Thoughts on MK8 Golf R?

M370z · 07-20-2023, 04:14 PM

Hey everyone, I've been looking to add a hot hatch-ish 6MT to the stable of late and have been looking at the usual suspects (CTR, GR, Golf R, etc).

Just this morning I got a call from a VW/Audi dealer that we have done a lot of business with and they offered me a 23 Golf R Anniversary Edition 6MT that just came in for MSRP. Apparently the buyer had financing issues and backed out last minute.

From what I've seen, these and even the base versions have been going for 5-15k over sticker, so it seems like a great deal. Just curious of everyone's impression of the car. I had a GTI a lifetime ago and loved it, but I know the R is a different beast.

Cheers!

c1pher · 07-20-2023, 04:18 PM

I think the Golf R is great as long as you’re not thinking it’s something it’s not. Meaning, it’s a fun hot hatch that’s decently fast. It still has a front wheel bias but does offer AWD. However, I feel the price can be painfully close to its sister car, the S3 which has a bit nicer everything in it.

M2siast · 07-20-2023, 04:19 PM

I was on a list for one, but backed out because I was buying property. Turned out well because I would have to wait over 1 year for the car. And I ended up getting the M2 anyway (buying the R would have moved me away from the M2 for a few years).

If it's what you want, and you know it, get it. I love it and what it does and has.

Just don't tune it, the clutch is maxed out.

pikkagtr · 07-20-2023, 04:31 PM

The MK8 infortainment is horrendous
No physical buttons , and they don't light up at night
Whoever designed that needs to be fired
I have a MK7.5 and the infortainment is 10x better design

blinkme323 · 07-20-2023, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by c1pher

I think the Golf R is great as long as you’re not thinking it’s something it’s not. Meaning, it’s a fun hot hatch that’s decently fast. It still has a front wheel bias but does offer AWD. However, I feel the price can be painfully close to its sister car, the S3 which has a bit nicer everything in it.

Keep in mind, the S3 still has the old haldex AWD system. The MK8 R has the new trick system that’s in the RS3. No way I’d take the current S3 over the current Golf R given that alone.

z335is · 07-20-2023, 04:41 PM

I have a MK8 R 6MT and it is freaking fantastic. It has far, far exceeded my expectations. The only other car I would even consider in its class would be the CTR. Feel free to DM me if you have any questions.

Also, the infotainment issues are far overblown. Took me a day to get used to it and it's perfectly fine now.

3798j · 07-20-2023, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M370z

Just this morning I got a call from a VW/Audi dealer that we have done a lot of business with and they offered me a 23 Golf R Anniversary Edition 6MT that just came in for MSRP.

I'd jump on it.

Mr Friese · 07-21-2023, 09:11 AM

I recently test drove the CTR (FK8 LE and FL5), the GR Corolla and the Golf R. I was not a fan of the Corolla at all, so I dismissed that immediately. I loved both iterations of the CTR and the Golf R, but it ultimately came down to the FK8 LE and the Golf R and I chose the Golf.

It's not as raw as the CTR, but I feel like it just does everything well. The AWD system is also an added bonus. IMO, if you are used to BMW, Audi, etc. then the Golf will be a better fit, but you really can't go wrong.

G30M · 07-23-2023, 04:15 AM

great diff i think it has the one like the RS3, but terrible touchscreen and haptic touch buttons

BMWsully · 07-23-2023, 04:38 PM

Test drove one on a whim and ended up trading in my CTR for one. It is that good. Anyone who says otherwise has never driven one. That said, the 24s are dropping soon, so not sure if it might be worth waiting.

cfm56d7b · 07-23-2023, 05:48 PM

Golf MK8 R is a great car. I owned 1984 GTI; plenty of good memories.

Squeezing 315 HP from a 2.0L engine isn't a simple task. Kudos to VW engineers. But VR6 is a much better engine and sadly VW decided not to offer it in the US.

The VR6-equipped Golf R32 was launched in 2004 for the US market. At that time, VR6 produced 240 HP - clearly not reaching its potential.

I would rather buy VR6-equipped Golf from ...

https://www.hpamotorsports.com/pages...5l-vr6-program

550 HP.

KevinC · 07-23-2023, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pikkagtr

The MK8 infortainment is horrendous
No physical buttons , and they don't light up at night
Whoever designed that needs to be fired
I have a MK7.5 and the infortainment is 10x better design

x1000

As a 2-time (including currently) Mk7 then Mk7.5 Golf R owner, I agree with this assessment 100%.

Love my 7.5. Still under factory warranty (6 yrs / 72k miles for 2018/19). Great practical car to go with my M2 Comp as my "fun" car. I've never warmed to the Mk8. Yes it has some mechanical improvements, but not enough to overcome its other issues (total fail infotainment, cheapening of interior, frumpier looks).

G30M · 07-23-2023, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMWsully

Test drove one on a whim and ended up trading in my CTR for one. It is that good. Anyone who says otherwise has never driven one. That said, the 24s are dropping soon, so not sure if it might be worth waiting.

They are removing haptic touch buttons I think, coz every single person complains about them

David70 · 07-24-2023, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by g21

They are removing haptic touch buttons I think, coz every single person complains about them

They are but I haven't seen a date for when it will happen.

Article from Oct. of last year - https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a4...trols-changed/

I haven't driven the car so don't know big of a problem it is. I will say controls that aren't great often become less of an issue as you use the car and get used to it, knowing what you should and shouldn't do.

For the bigger picture, I also will consider an R for my next car, think it provides a good mix of performance and utility. I've owned 2 GTI's and a "sport wagon" A3, but nothing recently.

RM7 · 07-24-2023, 08:34 AM

I rented a vw product a few months ago and the touch climate controls were infuriating.

Theruleslawyer · 07-24-2023, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pikkagtr

The MK8 infortainment is horrendous
No physical buttons , and they don't light up at night
Whoever designed that needs to be fired
I have a MK7.5 and the infortainment is 10x better design

Yah, I looked at one, but I couldn't do it with the touch and laggy UI. I know it would drive me nuts. Sad since its a great car otherwise.

Red Bread · 07-24-2023, 09:46 AM

I have a Mk8 R 6MT and had Mk7 and Mk7.5 GTIs. Anyone saying they’d rather have a Mk7 is Bilal levels of high. Drive both, it’s not close. User interface is fine, I traded my Mk7.5 in, drove off in the Mk8 and have never had any trouble with it.

I have an intercooler and 200tw tires on mine, the rear diffs are great, there’s easily accessible power oversteer, even though it only allows 50% to the rear, it can allocate all of that to either rear wheel.

Be aware that the EU never got a manual Mk8 R and there is talk that they’re killing the manual in the GTI at the facelift later this year, so if you can find a manual R at MSRP (like I did in January) I’d definitely jump on it now.

Worth noting that even with the few tunes out now, the new Continental turbo is hitting mid 400’s for hp and torque, there’s more on the table with E85 and fueling mods too and other tuners getting involved (Cobb still has yet to provide the AP Tuner, which many Mk7 tuners use.)

07-20-2023, 04:14 PM	#1
M370z Private First Class 175 Rep 190 Posts Drives: 370z Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Vagabond iTrader: (0)	Thoughts on MK8 Golf R? Hey everyone, I've been looking to add a hot hatch-ish 6MT to the stable of late and have been looking at the usual suspects (CTR, GR, Golf R, etc). Just this morning I got a call from a VW/Audi dealer that we have done a lot of business with and they offered me a 23 Golf R Anniversary Edition 6MT that just came in for MSRP. Apparently the buyer had financing issues and backed out last minute. From what I've seen, these and even the base versions have been going for 5-15k over sticker, so it seems like a great deal. Just curious of everyone's impression of the car. I had a GTI a lifetime ago and loved it, but I know the R is a different beast. Cheers!
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07-20-2023, 04:18 PM	#2
c1pher Primo Generalissimo 4672 Rep 4,023 Posts Drives: All of them Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: DC area iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 Porsche 911 Ca ... [10.00] 2023 BMW M2 [9.00] 2023 Porsche Macan GTS [10.00] 2022 Ford F-250 Tremor [8.50]	I think the Golf R is great as long as you’re not thinking it’s something it’s not. Meaning, it’s a fun hot hatch that’s decently fast. It still has a front wheel bias but does offer AWD. However, I feel the price can be painfully close to its sister car, the S3 which has a bit nicer everything in it.
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07-20-2023, 04:19 PM	#3
M2siast Colonel 5876 Rep 2,986 Posts Drives: A Family Sedan Join Date: May 2023 Location: Canada iTrader: (0) Garage List 2023 BMW M2 [9.67]	I was on a list for one, but backed out because I was buying property. Turned out well because I would have to wait over 1 year for the car. And I ended up getting the M2 anyway (buying the R would have moved me away from the M2 for a few years). If it's what you want, and you know it, get it. I love it and what it does and has. Just don't tune it, the clutch is maxed out.
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07-20-2023, 04:31 PM	#4
pikkagtr Go Spurs Go 3897 Rep 2,876 Posts Drives: 2022 GR Zupra Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (-1)	The MK8 infortainment is horrendous No physical buttons , and they don't light up at night Whoever designed that needs to be fired I have a MK7.5 and the infortainment is 10x better design
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07-20-2023, 04:41 PM	#6
z335is Lieutenant 356 Rep 501 Posts Drives: 2016 M3 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Newark iTrader: (0)	I have a MK8 R 6MT and it is freaking fantastic. It has far, far exceeded my expectations. The only other car I would even consider in its class would be the CTR. Feel free to DM me if you have any questions. Also, the infotainment issues are far overblown. Took me a day to get used to it and it's perfectly fine now.
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07-21-2023, 09:11 AM	#8
Mr Friese Private First Class 186 Rep 198 Posts Drives: 2011 M3 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Baltimore iTrader: (0)	I recently test drove the CTR (FK8 LE and FL5), the GR Corolla and the Golf R. I was not a fan of the Corolla at all, so I dismissed that immediately. I loved both iterations of the CTR and the Golf R, but it ultimately came down to the FK8 LE and the Golf R and I chose the Golf. It's not as raw as the CTR, but I feel like it just does everything well. The AWD system is also an added bonus. IMO, if you are used to BMW, Audi, etc. then the Golf will be a better fit, but you really can't go wrong.
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07-23-2023, 04:15 AM	#9
G30M Brigadier General 3787 Rep 4,143 Posts Drives: BMW M550i; Kia EV6 GT Join Date: Dec 2021 Location: Australasia iTrader: (0)	great diff i think it has the one like the RS3, but terrible touchscreen and haptic touch buttons
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07-23-2023, 04:38 PM	#10
BMWsully Second Lieutenant 167 Rep 258 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Pittsburgh iTrader: (0)	Test drove one on a whim and ended up trading in my CTR for one. It is that good. Anyone who says otherwise has never driven one. That said, the 24s are dropping soon, so not sure if it might be worth waiting.
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07-23-2023, 05:48 PM	#11
cfm56d7b Lieutenant General 5886 Rep 10,256 Posts Drives: 2017 440i Gran Coupe & 2015 X5 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (2)	Golf MK8 R is a great car. I owned 1984 GTI; plenty of good memories. Squeezing 315 HP from a 2.0L engine isn't a simple task. Kudos to VW engineers. But VR6 is a much better engine and sadly VW decided not to offer it in the US. The VR6-equipped Golf R32 was launched in 2004 for the US market. At that time, VR6 produced 240 HP - clearly not reaching its potential. I would rather buy VR6-equipped Golf from ... https://www.hpamotorsports.com/pages...5l-vr6-program 550 HP.
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07-24-2023, 08:34 AM	#15
RM7 Brigadier General 2893 Rep 3,470 Posts Drives: Camaro SS 1LE Join Date: May 2015 Location: Alaska iTrader: (0)	I rented a vw product a few months ago and the touch climate controls were infuriating.
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07-24-2023, 09:46 AM	#17
Red Bread Major General 4463 Rep 9,160 Posts Drives: Smog machines Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0)	I have a Mk8 R 6MT and had Mk7 and Mk7.5 GTIs. Anyone saying they’d rather have a Mk7 is Bilal levels of high. Drive both, it’s not close. User interface is fine, I traded my Mk7.5 in, drove off in the Mk8 and have never had any trouble with it. I have an intercooler and 200tw tires on mine, the rear diffs are great, there’s easily accessible power oversteer, even though it only allows 50% to the rear, it can allocate all of that to either rear wheel. Be aware that the EU never got a manual Mk8 R and there is talk that they’re killing the manual in the GTI at the facelift later this year, so if you can find a manual R at MSRP (like I did in January) I’d definitely jump on it now. Worth noting that even with the few tunes out now, the new Continental turbo is hitting mid 400’s for hp and torque, there’s more on the table with E85 and fueling mods too and other tuners getting involved (Cobb still has yet to provide the AP Tuner, which many Mk7 tuners use.)
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