Tuesday 19th April 2022

VW Golf GTI Clubsport S | Spotted

Too often great drivers' cars are hidden away - not in the case of this Clubsport S

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All the while we see fantastic cars cooped up in collections, accruing value rather than miles. And while we should all do whatever the heck we like with our money, it does seem a shame not to enjoy vehicles for the job they were designed to do. Not least when, for the really good stuff, getting out and driving it will have a minimal effect on value - but potentially make you love the car even more.

Take this Golf. That's not a mistake, either, this is very much intended as one of the great driver's cars of recent years, because it's a GTI Clubsport S - more on that in a sec. The important thing to note for now is that it's recorded 44,000 miles in the past five years, which is pretty good going for a two-seat VW GTI that many saw as a bit daft at launch. Yet it remains for sale at £29,995, because it's far more special than the exterior would lead many believe. For a car that cost £34k new, we'd call that very good value for money. Contrast that to the super low mileage examples that exist, for sale at just over £40k with barely two thousand miles driven. Surely we'd all rather enjoy one of the great modern hot hatches and still have a £30k asset, than treat a Golf with kid gloves for the sake of a few grand?

Maybe that point is up for a broader discussion one day. Life would be boring if we all liked the same thing, and there'd be no low mileage cars if everybody was out thrashing them every day. What isn't up for any debate is the star quality of the Golf Clubsport S, a car that arguably gets more special with each passing day. Snuck through before the ramifications of Dieselgate had really hit home, it was an incredible project: just 400 were made, all three-door, two-seat, manual Golf GTIs. Remarkable enough in the current context, but there was so much more to it than that. The CS had power upped to an R-equalling 310hp, yet was lighter than any other fast Golf thanks to the missing rear bench; it got its own aluminium front subframe for increased negative camber; Michelin Cup 2 tyres were standard (on a Golf!); and the Nurburgring humbling suspension setting was hidden in the Individual drive mode.

The Clubsport S was chock full of the nerdy details we love to see on low volume track specials, yet packed into a Golf GTI - the predictable, everyman hot hatch choice. Having secured a Nurburgring lap record with a 7:49 (beating the Civic Type R), VW then went a couple of seconds quicker, just because it could. This was a Golf capable of 7:47 at the Nurburgring, yet also enormous fun on the road. It was a Golf GTI, and it was cool.

That the Clubsport S was so subtle, that it was the very opposite of a stickered up Megane or bespoilered Civic, certainly enhanced that impression, but arguably did its achievements a disservice. Because it was just a Golf GTI to most people, not one of the best front-drive cars ever. And yes, that's a hill your correspondent is willing to die on. It was even quite good at still just being a Golf GTI, albeit a two seat-one, nicely assembled and admirably refined.

It can seem like a lot of people still don't know (or care) about the CS, which seems a shame given three-door Golf GTIs are dead and manuals can't be far behind. VW's next Nurburgring record isn't going to be for a like this, if for anything. Even the PH classifieds super computer hasn't clocked it, recording it as a 265hp Clubsport rather than a 310hp, 164mph record breaker. The dealer doesn't seem to know what it has on its hands either, though Park's Honda Ayr can probably be let off not knowing about a Golf of which there are only another 149 in the UK. Maybe the old owner traded this in for a Civic Type R, because they love unforgettable front-drive hot hatches - a good upgrade. Whatever the case, the Clubsport S ought to make an awesome car for its next buyer, and seemingly a very safe space for their money as well - even if everyone else will just see a Golf.

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SPECIFICATION | VOLKSWAGEN GOLF GTI CLUBSPORT S (Mk7)

Engine: 1,984cc 4-cyl turbocharged
Transmission: 6-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Power (hp): 310@5,800rpm
Torque (lb ft): 280@1,850-5,700rpm
0-62mph: 5.8sec
Top speed: 164mph
MPG: 38.2 (NEDC)
CO2: 172g/km (NEDC)
Year registered: 2017
Recorded mileage: 44,112
Price new: £33,995
Yours for: £29,995

See the original advert here

[mrclav]

A tidy example. And something I'm sure many on here will appreciate as it's actually attainable!

[GranpaB]

I had a standard GTI in 2018 for a couple of years and really enjoyed it for that time but finances ruled and had to get rid.

[kmpowell]

Cue people getting the ED40 mixed up with this car.

Anyway, IMO it was impressive in 2016, and still as impressive today. Not for the overall time, but the way the car handled and reacted...

[Al U]

Maybe this is the right place to ask about this so I get a reply that covers it than have to do a load of googling.

I don't really understand the hierarchy of these newer golfs. Have been looking at Golf's recently and it was pretty simple before (when I say before I mean MK5), if you wanted performance you had an R32 or a GTI (ok you had edition 30 etc as well but you know what I mean).

Now you have Golf R, Golf GTI, Golf GTD, Golf GTE, Golf GTI Clubsport, Golf GTI Clupsport S etc...MK7/7.5/8 versions that all seem similar as well!

I also assume that the Golf R with the most power and 4 wheel drive would be the "best" so it's strange to see Golf GTI's that ask very similar money for similar years and mileages.

[Jamescrs]

Al U said:

Maybe this is the right place to ask about this so I get a reply that covers it than have to do a load of googling.

I don't really understand the hierarchy of these newer golfs. Have been looking at Golf's recently and it was pretty simple before (when I say before I mean MK5), if you wanted performance you had an R32 or a GTI (ok you had edition 30 etc as well but you know what I mean).

Now you have Golf R, Golf GTI, Golf GTD, Golf GTE, Golf GTI Clubsport, Golf GTI Clupsport S etc...MK7/7.5/8 versions that all seem similar as well!

I also assume that the Golf R with the most power and 4 wheel drive would be the "best" so it's strange to see Golf GTI's that ask very similar money for similar years and mileages.

Very much depends what you want from the car, I have a couple of mates who have both owned GTI Clubsports, one of them certainly has the means to buy a Golf R and the other works for VW so has his pick of the cars and both of them prefer the Clubsport versions to the Golf R stating they are more fun to drive and more engaging.

If your main goal is to drive fast and without effort no doubt the Golf R is the best option but for driver enjoyment and involvement the Clubsport seems to be a more popular choice.

[Google [bot]]

That is interesting, and lovely. I didn’t realize these were that special, I mustn’t have been paying attention.

[Gez79]

Not sure you can say that the dealer doesn't know what they've got for sale when they've put it up for £30k!

[Jon_S_Rally]

Do like these. Golf 7 GTI is still a great looking car, and the CS was clearly a fantastic thing. For me, I would probably have an Ed.40 so I still had back seats, but that's just me. I think the only issue with this one is the colour. Not sure black really does a lot for it.

Al U said:

Maybe this is the right place to ask about this so I get a reply that covers it than have to do a load of googling.

I don't really understand the hierarchy of these newer golfs. Have been looking at Golf's recently and it was pretty simple before (when I say before I mean MK5), if you wanted performance you had an R32 or a GTI (ok you had edition 30 etc as well but you know what I mean).

Now you have Golf R, Golf GTI, Golf GTD, Golf GTE, Golf GTI Clubsport, Golf GTI Clupsport S etc...MK7/7.5/8 versions that all seem similar as well!

I also assume that the Golf R with the most power and 4 wheel drive would be the "best" so it's strange to see Golf GTI's that ask very similar money for similar years and mileages.

The hierarchy in terms of R and GTI isn't any different to when it was R32 and GTI, there are just some additional models. The R is still the top-of-the-range model, followed by the GTI Clubsport and then the GTI. Models like the GTD and GTE are there to satisfy a slightly different market, i.e. people that want more efficiency but still want a bit of performance, and sit below the GTI.

[oedipus]

Now’s probably the time for a closing chapter on the Golf that runs with the spirit of the GR Yaris exercise. VW have flexed for the Veyron and XL1 in different ways and though it seems the ID stuff is coming to the fore, there would be a market and much reflected glory in making an extraordinary final gesture.

[wpa1975]

One of the best Golfs ever, I might be wrong but was it one of these that was stripped for parts whilst on a dealers forecourt.

Seats are shared with the RS4 so are hugely expensive.

[m88ony]

Big fan of these and this is well priced. Been keeping an eye for a CSS as they seem to be sitting at £40K used and not moving at all. I just sold my Ed 40 CS which was a great car too.

[jwwbowe]

Great car no doubt. A lack of depreciation vs mileage is a good sign but it’s also a crazy market. Can’t help but think the non-S Clubsport is the Goldilocks car though providing in reality a very similar level of performance / handling prowess but with rear seats and a bit more usability.

[Iamnotkloot]

I like subtle performance cars and this fits the bill. But I have to say, a 2 seat Golf doesn't make a whole lot of sense but credit to them for doing it anyway.

[Dimebars]

And when you read the advert, you realise the car has zero service history at all.

[Hairymonster]

A cracking car, and not bad at the money! I do need a backseat though.

But 6 previous owners?

Edited by Hairymonster on Wednesday 20th April 10:01

[pSyCoSiS]

I did not realise these are as special as they are.

A good R alternative.

[HaveACuppa]

I’d certainly have one over a Golf R. Any special golf seems to hold its value well too. Look at MK5 Edition 30’s and the MK4 Anniversary.

[NSNO]

Jamescrs said:

Al U said:

Maybe this is the right place to ask about this so I get a reply that covers it than have to do a load of googling.

I don't really understand the hierarchy of these newer golfs. Have been looking at Golf's recently and it was pretty simple before (when I say before I mean MK5), if you wanted performance you had an R32 or a GTI (ok you had edition 30 etc as well but you know what I mean).

Now you have Golf R, Golf GTI, Golf GTD, Golf GTE, Golf GTI Clubsport, Golf GTI Clupsport S etc...MK7/7.5/8 versions that all seem similar as well!

I also assume that the Golf R with the most power and 4 wheel drive would be the "best" so it's strange to see Golf GTI's that ask very similar money for similar years and mileages.

Very much depends what you want from the car, I have a couple of mates who have both owned GTI Clubsports, one of them certainly has the means to buy a Golf R and the other works for VW so has his pick of the cars and both of them prefer the Clubsport versions to the Golf R stating they are more fun to drive and more engaging.

If your main goal is to drive fast and without effort no doubt the Golf R is the best option but for driver enjoyment and involvement the Clubsport seems to be a more popular choice.

I used to own one myself a few years ago. I test drove the "R", but didn't enjoy it. Which is why I went for the Clubsport, more feedback in the steering and more enjoyable to drive overall. Great handling and obviously a bit lighter than the "R" as well, so just as fast once moving and more throwable into the corners. I got it chipped as well, so once rolling was pretty quick.

[MotorSpeak]

Pedantic I know but why have tinted rear windows in a car with no rear seats? These half-and-half look window tints always make a car look worse to my (probably bad) eyes.

[TheMilkyBarKid]

MotorSpeak said:

Pedantic I know but why have tinted rear windows in a car with no rear seats? These half-and-half look window tints always make a car look worse to my (probably bad) eyes.

Don’t worry it’s not just you - in a black car like this they can have the effect of making it look like a high performance van to my eyes. Nice car though, although as has been said by a couple of others above I’d probably lean towards the standard Clubsport than the S purely for practical reasons. In fact I’ve been looking for one to replace my early Mk 7 GTi as a daily driver lately but, as with this car, finding one that hasn’t had numerous owners over a short period seems to be difficult.

Edited by TheMilkyBarKid on Wednesday 20th April 11:42