2024 VW Golf R: Benchmark or Beaten? We Settle the Hot Hatch Debate

[@04Saleen256]

The Golf and Corolla are some of the last hatches that are still reasonably sized. The Civic and Integra have grown to ridiculous size. The Integra Type S is 15.5 feet long. Thats literally longer than the old Volvo 850 wagon.

[@user-sy2xk4kv1r]

Best golf r video I’ve seen yet. Positive yet honest and informative!

[@BrianMakse]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@shaglioni]

Well done review and better than a lot of other big named reviewers to me. Great job.

[@BrianMakse]

Thanks, appreciate it! Hope you subbed and will explore the channel!

[@stms4411]

Brian - excellent job as usual. Most reviewers spent an unreasonable amount of time on the lack of physical buttons vs speaking about the really important aspects of the car. To my way of thinking, you can get acclimated to whatever UX the car makers give you. You might prefer one approach to another, but it seems silly to me to get subsumed by something that will become second nature within a short span of ownership.

[@BrianMakse]

That’s my philosophy in a nutshell. It’s as if they’ve never had a car ownership experience going from one car to another.

[@tonycoz2309]

Shame it does not have separate heater/aircon/vent controls. Digital for digitals sake. Knobs/dials are much more tactile with much less time taken with the eyes off the road thereby increasing safety.

[@ricktrue8441]

Do you have to turn of stop start function every time you restart the car?

[@BrianMakse]

Can’t remember. An owner should chime in.

[@shaglioni]

Yup, you do have to turn it off every time. But you can make it a quick toggle in the dropdown window, which takes a good second or two to perform.

[@HuntsmanS8]

I turned mine off on day one and have never had to deal with it since. So yes you can turn it off once. If I am honest I don’t know how I did that because the infotainment and settings is a bit confusing. It took about a week to get used to it but now it doesn’t bother me at all. I don’t get the hate.

[@TheTechGuruCan]

Do Golf Rs have oil dilution and carbon buildup issues? Thinking of one, but not sure.

[@42cuba]

Mk6 generally. Mk7 not affected by carbon build up with port injection. Oil consumption unsure of the mk6 but Mk7 is a myth. By manufacture they are designed to normally consume 1 qt over 1000km or such, but mine doesnt at all and its 400hp driven daily and how it should be on the weekend :)

[@JacesOwnWorld]

I am the original owner of a 2017 MK7 GTI S 6spd. I totally get why some people want a 6spd manual for these cars. I am 42 years old, and have only owned manual cars my entire life, from economy cars, to Mustangs, to M3’s, and then to this GTI. I love driving manuals, but here is my $0.02 regarding getting a manual on the Golf GTI/R: DON’T DO IT!! Choose the DSG. I’m an advocate for manuals, but for this car, simply don’t do it! Especially if you have any desire to mod/tune your GTI/R! Why do I say this? It’s not because the manual driving experience isn’t fun. It is fun, especially on this car! It’s solely because the clutch design on this car is crap. Referring specifically to the TOB/slave that they have integrated into each other. It sits inside the transmission bell housing, and it fails A LOT!! When it fails, brake fluid the spurts all over the clutch parts (disk, pressure plate, flywheel), and when that happens, your clutch is also toast. Clutches are not cheap on this car, and shops charge upwards of $1000 just for labor only. I currently have 174k miles on my MK7 GTI, and I am on my 6th clutch!! OEM clutch slipped at 45k miles, got a DKM Stage 2 SMF clutch. That slipped in 50k miles. Replaced it with the same DKM, and the TOB/slave failed within 14k miles. Replaced that with Southbend STG3 Endurance SMF. The TOB/slave failed within 18k miles. Replaced that with XClutch Stage 2 with SMF. The TOB/slave failed within 10k miles. Replaced that with Sachs Performance w/DMF, and I’m currently on this one, which has been the best one so far over all the others. I am about $8k into clutches alone, and then $1000 in labor (only paid once for a clutch install the others I did myself). That’s a crap ton of $$ that I never would have had to spend if I went DSG. So yes, the 6spd is sweet, but the OEM clutch is weak and will fail sooner than later. I only had to replace my clutch once on my E46 M3, and that was at 145k miles! I replaced it with a stock OEM kit and DMF, and even supercharged the car, and the OEM clutch still held just fine! The VW Golf GTI/R will not ever hold like that. The design simply sucks. So if I were you, just go DSG unless you like paying for more expenses…

[@toddstevens8506]

And the DSG is just a better 'box all-round than the manual. Besides, if you live in an urban/suburban area, and you're not 20 something years old, getting stuck in traffic or construction and having to dip the clutch a thousand times gets old really quick. Of course, trying to convince the Clutch Jihadist's will likely fall on deaf ears. Oh yeah, and did I forget to mention Launch Control???

[@larryowens3704]

The usual vw quality. They work well new but not after a few years. I know that from experience.

[@dacarguru7983]

This has got to be the craziest Mk7 GTI story I’ve heard anywhere on the internet. Not saying I don’t believe you, or the fact that the stock clutch isn’t weak on these cars. I also have a DKM Stage 2 clutch with a single-mass flywheel setup on my 2018 GTI SE (has VAQ LSD), and it’s also got an EQT stage 2 tune pushing 300+ WHP / 400+ ft-lbs TQ. Besides the SMF chatter at idle, the clutch, cylinder etc have all been remarkably stout. I’m sitting at 120K miles and have been tuned since 38K miles, car gets used and abused on track, autocross, daily highway commute and I even use it for Uber. I also have removed the Clutch delay valve, which causes more clutch slip for ease of actuation (curse on modern manuals). Really, I’m shocked reading your comment. Wish you the best of luck but it doesn’t sound to me like it’s simply a stock clutch issue anymore in your case. I love VW manuals and have had both an MK6 Golf R and other “Golf’s” with a manual, and wouldn’t have it any other way. I’m not jumping on the DSG bandwagon ever again, because my MK5 was a DSG and it sucked / unreliable.

[@kirk8359]

All those clutch replacements have one thing in common.

[@krane15]

Fist the Golf is a hot hatch that can take on the track and also perform. Its not a bona fied track car. That's the main point a lot of reviewer don't seem to recognize when comparing it to other track cars in that it competes with such as the Honda Civic Type R. It geared more towards performance than ride. Second, Vw is the second largest car make in the world, yet they can't make an engine cover that won't overheat? Really? Anyway, the manual is overrated. It this case it was a hold-over and the last of its kind so therefore, no reason for VW to invest money to make it better. The dual-clutch is faster and more powerful and efficient.

[@dacarguru7983]

How is a manual overrated ? If anything, DCTs / DSGs / SMGs are the overrated technology, soon to be obsolete as well with EVs taking over. Drive any manual car after 100 years and it’ll always feel timeless. Drive an old SMG / DCT from 5 years ago and compare it to the current ones, they’ll instantly feel outdated every time. I’m not a manual advocate, but I like timeless technology that will always work without a fuss, and is easy to repair / replace. Bring forth the EVs already !

[@bustermv]

Bringing out the best in the beast, per usual!

[@BrianMakse]

Cheers, thank you!

[@deebee68]

It does not have four piston calipers up front.

[@msalvag]

Great review Brian. Is VW eliminating the manual in 2025? It'd be a mistake imo if they do. Looks like you get just as frustrated as I do driving in the GTA. It's gotten crazy lately. Why do politicians think installing a traffic light every 500 meters is a good thing.

[@dacarguru7983]

Too many flappy paddle / lazy gen drivers now. Give them full autonomy and they’ll happily dismiss any kinda gearbox choice too. The death of a manual is a long time in the making, and the day there’s no Mazda Miata and Porsche 911 manual in the world, is when the world ends completely.

[@williamk1800]

Choosing the Integra Type S over the Golf R due to the quality of the Honda manual gearbox.

[@BrianMakse]

I can see that. Really enjoyed the Integra.

[@blam9346]

YUCK lmao. And it's slower.

[@loudogguitar2813]

Integra type S is a phenomenal vehicle! I'm actually working on deals to trade/sell my Integra type S for a 24' Golf R w the manual just ticks all the boxes 🤷🏽‍♂️ manual isn't bad in the golf just different experience than honda/acura

[@williamk1800]

@@loudogguitar2813 You should be able to find a straight trade deal for a Golf R since your ITS retains higher value in the used market. I’m sure VW dealers are motivated to sell ‘24 Golf Rs ahead of the MK8.5’s arrival. Good luck!

[@loudogguitar2813]

@williamk1800 gonna be chatting with two dealers today on a used golf R in blue and a New Golf R in white both 24' models.. thanks for the luck! Haha

[@blueshark3098]

Yeah, the user interface is a total dealbreaker for me. As much as I dislike paying over sticker, I would rather pay a bit over sticker for an Integra Type S, than have one of these things. Or better yet, just get an Elantra N.

[@adamg6849]

issues with UI massively overrated by press guys who get the car for 24-48 hours. Im 50 years old and 4 months into ownership and not a single issue or complaint. Easy to figure out in about 1 day. Many shortcuts so you dont have to fumble through menus . In addition, I have not once "accidentally" turned on the steering wheel heater. Absolutely my most fav car to date and I have had many. Very few can offer the driving / utility / fun factor more then this car. Market runs leave me smiling and laughing like a 15 year old. The pops never grow old.

[@MiCoopRS]

@@adamg6849 Hello, I've had my Pearl Black R for almost a WEEK now, I heard all about how the "press guys" put down a lot of things on this Magnificat "Little Beast" like Jumbo Shrimp... the simple joy of a grocery run....MADE my day, it was the second trip besides taking it home from the dealership.... I'm now 66...had tons of cars in my time, 20th NOW...Wow like the 20th anniversary edition... like it but, NO SUNROOF... POPS ? which exhaust do you have I guess depending on were you live, which side of the POND. Today I'll be back to the dealership to grab some swag and my 18" Snows and RIMS.... yesterday in the rain shot some videos and used the rain to wash the dust off...no TOUCHY. very Dusty back alley... which will be a drag... I'll gently spray off... daily if I have to.....Looking forward to keeping this A LONG time... oh, I got the 6 speed manual.

[@Paul32828]

What about the carbon build up problem with direct injection engines such as the VW ones? Also when your warranty is gone, and you have to take to your VW dealer for repairs be prepared to pay like you own a BMW or even a Mercedes!!!!!!!! Mine had the thermostat go bad, and it cost over $1,300.00 to repair !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Dannyboy207]

The Golf R should be competing with the A45 S

[@LoveLikeaHurricane]

the difficulty to maintain this vehicle long term is what turned me away from it.

[@MiCoopRS]

I Really LOVE that you LOVE this HOT HATCH so much.... and you're in Ontario... my home town... livn' in Alberta now, Calgree to be exact.... I remember one day in a family outing, well Dad's funeral, where we all were in HIS beloved Montana Bouncy castle.... (Shocks shot) and the last generation of Simone's all in one place... could have been all buried in the VAN....had I not held the pedal down on a very short ON RAMP onto the 401 from Pickering.... it's too bad and so sad that we share the road, but not REALLY.... there was no way I could slow down as the Transport trucks would be TOO LONG and I'd have hit the wall that was fast approaching..... I am still ALIVE to tell this TALE.... but BELIEVE me and I did one day tell my MOM who was in the VAN that day... the reason I buy NEW and FAST is that I can out maneuver, and BRAKE as needed... and not have to battle the OLD Unreliable cars that some of us unfortunately HAVE to hang onto... WELL, THAT is not for me... the GRIP on that steering wheel that day, in time, to see a whole generation be obliterated.... is something I won't be living through again soon... I recently picked up yes one of the LAST 6 speed HOT HATCHES that being... a BLACKED out, windows too... and got Blue R badging...dealer upgrades, and wheel spinners too... I did not order they were for the managers demo, but MINE now... low low, 325 kms when he knew he'd sell to a GUY who truly appreciated the set up... they had not even posted this Treasure on Auto Trader... they are STILL flipping these for more... BUT AGAIN.... LOVED every second of you REVIEW.... I keep looking for more of these as they confirm my Purchase... good or bad... but yours WAS so far... the best... The entertainment and haptics ARE NOT AS BAD as all the bloggers make it out to be.... it's an IPAD on steroids... you'll get it in NO TIME... this who say interface is a deal breaker... are missing the 99 % of the other time you could just be tooting along... even in Comfort... this thing is quick to SHOW ITS.... reason it have 4 pipes out the back.....

[@MiCoopRS]

I'm looking at your MERCH.... another reason I bought manual... IT"S MORE ENGAGING.... I traded away, my OLD MAN CAR.... my 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid..... miss the SPACE, but LOVE the SMALLER more intimate space NOW..... the SOUND SYSTEM ROCKS..... "you shook me all night long...."

[@billhickman7903]

49k no way

[@landroverSV]

The original R, MK4 R32 VR6 is by far the best!

[@timw2083]

The Gold R wasn't my pick but I'm glad it exists especially with a manual 🎉 Competition forces everyone to make a better product. This Golf R seems like an amazing car. It's very rare in my area. I went with the GR Corolla and super happy with it.

[@BrianMakse]

Agreed. Excellent choice. Which colour did you choose?

[@timw2083]

@BrianMakse I have the Ice Cap white.. and YES I was rocking my #SaveTheManuals tshirt! 🎉🫡

[@BrianMakse]

Love it in white, nice choice. Thanks for your support and wear the shirt with pride! (How's the quality of the shirt? And how was your shopping experience?)

[@crankycyclist]

3500 pound Golf?

[@genzigzag]

I considered a new Golf R, hated the new interior, all that gloss black trim around the 'instrument' cluster was wavy and Alibaba cheapo looking. Same on the GTI. I couldn't do it for $50k plus, bought an Audi S3 instead.

[@93455Driver]

Good news, the 8.5 will have real buttons on the steering wheel and a new Infotainment.

[@Greenie123]

They killed it with the new s3 interior. It looks so good to me. Really hope we get the rs3 in North America soon

[@93455Driver]

@@Greenie123 Believe they are here in the US, but super rare.

[@genzigzag]

​​@@93455DriverI've heard only the GTI and not the Golf R, which is odd. Still has touch/slider for HVAC

[@genzigzag]

​@@Greenie123Canada doesn't receive the RS3 due to emissions

[@tonymcflattie2450]

No auto blipper? I have left the chat

[@BrianMakse]

This ain’t Motor Trend over here 😎

[@genzigzag]

Practice makes perfect!

[@viction7236]

Knowing how to rev match is what makes you a good manual driver anyway, its good to know

[@bucknut2000]

A smooth Rev match is the best part of driving I think.

[@vr6gls]

I would never pick a manual Golf R over a DSG. The Golf R’s performance is severely handicapped with the manual transmission. The OEM clutch is very weak and the shifted feel is sloppy. VW makes mediocre manual transmissions but they make an excellent dual-clutch transmission. The DSG Golf R is much better if you plan to modify. It also makes the best use of the engine’s power band. I’m speaking as someone who has owned several manual transmission cars and now owns a DSG GTI. Blindly telling people to buy the manual Golf R just because it’s a manual, is dishonest journalism to me. I think this is a decent channel but I don’t care for the blind manual fanboyism this guy displays. It’s the primary reason I have not subscribed.

[@dacarguru7983]

2018 GTI SE, EQT Stage 2 with DKM stage 2 clutch s SMF setup. No-lift shift and lunch control through COBB AP. 6 speed manual and yes, the stock clutch is weak, but only if you plan to Stage tine. Ride your own ride homie, don’t knock people for their transmission choice. VAG manuals are great and the Mk7 / MK8 GTI / R have a great feeling / positive engaging manual / clutch combo. My MK6 Golf R was a DSG and it was unreliable, with a mind of its own, even after the APR TCU tune. I’ll continue keeping timeless tech around that’s reliable, engaging, fun, light in weight, simple to diagnose, repair and replace. Guess what’s faster than your DSG, every EV. Wanna go fast, buy a model 3 !

[@vr6gls]

@@dacarguru7983 pushing a pedal down and moving a stick, backwards and forwards does not make you a special snowflake. It’s not that hard. LOL! 😂 VAG manuals suck. If you think they make good manuals, then go drive a manual transmission from Honda, BMW or Porsche. Then get back to me. VAG makes an excellent DSG gearbox which is why it outsells the manual 2 to 1. Btw, unless you are buying a new vehicle with a manual transmission. You aren’t doing anything to “Save the manual”. Manufacturers care about new car sales. Not you picking a manual transmission car, three years later on the used car market. The majority of people who bitch about lack of manual transmission offerings don’t even buy new cars. So either put up or shut up. As for me, I will continue enjoying my DSG. 👍🏾👍🏾

[@MiCoopRS]

@@dacarguru7983 Thanks for setting this guy straight on the VW Clutch issue that he and others say, the'd SHY away from.... I chose a manual because ok its the last of its kind in this HOT hatch that I have wanted ever since 2013, when I sold my Mini Copper JCW thinking I was going to grab a VW Gold R in DSG,,, but my wife....back then, hated the BLANDNESS of this car..... fast forward to 2024.... no more wife and a New life... so away I went to get the car that I had my eyes on since.... DID I MAKE the wise choice in the manual vs. the DSG, I want an ENGAGING drive, I had in that time a Mercedes AMG GLA45... then 2 Honda Ridgelines both Black Editions and then a 2023 CR-V HYBRID... that one was during the divorce... BUT after the VICTORY....away went the CR-V... and the WIFE only #1 vs... 22 automobiles... I wish it could have been the other way around.... ok... 2 or 3 wives... still love the swaps of cars, they probably all costed the same to replace as the ONE court battle... well that is over and I look forward to JUST going out for groceries in the 315 hp.... GOLF.... it's all black so it's not very LOW KEY as it does look, totally GANGSTER... so have to drive carefully... BUT thanks for letting me know that the CLUTCH won't be the WORST thing about this decision.... I love the infotainment, and know where the volume slider is at night... it's called HAND EYE BRAIN co-ordination.... dudes.... .

[@ThomasKennedy-pt3tp]

Ya know…some of us just love to drive a stick. I have a 2018 BMW 340 x-drive, and it’s the last BMW imported w/ a manual, and why I bought it. That’s why it looks like I’ll be getting this car.

[@ricktrue8441]

Why when your coming to a stop do you take it out of gear and put it in neutral and flip the gear lever around? LMAO.

[@BrianMakse]

Who hurt you?

[@edw5575]

the word is spelled "you're" Einstein.

[@sunnyvalentino]

Golf R is the singular choice for someone who doesnt want a performance compact or subcompact CUV thats well rounded. For the more hardcore of us there's the GR Corolla.

[@ratsofatso5525]

You mean those of us who don't want the German Engineering Curse.

[@sunnyvalentino]

@ratsofatso5525 amen. Its Yota all the way for me. But I have an ND3 MX5 Club coming, leaving the family SUV as the all purpose vehicle. That way I keep the fun car uncompromised.

[@Pamlicojdjdj1487]

@@sunnyvalentinoYep Yotas the makers of never ending recalls and declining quality 😂

[@ratsofatso5525]

@@sunnyvalentino Id like to see a Civic 2 door hatch AWD type R.

[@Got_Boost]

Definitely not Golf R is hands down the best daily driver ever and plus for being a hatchback It has speed, comfortability, looks, culture, reliability, and aftermarket No one wants to pay 40k for a Corolla even tho they are amazing just not worth that price

[@blam9346]

DSG is superior to the manual so your entire review is invalid lmao.

[@BrianMakse]

I drive better than you do, so your opinion is irrelevant.

[@dacarguru7983]

Your idiocy will be on display for all to see !

[@brandons9138]

Shhhh you'll hurt their feelings with truth. Some folks like to be slower.

[@tomrakusan1179]

Superior how? For who? Or haven’t you thought about this? These one-liner click bait comments are nonsense. Bye bye

[@brandons9138]

​​@@tomrakusan1179Faster more reliable shifts. More gears for increased efficiency. If you're modding the DSG holds more power than the manual. There is no benefit to a manual transmission these days.