Golf R Observations and Questions

[Corey_R]

I wouldnt bother with the filter... makes so little difference to sound or performance you can't tell whether it's there or not. Do some looking around the forums for people who've done it. I've seen people on these forums give them away, but couldn't tell you the p/n unfortunately.

[sillywet]

Thanks mate. Definitely not doing it for sound, and admittedly with a turbo its the exhaust that's more of a performance hindrance than the intake side, but for some reason i've always thrown a K&N on my cars and plan to do so with this one too. For what they cost I figure its worth it even if it only gives it a few extra horsepower.

[Lucas_R]

Yes you have the correct part number for the K&N air filter. It's a rectangle shape with one corner chopped off (same as Mk5 GTI)

Picked up my R last Friday night so i've had the long weekend in Qld to finally drive the thing after what seemed like a never-ending wait from the date I ordered it all those months ago. Based on what i'm reading about Patricks I think i'm lucky I got it when I did!

Initial observations (for anyone who's interested):
[I]Cons[I]

- The side air-conditioner vent is so close to the wheel it just seems to freeze my right hand rather than reaching my face. That's now switched off.
- The location of the dealer fitted MDI: how long do they think my arms are?
- The engine noise under moderate acceleration (sometimes I swear they've put the GTD engine in by mistake)

Pros

- Everything else. What a bloody fantastic car. After test driving a DSG and a manual I was so close to going the DSG option just because for a quick test drive (ie thrash it as hard as you can from every single light/stop sign) the DSG seems brilliant. After a good couple weeks of deliberating however I ordered a manual and my god am I glad I did. For anyone still reading this thread and tossing up between the two, PLEASE go for another test drive in a manual and make it a long one. The involvement of the car is fantastic and it's such a light clutch and easy gearbox that even if you commute in traffic every day (i do) it won't drive you crazy. The noise it makes on over-run in 2nd when you let the revs drop to about 3000 (i think it's the BOV) makes me smile every time.

One question I do have that I couldn't find an answer to in my search is what is the K&N model number of the air filter? I have a feeling it's the 33-2888, but I can't be certain. The picture on the K&N site shows one of the corners slightly lopped off. Does this sound right to those who've pulled it out for a look? Link below:
33-2888 - K&N Replacement Filters, Replacement Air Filter

I'd love to get some exhaust work done to it, and no doubt one day I shall, but for now the warranty is far too appealing.

Thanks to everyone on this forum for their great banter. It certainly helped me pass the months of waiting (even if at times it did make it harder!!). When I was driving home for the first time on Friday night I was at Albion getting on to the ICB and behind me at the lights was another blue R. Couldn't have scripted it better! Shame I only had 35kms on the clock or I could have had a nice little thrash up the on-ramp!

[DDTW]

I wouldnt bother with the filter... makes so little difference to sound or performance you can't tell whether it's there or not. Do some looking around the forums for people who've done it. I've seen people on these forums give them away, but couldn't tell you the p/n unfortunately.

I can vouch for that. No significant difference with my Carbonio CAI. Painful $500 spent. Makes me smile when I pop the hood though.

sillywet checkout GC Corp Performance Parts

[stephen8512]

Hey guys

Someone posted up on here or on another thread about the door handle thing? Let me explain.

On my old MK5 Jetta, when you take off, after 15kms the car automatically locks itself. Yep, sweet. But say if you want to get out, usually you'd have to pull the door handle TWICE. Once to unlock and once more to actually open the door.

Is there a feature like this on the Golf R? Or is it something I can set via MFD?


And also, on the drive side, where the seatbelt starts from, if u keep looking down, theres a small button there. Anyone know what thats for?

[Corey_R]

On my old MK5 Jetta, when you take off, after 15kms the car automatically locks itself. Yep, sweet. But say if you want to get out, usually you'd have to pull the door handle TWICE. Once to unlock and once more to actually open the door.

Is there a feature like this on the Golf R? Or is it something I can set via MFD?

I don't think that there is. I believe that it's just been changed to a single pull with the MK6 in general. You can turn off the auto close through the MFD and manually lock the car, but it's still a single pull to open.

And also, on the drive side, where the seatbelt starts from, if u keep looking down, theres a small button there. Anyone know what thats for?

That disables the interior monitoring and tilt sensors for the alarm - in case you need to leave people or pets in the car, or have it towed etc.

[sillywet]

Thanks for that guys. despite the usd at the moment maybe I'm better placed to just spend the money on some new joggers. After going for a run the weight I lose will give me the performance advantage of the filter anyway!
Also just discovered tonight that in manual form the R sits on a hill for a good second or two without the handbrake!! I seriously want to boof this car!!

[DDTW]

That disables the interior monitoring and tilt sensors for the alarm - in case you need to leave people or pets in the car, or have it towed etc.

I've tested this out and had a pleasant surprise when my R had the alarm going off! It's a very high pitched chirp.

All this while I thought the R only came with an immobiliser!

[Ideo]

Thanks for that guys. despite the usd at the moment maybe I'm better placed to just spend the money on some new joggers. After going for a run the weight I lose will give me the performance advantage of the filter anyway!
Also just discovered tonight that in manual form the R sits on a hill for a good second or two without the handbrake!! I seriously want to boof this car!!

Never owned a Subaru?

I learnt to drive with Hill Start. It's a good system.

[Fab_R]

Question: How would one open their doors in the R if the battery is dead flat?
Observation: Lucky my bonnet was open so it could have a battery booster connected and powered up so i could unlock it!