MK7.5 Golf GTI vs Golf R
Discussion
I have become very interested in the VAG 2.0t offerings , after driving an M140i and not really feeling it.
Main reasons I didn’t like the M140i is I felt it didn’t feel nippy in normal driving , and once it built up the power it felt a bit too much for me - wasn’t a fun lairy to me it just felt like too much power for the chassis.
Audi S3 and Golf R are next on the list to try , I am hoping the AWD feels more stable and the DSG more direct / nippy.
I was wondering though if anyone has experience in both Golf R and Golf GTi ? The 75ish less bhp, slightly offset by the 100kg diet and FWD…
The Gtis for sale seem better equipped on the whole - I want full leather and digi dash and the ex lease golf Rs seem to all be entry spec. Perhaps more private buyers on the GTI
Main reasons I didn’t like the M140i is I felt it didn’t feel nippy in normal driving , and once it built up the power it felt a bit too much for me - wasn’t a fun lairy to me it just felt like too much power for the chassis.
Audi S3 and Golf R are next on the list to try , I am hoping the AWD feels more stable and the DSG more direct / nippy.
I was wondering though if anyone has experience in both Golf R and Golf GTi ? The 75ish less bhp, slightly offset by the 100kg diet and FWD…
The Gtis for sale seem better equipped on the whole - I want full leather and digi dash and the ex lease golf Rs seem to all be entry spec. Perhaps more private buyers on the GTI
heisthegaffer said:
I have often wondered about these two. I like the fact GTIs are bit more overt with the tartan upholstery and red line around the grill.
Having said that, the ones I've browsed on AT seem more expensive that RS and are harder to find.
See I like the tartan but the wife doesn’t - I’m not sure I like the R alcantara but haven’t seen one in person . Agree on the red light details really like that. Having said that, the ones I've browsed on AT seem more expensive that RS and are harder to find.
The price point I’m looking at is sub £25k.
In the last 3 years I’ve had 2 R’s, a 2015 296bhp Manual, and a 2017 310 DSG. In between those two I also had a 2014 S3 STronic (basically another Golf R 
)
I absolutely love them, Swiss Army knife of cars it does everything. Bought my current 2017 310 DSG about 6 months ago from the VW Approved used scheme and despite 70,000 miles not one issue. No rattles or creaks to speak of either. Comes with 2 years warranty if you can find one from VW.
Mine is a Poverty version, no options apart from Lapis Blue paint. But unlike the BMW M140i this isn’t an issue as they come with so much more standard eg Digital Dash and the nice big infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay etc. Seats are a mix of cloth and Alcantara which I far prefer to the leather as it holds you in better and doesn’t scold you in the summer!
Never had a go in a GTI but would imagine they’re pretty similar. The GTI is a much better looking car than the R in my opinion.
Edit: I tried the M140i as well and agree, too much power for the chasis. It’s basically a 1 Series M Sport with a massive engine, B58 is however a great engine though. But unless you’re over 100mph there is a minuscule difference in straight line speed.
)I absolutely love them, Swiss Army knife of cars it does everything. Bought my current 2017 310 DSG about 6 months ago from the VW Approved used scheme and despite 70,000 miles not one issue. No rattles or creaks to speak of either. Comes with 2 years warranty if you can find one from VW.
Mine is a Poverty version, no options apart from Lapis Blue paint. But unlike the BMW M140i this isn’t an issue as they come with so much more standard eg Digital Dash and the nice big infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay etc. Seats are a mix of cloth and Alcantara which I far prefer to the leather as it holds you in better and doesn’t scold you in the summer!
Never had a go in a GTI but would imagine they’re pretty similar. The GTI is a much better looking car than the R in my opinion.
Edit: I tried the M140i as well and agree, too much power for the chasis. It’s basically a 1 Series M Sport with a massive engine, B58 is however a great engine though. But unless you’re over 100mph there is a minuscule difference in straight line speed.
Edited by CJ1 on Sunday 19th June 22:42
Interesting thread for me given the opening comments vs the M140i (which I have owned for over 3 years now) as I came from a 2015 Golf R and personally I much prefer the M.
The R was effortless to drive fast whereas I actually find the M a lot more engaging and fun.
I had a little tussle the other day with a Golf GTI and it couldn’t keep up with mine in acceleration, but overall the Golf will handle better in my own experience.
The R was effortless to drive fast whereas I actually find the M a lot more engaging and fun.
I had a little tussle the other day with a Golf GTI and it couldn’t keep up with mine in acceleration, but overall the Golf will handle better in my own experience.
Never had either, however no doubt the R is the quicker do it all road car. I would imagine the GTI would be more engaging and perhaps more fun on track. Depends what you're going to use it for I suppose.
You will miss the engine in the BMW, the B58 is an absolute cracker. It's unfortunate the chassis needs work to make the most of it.
You will miss the engine in the BMW, the B58 is an absolute cracker. It's unfortunate the chassis needs work to make the most of it.
In my head the B58 was what I wanted but I just think the reality of it for me is I don't always get the space to stretch it out. The 1 series was a definite no for me, perhaps I would prefer it in a 3/4 series but I assume the economy will drop with that, I only got 19 on the test drive.
I think there will be more opportunity to safely accelerate and have fun in the Golf - I am definitely leaning towards the R, as I think with the GTI I will always be wishing I had a touch more. Aiming to test drive both though.
Do they have the same engine? Guessing turbo at least must be different.
I think there will be more opportunity to safely accelerate and have fun in the Golf - I am definitely leaning towards the R, as I think with the GTI I will always be wishing I had a touch more. Aiming to test drive both though.
Do they have the same engine? Guessing turbo at least must be different.
I have both. For sure the R is so much quicker, it just piles on speed relentless and always feels stable. It certainly keeps up with more powerful cars on the twisties..
The GTi is more " fun " if you like that it doesn't grip as much and you can throw it around more. I've done a few weekends in Wales this year and always take the GTi - its incredibly capable when you lean on it
Its difficult to say which is "better" as people want different things, have different driving styles etc..
The GTi is more " fun " if you like that it doesn't grip as much and you can throw it around more. I've done a few weekends in Wales this year and always take the GTi - its incredibly capable when you lean on it
Its difficult to say which is "better" as people want different things, have different driving styles etc..
damianmkv said:
I have both. For sure the R is so much quicker, it just piles on speed relentless and always feels stable. It certainly keeps up with more powerful cars on the twisties..
The GTi is more " fun " if you like that it doesn't grip as much and you can throw it around more. I've done a few weekends in Wales this year and always take the GTi - its incredibly capable when you lean on it
Its difficult to say which is "better" as people want different things, have different driving styles etc..
Definitely a good person to comment then! The GTi is more " fun " if you like that it doesn't grip as much and you can throw it around more. I've done a few weekends in Wales this year and always take the GTi - its incredibly capable when you lean on it
Its difficult to say which is "better" as people want different things, have different driving styles etc..
Are yours both DSG?
This is the one that has caught my eye:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204114...
The colour, leather, pan roof - Alloys I like too - ticks every box really.
joropug said:
damianmkv said:
I have both. For sure the R is so much quicker, it just piles on speed relentless and always feels stable. It certainly keeps up with more powerful cars on the twisties..
The GTi is more " fun " if you like that it doesn't grip as much and you can throw it around more. I've done a few weekends in Wales this year and always take the GTi - its incredibly capable when you lean on it
Its difficult to say which is "better" as people want different things, have different driving styles etc..
Definitely a good person to comment then! The GTi is more " fun " if you like that it doesn't grip as much and you can throw it around more. I've done a few weekends in Wales this year and always take the GTi - its incredibly capable when you lean on it
Its difficult to say which is "better" as people want different things, have different driving styles etc..
Are yours both DSG?
This is the one that has caught my eye:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204114...
The colour, leather, pan roof - Alloys I like too - ticks every box really.
Dan W. said:
The garage reviews are worrying if its this car you like.
Good spot, F that - The car is what I want but I wouldn't buy from somewhere with consistent bad reviews. To be honest Cazoo, Cinch and Carsa seem to have loads of Golf Rs currently, as do Motorbase. I need to test drive one really before committing though, hopefully I can this weekend.
I wanted an R, test drove 2, a 7 and 7.5 in DSG and manual format, both of them I found a bit boring. I was gutted tbh as it seemed like the perfect all round car for my needs. Had a lovely interior though and felt solid, plenty of room for the occasional family duty I needed. So I then looked into GTi's and ended up with a 7 in DSG form, which imo looks better than an R, nicer inside and a lot more playful down a B road. The R felt like it didn't really need me to be involved, you could fly down a B road and it never felt alive, like it needed you to drive it. In the GTi it feels more involving to me, more alive, more playful and more willing to be chucked around.
Both are great cars, some prefer the more surefooted R, some prefer the playfulness of a GTi, drive both and make your own decisions.
Both are great cars, some prefer the more surefooted R, some prefer the playfulness of a GTi, drive both and make your own decisions.
joropug said:
Dan W. said:
The garage reviews are worrying if its this car you like.
Good spot, F that - The car is what I want but I wouldn't buy from somewhere with consistent bad reviews. To be honest Cazoo, Cinch and Carsa seem to have loads of Golf Rs currently, as do Motorbase. I need to test drive one really before committing though, hopefully I can this weekend.
Dan W. said:
The garage reviews are worrying if its this car you like.
Good spot, F that - The car is what I want but I wouldn't buy from somewhere with consistent bad reviews. To be honest Cazoo, Cinch and Carsa seem to have loads of Golf Rs currently, as do Motorbase. I need to test drive one really before committing though, hopefully I can this weekend.
For me, the comparison would be between the Golf R and the Leon Cupra, rather than the Golf GTi.
You get essentially Golf R power with the lighter weight and all the other GTi attributes in the Leon.
I had a Golf R for a couple of years and it was a superb, unflappable all rounder. The Leon is supposed to be more of a handful, but that may be what you're after as it can feel more engaging.
You get essentially Golf R power with the lighter weight and all the other GTi attributes in the Leon.
I had a Golf R for a couple of years and it was a superb, unflappable all rounder. The Leon is supposed to be more of a handful, but that may be what you're after as it can feel more engaging.
charltjr said:
For me, the comparison would be between the Golf R and the Leon Cupra, rather than the Golf GTi.
You get essentially Golf R power with the lighter weight and all the other GTi attributes in the Leon.
I had a Golf R for a couple of years and it was a superb, unflappable all rounder. The Leon is supposed to be more of a handful, but that may be what you're after as it can feel more engaging.
I like the Leon exterior, but less so the interior which shows its age a bit more - Wife also not a fan. I am fussy on what she buys so she returns the favour haha. The comment was they look like a boy racer car which apparently the golf / S3 gets away with. You get essentially Golf R power with the lighter weight and all the other GTi attributes in the Leon.
I had a Golf R for a couple of years and it was a superb, unflappable all rounder. The Leon is supposed to be more of a handful, but that may be what you're after as it can feel more engaging.
If I like a Golf R I will also be looking for S3s - I'd be happy with either but the S3 seems to seldom have the options I want. I also don't want a black car as I find they always look swirly/dirty. Many of both variants are unfortunately.
joropug said:
Definitely a good person to comment then!
Are yours both DSG?
This is the one that has caught my eye:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204114...
The colour, leather, pan roof - Alloys I like too - ticks every box really.
Yes, both of mine are DSG. That garage has had a 7 Gti up for ages with a large dent in the bonnet... why not just fix it ?Are yours both DSG?
This is the one that has caught my eye:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204114...
The colour, leather, pan roof - Alloys I like too - ticks every box really.
The DSG can get a bit confused a times ( on roundabouts for example ) where they can shift to soon. Have also had a few very heavy "thump" changes going first to second on full throttle..
Generally, they're great cars.
I had a 7.5 GTi Performance for a bit, and access to an R.
For me the GTi Performance was a better car, as stated it felt a bit more engaging to drive whereas the R was very capable, just lacked something. Maybe it looked after the driver too much.
I've now got a MK7 GTD, only because the GTi was a company car and I left the company that supplied it. I did say I would buy one with my own money as a car to own. I go through cars like no tomorrow, always changing but i'd like to think the GTD is here to stay for a bit. on the 19's they look great.
I'd say drive both, but the 'Performance' over the standard GTi would be my preference.
For me the GTi Performance was a better car, as stated it felt a bit more engaging to drive whereas the R was very capable, just lacked something. Maybe it looked after the driver too much.
I've now got a MK7 GTD, only because the GTi was a company car and I left the company that supplied it. I did say I would buy one with my own money as a car to own. I go through cars like no tomorrow, always changing but i'd like to think the GTD is here to stay for a bit. on the 19's they look great.
I'd say drive both, but the 'Performance' over the standard GTi would be my preference.
joropug said:
The Gtis for sale seem better equipped on the whole - I want full leather and digi dash and the ex lease golf Rs seem to all be entry spec. Perhaps more private buyers on the GTI
Point for consideration; when I was looking at Mk7.5 Rs, the 'entry spec' was higher than the 'entry spec' for the GTI, so worth comparing carefully - you might find the R comes with several bits already that were optional on the GTI.I really enjoyed my time with my M7.5 R, but one thing I'd definitely look for if buying now is one with the adaptive dampers.
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