Who is liking their new Golf R?

Who is liking their new Golf R?

Author
Discussion

DizzyN

408 posts

164 months

Friday 24th October 2014
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dan1502 said:
I'm thinking of going for one of these on the lease deal. I'm reluctant to specify any options except for DSG (essential for us) and white paint but am wondering about the ride on 18s and whether DCC is worth specifying. I have seen and sat in one which was already sold but doubt I will get to test drive one. However we did hire a new A3 Sport on holiday which is vaguely similar I guess and enjoyed it other than wanting more power.
I received mine yesterday in the same spec you're thinking of going for. I can handle the harder ride as I'm used to it but if you're after a little more comfort, I'd spec the DCC. Don't forget, with a lease you're often paying the cost of the options over the length of your contract. Personally, as I can handle the harder ride (lots of bumpy roads around London!), I didn't want to pay the extra over the two years.

Blown2CV

28,698 posts

202 months

Friday 24th October 2014
quotequote all
dan1502 said:
I'm thinking of going for one of these on the lease deal. I'm reluctant to specify any options except for DSG (essential for us) and white paint but am wondering about the ride on 18s and whether DCC is worth specifying. I have seen and sat in one which was already sold but doubt I will get to test drive one. However we did hire a new A3 Sport on holiday which is vaguely similar I guess and enjoyed it other than wanting more power.
mine is bare bones apart from DSG. I am sure DCC is great but the car is great without and if you're leasing then you're ripped off a bit on options.

Carlique

1,630 posts

163 months

Friday 24th October 2014
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Does anybody here regret getting a manual instead of a DSG gearbox? And/or does anybody with the DSG regret not getting a manual?

I have just ordered myself a 5 door manual (cracking lease deal) as I imagine it will be a little more engaging. However, when I'm sat in traffic before and after work everyday for an hour, I start to doubt whether I should change my order to a DSG.

Very split decision and as I'll be stuck driving the thing for 2 years, I need some owners opinions on the matter biggrin

Thanks

nunpuncher

3,364 posts

124 months

Friday 24th October 2014
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I've ordered a manual for 2 reasons. Firstly I do bugger all miles apart from pleasure only these day. Secondly you'll be lucky if you can get any performance car with a manual box in a few years time so fill your boots while you can is my thinking.

In my last car I was still commuting about 40 miles a day in traffic yet I still ordered a manual. I really regretted it. Not least because being a BMW the manual box was the usual notchy horrible thing

If my travel situation was still the same I'd 100% be going DSG on the 7R.

n4aat

457 posts

211 months

Saturday 25th October 2014
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I have 70 mile round trip daily commute and have bought a manual. But then it is free flowing and on a mixture of motorway and A roads. I will always choose a manual as we will likely have no choice in a few years.

Gio G

Original Poster:

2,945 posts

208 months

Saturday 25th October 2014
quotequote all
Carlique said:
Does anybody here regret getting a manual instead of a DSG gearbox? And/or does anybody with the DSG regret not getting a manual?

I have just ordered myself a 5 door manual (cracking lease deal) as I imagine it will be a little more engaging. However, when I'm sat in traffic before and after work everyday for an hour, I start to doubt whether I should change my order to a DSG.

Very split decision and as I'll be stuck driving the thing for 2 years, I need some owners opinions on the matter biggrin

Thanks
I purchased the DSG variant as just did not like the manual. From the feel of the clutch, to the way the gears went in. However at the time I was driving a Cayman with a manual short shift box, which was very precise. I have no regrets, except the paddles need to be much bigger!

G

Carlique

1,630 posts

163 months

Saturday 25th October 2014
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Cheers guys. Still very split decision. I too thought that I should grab the manual whilst they're still available in these types of cars, but I also don't want to be in that situation of regretting it whilst in traffic daily.

I've got until Monday to make my decision anyway so any more opinions/experiences are greatly appreciated! smile

n4aat

457 posts

211 months

Saturday 25th October 2014
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Carlique said:
Cheers guys. Still very split decision. I too thought that I should grab the manual whilst they're still available in these types of cars, but I also don't want to be in that situation of regretting it whilst in traffic daily.

I've got until Monday to make my decision anyway so any more opinions/experiences are greatly appreciated! smile
I love the Tiptronic in my S4 but I think it suits the big cruiser characteristics. And admittedly it is very relaxing in stop/start traffic. I'm looking for something to do when driving the R. Something to involve me, not do it all for me. I have a feeling it is going to be sanitised enough as it is.

Cyb3rDud3

198 posts

225 months

Saturday 25th October 2014
quotequote all
Carlique said:
Does anybody here regret getting a manual instead of a DSG gearbox? And/or does anybody with the DSG regret not getting a manual?

I have just ordered myself a 5 door manual (cracking lease deal) as I imagine it will be a little more engaging. However, when I'm sat in traffic before and after work everyday for an hour, I start to doubt whether I should change my order to a DSG.

Very split decision and as I'll be stuck driving the thing for 2 years, I need some owners opinions on the matter biggrin

Thanks
The combination of Golf Mk7 R and the DSG is just fantastic. I've done about 9.5K miles in that combination now, and I love it. It is just so versatile to an extend that many 'automatic' drivers don't realise or manual drivers can't even imagine. To me it is that seamless transition between automatic and manual modes. The variety of shifting your can choose to control the vehicle depending on the situation...

you can control it with your right foot and instigate downshifts or upshifts, you can go full throttle all the way in gear if you so like, you can also activate the lowest possible gearing and let the box instantly go there....

Then you can use the peddles, you can go fully manual, or in combination with any of the automatic modes to instantly override...

And of course there is also the stick it self with which you do sequential shifts rally style.

At any stage, moment, you can combine any of those methods or quickly via the stick select a preprogrammed automatic mode. To me it is that flexibility and the insane speed of response of this gearbox that I think makes it very very good, and too me offers plenty of driver involvement...

Oh and then there is also launch control for when you feel like going for it And lets not forget Automatic Cruise Control where the system works properly and can go all the way from 0-.....-0 combined with auto braking etc...

Yes, the versatility of this box to me, is a case where you can have you cake and eat it

Blown2CV

28,698 posts

202 months

Sunday 26th October 2014
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auto-brake nannying can be a bit annoying sometimes.

nunpuncher

3,364 posts

124 months

Sunday 26th October 2014
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I liked the DSG box in my S3 but despite it being very versatile and rarely did the wrong thing, the interface is a remote one.

Before I had driven one I expected there to be a more positive feel to changing with the paddles and even more so using the sequential "stick". It did everything I wanted when I wanted it to but it just felt like a cheap Logitech playstation race wheel and shifter. It's a very electronic interface. I wanted a little resistance/positive click home type of feel. The paddles didn't feel like they moved at all.

Blown2CV

28,698 posts

202 months

Monday 27th October 2014
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Carlique said:
Cheers guys. Still very split decision. I too thought that I should grab the manual whilst they're still available in these types of cars, but I also don't want to be in that situation of regretting it whilst in traffic daily.

I've got until Monday to make my decision anyway so any more opinions/experiences are greatly appreciated! smile
i'd say drive both but you're unlikely to find a demonstrator of even one of the two gearbox variants. DSG makes it feel modern, suits the car down the ground and pairs its modes with the driving mode selection etc, and has cleverness associated with gearing according to inclines etc. Changes are very quick, it's faster and more economical than the manual and it suits pressing on as much as leaving it in auto. I think the only reasons you'd choose a manual is if the DSG is somehow against your principles. I'm sure the manual still feels like you are somehow involved in the driving process, however I don't think many people have driven them side-by-side.

tjlazer

875 posts

173 months

Monday 27th October 2014
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I'm a manual driver and I live in London. It's easy, quick and the clutch is light. Very liveable on a daily basis. Don't worry about it. If you wanted manual in the first place you won't be disappointed, it's very good.

Blown2CV

28,698 posts

202 months

Monday 27th October 2014
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tjlazer said:
I'm a manual driver and I live in London.
i admire your commitment smile

Carlique

1,630 posts

163 months

Monday 27th October 2014
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Thanks for the replies guys, very useful thumbup.
I had a go in my mates mk7 GTD on sunday and I can see how quick, versatile and generally impressive the gearbox is, as people say.
However, I still feel that a manual is more involving and rewarding than the dsg, despite it's slickness. Tomorrow I'll be borrowing an automatic (Lexus IS250) for my commute to see if it's more pleasurable, but for now I think my decision is swaying towards keeping it manual.

It's videos like this online which excite me more than seeing the DSG launch videos: mk7 R Manual Launch


BlueNGT

701 posts

221 months

Thursday 30th October 2014
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What is the 'lease deal cloth' trim like?

Is it cloth and alcantara?

Does anybody have any decent pictures of the cloth interior?

Cannot believe a £30k even comes with cloth trim - don't mind cloth in the GTi with the chequered trim as that is GTi heritage!!!

Thanks