Mk7 Golf R Discussion Thread

[Mikey1]

Dutch AutoWeek review: http://youtu.be/jplP2OItle8

Another Golf R victory in almost every respect.

Those Pretoria wheels look so nice and probably lighter than the equivalent Cadiz wheels. It's a shame they can't be ordered as a factory option.

[andrew7]

Nice pick up Mikey1- agree the Pretoria's look fantastic. This Dutch reviewer is one of the most balanced and professional I have seen (have looked at a number of his reviews), and echoes other recent reviews putting the R in front.

Leaving aside my slight asthetic preference for the S3 I'm now convinced that I should test drive and price the R before making my final decision (also not a bad thing to let a few months at least pass to let some heat out the market and for supply to catch up to initial demand from early adopters). BTW, I finally drove the S3 today (came with optional PP), it was simply brilliant and is in a whole different league to my MK6 GTI. Launch control was wow! Lovely deep rumble from the exhaust and great DSG burps particularly in dynamic mode. Interior comfort excellent. No rattles or squeaks. Hugged the road. I expect clearly that the R will be as good so it will come down to the price differential, asthetics and what can be negotiated with the dealer. All th R needs for me is leather (and tint). The base S3 is fine for me but you need to add on metallic paint to spec the nice white (glacier white- a $1,050 option) (and tint) (sacrificing adaptable dampers with the base S3 of course). R pricing will be very interesting indeed. Until next week...

[maraach]

I don't think you're comparing apples with apples. I too went to my nearest Audi dealership and was quoted $78.7K RRP on-road with many of the popular options, including S Performance Package. But with the exception of magnetic ride, none of the other options contained in this package are available in the Golf R. Also, there are numerous other omissions and differences which makes a direct comparison difficult. To complicate things, you can obtain corporate pricing on the Audi, which makes a significant difference to the dealer delivery fee and servicing. There is no corporate pricing available on the Golf R. I assume stamp duty differences between states also needs to be considered. Anyway, for me on a closest like-for-like basis, there will be circa $10K difference, which for me is significant, but apparently for others is acceptable. Also, unlike others, I don't like the Audi S3 interior or wheels and the fact that to get a pure white colour, you have to select Glacier White Metallic, costing an additional $1050.

$10k sounds about right to me. $3 - $4k and I probably would have bought it. I was also supposedly getting the corporate pricing (though they admitted they wouldn't do much for me on the S3 but would give me free servicing). The differences I saw between the two (base spec) are the magnetic ride, ski port, white paint (a $1050 option as you said). I think the sunroof was also more expensive on the Audi but I may be mistaken. The biggest difference was the dealer delivery. Immediately that adds $4.5k to the car (when you factor in stamp duty) from the base price. I just couldnt get past that.

I have to price the options in PP separately as I dont want the tombstone seats. Personally i really just like the stock ones. I do wish a premium sound option was available in the golf though.

[maraach]

The other thing that I wasn't as keen on with the golf was the body kit.

The rear looks ok, but to me (I know its personal preference) front lip looks a bit too boy racer and looks like its been stuck on as opposed to the previous models which did a great job of integrating the kit. I think the understated look of the audi is preferable there.. but hey, thats just me.

[rapidattack]

For those who have actually been in an 2014 R, any idea if the cloth seats are ok or even preferred over the leather?

[maraach]

For those who have actually been in an 2014 R, any idea if the cloth seats are ok or even preferred over the leather?

pretty sure the only ones you will find who have been in it to date are the VW execs. They havent been released to the general public yet.

Or i could be wrong.. The leather does look a little odd this time around though.

[AdamD]

The leather does look a little odd this time around though.

I believe the leather in the R will be the standard Vienna leather trim as fitted to the GTI, and Mk6 GTIs and Rs. So, standard grey/black, with an "R" insignia on the headrests.

(Unlike the S3, which gets much higher-quality Nappa leather as standard. Nappa is an option on the R in Europe, but is not offered here unfortunately.)

[Alex31]

Just spoke to my dealer and he said an R just rocked up on a truck today.... But would not let me have a look...



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[tcat99]

Do we know if leather means 'carbon style' leather, or just leather? I got a screen shot of the specs from a dealer and it doesn't look like it will be carbon leather. Does this sound right?

[Benz]

No carbon leather unfortunately - AdamD is correct, it will be vienna only. Can't figure why VWA don't offer some of these options like better Nappa leather and the Nav Pro with 8" screen, as some of us may be prepared to pay a bit extra to personalise our cars. Can't see how doing that would be any skin of their nose.