Faults:

Frequent coolant leaks.

Faults in the crankcase ventilation system that cause pressure buildup or minor oil leaks.

The factory-original clutch disc slips easily if the car is driven hard or if a power tune is used.

Touchscreens or infotainment modules experiencing intermittent restarts or sporadic freezes.

A bit of noise and squeaking in the suspension.

General Comments:

Like the GTI, the R has not lost any of the Golf's practical features. The trunk remains spacious, and the hatch allows for loading large items that fit easily thanks to the folding rear seats. However, taller passengers (like myself) might find it uncomfortable. Up front, there are cupholders, bottle holders, and a sunglasses holder, but, curiously, there is no storage space in the center armrest. And yes, the glovebox still retains the air conditioning vent.

The power and strength of the turbocharged 2.0-liter engine in the Golf R are fantastic! It delivers 292 hp, 82 more than the GTI, and boasts impressive torque, enough to pin you to your seat at any engine speed, right up to just under 6,500 rpm, where it begins to lose steam. It is a highly flexible engine that is more reminiscent of the classic VR6 than of a typical four-cylinder turbo.

The transmission is quite good. Gear shifts are short, well-defined, direct, and firm. The clutch engages low in the pedal travel and requires little effort. However, it is not perfect: there appears to be a sort of delay valve in the hydraulic system that prevents very rapid shifting.

Inside, it adopts an Audi-esque style; the snug sports seats are upholstered in soft leather, as is the thick, flat-bottomed steering wheel. Everything you see and touch appears to be made of high-quality materials. The ride is quiet but not overly muted; the engine is audible without being intrusive, and a faint turbo whistle can be heard. While the infotainment system offers plenty of options, the screen is somewhat small, and some of the programmable buttons are quite tiny.

Suspension is excellent for a street setup, offering very high limits. It is firm but not uncomfortable. Bumps are absorbed well, and it only becomes uncomfortable when the vehicle hits an obstacle affecting both sides of the car, such as a bridge expansion joint. Body roll and yaw are minimal during spirited driving. Those who push a bit too hard will encounter predictable understeer.

While the Golf was never a cheap car, it isn't expensive either, especially considering it doesn't give much trouble and offers low fuel consumption for such a powerful engine.

All in all, owning a Golf R today is a smart move.

Faults:

Sway bar linkages, ignition coil, EGR-valve, oil pressure gauge, air vent outlet, brake discs.

General Comments:

I bought this car since the mileage was relatively low. I wanted a cheap car that would just keep working if I just maintained it. I was told a VW Golf would be the best choice. What a piece of crap it was.

When I first serviced it, I replaced the original cam belt. One of the tensioners was loose and was about to fall off.

The front suspension was rattling, but new sway bar linkages took care of that.

I took care of some rusty spots on the body of the car. Not a lot so I can't complain there.

A heat shield above the catalyst had come loose and needed to be fastened.

One day the oil warning light came on and I thought the motor was dying. I towed the car to a garage and it was the oil pressure sending unit that was broken. After this the car started to rev up and down at red lights, which was caused by a broken vacuum hose from the power brake system.

Shortly after that hose was fixed, the check engine light came on. An ignition coil had broken down. I replaced it and the car worked fine for several days. Then it started cutting out and this time the EGR-valve had given up. I fixed that too.

Now the car was running perfectly well, so I sold it and bought a car made by an entirely different manufacturer.