My half price Golf R 7 – the last of the manuals

[brightmotiv]

After waiting for the right one to come up, last month I bought a manual Golf R 7.0.

In a sentence: I had more fun on the 2 hour drive home than in the previous 2 years driving.

Sat Nav, Vienna leather, winter pack, FSH and manufacturer approved. 21k miles and first registered March 2017. Importantly this one was owned not leased, 1 owner.


New: £33,400 - I paid £19,395 (58%). I felt the clutch slip on the test drive (thanks for pointing out the clutch issues with these cars internet). I got it in writing at the time and followed up 3 days after purchase with a video of the rev counter. The dealer agreed to a new clutch and flywheel. Factoring in this £2k cost (main dealer prices, w 10 hours labour) gets me to 52% list (not man maths at all...).

My opinion is that it’s a lot of car for the money. And I’m a pretty tight git.

Obviously I was aware of the rep these cars (and some their leasing owners) have with some members of this community. What I came to
realise was that you can’t live your life on the internet. You’ve got to get out and drive a few cars.

I spent 12 months reading about cars, other people’s experiences of cars, and in true PH fashion, other people critiquing other people’s experiences of cars and declaring their views invalid - before I realised this.

Being honest – there’s probably an element of being afraid to make a mistake, to buy a lemon, to waste my cash. None of these things would make me happy.

2 minutes driving the R had my mind made up.

I wanted something quick and fun to drive, something that wouldn’t stand out in the work car park and pass for a normal motor to most. Value was key too. Worrying about depreciation or that I’ve overspent would take the joy out of it. I am a also little averse to new cars: call me daft but something a few years old already has scratches so I don’t beat myself up about using my car. For me it’s there to be enjoyed rather than polished.

I considered quote a few cars: C63, RS4/5 and S5&S3. I test drove several but the lack of a manual box and the likely cost for a decent approved example put me off. The C63s I drove would have killed me within a week. I admit to not being a PH driving god: give me 4wd.



Initial impressions

The power band between 4-6.5k revs is addictive. What really matters in a car that reviews don’t focus on is the gear speeds. If you hit the redline at 30, 55, and 80 in a manual you’re getting far more interaction than something like a Cayman GT4 which’ll do 80+ in 2nd.

I didn’t realise how much feedback you get from engine sound and how much I crave when driving. The engine sound I really like despite all the piped in-ness of it. To my ears it isn’t dissimilar to my mate’s Imprezza STI.

It’s feels eager to change direction. It feels light to me, coming from a 1700kg A5. The damping plays a big part in this. It feels planted and just grips. In comparison to the 1.5l Golf 7.5 courtesy car it is a different universe.

It’s also much more comfortable than I’d imagined. My neighbours’ new A35 felt too harsh a ride for me. (The less said about the weird star-trek interior, the better too).

Plans

Normally people go to town planning their remaps and mods. To me the power feels about right. So my only plan is to keep it for the foreseeable future, and perhaps wash it from time to time. That’s it.

So for anyone considering one of these, ignore the naysayers and give one a go. My family is yet to be held at knifepoint for the keys. I’ll update the thread if I’m called on to dominate the stairs.

Here’s to enjoying driving again.

[brightmotiv]

Thanks for all your comments.

Will update the thread with how I get on with it, and keep track of running costs.

In terms of some of the specifics:

Wooda80 said:

This is illuminating.

The OP didn't want to buy an ex lease car as he felt that they might have been abused, or at least not treated with kid gloves / washed using many different buckets / read a story at night before being tucked up in a garage in a nice postcode

But he was happy to buy one where someone had 'done' the clutch in 20000 miles....

I think that's fair. I read a lot about the "chocolate clutches" these cars have, with some owners reporting them failing after 8k in a new car. My view was that if I could get one with a replaced/upgraded clutch I'd be getting the best VFM.

iphonedyou said:

I don't think it being owned, rather than leased , is at all important.

A car is a car is a car. Yours is lovely. Would still have been lovely if it had been leased previously. The car knows no different.

I've nothing against lessors. I would definitely have considered leasing on one of the great value deals back in 2017. No judgement implied.

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

okenemem said:

chrismc1977 said:

19 inch Pretoria’s look a million dollars by comparison.

completely cange the car

Pretoria's what? It's all a case of personal taste. I prefer the standards.

Did you know a cange is a small boat used on the Nile?

I like the standards, and I like prets too. I just found the cars with prets were priced c£1500 more.

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Thanks again and enjoy the sun everyone.

[brightmotiv]

9 months of ownership - update: Service, MOT & warranty repair

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I'm still loving the car: covered 8000 miles despite lockdown and had a couple of great road trips inc a leg of NC500. I look forward to driving it every time which is a good sign. Glad I opted for the manual.

Love:
- Pace; great overtaking ability; dynamic & great fun on the A/B roads near home.
- Comfort and driving position is great, heated seats make a real difference

Like:
- Dead easy to live with: spacious, everything works
- Cost: insurance cheaper than A5; get 32-35 mpg on typical commute in Race mode; gentle run on with elderly passenger in eco mode pushed 41mpg in eco mode
- No-one at work gives it a second glance

Gripes:
- Gearbox can be notchy
- Doors feel a little tinny compared to A5 which felt more solid

Costs:
- Minor service VW price matched £160 & £40 MOT.

Issues:
- Coolant leak issue: known issue on mk7 - thermostat housing leaking and quoted £692 before I pointed out it was under warranty.
- TIP: as well as keeping an eye on coolant reservoir, I noticed an odd smell - like vomit coming through air vents - after driving for 20 mins. Others have said it smells 'spicy' if lift bonnet. More like puke to me!
- TIP: I could see coolant residue clearly on the sump from the leak.

VAG dealer poor service shocker:
- No major surprise at the lax service by VW dealer here: Tried to sell me haldex oil service despite it clearly being marked as done in March; I had to call & check the coolant issue was covered by Das Welt warranty and get them to action it; kept the car whilst waiting for parts with no updates for 6 days despite me chasing.

Overall:
- Very glad of warranty from main dealer here. I'm up c£2700 over 9 months of ownership, 14% of the cost of the car. I'd advise anyone thinking of buying a used one to to check clutch slip on the manual and see if the coolant issue has already been repaired. Taking it in for a service at the end of the 12 month period was a llucky break for me.

Thanks for reading, happy driving all.

[brightmotiv]

okenemem said:

b19rak said:

You should seriously consider paying a bit extra and asking them to fit an updated clutch as I bet the new one will still slip. They are made out of chocolate.

just about to write something simular

A couple of people have mentioned this yes. They replaced it in March in the week of sale. I’m OK 9 months in and am keeping an eye on it. If it was to go I’d look at Sachs sintered clutch I think - and a remap. Any recommendations welcomed.