Golf R

[Prodigy.]

Yeah that's unusual for a dealer not to have at least one demo model for you to try, any other VW dealers close by you can call?

We have 3 local dealers here in Perth and they all have atleast one that is 'not for sale' so it can be used for test drives.

[MikeVictor]

Epic marketing fail.

[Lukkyphil]

Originally Posted by Prodigy 72

Hey Lukkyphil are you a member of P-wrx? I recognise the name..

Yeah, don't post there much these days I lurk mostly in the off-topic forum to associate with other right-wing extremists ;-) DOn't know too many of the new guys there only the old timers like Jamie P, Steve P, Brendon W, Ramon, etc.

Had an 03WRX and an 06STI, the latter I sold for a E Series HSV (and was sadly and tragically disasppointed with it, int terms of build quality and reliability). My missus has had a Mark V GTi, and I don't reckon you will be disappointed with it, especially with your young-uns. The 135 is a beast though, and I love mine, most cars I get jaded with after a few weeks when the shortcomings start coming through, the 135 I find new things to appreciate, especially now I am up to 2400kms and have opened the taps a few times ;-)

[TimMc]

How does the 135 performance compare to your HSV Phil?

[chylld]

hmm did you guys know that the R with an APR stage 1 tune does 0-100 in 4.68s??

[Prodigy.]

Originally Posted by chylld

hmm did you guys know that the R with an APR stage 1 tune does 0-100 in 4.68s??

Yep..

[aus135i]

hmmmm 70k+ for a VW just seems wrong to me..... but that been said the car was not bad...

[Prodigy.]

Originally Posted by aus135i

hmmmm 70k+ for a VW just seems wrong to me..... but that been said the car was not bad...

You would have to be to be paying full RRP and have it heavily optioned to be paying over 70k for the R.

The RRP on a 5 door with DSG driveaway is under 59K..

[chylld]

Originally Posted by Prodigy 72

You would have to be to be paying full RRP and have it heavily optioned to be paying over 70k for the R.

The RRP on a 5 door with DSG driveaway is under 59K..

Yeah the only thing I'd add is nav and audio... people on the VWwA forums are getting 5-10% off retail so I reckon it can be had for 60k.

... what am I thinking?

[zenderm3]

Chylld are you going to the dark side?

[chylld]

Originally Posted by zenderm3

Chylld are you going to the dark side?

I don't know. I don't think so.

Probably just a recent spat of events...
- wanted to give some friends a lift to dinner, but decided to take their car since it's a pain to get people into the back, and my wife never remembers how to move the seat properly. 4 doors would be nice
- been raining cats and dogs especially today, and i can't use more than a third throttle around tight corners or i wheelspin and/or step the back out and make myself look like an idiot. all-wheel drive would be nice
- find out that the R with all my preferred options would be over 10k less than what i paid for my 1er. 10k cash would be nice
- find out that the R with only a mild APR tune can do 0-100 in 4.68 seconds. look back on my thread about my 1er drag tests and note best time of 7.53 seconds. that would be really, really nice

Then I think about the depreciation I'd lose by selling/trading this car so quickly (only had it for 9 months) and think ok I'll stick with it for at least another year

[MikeVictor]

Originally Posted by chylld

I don't know. I don't think so.

Probably just a recent spat of events...
- wanted to give some friends a lift to dinner, but decided to take their car since it's a pain to get people into the back, and my wife never remembers how to move the seat properly. 4 doors would be nice
- been raining cats and dogs especially today, and i can't use more than a third throttle around tight corners or i wheelspin and/or step the back out and make myself look like an idiot. all-wheel drive would be nice
- find out that the R with all my preferred options would be over 10k less than what i paid for my 1er. 10k cash would be nice
- find out that the R with only a mild APR tune can do 0-100 in 4.68 seconds. look back on my thread about my 1er drag tests and note best time of 7.53 seconds. that would be really, really nice

Then I think about the depreciation I'd lose by selling/trading this car so quickly (only had it for 9 months) and think ok I'll stick with it for at least another year

Better tyres might help your traction problem in the wet, and wives can be trained with gifts

[Lima]

Originally Posted by chylld

- find out that the R with all my preferred options would be over 10k less than what i paid for my 1er. 10k cash would be nice

I got $12K+ off RRP when buying my S3 and it's still about $5K more than buying an R at full retail with similar specs, haha.

[Blacky]

Originally Posted by Lima

I got $12K+ off RRP when buying my S3 and it's still about $5K more than buying an R at full retail with similar specs, haha.

Hey Lima

Can I ask what you paid for you S3 and with what options?

I am still trying to find a replacement for the 130 and man it is hard work dealing with various sales people (especial VW and Audi).

[ffforever]

Got a GTI which is 3 months old... Although the interior quality is better than the pricetag would suggest and certainly up there compared with My friend's 125i, I am not entirely convinced with how well the Golf is built.

The dealer has had 2 goes at fixing loose door reflectors, and the car still feels a little rattly...

[nvanorten]

I love the Golf GTI as well as the R, however I had so many problems with my GTI I switched to the 125. Touch wood the BMW has been trouble free with the exception of tail lights.

I'm so disappointed that the VW has so many quality issues, or at least mine did, as I would been happy to buy another VW based on the driving experience.

I had so many issues that VW agreed to extend the factory warranty for 2 additional years, but I wasn't willing to put up with anymore problems so sold shortly afterwards.

[Blader]

I can't compare the 135i to the GTI but having had a VW Eos and moved to the 125i Convertible I would leave you with the following thoughts.

While the VW's are cheaper you can see in the interiors why this is so. The plastics in the doors and side panels is harder and shinier then the BMW. The leather is only on the front facing of the seats, everything else is vinyl. The carpet is cheap and nasty.

All the switch gear misses out on the engineered damped feel. The major controls also lack the feel and precision the BMW has built in.

The sound that the straight six makes is in another league to the turbo four.

Comparing the Eos to the 125i Convertible is perhaps a little unfair but in the end the price difference on my lease was only $8000 (Yes I got a fantastic deal on the BMW but also got 10% off the Eos when it was ordered before the Australian release). The Eos was optioned with Napa Leather, 18" wheels with sport suspension and Dynaudio with bluetooth and iPod connections.

The advantages of the Eos are price, a metal folding roof with a sunroof, a bigger back seat and more room in the boot with the roof up, a better sound system, an auto dimming driver's side mirror, a smoother if noisier ride at low speed.

The 125i Sport convertible is lighter, faster, handles a lot better, has a sweeter sounding engine and just feels more deeply engineered.

As far as the VW ownership goes I did not have any major problems just several minor ones. The VW service experience left me wishing I was dealing with BMW again.

For almost every repair I had to go back because it was either not right or something else had been broken while they had the car. I also object to not being provided with a loan car while warranty work is being carried out.

I guess it depends really on what you are looking for in a car. I look for something that is a rewarding engaging experience. The more you put in the greater the rewards. The Golf R might be quicker and cheaper but for me it and its Audi cousins are a little too aloof, common and ultimately a little involving always leaving me wanting more.

[dontask]

Originally Posted by TrackRat

^^^ So then buy a Porsche. VW own's them too and they are pretty engaging and high quality...

Are you sure VW owns Porsche? I thought that Porsche tried to take over VW, but failed big time during the GFC.

[banglemangle]

Agree with comments VW QA. My last GTI was an 05 African built Mk5 and absolute rubbish. At least quality of dealer was comensurate with quality of car. I was looking to buy a R36 and Touereg, but as a result of that GTI (my third) I bought a mangled 135 and a playdo. VW lost $150k sale due to their arrogance towards Australian customers.

[Taymaishu]

This is correct. VW owns 49.9% of Porsche in a move late last year.

[s4008616]

I test drove the car on Saturday, looking at upgrading wife's car.
OMG... what a car....

I feel like a professional race driver in the Golf R with the DSG.

Especially the 'auto heel-toe' when downshifting (auto-blipping? whatever they are called) is very satisfying.

The only bad thing is the turbo lag. You really appreciate how 'lag-less' the N54 is after driving the Golf R.

Too bad my wife hated it, she said it is a ugly car. I tried to convince her it is a hot car but I failed........

[Prodigy.]

Originally Posted by s4008616

Too bad my wife hated it, she said it is a ugly car. I tried to convince her it is a hot car but I failed........

By no means do i think the Golf R is an ugly car, however my wife also dislikes it saying that it looks boring and i guess compared to my WRX it does, nonetheless i'm still getting one..