Golf R Observations and Questions

[Prodigy]

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)

Congrats mate on your order, seems to be quite a few of us WRX owners making the move to VW.

What specs did you order for the R?

[Pepe]

Thought I'd share my thoughts after actually getting to take my R out for it's first proper drive (got about 1200km on the clock now).

Went for a spin on the old pacific highway north of Sydney yesterday (Hornsby to Calga) as it was a beautiful Sydney winter afternoon. Had the car for 2 weeks, but still being a bit gentle with it as I plan to until I'm up to about 2500km or so. No redlining here, ~5-5.5k RPM at most. Stayed within legal speeds the whole time of course.

Firstly, I always said my next car would be manual, but after taking to a mate who had a Mk5 GTI with DSG and prior to that a Mk5 GTI Manual, he said I'd be mad to get a Manual in Sydney... turns out he was right, traffic is a b*tch. Still, thought DSG wouldn't be as fun on the open road... well, I'm a convert now! Either in Sport mode or using the flappy paddles, the DSG is brilliant. Sport is so good you can just get on with driving, focusing on the road or the next corner. For reference, I did drive both the Manual and DSG Rs before buying, in my opinion, you'd be mad not to get DSG.

On the subject of ACC or not. Well, until yesterday, I'd been driving around the city in Comfort mode as Normal or Sport turned the car into ye olde vertebrae crusher. After yesterday, as with the DSG, I say you'd be mad not to get it. In twisty corners with the ACC on Sport(firmest), it is so smooth and well planted, even compared to Normal setting.

I love the gear changes at about 5k, the sound is awesome, but you get a fantastic rumble right in the back of the seats at that kind of RPM, not something I'd felt shifting at a lower RPM before.

Have I mentioned how much I love this car yet?

[Corey_R]

It sounds great mate!

I agree - I think both DSG and ACC are great technologies. Although I'm sure that the Delphi version of ACC used in the Audi's and Ferrari's is the superior method, I'm still happy that VW have chosen to brings us poorer people the option to join in on the dynamic suspension goodness

[shakespeare]

Thanks Pepe, for the feedback, I'm patiently waiting for my R, but hearing feedback like yours makes me glad I ordered the ACC with 19's too Your number plates look good too! (nice pics in that thread)

[Prodigy]

Well the wait for the R will very soon become even more difficult.
Within 1 week of advertising my WRX for sale, today it was sold. The guy will be picking it up mid week and then i will be 'turbo car less' till the R arrives.

[Lima]

I had to wait quite a few months after selling my old Cooper S before my S3 arrived. Although, I guess the pain was dulled to an extent by having access to my wife's GTI, haha. That said, the wait will test your patience, but, ultimately, it will be worth it!

[dave_r]

Well the wait for the R will very soon become even more difficult.
Within 1 week of advertising my WRX for sale, today it was sold. The guy will be picking it up mid week and then i will be 'turbo car less' till the R arrives.

I had to hand back my leased XR6T a couple weeks ago, I didn't even like the stupid fraud but still feel like a dirty hippy not owning a car. The wait is unbareable, should just take long service leave and hibernate until it arrives!

[G-rig]

Helps if you don't think about it and log off from here.. Maybe buy a bomb or get a bike and get fit for a few months .

[dave_r]

Helps if you don't think about it and log off from here.. Maybe buy a bomb or get a bike and get fit for a few months .

Negative on both counts. Rather hibernate on the couch than get public transport or ride a bike. Which reminds me, time for my weekly "wheres my bloody car" e-mail to the dealer lol.

[shakespeare]

Well the wait for the R will very soon become even more difficult.
Within 1 week of advertising my WRX for sale, today it was sold. The guy will be picking it up mid week and then i will be 'turbo car less' till the R arrives.

Congrats on the sale mate, I'm about to advertise my 6 MPS, though if I do sell mine early my car allowance will cover a low cost hire car and I at least get the Wife's Jetta to have burn in (occasionally)