At first, I didn't want to buy an R without the DCC, as both the roads around my house can be obnoxiously potholed and my wife likes a smooth riding car. After using it for a short while I wouldn't buy an R without it. It's that good. In "Comfort" mode the ride is still somewhat firm with those 19"wheels, but is far from jarring, even over big bumps, similar to what an M5 feels like around town. Controlled but comfortable. In "Race" mode everything is intensified, just the way you'd like it, but it will still smooth out most road irregularities while still providing tons of feel. Absolutely uncanny when pushed. If I were buying this car primarily for the track I'd be happy to forego this system, but like an SUV owner, I'll probably never leave the street with the vehicle.
The SAT/NAV seems to work quite well, although I could see that somebody who normally uses their smartphone for such might want to save some money and just use that. That would be a shame though, as the display between the speedo and tach is wonderful at giving you all the NAV info you need to know without having to look away from the road for more than a fraction of a second--something which a dash/console mounted iPhone can't do. Of course, come September when the 2016 R's arrive, that will all change.
The parking sensors are nice (especially while I'm getting used to the exact dimensions of the car), but they are far from a "needed" option.
The Fender audio sounds good, even though I question the placement of the subwoofer beneath the cover to the missing spare wheel. I'd have to hear some music played through the standard radio before giving the Fender Audio a thumbs up or down, as per its relative value.
The 19"wheels look reasonably good, although one wouldn't likely be able to tell them apart from the 18" ones, just by looking. That said, the 10mm section width and lower aspect ratio ought to add some small improvements to overall performance, but I'm sure it would be all but imperceptable.
So is the deluxe configuration of the initial 2015 "pre-order" R's worth the extra dosh? It is for me, and I'd probably regret not getting these features had I opted to do otherwise. Then again, I've always thought that the current Golf R was an amazing bargain for what one gets, and now that i've had one for a couple of days, I only hold that opinion more solidly.
