Volkswagen Golf R - All the car you'll ever need, but is it wise to buy one? | ReDriven

[@StayAtHomeBiker]

The fact that it drives like a normal golf most of the time is the top item for me. My wife does not know how fast it really is. The kids feel happy and safe. When I get out on my own then it is a blast.

[@ddsgardening7437]

My Sentiment exactly

[@diallo1347]

100% agree with you. I'm 37, married with a 4 year old. I don't want a car that looks/sounds obnoxious. The Golf R is exactly what I want at this point in my life.

[@jamiemurray79]

Same here - love my R wagon, when I need it to be stealth it is and most people would have no idea how quick it really is even with mods.

[@theweedspot360]

That's the best thing about it my mate baught one when he got a wife and kids and it isssss a hidden speedster 😅

[@cmontes7961]

It's two cars in one. Boring smooth Honda Accord 95 percent of the time and mini GTR when you want to go fast.

[@johncowan6046]

We love our Golf R, Red, manual '16. No problems so far after 80k of country driving. Couldn't ask for a more smile inducing drive.

[@scottgray92]

I’ve owned a 2018 hatch from new and absolutely adore it to this day. The ability for it to be so friendly with every day driving but so fast and enjoyable to drive when the opportunity presents makes it the perfect do everything car. It still feels special to me every time I hop into it. The tech is fantastic, and the adaptive cruise is leagues ahead of any other car I’ve driven.

[@Ave.J.]

Yuppppp I love my Stage 2 R like love is a understatement 😂

[@iriscrocus1717]

Have had my 7.5 R for 4 years , fabulous and no issues whatsover.

[@blacktoothstavros2606]

"Just avoid low speeds" - hahaha, brilliant!

[@truthdragon7719]

Got a 2019 estate last July & love it, one thing I was most happy with is it’s not always begging you to drive it hard. Yes it’s fast but also comfortable & civilised. It’s got tech but it’s intuitive and easy to use. I have the heated cloth seats with actual manual adjust. Less to go wrong. Buy one you won’t regret it.

[@ripfluffyman9972]

I’m fortunate enough to have a mk7 golf r and it’s quite an amazing car. I enjoy driving it around town but it’s so much fun to take onto a back twisty road and rip around. Such a great overall car and it doesn’t look too flashy for all it is!

[@alastairc.5219]

Excellent review guys! 2015 Golf R manual owner here. I bought second hand at approx 45k kms during 2022. Real world impressions, it's a great do it all vehicle. It's my daily, my weekend car and has been to the track. Somethings worth noting. Water pump replacements are definitely common, allow $2k. It's a performance vehicle and it deserves very good tyres. Budget $400+ a tyre. Stock brakes should be improved with better pads and fluid as a minimum. The stock clutch isn't strong enough for race mode use and is known to slip, most manual owners replace the clutches. The boring stuff: real world fuel economy in eco mode really does get into the sub 6L/100 range but I'm commonly at 9.5L/100 average. Seats are really comfortable but lack bolstering. Service costs are higher than your corolla or i30. Absolutely worth it. Should you buy one? I haven't regretted it for a second.

[@Klausi_92]

Must agree, updatet in my 2018 Manual also the cluch as i went for Stage 1.5 ( Intake, downpipe, exaust and software) Ive averaged 8.5L/100 before the tune and now almost the same but more likely 9.0L Greets from Germany =)

[@TheShaunsc]

My 2016 Mk7 R just turned 140,000 miles! Original owner never modified it… even though I wish it had more power lol it’s been a great daily driver.

[@markspiers4992]

Had one of these on lease for two years. Got stolen via house break-in, which is a common problem in the UK. Just to make others aware. Unfortunately I would never get another one due to the stress of the above. Drove it in race mode 99% of the time and was an enjoyable car. Got around 30-40mpg average.

[@MrSonicAdvance]

This, and the fuel economy, is what puts me off TBH. If it's not a house break-in, you have to watch out for getting car-jacked.

[@yusafmalik5171]

@@MrSonicAdvancedon’t forget about insurance. A lot of these cars are either wrecked or stolen so they cost an arm and a leg to insure

[@itouchipodz1000]

Meanwhile no one gives a fuck about hatchbacks in America, easy pickings, planning to pick one up in a few months, I do feel bad yours got stolen tho, piece of shite human being whoever that was

[@jondonnelly3]

30-40 is what I get out of the 1.4tsi 160, 44 on a long run. So that sounds really good to me.

[@chrisgarrett7999]

❤ ghost 2 immobiliser will solve that problem had mine for five years now no problem panoramic roof 19 inch Pretorius adapted suspension leather what more can I want? ❤

[@kevinvandorst]

The Golf R is nice, the golf R32 is a legend!

[@aceace5457]

i own one a 7.5 r estate and it goes , in fact over 40 years driving without a point on my licence and 2 weeks driving the golf r estate i got a speeding ticket so calmed down but had the golf r estate for 2 years now . THATS HOW GOOD IT IS .

[@StormCell-ELL]

I started with a '99 Audi A4 1.8T as my first car. Instantly fell in love with the manual transmission, well designed plush leather interior, and oh my the boost!! It kicked off a lifelong love for German sports cars. Fast forward 5 years however and I bought the OG Bugeye '02 WRX. That car was very fun and fast, yet the interior and overall feeling of highly-engineered German craftsmanship was missing. Fast forward another 5 years, the WRX has been stolen and totaled by thieves. In my search for my new car, I always remembered the MK4 Golf R and how aggressive/beautiful they look. I knew I needed a manual and chose VW partly bc my Audi and that they continue to produce new cars w/ standard trans. And so I sent it - got into a 2016 MK7 Golf R with 60k on it. This is hands down the best car I've ever owned. Not only does it have high specs like backup camera, Bluetooth, heated seats and Sirius XM, it is unbelievably quick with its 300 HP 2.0 TSI engine and handles like one would not believe. The Haldex 4motion system is amazing in the snow, arguably better than a WRX even. The acceleration hits intensely while the clutch & gear box feel phenomenal. I absolutely love how aggressive these cars look, the styling of the front grill and curves of the back alongside the beefy quad-tipped exhaust. You could take the wife and kids to go grab groceries or make laps on track day. I could not be happier with my purchase and do not think that I will ever stray away from owning an R as my daily sports commuter. I would recommend this car to anyone and sadly as VW plans to head in the direction of electric vehicles for the GOLF line, get your hands on one before they become extremely rare and expensive!

[@kilozap]

Thanks for this review mate! This is what I was looking for w.r.t reviews, realworld experience etc - I mentioned it above but I still have my Mk4 VR6 GTI with 86k miles - had its share of minor replacements, one major - replaced the transmission at 60k because I'd bought THIS used in 2005 at 16k miles and the kid/dad owners didn't treat it nice, or something else happened - still not sure. But with a replacement 'used/new-to-me' tranny from some hotrodder in LA who'd totalled one's backend/body, engine fine - it's been reliable as any 20+yr old car- quite keen to see how one feel 'at the starting line' of a simple red light commute :)

[@mattg768]

boot drain hole can also block or wear out as its rubber, causing the water to pool in the spare wheel housing. to find this drain hole open your boot and look up its the little round rubber hole in the middle of the boot lid. cheap part to fix so just keep an eye out on it if its bad weather for a long period of time. I'm in the UK and just picked up my second MK 7.5 golf R and at conversion rates to AUS $'s I paid around 60k for this one. My advice to anyone considering buying one is, yes go for it. its such a great genuinely reliable car with good BHP as standard.

[@melprophet1936]

Love my 2017 Golf R....52,000 miles and the water pump went at 14,000+ miles and the turbo unit blew at 26,000+ miles...the latter was a 3 day repair but covered under warranty. Other than those two things, flawless.

[@ladislaualbert2807]

I had a 2015 Golf R for 5 years- loved the performance, handling, ride comfort on long and short drives and it’s practicality. Over the 5 years I had two batteries die, and a recurring glitch that happened multiple times daily that would prevent use of the cruise control for many minutes at a time. In addition, the VW dealership experience during repairs, maintenance visits left much to be desired. I would not recommend it unless one is ok with VW headaches.

[@bonk352]

Mk 2 Ford Focus ST is the one

[@fred420]

I loved my 16' R. I agree with everything you said.. The car is insanely planted and fast but in order to enjoy it you have to be breaking all speed limits. I actually preferred my GTI that I had before because it was more usable and fun.

[@annepayton139]

They are a very nice car but if you're going a second hand version you can bet it's been hammered up down and sideways and unless it's been very well looked after then it's a gamble .

[@sonofrobert]

I still love my '15 mk7 se Sportwagon. Does everything well and have gotten 39 mpg on road trip and hauls ass when i want to. Best car I've ever owned!

[@Annon86]

Had a Golf R estate for 3 years. Stage one remap, air filter and a resonator delete and it’s all the car you need on todays roads. 0-60 in 3.6 0-100 in 8.9 1/4 mile in 11.9 I regret selling and will be getting another on but probably take it to stage 2 power.

[@KyleHudsonn]

​@Golf R That's because his measurements are in MPH

[@grantschmidt2617]

As an owner of a heavily modified special edition that has been tuned for 90% of its life the risk solely lands with the service intervals. Any tuned Golf R should have an oil change and a check at 7.5k km's Mine has been rock solid other than the water pump needing a change recently (4.5 years and 60k km) I would also purchase a well looked after modified golf vs an unmodified. The warranty often gives people a sense of comfort when thrashing it about where as a modified enthusiast knows they will need to pay if they don't maintain it

[@MultiHolden11]

I own a 2016 MK7 GTI with the 6 speed DSG, the car is running a stage 2 tune and making 225fwkw and let me tell you i drive this car like I stole it every day and it keeps taking it. But the secret is half all service intervals. So I do my engine oil every 5000km and my DSG oil every 30,000km. the car now has 118,000km on it and only the water pump had to be done at 45,000km, and I've had the car since 15,000km. If you look after them they are a awesome car, but you can't be cheap. Always buy the best parts.

[@johnnylima9632]

Been waiting long for this one, I’ve never owned a Golf or any VW tbh, but I’ve always adored the GTI, both my brothers have had GTI’s in the past, one still drives his G5 GTI till today from new, with almost no problems except for door lock mechanics gone wrong. I drive an f80 M3 myself but have been thinking of getting a G7 R as a daily for a very long time now. Up until now the Toyota Hilux has served me as an excellent daily! Hope this video is gonna reflect positive😅 Love this channel, one of the best relative-to-the-everyman car content out there! Keep up the excellent work!

[@smoffitt4289]

Moved from my Golf R FE Hatch to an Audi RS3. The Golf R is excellent. I used my cruise control alot to make sure i didnt speed (same with Audi lol)

[@_Ryphon]

7.5 owner here, felt the same that the car wasn't special ALL of the time. Stage 1 custom tune (213kw-272kw) and a Remus cat back and it's a tonne more engaging as far as a euro hatch goes.

[@as242006]

I know this is an old VID but I have to comment. I just bought one of these after wanting one for years. I love this car. It ticks all the boxes and I cant say anything negative about it. I usually get buyers remorse after buying a car and I have none after buying mine.

[@addzy85]

Great review! I sold my 15 Golf R hatch (Lapiz Blue) in January and loved every moment of it. Sold it with 140k on the odo. Water pumps x 2 and about 65k out of each. Had a radiator replacement as well (135k with water pump/thermostat). Lower control arms wear out and I had mine replaced at 110k but got a better aftermarket option. (The rest of my golf was stock). The only other minor issue was flaking of the silver trim on the shifter, around the shifter and start button. VW paid 40% even though it wasn’t in warranty. Mine was a DSG, but I think it’s a shame more manuals weren’t sold, I think the DSG does make it even more sedate. I would find a manual if I had one again as I think this would amp up the engagement of the car. I wish a manual wagon was available - I think this would be a perfect car. A truly great car and miss mine every time I see one :)

[@User-cb4jm]

That’s the thing I don’t get. These are fantastic cars to drive but why don’t these German cars just use the same quality/kind of water pumps or radiator as say a Camry. It’s not like the lack of reliability of these parts are a direct trade off for it being so fun to drive, that we can excuse it - i.e a turbo being punchier but less reliable than an economy focused NA engine or a DCT over a CVT or regular auto. If they fixed things like these, they wouldn’t have a bad rep and people who’d otherwise pick one of these won’t begrudgingly get a Japanese/Korean car they trust more but may not necessarily be as complete a package as this. Also btw what did you upgrade to?

[@ejandersen2878]

I love my 7.5 R Wolfsburg wagon. It's quick, comfortable, sounds great and looks awesome. Drinks around 11 - 13 l/100km around town (horses generally not spared) and achieves under 7 on the highway. I've put a Cobb OTR on it as well as a stage 1 upgrade tune and now get 260kw. I get an oil and filter change every 7,500km including the regular services when they fall due.

[@graemecouch5010]

It will last they just need tegular servicing ! 12 to 13 lt/100 in traffic? My Honda HRV gets 4.5/100 . Speed Costs !

[@ejandersen2878]

I did have a Passat 2.0TDi from new and I could get 4l/100km on the highway. Throughout the 14 years and 280,000km I owned it, it averaged 6.9l/100km. Amazing vehicle. Love the Golf though.

[@andyhall9420]

Have a 7.5 Lapiz Blue Wolfsburg Wagon - just coming up to 5 years and 60,000 kms and not put a foot wrong. A great all round car. Was going to replace it at 5 years but think I'll just hang on to it.

[@blackcatsarenopussies]

Mk7 will go down in history as the best golf ever. And the R is the best of them all. I have a Mk7 GTI

[@andyhall9420]

@@blackcatsarenopussies Yep, the reviews on the Mk 8 don't make me want to change - I do like some buttons. Touchscreens are fine for phones, but need access to the things I regularly change without taking my eyes off the road and going through a couple of screens. I miss a manual, but driving in Sydney the DSG makes more sense anyway.

[@worthoo-55]

Alright fellas, now it’s time to compare with the Skoda Octavia vrs. A hot wagon!

[@Michael199-l8p]

Yea

[@lhaakmeester]

I second that Octavia RS review - lift back is also awesome, the space in either rivals and exceeds most SUV’s. gotta be the most practical hot hatch there is

[@bayerischemotorenwerke7584]

Gti wagon 🔥🔥

[@13xBlackSun]

And it can tow, unlike Golf R.

[@amchoo_929]

@@13xBlackSun a octavia VRS has GTD/GTI engines so it has max 240hp and its FWD only...The R has AWD and 60+ more horsepower and more torque...How the fuck is it not going to be able to tow but the VRS is😂

[@MrDamburger]

My dad has the VW Passat wagon 2.0 R-line. AMAZING car, 110,000kms on it never skipped a beat, super powerful, good on gas, great features

[@xxzmk]

I own the base golf mk7.5 variant and honestly between mercedes, audi and BMW the golf was the only one which wasn't cramped in the leg room and the interior room was fresh and big and not so cramped. It made me always feel like a living room instead of a race car while driving and hit the spot. I still love the way how the BMW F31 drives though.

[@CM.243]

I sold my 7.5R Variant/wagon, because the rear leg room was awful, as well as not being able to get comfortable driving for more than about 30 minutes. 3 Series much better leg room I think because they floor mount the pedals, which allows the drivers seat to be set an inch or two further forward.

[@xxzmk]

@@CM.243 yeah but the 3 series is still cramped in the front in wideness. You gotta have to live with that wide ass center console due to rwd

[@CM.243]

@@xxzmk TBH I never found my G21 M340i to be cramped in the front. Maybe the F31 was? Both the 7.5R and M340i are AWD. Anyway, if truth be told, while the G21 is a better car, it's a bit boring.

[@TwistedDonners]

Well I was right when I guessed you'd be reviewing a European car today lol 😆. To be honest after seeing the review of the Golf R I don't think it's one that's on my potential candidates list of next cars. Congrats too guys on cracking the 99k subscriber mark now its literally a countdown to the silver play button for you guys👍. Brilliant video as always guys, have a good weekend and look forward to next week's batch of videos (and possibly any that drop on the weekend lol 😆)

[@Bembo985]

Want a golf R that feels special? Get a Mkv R32, preferably in a manual. I have one. It’s not as fast as the newer golf’s but the sound makes you feel like you’re going a million even when you’re just pulling out of the driveway.

[@lobsterwhisperer7932]

They all could be mistaken for Kia's...which is sad.

[@MT-kx2uc]

Stage 1, milltek and kw v3 makes it feel more special. Great car.

[@randallbezuidenhout1505]

I have the 2018 R Special Edition ,brilliant performance car no water pump issues yet😏60,000k service coming up next month,,1 year remains off 5 year warranty and i have no wish or urgency to modify my car it's pretty good as is.

[@MitchTube]

I have a golf r 7.5 manual. The best thing you can do is give these cars a tune. Stage 1 makes it come alive and much more fun to drive everyday. I’ve also done some suspension work which pulled around 7kg per corner of unsprung mass. Made a huge difference to comfort on bumpy roads and a much more dynamic ride. Reliability wise mine has had the usual water pump leak failure which will suck when it fails again out of warranty.

[@bonk352]

Considering the Golf R has so much power I found that it didn't seem powerful or as interesting as it should have felt. It was obviously fast, yet accompanied by an unnecessarily super safe feeling ride. To me, a 2.0 140 PS TDI feels as if it's got more torque somehow, yet manages to serve the same impression of speed but the turbo diesel power felt more explosive. Interesting because I reckon the mapping was obviously different. Here's the strange thing:- When I added on a tune, it still didn't change the character of the R but why? To summarise, after trying to get my head round this phenomenon, all I could think is that the Golf R actually seemed over competent and over damped to such a degree that upon acceleration, it almost gave the impression of whispering to me the words "now be careful" whilst this non force acted as a cushion of resistance, unlike more raw feeling less powerful hot hatches. They seemed "punchier" as the impression that I got from those cars is that they almost come up from the ground. The R had a strange and dull feeling but weirdly the car still went faster whilst almost putting the brakes on. I hope you get the idea what I mean because it's sure a tricky one to explain but you'll probably agree! The R revealed that it had an ordinary firm ride for a Golf wasn't really impressive as such, but still relatively comfortable for a top end performance hatch. In comparison, the Focus RS has a much firmer ride and a different character but does match Golf R for smooth power delivery. The good sized seats in the R are comfortable, well positioned and the car overall looks premium, yet it's too conservative style wise. Admittedly, fuel economy is impressive, but the car lacks punch, (which it shouldn't), liveliness and the cheeky character of other more standard hot hatch car brands. Upon reflection in the short time of Golf R ownership, I thought it was an excellent fast, comfortable, fast and a very serious practical compact family sized car. But I think that it's probably more suited for a more serious older business person or someone retired and I think VW are maybe gearing the car to that market. It's certainly no bad thing but this seems to be the future. Granted, it's certainly fast, it's very pleasant to drive and relaxing, ever so safe feeling and very nice and all of that. In conclusion, I think the car is ideal for those persuing a swift Sunday afternoon drive for afternoon tea rather than a ride out with pals to the bowling alley in the Focus RS.

[@drindrins]

Cheers for the insight mate! What suspension did you put on?

[@Maxa21Million]

​@@bonk352 if you thought your 2.0tdi was as quick, it is possible that you got a dud car. I've spoken to tuning company who said they've seen a huge range of power outputs from stock MK7.5s. A good tune should make a big difference in power delivery and torque. The suspension on mine is fine for 90% of the driving I do. The only time it struggles to keep up is on bumpy back roads, particularly on the West coast of Ireland. Uprated springs and dampers would be ideal, without destroying the day to day driving on 19s.

[@MitchTube]

@@drindrins Light 18” wheels saved 4kg per corner, sway bars front and rear, lowered springs and alloy front front arms with extra 0.5 camber/castor . Perfect for street.

[@benh8944]

Did you upgrade the clutch, or has it been OK? Had my manual R for a year now and tempted to map it. Seen some people say stock clutch has been fine, but most say to definitely change it.

[@alexbarnett8935]

You nailed this review, well done. I’ve owned 5 Golf Rs and I tune them every day.

[@zachmo9587]

I know the DSG is the fan favourite, and it does make for the faster car, but having a Mk7.5 in a manual is great fun. I feel like it can take a bit of the "normalness" out of the daily commute vs the DSG. My main complaint is the manual shifter in stock form is a bit vague, although mods can help that.

[@bayerischemotorenwerke7584]

It’s great fun for your bank account too

[@ztworks6524]

Change the rubber bushings too metal ones and it feels great the stock bushings are horrible

[@its_ben_carter]

I’m in a 7.5 stage 2+ with an upgraded single mass flywheel clutch. Gives it way more feel and takes a bit more punishment before that good old clutch smell. Stock it felt horrible but it’s great now. Bough it to keep long term post lease and it’s been flawless and just had the water pump issue as they mentioned. Great cars for the price.

[@tomwilkinson9916]

Yea manual 7.5r is perfection love mine

[@andgate2000]

All dsg blow up at 100k.

[@gcm747]

I had my radar sensor drop out once but VW wanted $1500 to align it. Then all of a sudden a short while later it sorted itself out. Other than that, mine has been an absolute dream car. Remains to be seen what the MK8 R I have on order will be like - or when I’ll see it.

[@dwade3202]

mk8 golf has horrendous interior, i would never switch 7.5 for an 8

[@gcm747]

@@dwade3202 yeah. I’m not thrilled with it either. But that performance….

[@Jeremy-zd8gd]

@@gcm747 if you tune the 7.5 it's fast! I have a stage 1 and it's does 12s flat on the quarter mile

[@Norietzz]

I wanted a fast car for my 40th and hubby found a second hand Golf R 7.5 wagon with stage 2 tune with 25k kms in mint condition. It is an absolute gun and I love it! It’s fast enough for me on school and footy runs, and my husband loves to give it a run when he is driving! 💙

[@AndrewHartney]

Absolutely nailed it, great review and owning a 7.5 I couldn’t argue with anything stated here. Great job.

[@wadestanion4617]

I have a 15 TDI Golf and I really like the mpg's... However I have an issue with my stereo overheating and turning down the volume. I test drove an R this last Wednesday and I really liked it. Can't afford it just yet.

[@gnkVLCT]

I love my MK7 R-wagon, have since lowered it with some 18x9 Enkei RPF1 wheels, does 12.1s at the drags with just a tune and mid 9s per 100L in terms of economy...it's my favourite daily, especially with the amount of stuff from Bunnings we can fit in the back with the seats folded, all the animals, luggage etc...no it's not the coolest car, or fastest etc, but it's does so many things well and it's a pretty cheap car to buy!

[@ndumndum1000]

I didnt know there was a station wagon, we only get it as a hatch back in South Africa

[@st33fie]

I own a 2018 Golf R. It’s perfect. If you’re in the market for an R go for the post 2017 model. They’re equipped with anDQ381 DSG they are rock solid and have a far better Haldex pump. The pre 2017 ones are crap honestly.

[@Bravotwogaming]

The Haldex Pump is a common problem for Golf R’s and S3’s. Audi and VW consider the oil in them lifetime and don’t need servicing. Heaps of people reporting issues with their AWD system, due to the pump being clogged. This can be tested by taking off and noticing heaps of front spin.

[@blackcatsarenopussies]

Regular servicing it's needed. Oil change, filter

[@chrisgarrett7999]

Clean the mesh and the fluid regular everything will be fine. 👍 2019 wagon from new😊

[@JamesEasom-t3x]

Mk 7 R manual stock owner here. Owned from new. These cars are great but... Battery on early models are bad Had the coolant problem talked about cost alot to fix If you get the option 19" alloys they can crack The clutches on the manual are the same put in the GTIs and can slip Had the leaking rear door seals. Had the wing mirror problem BUT my next car will be a mk7.5 estate 😅

[@smilley792]

I’m in the uk and have Jsut traded in my fk2 civic type r for a good R wagon. As an older gentleman……. The fact the R is normal when I have the kids on a daily commute is why I want one. The fk2 is just hardcore all the time and not what I need at mo on a daily

[@KaiSWE369]

I bought a used Golf R 7.5 Estate from 2017 without ecall with 125000km. I had a water leaking from the tailgate on the third brake light, the seal was old or the lamp was not pushed in enough so I changed the lamp myself for 30 euro and I changed the battery from EFB to AGM because I often got bad voltage in the battery. I use obdeleven for battery update.

[@kanesanders6669]

Huge congratulations! 99.8k subscribers as I type, so I imagine 100k will be cracked before you read this. 100k subscribers in 2 years is a testament to how good a channel you've built.

[@sonofrobert]

Wow, my '15 se Sportwagon 1.8 is amazing to drive all the time!

[@kimanddianesmith6953]

Pretty good summation, however,......Having just retired and having had stupidly modified cars and bikes, I now truly have found the perfect compromise for a bit of performance, almost by stealth, but also a sensible everyday driver

[@dfk09]

Oh man, I wish we had a Golf R wagon here in the states. I love the dual nature of these cars. It's part of the appeal of them...

[@bonk352]

Unfortunately it gets a little boring after a while along with Golf R niggles and shortfalls. It's a very PC car albeit a fast, tidy, comfortable and safe compact.

[@mamba101]

After owning a seat Leon cupra 4drive, the exact same important bits as the gold R.. I would sum these cars as “fast but boring”.. Like mentioned, to have fun you need to break speed limits.. Being an all rounder means there’s compromises, e.g, amazing grip in corners but you really feel the weight transfer

[@Thomas-ou2sp]

100% agree, own a 2018 4 drive estate and don't understand how people say they stick in the bends. Feels very sloppy and would never feel confident going full tilt into bends. Great in a straight line. For me, with the dogs, it's a good all-rounder but not ideal by any means.

[@Nirvanlia]

R Wagon here in WA. water pump problem is a known issue for R. Mine is stock and daily no dramas most of time. Coolant level went low a few times got dealer checked and topped. Oil level could went low before service but only 200ml every 15000ks. Another known problem is oil cap not sealed probably could cause a bit oil leak around cap. I would service it every 7500 instead of 15000

[@yuriytopin8040]

Thank you! Good mechanic and the video looks very constructive. Saw the video about VW Tiguan it was non-constructive because the mechanic said just all possible failures and didn't add any reason for failures or information about the frequency of failures.

[@samyeomans6710]

I’ve seen every single car review on this channel, today is the first time someone walked past.

[@Lucknoexist]

you guys are getting so close to 100K! im sure you'll hit it tomorrow if not the day after, you guys make incredible videos and i would like to congratulate you guys on the soon to be mile stone :D

[@ReDriven]

Thanks so so much Angus. - AK

[@georgel3657]

252k! Insane progress - nice work

[@DS-tz1fv]

I sold mine for a Tucson Hybrid. Love it.

[@daispy101]

Ignore the 'lifetime' transmission fluid. Have that flushed and replaced on almost any VW every 50K. Great cars when under warranty but as soon as they get over 60K there are a a money suck.

[@eldar68]

I believe that the interior material quality and touch feel is actually better when compared with current generation VW. This unfortunate fact is true for all manufacturers, where cost-cutting using cheaper materials is explained as weight-reduction. Same goes with digitalization of the buttons functionality, on and on... it's so bad that there is no way back and get at least 2k generation models new...

[@davidpowell2184]

I have a 2016 Golf R 7.5 Wolfsburg wagon. Has been an amazing car. Real wolf in sheeps clothing.

[@torstenslink392]

Would LOVE a list of Jims favourite daily drivers! Great vid as alwys

[@gureno19]

I dont think anyone with an S3 ignores the fact that it's an MQB VAG platform car... thats genuinely a plus to owning it. Additionally owning an S3 is like owning a Golf R in a tuxedo and you get the bonus of having then available in sedan form which personally looks the best. The interior in the 8V S3 compared to the R is a league above in materials and feels alot more special then the Golf equivalent. But you get the bonus of Golf R drivetrain, which gives you the tuneability/drive ability and relatively low service costs when compared to most German performance sedans

[@XXEXETREMEHEROXX]

If you’re in the uk consider a seat Leon cupra 4drive, way less stolen and way cheaper to insure

[@ravingmad765]

Couldn't agree more about the normalness. That's why the Octavia RS is a better choice. With front wheel drive and some torque steer it actually feels more exciting at legal speeds.

[@OldManShoutsAtClouds]

Worse handling car is better because it handles worse 😂

[@Treizez34]

regarding the comment about low speed DSG harshness, it's worth searching the reset procedure for the DSG unit that sometimes can help smooth out operation.

[@brendanfeldwick6493]

Had one of these before I bought my Kodiaq. Was a great daily and the 'boring' quality is why people like them I think. If I was buying again I'd probably go for the GTI though.

[@stephenmoore1541]

When I subscribed, you guys were below 70k subs I think. Now you're getting ready to hit 100k subs, congrats fellas!

[@TheChindoboi]

I had a mark 6 golf r with lowish kms... I've had to replace the dog bone mount, haldex 4wd replaced due to leaking, Drive shaft replaced... I love the golf r... But I can't deal with those headaches anymore... Plus the normal servicing cost by both vw or aftermarket are just through the roof....

[@seanaan2424]

Totally agree with everything said. Great review, and no regrets since buying mine 👌

[@dw1508]

A tastefully well modified verson of this r wagon is the perfect all rounder. Some slight modifications make it less boring

[@vdb1667]

Great review. I agree with the comments. I own a manual 2016 golf r. It’s been great. My water pump failed at 65k. Fully agree that it can be boring unless you give it the beans. It is a lot of fun on the track.

[@bonk352]

It has very good brakes though

[@mdog2501]

Sold mine shortly before the warranty expired. Had a dew issues - coolant leak from the thermostat, clunky DSG and a water leak from the rear door that couldn't be fixed. Something to do with a seal at the rear speak.

[@jettjones653]

I’ve got at golf gti mk6 and Im filling it up 5w-40 oil every week because it just keeps burning 🤘🏼

[@dalearnold3801]

Mine used a 1 litre of oil every 3000km, my thermostat leaked and the doors creaked often but I did love it and miss it.

[@sonofrobert]

Great review!

[@britishbluetess]

Wanted the r estate could have “stretched” to it just about, decided to buy a 2.0 tdi vrs 4x4 wagon as I’d had a 2.0 petrol wagon before. The 2.0 diesel dsg 4x4 has never bettered 47mpg with just me driving and not much kit on board ,Octavia not a bad car at all but I regret not buying the golf as i think I could have managed nearly 40mpg on a run

[@jackh4787]

Not what I was expecting to hear! Great info guys, thanks!

[@miss_tempest]

This was easily my favourite safety breakdown. *golf clap*

[@ianmoss134]

Good review. I've had a mk7 R, now a 7.5 Wolfsberg Wagon. I couldn't agree more, the wagon is the best body style, the smartest choice. One little thing I'd add that goes wrong from interior is the chrome around the gear leaver peels and breaks around the top where the phone cubby opens. It results in sharp edges that will cut your fingers and draw blood. Common issues across all golf's with the chrome. Also, gti and golf r hatch have different boot capacity due to the Haldex 4motion taking a bit. You don't notice it in the wagon. Cheers Ian

[@andrewrobinson2485]

I was informed at the dealer yesterday there is a recall on the gear lever surround to prevent bleeding fingures

[@allanransom8518]

Wagon enthusiast here. OMG a Golf R wagon! We don't get that in USA. I do have a mk6 Golf wagon and a B8.5 A4 wagon in the garage right now. I love 'em but I do miss the simplicity of my Japanese cars for self-repair (incorporate this into your segments perhaps - how easy is the car to DIY repair vs its competitors)

[@yamKenny]

I'm own one for close to year. If you just a simple tune it makes a difference. Very practical and enjoyable but low speed need to be changed

[@dariopaolini5156]

I found the S3 to feel just like a normal A3 unless driving it hard... The exact reason I didn't buy it. VAG make incredibly polished sports vehicles but they just don't have character at normal speeds.

[@SharadTalekar]

I truly enjoy this channel. keep up the good work

[@ieat223]

Love these videos ❤️

[@stevek7461]

JFYI and great channel btw. The centre console lid as well as sliding back and forth, also ratchets up and down for the perfect elbow resting position !

[@mattdebyl8806]

It’s a very very very competent appliance. Like a great fridge with all the fruit.

[@rsoul7282]

Ok, that Tiger Woods Golf R joke has propelled you up to the highest echelons of Dad jokes, Grand Master level.

[@Zorrolord]

The thing is tho, if using this as a daily driver (or rather the hatchback because that one is way more sporty), isn't it a big + if it CAN feel like a normal Golf if you want to but you can also turn it into the mean machine when you are driving allone or you got some friends that wanna see performance? I mean, if you wanna get pressed into your seat, this car can probably do that. But maybe you are not into that on a daily basis or in the early morning on your way to work where roads are clugged by ppl driving way under the speed limit anyways. I will give you the point that it can look alot like the regular golf and thus pretty tame. People actually cannot really distinguish the cars UNTIL they hear the roar out the back or the turbos on the road doing their thing. I definitly feel like VW needs to step up that game a little to make it not "too similar" to the regular one. Then again, what if you drive up to someone that thinks you are slow and tries to overtake you because you are doing the speedlimit. Suddenly u pull away massively and he's gonna be like "the fuq, dat no normal golf".

[@djctoafn]

Just put a deppy down on 7.5 Wolfsburg Wagon. Pick it up next week and appreciate the great review which definitely played a part in the decision ;-)

[@exhibitD79]

Great review.. thanks guys!

[@andy00grant]

I'm looking for and estate one of these as my next car now that I have a child. I just need something reasonably quick to occasionally go for hoon in and something that is easy enough for my other half to get used too. There isn't a huge amount of options in the same price bracket and size.

[@BKHD605]

Not to mention RS3 parts are easy to fit if you want bigger brakes. If you have got the money you can engine swap these with the RS3 5-cylinder giving you an extra 100hp and almost double the tourqe. (not to mention the engine noise and reliability). I'd love to have one of these as a hot hatch project car in the future.

[@paulklp8262]

Might as well just buy an RS3 then, insuring an engine swapped car is a nightmare.

[@forged007]

I know this video is 2 years old but the cheapest golf r wagon I can find in Nz with fairly low kms and really good used condition is $15800. Not bad! Looking at either this, a levorg or a Passat wagon. I'm conflicted still. What would you guys choose? And why.

[@6545george]

The silver trim around the dsg stick can become lose and is very sharp and will easily cut a finger when you put you hand into to storage compartment infront of the dsg stick

[@jessechatelier5430]

I love my Golf R wagon so much ❤

[@straybeans6561]

I had to get rid of my old Golf for a larger car two weeks ago. I’m still devastated

[@straybeans6561]

@@daniel.s8126 I had a baby and got a Subaru Forrester like the cliche. It’s like driving a bus compared to the golf

[@joebot2127]

MPG depends entirely on where you're driving as much as how you drive. They are great on the highway.

[@beinghooman7989]

Does Jim have a video explaining the benefits of a catch can? I’d like to watch that!