for an R wheel to be optionable on a GTI).

Bear in mind that the majority of the cars with upsized oem rims were likely ordered in by the dealership and bought off the lot so the customer/driver would have had little say in what wheels they got.

VW Aus has to cater to what the market wants and i can guarantee you most customers won't see the point in upgrading to 19" Pretorias even if they were given the chance.

[irossiter]

Just checked with my dealer. The Pretorias would be $7100 without tyres. Enough said.


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[Sharkie]

TBH I agree with team_v .... Besides at least 60% of all GTIs i see on the road are driven by ladies (it's a real girls car lol) and all of those are on stock wheels. I also know a lot of GTI driving non members and 90% of those are on stock wheels.

And being a VW enthusiast I notice every one I pass .......

different with the Rs, most, if not all I have seen are driven by men.

[Bigboboz]

ahh i see now, thank you. yes VWA is **** because i want it and these rims, looks like they don't make it to Aus ether (i dislike the stock rims)

Couldn't agree more on the screen and wheels. The screen looks like they're still working through bulk stock they bought in 2008 and their chosen rims aren't to my taste but I'm not interested in paying $7k for an update!

As a quick poll, does anyone particularly like the rims they've gone with as standard?

[Dutch77]

Bear in mind that the majority of the cars with upsized oem rims were likely ordered in by the dealership and bought off the lot so the customer/driver would have had little say in what wheels they got.

VW Aus has to cater to what the market wants and i can guarantee you most customers won't see the point in upgrading to 19" Pretorias even if they were given the chance.

Agree to disagree, but besides, if dealers were ordering in black and silver 19 inch Talladegas then obviously there was a demand for them.

Swapping from one OEM wheel to another in the same size isn't what I'd call an upgrade, although most would agree it's an upgrade in looks.

TBH I agree with team_v .... Besides at least 60% of all GTIs i see on the road are driven by ladies (it's a real girls car lol) and all of those are on stock wheels. I also know a lot of GTI driving non members and 90% of those are on stock wheels.

And being a VW enthusiast I notice very one I pass .......

different with the Rs most, if not all I have seen are driven by men.

Not sure what the point of this is - albeit given we are discussing stock wheels all you've done is confirm what I already had agreed: OEM wheels are popular. Pretorias aren't aftermarket. Wish people read the full discussion sometimes.

[Sharkie]

Not sure what the point of this is - albeit given we are discussing stock wheels all you've done is confirm what I already had agreed: OEM wheels are popular. Pretorias aren't aftermarket. Wish people read the full discussion sometimes.

As I said I agreed with team_v .... 90% of all GTIs I see run the stock base rims ..... not upgraded OEM wheels which are not stock base.

Added a bytheway comment around GTIs being girls cars (true though) which you are correct, not really part of the preceeding conversation.

And finally on my Mk7 R I will be running aftermarket wheels as there are neither stock nor any OEM "upgrade" I like.

[Dutch77]

As I said I agreed with team_v .... 90% of all GTIs I see run the stock base rims ..... not upgraded OEM wheels which are not stock base.

Added an bytheway comment around GTIs being girls cars (true though) which you are correct not really part of the preceeding conversation.

And finally on my Mk7 R I will be running aftermarket wheels as neither stock nor any OEM "upgrade" I like.

Admittedly can't comment on Qld, don't go there, but a lot of GTIs here in SA run 18s, the stock Denvers just didn't cut it.

The point I was making on the R which I feel is the vibe here especially is that given the Australian spec already is 19 inch then offering the much better looking Pretorias either as standard or a minimal cost option would be preferable. I don't blame you going for aftermarket rims, I would be too.

[rudiger]

or do we all want these?

Motorsport 19" Alloy - Black

£315.00 RRP

[DrK]

As a quick poll, does anyone particularly like the rims they've gone with as standard?

Defs grown on me. Much better on the flesh. Like the slight concave that the Cadiz have.
Would have preferred the Pretorias all the same...