Mk7 golf R estate - engine differences

[jimmy156]

Hi all,

I’m looking at getting a mk7 R estate, between £16kish and £19kish.

I’ve seen cars in this prices range from 2016 to 2020.

Performance specs seem to be different depending on the year…

I’ve seen a 2017 car with 296bhp, 0-60 in 4.6 and returning 32.9mog

A 2017 car with 306bhp, 0-60 in 4.6 and 39.2 mpg

A 2016 car with 296bhp, 0-60 5.1 and returning 39.6mog

And various other variations!

Is this just Autotrader getting specs wrong? I seem to remember that there was a change at some point due to emissions and the cars lost a bit of power?

Is there any meaningful difference in feel or reliability?

[SteBrown91]

It’s just the Autotrader guff wrong.

There was basically 3 main variants:

Mk7 - 300PS
Mk7.5 up to late 18 - 310PS
Mk7.5 late 18 to 20 - 300PS (now with OPF filter)

I think the OPF cars also ditched the port and direct injection (8 injectors basically) for direct injection only.

[AliMc99]

I’m not a total expert on this but we had a mechanically identical 2017 Audi S3 with what I think was a very short lived sweet spot- the power was increased for 2017 from 295 to 310 bhp (ish) and if going auto the gearbox went from 6 speed to 7 speed- which is much responsive and also more economical. In late 2017 the power was reduced back down to 295bhp as a result of GPF filters. This (at least on the Audi) made the engine sound a lot more muffled.

[jimmy156]

Thanks both,

Looks like the sweet spot then is the Early Mk7.5...

When does it stop being a Mk7 and start being a Mk7.5? Is the .5 meaningfully better / worth a premium?

[ManicMunky]

AliMc99 said:

I m not a total expert on this but we had a mechanically identical 2017 Audi S3 with what I think was a very short lived sweet spot- the power was increased for 2017 from 295 to 310 bhp (ish) and if going auto the gearbox went from 6 speed to 7 speed- which is much responsive and also more economical. In late 2017 the power was reduced back down to 295bhp as a result of GPF filters. This (at least on the Audi) made the engine sound a lot more muffled.

The estate has a less complicated exhaust set up, so it's still quite lively for a standard car.

[Hotfuzz]

jimmy156 said:

Thanks both,

Looks like the sweet spot then is the Early Mk7.5...

When does it stop being a Mk7 and start being a Mk7.5? Is the .5 meaningfully better / worth a premium?

Mechanically, the big difference between the Mk7 and Mk7.5 is the change from the 6 speed transmission to the 7 speed transmission. Definitely an improvement with the 7 speed, which I think is worth going for.

Cosmetically the 7.5 had an updated front end, and also LED headlights and taillights. For the interior, the 7.5 brought a larger infotainment screen with better phone connectivity. Also the driver info display went to a full digital display. The Mk7 has the older analog dials.

[jimmy156]

Amazing, thanks!

Hopefully going to look at a '18 R estate next week.

Is there anything in particular to look out for on these cars. Currently have a Mk6 Gti that has 182,000 miles on the clock (which is staying) so may be familiar with some standard golf issues!

[ManicMunky]

Water pumps, silicone bags in the header tanks can pop, then just normal car stuff. Enjoy!

[AliMc99]

My mum has a late (2019) 7.5 1.5 Match- which replaced a 2014 7.0 and I think the dashboard is nicer and as the OP notes has better phone connectivity etc.

[AliMc99]

And which has recently had to have a new water pump (even though it’s only done 20k miles).

[AliMc99]

Things to look out for on a R: Both the DSG gearbox and Haldex 4wd should be serviced at 40k miles. Many were on cheap lease deals and as a result many owners didn t get this work done. DCC adaptive damping was a rare optional extra that many say is worth seeking.

Edited by AliMc99 on Saturday 4th July 22:28

[jimmy156]

Thanks all, that’s helpful. Mileage is in the 50’s so will look for the Haldex and DSG services having been carried out. I’m assuming this is a relatively pricey service if it still needs to be carried out?

[ManicMunky]

7 speed DSG is 80k, not 40k

[Dr G]

...and Haldex is 3 years, not 40k*

• Good idea to remove and clean the pump rather than just drain and refill the oil.

[P-Jay]

See everyone has answered your main questions.

I'd just add... 39mpg? Maybe if you pushed it, rolled it down hill. Okay, I did see 40mpg once, I drove all but the full length of the M4 at 56mph using radar cruise to follow a lorry because I was going to be really early for something and I wanted to see if it could be done. That's running 99 Ron too.

IME anything over 30 on a run is good, low-20s in town, unless it's really busy or you use the performance and then it's teens.

[ManicMunky]

Constant 75 gets me 42MPG in my 7.5

Around town it's 22-25 normally.

[Gazzab]

I’ve had my 2018 R estate since new. It’s a 306 bhp. They feel pretty nippy for a load lugging every day car. On a long run I can get in excess of 45 mpg. In 70k I’ve only had one issue - the bonnet wouldn’t open albeit I hadn’t noticed and vw fixed it at a service. VW servicing has been pretty cheap. I have a spare set of wheels with winter tyres which means it’s ok in ice and snow v’s the useless 4 wheel drive with summer tyres.

[AddyT.]

Wife had a 7.5R and on a 70mph 100 mile run on the motorway I got it up to 45mpg....it was a warmer day however. I will add to the other posts, I had a 7R for a few years and in comparison, my wife's 7.5R was better to drive despite both being standard. In addition mine was on the 18" Cadiz alloys and hers on the 19" Pretorias. Neither had DCC but hers rode better and I believe VW may have made some suspension changes to the 7.5. Either way, 7.5 is the one to go for over a 7!