@@SamAustin I saw a video yesterday, posted 6 days ago of a Black Edition euro spec top out on the autobahn at 280kms! That's 35 kms faster than a Ford Mustang GT and as fast as the Darkhorse Mustang! I can't wait!
Would be keen to see the in gear acceleration of the 8.5R on those roads. When driving at 30, 40, 50 mph, how quickly does it respond to throttle inputs in the various driving modes without using the paddles ? The 7.5R manual is responsive because you select the gear to stay in the power band, with instant acceleration, whereas the 7.5R DSG would be in 6th or 7th gear with considerable turbo lag. I think the 8.5R will be more responsive with the anti-lag feature and possibly some TCU improvements, but would love to know your thoughts please Sam !
I will do my best to find out during normal driving. That is really good points about the gearing as you say. My MK7 R Manual really is strong with its acceleration and shorter gearing so very happy with it as it always seems to be in a strong power band. I know in special mode the car rev's higher with the MK8.5 R and should be more responsive so looking forward to understanding that side further. Having spent a bit of time with this car I think to now have 4 days should give me the great understanding to then share the results with you all after 😊
Thank you! That is interesting that you had the same feelings and made the switch. I love my MK7 Golf R and its a hard one to move on if I decide too. I am almost tempted to keep it forever and have an auto daily on the side. Things to think about 🤔
S3's are really well priced also compared to the R. Particularly a 2021 (71 Plate) model S3. Leather also as standard plus the Audi badge adds to the quality. I know the facelifted S3 now has 333ps and the fancy playful rear so there is plenty of competition to choose from 😊
Enjoy your time in the mk8.5 R! I agree in that I also never wanted to pony up for the R until I got older. You will absolutely love that torque vectoring rear diff. I just took my mk8 R out for a fun run last week. It still makes me smile and laugh like a kid. Be careful, even with the ESC in sport mode it can surprise you 😝
Thank you and I am really looking forward to spending some in-depth time with the R. For sure it really can bring out the child in me fun wise whilst still be a practical daily hatch to relax with. I love that split personality about it. Ill keep an eye out with the ESC for sure 😊
Enjoyed your vid again and looking forward to get delivery of mine early in the new year so will be very interested in your feedback when you have had one for an extended test! Keep up the good work!
I picked up my 8.5R yesterday after coming from a manual 7.5GTI and I'm struggling to love it in the way I instantly loved my 7.5. The screen IMO is too big and busy yet also wasting space, the menus seem less thought out than the 7.5 and I would say the digital dash is a step back in physical and virtual design. The rear view camera/area view seems to have some very strange angles in comparison too. I like the car in terms of design and the engine but the software/tech just seems poor and even after limited mileage I'm missing the engagement of the gears and overall control of the car that DSG owns now. I'm not sure what to do at this point, I'll give it a few days but my gut feeling is to revert to the 7.5
Hi Sam, ❤ your content. Reaching out from Northern California. Congratulations on getting time with the 8.5 R! So looking forward to the video and your thoughts and experiences. So excited for you. What am I looking for from your upcoming video? I have a 2015 MK7 GTI Autobahn with 53K on the clock. Love it! I will be watching to see if the MK8.5 R would be a good replacement for my current car. Although I don’t really need 4Motion due to our climate, I am wondering if this will be the pinnacle car prior to possible electrification. I love my GTI as I have added some upgrades like Stage 1 tune etc, is it time for me to upgrade?
Thank you for your positive comments! I am excited also to spend the extra time with the new R. I will let you know how it would compare to a MK7 owner, such as yourself with your GTI, which I hope will help you out in a potential future decision 👍😊
I really want to know how the traffic jam assist works. I drive a manual GLI now and I'm tired of shifting gears in congestion, so I would be using the Traffic Jam Assist a lot.
That would be amazing and having the car for four days will be wonderful this weekend. Perhaps in the future there maybe the opportunity to have the car for a longer period to share further and I will ask. One step at a time from myside and I am grateful for the support so far from VW as I can imagine so many people would love the chance to have the R so it is a privilege to be able to share it in this way😊
Keen to know your thoughts on what you would like to know about the MK8.5 VW Golf R in the comments below 😊👇
I have to wait until after the new year here in Canada for my Black Edition .🙄 Keep up this great content!
Thank you for the positive feedback! Happy for you with your incoming Black Edition over in Canada 🎊😊
@@SamAustin I saw a video yesterday, posted 6 days ago of a Black Edition euro spec top out on the autobahn at 280kms! That's 35 kms faster than a Ford Mustang GT and as fast as the Darkhorse Mustang! I can't wait!
Would be keen to see the in gear acceleration of the 8.5R on those roads. When driving at 30, 40, 50 mph, how quickly does it respond to throttle inputs in the various driving modes without using the paddles ? The 7.5R manual is responsive because you select the gear to stay in the power band, with instant acceleration, whereas the 7.5R DSG would be in 6th or 7th gear with considerable turbo lag. I think the 8.5R will be more responsive with the anti-lag feature and possibly some TCU improvements, but would love to know your thoughts please Sam !
I will do my best to find out during normal driving. That is really good points about the gearing as you say. My MK7 R Manual really is strong with its acceleration and shorter gearing so very happy with it as it always seems to be in a strong power band. I know in special mode the car rev's higher with the MK8.5 R and should be more responsive so looking forward to understanding that side further. Having spent a bit of time with this car I think to now have 4 days should give me the great understanding to then share the results with you all after 😊
I got my 8.5R black edition in lapis blue 2 weeks ago I’ve done 490 miles and loving every minute the engine is beginning to loosen up a little
Many congratulations on your R Black Edition! That is great going on the mileage and I wish you many more happy miles to come 😊🎊
Great video I found the clutch in my mk7 golf R very heavy so I got a 7.5 golf R DSG and don’t regret it at all
Thank you! That is interesting that you had the same feelings and made the switch. I love my MK7 Golf R and its a hard one to move on if I decide too. I am almost tempted to keep it forever and have an auto daily on the side. Things to think about 🤔
it’s a tough one my next car is going to be a hard choice a Golf R mk8 or S3
S3's are really well priced also compared to the R. Particularly a 2021 (71 Plate) model S3. Leather also as standard plus the Audi badge adds to the quality. I know the facelifted S3 now has 333ps and the fancy playful rear so there is plenty of competition to choose from 😊
Enjoy your time in the mk8.5 R! I agree in that I also never wanted to pony up for the R until I got older. You will absolutely love that torque vectoring rear diff. I just took my mk8 R out for a fun run last week. It still makes me smile and laugh like a kid. Be careful, even with the ESC in sport mode it can surprise you 😝
Thank you and I am really looking forward to spending some in-depth time with the R. For sure it really can bring out the child in me fun wise whilst still be a practical daily hatch to relax with. I love that split personality about it. Ill keep an eye out with the ESC for sure 😊
Enjoyed your vid again and looking forward to get delivery of mine early in the new year so will be very interested in your feedback when you have had one for an extended test! Keep up the good work!
Thank you for the positive feedback and for sure I will share all I find out during the 4 days with the Golf R 😊
Enjoy the experience. I found the 8R an impressive upgrade to the 7R.
Thank you! I do feel the MK8 R generation has raised the dynamic game for the Golf R for sure and will be interested to see how the four days go 😊
I picked up my 8.5R yesterday after coming from a manual 7.5GTI and I'm struggling to love it in the way I instantly loved my 7.5.
The screen IMO is too big and busy yet also wasting space, the menus seem less thought out than the 7.5 and I would say the digital dash is a step back in physical and virtual design. The rear view camera/area view seems to have some very strange angles in comparison too.
I like the car in terms of design and the engine but the software/tech just seems poor and even after limited mileage I'm missing the engagement of the gears and overall control of the car that DSG owns now.
I'm not sure what to do at this point, I'll give it a few days but my gut feeling is to revert to the 7.5
I have just dropped off this MK8.5 Golf R off back at Volkswagen and will share the video later this week to hopefully help out a little further 👍
Just about to get a polo gti 2023, one day ill upgrade to an R 😅😁
Many congratulations on your Polo GTI. I have driven the car on the channel and very much enjoyed it: th-cam.com/video/t3uTrQRJHk4/w-d-xo.html 🎊
Hi Sam, ❤ your content. Reaching out from Northern California. Congratulations on getting time with the 8.5 R! So looking forward to the video and your thoughts and experiences. So excited for you. What am I looking for from your upcoming video?
I have a 2015 MK7 GTI Autobahn with 53K on the clock. Love it! I will be watching to see if the MK8.5 R would be a good replacement for my current car. Although I don’t really need 4Motion due to our climate, I am wondering if this will be the pinnacle car prior to possible electrification. I love my GTI as I have added some upgrades like Stage 1 tune etc, is it time for me to upgrade?
Thank you for your positive comments! I am excited also to spend the extra time with the new R. I will let you know how it would compare to a MK7 owner, such as yourself with your GTI, which I hope will help you out in a potential future decision 👍😊
Are there still MK 6 GTI manual engine ? I need one- my car has been parked for two years 😢 in South Africa.
I really want to know how the traffic jam assist works. I drive a manual GLI now and I'm tired of shifting gears in congestion, so I would be using the Traffic Jam Assist a lot.
Thank you 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
You’re welcome 😊
VW should give you a M8.5 the amount of work and positivity you give the brand 👍🍻
That would be amazing and having the car for four days will be wonderful this weekend. Perhaps in the future there maybe the opportunity to have the car for a longer period to share further and I will ask. One step at a time from myside and I am grateful for the support so far from VW as I can imagine so many people would love the chance to have the R so it is a privilege to be able to share it in this way😊
Golf❤
Lapiz blue u mean
Looks like VW are in big trouble....I think they are overpriced !
Nissan is in trouble 😂