Drove the MK7 Golf R
Discussion
ALXJ said:
M135i, too cramped for me, no digital speedo option, fuel economy around 20mpg so not great, rear wheel drive so will need a set of winter tyres/wheels.... but the engine does feel and sound great...couldnt get comfortable though, would have to have the electric memory seats and get used to looking at an analogue speedo again...BMW always seem very close up with their dials, as opposed to the Audi where I struggle to get close enough, the Golf GTI/R is pretty much perfect for me !
What did you do to an M135i to average 20mpg? I average 30mpg on a 5 mile daily commute. High 30s on a cruise.To be honest, I found much the same. Came away thinking the R was nice. But "nice" isn't really what I'm looking for. Couldn't find anything wrong with it, but really couldn't see why the press are salivating over it. The Focus ST3 was far more fun and the Giulietta QV had more sense of occasion. Mind you, the Golf is better than the M135i. Hated the damping on that with a passion. The A45 felt the most special and certainly has the most thuggery but it's just too expensive. So, it's down to the Giulietta (and the Eibach Pro kit) or wait for the Civic Type R.
Edited by Ali_T on Monday 7th July 21:49
I have the M135i and whilst I liked the look of the R, I felt that it didn't do it for me like the R32 did. I actually prefer the look of the current GTI compared to the R.
Whilst the straight line speed of my own car is immense, I too, feel it's a bit too clinical - you can be doing silly speeds in seconds but I can't say I find it much fun getting there most of the time. It sounds great from the cabin (synthesised or not) and I think it also sounds the part having watched it on the road. In the wet, the back end does what it likes.
Having had previous cars like the Clio 197 and previously the corsa VXR,I personally enjoyed driving them more. I'm seriously looking at a return to something similar if I don't go down the route of an elise. I keep telling myself I'm an idiot for wanting to get rid of something so capable and well built.
I'd love to do a road trip of Europe some time but I just don't have the urge to do it in my current car!
Whilst the straight line speed of my own car is immense, I too, feel it's a bit too clinical - you can be doing silly speeds in seconds but I can't say I find it much fun getting there most of the time. It sounds great from the cabin (synthesised or not) and I think it also sounds the part having watched it on the road. In the wet, the back end does what it likes.
Having had previous cars like the Clio 197 and previously the corsa VXR,I personally enjoyed driving them more. I'm seriously looking at a return to something similar if I don't go down the route of an elise. I keep telling myself I'm an idiot for wanting to get rid of something so capable and well built.
I'd love to do a road trip of Europe some time but I just don't have the urge to do it in my current car!
john banks said:
Interesting thoughts. I think our Mk V GTI we have had from new is unrefined, uncomfortable yet rolls too much, skips on bumpy roads, sounds poor, has no steering feel, poor brakes, poor quality interior away from your immediate field of view, poor traction in the wet, only understeers and is unreliable. It doesn't depreciate much and has good economy, but it is a shopping car and no more despite the folklore. The idea of the Mk VII being a contender has gone out the window if it is only a slight improvement, even if I do have a legitimate business through which to lease it.
We had a few days between my wife's company vRS 180 and her own GTI 200, they felt very similar to me. She likes it, otherwise I would have got rid of it years ago. Hateful car, only second to E46 M3.
Don't get me wrong, it's far from the best car ever, and I got it for practical reason (one of which was towing a car transporter) and that's what has disappointed me about the R. I wouldn't say the Mk5 is understeery though. I took it to the EVO triangle, and flat out it's surprisingly mobile. It was a world away from the Octavia which felt heavy, slow and fuzzy.We had a few days between my wife's company vRS 180 and her own GTI 200, they felt very similar to me. She likes it, otherwise I would have got rid of it years ago. Hateful car, only second to E46 M3.
Edited by john banks on Monday 7th July 20:16
Anyway. I've decided I need something RWD and loud :P
lamboman100 said:
Interesting to hear the "mixed" reviews of test-drivers for the R.
The press can't praise it enough. Top Gear mag recently rated the R the 3rd best performance car of 2014 -- beaten only by the Porsche 918S and McLaren supercars.
I think I agree on the whole with what the press say, but the issue is, I want something special, and the R just isn't that. It's a fantastically capable car. I suspect the R 400 would be exactly that, but it's probably going to be £40k plus.The press can't praise it enough. Top Gear mag recently rated the R the 3rd best performance car of 2014 -- beaten only by the Porsche 918S and McLaren supercars.
It doesn't help that I'm surrounded by the owners of a Noble M12, a BMW CSL, two Caymans, a GT86, a 700bhp Nissan GTR and a 997 911 Carerra S at work. All very much second hand, but still nice cars!
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