Golf R Observations and Questions

[Guy_H]

Was doing track work at Morgan Park Raceway this week and was wondering what is a safe oil temp and what is too high? Oil was only 1000k old. Oil got up to 117.

You will see up to 130 C on the track, nothing to worry about. Another good reason for frequent changes (~ 7500km's)

[brad]

Does anyone know what the lugs need to be torqued to on the R?

120Nm is always a good, generic figure for 5 stud 14mm.

I think the main thing is consistency.

[Big_Dave]

Thanks Guy, obviously not pushing it hard enough!

[Corey_R]

I always liked the lb/ft rating better. I know what a pound is (1kg/2.2) and whilst I know what both a foot and a meter is, I've no idea what a Newton is!

Anyway... did a google search on 120 nm to lb ft and a UK tyres shop came up. Looks like that's about 89 lb/ft. Or the equiv of a 40kg weight on the end of the VW supplied lug wrench.

[Paul_R]

Ahh lbft...
I grew up on horse power and lbft. Then I moved to Australia and it was all kw and Nm. Took years to re-adjust.

[GplusH_R]

So can anyone else confirm or deny..

Was privy to an email stating no Golf R and Polo production 1st quarter 2012.. meaning anyone expecting their vehicles 1st quarter will no doubt be 2011 build. Also guess it means first delivery of 2012 build MY12 will be around May June??

[jjj]

Yeah - there are multiple service types. There is the variable one where the car tells you based on environment, sensors, and your driving styles (what you're mentioning). Then there is the 7500km intervals and the 15000km interval servicing which we do in Australia. Either way, 504 is for 15000km servicing.

I think I mentioned this before, but someone has put the variable servicing on my R. Currently 11,000 km on the clock, and if the service interval stayed the same it would request service at around 20,000 km and around 18 months.

As nice as that would be, I think an oil change at 15,000 km is reasonable

[Candyman]

Folks

My R is due anyday at the dealers.

This time around, I want to be prepared with a list of potential issues that can develop with the model

I got caught out a few times with my GTI when the service dept's didn't always pro actively deal with items before they caused issues

Now, a list may already exist. I have picked up a lot of possible areas of concern with the GTI MKV and can use that as a start but rather than trawl the huge amount of posts on various forums, does anyone have a short list ?

They may well be specific to the MKVI (since fixed by VW from the MKV)

For example, the rather soft control arm bushes, the notchy steering racks.

[Corey_R]

I don't feel a list exists yet for the R.

Haven't heard anyone compliant about the control arm bushes or the steering racks. Even the previous polo had similar steering rack issues to the MKV Golf, but I haven't heard anyone with the R whinge about it (yet! and touch wood we don't!).

The R's DSG box seems to have a knack (mainly with the guys new to VW's) of going into neutral when people attempt to mash the gas after a speed hump or round-a-bout. I had it once very early on, but not since, as I'm practically never in the situation of mashing the gas from nothing (I've always had the gas pressed a touch before I know I need to mash it so I know I've got some loading on the driveline, even if you're still slipping the clutch, like you would in a manual)

Some peeps have had the coolant drop to way below minimum... but I don't think anyone who's reported it has had any hardware failures - just the usual "escaping air bubble" that sometimes happens.

B pillar trim rattles on the 5 door models. The usual door seals squeaks too.

Um... I don't know... I think we're doing ok at this point in time

[Rob_R]

So far my problems have been: a weeping transmission plug (nipped up and ok now) and only today the rear camera has developed a problem. The screen is showing split vision of what's behind the car. It's like I have two cameras looking in two different angles. One third of the screen shows yellow parking guide line horizontally. Weird, but service guys will have a look at it Monday morning.