NEW 2024 VW GOLF R - NOW CHEAPER + FASTER BUT IS IT BETTER?

[@waysidecarvaleting]

MK 7.5 all the way for me. Too much tech in these new ones plus ya need a knob in a car. I mean the ones for changing temperature and on the radio.

[@jamesbrowne7601]

I feel like same I’ve got a mk7.5 GTD & would only change for the mk7.5 R or GTI

[@markrennie6659]

Great video as always thanks Andrew. A lot to take in there, looks like VW have really upped their game. Prices should be interesting…

[@ryangibson3552]

Thanks for the video Andrew. Hope you get your hands on one soon so you can give us your thoughts after getting up close amd driving it! Some estate content please 😁

[@pauljonkers4359]

4:45 About the tiresizes: Can I put 235/40 tires on 7,5J 18 inch Austin rims?

[@benpatana7664]

Yes you could put a 235/40 on these rims. That would be as wide as you could go though.

[@carlogaleotti2283]

Thanks for video but my 2024 8r estate has performance pack you said it wasn't available it was well I've got it 👍

[@fatwalletboy2]

Still hasnt grown on me the 8 or the 8.5.....the styling just doesnt float by barge. If my lotto numbers came in Id go for a late 7.5

[@blam9346]

Front end design is ruined. Not only is the design ugly and looks half-assed, but there's so many wide gap spaces in the front grill that i'd be afraid of anything getting caught in there while driving. Not to mention, I'm almost positive there will be more aftermarket front end options for the mK8R who want a more refreshed look. Also, the huge child's ipad in the dash is comical. Maybe it's suited towards the boomers who complained about the infotainment in the mk8R after being in it for literally 5 f*cking minutes lmao. To be fair, I do like the rear taillights on the mk8.5R more. But I heard those will be retro-fitted in the mk8R.

[@izzymemeit6152]

Genuinely wish they stuck in the 5 pot from the RS3 for the final ice golf. Not enough to make me upgrade from a 7.5 otherwise.

[@volkswizard]

Not too late yet, you never know - if the Cupra Formentor can have the 5 pot it's not impossible a Golf could but mark a special occasion like the end of ICE (if it ever happens..)

[@davedooney8473]

The interesting thing is that the new S3 has a more traditional dash instead of the stuck on unit VW are using.

[@volkswizard]

Yes but S3 has the dash vents slapped on instead 🤷

[@abayamangali]

@@volkswizardi actually like the vents slapped on the dash, they are perfectly placed for my head position.

[@user-xu5vl5th9n]

They had one job: put real knobs back. Proper chunky ones. Instead it is AI and voice recognition gimmicks. Insane complexity.

[@nickemangione]

My 24 manual with gray pretorias is peak mk8 imo

[@davedooney8473]

The orange peel on the boot of that black edition car is terrible, imagine that being the best one they had to show off to the world! 😯 Overall 8.5 looks better to me, front end looks more like a Polo but that is an improvement! Still very annoying to me that VW opened up Lapiz to non-R models a few years ago and not only that but available for R-line golfs 😐

[@jaydeanhall]

Thanks for this Andrew, i'd written off the possibility of getting another performance Golf, like many, very disappointed with the 8 in general, but these improvements both internal and external whilst subtle are somewhat significant and welcome. The wheels are a bit of a negative, not keen on living with diamond cuts again, look great but theres only so many times they can be refurbed, and whiteworm is always looming. The standard wheels aren't great aesthetically, so you have upgrade to the no doubt brittle option. Swapped out my 19" Santiago's for 19" T-roc R Pretorias to avoid both of the aforementioned issues. Still, possibly on the future car shortlist now.

[@volkswizard]

I have no agenda Jay, if you like it great, if not VW need to try harder. BUT unexpectedly I feel as positive as you do so glad we concur. This is doubly unexpected after the damp squib of the 8.5 Clubsport.

[@DatGameCollector]

No manual don't want it. Haptic buttons? No volume knob? No a/c knob? Who wants all of that?

[@hapjoy16]

No manual - THIS!!!

[@Draggydaggy]

Miles better to drive then 7/7.5, Only reason i can think people are saying they prefer the 7.5 is because they cant afford the 8/8.5. Performance Pack is an animal, so much fun, way more dynamic to drive, 10x better gearshifts. This is coming from someone who has previously owned every Golf R model, also RS3, M5 Competition and many more performance cars. MK8 platform is a all round fast car thats easy to live with yes they were overpriced when released in Covid

[@ScottPC]

One thing I really dont understand.. TOUCH WHEEL BUTTONS.... WHY! When the GTI is normal buttons!!!!!

[@volkswizard]

It’s because R has R button. Easy for VW to repurpose a button wheel they already had but not easy to add an R button to it.

[@ScottPC]

@@volkswizard ahh so no room in there R&D budget to recreate the R wheel aha.

[@7869hodgy]

Don't buy it. I had GTI and Clubsport 45. Fundamental issues with gearbox and infotainment. Cruise control would change speed from 70 to 44 on motorway...slowing rapidly. VW didn't care. AVOID.

[@Rich944inSK]

I purchased an 2024 R in may (Canadian model), and am very pleased with the car. Only two (very minor) disappointments would be the lack of the Akrapovic exhaust and the silver Pretoria wheels. Other than that it's fully loaded including the Performance Package and sunroof. Curious why they chose to give us the 270 kph feature here in Canada though. If only we had our own Autobahn... 😏

[@ryanpyatak9909]

Maybe the infotainment and digital cock pit can be retrofitted

[@derekporter66]

acrapovich very very overrated.

[@Rich944inSK]

@@derekporter66 And exorbitantly expensive!

[@fwogiii9285]

I want the new golf r black edition with full options with akrapovic exhaust , sunroof , biggest rims , biggest wings , spinning R logo rim cap and real carbon fiber. everythingggggg

[@aceace5457]

i have the 7.5 estate r on a 67 plate it goes like the bomb lol i had the car 2 weeks and got a speeding fine with 40 years driving i never got a point it shows you how good it is .

[@damienhostey7804]

That big iPad in the middle of the dash will date very quickly and looks terrible imo

[@volkswizard]

Lots of people say that but it's becoming the norm to have the pad not integrated into dash with many of the brands - as I say in video can only assume it's to do with the heat they produce and allowing the a/c to cool the electronics. I've had loads of trouble with my GoPro during the recent heatwave and that hasn't been bolted into the front of a dash!

[@Madmo1012]

I dont like how on the Golf R configurator for the 8.5 you cant have the winter pack without the added 2k+ option of leather

[@mothercromby]

My 2017 Mk7.5 estate R has an Eco mode.

[@davidking5587]

It’s a sad state of affairs when we are all celebrating *checks notes* illuminated temperature sliders at night.

[@GLA45Amg716]

Disappointed they could’ve went super aggressive with this being the last version right ? Idk 🤷🏾‍♂️

[@volkswizard]

Still time for that 🤞

[@anUntouchable]

Thanks for the info!

[@volkswizard]

Any time!

[@DeanPark]

You’re now my ‘go to’ for info on VW performance golf’s. I’ll be keeping an eye out for the order books open and will probably be saying bye bye to my BMW 330i. Great car, but now that I’m in the market for a new car BMW have ditched most of their engines. So VW appeal to me once again, after having owned mk5 &6 GTI’s. Great cars. Thanks for this video. Dave

[@EdinKaraahmetovic]

How about speakers 🔊 sound system is crap 💩 at least here in australia 🇦🇺 i hate it 😒 not sure if you have or others notice this 🤔 Keep up good work 👏

[@volkswizard]

I had base sterol in my 8 Clubsport and it was ok, maybe you get a lower spec in Aus? Thanks for kind words 🙌🏻

[@gymclasshero88]

When do you think vw will confirm Aus pricing?

[@chrisjgill75]

I went to read the Auto Express article and thought, hmm I want to hear what Andrew has to say. Top job

[@volkswizard]

Thanks so much Chris 🫡

[@indykalia8224]

If this is the last petrol powered R, then this is underwhelming, to say the least! Three colour options is just pathetic! Do the decent thing VW and offer it in Reflex Silver!

[@slapshot0074]

Agree. Its been happening for years hasn't it,we actually get less and less choice in options when buying cars. That's before we even get to them being loaded with expensive tat customers don't want or need.

[@fatwalletboy2]

Doubt it. Theyre bound to do some final end of an era version.

[@alkevinzmedia]

Not the final. It'll be interesting if they do a V6 Hybrid

[@ericcarson342]

They should offer a spektrum program. I would pay extra for the option.

[@flexbarl4774]

This is a let down 🤦🏾‍♂️🤦🏾‍♂️ I wouldn't even think about getting one I'm moving on from golf's now! Sad!

[@jonathonbrett-qn1ic]

Wonderful car so much tech Is this the last R Beast of a car I still have my 18yr old R32 and love it For me I would buy a 8.5 GTI ticks all the boxes:) VDub

[@SmokyHits]

Golf R 8.5 Let’s goo!! 🙌🏻🙌🏻🎊🎊🎊

[@andrewmann1549]

Hi. I have a mk8 estate R with performance pack. They did make them. Just very rare. Black edition looks nice . Tempted

[@BS-ge4ne]

Picked up an 2017 S3 FL DSG with FASH and 1 Audi year service plan and warranty recently with reasonable miles for 14k. Seeing this doesnt make me feel like I'm missing out

[@robbeard6929]

Looks like a pile of crap to me, boring and bland, it's almost painful to look at compared to a mark 7 clubby 3 door in white. Honestly, this R looks like a Golf CL Base, does nothing for me at all.

[@俊源蔡]

VW～nice car ❤❤❤😊😊😊

[@volkswizard]

👍👍

[@NewHandle_]

Why are manufacturers making such shit cars the past year? In Ireland a standard r-line 1.5l is €38,000 - not looking forward to thr price of the R

[@volkswizard]

At the end of the day they need to sell cars and prices have to be realistic - I think after a brief post covid period of the weird situation where the RRP is what you pay, we are back to deals and the RRP meaning very little. Problem here is £40k+ RRP with options and you are into the communist "luxury car tax" or expensive car tax as HMRC prefer to call it and discounting doesn't swerve this

[@billx4266]

Hey Andrew, prices are known here in Belgium, its just as expensive as the golf 8 here. So the arrival of the facelift is dead in the water, as if VW doesnt want to sell them anymore. My golf days are over now. I was hoping for a price drop but no, VW still doesnt want to sell.

[@ozmozis6073]

Would love if simple stuff could be automated by voice, such as setting cruise control, preparing for parking, change driving mode, providing fuel notifications and economy of use/driving updates, tire pressure status etc over sensors feedback. We've had this voice control feature and it struggles to show a really great use case. With ChatGPT? So what? I barely use mine in the R.

[@jack-wo4xp]

bring back a manual

[@volkswizard]

Does anyone still make a manual hot hatch with 300 PS?

[@nikostserotas3851]

@@volkswizard AWAITED LEXUS LBX MORIZO!

[@93455Driver]

Not sure about the front redesign, think I preferred the Mk8, especially the intakes.

[@garyh6587]

Nice but they should of made a 3 door mk8 much nicer

[@davidchambers7622]

Thanks Andrew great review once again, I do enjoy my mk8 GTi and really have no problem with the haptics, keep up the good work.

[@volkswizard]

I agree re haptics - they take learning and a bit more mental effort but they weren’t inherently flawed, they just required discipline which not everybody could muster all the time. I bet the person who decided hard or soft press of one button for cruise control speed changes was very pleased with themselves as SET or RES buttons on the old wheel give zero clues that they change cruised speed incrementally but there we go.

[@gymclasshero88]

Considering a gr Yaris or a golf r…. No idea which one to go for now

[@volkswizard]

I’m not biased but wait till you see how r drives

[@gymclasshero88]

@@volkswizard will def need to test drive both Nervous about new pricing however and think gr Yaris will likely be $15k cheaper than the golf when comparing the two in Aus

[@jondonnelly3]

I don't like the tellytubbytainment. Wish there was a delete option for something discreet. Other than that, I love it.

[@Greig300]

Not even kidding…when young my mother’s house had exactly the same door as yours behind you… upstairs in our house including the bathroom door… 😂

[@volkswizard]

Doesn't surprise as the previous occupants of our house did not spend a penny on it so that door is probably older than the Golf!

[@billx4266]

If its 60.000 euro here in belgium, then its DOA, dead on arrival, because for less now, you can get a tesla model 3 performance! And that car leaves the golf R in the dust.....

[@volkswizard]

Tesla and other EVs might beat ICE cars (including GT Porsches) in a straight line but you can never get away from the weight, plus they depreciate really badly and battery issues are not unusual so not really a like for like comparison.

[@billx4266]

@@volkswizard are you sure? Because the model 3 is pretty reliable now.... And it corners very well, especially the performance version.... 1 thing is for sure, that Golf will cost too much. Price is not known yet but if you configure the "regular' gti, and it has 265 hp now, starts here at 45000 euro, other wheels and im sitting at 47000 euro.... This is not the Clubsport even, so who knows what the price will be for the R....

[@fwogiii9285]

I thought the black edition it comes with akrapovic exhaust and spinning rim caps with the R logo with biggest rims option also biggest wing option alzo idk what other options it got tbh but i just want a VW golf r 8.5 black edition with every single options

[@volkswizard]

Big wing it does have as that’s part of performance pack & black Estoril 19s . Akrapovic it doesn’t have, definitely stock black exhaust in pics. Spinning rim caps have never been standard & aren’t mentioned in the official press info, the photographers always line them up for photos as if they were spinners.

[@andyalmond9264]

Great video andrew One thing whats annoying with vag group cars is the way they charge you for increasing the top speed they all do 167 anyway regardless of pp or not its just a marketing exercise

[@volkswizard]

Thanks Andy! I didn't know the non-PP cars weren't limited - this all goes back to car makers trying to appease the German Government by sticking to 155 mph (250 kph) rather than having speed limits on all autobahns all the time. Enforcement has always been a bit slack though. With the TT RS I swear they had a carbon engine cover option for a lot of money but tried to make it seem better value by raising the top speed. As you say marketing- at least with Golf the top speed raise it part of Performance Pack and thanks to 'ring mode, big spoiler and 19" wheels it's a decent bundle.

[@stephengolds9679]

Have they improved the R badge on the front grill, show it a wash mit and it gets snapped off, I’m on my second one at the moment

[@volkswizard]

Probably not TBH, spare one supplied on door though :)

[@johnstannard8366]

All Mk 8 golf's are made out of paper now. My mk 8 R that I bought in 2021 is great to drive but build quality has been disappointing

[@volkswizard]

Sorry to hear that, what’s been the problem?

[@johnstannard8366]

@volkswizard As you are aware the usual software issues but.. I lived with that. Flat battery after 2 years ownership. Pealing paint. Also the 19 inch alloys are easily destroyed by our beloved British roads.

[@projectr2451]

I think I’m a bit underwhelmed, or maybe I expected too much. I thought maybe it would have 345PS or 350PS. The Mk8 had more than the equivalent S3 and Leon, and now they all have the same. I believe the pre-facelift Leon had the same as the Mk8 GTI Clubsport. Now a bit more, as the Clubsport remains unchanged. And they also scrapped the GTD it seems, haven’t heard anything about it. Though a small part of me hopes they are understating the figures, I prefer when manufacturers are honest about this stuff. And a bigger part of me hopes that the Clubsport and R have been held back for a potential Mk8.5 Clubsport S that will have the power I expected from the R.

[@volkswizard]

I get your drift but it’s worth remembering it’s just a mid-term facelift. Bigger jumps in performance are generally reserved for new generations. Mk7.5 had just 10 PS more than 7 and that was only temporary 🤨You are right about the absence of GTD. It exists in other markets but I bet the UK company car/BIK rules made them drop it as most were sold to fleets and nobody is going to pay 10x more BIK than for an EV.

[@projectr2451]

@@volkswizard True! Plus I guess it doesn’t need that much considering its competition from BMW and Mercedes-AMG have “only” 312hp and 306hp respectively.

[@alanturton3394]

When does the 8.5 actually release then?

[@durstbigalow]

VW is offering a black edition for the mk8 here in Taiwan. It blacks out the rims and mirror caps. Looks great on the mk8 but I got my eye on the mk 8.5 black edition.

[@NewHandle_]

Waste of hard earned money

[@volkswizard]

We had a black edition R line here in the UK for about 6 months before it as deleted for the facelift, it was OK bit like an Audi black edition but what they've done for 8.5 R is impressive, the badges and calipers in particular.

[@gurk123]

What should i Buy as a track weapon? New Yaris GR or Golf R 2024? Have a M3 Touring as a daily in addition to the future track car.

[@volkswizard]

Old GR isn’t really a track car, but neither is a Golf but at least the Golf is rapid so if you don’t want to be overtaken by kids in the R, there is only one choice (out of those two 😎)

[@gurk123]

@@volkswizard Do you think the R i faster on track then the Yaris? When i drove my old GR Yaris i overtake RS3 on track 😎

[@yusufboraa]

Looking sooo good with the new headlight 🤩

[@volkswizard]

Weird isn't it? Subtly different but side by side the Mk8 headlights look really poor.

[@dasautogt]

Much appreciated Andrew. 👍

[@volkswizard]

Thank you sir! No point me making this stuff without you guys ✊🏻

[@smb7304]

Price?

[@volkswizard]

No idea, all that’s been said is cheaper than old one in Germany

[@arispoli1269]

Do we like the new shape? Golf used to be such a good looking iconic design. Looks indistinguishable to many other small cars

[@volkswizard]

Could be worse, could be a BMW 1er. That’s distinctive but a bit porcine

[@eamoneejit]

I’m not exactly sure what they’ve changed, but the 8.5 is better looking than the mk 8, at least to my eyes. Not sold on the interior, but I have a mk 7 and like its knobs and dials. Wish it had the US spec proper handbrake though.

[@Rich944inSK]

Personally, I like this factor. The car is the ultimate sleeper, and I don't get challenged by most performance vehicles. Well, some other German performance cars perhaps, but they probably know the capabilities of the R.

[@jondonnelly3]

Does look better. Except for the eyepad stuck to the dash. It's too large and distracting.

[@jondonnelly3]

About as subtle as a slap in the face f​rom a face slapping contest. Quad exhausts, spoiler, bumper, skirts.

[@bestcrazyboy8487]

Buy a Honda Type R 🙄🥱

[@volkswizard]

It's a good car but it's old school in feel but very new school in price - but if you want the last degree of performance from a hot hatch then nothing can touch it. R is a swiss army knife in comparison.

[@billx4266]

@@volkswizard i dont think the type R is faster....

[@freeguy9153]

Hi all and Andrew, well I finally drove a mk8 R and was curious for myself as I have the golf R 7.5 and to be honest yes I like technology and in short NO NO NO. The haptic steering wheel is a stupid idea and selecting drive modes was idiotic on the steering wheel because it jumps around the modes like a deranged spaniel lol although that was initially a good idea having a short cut. The car itself has got cost cutting in it I don't care what anyone says. I immediately got back in my 7.5 R and really compared and I just could not understand how a moron in the design department said the new system was a great idea with sliders for heating seats and temp and then faffing with the screen. I'm not going to go on here but anyone that says they love this idea is probably reeling from the fact that the car is flawed by this and its a HUGE mistake which VW now recognise and even the mechanics said they prefer the 7.5 R, okay it maybe less dynamic which I don't notice on the roads because rarely you can be dynamic anyway, ill try the 8.5 R bless it but I wont ever miss that crappy haptic rubbish. At least the steering wheel was nice but as a 39 year old guy the 7.5 R is peak VW....at the moment so fingers cross for the next test drive when it releases with the upgrades.

[@ZenzDeluxe]

I came from a 7.5R into an 8R and sorry but this is unmitigated nonsense to me mate, especially the quality "cost cutting" part on the interior. I can grant you not willing to live with haptics (even though all this is also insanely hyperbolic in how you are wording it in your comment, i've never switched modes or turned on the heated steering wheel on accident), but everything else in the car is an absolute upgrade compared to a 7.5R lol. A good mate is still in a 7R, feels properly archaic in there every time i drive along in it. The rear doar panels in the 8 are made of *slightly* harder plastics, that's it, that's the only possible cost cutting you could talk about. Everything else literally feels more modern and is of the same quality. 7R to 8R is an upgrade in practically every way, specially regarding the way it drives with the engine upgrades and the Magna diff.

[@freeguy9153]

@@ZenzDeluxe from a 7R to 8R possibly but the 7.5R is better overall, if it isn't why is VW changing it in there other models and the sales have fallen and even VW boss admitted it was flawed and hurt the brand. Like I said ill try the upgraded 8.5R but buttons still the best unless the car drives itself. My point is backed up by other you tube channels and other people and wanted to see for myself but if you like it fair enough but sadly your claim falls flat due to the facts that the normal 8 and GTI and 8R are not good products from VW at the moment, hopefully will change.

[@SeanSimmons-c8h]

Performance car with cast calipers single pot, standard golf chassis, no proper differential, what you paying for? The badge, oh and the interior wow...And people say the FL5 is expensive, it's a different league to this bag.

[@lewzes]

Would love to see some coverage on the new MK8 GLI with manual.

[@MrTARIQSs]

The Jetta is USA only

[@PeterFeltersnatch852]

​@@MrTARIQSsmaybe he's in the U.S.😊

[@MrTARIQSs]

@@PeterFeltersnatch852 He's in the UK

[@amrelnaggar4454]

Cheaper and faster means better for me .