Anyone With a Mk7 Gti PP had it tuned?

[wasabiz]

And the R looks better.

That's subjective, I prefer the looks of the GTI over the R but I too should've gotten the R. People working in VW told me to get the GTI over the R for its reliability issues. But hey don't play if you don't wanna pay right?


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[Dutch77]

+1 on the looks. VW failed on the R front on Mk7, particularly given they specifically gave it more mongrel.

[Mayhem]

Hi all,

Got my PP done a couple of months ago, effectively a Stage II (exhaust, CAI, tune). It certainly is quick, but I find it more laggy now. In low speed / high gear situations, you really have to boot it (or use the paddles to change down) to get instant acceleration out of it.

I get a lot of flutter from what im guessing is the wastegate doing its thing, too. You can definitely hear it under load, puffing away.

Also got the VWR springs done, the stance is lovely, but the ride is awful. Im going back to stock springs I think.

Sam

More info on the springs please? Too stiff? Harsh Ride? Ive haven't heard too many
unsatisfied people that have the VWR springs.

[Mikey1]

That's subjective, I prefer the looks of the GTI over the R but I too should've gotten the R. People working in VW told me to get the GTI over the R for its reliability issues. But hey don't play if you don't wanna pay right?


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What reliability issues issues were they referring to? The turbocharger? While there have been a number of reported failures of both stock and tuned R's I have read in various forums here and overseas, I didn't think there have been many reported failures in Australia. Haven't there been reported failures of GTI turbos as well, though perhaps a lesser number?

[nat225]

+1 on the looks. VW failed on the R front on Mk7, particularly given they specifically gave it more mongrel.

+1 on the R looks too. looks to similar to the R-line.

they should have kept the centred rear exhaust and use aggressive front lower bumper like the cayman gt4.

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[Mikey1]

+1 on the looks. VW failed on the R front on Mk7, particularly given they specifically gave it more mongrel.

I find the front-end view compliments the rear and sides to give an all-round balanced, if not slightly conservative appearance, notwithstanding the 4 exhaust tailpipes and black diffuser, which gives the rear-end a more aggressive appearance. Is this the mongrel element you are referring to?

[Mikey1]

+1 on the R looks too. looks to similar to the R-line.

they should have kept the centred rear exhaust and use aggressive front lower bumper like the cayman gt4.

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Which came to market first? The R or the R-line. Regardless, the VW marketing department are just trying to cash in on the R's appeal. Will the real R please step forward?

On the issue of the exhaust tailpipes, like many others, I was not a fan of 4 pipes for a 4-cylinder engine, but I've warmed to them now. I particularly like the oval design and the quality of the chrome finish. So I'm now a convert. [emoji39]

[Dutch77]

I find the front-end view compliments the rear and sides to give an all-round balanced, if not slightly conservative appearance, notwithstanding the 4 exhaust tailpipes and black diffuser, which gives the rear-end a more aggressive appearance. Is this the mongrel element you are referring to?

I was referring to the car generally.

The styling isn't offensive by any stretch, just a touch plain.

Which came to market first? The R or the R-line. Regardless, the VW marketing department are just trying to cash in on the R's appeal. Will the real R please step forward?

On the issue of the exhaust tailpipes, like many others, I was not a fan of 4 pipes for a 4-cylinder engine, but I've warmed to them now. I particularly like the oval design and the quality of the chrome finish. So I'm now a convert. [emoji39]

I agree the R-Line looks to similar to an R. In many respects it's no different to the other Germans - S-Line, M-Sport and AMG-enhanced options on the various models v the real deal models.. but I doubt many would mistake one of these for the true halo car, whereas I don't think there is enough visual difference on the R.

I have no issue with four pipes, but the cars with after market tips look markedly improved, and the R should have its Mk5/6 trademark centre pipes.

IMO, each to their own. As for Jap wheels..

[aj555]

Driving the GTI PP and the R at the VW driving experience, the R really stood out for me with the extra power and grip. As mentioned previously, the axle tramp is annoying with the GTI PP (I do own one).

If budget is not a problem, then I would push for the R. I did see a black S3 sedan the other day and that looked the business too - very envious of you Dutch

[wasabiz]

What reliability issues issues were they referring to? The turbocharger? While there have been a number of reported failures of both stock and tuned R's I have read in various forums here and overseas, I didn't think there have been many reported failures in Australia. Haven't there been reported failures of GTI turbos as well, though perhaps a lesser number?

I'm quoting the mechanics from a VW dealership I go to, plus he's my friend. He said in WA alone there has been at least 10 cases where the turbo blew, tuned or stock. In the drags 2 months back an R blew his turbo right in front of my eyes (he was tuned with APR stage 1) VW has fixed this issue by tweaking the turbo's propeller shaft which was causing the failure. the change started with cars made from November 2014.

Regarding the GTI turbos failing, yes I've heard that they too also fail, but not as many as the R

[Dam355]

Yeah I saw that R as well. What I have heard is that there has been more R's than GTI's.

[Mikey1]

I'm quoting the mechanics from a VW dealership I go to, plus he's my friend. He said in WA alone there has been at least 10 cases where the turbo blew, tuned or stock. In the drags 2 months back an R blew his turbo right in front of my eyes (he was tuned with APR stage 1) VW has fixed this issue by tweaking the turbo's propeller shaft which was causing the failure. the change started with cars made from November 2014.

Regarding the GTI turbos failing, yes I've heard that they too also fail, but not as many as the R

While these posts are probably off-topic, the blown turbo issue is far too important to just ignore.

Thanks wazabiz for the info. Having a mate on the front line is invaluable. I have lots of questions, a number of which you and/or your friend must have an informed opinion on:

Do you have the part number of the revised turbo unit?
Is VW supplying the revised part for all warranty repairs?
Is VW Australia replacing all blown turbos and repairing any associated damage under warranty?
Are they exluding tuned engines which customers have declared?
Are they checking for evidence of engines previously tuned and exluding these from warranty claims.
Are all pre-November build Golf R's subject to turbo failure at some point in time or distance covered?
Is driving style a factor to the failure ocurring sooner or later?

Thanks for whatever info you can provide.

[wasabiz]

Do you have the part number of the revised turbo unit?
I'll try and ask him if he can provide me with the updated turbo's part number

Is VW supplying the revised part for all warranty repairs?
Yes

Is VW Australia replacing all blown turbos and repairing any associated damage under warranty?
I would guess so but if I know anything more I'll let you know

Are they exluding tuned engines which customers have declared?
I am not too sure about this one, but I did declare I have the APR tune on my car upon servicing (I do have the APR badge smiling at them at the hatch door) but since I'm associated with the dealer they didn't send my codes to VWA, so my warranty is "still there".
This one depends on your dealer, at any time they can decide to send your logs to VWA and will void your warranty.
The golf R that was tuned had his repairs done under warranty, but he had to go through plenty of arguments to do so.

Are they checking for evidence of engines previously tuned and exluding these from warranty claims.
Yes they do check for evidence, APR actually resets the counter upon deleting it when getting the car serviced, VWA found out about the blown Golf R because he blew it on a VW night on the drag strip. No matter how hard he tried to fight the cause of the blown turbo they had photo evidence that his car was indeed blown at the strip and some sneaky beaky like person from VW was there to chat with us on the night and found out that his car was tuned at stage one. They couldn't prove to him that his car was tuned at the dealer but visual evidence was there. In the end, I don't know what he pulled out of the magic hat, but he managed to fix his car under warranty, free of charge. $6000 job.

Are all pre-November build Golf R's subject to turbo failure at some point in time or distance covered?
That is still in the grey area, but the turbo pre-November are using some sort of metal ball bearing (God knows why) as chemistry and physics say, metal expands when heated, it has no where to go but break the seal, hence, the blown turbo. The updated turbos are now using ceramic turbo bearing.

Is driving style a factor to the failure ocurring sooner or later?
Nope, from what I heard, they can blow even while cruising, take a good listen at the turbo for whistling sound.

Hope this somewhat gives you more info. If I am wrong in any of what I said, please correct me.

[Mikey1]

Thanks wasabiz for your detailed reply. It's quite sobering to think that all pre-November built Golf R's with metal bearing turbos have what seems a basic materials design flaw, which could lead to failure at any time. I wonder if there is any responsibility or obligation from VW AG head office or VW Australia to voluntarily implement a service campaign to retrofit the revised part to all pre-November built Golf R's. Some might argue a full recall be implemented, but that hardly seems likely without a big push from regulatory authorities.

[nat225]

I'm quoting the mechanics from a VW dealership I go to, plus he's my friend. He said in WA alone there has been at least 10 cases where the turbo blew, tuned or stock. In the drags 2 months back an R blew his turbo right in front of my eyes (he was tuned with APR stage 1) VW has fixed this issue by tweaking the turbo's propeller shaft which was causing the failure. the change started with cars made from November 2014.

Regarding the GTI turbos failing, yes I've heard that they too also fail, but not as many as the R

ouch...

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