The Mega MK7 & MK8 Golf GTI/GTD/R thread - Part II

Killinator · 15-09-2020 2:16pm

My R was down as a green estate as well. Went to tax office and had it changed to reflect reality.

SaintsYB · 15-09-2020 11:29pm

Am I missing something about changing owners to avoid tax on it? Do you mean road tax? If so, would the new owner not just have to pay this anyway?

hooch-85 · 15-09-2020 11:32pm

Yes but they wouldn't have to pay any arrears which have accrued.

tolow · 16-09-2020 4:48pm

Been a lurker of this thread for a while now and finally taking the plunge to get into an R. I've drove a friends one a couple of times, DSG car and I really loved it. I test drove the white 3 dr one for sale in Bill Griffin at the moment and didn't find the manual as impressive so I think my mind has been made up on a DSG.

I have a budget of about 25k and not sure if I am going to get much at that price. I would preferably like at least a 2015 car. I seen a very nice one for ale about a month ago on autostadt maketplace but wasn't in a position to buy at that time but it seemed reasonably priced. I don't mind waiting a while for the right car to come up. I'm also happy enough to buy privately.

What are the must haves with these in terms of options? And any colour that is less desirable? Would prefer to try get a car with some desirable options that will be easier to sell on in future. Also don't think I'd like a UK car with 18'' Cadiz, they really don't look the best.

Also important maintenance items that should have been completed at this stage?

Thanks in advance.

theintern · 16-09-2020 5:05pm

If you're happy enough to buy privately, there's a lovely R for sale at the moment.

The instagram account is "irishgolfrs6", can't remember how much he's looking for but it's a gorgeous example.

Edit - Ah, his is manual, so not what you're looking for.

tolow · 16-09-2020 5:07pm

theintern wrote: »

If you're happy enough to buy privately, there's a lovely R for sale at the moment.

The instagram account is "irishgolfrs6", can't remember how much he's looking for but it's a gorgeous example.

Great looking car but a bit over budget and also manual. Cheers though for the suggestion

Muppet Man · 16-09-2020 5:21pm

If you can stretch it, you wont find a better golf R in Ireland

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2016-revo-stage-2-golf-r/25556186

(A boardsie too).

Neilw · 16-09-2020 10:07pm

Muppet Man wrote: »

If you can stretch it, you wont find a better golf R in Ireland

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2016-revo-stage-2-golf-r/25556186

(A boardsie too).

And another boardsie bought it new

, it is without doubt one of the best R’s for sale.

hooch-85 · 17-09-2020 7:22am

For me the must have options are Pretoria wheels and the pro nav system especially if you buy an early 2015 car. These come with mib 1 as standard and the screen is very small and to be honest looks very dated now.
They upgraded to mib2 for the MY16 cars so a late 15 reg should have a bigger screen and these were a big improvement.

Colour wise the UK lease spec cars were mostly white and red as these were the free colours. Personally I think they look best in a metallic colour like the Lapiz blue or Limestone Grey. Black is very nice too.

Do you have a preference for 3 or 5 door?

In saying all that Shane's car is definitely one of the best for sale, properly specced by the original owner. VRT on these is still high you're looking at around 7 grand for 2015 model so buying here is probably your best option.

Best of luck with the search, mine is easily the best car I've ever owned and I have no intention of selling it for a long time.

GavRedKing · 17-09-2020 10:52am

I went to test drive a Mk7 Clubsport a few months back in Cork and VW were given me a good, fair trade in value at the time for my Fiesta ST.

Thing is I left it go on to long and it was snapped up within a few weeks of going on sale.

I'm tempted in the new year to go after another Clubsport but finding one here is difficult enough, think I've seen only 2 others for sale and one had pretty high mileage, circa 100k miles, the one I drove had about 7k. Theres a lot of choice in the UK.

Now, after being in a mates Mk7.5 GTi the digital dash really sets the car off, IMO so I dont know would I prefer a Mk7.5 performance or a Clubsport.

What must haves would you say either car should have? The one i test drove had everything but DSG and DCC, AFAIK and TBH, I'd probably prefer a manual if I was being pushed.

JoeA3 · 17-09-2020 12:21pm

GavRedKing wrote: »

I went to test drive a Mk7 Clubsport a few months back in Cork and VW were given me a good, fair trade in value at the time for my Fiesta ST.

Thing is I left it go on to long and it was snapped up within a few weeks of going on sale.

I'm tempted in the new year to go after another Clubsport but finding one here is difficult enough, think I've seen only 2 others for sale and one had pretty high mileage, circa 100k miles, the one I drove had about 7k. Theres a lot of choice in the UK.

Now, after being in a mates Mk7.5 GTi the digital dash really sets the car off, IMO so I dont know would I prefer a Mk7.5 performance or a Clubsport.

What must haves would you say either car should have? The one i test drove had everything but DSG and DCC, AFAIK and TBH, I'd probably prefer a manual if I was being pushed.

The digital dash can be retrofitted. I've seen a few lads get it done. I don't think it is as costly as you might imagine either.

GustavoFring · 17-09-2020 12:26pm

Digital dashes pop up on eBay quite a lot from about £300. The only thing to remember with one is it will store the mileage from the donor car. You can get them altered but many will only alter mileage up these days so it's something to be aware of.

JoeA3 · 17-09-2020 12:43pm

GavRedKing wrote: »

What must haves would you say either car should have? The one i test drove had everything but DSG and DCC, AFAIK and TBH, I'd probably prefer a manual if I was being pushed.

The cars are very well equipped as standard. On a regular GTI PP, I'd say the only must-have is the 19" wheel upgrade as the standard ones are so ugly.

GavRedKing · 17-09-2020 3:21pm

I'll definitely keep an eye out for good Irish cars.

Having looked in the UK at Clubsports and some PP Mk7.5's the prices are pretty much what we're paying here once everything is considered.

Killinator · 17-09-2020 3:38pm

As it's come up there, does anyone have a link to a place that will retro fit the digital dash and large infotainment screen?

hooch-85 · 17-09-2020 3:42pm

Killinator wrote: »

As it's come up there, does anyone have a link to a place that will retro fit the digital dash and large infotainment screen?

This crowd seem to do a lot of them on the UK R owners group. There's a guy based in Meath who can do them as well, i know a guy who recently updated his MIB1 screen to the Discover Pro Nav.

https://www.facebook.com/NorthEastVAGAdaptions/

Killinator · 17-09-2020 3:51pm

hooch-85 wrote: »

This crowd seem to do a lot of them on the UK R owners group. There's a guy based in Meath who can do them as well, i know a guy who recently updated his MIB1 screen to the Discover Pro Nav.

https://www.facebook.com/NorthEastVAGAdaptions/

Thanks H.
Considering it as a future upgrade

GavRedKing · 17-09-2020 4:05pm

Aaahh I see now.

https://www.facebook.com/NorthEastVAGAdaptions/photos/a.616879242454112/799243940884307/

Got a few MK7 / MK7.5 Virtual Cockpits available ready to fit. Mileage correction included in price. £750 fitted. Brand new trim included.

vintagevrs · 17-09-2020 6:06pm

The physical removal part is very straightforward as IV done it before on a mk7...no idea on the coding end though.

theintern · 17-09-2020 6:26pm

There's a guy on the autostadt group on FB who's done some incredible retrofirts to his MK7. Digital dash, new screen and I think even Dynaudio.

There doesn't seem to be any places in Ireland like that one in the UK though. You'd probably have to work it out yourself or find a good auto electrics guy and have him work it out.

Or drive over to the UK and make a weekend out of it

Killinator · 17-09-2020 6:38pm

Not an immediate job anyway so I have time to research what I need

PaulRyan97 · 17-09-2020 6:47pm

https://www.volkswagen.ie/en/models-and-configurator.html

MK8 GTI and GTE now on the configurator.

GTI starts from €44,200 and the GTE from €42,330.

vintagevrs · 17-09-2020 6:55pm

PaulRyan97 wrote: »

https://www.volkswagen.ie/en/models-and-configurator.html

MK8 GTI and GTE now on the configurator.

GTI starts from €44,200 and the GTE from €42,330.

Looks like the GTi starts over 46k?

PaulRyan97 · 17-09-2020 6:58pm

vintagevrs wrote: »

Looks like the GTi starts over 46k?

Their website is a bit of a mess, if you click into the page (which is for the MK7 Performance) you'll find the configurator for the MK8.

SaintsYB · 17-09-2020 7:10pm

Is there a pricing list anywhere on the website for the GTI?

vintagevrs · 17-09-2020 7:13pm

SaintsYB wrote: »

Is there a pricing list anywhere on the website for the GTI?

https://www.volkswagen.ie/idhub/content/dam/onehub_pkw/importers/ie/models/product-guides/2020/2020-03-31/200323_LB_Golf%20GTI-R%20MY20.pdf

SaintsYB · 17-09-2020 7:21pm

vintagevrs wrote: »

https://www.volkswagen.ie/idhub/content/dam/onehub_pkw/importers/ie/models/product-guides/2020/2020-03-31/200323_LB_Golf%20GTI-R%20MY20.pdf

That's for the Mk7.5 GTI and R. I was looking for the Mk8.

vintagevrs · 17-09-2020 7:36pm

Ah ignore me then so! Jesus I didn't even look at the pictures....just clicked product guide.

JoeA3 · 17-09-2020 8:45pm

Website is all over the place alright, they're probably in the middle of updating it.

Looks like about 47.5k for a DSG with metallic.

DaveyDave · 17-09-2020 10:21pm

GTE with solid white, alloys, park assist, winter pack, reversing camera is €43,900 with €7,500 PHEV grants, not that anyone really cares

Casati · 17-09-2020 10:30pm

DaveyDave wrote: »

GTE with solid white, alloys, park assist, winter pack, reversing camera is €43,900 with €7,500 PHEV grants, not that anyone really cares (HUD and heated windscreen listed as standard spec?)

HUD and the fancier headlights are standard in the eHybrid so must be standard in the GTE.

Seems like a good price - especially when you can get it at 0% finance and probably get a few grand discount from your dealer too. Think I’d prefer one over an ID 3 Plus or Max

tossy · 18-09-2020 8:23am

Muppet Man wrote: »

If you can stretch it, you wont find a better golf R in Ireland(A boardsie too).

Neilw wrote: »

it is without doubt one of the best R’s for sale.

hooch-85 wrote: »

FIn saying all that Shane's car is definitely one of the best for sale, properly specced by the original owner. VRT on these is still high you're looking at around 7 grand for 2015 model so buying here is probably your best option.

Thanks for the plugs lads, I'm sure a small boards discount can be applied too.

GustavoFring · 18-09-2020 2:14pm

I'm genuinely shocked you haven't had a buyer yet given the quality of the car and it's history.

tossy · 18-09-2020 4:15pm

GustavoFring wrote: »

I'm genuinely shocked you haven't had a buyer yet given the quality of the car and it's history.

I've come close but was too far apart on price with potential buyers, got one low ball offer from a dealer and got another call from a reputable dealer who is interested but hasn't come back to me since.

I know the value of the car and I'm not under pressure to sell so I'm sticking close to my guns obviously there's leeway in the price but I'm not going to undervalue it, after January there will be basically a fixed pool of R's in the country and good ones coming up for sale will get thinner on the ground.

eljono · 18-09-2020 7:53pm

Saw a 3 door Clubsport in Kerry earlier today, smashing looking car. All the Clubsport tweaks are subtle but give the car a more focused and purposeful look imo.

carsfan2 · 20-09-2020 2:33pm

Irish first drive review of the mark 8 GTI
Car definitely needs the 19" wheel upgrade.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNI92Qxgkdw

JoeA3 · 20-09-2020 3:53pm

carsfan2 wrote: »

Irish first drive review of the mark 8 GTI
Car definitely needs the 19" wheel upgrade.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNI92Qxgkdw

Looks great imo. That red is very nice.

Yes the 19’s are essential. Not mad on those particular ones mind you.

carsfan2 · 20-09-2020 4:39pm

Red used to be a free colour but not anymore.
I think that is a metallic.
I do think they missed a trick by not bumping up the power output even a little bit.

JoeA3 · 20-09-2020 4:41pm

carsfan2 wrote: »

Red used to be a free colour but not anymore.
I think that is a metallic.
I do think they missed a trick by not bumping up the power output even a little bit.

Yeah it’s a metallic.
Agree on the power but there’s apparently going to be a TCR/Clubsport version again later on.

SaintsYB · 21-09-2020 10:43am

Here is the pdf with the all the options. The 19" Estoril alloys look to be the nicest option. They look to be the same as the ones on the Tiguan and Arteon R.

vintagevrs · 21-09-2020 10:54am

I watched Dave's review, and was surprised at how honest he was with how ****ty replacing buttons with touch screens and capacitive /haptic stuff is. Something like changing ESC to sport/off, having to go through menus and sub menus looks like a major step back. Obviously this isn't GTI specific. Is this lay out now common in all new VWs, and therefore going to be how the other VAG brands go? It looks like something that would look cool in the showroom but using daily doesn't look to add anything and would probably get in the way. Maybe it's just a matter of getting used to it.

JoeA3 · 21-09-2020 10:57am

SaintsYB wrote: »

Here is the pdf with the all the options. The 19" Estoril alloys look to be the nicest option. They look to be the same as the ones on the Tiguan and Arteon R.

Nice. Hadn't seen that wheel option on any press photos before.

Looking at about 48.5k for a DSG with the 19's and metallic.

JoeA3 · 21-09-2020 11:05am

vintagevrs wrote: »

I watched Dave's review, and was surprised at how honest he was with how ****ty replacing buttons with touch screens and capacitive /haptic stuff is. Something like changing ESC to sport/off, having to go through menus and sub menus looks like a major step back. Obviously this isn't GTI specific. Is this lay out now common in all new VWs, and therefore going to be how the other VAG brands go? It looks like something that would look cool in the showroom but using daily doesn't look to add anything and would probably get in the way. Maybe it's just a matter of getting used to it.

It's exactly the same setup in the ID3 and I found it very cumbersome when I tried it out last week tbh. Even something like changing the seat heating, it wasn't immediately obvious. Had to drill down through a bunch of different screens, which is very distracting (even dangerous) when on the move. I think though like anything else you'd get used to it quickly enough but for someone not very technically minded or even those a bit more clumsy than average, I think they'll find it more difficult than it should be.

They are pushing voice-control more too though, for instance last week I said "Hey ID, my arse is a bit cold!" and she responded by turning on the heated seat :pac:

But beyond being a silly gimmick, I'm not a fan of voice control personally.

DaveyDave · 21-09-2020 11:35am

I think there's a climate shortcut button around the hazard button which should save you messing around the menus but still an extra step compared to just pressing the heated seat button. The infotainment looks overly complicated with the homescreen and lots of colour too which isn't ideal when driving at night. I haven't seen people changing many options on the digital dash or infotainment.

I'll be getting hands on during a test drive of a 1.5 Style this week so I'll see how I get on. Volume/track isn't an issue for the driver, auto climate doesn't require too many adjustments so hopefully not too bad. Mainly heated seat and passenger use.

JoeA3 · 21-09-2020 11:41am

OSI wrote: »

No one with kids wants hands free voice control in their car.

I see rearview camera is a €337 option now, and "MOBILE PHONE INTERFACE ‘COMFORT’" which as far as I can tell is a just wireless charger is €483. Sort of stuff you get free on a Yaris ffs :rolleyes:

"Smartphone inductive charging" is listed among the standard features so I'm not sure where the mis-print is on that one.

I'd say they will do the usual "Tech packs" in time which would include the likes of the camera and winter pack.

EDIT: the fact that wireless CarPlay is standard would usually mean wireless charging is also included. I found the wireless charger useless in the BM though. Very slow.

GavRedKing · 21-09-2020 12:43pm

The GTE looks like a nice bit of kit, price is a bit rich though.

tolow · 22-09-2020 12:53pm

tossy wrote: »

Thanks for the plugs lads, I'm sure a small boards discount can be applied too.

Cheers for all the replies guys.

@tossy - I've seen your car and looks fantastic but I think it's a bit outside my budget unfortunately.

Not a whole lot out there. I'm quite shocked by the number of cars out there with so many owners. It's madness!!

Abugarcia · 22-09-2020 7:45pm

Can anyone recommend a good body work specialist. Was looking at arc in tallaght but not convinced after the phone conversation I had.

Cheers

Toyotafanboi · 22-09-2020 8:36pm

ARC would be the best around IMO. They are iirc the only workshop in Dublin vetted and approved by VW Ireland and one of only 7 in the country i think. They do work on behalf of VW Ireland and most Dublin VAG group dealers that don't have an on site workshop will get warranty paint and body issues dealt with through ARC. They wouldn't be the cheapest by any means though.

User1998 · 22-09-2020 8:40pm

I got work done by ARC, very good job but they are quite expensive

The Mega MK7 & MK8 Golf GTI/GTD/R thread - Part II

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