2016 Golf R vs GTI

[CarLover]

Hello guys!

I tested the golf R last week and it was awesome. The growl in race mode was nice, no wheel spin, th acceleration, just incredible. But I have many doubts. The top of the range Golf R costs 182k (177k after discount) and top of the range gti is 144 after discount in Ali and sons dealer.

1-The salesman confirmed to me that golf GTI PP will not arrive this year.
2- Top of the range Golf R includes discover pro but doesn't include dynaudio which is wierd paying all that money and you don't even get a sound system and when I asked if I can order it extra he said no. Strange
3- all 3 packages of 2016 golf R now has DCC and auto stop start as standard FYI.
4- all 3 packages of 2016 golf GTI has driving mode select and auto stop start as standard.
5- packages 2 and 3 have 6.5" screen with USB and aux port; so basically the only difference between package 1 and 2 is discover pro navigation 8" screen.

Am really torn, as I have this need to get top of the range, but 177k is a lot of money for a car that has the same options as top of the range GTI (144k) apart from the 60bhp and AWD. Any advice guys shall I wait till next year as I hear face lifts will be done on 2017 golf's? Sorry for the long post

 

[garethelder10]

Buy the R

I have an R and my friend has the GTI, driven both and the R is by far the better car. The "60 extra bhp" makes a difference and the AWD is in a different league to the GTI.

Test drive both, you will notice the difference immediately in terms of acceleration especially through corners. The R refuses to let go of the road.

You're paying the extra for that feeling of your eye balls popping out of your head when you use launch control to get to 60mph in around 4.5 seconds as opposed to 6.5 in the GTI. (R is quicker than the stated time)

 

[GTi..FTW!]

Well it really depends on what you're buying for? To go sideways on beast mode as long as possible or to cruise 75% of the time and then have ants in your pants for the remaining 25%.

I bought my gti from naboodah and I could customize it to have dcc,driver profile selection,discover pro,dynaudio,the whole lot! Personally I prefer customizing my car to the highest spec coz u can always mod the car if you really want more power. But it's not easy to get the other options once you buy a mid range option.

Btw the PP pack is a thing of the past. Have u asked if the clubsport version is coming to UAE?


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[CarLover]

Well it really depends on what you're buying for? To go sideways on beast mode as long as possible or to cruise 75% of the time and then have ants in your pants for the remaining 25%.

I bought my gti from naboodah and I could customize it to have dcc,driver profile selection,discover pro,dynaudio,the whole lot! Personally I prefer customizing my car to the highest spec coz u can always mod the car if you really want more power. But it's not easy to get the other options once you buy a mid range option.

Btw the PP pack is a thing of the past. Have u asked if the clubsport version is coming to UAE?


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Yes I did ask, the club sport won't come to the middle east at all.

I guess the salesman is playing games since he told me I can't order dynaudio. How much did your GTI cost if you don't mind me asking

 

[NiranjGTI]

Hey CarLover, my personal take on this is, if you think you will regret not going for the R, just stretch for it. There will be times when you stop at a set of lights in a GTI only to find an R by your side, picture that. If you can be cool in that situation then go for the GTI.

I just took delivery of a full options GTI from Al Naboodah two weeks ago, it's a decent package. They are currently priced at AED 141,900 for the FO. I did however see a limited edition GTI which had Dynaudio and DCC with the 19" Santiago wheels at the showroom (al naboodah). So maybe check with them also before taking a call.

Why I picked the GTI over the R ? (I need full options too ) PLUS I think that there is a sense of drama with the GTI, being a FWD car. I came from an AWD, and an AWD is just full blast whenever you want, there is no throttle modulation etc. .Also preferred the red ambient lighting of the GTI to the blue in the R as well.

And regarding the Clubsport, it is indeed coming to the UAE, first quarter of 2016 I think, confirmed at the Dubai Motor Show which happened a few weeks ago. Will be priced between the GTI full options and R mid option.

 

[GTi..FTW!]

How much did your GTI cost if you don't mind me asking

I paid 138k for mine. It was a full option but got the Clark pattern seats and didn't opt for dynaudio. I have dcc and driver profile selection though.


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[mukuljuria]

Clubsport IS coming to the middle east. They were taking orders for it at the motor show a few weeks ago.... priced at AED 145 - 149k FYI with a choice of both manual and auto trannys.

There are a few salesmen at Al nabooda who are clueless and makes me wonder how they even hire such idiots. Which show room did you go to?

It is a fact that you can order your car with whatever options you may so please, so don't fall for that nonsense. He just probably wants to sell you the car ASAP and make his monthly cut to get paid (commissions).

I drove the R a year after I got my GTI and I loved its capabilities but for that price....no thanks...An S3 will cost you 169k out the door fully loaded with a 75,000 km service package (no dcc though). Although, the S3 is a little more comfortable than the R to conform to the Audi traits.

Also, the Gti is the better car as a daily in terms of comfort, practicality and useable power. I have not tried DCC equipped cars so cannot comment on that and whether its a night and day difference on the R. That being said, I do wish it was on the GTI as at times the ride can get a bit rough so I can only imagine the R having a rougher ride.

As for Nav, I do not see a point of having NAV in this country but that is just my personal opinion (apart from the extra cost of the 8" discover pro).

If you really did love the R - I would say go for the Mid Spec R as the best option/value. The thing you will use the most is DCC (last I checked only the top spec at Nabooda had it while Ali and Sons has it standard on all R's) and enjoy the power and grip which you might regret down the line if you take the GTI route.
No point stretching to 177 just for NAV when you can pay 167-169 and get all the other features....as you mentioned the only difference is the NAV screen unless you realllllyyyyy want the "full option" status.

It might look better but your wallet might not agree

My trusty portable Navi that cost a fraction (and has been used twice in 2 years) is better as it updates automatically to the latest maps - unlike the VW maps which probably wont

TL/DR go for the Mid R and upgrade your sound system to your needs with the money saved haha


If you still feel the need for "Full option" and won't require
1. AWD
2. grip and
3. power 24/7,

the Gti is your pick as it is

1. plenty powerful for our streets (wheelspin is a lot less on my michelins)
2. will be a little more comfier than the R,
3. Still has plenttyyyy of grip in the corners
4. Is a little more fun with the light back end and front wheel drive
5. costs a lot less,
6. uses less fuel and lastly ,
7. same options as the top R.


I would say drive both again to make up your mind and maybe even make a list with what your needs vs wants are and go from there.

Just to confirm, you will be buying from Ali and Sons and not Al Nabooda right? I ask because Nabooda does not offer DCC on all golf R models, only the top but still charges the same as Ali and Sons....typical Nabooda

Hope that helps and let us know how you get on

No facelifts are planned for now - Mk8 is just around a year or so away

 

[CarLover]

Thanks for your detailed response mukul,

The showroom I went too is Ali and Sons Abudhabi corniche. You are right, the salesman seemed in a hurry to sell me the car as he called me again just before the holidays and asked if I took a decision bla bla. He told me no club sport no gti PP and I cannot order dynaudio. I really want dynaudio on my car whether it's an R or GTI. By the way, I read that in Canada the golf R comes with blind spot monitor as part of technology package, that's awesome. As for the DCC, I mentioned in my original post number 3, it comes standard in all golf R packages. In fact, the only difference between package 3 and 2 are the leather seats and between package 2 and 1 the discover pro + 19" rims.

My.plan is to keep the car 4 - 5 years..am.leaning towards the R, I will let you know of any updates.

 

[GTi..FTW!]

I just got back from naboodah and apparently 300 units of the clubsport are assigned to GCC countries for 2016 and are not customizable.

At the end of it all, choose the car that you're always gonna turn around at look at after you lock it. For me it was the gti. I've been following it for 10+ years and have yet to sit in an R


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[mukuljuria]

At the end of it all, choose the car that you're always gonna turn around at look at after you lock it. For me it was the gti.

Could not have said it better

 

[CarLover]

I just got back from naboodah and apparently 300 units of the clubsport are assigned to GCC countries for 2016 and are not customizable.

At the end of it all, choose the car that you're always gonna turn around at look at after you lock it. For me it was the gti. I've been following it for 10+ years and have yet to sit in an R


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Thanks a lot for the advice and the info! I will update u guys with anything!

The clubsport is 3 doors version only correct?

 

[mukuljuria]

Thanks for your detailed response mukul,

The showroom I went too is Ali and Sons Abudhabi corniche. You are right, the salesman seemed in a hurry to sell me the car as he called me again just before the holidays and asked if I took a decision bla bla. He told me no club sport no gti PP and I cannot order dynaudio. I really want dynaudio on my car whether it's an R or GTI. By the way, I read that in Canada the golf R comes with blind spot monitor as part of technology package, that's awesome. As for the DCC, I mentioned in my original post number 3, it comes standard in all golf R packages. In fact, the only difference between package 3 and 2 are the leather seats and between package 2 and 1 the discover pro + 19" rims.

My.plan is to keep the car 4 - 5 years..am.leaning towards the R, I will let you know of any updates.

Hey bud, Anytime!

Dynaudio is good...but you can get better installed from companies in Dubai for less than the price of Dynaudio. I understand that Dyna is factory fitted etc. but a friend of mine installed Hertz speakers on his Gti and it sounds phenomenal!!

He got it done at Gulf Wireless in al quoz near the Nabooda vw showroom. What's better is that the system was installed in factory locations and you could not tell that work had been done, until of course you heard the stereo.

Its just another option.

I too have a 300W active subwoofer that I got installed at Yellowhat in Dubai as the stock system is quite.....shit is the word.

There are people who have even changed the dynaudio / fender sound system for something better as even those aren't good enough....

If you really want Dynaudio you could custom order from Dubai with the must have options as per your liking if you are willing to wait 4 months.

Remember, there are TWO leather seat options on the R. The MID spec R has black leather like the GTI while the TOP R has the carbon fibre pattern leather that costs a lot more which bumps the price of the Top R even higher.

 

[MELVIN ANDREWS]

Test drive both and take a call, I walked in looking for a basic GTI and walked out with a custom R after the test drive. If you have a thing for getting top specs then definetly the R cause eventually that's what the R is a top of the line golf. Also if you are willing to wait for 2017 then custom spec your car, it makes the car feel truly yours.

Going off topic, does anyone know if the spoiler on the club sport can be ordered separately. I would live that for the R




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[CarLover]

Test drive both and take a call, I walked in looking for a basic GTI and walked out with a custom R after the test drive. If you have a thing for getting top specs then definetly the R cause eventually that's what the R is a top of the line golf. Also if you are willing to wait for 2017 then custom spec your car, it makes the car feel truly yours.

Going off topic, does anyone know if the spoiler on the club sport can be ordered separately. I would live that for th


I did test drive both but not in the same day unfortunately, around 3 months gap. However, what I immediately noticed is that the R brakes are better than the gti's + obviously there was no wheel spin whatsoever. Can I ask how much did the R cost you? Which package did you get and what features did you add? Thanks for your reply

 

[MELVIN ANDREWS]

So I got a basic R and then added DCC, sunroof and 19" Cadiz wheels it cost me a little more than 164k. Custom specs will take 4-6 months but you can customize whatever you want, the dealers will try and put you off only cause they want to meet their monthly sales quotas but insist on it.

All the best mate, btw if you think choosing between an r and GTI is bad wait till you have to choose the color.


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