Golf R Mk8... will I regret it
Discussion
Potentially going to get a car I always said I’d never get, and one I never used to have much interest in - a Golf R.
Mostly because of the image, but also because I always had them down as being a bit safe/numb, fast, but understeery, not that connected, and a bit clinical. However, the Mk8 Golf R seems to address a lot of that with the rear torque-vectoring setup, and from reviews it sounds like it’s a much more involving car than previous generations. I also think they look decent now, and the MK8 is still fairly uncommon, and at around £25k they seem to make quite a lot of sense.
For context, I currently have a stock JDM Hawkeye STI, which I love. It has loads of grip, rawness, character and that rally-car feel. The problem is it’s getting older, I’m dailying it, it’s worth decent money, and it probably needs £4k-£5k spending on suspension/brakes/alignment/mild power to make it how I want.
I’m looking for something newer, quicker, easier to daily, ideally auto, but still fun on B-roads/country lanes. I’ve considered M2/M4, RS3 8V, GR Yaris, FK8, A45s, V8 stuff, etc. A lot of those cars seem to do one or two things really well - power, sound, handling, theatre, grip, or daily usability, but usually with a fairly obvious compromise somewhere.
The Mk8 Golf R seems like it might be the car that does a lot of things very well overall. Maybe not the most exciting in one single area, but strong across the board: fast, DSG, AWD, compact, modern, usable, good tech, decent economy, good in poor weather, and supposedly more engaging than the older Golf Rs.
Main questions:
How good is the Mk8 Golf R in the real world?
Does the rear torque-vectoring setup genuinely make it more agile/engaging than the Mk7.5 R/S3, or is it mostly marketing?
How does it feel on B-roads, country lanes, sweepers and damp roads?
Would it feel like a proper step up from an old STI/M135i in terms of body control, grip, pace and daily usability?
I know it won’t have the character of the STI, RS3 sound, V8 drama or M-car rear-drive feel, but I’m wondering if it might be the best real-world daily performance car: newer, quick, grippy, compact, easy to use and good at almost everything.
Anyone gone from any of the cars mentioned into a Mk8 Golf R?
Mostly because of the image, but also because I always had them down as being a bit safe/numb, fast, but understeery, not that connected, and a bit clinical. However, the Mk8 Golf R seems to address a lot of that with the rear torque-vectoring setup, and from reviews it sounds like it’s a much more involving car than previous generations. I also think they look decent now, and the MK8 is still fairly uncommon, and at around £25k they seem to make quite a lot of sense.
For context, I currently have a stock JDM Hawkeye STI, which I love. It has loads of grip, rawness, character and that rally-car feel. The problem is it’s getting older, I’m dailying it, it’s worth decent money, and it probably needs £4k-£5k spending on suspension/brakes/alignment/mild power to make it how I want.
I’m looking for something newer, quicker, easier to daily, ideally auto, but still fun on B-roads/country lanes. I’ve considered M2/M4, RS3 8V, GR Yaris, FK8, A45s, V8 stuff, etc. A lot of those cars seem to do one or two things really well - power, sound, handling, theatre, grip, or daily usability, but usually with a fairly obvious compromise somewhere.
The Mk8 Golf R seems like it might be the car that does a lot of things very well overall. Maybe not the most exciting in one single area, but strong across the board: fast, DSG, AWD, compact, modern, usable, good tech, decent economy, good in poor weather, and supposedly more engaging than the older Golf Rs.
Main questions:
How good is the Mk8 Golf R in the real world?
Does the rear torque-vectoring setup genuinely make it more agile/engaging than the Mk7.5 R/S3, or is it mostly marketing?
How does it feel on B-roads, country lanes, sweepers and damp roads?
Would it feel like a proper step up from an old STI/M135i in terms of body control, grip, pace and daily usability?
I know it won’t have the character of the STI, RS3 sound, V8 drama or M-car rear-drive feel, but I’m wondering if it might be the best real-world daily performance car: newer, quick, grippy, compact, easy to use and good at almost everything.
Anyone gone from any of the cars mentioned into a Mk8 Golf R?
Might also be worth looking at the Cupra Formentor which has the same platform, engine, suspension etc. My friend and I compared it to the VW Golf R, Skoda Octavia VRS and Audi S3 which are essentially all the same, just a different body and badge. In the end, he chose the Formentor.
SiberianHills said:
Potentially going to get a car I always said I d never get, and one I never used to have much interest in - a Golf R.
Mostly because of the image, but also because I always had them down as being a bit safe/numb, fast, but understeery, not that connected, and a bit clinical. However, the Mk8 Golf R seems to address a lot of that with the rear torque-vectoring setup, and from reviews it sounds like it s a much more involving car than previous generations. I also think they look decent now, and the MK8 is still fairly uncommon, and at around £25k they seem to make quite a lot of sense.
For context, I currently have a stock JDM Hawkeye STI, which I love. It has loads of grip, rawness, character and that rally-car feel. The problem is it s getting older, I m dailying it, it s worth decent money, and it probably needs £4k-£5k spending on suspension/brakes/alignment/mild power to make it how I want.
I m looking for something newer, quicker, easier to daily, ideally auto, but still fun on B-roads/country lanes. I ve considered M2/M4, RS3 8V, GR Yaris, FK8, A45s, V8 stuff, etc. A lot of those cars seem to do one or two things really well - power, sound, handling, theatre, grip, or daily usability, but usually with a fairly obvious compromise somewhere.
The Mk8 Golf R seems like it might be the car that does a lot of things very well overall. Maybe not the most exciting in one single area, but strong across the board: fast, DSG, AWD, compact, modern, usable, good tech, decent economy, good in poor weather, and supposedly more engaging than the older Golf Rs.
Main questions:
How good is the Mk8 Golf R in the real world?
Does the rear torque-vectoring setup genuinely make it more agile/engaging than the Mk7.5 R/S3, or is it mostly marketing?
How does it feel on B-roads, country lanes, sweepers and damp roads?
Would it feel like a proper step up from an old STI/M135i in terms of body control, grip, pace and daily usability?
I know it won t have the character of the STI, RS3 sound, V8 drama or M-car rear-drive feel, but I m wondering if it might be the best real-world daily performance car: newer, quick, grippy, compact, easy to use and good at almost everything.
Anyone gone from any of the cars mentioned into a Mk8 Golf R?
Test drive a Civic Type R & the A35/45 & the 135i, the last three have all the same attributes, the last three give you everything listed above but imo are better packages.Mostly because of the image, but also because I always had them down as being a bit safe/numb, fast, but understeery, not that connected, and a bit clinical. However, the Mk8 Golf R seems to address a lot of that with the rear torque-vectoring setup, and from reviews it sounds like it s a much more involving car than previous generations. I also think they look decent now, and the MK8 is still fairly uncommon, and at around £25k they seem to make quite a lot of sense.
For context, I currently have a stock JDM Hawkeye STI, which I love. It has loads of grip, rawness, character and that rally-car feel. The problem is it s getting older, I m dailying it, it s worth decent money, and it probably needs £4k-£5k spending on suspension/brakes/alignment/mild power to make it how I want.
I m looking for something newer, quicker, easier to daily, ideally auto, but still fun on B-roads/country lanes. I ve considered M2/M4, RS3 8V, GR Yaris, FK8, A45s, V8 stuff, etc. A lot of those cars seem to do one or two things really well - power, sound, handling, theatre, grip, or daily usability, but usually with a fairly obvious compromise somewhere.
The Mk8 Golf R seems like it might be the car that does a lot of things very well overall. Maybe not the most exciting in one single area, but strong across the board: fast, DSG, AWD, compact, modern, usable, good tech, decent economy, good in poor weather, and supposedly more engaging than the older Golf Rs.
Main questions:
How good is the Mk8 Golf R in the real world?
Does the rear torque-vectoring setup genuinely make it more agile/engaging than the Mk7.5 R/S3, or is it mostly marketing?
How does it feel on B-roads, country lanes, sweepers and damp roads?
Would it feel like a proper step up from an old STI/M135i in terms of body control, grip, pace and daily usability?
I know it won t have the character of the STI, RS3 sound, V8 drama or M-car rear-drive feel, but I m wondering if it might be the best real-world daily performance car: newer, quick, grippy, compact, easy to use and good at almost everything.
Anyone gone from any of the cars mentioned into a Mk8 Golf R?
I believe the Mk8 had a number of issues around haptic buttons particularly on the steering wheel which were criticised by a lot of owners as being wither overly sensitive or frustrating to use, especially in the dark and these were replaced on the 8.5 model. Something to consider, i'd be looking at the M135i and the Mercedes A45 as well if you want that type of car
Pickle_Rick said:
The formentor was an awful car. Granted I only suffered the 1.5 hybrid for 2 weeks, but it was so unbelievably s
t, the last thing you'd want in that car is a performance engine.
The mk7. 5 is the best imo before quality nose dived to save some pennies
Interesting. We had one of the earlier 310bhp VZ2 Formentor for 2.5 years / 25k miles and enjoyed every mile. Note: This is the same Engine and Gearbox as the Golf 8 R, but with a few less bhp and no torque vectoring rear diff.t, the last thing you'd want in that car is a performance engine.The mk7. 5 is the best imo before quality nose dived to save some pennies
For a hatch/SUV crossover, it was a remarkably good all rounder - Quick (mid 4's to 60 according to my timing box), handled very well, practical, funky/different aesthetic and generally served us very well. It was efficient on a run too, considering the performance. Great spec as standard too, what with the leather 'bucket' style seats, DCC suspension, heated seats and steering wheel etc. Anyway, I digress - Engine and Gearbox were spot on, performance wise.
What did let it down however (and somethings which may very well impact you, to the point of regret), were the electrical gremlins - The infotainment was infuriating to use and riddled with glitches, although admittedly we did have one of the very first cars (Feb 2021), but it had to go back to the local dealer 4 times for software updates, which typically took all day. Also, the SOS module had to be replaced, twice and the final straw was the auto electronic handbrake which would not release in time to pull away and regularly led to a stall. A software update never resolved that.
Lastly, the gearbox 'map' in eco/normal mode was very poor - it would shift up way to quickly, which would ultimately lead to potentially dangerous situations when say, pulling off from a roundabout, where by the box would be in 3rd or 4th but you needed some immediate power to get going, but there was none whilst the box was thinking about what to do and the engine then waited for the turbo to spool. Really quite horrible to drive at times and would often require driver engagement of the paddles to get the correct gears primed for such situations.
It should be noted that the latter items I describe/complain about, did/do also affect the Golf 8, so make sure all the necessary updates etc have been completed and you do an extended test drive first, to make sure you are happy to live with these 'design features'. I believe these are a gripe of many reviewers/owners.
Edited by MattyD803 on Wednesday 1st July 09:39
ZX10R NIN said:
Test drive a Civic Type R & the A35/45 & the 135i, the last three have all the same attributes, the last three give you everything listed above but imo are better packages.
I don’t really want a Civic Type R. I know they’re meant to be brilliant but I can’t get on with the looks and I ideally want AWD/auto this time.The A35 feels too much like a halfway house. Not as sharp as the Golf R, not as special as an RS3 and not mad enough like the A45s, at least from the reviews I've seen.
I’d love an A45s but they’re still a bit too expensive for where I want to be. And once I’m spending A45s money, I’m also close to things like an 8V RS3, which brings the five cylinder engine and more sense of occasion.
I don’t want another M135i either. I had the previous RWD one and really didn’t get on with the handling. Great engine and power (tuned 380bhp), but the chassis felt vague, rolly and not very confidence inspiring. The newer xDrive one seems to lose the special engine and from most reviews, doesn’t seem to gain enough dynamically to make up for that. It just doesn’t really appeal.
That’s why the Mk8 Golf R keeps making sense to me. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but it seems objectively better for what I want: AWD, DSG, compact size, proper pace, new rear torque vectoring diff, good daily usability and enough grip/body control to be enjoyable on B-roads.
I’m also not that bothered about having a super premium interior. The Mk8 R interior would already be better and more modern than anything I’ve owned before, so that side of it is fine for me.
SiberianHills said:
I don t really want a Civic Type R. I know they re meant to be brilliant but I can t get on with the looks and I ideally want AWD/auto this time.
The A35 feels too much like a halfway house. Not as sharp as the Golf R, not as special as an RS3 and not mad enough like the A45s, at least from the reviews I've seen.
I d love an A45s but they re still a bit too expensive for where I want to be. And once I m spending A45s money, I m also close to things like an 8V RS3, which brings the five cylinder engine and more sense of occasion.
I don t want another M135i either. I had the previous RWD one and really didn t get on with the handling. Great engine and power (tuned 380bhp), but the chassis felt vague, rolly and not very confidence inspiring. The newer xDrive one seems to lose the special engine and from most reviews, doesn t seem to gain enough dynamically to make up for that. It just doesn t really appeal.
That s why the Mk8 Golf R keeps making sense to me. I can t quite put my finger on it, but it seems objectively better for what I want: AWD, DSG, compact size, proper pace, new rear torque vectoring diff, good daily usability and enough grip/body control to be enjoyable on B-roads.
I m also not that bothered about having a super premium interior. The Mk8 R interior would already be better and more modern than anything I ve owned before, so that side of it is fine for me.
Reviews are one thing test drives are another, if you have a top 3 go & test drive them.The A35 feels too much like a halfway house. Not as sharp as the Golf R, not as special as an RS3 and not mad enough like the A45s, at least from the reviews I've seen.
I d love an A45s but they re still a bit too expensive for where I want to be. And once I m spending A45s money, I m also close to things like an 8V RS3, which brings the five cylinder engine and more sense of occasion.
I don t want another M135i either. I had the previous RWD one and really didn t get on with the handling. Great engine and power (tuned 380bhp), but the chassis felt vague, rolly and not very confidence inspiring. The newer xDrive one seems to lose the special engine and from most reviews, doesn t seem to gain enough dynamically to make up for that. It just doesn t really appeal.
That s why the Mk8 Golf R keeps making sense to me. I can t quite put my finger on it, but it seems objectively better for what I want: AWD, DSG, compact size, proper pace, new rear torque vectoring diff, good daily usability and enough grip/body control to be enjoyable on B-roads.
I m also not that bothered about having a super premium interior. The Mk8 R interior would already be better and more modern than anything I ve owned before, so that side of it is fine for me.
This is something I'd always recommend as what works for you may not work for the reviewer.
The amount of people that change their minds & go for something else after a test drive is in my experience quite significant.
I had a new MK8 R in 2023. It was a great car to daily but sounded a bit boring... although the sound can be remedied with exhaust/GPF delete etc. I had mine remapped by Racingline to 400hp and it was absolutely rapid, but still sanitary.
If you powered it round a roundabout the rear would step out before it understeered. The rear diff was noticable.
I ended up selling it as I had other cars to suit particular roles better (sports car, van, family car and another hot hatch) but if I could only keep 1 car it would have been the Golf. It does everything exceptionally well.
I didn't have the DCC - I don't see it as a dealbreaker like many in the motoring press do. Coilovers are easier to upgrade, and choices more numerous, if you don't have DCC.
If you powered it round a roundabout the rear would step out before it understeered. The rear diff was noticable.
I ended up selling it as I had other cars to suit particular roles better (sports car, van, family car and another hot hatch) but if I could only keep 1 car it would have been the Golf. It does everything exceptionally well.
I didn't have the DCC - I don't see it as a dealbreaker like many in the motoring press do. Coilovers are easier to upgrade, and choices more numerous, if you don't have DCC.
I doubt you'll regret it but you might find it too competent to excite you.
I looked at the R along with various "similar" VAG group things from Cupra and really liked them, unfortunately where I am here close to Bradford the reputation for these disappearing (along with fast Audi models) spooked me a bit but I do worry more than a normal chap might.
They aren't as shouty as some other mega hatches and still have an air "GTD" about them to the untrained eye while offering loads of performance and a decent bit of luxury to boot.
Lots of mods available to make things a bit more interesting.
I ended up shortlisting pretty much everything in that bracket (Golf R, RS3, Cupra Leon 300, A45 AMG, Megane R.S.300 etc) and then flip flopping around for months and came out with a Focus RS in the end despite not even having them on my radar to begin with.
I suspect I'd have ended up with the Megane if there had been more available, closer to home but maybe another time... along with the others
The main issue I now have is that it feels like every fun road in my local area is now covered in speed cameras, has been made 40mph or riddled with speed bumps and that I have to drive for miles just to have a nice, perfectly legal, "spirited" drive where the Focus is fun, my old MR2 gave similar levels of happiness as soon as left the driveway whereas the current car reminds me of my old Supra where the excitement came much higher up the scale.
I looked at the R along with various "similar" VAG group things from Cupra and really liked them, unfortunately where I am here close to Bradford the reputation for these disappearing (along with fast Audi models) spooked me a bit but I do worry more than a normal chap might.
They aren't as shouty as some other mega hatches and still have an air "GTD" about them to the untrained eye while offering loads of performance and a decent bit of luxury to boot.
Lots of mods available to make things a bit more interesting.
I ended up shortlisting pretty much everything in that bracket (Golf R, RS3, Cupra Leon 300, A45 AMG, Megane R.S.300 etc) and then flip flopping around for months and came out with a Focus RS in the end despite not even having them on my radar to begin with.
I suspect I'd have ended up with the Megane if there had been more available, closer to home but maybe another time... along with the others
The main issue I now have is that it feels like every fun road in my local area is now covered in speed cameras, has been made 40mph or riddled with speed bumps and that I have to drive for miles just to have a nice, perfectly legal, "spirited" drive where the Focus is fun, my old MR2 gave similar levels of happiness as soon as left the driveway whereas the current car reminds me of my old Supra where the excitement came much higher up the scale.
scot_aln said:
Are the Golf Rs still as much of a theft target as they seemed to be a few years ago? [When I think loads had them on the silly cheap lease deal of the time]
Mine got stolen approx 12 hours after I picked it up. Smashed the patio door glass, walked in and took both the keys.Olivera said:
Wasn't the torque vectoring rear diff an option, often not specced, on the Mk8?
I have a Make GTI Clubsport (R engine) and it's a great hot hatch.
Drift mode was in the Performance Pack option, along with the larger rear spoiler..I have a Make GTI Clubsport (R engine) and it's a great hot hatch.
I've had no problems with the haptic buttons, the motoring press are generally a bit over the top, as they get to sample a lot of cars back to back, etc...
TamA said:
I didn't have the DCC - I don't see it as a dealbreaker like many in the motoring press do. Coilovers are easier to upgrade, and choices more numerous, if you don't have DCC.
The car rides much too hard without DCC, more importantly it messes up the handling without, you can practically feel the car skipping sideways due to the lack of give in the suspension. I have an 8.5 GTI Clubsport and my wife has an 8.5R. I’ve had a few Golfs with the Clubsport replacing a 7R.
I’ve driven my wifes car back to back with mine. It is a bit quicker off the line (to be expected) but there’s absolutely nothing in it if you put your foot down whilst already on the move. Both cars have DCC and both have 19 inch wheels. Would recommend DCC if that’s an option. Personally I find my CS more fun so would lean towards that unless you really want AWD?
Couldn’t feel the rear diff helping my wife’s car that much and the two are very similar on the fast twisty B roads in the local countryside. I can tell the rear diff is there but I think you would benefit from it more with more aggressive driving and the right road or indeed track.
As a daily you are definitely going down the right route. Fast, good fun, practical, easy to live with, pretty sensible on fuel especially on the motorway…both cars do 42mpg+ easily doing 70. Insurance also on them is very reasonable.
I would lean towards an 8.5 if possible as there were some good improvements made. I know you aren’t too worried about the interior and crucially the infotainment as the 8.5 is way better. You are right though, you don’t see that many around. If AWD isnt essential, I would drive an 8 Clubsport and 8R to see which you prefer. I am obviously biased but if you watch Joe Achilles review of the Clubsport when it first came out, bar the infotainment which annoyed him, he said it was a 10/10 car!
I’ve driven my wifes car back to back with mine. It is a bit quicker off the line (to be expected) but there’s absolutely nothing in it if you put your foot down whilst already on the move. Both cars have DCC and both have 19 inch wheels. Would recommend DCC if that’s an option. Personally I find my CS more fun so would lean towards that unless you really want AWD?
Couldn’t feel the rear diff helping my wife’s car that much and the two are very similar on the fast twisty B roads in the local countryside. I can tell the rear diff is there but I think you would benefit from it more with more aggressive driving and the right road or indeed track.
As a daily you are definitely going down the right route. Fast, good fun, practical, easy to live with, pretty sensible on fuel especially on the motorway…both cars do 42mpg+ easily doing 70. Insurance also on them is very reasonable.
I would lean towards an 8.5 if possible as there were some good improvements made. I know you aren’t too worried about the interior and crucially the infotainment as the 8.5 is way better. You are right though, you don’t see that many around. If AWD isnt essential, I would drive an 8 Clubsport and 8R to see which you prefer. I am obviously biased but if you watch Joe Achilles review of the Clubsport when it first came out, bar the infotainment which annoyed him, he said it was a 10/10 car!
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