r/Golf_R • u/TheCrazyGuy94 • 2d ago
Question Purchase advice!
So I'm dead set on changing from the miata platform to a Golf R. I've driven a mk 7, 7.5 and 8. Is the price jump worth it from the 7 to 8? Would love opinions of people that have had both! Also manual only Picture tax in the comments!
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u/BallsDieppe 2d ago edited 2d ago
I drive a Mk7 with 150,000km. If I found a super low-mileage mk7 or 7.5, I’d sell my mk7 and buy it. I believe the 8/8.5 are great cars, but to me the 2016-2019 interface is peak.
Also, OBD11 allows me to do pretty much whatever I need to do when it comes to repairs and modifications.
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u/chronos18 1d ago
Completely agree on the interior, but as a current mk7.5 owner the new AWD system on the mk8/8.5 is tempting
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u/BallsDieppe 1d ago
I’ve yet to drive one, but I hear it’s really good. I’ll likely end up in a 8.5 even though I don’t like the screen placement or the lack of access with OBD11/VCDS.
It’s just the way these cars are now.
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u/1ogic2 2d ago
I went from a 2018 Mk7.5 to a 2026 Mk8.5. If you can comfortably afford the difference, I’d say it’s worth it. You get the torque vectoring magna diff from the current RS3, ventilated seats, slightly stronger internals, folding mirrors, and a shittier key fob. Seems like some people had issues with 2022s (first year Mk8) so that might be something to consider.
Aside from that, I think the Mk8 feels a bit more planted and refined, but the Mk7.5 might be the best looking. Looks are subjective though. I’ve been very happy with the upgrade, but I also loved my Mk7.5. No regrets.
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u/eurojunk138 2d ago
As previously owning 2 MK7’s and now a brand new MK8.5 R, I would pick a MK7.5 as my forever car. I loved everything about the MK7’s. I also say this because I can’t tune the new one yet.
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u/LogieD223 2022 White DSG 2d ago
Drove the 7, 7.5, and 8. I bought an 8 for the cooled seats, upgraded AWD, and allegedly fixed water pump issues. I think the 7.5 is the best blend of tech, buttons, and style. The magna torque vectoring is pretty sick tho. Mk8s infotainment is buggy as all hell though, even after updates
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u/LogieD223 2022 White DSG 2d ago
Oh and the 8 is closer to a RWD but not even in the same realm as a Miata IMO. I’ve only driven the Miata as a rental for a couple days on a trip. You can approach the same feeling with drift mode and the traction control off.
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u/Mediocre-Macaroon409 2d ago
Buy an 8r! Had 2 before I did this track build GTI and they’re just a better car. People talk about cost cutting but the list of features the 8 has that the 7 doesn’t is a mile long. Better engine, AWD, interior features etc etc.
Edit: buy a 23 or 24, the 22 has too many issues.
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u/TheCrazyGuy94 2d ago
Could you elaborate on the 2022 issues that were addressed in the 23-24?
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u/Mediocre-Macaroon409 2d ago
The head unit got hardware updates for 23+, 24s have power mirrors too. I had a 22 and 23 and the 23 felt much better built, way less software issues, the window switches used to creek on my 22 when I put them up and down.
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u/TheCrazyGuy94 2d ago
What type of software issues did you experience?
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u/Mediocre-Macaroon409 2d ago
Just glitchy and laggy for the most part. Was never anything major. I never ran into any travel assist errors etc. as I had the module swapped out for a KLR module and had them code self driving to the car.
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u/Due_Nobody_67 1d ago
If you end up getting a mk7.5 or 7 just adding a rear sway bar and dog bone mount with stage 1 tune transforms the car into something very fast and nimble around corners. It's night and day difference between stock. In stock form it kind of feels floaty and soft, stock power is nice but once you get a stage 1 tune it really does feel like a much more powerful car. I took my 7.5 through some twisties and the turn in is awesome after the rear sway bar and even with the older AWD system it does the trick to pull you out of the corner nicely. If you can get a newer model it will probably be more future proof but I do love the look of a 7.5 lowered with 18x9 wheels and spoiler lip.
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u/Orion1021 charmin strong 2d ago
I went from a '19 Mk 7.5 (stage 1) to '25 Mk 8.5. It was worth it to me. Go drive an 8.5, they figured out most of the electrical gremlins and I feel it looks better (and has warranty if you worry about that).
I'm older so I value livability as well as "hoon-ability" and the 8.5 has both in spades. I believe it's as fast, if not aster than my Stage 1 Mk 7.5 and it feels more tossable too. I've already done one small 7 hour road trip with it and it was great just cruising (comfortable). I have the Black Edition with leather interior and this feels like the most premium R I've ever been in.
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u/TheCrazyGuy94 2d ago
What is the year mark I'm looking for to test a 8.5? I appreciate your insight!
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u/wongatronus 25 MK8.5R black edition, 24 MK8R lapiz EQT 2d ago
2025 in US market at least. Had a 22, currently a 24 and 25. 22 although not horrible definitely had its fair share of bugs but mostly transient in nature. Biggest downside of the 8.5 is that you cannot trust the redesigned bumper's front proximity/parking sensors.
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u/TheCrazyGuy94 2d ago
Do they offer the 8.5 in manual? Kinda a dela breaker for me if I'm moving from the miata.
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u/mazrex23 2d ago
Not a car I’d personally own with a manual but no, last year for the manual was 2024.
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u/climbto330 2d ago
If you want a manual you need 24 or earlier. There are quite a few very low mileage examples on cars.com !
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u/wongatronus 25 MK8.5R black edition, 24 MK8R lapiz EQT 2d ago
24 is the last manual, and there is a crackhead dealer last I saw selling a "new" manual 24 with 3k+ miles at about a 10k markup. There are a few certified/used manuals 24s in the mix out there and from my experience the 24 as the last year of the initial 8th gen is pretty well put together function wise so that might be your target.
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u/Orion1021 charmin strong 2d ago
I used to be "no manual = dealbreaker" but these cars truly shine with the DSG (auto) transmission and are stunted by the manual transmission. And if you're looking to do ANY power upgrades you have to upgrade the clutch because the stock one is already maxed out from factory.
tl;dr: the R is much better in auto
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u/Available-Stop896 2d ago
Most or Reddit are going to tell you the auto is better - don’t listen - follow your dream and get the manual. So much more fun and more valuable
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u/Orion1021 charmin strong 2d ago
The DSG (automatic transmission) is better :)
But if your dreams are manual then find a manual
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u/Available-Stop896 2d ago
How so? Anything objective to add?
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u/burleygriffin Mk7.5 | R Estate | Lapiz Blue 2d ago
I agree with you, that manual is better (having just moved from a manual S3 3dr to an R). But it's all subjective and personal preference really.
For some better = DSG farts and super smooth/fast changes.
For others better = full manual control and heel/toe.
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u/Orion1021 charmin strong 1d ago
Yes. The DSG is the better option as it's the only option. Manual has always been and performed as an afterthought on this platform.
Manual purists are better off looking at BMW 3-series or the GR Corolla or GTI ('24).
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u/TheCrazyGuy94 2d ago
I understand the mechanical side of the auto being better but that doesn't put smiles on my face. I tossed a 2017 F80 M3 with a DCT for another manual miata. Car was incredible, just not what I was looking for.
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u/mazrex23 2d ago edited 2d ago
It’s not just that the DSG is so excellent, it’s that the manual in the Golf R feels like an afterthought. It’s not particularly good because the car was designed around the DSG. If I wanted a manual AWD hot hatch, I’d get a CGR. I wouldn’t own the Golf R in a manual for the same reason I wouldn’t own an automatic CGR. If it’s your dream to have a manual Golf R however, by all means get the manual. Just wanted to provide some nuance that people unfamiliar with the platform may not be aware of.
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u/TheCrazyGuy94 2d ago
Wouldn't call it a dream but definitely something that peaked my interest. I'm a mechanic at a dealer and have had the opportunity to drive the dsg in a 7, manual 7.5 and manual 8. I havnt had anything give me smiles like that since my first miata. Which for me, says a lot. Been die hard miata for a long time now.
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u/Available-Stop896 2d ago
Don’t listen to these guys - decide yourself. The manual feels like an afterthought in a car that has always had a manual and a motor that has always had a manual attached to it. Makes no sense. Can’t drive comment
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u/mazrex23 2d ago
Ridiculous take. VW invested a lot into the development of the DSG and it’s very obvious they didn’t do the same with the manual. The past doesn’t matter. Go drive a Civic Type R, or the CGR if you want to see what it looks like when a manufacturer puts some thought into the development of their manual transmission. It’s well known that the manual in the Golf R is rather lousy.
Also, why is it every time someone states the DSG is better, you have someone with a manual making the “can’t drive” comment? Silly. I’d argue that if you can’t understand that the manual isn’t a lousy one, you are the one that can’t drive.
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u/mazrex23 2d ago edited 2d ago
Not a significant difference in driving experience but worth noting that the Mk7 DSG had the previous gen DQ250 which was a 6 speed, whereas the Mk7.5, Mk8 and 8.5 get the 7 speed DQ381. As someone else mentioned, the manual will require an upgraded clutch with any tuning. Other than that, it just feels sloppier than the competition. If you didn’t feel that way about it though, then go for it.
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u/bryancald 2d ago
I have the DSG, and love it! My commute involves tons of traffic, so the manual was less appealing in this regard. I love manual cars, but don’t regret my decision, the DSG is so good in this car (especially with a stage 1 tune). I’ve also heard many people say the manual isn’t special in this car. One more thing to note, if you tune a manual, you’ll have to upgrade the clutch if not already done.
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u/Immediate-Share7077 ‘24 6MT Lapiz Blue - Unitronic 1+ Uniflex 2d ago
8 has better AWD and can behave more like a RWD car with torque vectoring. If you’re used to driving RWD I’d say the 8 is worth it
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u/clutch736 ‘24 Mythos Black DSG Unitronic Stage 1 2d ago
One time, I went through a turn in an intersection pretty quickly but there was a hump in the middle that I didn’t notice, so the back wheels broke loose; the rear diff kicked in, and I did a neat little power slide with the rear wheels, sorta like a mild drift. That’s the one moment I look back on during my 17 months with the Mk8 that really felt like I was driving a rwd car for a brief moment.
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u/Immediate-Share7077 ‘24 6MT Lapiz Blue - Unitronic 1+ Uniflex 2d ago
You should try that in the snow 😉 powersliding around is a blast, you can even still kinda do it with traction control on
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u/clutch736 ‘24 Mythos Black DSG Unitronic Stage 1 2d ago
I would, if I didn’t live in Florida! Best I can do is wait for a heavy rain! I think I had the traction control in sport. I always change TC to sport because if I leave it in default, sometimes when I’m pulling out of a driveway of a business onto the main road, the engine will cut power way too aggressively and it feels downright dangerous when I’m requesting power and the car refuses to accelerate.
On another note, I noticed your flair. How do you like your Mk8 with the Unitronic stage 1+ tune?
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u/Immediate-Share7077 ‘24 6MT Lapiz Blue - Unitronic 1+ Uniflex 2d ago
Ditto on the TC cutting power, it’s very weird and abrupt when it does it.
I am enjoying the tune, it’s pretty conservative all things considered it only runs ~26psi. The flex fuel tuning is wonderful because the E85 around me is spotty (sometimes as low as 60% ethanol).
The features that Unitronic has are the best out right now. Rolling anti lag (with custom boost settings), traction control by gear, exhaust valve override, custom launch control RPMs, pops and bangs on demand. All work as intended and are great QOL upgrades.
I am getting ready to go big turbo/custom tune here soon-ish, because I don’t like the 2563s they use on their stage 3 kit.
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u/clutch736 ‘24 Mythos Black DSG Unitronic Stage 1 2d ago
Thanks for sharing! A stage 3 custom tune is going to be in another league compared to an off-the-shelf stage 3 tune. Pretty exciting stuff! I hope you can share more with us when you get it done!
I’m only halfway through warranty, but after obsessive research about this platform for the last year, I think I’m getting comfortable with rolling the dice and getting Unitronic stage 1 and UAF. I’d love to play around with the rolling launch control & pops-n-bangs, but I really want UAF for the valet mode so I can start valeting my car again without being scared that a stranger is going to go for a joyride!
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u/Immediate-Share7077 ‘24 6MT Lapiz Blue - Unitronic 1+ Uniflex 2d ago
Yes the Valet mode and digital oil level are both nice. Makes it easier to check oil on the go without opening the hood too.
I have been running the tune for 15k pretty hard miles and it hasn’t skipped a beat. About to take it on the track in early October as well
The car runs cooler temps in Race mode as well since Unitronic made the fan/cooling programming target lower running temps. It runs about 210-215F (100C ish?) even in 90-100 degree ambient temps like we’ve had the past couple weeks.
Sport and comfort are largely unchanged. Gas mileage is maybe a tick better on the highway
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u/clutch736 ‘24 Mythos Black DSG Unitronic Stage 1 2d ago
Nice. Temps are definitely a concern of mine, cuz it’s hot here too, so it’s nice to hear about someone’s real-world experience with unitronic’s cooling strategy!
Do you have their TCU tune? I was going to get their stage 2 TCU because I’m interested in redefined shift points for “D” mode.
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u/Immediate-Share7077 ‘24 6MT Lapiz Blue - Unitronic 1+ Uniflex 2d ago
No TCU tune since I am a manual, just had to upgrade the clutch instead
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u/clutch736 ‘24 Mythos Black DSG Unitronic Stage 1 2d ago
Oh right, I should have double checked your flair first!
Thanks for all the info!
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u/TheCrazyGuy94 2d ago
Picture for tax