Golf R Observations and Questions

**Lucas_R** · 30-03-2014, 09:28 AM

Don't forget that the R's with the 19" wheels have a different steering rack/limited steering rack - so the R's with the 18" wheels have a better turning circle.

**Frazza** · 30-03-2014, 09:33 AM

Originally Posted by Lucas_R

Don't forget that the R's with the 19" wheels have a different steering rack/limited steering rack - so the R's with the 18" wheels have a better turning circle.

Yeah this is true, i think that what happens sometimes is that an R arrives in the dealers with 18" wheels and the customer wants 19's so they swap them off another car and this could cause the problem

**Dutch77** · 30-03-2014, 10:56 AM

I believe a lot of dealers wouldn't do the swap for that reason (and the plastic extensions for ADRs would also be missing?).

**gRaQ5** · 30-03-2014, 03:25 PM

Originally Posted by tonymy01

Weird about the turning circle,I thought mine was great after coming from a my01 WRX. I have noticed noises at full lock, it sounds like the front tyre just scrapes on the inner guard liner. In shiny concrete carparks when reversing under full lock, you can feel all the diffs doing strange things too.

That's a more accurate description than the one I gave... And mine happens in shiny polished concrete carparks as well...

Just drove my friend's SLK... My god I almost did a 180degree turn into a pole trying to make a right angle turn. The t/circle was was so generous. Interesting to hear the wrx and evo have tight circles as well. I think it just gets a bit of getting used to.

Hehe, I after 2 weeks I just realised my seat can go lower. Now I feel like sitting below the ground with just my head sticking out

@ Adam_R - I contacted Rubal at Goodyear Croydon - his prices are great and he is so responsive!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**gRaQ5** · 05-04-2014, 03:24 PM

Right, have now changed tyres. Turns out I'll need some new rims as a couple of them are buckled. Any one know where I can get some new 19" talladegas? Or maybe even the R32 mags cos they're pretty good looking as well (and easier to wash). What's the difference b/w oem and aftermarket vw wheels?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**AdamD** · 07-04-2014, 09:05 AM

Originally Posted by gRaQ5

Right, have now changed tyres. Turns out I'll need some new rims as a couple of them are buckled. Any one know where I can get some new 19" talladegas? Or maybe even the R32 mags cos they're pretty good looking as well (and easier to wash). What's the difference b/w oem and aftermarket vw wheels?

I'd be scouring eBay for a start, and you can check the classifieds section here on VWW of course.

Most aftermarket replica rims are poorly-made Chinese rip-offs, that are both heavier and more prone to buckling/cracking/peeling/etc than OEM rims. So you'd want to do your research before you slap down hundreds on a set from Tempe Tyres or the like.

The Golf R32 rims are 18", not 19". I have a set of the later Mk5 R32 style (Omanyt) on my car.

**phpmedia** · 09-04-2014, 04:10 PM

Hi everyone! I'm really sorry if I'm posting this in the wrong area but I had a look through the forums and couldnt find an answer to my specific question.

I just signed up to VWWatercooled and I'm looking at buying a 2012 Golf R from a local dealer that I know quite well (pretty excited!!!). My question to you knowledgeable folk is, what are the things I should be on the lookout for, i.e. common faults etc?

The specific car that I'm looking at is, as I said, a 2012 R with the 19 inch black wheel option and the reversing camera. It has around 43,000km on it, so I know it's essentially due for a service (which I will have done as a part of the purchase). It also has a cold air-intake, Stage 1 tune and overall it seems to have been reasonably well looked after.

The biggest worry I have is that the car has not been serviced through a genuine VW dealer-workshop. The 15k service was done through a local, reuputable VW specialist and the 30k service was done through the previous owner's brother - who is a mobile mechanic. In terms of the tune being on the car, I'm not too worried, I know a lot of people get these sorts of things done to simply better fuel efficiency and the car's day to day performance, plus the car doesn't show any signs of being "flogged". The original owner was a family man and only traded it in because he wanted a bigger and more pricey sedan.

Thank you all in advance for your input

**Cantgiveyouthat** · 09-04-2014, 05:08 PM

I think the price is the key missing item here.

**phpmedia** · 09-04-2014, 05:54 PM

That's a little undecided because they're going to do the service with it, maybe some new front brakes and a warranty... So it's looking to be mid-high 30's.

**Lucas_R** · 09-04-2014, 06:15 PM

Basically the only things i could possibly see you needing soon are:
- brake pads/disks (depends on whether the car is manual or DSG and if its been used in alot of stop-start traffic. DSG cars will generally wear the brakes out sooner)
- Ignition coil packs. You can get a full new set for about $150 so its not a big expense.

Apart from those things which generally wear out after 40,000-50,000km, there shouldnt be much else to worry about.

The engines and drivelines are hugely reliable and robust, and can take a fair beating.