Volkswagen Golf R32 DCT vs 6-speed

I bought a new Golf R manual a few years back. It was reliable and fun. I am not sure of the year but I guess but I think 2013. The year might be on my profile not sure.

They are a very usable car for a family stuff like shopping. The mechanic I use has a CPI as his every day car.

It is not quite the HP car the BMW M3 or as serious performance car is but in important ways it is more fun. The car is lighter, more agile and flick able.

It is a really fun car that is easy on your pocketbook.

As a side bar early in my life I owned a Champagne Rabbit. I love the car I put 153,000 miles on the car and two sets of tires. I was looking at buying my third set of tires and another car caught my roving eye. I think I am jealous.

Good luck on whatever you buy.

Best

Lee

 

Thanks for triggering fond memories with your mention of the Champagne Edition Rabbit, Lee. I had one in the '80s. Fun car.

I bought the latest series Golf R this spring. DCT, not three pedal, but that's perfectly OK with me, as shifts in either automatic or paddle mode are virtually instantaneous. The technology in this car is amazing to a geezer like me. I get into my 2005 Superamerica, or 2008 SLR Roadster, and miss all the stuff the Golf R has. 0-60 in something like 4.6 seconds isn't to sneeze at either. The four doors plus hatch make it a very usable car.

 

I just bought an Audi A3 Sportback, which is built on the VW Golf platform. Basically, it's like the Golf, but a bit longer. This four-door hatchback, AWD configuration is compact (only 169" long) yet extremely space-efficient. I love it.

I would think that the R version Golf would be a very satisfying car for the same reasons as the Audi, but even more so because of the R's performance. I think you'll like the paddle shifters/DCT, too.

Good luck, and keep us posted.

 

Do some research on the DSG gearbox and maintenance costs. Not sure if all the years are bad but I have heard a ton of horror stories about them.

 

A ton?

I've barely seen any on VW forums.

55K+ miles on my A3, still good to go.

 

I saw a lot on vw vortex related to the mechatronics unit and the high maintenance costs of the DSG. Could be a case of the minority yelling the loudest.

 

Isn't that typically how it goes?

Perhaps it's the older models. Mines a 2012/2013 (very confusing as Audi classifies it as a 2013, yet Insurance and Texas DOT say 2012), which I believe did have some significant changes to the transmission.

 

I'm currently daily-driving a 2013 Audi TT with DSG. Nearly 32K miles on it. I had an upshift paddle lock up, replaced under warranty -- had to drive in 'D' mode for a few days until I could get the car in for service.

I don't miss having an automatic or a stick. Put the DSG in 'D' and it's very similar to an automatic. Put it in 'S' and you'll get your best 0-60 times. In manual mode, still very fast and rewarding.

 

From what I recall the early versions had issues but they've gotten a lot better.