
Should I buy a Golf R or a GTI?
One of my favorite things about the R is the style, it isn't all sporty and flashy like the red accents on the GTI, instead it is more reserved and blends well with the crowd, until you get on it, of course. Overall I highly recommend the Golf R over the GTI if you do have a little extra in your spending range.
Do Volkswagen Golfs have a lot of problems?
Being more specific repairpal.com reports the probability of a Volkswagen Golf having major issues is 11%. That is compared to the same 11% for other compact cars and 12% of all vehicle models. Likewise, unscheduled repairs average .3 times per year – the same as other compact cars.
What is the difference between a fully loaded VW GTI and R?
As for the price difference between the fully loaded VW GTI and the R: I purchased a 2018 GTI ,drove it 6 months and then test drove the new 2019 R. For my passions and needs there is NO real comparison. The R is a better car by a good margin & for me is worth the cost.

Which Golf R is most reliable?
The MK7 Golf R is VW's best-performing out of the box hot hatchback solution. It draws enthusiasts to its 292hp turbocharged version of the MQB Gen3 engine, all-wheel-drive system, available manual transmission, and practical 5-door hatchback layout.
Are Golf GTIS reliable?
How reliable are VW GTI models? The Volkswagen GOLF GTI reliability rating comes in at only 3.0 out of 5 points, rating it much lower. The Golf GTI ranks only 34th out of a total 36 models compared in the compact car category.
How long do Golf R engines last?
In this article, we will discuss our findings on how long you can expect your Volkswagen Golf engine to last. Let's get started! Volkswagen cars typically last 100,000 to 150,000 miles or more if serviced and well maintained. Thus, VWs you buy today usually last longer than 10-year old models.
Is the Golf R DSG reliable?
DSG is going to be more reliable, in general, than the manual. The DSG is arguably the most reliable, and perhaps the best performing twin-clutch on the market. The manual is the no-cost option with a zillion cheaper-out parts.
How long do VW GTIs last?
With the proper maintenance, Volkswagen GTIs can last a long time. Technically speaking, any car can last for decades and hundreds of thousands of miles with the proper care and maintenance, but that's especially true when it comes to the Volkswagen GTI.
Which VW most reliable?
Out of all VW models, the Volkswagen Golf is said to be one of the most reliable and a great all-round car for drivers who are looking for comfort, convenience and long term reliability.
Are VW engines reliable?
When they first came out, the Volkswagen engine was placed in military vehicles, making them strong, sturdy, and durable. Nowadays, the 888 1.8L is one of the most reliable engines. It's said that, with proper maintenance, the Volkswagen can last more than 100,000 miles.
Why do Volkswagens have so many problems?
Since last September, the Volkswagen brand has been embroiled in a catastrophic emissions cheating scandal that has decimated the company's reputation in the US and around the world. VW admitted to equipping more than 11 million diesel-powered cars worldwide with software designed to cheat government emissions tests.
Can a Golf R be a family car?
0:559:05Can the Golf R Be a Family Car ? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThat's going to be a completely different story well one a newborn it's fine because you haveMoreThat's going to be a completely different story well one a newborn it's fine because you have someone sitting in the back like mom who is going to be on one side of the rear seats.
How long does a DSG last?
Maintained properly, the DSG box should last well over 150,000 miles without needing clutch replacements as it is a wet clutch system and much gentler on the clutches than a human driver.
Should I buy DSG or manual?
For all of the preaching and pontificating about why the manual transmission is the only real “enthusiast” choice for a GTI, the fact remains that when it comes down to numbers, the DSG is a better transmission. No matter how you slice it, the DSG has been a revelation of performance, efficiency, and reliability.
Does the Golf R have a timing belt or chain?
The 2019 Volkswagen Golf with a 1.4L turbo engine has a timing belt while the 1.8L and 2.0L turbo engines have a timing chain.
gtiboy
Hi all, for all owners here can you comment on the general reliability of the Golf R? As a long term proposition has it been plain sailing or a nightmare to own?
marriedblonde
10 months and 21k miles and no issues to report. Thats a stg 2 car. Dsg
Booth11
Nearly 15 months in 9.5k and not a single notable issue to date. DSG car.
Stobsie
Just over 2yrs & 14k nothing other than a coolant issue which just turned out to be the system not being bleed correctly at the factory nothing else to report. DSG car.
navybalders
16months in, 13k miles dsg stage1, only minor niggles with infotainment system, easily sorted with update. very easy car to own and live with
pjones19
My first Golf R DSG which I leased for 2 years and not one problem hence why I bought another Golf R DSG and so far that's been perfect.
TechieAli
2 years 13k miles, one sensor fault for the stop start broke. No issue other than stop start didn't work. Fixed under warranty, had it fixed at its first service.
Best Performance Hatch
Before I bought the R, I was looking for a newer GTI, but after test driving the R, I was blown away by this car. The little 2L 4 cylinder definitely puts a smile on my face every time I give it gas and the awesome AWD compliments it perfectly when taking harsh corners.
Best little rocket on the road for the price
I have owned six Audi TTs (all three generations) and loved them all, but I’ve always lusted after the TTS because of its more powerful engine. While the DSG with paddle shifters on the TT is lightning fast and fun, it still isn’t as fun as manual transmission in my opinion.
Still a remarkable car in many, many ways
I have owned many performance cars including 3 Porsches, 2 Audi, and 2 BMW M3's over the years. This is my last fun car purchase and my official "retirement" car. I owned a 2015 Golf R and loved it. I can not overstate how satisfying this little car is.
Good AWD performance at a price
I’ve had this car for about 8K miles and one year. I have driven the car in four inches of snow and solid ice, and driven a 500+ mile trip from western Texas to Colorado up through Raton Pass, NM. Overall, it’s an amazing vehicle. I still recommend buying it over the GTI if your budget allows.
I've loved both my R's!
I'm driving a 2017 and my son continues to drive my 2011. Both have been great cars, but the 2017 is better for it's real world power. The earlier car was plenty fast, but you needed to run it pretty hard to gain much over a standard GTI, but the 2017 develops torque earlier and is definitely worth the premium price.
The hot Golf R should be as reliable as any other Golf
The Volkswagen Golf has earned a solid reputation for reliability over the past three decades, and the R is likely to live up to this. While it has been developed with performance in mind, it uses proven components, so parts should be more durable.
Warranty
As with the standard Golf, the R gets an industry-standard three-year/60,000-mile warranty, which is similar to rivals, although the BMW 1 Series has an unlimited mileage limit. You can extend the VW's guarantee to five years at extra cost.
Servicing
Again, the Golf R follows the same servicing schedule as the standard model. That means you can choose between fixed or variable intervals, depending on the type of driving you do. Lower mileage users will be better off with the fixed scheme, which requires an inspection every year or 10,000 miles, whichever comes sooner.
How Much is a Used VW Golf?
Over an 80+ year history, VW pricing appears to be driven by brand consistency. For the current model year, the 2021 Golf is priced from $25,790 and the 2021 Golf GTI starts at an MSRP of $28,695.
Volkswagen Golf Fuel Efficiency
Most buyers will also want to research fuel efficiency. Although this does add to the cost of ownership and should be considered prior to purchasing, it is only the tip of that iceberg. As you will see in this comparison, there’s not enough of a difference to sway one to choose the GTI over the Golf, or vise versa.
Which Volkswagen Golf is the most reliable?
Are Volkswagen Golfs good cars? That may depend on which Golf and what model year you’re talking about. To find out more, we’ll look at the VW Golf reliability ratings and compare them to the VW Golf GTI reliability scores.
VW Golf Maintenance
At Repairpal.com ( https://repairpal.com/problems/volkswagen/golf) you’ll find a list of the common VW Golf problems based on car owner complaints.
VW Golf GTI Maintenance
Below is a list of the VW GTI common problems based on car owner complaints:
Volkswagen Golf History and Overview
So now that you’re aware that not all model s are equal – let’s looks at the model. While we won’t say that there is any “bad” Volkswagen models, there are, however, versions that may not be as desirable as others, especially in older model years. Check out these numbers…
