Recently sold my DD (Jeep Wrangler) and replaced it with a VW Golf R

[Ryebread]

I need to start by saying I love my 3er.
Relatively stock 335D, 425 trq, 36/23mpg, AT


BMW 335D Sportline wheels from **********s, 235/35-18 18x9.5 Rear et45 PLUS 10mm spacer from VAC MOTORSPORTS by Ryan Philly, on Flickr

The 3er was my summer/weekend car and a Jeep Wrangler was my dd.
Last few winters have been mild though, so I've been getting more accustomed to driving a CAR- almost full time.

The Jeep was for the other days and utility, since (only thing to complain about my car) the seats don't fold down.
(I did get heated seats in the car, but not the cold weather pkg)
I used the Jeep to pull a kayak trailer, but my wife just got the new Escape with tow pkg, so I'm good there.


IMG_3771 by Ryan Philly, on Flickr

In the past 6 months, I've grown grossly tired of the Jeep.
I wasn't using it for what it is - an amazing off road vehicle, that can also get you to work and back, relatively safely but not so comfortably.
It had proper 4:10 gearing (rare), 4 disc brakes, and a 6 cylinder from a minivan... however, it was not a pleasure to drive.

Making things worse, my wife and I were not putting the soft top to use during the summer. I left the hard top on mostly, and used the a/c often.
It was time to go.

Somehow the resale value is insane for these modern generation wranglers ( JK ). I only lost $2k after driving it for 3 yrs. what?!

Bye bye Jeep. Sure, you could get me to work in the snow, but so can a Golf R!

It has the awd, to get me around in the snow (maybe not a blizzard like the Jeep.
But it's VERY fun, handling and power are very respectable!
I can fold all the seats down and have room for gear. So the utility is there.
It's so TOSSABLE - something that makes my 335 feel very large and heavy now!
The Golf R obviously get's WAY better gas mileage than the Jeep.
(I averaged 31mpg from VA to PA)

I'm a happy camper.
Oh, I didn't intend to have two blue cars, I originally shopped a white R, but there are only 5,000 made for the USA right now (over two MY 12+13).

This newest R gets a turbocharged and direct-injected inline-four as in the TTS, making 256  horsepower (six more than the last R32 and nine short of the TTS) and 243 pound-feet of  torque that goes to all four shoes.
Bigger brake hardware (13.6-inch front rotors, 12.2 rear.
The R rides 0.3 inch lower than a GTI, why not a full inch at least?!


So.... If I could only have one... the Golf R would be it.
A week ago, I would have never said that. I love my Diesel that much.
But the R? ....it's sort of a combination of the Jeep and the 335
Now that I have the 335D and the R, I don't know how this will play out.


'13 Golf R on VWR Springs, 18x8" OZ Superturismo LM et 48, no spacers by Ryan Philly, on Flickr

update:
post #30 in this thread highlights the mods I have done.
basic bolt ons and a tune....
338 ft-lbs of torque and 335 HP has transformed the Golf-R into an AWD super car.



The specs (original)
VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, 4-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 3- or 5-door hatchback
ENGINE TYPE: turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve inline-4, iron block and aluminum head, direct fuel injection
Displacement: 121 cu in, 1984 cc
Power: 256 hp @ 6000 rpm (detuned for USA, euro is 276hp, stage 1 here is 306).
Torque: 243 lb-ft @ 2500 rpm
TRANSMISSION: 6-speed manual
DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 101.5 in
Length: 165.8 in
Width: 70.0 in Height: 76.5 in
PERFORMANCE (C/D EST):
Zero to 60 mph: 5.6 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 14.5 sec
¼-mile: 14.2
Top speed: 130 mph

Cheers,
Ryebread

[335dFan]

Cool new Golf R. I like them a lot too. Always thought they were a bit pricey though.

[Ryebread]

Definitely a bit high. But it's basically a combination of an SUV and a sports car, German made. So for me, I am ok with the premium price.

[Bingobimmer]

Nice switch! I drove a friends 2013 jeep wrangler recently and it was terrible! I couldn't believe how coarse the ride was. Talking with him we came to the conclusion that the jeeps were made for one purpose off-roading. Good luck with the new ride.

[Ryebread]

Thx, appreciate it.

Jeeps are fun. Easy to work on. Great if you live near a forest and like to hunt or go "wheelin". But for a dd, I'm getting old, ugh i just said that.

[MikeyV]

Originally Posted by Ryebread

ITop speed: 130 mph

Why so slow, these are a 155mph car in Europe? Why limit it, is there some sort of insurance or tax reason for this?

[335dFan]

Originally Posted by Ryebread

Definitely a bit high. But it's basically a combination of an SUV and a sports car, German made. So for me, I am ok with the premium price.

I must admit there are days when I would rather have a Golf R because as much as I love my D I think I am a bit too protective of it, whereas instinctively I would be less so with a Golf. It's smaller and I would feel more free throwing it about more. I was that way with my '86 Jetta and it wasn't even close to as cool as the R, aside from the damper mods I did on it.

I agree that the Jeep is a tad harsh. I rented a Jeep twice: once in Sedona 'cuz it was the only thing the agency had at the moment and once in Kauai purposely 'cuz I wanted to drive on some sand in the southwest corner. Really tiring to drive. Not sure why people buy them other than for pure off-road or pure snow or something.

[Ryebread]

Top speed:
I believe bc the top end is not there on the golf, the motor runs out. It's also geared really short. I will probably flash it, maybe it's just a coding thing. There are am endless number of tuners for vw Audi Porsche, it's a competitive scene. Apr, REVO, giac, um, more.

Other mods,
I may lower it a splash, cup kit? Not sure bc I want to drive it in the snow. So perhaps just oem euro springs which are anothe .5 lower.

-

I agree with the jeep thing. It's just a "gotta have it" thing for people who are not going off road. The steering, braking, top speed, mpg, comfort, handling, noise.... Ugh.

[Ryebread]

Stage 1 APR
http://www.goapr.com/products/ecu_up...i_trans_r.html


The APR Stage I ECU Upgrade is an OBD-II ECU upgrade that not only gives you higher peak numbers of 306 horsepower and 293 ft-lbs of torque, but also gains of up to 38 horsepower and 34lb-ft throughout the power band!

No top speed limiter.

APR's ECU Upgrade is the best power per dollar modification for the 2.0T and gives it just the extra edge these cars lack from the factory without pushing the limits. With factory like smoothness and drivability APR's ECU Upgrade will fill the void in an otherwise excellent car.

All APR Software is available for 91 (R+M)/2, 93 (R+M)/2, 100 (R+M)/2, 95 RON, 98 RON and 104 RON fuel grades.

Cruise control stalk can turn the flash off, for dealer visits!

[MikeyV]

Must be limited for the US market, because in Europe from the factory they will do 155 mph.

[Ryebread]

Originally Posted by MikeyV

Must be limited for the US market, because in Europe from the factory they will do 155 mph.

good, then after I go to stg1, and upgrade the rubber... I won't see limp mode at 131mph!

cheers

[Derek8819]

Very nice Golf, I have a TTS with the APR stage 1 tune, completely transforms the car.

[Ryebread]

hot car!
I love those wheels. are they tts or s4?
Thinking about getting them for summer tires and putting a great performance snow on the R's oem wheels!

go apr! lol

[Derek8819]

Thanks, I like it too. The wheels are OEM titanium "rotors" that come on the TTRS or competition package TTs.

[lsmkr01]

The Golf R look sooo much better when it is not parked right next to the Carrera GT haha... Wrangler would be a sweet car is you lived near the beach or an island where the roof can always be off but in PA i can see why you switched.

[TSM330i]

Nice car!
Since you're in the area, I'm sure you're aware of AWE Tuning. Pretty many upgrades for the R.
http://www.awe-tuning.com/ivaf/produ...R/year_t/2013/

Also, check out the KOP meet thread. You're more than welcome to join us if you haven't already. I haven't been able to make it for a while so you may have already met everyone.
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=677346

[Ryebread]

Originally Posted by MikeyV

Why so slow, these are a 155mph car in Europe? Why limit it, is there some sort of insurance or tax reason for this?

just remembered the cars in the usa only come with all seasons.

[Greenkirby21]

sweet. i love the golf R : )

[Ryebread]

Originally Posted by TSM330i

Nice car!
Since you're in the area, I'm sure you're aware of AWE Tuning. Pretty many upgrades for the R.
http://www.awe-tuning.com/ivaf/produ...R/year_t/2013/

Also, check out the KOP meet thread. You're more than welcome to join us if you haven't already. I haven't been able to make it for a while so you may have already met everyone.
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=677346

thx man.
I haven't heard great things about giac for this tune.
I had revo on my A3 and it was great, again though - not for this car.
UM > everything else right now.
although APR is ok and apparently the dealers are ok with APR tunes (warranty).

I will check out your g2g asap! thx!

[Lagger1]

Nice!! Sweet R and love the color. Too bad it still be 4-wheeling, even for an R...dumb vw. Cup kit works. Resist the urge to coilover lol

Heart that front fascia...just damn

I just did something similar. Got into an older Gti vr6...still german, 6mt, no car payment. Works for me

For the tune, check out Gonzo tuning. Enjoy it mate

[Garduna]

Love those things! Congrats

[sbce90]

Tunes on Golf Rs are awesome! I've pulled a 3.9s 0-60 time with tune, intake and exhaust using launch control.