Mk7 Golf R Discussion Thread

[andrew7]

^ I had/will have leather in my R and I love/d it! Thought the quality, fit, finish and comfort was A1 (tho clearly not at Audi level) and finishes the car (the cloth seats look pretty average IMO). Didn't notice the rear leather seats finish as a problem at all. Also, having heated seats on a cold Vic morning/night is an absolute winner Finally, I think you'll find that leather and DAP would be the most common option package fitted to the R which may be important come resale.

[Mikey1]

Guys- what do you think of the "leather"?

I'm planning to order in the next week and the one thing which is making me reconsider is the look of the rear seat. Saggy daggy from day one and presumably, that's the best it will ever be. Audi leather really kills it.

I'm drawn towards fabric, but worry about the staining the pale grey of the bolsters given my love of jeans.

I'd be keen to have some thoughts.

I'm unsure why you have negative sentiment about leather (rear?) seats fitted to Volkswagen products. Is your comment "saggy daggy" a reference to indentation marks left in the cushion or creases and folds left in the leather after repeated use? Neither of these conditions are normal, but can happen to any car. I'm very happy with the quality of the seats and leather in my Mk5 GTI and like the fact they are can be easily cleaned by vacuum and/or a damp cloth.

Most people on this forum who decide against leather do so based on the exorbitant amount Volkswagen charge for this option, and some people find leather is too hot in warmer climates.

[Paul_R]

Remember that the heated seats are not really needed if you go cloth. I thought I would miss heated seats in Albury but I don't and the car isn't garaged. I have cloth in the Mk 6. I too skipped the leather based on price and the 40+ degree January weather we get. Would rather spend the money getting a proper stereo later.

[DJB86]

Most people on this forum who decide against leather do so based on the exorbitant amount Volkswagen charge for this option.

Spot on! Was 80% of the reason i didn't opt the leather. Over $3000 to cover the same seats in low quality leather is a joke! If it were a recaro seat or Nappa leather then yeah, no worries!

Also, i've got a soft spot for alcantara. Love it!

[jonoz]

Did quiet a bit of reading regarding the Vienna leather and it was consistently the opinion that it wears well and if maintained lasts for years without any problems.

I don't like the idea of a little bit of moisture/liquid leaving a stain on fabric where on leather you can simply wipe it off or you would never even notice it.

[Mikey1]

Over $3000 to cover the same seats in low quality leather is a joke! If it were a recaro seat or Nappa leather then yeah, no worries!

I think you are mistaken about the quality of the leather. While it's not as soft as Nappa, it's better wearing, and is more scuff and scratch resistant. But I agree, it's not worth $3K, even if I would always have it no matter what. That's why VW can charge so much, because of mugs like me.[emoji25]

[Dutch77]

I don't like the idea of a little bit of moisture/liquid leaving a stain on fabric where on leather you can simply wipe it off or you would never even notice it.

$60 for a bottle of Nanolex textile sealant eliminates any marking worries (and does multiple cars).

I had Vienna 'leather' in my Mk6 and it was ok but despite maintenance and care still showed wear on the drivers seat.

Couldn't justify spending the extra on my Mk7 GTI given the price of the car, I'd probably still consider it if I was buying an R though given the different price level. Trouble is for me once you add it in the gap to an S3 wasn't much and so figured I'd keep the GTI and reconsider my options down the track.

[1NSANE]

Carcareproducts has a great alcantara cleaner that worked a treat in my Octavia RS

[DJB86]

I think you are mistaken about the quality of the leather.

Probably didn't select my words right. I had leather in my MKV R32 and yes it wasn't bad, but there is now way it's $3000+ worthy. I know with care it stays in great condition, but to me personally isn't worth the price considering for $4990 in the S3 you can get Nappa leather with a HEAP of other goodies along with it. Doesn't make sense at all!

[Mikey1]

Probably didn't select my words right. I had leather in my MKV R32 and yes it wasn't bad, but there is now way it's $3000+ worthy. I know with care it stays in great condition, but to me personally isn't worth the price considering for $4990 in the S3 you can get Nappa leather with a HEAP of other goodies along with it. Doesn't make sense at all!

You are right, it doesn't make sense, partly because you are not making a fair comparison, even though the $5K deal for the S Performance Package is a worthy option pack to select if you are buying an S3, and don't mind the omission of electrically adjustable seats. Both the standard Sport and S Sport seats are finished in Nappa leather, with the only difference being in the shoulder area of the S Sport seats, which uses fine Nappa leather embroidered with contrasting stitching.

[lawsy82]

I personally would never buy a golf R with out leather. So from a resale perspective- people like me wouldn't even look at your car if it didn't have learher... $3k for full learher and heated seats ain't that bad

[Ryan_R]

I would have thought leather would be more of a bonus than a requirement if shopping the second hand market *shrugs*

[Mikey1]

I would have thought leather would be more of a bonus than a requirement if shopping the second hand market *shrugs*

Opinion is divided on this subject. Experts will advise that models which come standard with higher specification will yield a higher resale than lesser models with a similar level of of specification selected from the options list. The theory being that prospective buyers wont pay more for models with options if they can obtain a similar base model at lower cost, with all other buying parameters being equal. However, people like lawsy82 have minimum standards, and will not buy a car without leather, no matter what. I just wish there were people more like him that appreciated certain options, and would pay a little extra for it.

[sekas]

Got my R serviced today, get home then go for a drive a couple of hours later. Bang engine light. Error code P2005 P2015. Look around intake and the dumb .... Have removed my air intake sensor put a bolt in it and just tucked it away. Not happy! Lucky I have scan tools otherwise I would of had no idea where to start.


Mk7 Golf R Lapiz Blue | RDTechnik Tuning box and DSG Tune | APR Intake | VWR Springs | P3 Gauge

[sergioscirocco]

^where was your service at? if it was at a VW dealer have you got any problem for the mods in your car?