Golf R VIII - Ownership First Impressions

[zappat]

I just receive my new Golf R.

My first impression about the car: it is even better that I was expecting! It is really amazing and everything that you heard about driving the Golf R, it is true!

My complain is about the UX. I am not talking about the screen or the touch elements but about behaviors that I am struggling.

- Example: I can not set the default drive mode. Every time that I start the car, its set to “Sport Mode”. The sport mode is fantastic but not for a daily drive. The steering heavy and the hard suspension is really not what I am expecting for my day by day. I can keep changing it every day, but it is a very bad experience.

- 2I would like to hear your impressions about the car.

just to inform that I am reporting this "drive mode" inconvenience to VW quality team.
I believe if 5 more people send an email asking for them to allow us to set the default "drive mode", they can do it by a software update very quickly.

If you agree and can help me, please send an email to Mayra C. at vwcustomercare@vw.com asking for that.

Thank you

[crainger]

I'm going in to check out a R next week, but I think I'm going to order one anyway.
The drive mode reverting to Sport is a big one for myself and my partner. We daily to work and I like sport, she likes comfort. But it I am running some weekend errands I'll want comfort.
I'll pop an email off. Seems a common request so I'm thinking we'll see it in a new update.

[Jacs8]

Hi.
I sent an email to VW customer care on behalf of my daughters Tiguan R which also defaults to ‘Sports mode’, and for myself as im expecting delivery of my Golf R mid July.
Fingers crossed !!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Jacs8]

Golf R VIII - Ownership First Impressions

Ive had my Golf R 4 days and love it !,
However, no spacesaver which i was aware of, but a bit surprised no jack supplied neither. My daughters Tiguan R same scenario, but a jack was supplied.
Also, the tyre placard / sticker supplied is for 18” (225/40/1 wheels, NOT for the 235/35/19” as fitted.
Can someone else who has one please check what’s fitted to theirs ?
Thanks


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[mdez]

I finally got my MK8 R a few weeks ago. Default to sports mode doesn't bother me (although I wish it would remember), I don't find it overly stiff or anything.

My tyre sticker shows both 18/19 specs but I can see there was a sticker removed and this one is new.

So far I am loving the car. There are some minor rattles and creaking which I think is the window seals. I just got tint and it has improved a bit. I will wait a bit longer before speaking to the dealer. From what I read you can put some stuff in the window seals to help

[mdez]

I am fully run in now and the car is going great. Cleaning window seals and settling in after window tint and the rattles are gone. The creaking I have narrowed down to leather seat in the back but that should settle down and I might put some leather care products in between where they fold to see if that helps but it doesn't bother me.

Very powerful acceleration and exhaust sounds are fantastic and getting better. From what I have read we are actually lucky as we get the non-OPF particulate filter version so the exhaust sounds are better.

[mdez]

Turns out the creaking was the top door seal squeaking with the car. I inspected closely and there was lots of ceramic paint protection residue on the inner door area. I cleaned that all off and wiped down the felt part of the door seal where it contacts the car and now I am squeak free! Completely silent cabin, I'm sure it won't last forever but it's good at the moment.

I have no issues with the build quality at all, rear door plastics are the same as my Tiguan, but who cares about that! Interior has many improvements over previous gen. The seats and steering wheel are amazing.

[rosslm]

Test of the R 20 years

Volkswagen Golf R 20 Years - fastest Vw R ever on the Nuerburgring-Nordschleife - YouTube

[Lucas_R]

From what I have read we are actually lucky as we get the non-OPF particulate filter version so the exhaust sounds are better.

Correct, no OPF for Aussie models which is a win all around - more exhaust noise, less exhaust restriction and 1x less expensive thing to go wrong in a few years time.

[mdez]

Correct, no OPF for Aussie models which is a win all around - more exhaust noise, less exhaust restriction and 1x less expensive thing to go wrong in a few years time.

The only downside is that it is tuned for 400nm instead of the 420nm of euro spec. I assume this is because they mandate 98 fuel whereas we can use 95.

I am really looking forward to being able to tune anyway so not having the OPF will be preferred anyway compared to the 20nm reduction.

[Cyberman]

The only downside is that it is tuned for 400nm instead of the 420nm of euro spec. I assume this is because they mandate 98 fuel whereas we can use 95.

The R specifies 98 octane in Australia.

[mdez]

My petrol door says I can use 95 as minimum. I always use 98 though but I believe the non OPF versions are the US/international spec that can use a wider range of fuel.

Also worth noting is that the non OPF versions are only for initial run in Australia. In future they will get the OPF and at that stage they will be 98 again. So this first batch of MK8 R without the OPF will be rare

[Jacs8]

Golf R VIII - Ownership First Impressions

Has anyone located the build date / paint code tag on their car ? I’ve looked everywhere I think without success.
There’s a black sticker on the driver’s side ‘B’ pillar which has the VIN no. only.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Cyberman]

My sticker with date/colour is on the passenger B pillar (but it may have changed as mine was built over a year ago, plus it's the R-Line), as per photo:

[Jacs8]

Golf R VIII - Ownership First Impressions

I spoke with the VW dealership late this afternoon, was told all new models don’t have this grey sticker (usually on driver’s side B pillar) with info anymore. They then sent me a computer monitor screenshot which included paint code (surprisingly different to my previous 2014 Lapiz blue golf R) and build date March 2022, delivered 1st August.
It seems that VW are doing their best to make it more difficult for the non-dealership mechanic to conduct any future servicing.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk