Golf R Observations and Questions

[oshuyi]

Hey Oshuyl,

I have driven a manual. I would say for starters the R has a 6 speed not a 5, but you might already know that. Im assuming If you have had a WRX and thats what/why you want to compare.
I found that the standard set up in the R has almost as short a throw as the WRX with the STI short shift kit installed. But the thing thats better with the VW box is that it was not as notchy to put through the gears, and also easier to select reverse from a forward gear which annoying in the WRX.

R box is also nice and crisp. Where aa stock WRX box is a bit spongy in comparison.

thanks for info rexman, that's exactly what i wanted to know. i've driven an dsg R but i didn't like it that much, that's maybe b/c i dunno how to drive it properly yet.

[ccoops79]

thanks for info rexman, that's exactly what i wanted to know. i've driven an dsg R but i didn't like it that much, that's maybe b/c i dunno how to drive it properly yet.

Hey oshuy,

So are you gonna go for the Manual or DSG mate ?

[Corey_R]

Any idea how it compares to the clutch on the GTI? I'm guessing gear throws are just as long?

To be honest, I haven't driven the manual in the MK6 GTI. Manuals in Golfs just hold little interest to me since the 6sp DSG is so great. Would kinda seem like getting a great car and then not putting its most revolutionary feature in it!

[dave_r]

To be honest, I haven't driven the manual in the MK6 GTI.

I don't think I have either mk6 GTI or R for that matter, did the mk5 gti and a current S3 but as you said, it isn't a consideration anyway. If i get bored, I might harass the dealer for a go in a manaual R (when im not harassing them about where my bloody order is lol) but it is fairly redundant.

[entice]

my experience with teh golf manuals is that they have a longish throw, compared to an STI...

for me, it didnt feel sporty enough compared to my previous STI

[sameatworld]

G'day fella

Thought I would write about the bluefin-ing experience that I went through yesterday with my R.

As far as I'm concerned, my R is the first to be done in Qld as far as the Superchip distributors are concerned.

I have previously had APR with excellent results but decided to try Bluefin for it's good value and ability to switch back to stock if required by myself.

Went to see Adam at VA garage here in Goldcoast. Since I have a mac, we decided to do it at the workshop. Adam read the ECU with the Bluefin unit then sent it away via his computer. He said that it may be around 5pm before we get a response back but range me about 30mins later saying the hand held unit was all ready.

The flashing went smooth and car was bluefinned. Took the car for a drive out and to be honest, couldn't feel much difference. Saying that I haven't really revved the R sufficiently enough yet to learn what's it's like. I could hear significantly more turbo whistle but didn't initially take notice at what RPM it was.

Just to compare decided to try switching back to stock. However, towards the end of flashing, an error code came up! Thankfully, the car still started so went back to Adam. Tried reverting back to original but the hand held unit would freeze very shortly after starting the flash. Now the car couldn't be started. WTF. Adam tried flashing again with battery booster and it went smooth and back to original ECU.

Since I had to go pick up my missus, I left the garage and tried to take more notice of when the torque starts in stock mode. After dropping off the missus, decided to switch to Bluefin next to Officework (why I chose here, I don't know...).

Then the unit froze again in the middle of flash. Damn. And the car wouldn't start! Repeated attempt ended up the same with the Bluefin unit freezing! I noticed that the fan in the engine bay would go at full speed when I attempt the flashing.

Anyway rang Adam and he kindly came to rescue me with the booster. This time, the flash went fine. It seems that the battery just didn't have enough juice to go through the initial reading, flashing then attempting a few more flashes. I really think there needs to be a firm warning about this to prevent people getting stranded! Wouldn't like the idea of calling VW assistance with a wiped out ECU from chipping...

Back at Adam workshop, we flashed it back to Bluefin and I left the shop with a firm warning from Adam "Don't touch it anymore this weekend!" Kudos to Adam because by this time it was almost 6pm on Friday! Felt very fortunate that I got the unit from Adam and had his supervision (including road side assistance ) from the beginning.

Having now driven the R a bit more here are some of my impressions.
First, the mid range increase is not as dramatic as it was when I first chipped MKV GTI. This is probably because the increase in torque is less in the R.

2. There is definitely much more pronounced turbo spooling which I have not noticed in the stock mode. Also the induction noise is far louder when the rpm is above 3k.

3. The car actually starts pulling from just over 2000rpm. This is sort of unexpected because when you look at the torque curve, the torque difference increase is really only from 2500rpm onwards.It's still very smooth though.

4. Now it really doesn't feel like a turbo car! Just so linear! In stock mode you get that turbo push when the engine gets into 3k rpm. But maybe almost too smooth??

However, I think I would really find out the difference in feel once I go back to stock some time later. When I first got APR stg2, I swear it felt slower than stg1. Hell I rang up Guy and Mike! But once I went back to stg1 after a few months, I could INSTANTLY realize the difference. and shed a few tears... Therefore the lack of drastic difference could be due to my crap butt dyno.

I plan to find out how to use a data logging feature of Bluefin handunit to see if there are figures I could compare. However, I'm gonna buy a battery booster from supercheap before attempting any further flashes! Oh and I plan to email Superchip guys to see whether they have any other more aggressive tune for the R.

I am certainly be very interested to see how APR tune feels in comparison to Bluefin if opportunity rises to compare side to side.

I think it's great that there are guys like Adam and JMAC who are making the Bluefin experience almost like other ECU tunings by giving personal service. The fact that the Bluefin is half the price with a few handy extra functions makes it a great value. Saying that I still miss the cruise control switchability of APR.

I was planning on getting Carbonio with the change but my missus is adamant that I get the under the seat drawers instead ...

Sam

[G-rig]

my experience with teh golf manuals is that they have a longish throw, compared to an STI...

for me, it didnt feel sporty enough compared to my previous STI

You can always get a short shifter (such as the Forge kit i had which has an adjustable front to back and side to side throw). I think DSG would be easier to sell when the time comes as most people seem to prefer it and it's VW's flagship technology, as well as faster changes and better economy. Down changing is the biggest advantage IMO, fairly awkward to do in a 6MT and bliping the throttle probably just wastes fuel as well as slower.

[lakeman]

my experience with teh golf manuals is that they have a longish throw, compared to an STI...

for me, it didnt feel sporty enough compared to my previous STI

Hi guys,
I agree
I have a 5speed MY02 WRX and drove both the DSG and manual Golf R.
I love my WRX but it is getting old and the poor quality of its finish has always annoyed me.
I was unimpressed by the manual gearbox and the long throw in the Golf r Manual.
A description of the wrx gearbox as notchy in my experience is preferable to the mushy manual R
I had fun with the DSG and even though I could take delivery of the manualR I have ordered a DSG golf(after failing to find a current one in stock)

[halojump]

Just want to thank all those that replied to my questions, I took the plunge today and ordered it (see here)

[swalee]

Nice writeup Sam, I was thinking about the Bluefin myself.

Not sure why they didn't inform you that you needed a battery booster when you upgraded, as I had to do it everytime I changed my ECU in the Megane 225. It seems like a standard practice.

Anyway, like to see you do a Dyno , and a fuel consumption test , or does that come up on the bluefin unit.

Jason