Quantcast
Channel: golf mk7 – Volkswagen Golf MK7
Viewing all articles
Browse latest Browse all 12

Golf MK7 R | In Depth Test / Review

0
0

Trick or Tricky factors to consider

Available from 15 Grand

2.0-litre EA888, all-wheel drive.

Exceptional do-it-all efficiency hatch.

Comes as an estate too, but can look weary.

Strong on quality as well as dependability.

Wider option (and far better value?) than Mk6 R.

Look For Volkswagen MK7 Golf R right here.

Lets get into the Review of the MK7 Golf R


Put an R on the bootlid of an automobile and also, with the possible exception of the Suzuki R, you practically recognize you’re going to remain in for a great time. The Volkswagen Golf R is no exception. They have actually been around because 2002, when the Mk 4 R32 first integrated a narrow-angle V6 with Haldex-type 4Motion four-wheel drive to deliver a fantastic mix of high-traction performance as well as functionality. Moody twin-tailpipe designing secured the deal for an instead bigger variety of individuals than Volkswagen was expecting, developing the R version as a range-topper in every Golf variety because.

The over chromey, fake-diffuser Mk 5 Golf R of 2006 that adhered to the very first R was a minor mis-step by VW, yet in little ‘g’ golf terms that bogey was followed by a birdie in the 2010 Mk 6 R. We did a purchaser’s overview on that particular cars and truck back in Might. Unlike many heavily-drive trained AWD vehicles it was a perfectly well balanced plan of dynamism, convenience and handling accuracy, many thanks in no small measure to the weight reduction made possible by the binning of the large old V6 in favour of a turbocharged 2.0 litre four engine generating 267hp. That made it good for a 0-62 time of 5.7 sec, or 5.5 sec with the DSG twin-clutch tranny.

The Mk 7 R which we’ll be looking at today got that sweet Mk 6 and ran with it. Reported in 2013, it showed up in the UK in March 2014 with a 300hp/280lb feet variation of the EA888 engine and an option of 6-speed handbook or 6-speed DSG twin-clutch transmissions. Although its engine specification numbers were well listed below those of the comparable vehicles from BMW (316hp) as well as Mercedes (355bhp), a Golf R would easily stay on top of a 911 Carrera over the 0-62mph run. As achieved on the freeway as it was on a small road, the R was in several ways the clear-cut do-everything hot hatch.

At ₤29,900 new, the R hatch wasn’t that much more expensive than the 230hp Golf GTI Performance at nearly ₤ 26,000, however the R’s additional driven wheels together with its brilliantly judged suspension configuration and big fat spec took all the discomfort as well as even more out of the R premium. A DSG-only estate version was added to the array in summer season 2015, yet the cabrio that was part of the Mk6 R offering had not been repeated in the 7.

In 2016 a Mk 7.5 refresh appeared with a mildly upgraded front as well as rear, LED lights, sweepy signs, electronic instrumentation, a brand-new infomercial system and the engine out of the minimal version GTI Club sport S, which indicated a 10hp power lift to 310hp and also a reduction in the 0-62 time to 4.8 sec for the manual or 4.6 sec with the DSG. Note however that cars from completion of 2018 on were dialled back to 300hp to obtain the R via brand-new WLTP exhausts regulation.

The ₤ 2,300 Efficiency Load that came out in November 2017 was made to include track rate and uniformity. It consisted of larger (but overall lighter by 2kg) brakes with pads that didn’t go off as a lot with warm buildup. These PP brakes are recognizable by their silver calipers birthing an R logo design. The Performance Pack likewise included 20kg additional downforce to the hatch using a rear roofing system spoiler. It also shut off the 155mph limiter to give a new maximum speed of 166mph, or 168mph in the estate.

Launched at the same time, and also for the hatch only, was the ₤ 2,975 option of a less restrictive titanium Akrapovic exhaust system that was 7kg lighter than the standard system. By now, the rate of the conventional Golf R stood at ₤ 32,710, with the estate costing from ₤ 35,700.

At the time of writing the 320hp Mk 8 Golf R was due to be released in early November, the day before Bonfire Night as a matter of fact, however you don’t require to spend what is most likely to be serious money on one of those when you can obtain all the fireworks you can reasonably need in a Mk 7 R from as low as ₤ 15,000.

SPECIFICATION|2014-2020 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF R (MK 7).
Engine: 1,984 cc inline 4 16v turbo.
Transmission: 6-speed handbook or 7-speed DSG automated, four-wheel drive.
Power (hp): 300@5,500-6,200rpm.
Torque (pound ft): 280@1,800-5,500rpm.
0-62mph: 5.1 sec (guy), 4.9 sec (DSG); 7.5 refresh 4.8 sec/4.6 sec).
Top speed: 155mph.
Weight: 1,400 kg.
MPG (official combined): 39.8 (32.8 for post-WLTP DSGs).
CARBON DIOXIDE: 165g/km.
Wheels: 18in (19in choice).
Tyres: 225/40.
For sale: 2014-20.
Rate brand-new: ₤ 29,900.
Rate currently: from ₤ 15,000.

Note for referral: vehicle weight and power information is difficult to select with absolute certainty. For uniformity, we use the same resource for all our overviews. We hope the information we use is right regularly than it’s wrong. Our guidance is to treat it as relative instead of definitive.

ENGINE & TRANSMISSION – She’s quick


The Mk 6 R’s EA113 TFSI engine had its share of concerns. Unlike the EA133, the EA888 TSi engine did its timing by chain rather than belt. There’s no set life-span for these chains but you must get at least 100,000 miles out of one, and also if the chain falls out of the change window a check engine light must begin. Chain tensioners are instead much better recognized for falling short.

Many direction-injection engines are at risk to carbon buildup on the intake valves yet we believe that the gen-3 EA888 in the Mk 7 Golf R might have had port shot to help neutralize this problem. When traveling this is a smooth, immediate as well as well evaluated system. Maximum torque runs from 1,800 rpm to 5,500 rpm, whereupon the power peak takes over to lug you on past 6,000 rpm. It will easily rev past its 6,500 rpm redline to the limiter at around 6,800 rpm and supply really solid efficiency and also excellent fuel efficiency at the same time. Virtually 40mpg was the main number for the initial cars yet high 20s to low 30s is mosting likely to be more regular for the type of usage an R will usually be put to.

Some engines have been reported as utilizing half a litre of oil every thousand miles, or less than that, or indeed more than that. Which one of those it is might be down to just how it was run in. Poor idling, reduced performance and greater fuel intake could be down to troubles with the PCV (positive crankcase air flow) hoses and/or valves. Left ignored, these mistakes can cause the rear main crank seal to fall short, however altering the valve is a 5 minute work. Check your PCV system by pulling out the oil dipstick while the engine is running. Your PCV is in excellent shape if it begins to run roughly and also after that smooths out once more when you put the dipstick back in.

R timing chains have been understood to snap and turbos have actually been understood to fail, but in common with the majority of various other cars of the modern age most of the problems you’ll come across – if you come across any kind of, due to the fact that these are typically extremely trustworthy and also tough autos – are more likely to be electric than mechanical.

On the transmission front, you could select between a six-speed twin-clutch or a six-speed handbook DSG that was updated to seven-speeds in 2017, lopping around 800rpm off engine revs in leading equipment and incidentally making the ‘sporting activity;’ mode rather more useful than it was on the fairly manic 6-speed. The DSG is super-responsive and will quickly fall a number of gears also on light pedal stress. Some found the 7-speeder to be a little bit also keen to alter in order to maintain the revs (and also gas consumption) down when pottering, bring about a sensation of ‘carrying’ on inclines, however the feeling you get from online forums is that the majority of saw the 7-speeder as an enhancement.

To the frustration of numerous and the shock of no-one the guidebook box was stopped in 2018. One typically held view is that the DSG is much better suited to the car anyhow, although there’s truly not much in it once you have actually sussed out the narrowness of the manual’s entrance. You need to be extremely delighted with either. The transmission choice was much more evenly divided in between manual and also DSG in the three-door automobiles than it was in the fives, where the overwhelming majority of buyers went for the DSG. Taking in the whole range of Rs there were around two DSGs for each guidebook.

When cool, this generation of DSG is less trouble-prone than earlier ones but you may still experience somewhat harsh 1-2 upshifts. Liquid and filters must be changed every 40,000 miles. A VW dealer may ask approximately ₤ 300 for that, but at an independent the expense needs to always be well under ₤ 200.

The Haldex system drives just the front wheels till they lose grip, whereupon power is fed to the backs. In mix with the electronic stopping that assisted to manage side-to-side grip it’s a fantastic layout that functions equally as well in hard disk on completely dry roads as it carries out in unsafe conditions. It’s constantly excellent suggestions to inspect that the system is actually functioning, as some Golf Rs have actually been recognized to lose drive to the back. Prior to assuming that the Haldex pump has died (which can take place) check that the AWD control module fuse is OKAY and then that the connector to the Haldex pump is still in position. Beware taking your 2WD cars and truck to a supplier as they might just replace the entire back end gubbins at huge expense. As soon as you’re satisfied it’s all good, have it serviced on a three-yearly/30,000- mile basis.

Golf MK7 R – Servicing

Talking of servicing, 12 month/10,000 mile minors will certainly cost you around ₤ 250, 24 month/20,000 mile majors around ₤ 400. Set price maintenance is readily available at VW dealerships for all designs between 3 and 15 years of ages. Yet it hasn’t been legitimately required to have maintenance work done by an identified supplier to maintain the warranty or for any other factor, because EU block exception regulations claim that the car can be maintained, serviced as well as repaired by any registered garage and you can’t be penalised in case of a warranty case if you have the documentation to show that the appropriate parts have actually been utilized.

Not sure exactly how things will certainly be by this time next year yet as it stands you can do the Haldex service on your own in half a hr with a container of G-060-175-A2 oil. Or else a VW supplier will charge you around ₤ 70. Recalls were done to remedy troubles with the ESP as well as anti-lock stopping systems. Stop/start sensing units can abscond.

MK7 Golf R Chassis & General drive


Inform your disinterested companion that the Golf they’re looking at is wonderful enjoyable to drive as well as they might raise a skeptical brow. After all, it’s only a Golf innit. But beneath its buttoned-down Brooks Brothers look the R actually is a hoot. Several think that the R framework is more talkative than that of its close loved one the Audi S3. It utilizes the electrically-assisted modern guiding rack from the GTI. Although it’s not nervously quick or overflowing with comments, the steering is exact, light for car park, well crucial at speed and less disturbed by road swellings than something like (say) a Focus ST.

If your automobile has the Adaptive Chassis Control (or Dynamic Framework Control to avoid the self-inflicted complication caused by VW using the exact same ACC acronym for its Adaptive Cruise Ship Control), you’ll be able to adjust steering weight together with damping and throttle mapping through one of the 3 suspension modes: Comfort, Regular as well as Race. Basic R driving profiles are Eco, Typical, Race as well as Person, the last of which will certainly enable you to select Race for throttle as well as guiding as well as Convenience for damping. That’s a great mix for British roads. For (tried) clearness, Dynamic Framework Control isn’t there to provide you extra alternatives in addition to the typical vehicle driver account selections. It constantly checks and also changes the suspension to match the profile picked, your driving design and also the roadway problems. ‘Regular’ with DCC, as an example, feels different to ‘Typical’ without DCC. Some owners have actually reported fritzing drive setting buttons.

Golf MK7 R – Wheel Options

There was a 19in Pretoria wheel option for the R that was preferable however likewise known for doing not like pits. Fitting softer-sidewall tires like Michelin Pilot Sporting Activity 4s or Eagle F1s could offer a little added security, or else changing a misshapen Pretoria will cost you regarding ₤ 800. A recall was issued for wheel bearing failing. Avon ZV7 tyres are worth taking into consideration as a remarkably great affordable option.

The electrically controlled Dynamic Chassis Control dampers that were additionally available on the Mk 6 confirmed to be a little bit of a liability with time as they were given to dripping and costly to take care of, plus the DCC ride in the sportiest setting was especially solid. Knocking from the front suspension is not unprecedented, specifically when the vehicle is cold.

The Shape of you – MK7 Golf Bodywork


In the regular hatch shape you can have your R in 3 or five-door layout. Three doors used to be the default option for a flashy look, however over time VW seems to have visually equalised both body designs and as we’ve all got fatter nowadays the simplicity of entrance and also included functionality of 5 doors may border you in that instructions. Absolutely when new five-door Rs exceeded three-doors by a ratio of four to one. The 3-door was dropped from 2019 onwards due to ‘lack of demand’.

In any case, the R’s downplayed look will either delight or let down depending on what sort of a person you are. Also fairly close, a non-car geek would be forgiven for not understanding this is the top end Golf, the quad exhaust suggestions being the greatest hint. , if you want in your face styling the Civic Type R is over there.

.

Xenon fronts lights were conventional, as well as for greater than a few proprietors so were squeaking door rubbers. Gummi Pflege seal lubricating substance in a helpful 100ml roll-on was the normal solution to that. The chauffeur’s seat can squeak also, and the automobile up/down operation of the front windows on both sides could accentuate. The fix for that was to fully close the home window and also hold the button in the auto-up setting for a second up until you listened to a faint click in the door.

Get in – Golf MK7 R Interior


We take the Golf’s area, functionality and also top quality for granted nowadays, and points have improved with every new model. The R’s atmosphere is on the sober side of exciting, but the premium quality of Golf kit implied that you got extra class in the R merely because of having even more of it.

Even the more plasticky products on display remain in no other way offending and the method all of it mesh goes over. Is the R’s infotainment many thanks to an excellent audio system and a nicely instinctive touchscreen that you can heavy steam right into without requiring to refer to the handbook, which as we all know is the last refuge of a creep. 2016-on renovation 7.5 s had the changed arrangement we mentioned earlier with ‘virtual cabin’ digital instrumentation and also an uprated high-res nav system with phone connection for web traffic info and so forth. For ₤ 1,300 that could be upgraded again to a 9in display with motion control although it’s an in reverse action because you lost the physical (and also valuable) quantity as well as zoom handles.

If we need to quibble, at 340-1,233 litres the R’s boot is 37 litres smaller sized than that of a non-AWD Golf, and also not every person gets on notoriously with the Golf R driving placement, the connection between the pedals as well as the wheels not always really feeling bang-on. You may need to select having comfy legs or comfy arms as it might not be possible to have both at the same time. Try before you buy.


Also a leggy Mk 4 R32 will certainly cost you at the very least ₤ 7,000 nowadays, and also good ones work out into 5 numbers. Mk 6 Golf Rs aren’t affordable either at ₤ 11,000- ₤ 13,000 for middle-of-the-road vehicles and also ₤ 18,000-plus for low-milers, their values having actually been maintained buoyant by loved one rarity – the Mk 6 R production line didn’t run for far more than a couple of years.

Versus these prices, the ₤ 15,000 beginning point for a Mk7 R seems really affordable. The number of Mk 7 Rs that swamped onto the leasing market when it was new means that there is no shortage of used samplings currently. Most of them remained in really eye-catching shades of blue, but few were greatly optioned up, partially because the common spec was generous to start with as well as likewise possibly due to the fact that fleet managers really did not wish to pay the high costs being asked for additionals, like ₤ 2.5 k for leather. R estates are in numerous supply at prices from ₤ 17k to around ₤ 32k for effectively brand-new minimal-mileage cars, but a few of the cheaper wagons do tend to look a little bit more ‘made use of’ than hatches of the same age.

Let’s have a squint at what gets on deal in the good old Classifieds. At the bottom of the heap cost wise, however still looking fresh and wonderful in red as well as wearing its 64,000 miles effectively is this very early 2014 3-door manual at ₤ 15,000. If you desire a ‘power-up’ 310hp R there’s lots of selection. Right here’s a blue 2017 5-door DSG with the rare natural leather for ₤ 23,450.

Ultimately, something a bit special. These cars are still prime targets for thieves, so you may wish to load up on every type of protection product you can think of. This privately owned 2016 3-door in black with leather has a wired-in dash cam so you tape-record the lads as they try to crash into you on the roundabout. They would certainly require to quit you to catch you as well due to the fact that it’s Revo phase 2 specification with 400hp and also 405lb ft, a brand-new clutch, Pretoria 19in alloys as well as a short-shift gearchange.


Viewing all articles
Browse latest Browse all 12

Latest Images

Trending Articles





Latest Images