I’m sorry but I’m not getting how the TCR is a better car when it’s just a GTi with parts from the Golf R and the Clubsport on it. painted in Audi grey paint all for 40k... 🤮 oh an it’s slower than both the R and the club.. 👎🏽
Widely regarded as the best Golf ever, the Clubsport S is slower 0-60 than an R but will truly annihilate around the ‘ring. Now imagine a slightly less hardcore version of the CSS but one that will still kick the butt of an R around the ‘ring (10 seconds is an age). Well that’s the GTI TCR. If you think quick in a straight line is better than quick on one of the gnarliest circuits in the world, good luck to you👍
volkswizard I’m still not seeing how it’s the best out of both the R an the Clubsport when it’s made up from the both of them an let’s fast it 1 in a 1000 are going to ever see a track! Me an save your money an get a Clubsport looks an drives a lot better an ever day fun little golf would have to be GTi the golf R’s are just let down by there build quality. TCR I just don’t get them!! Look cheap
*Walks into dealership* “Can I get a GTi but with Golf R price please?” YES! would you like an Audi color too? “Only if it’s more expensive!” 👌🏽👌🏽😂 gtfo
Apart from that IS NOT Nardo grey Besides any pointless childish observation, IF you can afford the cars higher up in the VAG range you can order them in any of the entire groups colours, it’s called the exclusive range, which includes all of the Audi, Porsche and Lamborghini, Bentley colours I agree the TCR is a more unique and better prospect than a golf Gti or and R, mostly because you gain some exclusivity back
Just put a deposit down on a 2020 TCR coming from a stage 2+ m140i. It’s not all about how fast a car is. I could have bought a golf R but after driving one I can honestly say I found it incredibly boring. Also I do see about 10 of them every day. The guy who bought my 140 sold his R to get into it. He hated the R in the end due to how boring it was. To summarise, the TCR is better looking, lighter, more fun, nicer interior and rarer. It’s a no brainer really.
AWD means I can have fun with spirited driving in all weather. When the pavement is wet, it's great fun leaving all those muscle cars behind when the light changes.
I can vouch for that! I've got a 2018 R, with fabric seats (dealer model, wish I had leather) and the whole interior is definitely more subdued compared to the GTI. I quite like the tartan seats that it has.
I wish I lived in England! I have a 2012 VW Golf R sport tuned to stage 1. I recently test drove a 2017 GTI stock and I have to say it was more fun to drive than the R! I was surprised, really surprised! I'd love the look of the TCR, the exterior is awesome and I really like the interior trim and seats of the TCR! Sadly, we in the States don't get the best because most drivers here think SUV's are King and I strongly disagree! Great video! And I wish I could get the TCR!😡
You're comparing a MK6 to a MK7.5, the chassis has some pretty big changes to make it drive & handle better regardless of which trim or version you drove.
It's has the wow factor, the looks, the kit, the handling and just wow. Would love yo have one one day post code lottery lol. Got the R32 and if the tcr had the R32 sound would be just amazing
Totally agree with point 9 and 10. Was all set on getting a 2 year old Golf R. After going for a couple of test drives though they just felt a little sterile and as if I wasn't driving it, a bit too refined and able maybe.. Re. point 10 I wasn't really bothered about burning ppl off the lights either, more 40-100mph (sorry I mean 70mph) acceleration and fun factor. Thought M140 may tick the boxes, was noticeably faster in gear on test drive but wife said i'd look like a 20 year old sales exec (Not a look I want at 40! Lol). The guy at BMW told me to humour him and try a Mini JCW F56 (Thought WTF). So glade I did though, not the most obvious alternative, but per tonne only 16bhp less than R, obviously not as quick to 60, but 40mph+ not far off and so much more fun. Ended up getting one instead of the R. GTI Performance model may have been an alternative but think TCR would have been the true winner, just shame about price!
Just chucked my gti performance in for a nice black TCR. The PP was brilliant, but this is a massive step gain in both performance and handling. The gearbox also feels much keener (allegedly the same 7 speed dsg). Pops and farts on the down shift and feels far more torquey in normal boring driving. Mine is on the PZero’s and I really wouldn’t need more grip in wet or dry. A real weapon!
Might get the performance with a map, but tcr has better suspension and brakes. Engine is the same but a bigger turbo than pp. just a much more complete package in my opinion
I really like the TCR. It's still not available down under until 2020? Are the seats heated? Yes it does get cold in Melbourne. I have the heated leather in my MkV GTI from late 2008. Cheers great review.
40 years ago TCR stood for Total Control Racing, the new kid on the block going up against Scalextric. Both did a similar job but achieved it differently, just like these two.
I have just purchased one of these and sold my Golf R.the R is better. i know i have owned different Golf R's since 2011.this does not give me the same thrill. remap a Golf R and they fly,
Seat Leon Cupra (290/300) has similar power, looks (in my opinion) even a bit better and it is cheaper. But, you will notice the price difference, here and there...
Really enjoyed this video 👍, for me hot hatches are a car to use day to day so need a broad range of abilities. The R has a bit more breadth to it thanks to the 4WD, I’d gladly trade a bit of dynamic sharpness for the increase in traction especially at this time of year in the UK, I also personally prefer the more anonymous / discreet styling of the R.
Needs an alcantara steering wheel ! Why not offer that instead of £400 stickers ? Apart from that it’s an absolute gem of a car. Love the way you can have fun at lower speeds as well as high...plus afterwards you can put it in comfort and it turns in to a 1.4 golf. Very expensive but worth it over the R
volkswizard well if it’s an option i guess it doesn’t matter if they prefer leather. The red marker just looks a bit naff on leather. Just my opinion though.
1 reason the R wins, particularly in the uk... wet/greasy roads more often than not.. front wheels will spin up uncontrollably. Tcr wont see which way you went down the leafy b road.. dry track tcr wins.. real world uk roads, R every time.. and tbh if i wanted a track hatch itd be a civic type R everytime 😉
People forget, awd is amazing on the track too. Its just not a hot lap car, endurance/non perfect condition built. Look at the Audi street cars, they win. Ban and limited every time.
The R is an understatement car. It does not need those boy racer trim and optional stickers the TCR got. It just goes like on rails in any weather. I for myself can just laugh at those GTI guys with their screeching front tires when they try to challenge me at a stoplight and i am already miles away when their wheelspin finally ends...
@@volkswizard What about taking corners on wet roads, icy roads, driving on snow? Also talking about looks, the R wins that for sure. And if someone wanted to go for a really quick car around the ring he would definitely take an RWD car and neither a Golf R nor TCR.
You make some interesting points all of which are personal opinions, I pre my r with the British weather especially when my wife drives the car I know she is in safe hands with the four wheel drive. Both are awesome cars value for money wise. Fuel consumption is a bit of a mute point if your buying a performance car. Can’t wait to see what the r plus will be like in 2021. Intriguing vlog. Mal
Hi mate, do like the colour and the car too. Saw one yesterday at our local Tesco's could not stop starring at it. Mrs told me off too!!! Stands out from a long distance. The problem I have with the Golf R is there is so many. When I drop the little one of to school its a 25 min drive and usually count 8 - 10 Golf R's every day. 👍
Hi Manj, it's weird isn't it? I expected TCR to be a let down, a non-limited model with no bucket seat option but somehow they've pulled it out the bag. Sold your CS yet?
Love both cars, own 2019 Golf R. For me living in Canada and having 4WD overweights all little exclusives of TCR by a large margin. The other huge plus, is that the R assembled in Germany, unlike the GTI.
Sean Walsh The TCR. It’s a more involving driving experience & it sounds better too. The sport mode in the GTI is fun & useable. I also felt the styling of the R is understated.
As great as the Golf R is, for me there are just too many about. So for that the TCR gets my vote for a couple of reasons, 1 exclusivity 2 they are just awesome In my opinion... cheers Andy another great video 👍.
I have a 2018 Mk 7.5 Golf R, with all the options. Haven't driven the TCR, but tested the GTI before I bought mine. I absolutely prefer AWD, had a Quattro Audi Avant for 8 years, before this car, from brand new to 350,000 km, and I intend to keep this car for even longer. After using the AWD systems in these VW/Audi/Porsche products for many years, I'm not going back to a single axle driven car until I can't afford it. The golf R is so easy to drive, so confidence instilling, and for me driving throughout New Zealand regularly for many hours at a time (On windy, bad quality, sparsely used back roads) there is nothing better than the R. It soaks everything up perfectly in comfort mode and yet doesn't care what speed you enter a corner at, or what the conditions are, it'll take you around it. I also disagree with you when you say the speed advantage that the R has doesn't matter. There are many times where I'll need to overtake in the only, tiny, straight section of road available for the next 100km, and the pickup of the R always delivers the exact way I expect it to. Also from a standstill, the launch from the AWD plus extra power over GTI and TCR is so good, it's addicting. I also like the fact that the styling of the R is more subdued. In my old Audi, I'd regularly park down the street from customers so they wouldn't see the brand new luxury black Audi sports wagon. The R looks much like a normal Golf, and so people aren't as offended by it when I'm driving through towns that have a simpler quality of life. Some people are going on about how common the Golf R seems to be. Where I live, which isn't exactly a poor city, GTIs are far more common. I've only seen one other Mk 7/7.5 Golf R in my life (outside of the dealers). Certainly got no buyers remorse yet haha!! Great vid.
Luca van Gorkom I was the same, I had all the intention of getting a GTI, after the test drive I was like wow! Then he said wanna drive the R? I said yeah.... ended up with the R.... much better car.....
@@volkswizard I know. This is in Norway and it is only 18 of the TCR here. Maybe 5 or six of them are red. I havethe black roof and carbon mirrors too. And the same rims as in the video
informative and interesting video. i love the GTi TCR and also the R. however the thing that sells the R to me over the GTi TCR is the 4wd traction and grip. i love them both and i’d happily own either one, but at the end of the day i’d take the Scirocco R over any Golf.
I agree with everything said here. I have a golf r and its very fast and capable and beautifully finished. But its so planted and grippy you get carried away and push it to stupid speeds. The front wheel drive with the wee hints from front wheel spin would make for a much more lively and exciting drive at reasonable speeds.
@@volkswizard Agreed though there is often a reason something is appreciated by the mainstream :) I'm waiting on the next-gen R for my part. To be fair, I really need the all-wheel drive, it's wet 80% of the year in Ireland and I mostly get enjoyment out of the car at low speeds and off the line accelerations.
Good point about the DCC Andrew. I sometimes wish my gti performance had it fitted. I bought it as a pre-reg car, so couldn’t option the DCC which I feel would have been a bonus when using the car as a daily driver.
The R although a great feat of engineering, its just too easy to drive, it's so planted and stable and any novice driver can thrash the pants off of it and the car will look after them. These are great features of course, but a proper hot hatch should be lively and you should get out what you put in. With the R as I've said, it does everything for you and it does it well, I love them but that doesn't equal excitement which is partly what a hot hatchback is all about. The balance between excitement and practicality.
Yes but fwd isn't really desirable in a sporty car, awd provides less understeer and better traction no torque steer. Fwd doesn't suit performance cars best making the front wheels turn and drive power
I think it’s a personal thing,I just bought a TCR and I love it, for the same price I could have bought an R but I liked the idea of the TCR being a special GTi and having more driver involvement . Both are great cars you make your own choice but the TCR is great at handling the power without the extra weight of the 4wd.
This is so true! Hot hatches imo should always be fwd. I used to have a clio Williams back in the day and that to me was probably the most fun car I've ever driven, literally brought tears to my eyes lol. I'm on my second 86 platform car being a BRZ atm so i like my rwd cars too but it was no where near as fun as that clio. I've driven a golf r and I'm sorry but they're just numb and don't give me that drivers car feeling because as you say it's all done for you..
Great video Andrew and love the 3 door TCR particularly albeit not a coupe shape like my Megane - prefer it to the R which whilst dynamically competent it has extra weight and AWD inert handling - hope to see you with your own TCR very soon :)
Thanks as ever Malcolm👍I hope this videos doesn't mean all the cheap TCRs sell as I haven't pinpointed one yet. I suppose I could keep the one in the video but I really need a 5 door for it to make sense alongside the R8. Two 2 door cars is silly!
my golf r any day. 0 to 60 great fun at lights and better grip in the wet.i'll never go back to front wheel drive. tcr maybe a little bit better on a track on a dry day. 0n the road the golf r is better all rounder
Wish we had them here, but any limited low production car like this ends up commanding too much of a premium in the US market because we have so few cars like this.
There is actually literally nothing between the TCR and the 310hp Golf R in rolling races, my friend has a TCR and we picked up an R for a test drive, up until 200 km/h they were literally glued together! however I gotta say the R felt somewhat more stable at high speeds, perhaps the 4wd explains that 🤔 The TCR sounds much nicer though and feels like a special model while the R could just be a specced up Highline Golf
Nick Savage Yup You’re Right bro but my 7GTI Stage 1 is faster then a Original Golf R Now I‘m driving the TCR, this car is a curve -Monster! Golf R needs a fucking Software-update
I'm cool with this as I buy and sell Golfs and 3 doors just do not shift. You might save £550 not speccing 5 door but trust me on resale you will be this amount or more below the value of a 5 door. So you can see why VW don't spend money making a 3 door when it effectlvely devalues the car. Also if you want a 3 door hatch, there is little competition so people won't choose another brand over a Golf based on getting a 3 door. 5 doors apparently have stiffer shells too as the B post is a really strong part of the structure while on a 3 door it's just panels. It's irrelavent anyway as I can't see a Mk8 being much better to drive than GTI TCR or Clubsport S and you can get these in 3 door so just by one of these and cherish it 😍
It’s a nice car but I wouldn’t swap it for my 7.5R and would disagree with about 7 of those reasons. Obv I can’t counter the track argument but my r is a daily not a track car
Andrew , Very good try but you haven't converted this old fart, R man, as an everyday / all year round car to have. Plus I can wait 2020/21 for the R 400 MK8 Plus. Plenty of high spec used Golf R mk7.5 2017 -2019 at sensible money £30k and lower. Manual or DSG ,with 3 or 5 door choice. Always love your enthusiastic and detailed videos mate. Now get to 10k sub asap. Enjoy your new daily commute car when you get it . Look forward to your long term reviews on the TCR !
If I wanted (or needed) the safety blanket of AWD, a saloon car sound and to see plenty of others in order to convince myself I'd bought the right car, I'd have an R. I don't, so for all the reasons VW Wizard sets out I'll keep my TCR.
Boot is better than an R. But acceleration from rest? Wet road driving in UK better in R, rains a lot here. Bald tyres on an R will give you the same thrills as this. Haha
I like your approach to analyzing Golfs. I like the way you speak, film, and edit. That said, I'd like to argue for the Golf R. Firstly, I think many reviewers underestimate the "sleeper" market for Golfs. We sleepers drive spiritedly, but we like to do so without attracting attention from thieves, police, and neighbors. The Golf R's AWD feature is crucial for me. I live in the front range of Colorado, and we get snow. But even on dry pavement AWD is better. Zero-60 time is important to me, because I almost always floor it away from stop lights. Why? Because I can, and it's fun! There is much less drama doing a 4.5s 0-60 on AWD; less wheelspin; less noise; less uneven tire wear. I highly value the conservative styling of Golf R. I do not want to attract attention. My Golf R is anthracite grey, which is very similar to the TCR above. My Golf R has DSG, which IMO is vastly superior to manual. 0-60 times improve >0.4s. Shifts are smooth, predictable, and less drama than manual. As you've noted the DSG dual clutch is more reliable than the manual's. Re: exhaust sound, most Golf R owner's like quiet; again sleeper. One area I totally agree with you on is weight. Remember when the Honda CRX was under 2000 lb? These days we have so much crash protection, it adds weight. The Haldex adds weight too, but worth it IMO. Regarding your assertion that the driving aids on the R take some control away from the driver. I agree somewhat. I still push the R beyond its traction limits. Counter-steering and throttle lift work well for understeer at any speed. Overall the handling of the car is excellent. I'll finish up with my context. I have a 2016 Mk7 Golf R DSG. I leave it in race mode. I've put in about US$10K performance with: EQT Vortex turbo, Unitronic downpipe, APR intercooler and intake, plus a few other bits and an ECU/DSG tune. 0-60 ~3.4s. Still quiet. 400WHP. Result: a driver's car with better performance than a base Panamera and darn close to an RS3. Obviously this implies I'm less sensitive on MPG. I used to race SCCA Formula Ford.
am i the only one who has an original golf 7 and just bought the tcr front and r rear bumper because they seemed pretty sporty and not to agressive like any other bumper bodykit and stuff
Are the bumpers different to 7.5? I thought it may just be clip on bits for TCR that differ. Obviously the bumper is different to Mk7 as well. That rear diffuser is a bit tasty 😍
@@swift2117 i went for the cupra instead of a gti and R. Interior isnt as good in quality, but infotainment and price kicks the butt of the other two cars...
Geoffrey Hallam I d seen that video. But I think just been a fwd is the reason behind this. Plus my opinion I prefer the look of the cupra. But the dash of the golf
He will be waving at you when he drive past the dealership and you will be there having the clutch or the DSG gearbox replaced. Put some some cash aside boy.
Great set of reasons there, Andrew!! Very nice car. Hopefully, you will get 400 more subs and be able to order your very own TCR by the end of next week.....👏🏼
Iv been in the R and by the way it drove I’m after an R in the very near future,just need to own a mk5 gti ED30 dsg first...an itch that i need to scratch badly after driving one that was 377bhp she 413ft/lb SAVAGE
I love my 3dr Seat Leon Cupra just gutted you can't but the 3dr anymore . That's the only reason I haven't changed it for a new model. Not a fan of 5dr cars
I’m thinking about buying an R or a TCR I’m a previous owner of a clubsport S which I loved. How does the TCR DCC compare to the CSS version? And I loved how the CSS sounded - how does the TCR compare and is the akrapovic a must have?
Akrapovic not essential, check out my video comparison. TCR DCC calibration feels pretty similar to CSS. The TCR let’s you have CSS fun on a daily basis, it’s only on track where TCR doesn’t have the magic as it pushes into understeer quite easily when CSS camber will mitigate that. Both a lot more fun than an R
@@volkswizard thanks for that I saw your exhaust video after I asked the question! VW exhaust sounds better it seems on the video. Toying with the idea of a TCR or 2018/2019 R but I’d like DCC and they’re hard to find. For the same sort of money a TCR may have better long term residential?
I’m sorry but I’m not getting how the TCR is a better car when it’s just a GTi with parts from the Golf R and the Clubsport on it. painted in Audi grey paint all for 40k... 🤮 oh an it’s slower than both the R and the club.. 👎🏽
Widely regarded as the best Golf ever, the Clubsport S is slower 0-60 than an R but will truly annihilate around the ‘ring. Now imagine a slightly less hardcore version of the CSS but one that will still kick the butt of an R around the ‘ring
(10 seconds is an age). Well that’s the GTI TCR. If you think quick in a straight line is better than quick on one of the gnarliest circuits in the world, good luck to you👍
volkswizard I’m still not seeing how it’s the best out of both the R an the Clubsport when it’s made up from the both of them an let’s fast it 1 in a 1000 are going to ever see a track! Me an save your money an get a Clubsport looks an drives a lot better an ever day fun little golf would have to be GTi the golf R’s are just let down by there build quality. TCR I just don’t get them!! Look cheap
@@aaronnewcombe9184 Let down by their build quality? Rs are made in Wolfsburg while GTIs are outside Germany. Go take a bus son
tonyo5 Made in Wolfsburg with shite orange peel paint finish. The finish on my 15 year old GTI is much better.
tonyo5 I’m sorry but are you 12... your comment sound like a little boy has written this! But thank you you have made me laff 👍🏽
*Walks into dealership*
“Can I get a GTi but with Golf R price please?”
YES! would you like an Audi color too?
“Only if it’s more expensive!”
👌🏽👌🏽😂 gtfo
The color named nardo-grey, not "audi color" dumbass
Apart from that IS NOT Nardo grey
Besides any pointless childish observation, IF you can afford the cars higher up in the VAG range you can order them in any of the entire groups colours, it’s called the exclusive range, which includes all of the Audi, Porsche and Lamborghini, Bentley colours
I agree the TCR is a more unique and better prospect than a golf Gti or and R, mostly because you gain some exclusivity back
SAamg who came out with it first? “DuMbAsS”
Pheasant Pluckers son valid points, is all that worth it though?
Just put a deposit down on a 2020 TCR coming from a stage 2+ m140i. It’s not all about how fast a car is. I could have bought a golf R but after driving one I can honestly say I found it incredibly boring. Also I do see about 10 of them every day. The guy who bought my 140 sold his R to get into it. He hated the R in the end due to how boring it was. To summarise, the TCR is better looking, lighter, more fun, nicer interior and rarer. It’s a no brainer really.
It’s not boring at all. He wasn’t driving it fast enough obviously
AWD means I can have fun with spirited driving in all weather. When the pavement is wet, it's great fun leaving all those muscle cars behind when the light changes.
This has 75% of R parts on it, is it a GTI or.....a front wheel drive R ?
I’ll be keeping my R.
Bye
Cant wait to get mine 😍 and i cant wait to leave this well over priced gti at the lights 😎🤣🤣🤣🤣👋🏻👋🏻👋🏻👋🏻👋🏻👌🏻
Me as well
Golf R is the most common car on British roads specially the Lapiz Blue. Every Del Boy has one.
@@lecogti177 just because lots of ppl own it does not make it any less awesome. It just proves it's awesomeness.
Can’t beat the R Estate for its all weather, 1 car quiver ability.
R should have looked like this
Nah - it was meant to be subtle.
It's the range topper. A 911 turbo don't look like a Carrera s. VW got it wrong.
Nice. Amazing. Would i swap my R for it? Not in a million years.
neither. Mine's brilliant, no buyers remorse for me yet (2018 so only owned it a year - we'll wait and see :D)
Gona keep my r thanks sunshine
Me neither, had a lot of fun on the B roads too
I’ll keep my S3, well until I get an RS3 😂
I’ll stick with my R thanks. Especially at this time of year.
11. The seat trim is much more interesting 😁
I have to agree, the interior generally is more uplifting AND THERE IS A DEAD AHEAD MARKER 😍
I can vouch for that! I've got a 2018 R, with fabric seats (dealer model, wish I had leather) and the whole interior is definitely more subdued compared to the GTI. I quite like the tartan seats that it has.
I wish I lived in England! I have a 2012 VW Golf R sport tuned to stage 1. I recently test drove a 2017 GTI stock and I have to say it was more fun to drive than the R! I was surprised, really surprised! I'd love the look of the TCR, the exterior is awesome and I really like the interior trim and seats of the TCR! Sadly, we in the States don't get the best because most drivers here think SUV's are King and I strongly disagree! Great video! And I wish I could get the TCR!😡
You're comparing a MK6 to a MK7.5, the chassis has some pretty big changes to make it drive & handle better regardless of which trim or version you drove.
It's has the wow factor, the looks, the kit, the handling and just wow. Would love yo have one one day post code lottery lol. Got the R32 and if the tcr had the R32 sound would be just amazing
Totally agree with point 9 and 10. Was all set on getting a 2 year old Golf R. After going for a couple of test drives though they just felt a little sterile and as if I wasn't driving it, a bit too refined and able maybe.. Re. point 10 I wasn't really bothered about burning ppl off the lights either, more 40-100mph (sorry I mean 70mph) acceleration and fun factor. Thought M140 may tick the boxes, was noticeably faster in gear on test drive but wife said i'd look like a 20 year old sales exec (Not a look I want at 40! Lol). The guy at BMW told me to humour him and try a Mini JCW F56 (Thought WTF). So glade I did though, not the most obvious alternative, but per tonne only 16bhp less than R, obviously not as quick to 60, but 40mph+ not far off and so much more fun. Ended up getting one instead of the R. GTI Performance model may have been an alternative but think TCR would have been the true winner, just shame about price!
Noway in hell a TCR is vetter than a golf R. The fact that the golf R is awd beats this modified GTI.
Just chucked my gti performance in for a nice black TCR. The PP was brilliant, but this is a massive step gain in both performance and handling. The gearbox also feels much keener (allegedly the same 7 speed dsg). Pops and farts on the down shift and feels far more torquey in normal boring driving. Mine is on the PZero’s and I really wouldn’t need more grip in wet or dry. A real weapon!
So if you're PP was remapped would it be to equal or greater power than the TCR
Are the engine internals all the same bar a tune?
Might get the performance with a map, but tcr has better suspension and brakes. Engine is the same but a bigger turbo than pp. just a much more complete package in my opinion
A shit box of pops and crackles. lol
I really like the TCR. It's still not available down under until 2020? Are the seats heated? Yes it does get cold in Melbourne. I have the heated leather in my MkV GTI from late 2008. Cheers great review.
40 years ago TCR stood for Total Control Racing, the new kid on the block going up against Scalextric. Both did a similar job but achieved it differently, just like these two.
Pick up my 20 plate TCR tomorrow!
Can’t wait!
Went looking at R’s but the TCR looks so much nicer!
Nice work Aleca, enjoy, it's a great car!
Just sold my golf r 400bhp and all that jazz but dam it was boring loved the interior etc this looks like a good alternative
I have just purchased one of these and sold my Golf R.the R is better. i know i have owned different Golf R's since 2011.this does not give me the same thrill.
remap a Golf R and they fly,
I can never decide if I prefer the look of a 5 Door or a 3 Door. Anyway, another great video mate!
I would sacrifice the R for this, no doubt. The TCR looks incredible and is more desirable as a drivers car with more excitement.
Seat Leon Cupra (290/300) has similar power, looks (in my opinion) even a bit better and it is cheaper.
But, you will notice the price difference, here and there...
Look just Jacky Tuning
Untill a golf R leaves you at a set of lights 😂😂😂
Really enjoyed this video 👍, for me hot hatches are a car to use day to day so need a broad range of abilities. The R has a bit more breadth to it thanks to the 4WD, I’d gladly trade a bit of dynamic sharpness for the increase in traction especially at this time of year in the UK, I also personally prefer the more anonymous / discreet styling of the R.
Exactly. I have a 2018 R and the discreet styling is exactly what I need, not too showy. I also live in NZ so AWD is perfect.
Needs an alcantara steering wheel ! Why not offer that instead of £400 stickers ?
Apart from that it’s an absolute gem of a car. Love the way you can have fun at lower speeds as well as high...plus afterwards you can put it in comfort and it turns in to a 1.4 golf. Very expensive but worth it over the R
Agreed on the Alcantra. When I've mentioned that before people have said leather is more practical which is true I suppose.
volkswizard well if it’s an option i guess it doesn’t matter if they prefer leather. The red marker just looks a bit naff on leather. Just my opinion though.
1 reason the R wins, particularly in the uk... wet/greasy roads more often than not.. front wheels will spin up uncontrollably. Tcr wont see which way you went down the leafy b road.. dry track tcr wins.. real world uk roads, R every time.. and tbh if i wanted a track hatch itd be a civic type R everytime 😉
People forget, awd is amazing on the track too. Its just not a hot lap car, endurance/non perfect condition built. Look at the Audi street cars, they win. Ban and limited every time.
The R is an understatement car. It does not need those boy racer trim and optional stickers the TCR got. It just goes like on rails in any weather. I for myself can just laugh at those GTI guys with their screeching front tires when they try to challenge me at a stoplight and i am already miles away when their wheelspin finally ends...
Totally agree, for traffic light grand prix R is a winner, for everything else it's not.
@@volkswizard What about taking corners on wet roads, icy roads, driving on snow? Also talking about looks, the R wins that for sure. And if someone wanted to go for a really quick car around the ring he would definitely take an RWD car and neither a Golf R nor TCR.
You make some interesting points all of which are personal opinions, I pre my r with the British weather especially when my wife drives the car I know she is in safe hands with the four wheel drive. Both are awesome cars value for money wise. Fuel consumption is a bit of a mute point if your buying a performance car. Can’t wait to see what the r plus will be like in 2021. Intriguing vlog. Mal
R > TCI, because 4motion can do it (better) on a rainy day in Stoke.
A friend of mine currently owns the TCR and he prefers the MK7 R he used to own.
Hi mate, do like the colour and the car too. Saw one yesterday at our local Tesco's could not stop starring at it. Mrs told me off too!!! Stands out from a long distance. The problem I have with the Golf R is there is so many. When I drop the little one of to school its a 25 min drive and usually count 8 - 10 Golf R's every day. 👍
Hi Manj, it's weird isn't it? I expected TCR to be a let down, a non-limited model with no bucket seat option but somehow they've pulled it out the bag. Sold your CS yet?
how much different is the TCR from a GTi? and could you modify a GTi to match the TCR performance for less money?
The R has grip and Id never trade that for any of this,but it does rain alot here.
No more grip than a tcr, just more traction. There is a difference...
Love the look of the 3 door
There are no reasons... it doesn’t beat the Golf R...
I agree - Golf R is unbeatable
@@jimstevens8137 only if you compare it to an Audi s3 it is .....
It 100% gets beat by the TCR
@@BalkanBoyBiH on a track both stock. Yes. On the streets no way in hell.
@@gzakelijk on track the golf R will get eaten alive, on street its prolly equal you forget on a rol the tcr is quicker
Great vid keep them coming! Another point could be the TCR seems to be more of a head turner, people seem to be more curious about what it is.
Untill a golf R leaves you at a set of lights 😂
Haha true!
Love both cars, own 2019 Golf R. For me living in Canada and having 4WD overweights all little exclusives of TCR by a large margin. The other huge plus, is that the R assembled in Germany, unlike the GTI.
Great vid. I love my TCR and it’s definitely got way better fuel economy than my Golf R used to have.
Which is better tho?
Sean Walsh The TCR. It’s a more involving driving experience & it sounds better too. The sport mode in the GTI is fun & useable. I also felt the styling of the R is understated.
As great as the Golf R is, for me there are just too many about. So for that the TCR gets my vote for a couple of reasons, 1 exclusivity 2 they are just awesome In my opinion... cheers Andy another great video 👍.
Thanks Ashley 👍
@@volkswizard 😀👍
Is the golf gti tic worth it ?? I am nearly about order one
I have a 2018 Mk 7.5 Golf R, with all the options. Haven't driven the TCR, but tested the GTI before I bought mine. I absolutely prefer AWD, had a Quattro Audi Avant for 8 years, before this car, from brand new to 350,000 km, and I intend to keep this car for even longer. After using the AWD systems in these VW/Audi/Porsche products for many years, I'm not going back to a single axle driven car until I can't afford it. The golf R is so easy to drive, so confidence instilling, and for me driving throughout New Zealand regularly for many hours at a time (On windy, bad quality, sparsely used back roads) there is nothing better than the R. It soaks everything up perfectly in comfort mode and yet doesn't care what speed you enter a corner at, or what the conditions are, it'll take you around it. I also disagree with you when you say the speed advantage that the R has doesn't matter. There are many times where I'll need to overtake in the only, tiny, straight section of road available for the next 100km, and the pickup of the R always delivers the exact way I expect it to. Also from a standstill, the launch from the AWD plus extra power over GTI and TCR is so good, it's addicting. I also like the fact that the styling of the R is more subdued. In my old Audi, I'd regularly park down the street from customers so they wouldn't see the brand new luxury black Audi sports wagon. The R looks much like a normal Golf, and so people aren't as offended by it when I'm driving through towns that have a simpler quality of life. Some people are going on about how common the Golf R seems to be. Where I live, which isn't exactly a poor city, GTIs are far more common. I've only seen one other Mk 7/7.5 Golf R in my life (outside of the dealers). Certainly got no buyers remorse yet haha!! Great vid.
Luca van Gorkom I was the same, I had all the intention of getting a GTI, after the test drive I was like wow! Then he said wanna drive the R? I said yeah.... ended up with the R.... much better car.....
Basically the TCR is more of a drivers car
Great video! I have a TCR in tornado red, and I LOVE it!
Hey Geir! Tornado red is rare over here but it looks mega with all the black TCR bits👌
@@volkswizard I know. This is in Norway and it is only 18 of the TCR here. Maybe 5 or six of them are red. I havethe black roof and carbon mirrors too. And the same rims as in the video
@@volkswizard I'm guessing my 3 door in Oryx with pano / black roof is approaching unicorn :)
Ive had both. Golf R any day. Theres no comparison
I just bought one yesterday, in Australia, so this review makes me happy!
Hope you enjoy it Adam!
@@volkswizard So far so good! Ive gone from Subaru to VW and the feel is so much better
informative and interesting video. i love the GTi TCR and also the R. however the thing that sells the R to me over the GTi TCR is the 4wd traction and grip. i love them both and i’d happily own either one, but at the end of the day i’d take the Scirocco R over any Golf.
Golf R for me
Good points have to agree, but I will keep my CSS over the TCR
I agree with everything said here. I have a golf r and its very fast and capable and beautifully finished. But its so planted and grippy you get carried away and push it to stupid speeds. The front wheel drive with the wee hints from front wheel spin would make for a much more lively and exciting drive at reasonable speeds.
Lol, the mental gymnastics to try and argue it’s better not to have AWD because you get 10% more boot space 😂
It’s a lot better than the R. And everybody got an R!
The best things in life are often the ones not appreciated by a mainstream audience
@@volkswizard Agreed though there is often a reason something is appreciated by the mainstream :)
I'm waiting on the next-gen R for my part. To be fair, I really need the all-wheel drive, it's wet 80% of the year in Ireland and I mostly get enjoyment out of the car at low speeds and off the line accelerations.
You dont see any golf r owners trying to convince themselves that it's better than a gti loll
I have a gti its an icon been around for years the R is not only just came into light
I owned both mk7 gti and mk7R
The R is completely on another level of performance you can’t even compere them 2.
When your hair and fleece match the paintjob
A great video Andrew - how did you get Ed to sell it? Much better than an R iMHO, - it's maybe a car I would buy when my Edition 30 bores me!
Good point about the DCC Andrew. I sometimes wish my gti performance had it fitted. I bought it as a pre-reg car, so couldn’t option the DCC which I feel would have been a bonus when using the car as a daily driver.
The R although a great feat of engineering, its just too easy to drive, it's so planted and stable and any novice driver can thrash the pants off of it and the car will look after them. These are great features of course, but a proper hot hatch should be lively and you should get out what you put in. With the R as I've said, it does everything for you and it does it well, I love them but that doesn't equal excitement which is partly what a hot hatchback is all about. The balance between excitement and practicality.
You got it JBJ 👍
Yes but fwd isn't really desirable in a sporty car, awd provides less understeer and better traction no torque steer. Fwd doesn't suit performance cars best making the front wheels turn and drive power
I think it’s a personal thing,I just bought a TCR and I love it, for the same price I could have bought an R but I liked the idea of the TCR being a special GTi and having more driver involvement . Both are great cars you make your own choice but the TCR is great at handling the power without the extra weight of the 4wd.
This is so true! Hot hatches imo should always be fwd. I used to have a clio Williams back in the day and that to me was probably the most fun car I've ever driven, literally brought tears to my eyes lol. I'm on my second 86 platform car being a BRZ atm so i like my rwd cars too but it was no where near as fun as that clio. I've driven a golf r and I'm sorry but they're just numb and don't give me that drivers car feeling because as you say it's all done for you..
Great video Andrew and love the 3 door TCR particularly albeit not a coupe shape like my Megane - prefer it to the R which whilst dynamically competent it has extra weight and AWD inert handling - hope to see you with your own TCR very soon :)
Thanks as ever Malcolm👍I hope this videos doesn't mean all the cheap TCRs sell as I haven't pinpointed one yet. I suppose I could keep the one in the video but I really need a 5 door for it to make sense alongside the R8. Two 2 door cars is silly!
my golf r any day. 0 to 60 great fun at lights and better grip in the wet.i'll never go back to front wheel drive. tcr maybe a little bit better on a track on a dry day. 0n the road the golf r is better all rounder
If you race at traffic lights, the Golf R is the car for you people🤷♂️
Im looking at getting one of these i have a gtd at the moment and hate the fake noises my bro is getting an r so cant wait to have a race 👌🏽👌🏽
Beautiful car. Still can’t believe how much they messed up the Golf 8.
7.5 is a great looker but I hope we'll grow to love Mk8, especially the high power derivatives with decent wheels 🤞
Nice car for sure but I’ll stick to my 70 plate cupra 290👍
What’s the GTI like driving fast in the wet through bends and twists..the R begs to be pushed hard..
TCR would have been perfect with manual transmission and AWD...
Wish we had them here, but any limited low production car like this ends up commanding too much of a premium in the US market because we have so few cars like this.
There is actually literally nothing between the TCR and the 310hp Golf R in rolling races, my friend has a TCR and we picked up an R for a test drive, up until 200 km/h they were literally glued together! however I gotta say the R felt somewhat more stable at high speeds, perhaps the 4wd explains that 🤔 The TCR sounds much nicer though and feels like a special model while the R could just be a specced up Highline Golf
Very interesting info Nick, suspected they be close even 290 vs 300 but 290 vs 310 is probably bang on identical power to weight
Nick Savage
Yup You’re Right bro but
my 7GTI Stage 1 is faster then a Original Golf R
Now I‘m driving the TCR, this car is a curve -Monster!
Golf R needs a fucking Software-update
volkswizard
Most of the TCR spread up
(Which Means: 300, 310, 320)
Mr Volkswizard please answer, what do you think about golf 8, not making 3 doors?
I'm cool with this as I buy and sell Golfs and 3 doors just do not shift. You might save £550 not speccing 5 door but trust me on resale you will be this amount or more below the value of a 5 door. So you can see why VW don't spend money making a 3 door when it effectlvely devalues the car. Also if you want a 3 door hatch, there is little competition so people won't choose another brand over a Golf based on getting a 3 door. 5 doors apparently have stiffer shells too as the B post is a really strong part of the structure while on a 3 door it's just panels. It's irrelavent anyway as I can't see a Mk8 being much better to drive than GTI TCR or Clubsport S and you can get these in 3 door so just by one of these and cherish it 😍
It’s a nice car but I wouldn’t swap it for my 7.5R and would disagree with about 7 of those reasons. Obv I can’t counter the track argument but my r is a daily not a track car
What do you disagree about because the reasons are largely factual, not just my opinion IIRC, it’s been a few years?
@@volkswizardgolf r looks better especially with a spoiler. And 4 exhausts look better than 2.
10% boot capacity? Really who cares?
Andrew ,
Very good try but you haven't converted this old fart, R man, as an everyday / all year round car to have. Plus I can wait 2020/21 for the R 400 MK8 Plus. Plenty of high spec used Golf R mk7.5 2017 -2019 at sensible money £30k and lower. Manual or DSG ,with 3 or 5 door choice.
Always love your enthusiastic and detailed videos mate. Now get to 10k sub asap.
Enjoy your new daily commute car when you get it . Look forward to your long term reviews on the TCR !
As an R owner the one thing that makes this car better is the colour and the sports LSD. Otherwise I'll keep my R with the AK pipes
Interesting informative video. I'd think of getting a R or clubsport if I had money
If I wanted (or needed) the safety blanket of AWD, a saloon car sound and to see plenty of others in order to convince myself I'd bought the right car, I'd have an R. I don't, so for all the reasons VW Wizard sets out I'll keep my TCR.
Boot is better than an R. But acceleration from rest? Wet road driving in UK better in R, rains a lot here. Bald tyres on an R will give you the same thrills as this. Haha
That in storm trooper colours would be amazing.
"Alles außer Allrad ist Kompromiss" - Walter Röhrl
or
"Vernünftige Autos werden vom Antrieb geschoben, nicht gezogen" - Walter Röhrl
Golf R 4 the win
I’ll keep my R thanks
Richard Donkin Bye
hopefully one day i will have one
One of the only things that making me choose the R over the TCR is the AWD on the R
I like your approach to analyzing Golfs. I like the way you speak, film, and edit. That said, I'd like to argue for the Golf R. Firstly, I think many reviewers underestimate the "sleeper" market for Golfs. We sleepers drive spiritedly, but we like to do so without attracting attention from thieves, police, and neighbors. The Golf R's AWD feature is crucial for me. I live in the front range of Colorado, and we get snow. But even on dry pavement AWD is better. Zero-60 time is important to me, because I almost always floor it away from stop lights. Why? Because I can, and it's fun! There is much less drama doing a 4.5s 0-60 on AWD; less wheelspin; less noise; less uneven tire wear. I highly value the conservative styling of Golf R. I do not want to attract attention. My Golf R is anthracite grey, which is very similar to the TCR above. My Golf R has DSG, which IMO is vastly superior to manual. 0-60 times improve >0.4s. Shifts are smooth, predictable, and less drama than manual. As you've noted the DSG dual clutch is more reliable than the manual's. Re: exhaust sound, most Golf R owner's like quiet; again sleeper.
One area I totally agree with you on is weight. Remember when the Honda CRX was under 2000 lb? These days we have so much crash protection, it adds weight. The Haldex adds weight too, but worth it IMO.
Regarding your assertion that the driving aids on the R take some control away from the driver. I agree somewhat. I still push the R beyond its traction limits. Counter-steering and throttle lift work well for understeer at any speed. Overall the handling of the car is excellent.
I'll finish up with my context. I have a 2016 Mk7 Golf R DSG. I leave it in race mode. I've put in about US$10K performance with: EQT Vortex turbo, Unitronic downpipe, APR intercooler and intake, plus a few other bits and an ECU/DSG tune. 0-60 ~3.4s. Still quiet. 400WHP. Result: a driver's car with better performance than a base Panamera and darn close to an RS3. Obviously this implies I'm less sensitive on MPG. I used to race SCCA Formula Ford.
Can you tell me. Does the tcr have the same downpipe factory as a normal. Gti? And R? I'm curious.
...all good until you drive on wet/icy roads...haldex please...
Thanks for showing a 2-door example
The R can hit 0-60 in 3.5 seconds with just a tune. That’s why I’ll always want one over a GTI.
If you only want cars for speed, you'll never be satisfied, no matter how fast it is, you always get used to speed
am i the only one who has an original golf 7 and just bought the tcr front and r rear bumper because they seemed pretty sporty and not to agressive like any other bumper bodykit and stuff
Are the bumpers different to 7.5? I thought it may just be clip on bits for TCR that differ. Obviously the bumper is different to Mk7 as well. That rear diffuser is a bit tasty 😍
A léon cupra with different badges and a better interior and so much more expensive
Golf over Leon everytime.
@@swift2117 i went for the cupra instead of a gti and R. Interior isnt as good in quality, but infotainment and price kicks the butt of the other two cars...
@@TomNyon totally agree with you on price, I just love the cabin of a mk7.5 especially the digital cockpit.
@@TomNyon you beat me to it. Loads of reviews say the Leon handles better that the golf R and that, on a dry track, it's faster.
Geoffrey Hallam I d seen that video. But I think just been a fwd is the reason behind this. Plus my opinion I prefer the look of the cupra. But the dash of the golf
I wish we had these in the states
30k is still a tonne of money ! More than I could dream of!....just remember... some of use will never offord to drive a car of this quality......
Still going to buy a golf R and APR stage 3 it 👌🏻 I’ll wave at you when i pass you 👋🏻👋🏻👋🏻🤣🤣🤣
He will be waving at you when he drive past the dealership and you will be there having the clutch or the DSG gearbox replaced. Put some some cash aside boy.
Great set of reasons there, Andrew!! Very nice car. Hopefully, you will get 400 more subs and be able to order your very own TCR by the end of next week.....👏🏼
Iv been in the R and by the way it drove I’m after an R in the very near future,just need to own a mk5 gti ED30 dsg first...an itch that i need to scratch badly after driving one that was 377bhp she 413ft/lb SAVAGE
I can't choose between the Golf GTI TCR and the Golf R
This TCR Exhaust sounds so deep and i.m.O. it feels louder than the Akrapovic. Not bad! Nice Video btw.!
Thanks marc👍
Fantastic review considering trading my manual r in I have never realy fell in love with my r ..may be due to been manual ? Thanks wayne
Really like the tcr Gti
Will definitely be a collectors car
I wish I owned one
I’ll keep doing the lottery:)
Great video
Vdub :)
love the videos,more voice sound would be amazing tho...liked...
Excellent review and your knowledge and intricate details such as the front brake/disc info
Thanks vp5!
Race mode with the R quite a bit stronger and deeper than that sound.
I'd love to be able to own one of these. However the faster a cars capability the faster I drive... because I can!
Mines the normal GTI but I’d definitely go for the TCR over the R
Golf r owner and I thought it was the dogs bollox. How wrong was I when my mate bought a tcr and on a roll its leaves my r buy a couple car lengths.
Looks really nice, My Golf R was a real disappointment , quiet, manual and sorry to say it dull...
Sums up my 2016 R perfectly!
NiceGuyAidey
Golf Rs are just muted that’s their problem
Thanks for this video, I’m considering both the R and the TCR 🔥
Add Seat Leon Cupra to the list ;)
I love my 3dr Seat Leon Cupra just gutted you can't but the 3dr anymore . That's the only reason I haven't changed it for a new model. Not a fan of 5dr cars
Do parts off these cars / Clubsports ever come up for sale from a recycler / scraper or something like that?
I am a Golf R owner. I have always said the GTI looks better. The colour is also great!
I’m thinking about buying an R or a TCR
I’m a previous owner of a clubsport S which I loved.
How does the TCR DCC compare to the CSS version?
And I loved how the CSS sounded - how does the TCR compare and is the akrapovic a must have?
Akrapovic not essential, check out my video comparison. TCR DCC calibration feels pretty similar to CSS. The TCR let’s you have CSS fun on a daily basis, it’s only on track where TCR doesn’t have the magic as it pushes into understeer quite easily when CSS camber will mitigate that. Both a lot more fun than an R
@@volkswizard thanks for that I saw your exhaust video after I asked the question! VW exhaust sounds better it seems on the video.
Toying with the idea of a TCR or 2018/2019 R but I’d like DCC and they’re hard to find. For the same sort of money a TCR may have better long term residential?