r0ss172's Golf R Estate

[r0ss172]

10k done now in the Golf, so thought id update my thoughts/experience to date.

Few things really starting to annoy me about it....

- When pulling out of junctions at roundabouts etc it hesitates way too much, even in S mode. Almost a big dangerous at times.
- When changing down using paddles, it hesitates again and you can find yourself putting your foot down to accelerate away and nothing happens for up to a second or two
- Parking sensors going off randomly when at a standstill with nothing around me, and sometimes in traffic
- Headlight washers seem to take priority over the windscreen washers, so you end up using a lot more washer fluid than you would want, and when you need to clear the windscreen quickly, the delay is frustrating, especially if you just pull the lever back quickly, and then have to do it again
- Bridgestone Tyres are rubbish in the wet and cold
- Fuel filler cap wont open unless wedging it open with the key to fill up
- Lacks excitement when driving

Things i still like about it....

- Nice and comfy to use as a daily car
- Plenty fast
- Like the ACC in traffic jams
- Looks lovely when cleaned in white, even with the not so desirable 18" wheels
- Boot space is awesome with having a baby and carting my bike about, its effortless with the latches for the rear seats dropping
- Great all rounder

Few of the issues i have with it could probably be fixed by taking it back to a dealer, but they aren't bad enough at the moment for me to want to spend time doing that. Still craving a manual gear box and something a bit more fun that puts a smile on my face, which the Golf unfortunately doesn't do.

 

[Poopensharten]

The estates were auto only, weren't they?

Unsure why they'd limit the market by doing that!

I've got to be honest, i love the Golf R's, but the GTi/ClubSport range just look that much better!

 

[r0ss172]

The estates were auto only, weren't they?

Unsure why they'd limit the market by doing that!

I've got to be honest, i love the Golf R's, but the GTi/ClubSport range just look that much better!

Yep estates were all DSG. I wouldnt have chosen a manual even if they were available as on my test drive i was really impressed with it. I've never owned an auto and swore i never would. However, for a car to commute in, i now think its the way forward, but for fun it really isnt !

I think i just need to buy something a bit more old school and raw for the fun factor

 

[Ex-User (19928)]

Yep estates were all DSG. I wouldnt have chosen a manual even if they were available as on my test drive i was really impressed with it. I've never owned an auto and swore i never would. However, for a car to commute in, i now think its the way forward, but for fun it really isnt !

I think i just need to buy something a bit more old school and raw for the fun factor

Depends what's fun for you I guess.

I can do all the cool shifting techniques (H&T, double clutching) but I recently got the BMW in auto and love it. The only thing I thought I missed manual for was ultimate control of the gears/power to the wheels, but you can just use an aggressive shift to achieve the same.

A 4WD Golf estate was never going to be exciting, manual or not tbh.

 

[r0ss172]

Depends what's fun for you I guess.

I can do all the cool shifting techniques (H&T, double clutching) but I recently got the BMW in auto and love it. The only thing I thought I missed manual for was ultimate control of the gears/power to the wheels, but you can just use an aggressive shift to achieve the same.

A 4WD Golf estate was never going to be exciting, manual or not tbh.

I think its just the involvement of having a clutch pedal and gear stick to control rather than flicking your fingers to change gear. As said previously, i drove my fiance's A1 for a day or two and it was great. What BMW have you got ?

Yeah a 4WD golf will always be boring agreed.

 

[Ex-User (19928)]

I think its just the involvement of having a clutch pedal and gear stick to control rather than flicking your fingers to change gear. As said previously, i drove my fiance's A1 for a day or two and it was great. What BMW have you got ?

Yeah a 4WD golf will always be boring agreed.

Got an M135 a couple of months ago. Same sort of pace as a Golf R (if a little quicker once rolling) but RWD makes it pretty spicy (since having the LSD fitted at least).

 

[r0ss172]

Got an M135 a couple of months ago. Same sort of pace as a Golf R (if a little quicker once rolling) but RWD makes it pretty spicy (since having the LSD fitted at least).

Yeah think they are quite a bit quicker due to more power and less transmission losses. I've never really liked BMW's after owning a 3 series myself. Is the auto box quite responsive on them? The golf's really isnt, i think someone else mentioned it in a thread on here too... there's a lot of hesitation when pulling away which does my head in and has made me look a right tw@t a few times when i've gone to pull out into what would normally be a safe gap then nothing happens and all of a sudden it looks like i've pulled out late into traffic.

 

[Ex-User (19928)]

Yeah think they are quite a bit quicker due to more power and less transmission losses. I've never really liked BMW's after owning a 3 series myself. Is the auto box quite responsive on them? The golf's really isnt, i think someone else mentioned it in a thread on here too... there's a lot of hesitation when pulling away which does my head in and has made me look a right tw@t a few times when i've gone to pull out into what would normally be a safe gap then nothing happens and all of a sudden it looks like i've pulled out late into traffic.

The auto box is brilliant. Sometimes I feel like I'd have preferred a manual since I end up driving the auto in manual mode quite often anyway.

If you press the throttle beyond certain points at certain RPMs it will downshift, which can be very annoying because you can end up pressing the throttle down slowly, and the box will change down, and then down again- when all you wanted to do was speed up by 20mph quickly. The engine has great torque in any gear so you just don't need to shift down in those cases, hence me switching to manual quite a lot as the downshifting can be annoying, I wouldn't say it's made me look like a t**t any more than usual though.

So yeah, in auto it's great for wafting to the shops. But when you want control over it you basically have to put it in manual mode. That said, it does what it's told and you'd be forgiven for thinking it was a double clutch box as it's very quick, also makes the upshift 'farts' when pressing on which sound cool as fcuk from a 3L straight 6.

Which 3 did you have? I wasn't a fan of the E90 generation BMWs. The F cars are all great though.

 

[alistairolsen]

This is what confuses me, if it's 'not fun' self declared and is therefore a commuter, why a 300+bhp petrol?
Surely if VW have managed to make the Golf R boring then you buy a sensible commuter and something silly for the weekend?
I guess what Im getting at is that the perfect all rounder kind of isnt really and as soon as you accept two vehicles, then the golf isnt one of them....

 

[r0ss172]

Which 3 did you have? I wasn't a fan of the E90 generation BMWs. The F cars are all great though.

I had a 10 plate tourer, not sure what that would make it, but didnt like the gear box one bit on it. Drove a 1 series then as a courtesy car and felt the exact same about the gear box in that.

This is what confuses me, if it's 'not fun' self declared and is therefore a commuter, why a 300+bhp petrol?
Surely if VW have managed to make the Golf R boring then you buy a sensible commuter and something silly for the weekend?
I guess what Im getting at is that the perfect all rounder kind of isnt really and as soon as you accept two vehicles, then the golf isnt one of them....

You've nailed it there... I would much rather something sensible for the commute and then a weekend car that's loud and obnoxious. After reading the thread about electric cars on lease deals being reasonable, i could use the money saved on fuel to fund another toy. No point me having anything other than a boring sensible commuter car for getting to/from work.

 

[Ex-User (19928)]

This is what confuses me, if it's 'not fun' self declared and is therefore a commuter, why a 300+bhp petrol?
Surely if VW have managed to make the Golf R boring then you buy a sensible commuter and something silly for the weekend?
I guess what Im getting at is that the perfect all rounder kind of isnt really and as soon as you accept two vehicles, then the golf isnt one of them....

Not everyone wants something that can drift etc. My friend that's got a Golf R is the worst driver I know but likes that it's fast and has lots of grip. He thinks my car is terrifying the way it comes off roundabouts sideways and his idea of fun is launch control up to 50mph. Pussy basically lol.

 

[Advikaz]

So so true about the headlight washer jets

Really is overkill

 

[alistairolsen]

I'm not saying it has to be totally boring, but a Golf R is pretty extreme and always seemed to me to be the perfect car for every occasion, fast, fun and practical, like the original hot hatches.
If we accept that owners are now saying they arent fun and they want another older 'fun' car, then the golf has lost its place, as alongside your antisocial sunday car, a golf Gti, or even a big diesel will be perfectly acceptable on the commute.....
I've been round and round the one car/2 cars thing and there is no perfect answer, but if VW have failed to capture 'fun' in the R, then they have failed the whole point of the car IMHO

 

[Ex-User (19928)]

I had a 10 plate tourer, not sure what that would make it, but didnt like the gear box one bit on it. Drove a 1 series then as a courtesy car and felt the exact same about the gear box in that.


You've nailed it there... I would much rather something sensible for the commute and then a weekend car that's loud and obnoxious. After reading the thread about electric cars on lease deals being reasonable, i could use the money saved on fuel to fund another toy. No point me having anything other than a boring sensible commuter car for getting to/from work.

That'd be E90 3 series. Can't remember what box they had but I have a feeling the later ones used the same one that's on the F cars (I think)

 

[Ex-User (19928)]

I'm not saying it has to be totally boring, but a Golf R is pretty extreme and always seemed to me to be the perfect car for every occasion, fast, fun and practical, like the original hot hatches.
If we accept that owners are now saying they arent fun and they want another older 'fun' car, then the golf has lost its place, as alongside your antisocial sunday car, a golf Gti, or even a big diesel will be perfectly acceptable on the commute.....
I've been round and round the one car/2 cars thing and there is no perfect answer, but if VW have failed to capture 'fun' in the R, then they have failed the whole point of the car IMHO

I feel like you kind of missed what was said. No one said the Golf is boring. But I don't think you can argue that it's exciting. As an all-rounder for most people it's perfect. Good economy, good chassis and good power.

 

[alistairolsen]

Few things really starting to annoy me about it....
- Lacks excitement when driving

Things i still like about it....
- Nice and comfy to use as a daily car
- Great all rounder

Still craving a manual gear box and something a bit more fun that puts a smile on my face, which the Golf unfortunately doesn't do.

To anyone who is 'into cars' if it doesnt make you smile, it's missed the point somewhat. When the R came out I genuinely thought it would do it all, but to hear it isnt exciting and doesnt make you smile is dissapointing that's all.

 

[r0ss172]

My golf was unfortunately stolen on Friday night, so may aswell close this thread down.

For those that own golf R's, I don't want to scare you but please please please be extremely vigilant in your ownership!!

 

[Matt W]

Sorry to hear!

Quite common for these to be pinched

 

[Crybert]

It's insane how many of them are stolen. Really is the weapon of choice

 

[Poopensharten]

f**king nightmare mate.

Did they break in for the keys?

 

[r0ss172]

f**king nightmare mate.

Did they break in for the keys? 😧

No mate, I was loading the car up for me, my fiancée and 15 week old daughter to go n stay at her parents, when 3 hooded and masked blokes jumped out of a car (one with a gun) and launched me into the boot shouting for the keys. I gave them the keys and they let me go, then took the car. Unfortunately the boot was full of our belongings and everything we needed for our daughter. Fortunately she was inside safe and sound, but my fiancé was stood at the front door and had to watch it all, absolutely petrified. It's been a pretty shitty weekend tbh, but got to try and forget about it n move on as it's only material things that can and will be replaced by insurance.

 

[Poopensharten]

Holy f**k!! A f**king gun?!!

So thats one new car and one new pair if underpants please. Gutted for you mate, i hope your family is okay x

 

[ado]

Sorry to hear that and the fact that your belongings were inside. Where in Warwickshire are you as I'm next county across in Worcester and have wondered if mine is safe.

 

[ForceIndia]

Horrible. Glad everyone is physically OK.

 

[Craig]

Sorry to hear that mate. That's devastating
Atleast your all ok and no injuries. No one should ever have to be in that situation. Absolutely scum they are. I hope you get all your belongings back.

 

[Daz.]

Thank god the missus and little one were in the house!

How is she doing? Hopefully it won't impact her long term as I could imagine that would be a worrying thing to happen outside your own home.

 

[Ant1]

Sorry to here that mate :-(. Thank f**k the wife and little one were not in the car.

 

[Hugo-]

FFS! Sorry to hear that. Best thing is that everyone is ok.

Slightly worrying as I also have a white R estate and only live down the road in Wickford!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Ian_182]

Shocking, thank god you hadn't just put your daughter in the car.

 

[Sir_Dave]

No mate, I was loading the car up for me, my fiancée and 15 week old daughter to go n stay at her parents, when 3 hooded and masked blokes jumped out of a car (one with a gun) and launched me into the boot shouting for the keys.

A gun?! To steal a Golf. Holy f*ck. Utter utter scumbags.
Proper terrible that, hope the experience doesn't give you & your fiance too many nightmares!

Shocking, thank god you hadn't just put your daughter in the car.

I was thinking exactly that, the thought of her having just being strapped into the baby seat is terrifying.

 

[r0ss172]

Yeah its been the thing thats bothered us the most "what if". Thanks for the kind words lads.

Yeah, seriously be so careful! don't be paranoid, just be aware at all times is my advice !

 

[JB21]

Wow, that's feckin scary s**t. As stated in PM sorry to hear. What a sad, horrible world we live in where we can't have nice things without fear of scum bags like this taking them by force.

Hope you enjoy the i3.

 

[r0ss172]

Wow, that's feckin scary s**t. As stated in PM sorry to hear. What a sad, horrible world we live in where we can't have nice things without fear of scum bags like this taking them by force.

Hope you enjoy the i3.

Thanks Phil, yeah im absolutely gutted that i'll never be able to own a hot hatch again like that from living in fear of facing that again. As said in our PM's the i3 i think is looking viable at the moment if the lease deal comes up trumps... i'll then look to buy something for the weekends and fun driving thats old and not particularly attractive to thieves... something like @Coops Turbo mk1 turbo, shame he wont sell it to me :wink:

 

[Scrooge]

holy f**k! glad the family are all ok!

 

[JB21]

Thanks Phil, yeah im absolutely gutted that i'll never be able to own a hot hatch again like that from living in fear of facing that again. As said in our PM's the i3 i think is looking viable at the moment if the lease deal comes up trumps... i'll then look to buy something for the weekends and fun driving thats old and not particularly attractive to thieves... something like @Coops Turbo mk1 turbo, shame he wont sell it to me :wink:

At least with the i3 you'll be safe no will steal it as they wouldn't have a clue how to start the thing, lol. And you could track them every step of the way via the app.

I'm near Liverpool mate, and I dare not buy something appealing for fear of this, bloody sad times we live in.

 

[r0ss172]

Ive taken the day off today to sort out all my insurances as the offices were only open to take info for claims, then get it all set up today. I've just spoken to my GAP provider and they said ive got a "return to invoice" policy, how does that work on a lease agreement? @Sir_Dave would you know anything about this mate?

 

[Bluebeard]

f**k me sideways, that's horrific.
f**k the car, the thing that scares me the most is your child.
Me and my wife always put the kids in the car first, keep them out of the way whilst we're doing the packing the car thing.
That could have ended much differently!
I just mentioned it in the office and one of the blokes on here had a breeze blocked smashed round his head to steal his (then new) 2007 Focus ST.

It's a sad sad world. :-(

I'm so glad your Mrs and kid are ok though.

 

[ForceIndia]

f**k me sideways, that's horrific.
f**k the car, the thing that scares me the most is your child.
Me and my wife always put the kids in the car first, keep them out of the way whilst we're doing the packing the car thing.
That could have ended much differently!
I just mentioned it in the office and one of the blokes on here had a breeze blocked smashed round his head to steal his (then new) 2007 Focus ST.

It's a sad sad world. :-(

I'm so glad your Mrs and kid are ok though.

Iirc Neil on here had his meg 250 pinched outside of Fred's in similar circumstances.

Inevitable consequence of making cars harder to steal. Easier to go for the owner and keys.

 

[leeds2592]

Jesus, that is so bad! Can only echo the above, at least no one was hurt, cars can be replaced, people can't. Still a very traumatic experience no doubt!

 

[Sir_Dave]

I've just spoken to my GAP provider and they said ive got a "return to invoice" policy, how does that work on a lease agreement?

@r0ss172 that will settle any outstanding finance with VW/Leaseplan whoever it is.
From ALA website:
Back to Invoice Plus - In the event of a total loss claim, Back to Invoice GAP Insurance (also known as Return to Invoice) will either pay the difference between the comprehensive insurance settlement and your original invoice, or the outstanding finance - whichever the greater. Suitable for vehicles owned outright or on finance and for new and used vehicles up to 10 years old, delivered within the last 365 days.
Contract Hire Plus - pays the difference between the comprehensive insurance settlement and the amount of outstanding rentals as well as any shortfall in the vehicle value in the event of a total loss claim. Suitable for new and used vehicles on contract hire, delivered within the last 365 days.
In effect, either policy should clear any outstanding debt you have with your lease company.