Mk7 Golf R Discussion Thread

**andrew7** · 22-03-2014, 07:30 PM

Agree with much of the above. Its a tough call but if you add leather to the R you're up at 57K which is only 3k less than the base "loaded" S3 with the far superior sat nav/MMI system, better looks (particularly interior which in the Audi is beautiful, and the exterior) and "prestige" factor (i.e you're not driving a "Golf'). You drop adjustable damping on the base s3 but a number of reviews say its either not necessary or in fact detrimental to handling (one of The Age reviews a few months back canned it (Matt Campbell I think). So, I'm leaning toward the S3 (need to drive both back to back to finalise the decision). (btw, I'd ommit "privacy glass" on both and have the whole car done for $400 aftermarket; also I like white so no issues with metallic add on costs; keen on 18's and in any case if I did want 19's VW should offer pretorias).

The downside to Audi (again per Paul above) is in my country city the local Audi dealer is crap; on the other hand the VW guys here are switched on and have a good sales and service team. Chances are I'll buy the Audi in Melbourne (or use my leasing co to negotiate the best price; in this way I avoid the other downside to Audi in Melbourne in that there sales team tend to be prentious prats).

**LWR** · 22-03-2014, 07:46 PM

Originally Posted by Benz

Figured many may be interested in the first real road comparison review of the Golf R.

My first post so hope this works!

Evo 195_8 HATCHES MODERNS - Evo

Enjoy.

Thanks for posting. I reckon I'll get one!

**Dutch77** · 22-03-2014, 07:55 PM

As a side note on the Audis, I note a lot of talk about their MMI system. I noticed the mock ups of the new Audi TT interior show Audi looking at dropping the centre mounted screen and moving it to right in front of the driver with speedo and tachometer etc all on screen as well.

**Benz** · 22-03-2014, 09:34 PM

Pretty good review. Wonder when they will run the R against the A45? The A45 will be quickest but also much dearer at $82K some $20K above the Golf.
Look forward to that comparison though.
This one is a good start.

**Mikey1** · 22-03-2014, 10:31 PM

Originally Posted by andrew7

Agree with much of the above. Its a tough call but if you add leather to the R you're up at 57K which is only 3k less than the base "loaded" S3 with the far superior sat nav/MMI system, better looks (particularly interior which in the Audi is beautiful, and the exterior) and "prestige" factor (i.e you're not driving a "Golf'). You drop adjustable damping on the base s3 but a number of reviews say its either not necessary or in fact detrimental to handling (one of The Age reviews a few months back canned it (Matt Campbell I think). So, I'm leaning toward the S3 (need to drive both back to back to finalise the decision). (btw, I'd ommit "privacy glass" on both and have the whole car done for $400 aftermarket; also I like white so no issues with metallic add on costs; keen on 18's and in any case if I did want 19's VW should offer pretorias).

The downside to Audi (again per Paul above) is in my country city the local Audi dealer is crap; on the other hand the VW guys here are switched on and have a good sales and service team. Chances are I'll buy the Audi in Melbourne (or use my leasing co to negotiate the best price; in this way I avoid the other downside to Audi in Melbourne in that there sales team tend to be prentious prats).

Fairfax's Matt Campbell in drive.com.au did indeed prefer the standard non-adjustable suspension, but in all the other reviews that I have read or seen, the opposite is true.

On the issue of the interior, I must be the lone voice who prefers the Golf. I find the Audi too minimalistic in design. It's missing the following: sliding cupholder cover in centre console, no overhead sunglasses storage compartment, no driver's side flip down storage compartment, nowhere forward of the armrest/storage box is there to place your mobile phone. The Golf has a nifty hinged storage compartment below the dash/forward of the gear shift, where both a full size USB and 3.5mm Aux jack reside to plug your Android phone in to charge, etc. I also loathe the quilted/diamond pattern leather seat upholstery on the S Performance Package, which in my opinion does not blend in with the rest of the interior. Audi interior designers were probably inspired by the Bentley Continental GT Speed with it's quilted leather upholstery, which I do think blends in far better. Unlike the Audi, the pattern also appears in the sides and doors. Check it out at: Bentley Motors Website : Models : Continental GT Speed : Interior Design and Craftsmanship

Finally, in it's only non-Arctic Circle review so far, the handling of the Golf R is considered more balanced than the Audi S3. Refer YouTube video from German Auto Bild TV: VW Golf R vs. Audi S3 vs. BMW M135i - YouTube

**Paul_R** · 23-03-2014, 06:37 AM

On the rural dealers, my wife tells me her cousin bought an Audi (haven't seen it but I would guess a Q5) in Wagga Wagga. For servicing they apparently pick the car up from her work, leave her a courtesy car and return hers the next day. Wagga to Albury is 130 klms. That's service.

Edit starts here:

Right, turns out the cousin hasn't bought an Audi, nor does she have it serviced in Wagga either. I smelled a rat when we passed the cousins house this morning. The cousin has a CX 7 which gets serviced in Wangaratta! My wife thought that because our Mazda dealer sells both Marques that all Mazda dealers do! She actually said "my cousin has a 7 and gets it serviced in Wang".

Now I know there is no Audi dealer in Wang and I was talking about Audi at the time, so I'll leave the rest of you to draw the dots together...

**Longy** · 23-03-2014, 09:47 AM

Originally Posted by Paul_R

On the rural dealers, my wife tells me her cousin bought an Audi (haven't seen it but I would guess a Q5) in Wagga Wagga. For servicing they apparently pick the car up from her work, leave her a courtesy car and return hers the next day. Wagga to Albury is 130 klms. That's service.

Edit starts here:

Right, turns out the cousin hasn't bought an Audi, nor does she have it serviced in Wagga either. I smelled a rat when we passed the cousins house this morning. The cousin has a CX 7 which gets serviced in Wangaratta! My wife thought that because our Mazda dealer sells both Marques that all Mazda dealers do! She actually said "my cousin has a 7 and gets it serviced in Wang".

Now I know there is no Audi dealer in Wang and I was talking about Audi at the time, so I'll leave the rest of you to draw the dots together...

Haha, I was going to say, there actually is an Audi Centre Wagga, 52 Dobney Ave Wagga Wagga.

**Lemonskin** · 23-03-2014, 04:23 PM

I saw a white Golf R on Friday night on King George's Road. Thank Christ it looks waaaay better in real life than in the pictures. And those wheels...