MK7 Golf R versus...

[Jimi]

It's hard to split them. I think it depends a bit on the transmission.

DSG, I think you can rule out the base GTI. If you are going to get a normal GTI DSG then the PP isn't much more.

Then it's a tough decision between the PP and R.

Manual there is a bigger split. It's the cheapest option in base GTI form. A manual R would be the goif you were keen on the PP but couldn't stomach the DSG. I occasionally think I should have got an R.

[bobcrusader]

I came from an AWD, so wanted AWD again. I also knew I would be tuning my car, and you quickly reach practical limits with FWD. The R having the bigger turbo and upgraded internals also means it should handle bigger power more reliably.

[elcubano]

i will definitely be going manual transmission as i get bored of auto.

isn't a manual these days an anti-theft benefit?

[elcubano]

i read somewhere that the AWD wasn't a true fulltime AWD system, power only gets directed to the back wheels as the car needs it. So part time AWD?

[bobcrusader]

Yes, part time AWD. So when I plant my foot on a wet day, it is AWD, not no-wheel-drive. But cruising down the highway, I'm not wasting petrol spinning an extra diff.

[jonoz]

R, it was that or an STI and since Subaru were lazy not updating the motor, R was just the clear decision.

We test drove everything we could, S3, Megane RS, all models of Golf - even a base 90TSI, WRX, Evo and the Golf was just hands down the car for us. In saying that, if I could have got the S3 with Performance Pack and in a Sedan for the $60k that the loaded R is I would've taken it.

I really wanted a Biposto but it just wasn't a practical car for everyday with small people in the near future.

[Ralfi]

i will definitely be going manual transmission as i get bored of auto.

isn't a manual these days an anti-theft benefit?

Start off with a test drive of the base model GTI & if you're happy, then no need to test anything else. It's either that or the R, which is a fair bump in price.

Manual these days is an anti-boring benefit.

If you want a swift, comfortable hatch with economy and a low price tag then base GTI.

If you want something a little more hardcore and/or will look at tuning, save up some more pennies and go R.

And for me my decision for my latest acquisition was an absolute no-brainer, but each to their own.

S3. Very nice. Prices start at $60k though yeah? That's a fair bump in price compared to standard GTI. PP even. So I guess it's really only comparable to a Golf R. Though, the OP has indicated they're only interested in the VW Golf range.

[Dutch77]

If you want a swift, comfortable hatch with economy and a low price tag then base GTI.

If you want something a little more hardcore and/or will look at tuning, save up some more pennies and go R.

Given the ordinary resale on VWs buy the car that suits, when it suits - I can guarantee you'll lose heaps regardless.

And for me my decision for my latest acquisition was an absolute no-brainer, but each to their own.

[mattaus]

I went through this exact conundrum not more than 2 months ago. I settled for the GTI PP in base trim. Here are my reasons but your mileage may vary depending on your circumstances:

1. I was leasing, and the base price of each vehicle worked out to be around (GTI, PP, R): $44k, $47k, $52K.
   
2. At the end of the day I ruled out the standard GTI because for me, the PP upgrades are worth the extra coin. People always seem to focus on the better diff or how ugly the wheels are, but no one seems to mention the bigger brakes, the better tail lights, and the nicer interior. The bi-Xenons are obviously fantastic to have as well.
   
3. I contemplated adding the leather seating option because even though I live in QLD, the heated seats in my current car get used a lot in winter travelling to and from football training in the middle of winter. That being said the leather option is way over priced in my opinion and brings the car far too close to R territory.
   
4. The R would at the end of the day cost me a bit over $30 extra a week. I figured over a 3 year lease that'd cost me over $4k. Being a beginner car nut () I figured I could spend that extra coin doing things to the car. I have a laundry list of things I want to do, but we'll see how I go. $10 says I use the $4k on the Mrs
   
5. The R is a serious bit of kit. However whilst I do intend on doing track days, they will be few and far between. The type of spirited driving I will do will be the twisty stuff on the way up to Mt. Tamborine or down to the Currumbin Rock Pools; stuff the GTI handles really well, if not better than the R.
   
6. It's my daily driver. The GTI felt more comfortable to me. That's a big point.
   
7. It's a personal taste thing and I'm sure I'll get whipped for this, but the GTI and PP sh*t all over the R in the looks stakes. The R looks plain as day, inside and out. I even ordered my PP in white to accentuate the red pin stripe and the aggressive front bumper 'fins' (or whatever they are called) around the fog lights.
   
8. I like the added alcantara sides on the PP seating over the standard GTI interior. It's not leather, but it adds....something.

In summary, the GTI PP felt like better value for money than the standard GTI, whilst the R felt like it was a bit too much for my needs (not price, just too much of a car...if that makes sense lol).

Probably hasn't helped at all haha!

- Matt

EDIT: I should mention that I was never considering a manual. My first new car was a manual (Spec B Liberty) and my left knee isn't what it used to be (that's footy for you). I got a lot of pain driving in stop/start traffic every day with the manual. It's fine driving hard or the occasional long drive, but there was no way I was getting anything other than a DSG for my 40 minute commute to work. Plus I love flappy paddles - that way I can pretend to be driving a serious race car haha.

[Dutch77]

S3. Very nice. Prices start at $60k though yeah? That's a fair bump in price compared to standard GTI. PP even. So I guess it's really only comparable to a Golf R. Though, the OP has indicated they're only interested in the VW Golf range.

No idea where they start, but as its in my signature I figured I'd cover off on it.. the same way others have in this thread.

As per my original post I directly addressed the OP. Base GTI or R based on needs?

[naderpug]

Reading through the original write up has me slightly perplexed. I've modified cars of all sorts in the past (e.g. muscle cars, japanese turbos, euro screamers etc.) and the one thing that's a given with suspension tuning is that it will settle over time - usually within the first couple of thousand km's from new.

My point is that, by experience, the 'R' is no different to that rule. Mine has settled considerably to be much more compliant over the bumpy stuff in 'Comfort' and 'Normal' mode and is now not too dissimilar from the PP GTI for which a friend of mine owns and we compare often. I guess that does make it more for the enthusiast, knowing that it is in a much more detailed state of tune, and the de-tuned adjustments aren't applied (e.g. smaller diameter wheels, steering ratio adjustments, tire and shock absorber compromises etc.).

With power comes much more mechanical responsibility...and with the R's AWD and 300bhp...feeling that road and staying planted is mandatory. The GTI is nice, however, the 'R' is very special due to its capabilities when pushed. FWD understeer is simply not an issue as it is for the GTI...even with the PP. I think they have nailed it in the R, and the GTI is the much de-tuned effort by VW.

[Mayhem]

I went through this exact conundrum not more than 2 months ago. I settled for the GTI PP in base trim. Here are my reasons but your mileage may vary depending on your circumstances:

1. I was leasing, and the base price of each vehicle worked out to be around (GTI, PP, R): $44k, $47k, $52K.
2. At the end of the day I ruled out the standard GTI because for me, the PP upgrades are worth the extra coin. People always seem to focus on the better diff or how ugly the wheels are, but no one seems to mention the bigger brakes, the better tail lights, and the nicer interior. The bi-Xenons are obviously fantastic to have as well.
3. I contemplated adding the leather seating option because even though I live in QLD, the heated seats in my current car get used a lot in winter travelling to and from football training in the middle of winter. That being said the leather option is way over priced in my opinion and brings the car far too close to R territory.
4. The R would at the end of the day cost me a bit over $30 extra a week. I figured over a 3 year lease that'd cost me over $4k. Being a beginner car nut () I figured I could spend that extra coin doing things to the car. I have a laundry list of things I want to do, but we'll see how I go. $10 says I use the $4k on the Mrs
5. The R is a serious bit of kit. However whilst I do intend on doing track days, they will be few and far between. The type of spirited driving I will do will be the twisty stuff on the way up to Mt. Tamborine or down to the Currumbin Rock Pools; stuff the GTI handles really well, if not better than the R.
6. It's my daily driver. The GTI felt more comfortable to me. That's a big point.
7. It's a personal taste thing and I'm sure I'll get whipped for this, but the GTI and PP sh*t all over the R in the looks stakes. The R looks plain as day, inside and out. I even ordered my PP in white to accentuate the red pin stripe and the aggressive front bumper 'fins' (or whatever they are called) around the fog lights.
8. I like the added alcantara sides on the PP seating over the standard GTI interior. It's not leather, but it adds....something.

In summary, the GTI PP felt like better value for money than the standard GTI, whilst the R felt like it was a bit too much for my needs (not price, just too much of a car...if that makes sense lol).

Probably hasn't helped at all haha!

- Matt

EDIT: I should mention that I was never considering a manual. My first new car was a manual (Spec B Liberty) and my left knee isn't what it used to be (that's footy for you). I got a lot of pain driving in stop/start traffic every day with the manual. It's fine driving hard or the occasional long drive, but there was no way I was getting anything other than a DSG for my 40 minute commute to work. Plus I love flappy paddles - that way I can pretend to be driving a serious race car haha.

The R is too much car for you?!? Ooooooook then, different strokes for different folkes I guess. Doesn't matter how powerful and fast my car is, it's never enough. Always want more.

[mattaus]

The R is too much car for you?!? Ooooooook then, different strokes for different folkes I guess. Doesn't matter how powerful and fast my car is, it's never enough. Always want more.

Yup, as you say different strokes for different folks. It's as simple as that for me. The GTI was the more appropriate car given my specific set of circumstances. In my case this extends far beyond what it does on the road, but also into my plans going forward in my private life.

Deep lol.

[Shortstuff]

MK7 Golf R versus...

Mattaus I chose the GTI PP over the R for almost exactly those reasons. I also prefer the looks of the PP and just couldn't justify the extra $$ for the R in my mind.

[Fish Jetski]

I have seen a lot of responses on this topic that favor the GTI or the PP over the R. I disagree with those based on the bang for buck theory - but with one little difference. Give all 3 cars a stage 1 ECU tune - and then drive them again back to back. Firstly, additional power tends to overwhelm the FWD cars and in particular the non-LSD GTI. The R with the tune just makes sense and creates real separation from the other two due not only to AWD but also its larger turbo. Have a look at the APR website as a guide.

My logic for the R is simple - I didn't want decade old dash and two decades old turbo lag of STI, and am willing to put up with the odd front wheel wheelspin of the R instead, but in terms of a genuine sub-4.5sec 0-100 car that is small enough around town, under $60k inc tune it really makes sense over the 6.0sec GTI or PP.

Having owned over a dozen manual turbo subies, audi's, VWs and even an AHEM Octavia RS over the last ten years nothing comes close to a stage 1 mk7 R for the money - and if I had to I would pay double the difference over a GTI for it.

Different strokes...