8.5 GOLF R VERDICT - 158 MPH - ESSEN SHOW - BRUGES + SHOULD YOU BUY ONE?

[@roberttye5908]

Thanks for all the videos in 2024. Hope you and your wife have a great Christmas. Look forward to more content in 2025.

[@volkswizard]

Thanks Robert, best wishes to you and yours too!

[@benpatana7664]

Andrew, 'lock when walking away' is a selectable option on the 8.5. I have it on my GTI. The owners handbook claims that if you allow the car to lock that way it disables safelock and the alarm system (I guess in case you accidentally leave someone in the car). So it comes with a security compromise - always use the door dimple or key if you want to alarm and safelock the car. Also, in true VW spirit, it doesn't always work!. There is also an 'unlock when approaching car' option that I can't really see the point of given that you have to use the door handles anyhow - guess it can be marginally usefully if you want to put your coat on the backseat before opening the driver's door. Merry Christmas!

[@volkswizard]

Thanks for clearing that up Ben. It confounded me because it seemed to be the kind of common sense function that would have been on all keyless entry VWs but why hadn't I heard the beep before I was thinking. It bugs me VW don't to keyless entry on the back doors when Audi do on the A3/S3 so that unlock on approach is a decent(ish!) work around. Merry Christmas to you too!

[@RUDDY997]

Thanks for all the content this year Andrew, hope you both have a great Xmas

[@volkswizard]

Thanks Ruddy, and best wishes to your and yours too

[@jonathonbrett-qn1ic]

Merry Christmas to you both Thank you for making this channel brilliant Looking forward to all your content in 2025 GTI 265 :) VDub:)

[@volkswizard]

Thanks so much JB - and thanks for your loyal support in 2024, have a good one

[@gimmegaming5345]

I just had this route added in my drive. I went from London to Hamburg and hit 290kmh/180mph last night (500hp Golf 7 R with increased rev limiter). Fun drive in a Golf R. I will have a bigger gearbox next year for a higher top speed as I found the 290 a bit limited.

[@volkswizard]

Nice ! Interesting point re gearing, is yours DSG, if so 6 or 7 speed? Does the 7 speed have a higher top gear?

[@gimmegaming5345]

@@volkswizard Mine is a 6 speed manual. I will be going for a DQ500 auto (RS3 gearbox) in march as a conversion. I checked the ratios on them before deciding on the Dq500 as all Golf 7 r gearboxes are within 2 mph of each other. I believe the ratios are better in the Mk8 Golf's and when unlocked they can hit over 300kph. The standard boxes on the mk7 is somewhere closer to 280kph. The engine has a lot more in it as it gets to that speed effortlessly.

[@stevenbaeyens2652]

TX for showing Bruges your love! On topic: I wanted to buy the 8r estate( 1 for sale in my town) but if I want I sporty car it has to look like 1 and that's really missing in the estate version

[@volkswizard]

I know what you mean, maybe best to spec the Estate in a low key way and revel in its unexpected performance

[@roberttye5908]

Interesting that you mentioned that if you have a full area view camera if you smash your wing mirror that it could be a costly repair. No other KZbinr has pointed that out!

[@volkswizard]

Thanks! I do try and go a bit deeper than most other KZbinrs but I’m generally older and VW is my specialist subject. I bet nobody else has mentioned the leg on steering wheel either, lazy buggers 😂

[@benpatana7664]

Replacement is indeed very costly! A new mirror unit can be had for around 330 pounds but there is often additional damage to the door skin and wiring depending on the extent and nature of the damage to the old one. Plus the new mirrors are supplied primed but not painted, which adds another chunk to the overall cost. Even the simpler mirrors are quite expensive though.

[@roryb6752]

Very informative and balanced video Andrew. Great to see you getting cars again from VWUK (and Audi UK). There's been a great selection of videos on the channel in 2024. Happy Christmas to you and Kate

[@robertcoughlan8272]

Hi Andrew, thanks for all your hard work making great videos all year. Hope ye have a great Christmas. Looking forward to more content from you next year .😀

[@tonyjazz4073]

Hi Andrew. Thanks for all the top video content in 24. Was also great to bump into you (Wolfsburg/ Bicester) too. Merry Christmas to you and yours. Looking forward to trips and tips in 25.

[@volkswizard]

Hi Tony, my pleasure, thanks for your support. And yes it was lovely to meet a regular from the comments and not on one occasion but two! Hope you all have a Christmas and 2025

[@robertderboss9471]

Thank you 🎉🎉

[@volkswizard]

You’re welcome 😊

[@jaydeanhall]

Economy aside, which car would you jump in to do another Euro trip, the R or the S4?

[@volkswizard]

The R Estate was good for a VW but the S4 is next level. Maybe if it got twisty the lighter R would be more satisfying but then the S4 with sport diff is surprisingly good too.