RE: Volkswagen Golf R: PH Fleet

RE: Volkswagen Golf R: PH Fleet

Author
Discussion

wiltshire-keith

3 posts

104 months

Thursday 13th August 2015
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I was somewhat disappointed with the quality and the content of the Golf R long term reviews.

Being somewhat mislead by the comment of experiencing the cars ability on the mentioned possible road trips through Wales, that I'm sure would have truly outlined the cars all round ability on the various mix of road surfaces (wet and dry etc.) Unfortunately that never happened ,neither did the actual comparison with it's other peer group.
Now I read, in the last wishy washy instalment, that you propose to move into the tuning mode / potential, without having exploited the cars real performance on UK roads.

MrHooky83

9 posts

104 months

Thursday 13th August 2015
quotequote all
I had the pleasure of a go in a manual Golf R on some fun roads in Scotland a few weeks back. I’ve read all the glowing reviews on this site and in Evo and was VERY excited to get into something that I thought was going to blow me away.

For reference of speed I have a 2004 Audi TT 3.2 (revo map to 270bhp) and a 2000 Audi S8 (4.2 360 bhp). I thought the Golf was going to make both my cars feel sluggish and that I wish I’d snapped up the same lease deal he did (he pays c.£300 a month with a few nice options).

I was bitterly disappointed. I dare say the DSG would make the car feel quicker (I know it’s quicker on paper but only marginal) but I found the whole experience a bit numb. It was very turbo laggy too. Perhaps I’ve just got used to better throttle response from big n/a engines in my prehistoric Audis. The other disappointment was the sound. From outside the Rs sound quite bassy but again, inside it was just a disappointment. Almost diesel like in the lower rev range. Whilst I could also appreciate the interior was nice, it wasn’t a match on my S8 which despite being 15 years old doesn’t have some of the nice features like Bluetooth and USB was far superior in every other way. Perhaps that’s a £60k car (when new) compared to what is still essentially a middle class hatchback.

I expected to come away selling both my current cars and putting my name down for an Estate. I instead couldn’t be happier with my older but more charismatic (and equally as quick) Audis…

ORD

18,120 posts

127 months

Thursday 13th August 2015
quotequote all
MrHooky83 said:
I had the pleasure of a go in a manual Golf R on some fun roads in Scotland a few weeks back. I’ve read all the glowing reviews on this site and in Evo and was VERY excited to get into something that I thought was going to blow me away.

For reference of speed I have a 2004 Audi TT 3.2 (revo map to 270bhp) and a 2000 Audi S8 (4.2 360 bhp). I thought the Golf was going to make both my cars feel sluggish and that I wish I’d snapped up the same lease deal he did (he pays c.£300 a month with a few nice options).

I was bitterly disappointed. I dare say the DSG would make the car feel quicker (I know it’s quicker on paper but only marginal) but I found the whole experience a bit numb. It was very turbo laggy too. Perhaps I’ve just got used to better throttle response from big n/a engines in my prehistoric Audis. The other disappointment was the sound. From outside the Rs sound quite bassy but again, inside it was just a disappointment. Almost diesel like in the lower rev range. Whilst I could also appreciate the interior was nice, it wasn’t a match on my S8 which despite being 15 years old doesn’t have some of the nice features like Bluetooth and USB was far superior in every other way. Perhaps that’s a £60k car (when new) compared to what is still essentially a middle class hatchback.

I expected to come away selling both my current cars and putting my name down for an Estate. I instead couldn’t be happier with my older but more charismatic (and equally as quick) Audis…
No comments on the handling?

Oh, you drive Audis... I see... That explains it. biggrin

Richard Piggott

15 posts

107 months

Thursday 13th August 2015
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I've had mine 3 months now, the popular 5 door DSG version and even in common Golf silver. I came from a MK 5 GTi so I do find the whole car more 'premium' as expected. Must say I agree with a lot of what has been said, it can be fabulous and it can be dull. However I live in a city, have only residents parking and a family. Space and finances dictate just the one car and its trump card is the ability to combine something for everyone in a very understated package. To that end I am more than pleased with it - it really answers all my needs therefore, for me, its brilliant. Don't love the 4 pipes though......

OldBob

290 posts

159 months

Thursday 13th August 2015
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Does everything a hot hatch should - only better than most in all areas. It's not supposed to be a supercar or track weapon, or a 330d lol.
No-one slags off the other hot hatches for doing what you expect them to so why the R haters?


culpz

4,884 posts

112 months

Thursday 13th August 2015
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I don't understand why people are so upset and bored about reading about the new Golf R. It's highly praised as a good all-rounder backed up by the ridiculously great-value lease deals offered. Hats off to VW as far as i'm concerned. It's not getting "forced down your throat" at all. This is the first R version of the Golf that has had nothing but good reviews behind it.

I've not driven one but i'm sure they are ruthlessly quick and effective. I wish i would have held out for one if i'd have known about the good deals. I can see why people say they are boring though. I don't think any car that VW makes would be classed as fun. My current Scirocco feels very dull and clinical, although that's probably because it's the base model petrol version.

anonymous-user

54 months

Thursday 13th August 2015
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culpz said:
I don't understand why people are so upset and bored about reading about the new Golf R. It's highly praised as a good all-rounder backed up by the ridiculously great-value lease deals offered. Hats off to VW as far as i'm concerned. It's not getting "forced down your throat" at all. This is the first R version of the Golf that has had nothing but good reviews behind it.

I've not driven one but i'm sure they are ruthlessly quick and effective. I wish i would have held out for one if i'd have known about the good deals. I can see why people say they are boring though. I don't think any car that VW makes would be classed as fun. My current Scirocco feels very dull and clinical, although that's probably because it's the base model petrol version.
Doesn't matter how good it is. Certain posters on PH will hate it regardless. Better to listen to the actual reviews tbh.

WarnieV6GT

1,135 posts

199 months

Thursday 13th August 2015
quotequote all
Don't care how good it is, I couldnt spend £32k plus on a golf. For £32k I want drama, I don't want to see another one on the road every week let alone every day.

I want to be able to start it up and have a little giggle as the engine growls into life and get excited about what's to come.

I want to be able to feel excited even when I'm just pottering about. I want to park it up and take 2 to 3 look backs, I want to want to find a parking space that allows me to gaze over at it through the window whilst having my pub lunch.

The golf wouldn't make me do any of these. The person who said he'd rather have a dull 4 cylinder engine that does 0-60 in 4.6 secs rather than a loud v6 that does it on 6 secs is the perfect candidate for a 'white goods' golf.

There again I drive an alfa, which I'm sure folk that buy the golf r wouldn't touch with a barge pole. Too much to go wrong, too many flaws but that's what I love about it. It's not perfect by a long stretch but I do love it and they will never say that about their golf.




nickfrog

21,172 posts

217 months

Thursday 13th August 2015
quotequote all
That's fair enough but I think we're all different and there's no need to make a judgement of value on someone who happens to have different priorities. A 4-pot would be a problem for me too btw. Golf R are actually £27k after discount so I wonder what other new car you would buy for that money that meets your needs ?

SidewaysSi

10,742 posts

234 months

Thursday 13th August 2015
quotequote all
St John Smythe said:
culpz said:
I don't understand why people are so upset and bored about reading about the new Golf R. It's highly praised as a good all-rounder backed up by the ridiculously great-value lease deals offered. Hats off to VW as far as i'm concerned. It's not getting "forced down your throat" at all. This is the first R version of the Golf that has had nothing but good reviews behind it.

I've not driven one but i'm sure they are ruthlessly quick and effective. I wish i would have held out for one if i'd have known about the good deals. I can see why people say they are boring though. I don't think any car that VW makes would be classed as fun. My current Scirocco feels very dull and clinical, although that's probably because it's the base model petrol version.
Doesn't matter how good it is. Certain posters on PH will hate it regardless. Better to listen to the actual reviews tbh.
My issue with it is the reason some people like it - it does everything well. But nothing brilliantly. So for me it lacks focus and soul. A jack of all trades, master of none kind of car. A 2 car garage would be infinitely preferable IMO and if you pick right, possibly cheaper overall too.

nickfrog

21,172 posts

217 months

Thursday 13th August 2015
quotequote all
St John Smythe said:
Doesn't matter how good it is. Certain posters on PH will hate it regardless. Better to listen to the actual reviews tbh.
Or you could just drive it and make your own mind (possibly)?

I am not convinced you have though, never mind buying one, or 7 wink. You really need to so that you can get it out of your system and stop coming up with trolling attempts as puerile/obvious as the "haters".

It really is a great car but not a beast. If you've ever driven a sports car you would know it's quite tame in comparison.

Edited by nickfrog on Thursday 13th August 21:42

chelme

1,353 posts

170 months

Thursday 13th August 2015
quotequote all
WarnieV6GT said:
Don't care how good it is, I couldnt spend £32k plus on a golf. For £32k I want drama, I don't want to see another one on the road every week let alone every day.

I want to be able to start it up and have a little giggle as the engine growls into life and get excited about what's to come.

I want to be able to feel excited even when I'm just pottering about. I want to park it up and take 2 to 3 look backs, I want to want to find a parking space that allows me to gaze over at it through the window whilst having my pub lunch.

The golf wouldn't make me do any of these. The person who said he'd rather have a dull 4 cylinder engine that does 0-60 in 4.6 secs rather than a loud v6 that does it on 6 secs is the perfect candidate for a 'white goods' golf.

There again I drive an alfa, which I'm sure folk that buy the golf r wouldn't touch with a barge pole. Too much to go wrong, too many flaws but that's what I love about it. It's not perfect by a long stretch but I do love it and they will never say that about their golf.
Well said.

tomjol

532 posts

117 months

Thursday 13th August 2015
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neil1jnr said:
Well that's an easy question to answer; most people that are into cars care quite a lot about driver involvement and why wouldn't you judge a hot hatch by its lap time? It is bragging rights, right? Just like the 0-60 time is bragging rights? With your logic then the likes of the Megane 275 for example shouldn't be judged on its interior or lack of relative refinement becuase Renaults have never been about that... but they still get judged on it.

IMO the lap times and driver involvement would be more of a priority for a hot hatch rather than quick and boring with a nicer (still plastic) interior. You have to admit, with all the hype and such high power and torque figures' and price tag, that the RS3 boasts, I would have expected the RS3 to be near the top of the rankings for hot hatch lap times. But instead, the 'inferior' brand in the VAG stable has a hot hatch which costs a huge amount less, and like you said is also not about 'track times or driver involvement', but still pips the RS3 around the track... So I'll stand by what I said, I think it is crazy that the RS3 is slower around a track than the R. smile

Edited by neil1jnr on Thursday 13th August 11:37
Hmm.

You're right, the fast Renaults do get judged on that stuff, but I think that's stupid too. It's a Renault, you don't buy one for refinement and interior plastics, do you? Maybe some people do confused

I just really struggle with the idea that somebody said "hey let's take an RS3 on track" and that somebody else said "that sounds like a great idea!". The response should have been "it's a point and squirt machine for getting from A to B at great speed with minimal fuss, don't be daft". It's like running a headline that reads "AWD AUDI IN 'UNDERSTEERS LIKE THE fkING TITANIC' SHOCKER!". Everybody knows this already, surely?

Getting back to track times, given all that, I just don't think they're remotely relevant. I suppose I can see why one would expect the RS3 to be faster as it's the higher-end product in the group, but it's so meaningless that I struggle to even pay attention.

NumberoftheBeast

442 posts

181 months

Friday 14th August 2015
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I've had my DSG for a few weeks now - brand new so still running it in and thus my overall judgement and detailed write-up is reserved at present.

I'm not a VW fanboy - had plenty of performance vehicles but I read the comments with interest, several of which I have an inkling are from people who haven't driven one.

Initial impressions are positive - it isn't a rare beast nor is it a pretty car but not everyone wants a flashy "look at me" car. This is a third car for me and while one of my cars is faster and the other is more fun and chuckable, the Golf is so far serving its purpose as a middle point between the two. It's fast enough as a daily, five doors so good for the kids and still something that offers Dad a bit of performance to take the kids out in. It blends in and isn't offensive like some performance cars are.

One final point I will add is that I was in Tesco before and spotted a copy of Top Gear magazine with "best hot hatches" on the front. Ok, it doesn't have the kudos of Evo Magazine but I had a flick through and there was a group test with 25 hatches including the new fast SEAT, the hot Megane etc. and several tests (0-100-0, track, road etc) and the top three were the Fiesta ST, the new Civic Type R and the Golf R. The winner? The Golf R. Now I'm not being a defensive VW convert as I might harvest a dislike of my new purchase in the months (and miles) to come, but beating off what looked like some very capable competition, it can't be too bad can it?

ORD

18,120 posts

127 months

Friday 14th August 2015
quotequote all
NumberoftheBeast said:
I've had my DSG for a few weeks now - brand new so still running it in and thus my overall judgement and detailed write-up is reserved at present.

I'm not a VW fanboy - had plenty of performance vehicles but I read the comments with interest, several of which I have an inkling are from people who haven't driven one.

Initial impressions are positive - it isn't a rare beast nor is it a pretty car but not everyone wants a flashy "look at me" car. This is a third car for me and while one of my cars is faster and the other is more fun and chuckable, the Golf is so far serving its purpose as a middle point between the two. It's fast enough as a daily, five doors so good for the kids and still something that offers Dad a bit of performance to take the kids out in. It blends in and isn't offensive like some performance cars are.

One final point I will add is that I was in Tesco before and spotted a copy of Top Gear magazine with "best hot hatches" on the front. Ok, it doesn't have the kudos of Evo Magazine but I had a flick through and there was a group test with 25 hatches including the new fast SEAT, the hot Megane etc. and several tests (0-100-0, track, road etc) and the top three were the Fiesta ST, the new Civic Type R and the Golf R. The winner? The Golf R. Now I'm not being a defensive VW convert as I might harvest a dislike of my new purchase in the months (and miles) to come, but beating off what looked like some very capable competition, it can't be too bad can it?
It's not. It's a very good car.

But relying on a verdict on a car from Top Gear is analogous to saying 'that song must be good - Magic FM plays it loads'.

heebeegeetee

28,759 posts

248 months

Friday 14th August 2015
quotequote all
WarnieV6GT said:
Don't care how good it is, I couldnt spend £32k plus on a golf. For £32k I want drama, I don't want to see another one on the road every week let alone every day.

I want to be able to start it up and have a little giggle as the engine growls into life and get excited about what's to come.

I want to be able to feel excited even when I'm just pottering about. I want to park it up and take 2 to 3 look backs, I want to want to find a parking space that allows me to gaze over at it through the window whilst having my pub lunch.

The golf wouldn't make me do any of these. The person who said he'd rather have a dull 4 cylinder engine that does 0-60 in 4.6 secs rather than a loud v6 that does it on 6 secs is the perfect candidate for a 'white goods' golf.

There again I drive an alfa, which I'm sure folk that buy the golf r wouldn't touch with a barge pole. Too much to go wrong, too many flaws but that's what I love about it. It's not perfect by a long stretch but I do love it and they will never say that about their golf.
Eh? We're talking about a Golf, not a Lamborghini.

Shouldn't these threads be summed up by saying 'Golf does what Golf does best SHOCK!? smile Has anybody ever bought a Golf for the above reasons?

I bought my Mk2s back in the day for being a good all rounder. My pal has just done the same with his R. He has other cars for all the other stuff, of course.

NumberoftheBeast

442 posts

181 months

Friday 14th August 2015
quotequote all
ORD said:
It's not. It's a very good car.

But relying on a verdict on a car from Top Gear is analogous to saying 'that song must be good - Magic FM plays it loads'.
Which, if you'd read my post properly, why I diplomatically acknowledged that TG mag is probably not as credible a source as "Evo" or other such magazines you snobs and driving Gods read!

NumberoftheBeast

442 posts

181 months

Friday 14th August 2015
quotequote all
heebeegeetee said:
WarnieV6GT said:
Don't care how good it is, I couldnt spend £32k plus on a golf. For £32k I want drama, I don't want to see another one on the road every week let alone every day.

I want to be able to start it up and have a little giggle as the engine growls into life and get excited about what's to come.

I want to be able to feel excited even when I'm just pottering about. I want to park it up and take 2 to 3 look backs, I want to want to find a parking space that allows me to gaze over at it through the window whilst having my pub lunch.

The golf wouldn't make me do any of these. The person who said he'd rather have a dull 4 cylinder engine that does 0-60 in 4.6 secs rather than a loud v6 that does it on 6 secs is the perfect candidate for a 'white goods' golf.

There again I drive an alfa, which I'm sure folk that buy the golf r wouldn't touch with a barge pole. Too much to go wrong, too many flaws but that's what I love about it. It's not perfect by a long stretch but I do love it and they will never say that about their golf.
Eh? We're talking about a Golf, not a Lamborghini.

Shouldn't these threads be summed up by saying 'Golf does what Golf does best SHOCK!? smile Has anybody ever bought a Golf for the above reasons?

I bought my Mk2s back in the day for being a good all rounder. My pal has just done the same with his R. He has other cars for all the other stuff, of course.
Couldn't have put it better myself. It's 30K - not 300K.

ORD

18,120 posts

127 months

Friday 14th August 2015
quotequote all
NumberoftheBeast said:
Which, if you'd read my post properly, why I diplomatically acknowledged that TG mag is probably not as credible a source as "Evo" or other such magazines you snobs and driving Gods read!
Jeez! Who shat in your cereal? smile

I'm on your side on this one, Mr Sensitive. You had a good point without referring to TG (even with the caveat, which I should have acknowledged). In any case, Autocar and Evo both quite like the Golf, don't they?

For what it's worth, I would put much more faith in individual journalists than any publication. Autocar, for example, is a very mixed bag - some very dedicated enthusiasts (with a sense of perspective and balance) and some typical car journo weirdos who are obsessed with mpg, soft touch plastics and other people's perceptions.

NumberoftheBeast

442 posts

181 months

Friday 14th August 2015
quotequote all
To be honest, I don't read car magazines. I only ever used to buy one just to take on the plane for a holiday but we have kids now so the entire flight is usually ways spent occupying them. Incidentally, Mrs and I fly alone in a week for the first time in years so I'll be sure to heed your advice on what's best! Cheers.