RE: Volkswagen Golf R: Review
Discussion
Dan Trent said:
Taken as intended! But it is quite a complicated equation when you factor in, effectively, six different specs on the same car and some, VW included, try and pick and choose the best ones to make the differences sound more impressive. I was particularly shocked that depending on your spec a Golf GTI could be anything within an 82kg range!If my goal was to demonstrate the complexity of the comparison I guess I at least succeeded in that!
And ref. the Subaru story, yep, I blogged about that too the other day.
Cheers,
Dan
Iklwa said:
Pretty much as expected really, very quick but largely uninvolving. Would like to see a comparison between this and the new 2 series M235i when it comes to driver enjoyment/involvement.
True, or even the M135i if you want a five-door hatch. There really wouldn't be much choosing if I was in the market for one of these. Honestly I'd even take one of the BMWs instead of the A45 regardless of the price difference.I imagine the R400 will have the exact same flaws as the R, and that the new Audi RS3 will be just like it.
I was going to ask about those lease deals as well! I went into a stealer the other week and a 5 door, manual, red, adaptive chassis and basic nav car cost about £430 p/m, 48m with £3k down. Those of you who got your R from these lease companies early are therefore very lucky buggers!
Roma101 said:
I was going to ask about those lease deals as well! I went into a stealer the other week and a 5 door, manual, red, adaptive chassis and basic nav car cost about £430 p/m, 48m with £3k down. Those of you who got your R from these lease companies early are therefore very lucky buggers!
The lease companies were either getting very good deals on these new, or were very confident of residuals. The situation is now very different with lease prices as much as 20-30% higher, but that could be a factor of them reaching the required allocation for VW, or a revised opinion on 'return on investment'. In any case, those that purchased sub £300/month did very well indeed. £3600 depreciation per year on a brand new hot hatch is impressive. Should have done the same, but happy with my outright purchase on a GTI PP and the difference is marginal for the type of use it would get.WCZ said:
most negative!
To be honest EVO gave it a great review buy they seem to do that with every new car and then about 6 months later decide it is actually average at best...Think this was a good review myself and reflects more what I thought the car would be like fast in a straight line and fairly competent but lacking that last bit of finesse and fun that a proper hot hatch should have.
scherzkeks said:
I think a quick glance at this (the R-related content within) goes a long way toward explaining this "review.":http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=1396880
Just a thought.
Looks like the dynamics of Haldex remain underwhelming, revisions or not... ah well.. too bad so sad!Just a thought.
.Sorry to be a pedant, but it's not sub-30k if it's a sub-5 to 62mph as you need the DSG 'box. It's a bloody expensive car.
My local VW and Audi dealerships are on the same forecourt, so I'd like to know how much of a bite this will take out of the S3. Reading this back-to-back with Harris' mini S3 review is quite illuminating.
My local VW and Audi dealerships are on the same forecourt, so I'd like to know how much of a bite this will take out of the S3. Reading this back-to-back with Harris' mini S3 review is quite illuminating.
I'm a happy R owner. Some of you may have seen my blue 3dr at the Silverstone Sunday Service recently. No particular beef with Dan's review - each to their own etc. (his wide divergence from Evo's opinion is a little odd, but again, perhaps Evo has an agenda).
However, after a couple of months driving mine I've found it's ticking most of my boxes. I've gone through the usual GTIs, Subarus, BMWs, Minis in my past (and a Scirocco R, but never a Golf) and the R feels almost like an amalgam of the best of each of them. In one car I've got a motorway cruiser sans pareil, with acceptable economy; it's got sensible amounts of space for passengers and stuff; it's not in-yer-face (which is what I prefer). Then when I'm in the mood, it's got heaps of power, plenty of torque, excellent handling. I have genuinely been laughing out loud on several Sunday morning jaunts. Having tested the GTi briefly, I know I bought the right one for me. The car has a wonderful "feel", whether I'm having a blast or a pootle.
No, it's not rear-wheel drive. Sorry - I know quite a lot of PHers can't get past that, but that really is your problem. (Ditto anyone who's even thinking "it's only a Golf"). I've tried all configurations of driven wheels (even a four-track laying vehicle in the past) and each has their merits. It's only got 4 cylinders. Oh well. It's not a BMW 135i or an A45, great cars both, though both to my eye have had too close a run-in with the ugly stick. But I don't think VW will have any problem selling them in sensible numbers. And I think there's a chunk of people out there who like the blend VW have created.
Ended up being a bit defensive there. Take it all with a pinch of salt, but if you're test driving the A45 or 135 or S3, don't discount the R - it merits comparison with them and stands up quite nicely.
However, after a couple of months driving mine I've found it's ticking most of my boxes. I've gone through the usual GTIs, Subarus, BMWs, Minis in my past (and a Scirocco R, but never a Golf) and the R feels almost like an amalgam of the best of each of them. In one car I've got a motorway cruiser sans pareil, with acceptable economy; it's got sensible amounts of space for passengers and stuff; it's not in-yer-face (which is what I prefer). Then when I'm in the mood, it's got heaps of power, plenty of torque, excellent handling. I have genuinely been laughing out loud on several Sunday morning jaunts. Having tested the GTi briefly, I know I bought the right one for me. The car has a wonderful "feel", whether I'm having a blast or a pootle.
No, it's not rear-wheel drive. Sorry - I know quite a lot of PHers can't get past that, but that really is your problem. (Ditto anyone who's even thinking "it's only a Golf"). I've tried all configurations of driven wheels (even a four-track laying vehicle in the past) and each has their merits. It's only got 4 cylinders. Oh well. It's not a BMW 135i or an A45, great cars both, though both to my eye have had too close a run-in with the ugly stick. But I don't think VW will have any problem selling them in sensible numbers. And I think there's a chunk of people out there who like the blend VW have created.
Ended up being a bit defensive there. Take it all with a pinch of salt, but if you're test driving the A45 or 135 or S3, don't discount the R - it merits comparison with them and stands up quite nicely.
If it helps, I took delivery of the Mark 7 GTI Performance Pack on 14/3/14 and have covered c.4.5k since including a Top Gear inspired "lap of Scotland" last week alongside a Gen 2 997 C2S convertible and an Ariel Atom 3. Come rain or shine the GTI delivered and was not embarressed in such company. It does have its flaws (upright driving position / thirst for fuel) but I can honestly say I have never owned such a complete all rounder before. So, it was extremely comfortable on the motorway on the way up from Surrey to Dumfries (where our journey started) and then more than capable of shifting along the various B roads along the coast, Lochs and mountains.
RobRain said:
I'm a happy R owner. Some of you may have seen my blue 3dr at the Silverstone Sunday Service recently. No particular beef with Dan's review - each to their own etc. (his wide divergence from Evo's opinion is a little odd, but again, perhaps Evo has an agenda).
Thanks for sharing that, good to hear an owner's view and I'm glad you're enjoying yours, likewise the others who've added theirs.Cheers,
Dan
Roma101 said:
I was going to ask about those lease deals as well! I went into a stealer the other week and a 5 door, manual, red, adaptive chassis and basic nav car cost about £430 p/m, 48m with £3k down. Those of you who got your R from these lease companies early are therefore very lucky buggers!
Mine is £267 per month inc VAT for a 5 door, DSG, metallic with rear seatbelt warning/airbags inc full maintenance and tyres on 8k per annum. This is a 3 + 23 deal - that makes £6947 total cost (and I will get half the VAT rebated which is £579) on a car listing @ £31740.Its just the damn wait that's the problem...
David
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