Great content - I do particularly like the "road trip" videos! Surprised you only got 38 odd MPG heading down to Eurotunnel - I've managed 43/44 mpg from my R estate, with 17" winter wheels/tyres admittedly, which probably explains it! Can I also say "thank you" for introducing me to the Waze app - I downloaded it after watching one of your previous videos & it's SO much better than the VW satnav - came in very handy on a recent trip to Devon! If you're looking for an idea for content, how about an "idiot's guide to driving in Europe" video? Your previous videos have given me a bit of inspiration to drive to the Autostadt in Wolfsburg - but I'm a bit apprehensive as I've never actually driven in Europe! Lastly, that video has just confirmed to me that I'm glad I wasn't tempted to get rid of my 7.5 R Estate - I really don't like the look of the Mk8/8.5, inside or out (that screen just looks like an iPad glued to the dashboard, for one thing). I guess it's a personal thing though. Plus I couldn't afford one anyway, given the ridiculous price that VW would charge me for the equivalent to mine (well north of £50k). Keep the great content coming 👍
Nice I've a 2019 version and am delighted with it real VAG dna in it, cavernous boot. Having had 3 Audis previously just wish the door plastics were a little softer but it's big deal really!
Awesome as usual, thanks for sharing. Im amazed how quiet and refined that Golf was on the M-way! Hows that compare to a Mk7? Sounds as quiet as a Bentley. But also sounded fruity when you want it to be on track. Is it piped in? I couldn't live with that giant screen though, just too distracting and in your face. The 718 has the perfect screen, out of the way. Looking forward to part 2, essen show looks very interesting 👍🏻
Thanks! I think the Sottozero 3 tyres probably helped with road noise but it is surface & speed dependent, they were more vocal at slow speeds. I was surprised how quiet it was compared to the 8.5 hybrid I’d given back though, especially as I only pull the over the boot when parked. Definitely some fake sound in Race mode but actually sounds like an EA888 now as opposed to flat 4 sound in Mk7. I got in my 718 the day after I got back and the screen feels tiny and no angled towards driver. It would be odd having a big screen in such a cosy cabin though but in the Golf, it really helped a lot
Thanks Paul! It was great to do some meaningful miles in a Mk3 GTI 16v this year en route to Fanfest, been a long time and never thought I'd ever do it. Don't think I drove Mk4 or Mk5 GTI this year though. We were lucky it was dry for the Christmas market and the following night when we went out for dinner with Kate's friend and the following evening in Bruges too (see Ep 2).
Keep up the good work Andrew, we enjoy your road trip videos, got our 997.2 booked on the ferry for a Black Forest trip next Summer, did Bavaria in our GTi 7.5PP this year, both cars are great on the Autobahns.
Sounds great, 997.2 is my favourite 911. Both cars in their element out there. Re Black Forest, the high road isn’t much cop, best roads I found were from Stuttgart to Baden Baden 👍
@ , we will be in Heidelberg , Baden Baden and Frieburg , then we are doing Lake Konstanz up to Stuttgart, this will be a dozen or more times over there in various Porsche and GTi 👍
The screen was incredible! Big graphics, everything easy to access, very fast processing and zero glitches. Honestly, it the biggest non-gimmick (like drift mode) advance in a Golf in ages.
Another top road trip vid. Can recommend the Premier Inn in Essen for next time. My son worked in Essen this year so stayed a few times. Secure underground car park. Deffo doing the show next year. Great car too.
Great video in a great car Germany looks such a nice place Winter market looked fun. Do you think the Zolder wheels on the mk5 R32 are named after the place/track you was on ? Would you still take GTI 265 over the R 8.5 Hope you had a great time Vdub:)
Thanks JB! Totally forgot about Zolder wheels on R32! No doubt named after there as VW were use race tracks for wheel names back then. I summarise my feelings about R Estate at end of part 2 & GTI 265 does get a mention 😘😉
As you probably know if there was something to fault I’d find it and report it but there genuinely isn’t. VW have clearly worked hard to make the system flawless after the sketchy pre-facelift system
A fantastic video Andrew you and Kate have some amazing road trip adventures I would love to see a Christmas market in Germany after going to Bruges a few times years ago it’s much better than the ones here Lovely golf r as well love the colour and I do think the 8.5 improvements have been a positive step wishing you both a wonderful Christmas 🎅🎄 and best wishes for new year Daniel
That estate was on 1000 miles so still tight too. A lot of that drive was speed restricted motorway which is great for efficiency. I think overall it did 33mpg (the exact figure willl be in part 2). Winter tyres might help too as possibly less risk rolling resistance
Great content - I do particularly like the "road trip" videos! Surprised you only got 38 odd MPG heading down to Eurotunnel - I've managed 43/44 mpg from my R estate, with 17" winter wheels/tyres admittedly, which probably explains it!
Can I also say "thank you" for introducing me to the Waze app - I downloaded it after watching one of your previous videos & it's SO much better than the VW satnav - came in very handy on a recent trip to Devon!
If you're looking for an idea for content, how about an "idiot's guide to driving in Europe" video? Your previous videos have given me a bit of inspiration to drive to the Autostadt in Wolfsburg - but I'm a bit apprehensive as I've never actually driven in Europe!
Lastly, that video has just confirmed to me that I'm glad I wasn't tempted to get rid of my 7.5 R Estate - I really don't like the look of the Mk8/8.5, inside or out (that screen just looks like an iPad glued to the dashboard, for one thing). I guess it's a personal thing though. Plus I couldn't afford one anyway, given the ridiculous price that VW would charge me for the equivalent to mine (well north of £50k).
Keep the great content coming 👍
Hope you hads a brief moment to remember the great Gilles Villeneuve who lost his life at Zolder in 1982 - RIP Gilles.
I did indeed, I didn't want to get all depressing in the video but I did think of the poor chap.
RIP Gilles a true legend
Just ordered a new 2025 Skoda vrs estate so it’s little brother of the r estate,,
Great video 😊
Only difference is, the Skoda is a lot cheaper and better.👍
Nice I've a 2019 version and am delighted with it real VAG dna in it, cavernous boot. Having had 3 Audis previously just wish the door plastics were a little softer but it's big deal really!
@@quoman2232How is a Skoda VRS estate better than a Golf R estaste? The performance level ain't even close…
👍👍
Awesome as usual, thanks for sharing. Im amazed how quiet and refined that Golf was on the M-way! Hows that compare to a Mk7? Sounds as quiet as a Bentley. But also sounded fruity when you want it to be on track. Is it piped in? I couldn't live with that giant screen though, just too distracting and in your face. The 718 has the perfect screen, out of the way. Looking forward to part 2, essen show looks very interesting 👍🏻
Thanks! I think the Sottozero 3 tyres probably helped with road noise but it is surface & speed dependent, they were more vocal at slow speeds. I was surprised how quiet it was compared to the 8.5 hybrid I’d given back though, especially as I only pull the over the boot when parked. Definitely some fake sound in Race mode but actually sounds like an EA888 now as opposed to flat 4 sound in Mk7. I got in my 718 the day after I got back and the screen feels tiny and no angled towards driver. It would be odd having a big screen in such a cosy cabin though but in the Golf, it really helped a lot
@volkswizard thanks Andrew, really useful, thanks for replying. Cheers 👍🏻
Must have been great to be able to drive every generation of VW Golf over the years. Lovely video, but it's a shame about the weather this year.
Thanks Paul! It was great to do some meaningful miles in a Mk3 GTI 16v this year en route to Fanfest, been a long time and never thought I'd ever do it. Don't think I drove Mk4 or Mk5 GTI this year though. We were lucky it was dry for the Christmas market and the following night when we went out for dinner with Kate's friend and the following evening in Bruges too (see Ep 2).
So nice to see a video that shows CarPlay working on that lovely screen!
It’s awesome! They have over delivered to make up for Mk8 issues
For those of us who don't travel these are great videos seeing other parts of the world and sharing the road trip experience
Thanks 👍 Some people will find them boring but then some people find drag races interesting 🤷🏼♂️
Keep up the good work Andrew, we enjoy your road trip videos, got our 997.2 booked on the ferry for a Black Forest trip next Summer, did Bavaria in our GTi 7.5PP this year, both cars are great on the Autobahns.
Sounds great, 997.2 is my favourite 911. Both cars in their element out there. Re Black Forest, the high road isn’t much cop, best roads I found were from Stuttgart to Baden Baden 👍
@ , we will be in Heidelberg , Baden Baden and Frieburg , then we are doing Lake Konstanz up to Stuttgart, this will be a dozen or more times over there in various Porsche and GTi 👍
How much better would you expect mpg to be from a Gti?
40-42
I get 45 npg out of my 8 R
Nice car to do a lengthy road trip in.
How did you find using the big screen?!
The screen was incredible! Big graphics, everything easy to access, very fast processing and zero glitches. Honestly, it the biggest non-gimmick (like drift mode)
advance in a Golf in ages.
@ I must admit I’ve been very anti the look of it but the functionality looked excellent. Looking forward to Part 2 👍
Always enjoy your European road trips.
Thanks J👍
It’s road trip time ❤
Great video Andrew! Love a good road trip video and good to see the 8.5 R estate! I'm looking forward to the next episode!
Glad you enjoyed it Ryan!
Enjoy Andrew and Kate. 🎄🎅🦌
Thanks so much 🍻
Another top road trip vid. Can recommend the Premier Inn in Essen for next time. My son worked in Essen this year so stayed a few times. Secure underground car park. Deffo doing the show next year. Great car too.
Great tip thanks 👍
Great video in a great car
Germany looks such a nice place
Winter market looked fun.
Do you think the Zolder wheels on the mk5 R32 are named after the place/track you was on ?
Would you still take GTI 265 over the R 8.5
Hope you had a great time
Vdub:)
Thanks JB! Totally forgot about Zolder wheels on R32! No doubt named after there as VW were use race tracks for wheel names back then. I summarise my feelings about R Estate at end of part 2 & GTI 265 does get a mention 😘😉
Great video Andrew but tell me how are you finding the new infotainment system?
As you probably know if there was something to fault I’d find it and report it but there genuinely isn’t. VW have clearly worked hard to make the system flawless after the sketchy pre-facelift system
@volkswizard that's good to know as I'm upgrading from my 8 to a 8.5 R Line if it ever arrives.
What a fun trip can't wait for part 2
👍
Cant kate do some driving? Its a long way....
She can but I asked VW to cover her and never heard back.
A fantastic video Andrew you and Kate have some amazing road trip adventures I would love to see a Christmas market in Germany after going to Bruges a few times years ago it’s much better than the ones here
Lovely golf r as well love the colour and I do think the 8.5 improvements have been a positive step wishing you both a wonderful Christmas 🎅🎄 and best wishes for new year Daniel
37mpg, how is that possible? I’ve got my 8.5 black edition the most I’ve seen is 30 mpg I have only done 670 miles in total so far
That estate was on 1000 miles so still tight too. A lot of that drive was speed restricted motorway which is great for efficiency. I think overall it did 33mpg (the exact figure willl be in part 2). Winter tyres might help too as possibly less risk rolling resistance
Sounded like a diesel going round zolder
Great car, boring AF content.
Can’t please all the people all the time 🤷🏼♂️
I never understand why people feel the need to leave a rude comment if they don’t like something.
Don't watch it then! Not hard is it? 😏