Mk7 Golf R Discussion Thread

[Mikey1]

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.)

R logo now on the upper section of backrest, as with GTI. Previous GTI and R headrests, which gave tombstone backrest appearance when retracted, will be sadly missed by some.

While Audi S3 gets Nappa leather on both standard Sports and Performance Pack S Sports seats, you do need to read the fine print, as the standard Sport seats contain cheaper leather in some parts of the seat facing.

[Rogue wolf]

Imo when a car is priced at $50,000+ leather & premium sound system (which is not even offered as an option now) should be standard, your in prestige price category yet they still come with basic cloth , Unfortunately VW keep getting away with the $3000 charge for leather, ridiculous imo

[zoomda]

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

Another Golf R victory in almost every respect.

I found their comments on the A45 interesting. All I ever seem to hear is how brilliant it is so it was nice to hear a different view.

[Cantgiveyouthat]

I went from an 07S3 to a 12R to a 14S3.

As a general impression, the fit and finish of the Audi is better than VW. The R had little squeaks (even when I had fixed the doors with Bunnings sprinkler tube). The R had a roomier feel and it was and felt and sounded faster than the 07S3 . I chipped both.

I think the new R is better looking than the new S3 (IMHO), but I'm a badge wanker it would seem. I never liked the Vienna leather in my R and the trim was lower rent. I loved the black 19's on the R but hated the turning circle and losing the little plastic clips at 50 odd bucks a pop. I had the standard audio in the R (I purchased a one month old one from a fella on Carsales). I really liked the old Bose in the 07S3 and love the B&O that I now have. I hated the standard R audio, but have no idea how the mark 7 goes. I bought the performance pack S3 solely for the audio option.

The new PPS3 wheels are meh (IMHO) and the seats are a bit Michael Jackson looking (albeit very comfortable). Some people can't live without sunroofs. I can.

The colour choice on both cars is pretty ordinary.

I've found VW dealers to be even more wanky to deal with than Audi ones.

I got 3year service ($1500) in my deal. In my mind I have paid $66.5 for an S3 with PP, met paint, roof rails, MMI cable and extra rubber mats front/back/boot. I reckon people should be aiming at least a grand less because I was impetuous. That's 2.5grand less than my original S3 in 2007. The change between the old R and the old S3 used to be ten grand. This time it wants to be at least five. Doesn't it?I

n summary it's the same car with different bits hanging off it. VW and Audi are making a difference with the MMI screen, leather and sound system. If none of them matter, buy the VW and have a nice holiday with the change.

I'm in Brisbane and it would be good to see any of the new R owners sometime and have a look.

Good luck.

[Mikey1]

Imo when a car is priced at $50,000+ leather & premium sound system (which is not even offered as an option now) should be standard, your in prestige price category yet they still come with basic cloth , Unfortunately VW keep getting away with the $3000 charge for leather, ridiculous imo

I agree with you Rogue wolf in principle, though to be fair to VGA, they do try to accommodate differing tastes to some extent. For example, leather is an expensive option in all markets, and even in this forum, I have read that leather is not popular for those who find it too slippery, too hot or spend a lot of time at beaches. I can't recall the reason why the latter is a problem, but the point is, there is sufficient demand for cloth to make it part of standard specification. In the case of the Golf R, the cloth upholstery is complimented with Alcantara inner bolsters, so it is a little bit special. On the issue of a premium sound system, you may not know that currently no market includes this as an option for technical reasons, but Volkswagen Germany will make Dynaudio available in the second half of this year for those markets who want it. It won't help us though, as VGA consider the Dynaudio option as too limited in demand. Of course, the Audi S3 appears to tick all of the boxes that interest you, so I presume VGA will probably lose you as a future customer.

[Mikey1]

The change between the old R and the old S3 used to be ten grand. This time it wants to be at least five. Doesn't it?

I believe on a like-for-like basis, it will still be a circa $10K difference. If it were only $5K, it would be game over for VGA. Given VW and Audi are all part of the broader VAG family, it wouldn't make any sense to price the cars so closely in Australia. In Europe, it's a different story though, as Audi doesn't have quite the cachet it has here.

[Cantgiveyouthat]

A base s3 is 59990 so the base r will be 49990? Or are you using a different basis of comparison?

[Mikey1]

A base s3 is 59990 so the base r will be 49990? Or are you using a different basis of comparison?

It's not as simple as comparing base model prices due to standard specification differences. However, I just realised that in all my estimates, I have been looking at a manual where VGA will offer separate pricing and likely maintain a price differential of $2.5K between manual and DSG, but as everybody knows the cost for either transmission is the same for the S3. This means that my circa $10K difference is for a manual and $7.5K for a DSG/S tronic. But all this is pure speculation until VGA reveal pricing later this week.

[Rogue wolf]

See your point mikey, but I think for many it comes down to $$ when they go to do a deal, I'm sure many wouldn't complain if leather came standard & they would sell just as many vehicles if not more, but when your hit with a $3000 extra just for leather it would make most think twice, if it was $1000 differance would think fair enough, but $3000 just seems ridiculous, but that's just my opinion

As for premium stereo it should just be standard when you guys are paying $60000+ To give you that feel your getting your monies worth.

I know I live in an unrealistic world where I see these gimmicks as being standard when you spend a certain amount, but if the cheaper car companies can have them as standard (sure there leather isn't as high quality but end of the day it comfortable & the car is a lot cheaper) then no reason higher end car makers can't, other then trying to make more $$

Have VW lost me as a customer, as a new car probably as a demo/2nd hand car not at all, just let someone else wear the loss lol

VW are great cars, just think the gti/r there pricing is about 10k or so above where they should be, when I see a new fully optioned gti mk7 on the road I think nice but I never think it looks $55,000 nice more mid $40's nice, same with the mk 6 R doesn't look $65-70k nice on the road more mid $50's, where as AUDI does have that prestige look to it on the road & one would think $60-$70k when they see it drive past

Anyway just my view doesn't matter VW isn't going change there pricing on me lol

[Longy]

A base s3 is 59990 so the base r will be 49990? Or are you using a different basis of comparison?

How though? Isn't the Golf GTI with PP is at $48k? So people buy a GTI with PP or spend an extra $2k on an Golf R? So I still see it closer to the $55k mark.