Golf R 2016 Circa £20k
Discussion
Hi, got a friend who's serious about one of these. Going to look at a few this weekend.
Some seem to be 295HP and Some 305HP. Was there a model change in 2016 ? or is it a foeboil of Autotrader......
What are the big things to look out for? any major things need inspecting or checking, both in person or in the service records.
Most of what he is looking at is under 20k miles, and retailing for about £20k.
Any help appreciated.
Are these fairly robust and a decent buy, or is 300HP through 2 litres and 4WD asking a fair bit of the motor and drivetrain.
It's a big purchase for him and he's been in Company car schemes for 10 years+ so needs assurance there is no massive problems or expensive maintenance.
Routine maintenance fine, but there is a difference if it is disproportionate.
It's going to be a daily driver.
Thanks in advance.
Some seem to be 295HP and Some 305HP. Was there a model change in 2016 ? or is it a foeboil of Autotrader......
What are the big things to look out for? any major things need inspecting or checking, both in person or in the service records.
Most of what he is looking at is under 20k miles, and retailing for about £20k.
Any help appreciated.
Are these fairly robust and a decent buy, or is 300HP through 2 litres and 4WD asking a fair bit of the motor and drivetrain.
It's a big purchase for him and he's been in Company car schemes for 10 years+ so needs assurance there is no massive problems or expensive maintenance.
Routine maintenance fine, but there is a difference if it is disproportionate.
It's going to be a daily driver.
Thanks in advance.
I viewed and test drove a 17 plate one at a VW dealer up to £20,399, which came with the updated interior with digital dash. 21k on the clock, 310PS, 2 year warranty (offer was on). I think the 2016 comes with the old interior which has normal dials, smaller sat nav and 300PS? The interior was lovely, great infotainment system and smart digi dash so might be worth finding that for your friend? Make sure your friend has a good drive of one though as I found it dull and devoid of any character, which disappointed me as I was all set for doing a deal.
Hi,
I had a lease '66 plate estate for 3 years and have just got myself a new 69 plate estate on another lease deal for 2 more years. Some observations:
For 20k you should be able to get a 66 or perhaps newer - the Mk7.5 facelift has the slightly higher power (310ps) until the very newest ones which are back down to 300 or so because of the petrol particulate filter.
I'd echo previous comments - you get a good level of kit in them as standard, with later stuff having Sat Nav, and heated Seats as standard (which I would want if buying). Adaptive cruise is good for longer trips.
I was a bit worried about theft, but got myself a steering lock and have another car parked behind it and have had no trouble. I think the estate is a bit more "below the radar" than the hatch so maybe doesn't get as much attention?
Loads of space, for driver and in the back (in estate version) - it easily swallows me at 6ft 6 and 16.5st. Seat seem good and supportive. Estate load space is big, managed to easily hold a tumble drier plus assorted other cr4p. Good at (fast!) tip runs!
Performance - it really is rapid if you want it to be, switch to Race mode and it's rabid.. Even more so when tuned (although mine weren't). Can also easily do 40 mpg on a run if you stick to sensible 60-70mph in Eco.
Build quality is pretty good, I had a few rattles but took back to VW and got them fixed. Even servicing was reasonable at VW, although you might want to factor in the Haldex service on the earlier cars.
Only criticism is that they are a bit too good / a bit sterile. They are very easy to drive fast, not much of a challenge as the 4WD provides huge grip. You'd be doing big speed before the car liven's up a bit. However, they are very easy to live with and do so much so well that I found it hard to find another (lease) deal to match it, hence getting another.
Good luck on the hunt!
I had a lease '66 plate estate for 3 years and have just got myself a new 69 plate estate on another lease deal for 2 more years. Some observations:
For 20k you should be able to get a 66 or perhaps newer - the Mk7.5 facelift has the slightly higher power (310ps) until the very newest ones which are back down to 300 or so because of the petrol particulate filter.
I'd echo previous comments - you get a good level of kit in them as standard, with later stuff having Sat Nav, and heated Seats as standard (which I would want if buying). Adaptive cruise is good for longer trips.
I was a bit worried about theft, but got myself a steering lock and have another car parked behind it and have had no trouble. I think the estate is a bit more "below the radar" than the hatch so maybe doesn't get as much attention?
Loads of space, for driver and in the back (in estate version) - it easily swallows me at 6ft 6 and 16.5st. Seat seem good and supportive. Estate load space is big, managed to easily hold a tumble drier plus assorted other cr4p. Good at (fast!) tip runs!
Performance - it really is rapid if you want it to be, switch to Race mode and it's rabid.. Even more so when tuned (although mine weren't). Can also easily do 40 mpg on a run if you stick to sensible 60-70mph in Eco.
Build quality is pretty good, I had a few rattles but took back to VW and got them fixed. Even servicing was reasonable at VW, although you might want to factor in the Haldex service on the earlier cars.
Only criticism is that they are a bit too good / a bit sterile. They are very easy to drive fast, not much of a challenge as the 4WD provides huge grip. You'd be doing big speed before the car liven's up a bit. However, they are very easy to live with and do so much so well that I found it hard to find another (lease) deal to match it, hence getting another.
Good luck on the hunt!
Still the best car I've ever had, and was faultless over 2 years.
The engine is used in so many different VAG applications, and no news of any major issues I think, so i'd say they're fairly robust (as well as being very tunable). As others have said, they were 300PS, then a bit higher, then below 300 when the particulate filters came in. MY17.5 would be the sweet spot, as it's better spec as standard (Sat Nav, heated seats) plus the higher power output and newer 7speed DSG (if you wanted the auto). I think these came out June/July 2016?
The engine is used in so many different VAG applications, and no news of any major issues I think, so i'd say they're fairly robust (as well as being very tunable). As others have said, they were 300PS, then a bit higher, then below 300 when the particulate filters came in. MY17.5 would be the sweet spot, as it's better spec as standard (Sat Nav, heated seats) plus the higher power output and newer 7speed DSG (if you wanted the auto). I think these came out June/July 2016?
Jefferson Steelflex said:
Still the best car I've ever had, and was faultless over 2 years.
The engine is used in so many different VAG applications, and no news of any major issues I think, so i'd say they're fairly robust (as well as being very tunable). As others have said, they were 300PS, then a bit higher, then below 300 when the particulate filters came in. MY17.5 would be the sweet spot, as it's better spec as standard (Sat Nav, heated seats) plus the higher power output and newer 7speed DSG (if you wanted the auto). I think these came out June/July 2016?
Was the update not 2017? Easy to spot anyway as like you said 7 speed dsg rather than 6. The engine is used in so many different VAG applications, and no news of any major issues I think, so i'd say they're fairly robust (as well as being very tunable). As others have said, they were 300PS, then a bit higher, then below 300 when the particulate filters came in. MY17.5 would be the sweet spot, as it's better spec as standard (Sat Nav, heated seats) plus the higher power output and newer 7speed DSG (if you wanted the auto). I think these came out June/July 2016?
I bought a Oct 2018 model (Mk 7.5) in May this year 2nd hand with 4000 miles on it for £25k.
It's just ticked over the year mark and has 10k on it so going for the first service next week.
Mine was an ex-company car but looked like it had been looked after and is in great condition, so far it's done lots of short trips, long trips and back road twisties and it is a terrific car for the money.
Serviced properly they have a decent reputation for being reliable, 10k service, 20k haldex service, 40k DSG service and repeat over and over and it'll likely be reliable.
Equipment levels on mine are good even though the only options it has are winter pack (heated seats and washer jets) and pearlescent white/silver paint. Standard kit includes adaptive LED headlights, digital dashboard, adaptive cruise on top of all the usual kit like sat nav, DAB and so on.
The only real negatives are the reputation for theft and the slight loss of that magical something in driving feel that the Mk5 GTi had. It's not easy to describe but there was a little special magic with a good Mk5 that the more modern car has lost along the way.
Having said all of that I'd still recommend one to anyone looking for a quick, modern, well equipped all rounder. They are fine hot hatches.
It's just ticked over the year mark and has 10k on it so going for the first service next week.
Mine was an ex-company car but looked like it had been looked after and is in great condition, so far it's done lots of short trips, long trips and back road twisties and it is a terrific car for the money.
Serviced properly they have a decent reputation for being reliable, 10k service, 20k haldex service, 40k DSG service and repeat over and over and it'll likely be reliable.
Equipment levels on mine are good even though the only options it has are winter pack (heated seats and washer jets) and pearlescent white/silver paint. Standard kit includes adaptive LED headlights, digital dashboard, adaptive cruise on top of all the usual kit like sat nav, DAB and so on.
The only real negatives are the reputation for theft and the slight loss of that magical something in driving feel that the Mk5 GTi had. It's not easy to describe but there was a little special magic with a good Mk5 that the more modern car has lost along the way.
Having said all of that I'd still recommend one to anyone looking for a quick, modern, well equipped all rounder. They are fine hot hatches.
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