Kjrscouse Posted November 11, 2020 Report Share Posted November 11, 2020 Hi, I'm not really taken with the MK8 which I had been waiting to see before deciding whether to keep my 7.5 estate, the only other I have an interest in is the Arteon R shooting brake as I have a couple toddlers who are growing fast so may need to upsize for their rear leg room, but my preference would be to change their child seats so they aren't giving me a kick in back all the time and then do some upgrades and deal with some of the knocks its taken in 3 years of ownership. I am looking to see of anyone has managed to fit a power boot lid at all and also possibly looking at an APR Stage 1 and what the results were like? Any views/opinions/comments appreciated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penguin Posted November 11, 2020 Report Share Posted November 11, 2020 A word of caution from someone who made a costly mistake....3 years ago I should have bought a Golf R estate but instead I opted to buy a Skoda Superb 280 TSI. Head Vs. heart and head won. A lot of mechanicals are shared but they are just implemented and configured differently. My kids had stupid amounts of rear leg room, we all did. The car was very well spec'd and nice place to be but my life it was as dull as dishwater and I'm not sure the steering rack was in the same time zone as the front wheels. Fair enough it was pretty brisk and a complete sleeper but I oh so regretted not getting the R to begin with. I finally got the R estate back in May. For me, the R is more than adequate for family duties (while not as capacious as the Superb) but an absolute joy to drive steady or a bit harder. It's just a great allrounder. Bottom line, leave the kids at home change the car seats! 😊 I've seen there's a few companies who offer aftermarket 3rd party power tailgates but the reviews are hit and miss. I've not seen anyone on here who's at it done though. I've gone stage 1 in mine (Revo) and it's transformed the car. Same smooth power delivery but just with the volume turned up. A stock R isn't exactly slow but mapped they are on another level. APR are very well regarded on here and have a great R&D program and proven, consistent performance. TBH if I had a reputable APR tuner local to me then I'd probably have given them a go but the indy specialist I use for servicing is a Revo agent so it made sense from a long term support perspective. Also, if you ever feel you may wish to go stage 2 at some point in the future, APR (as of Sept gone) no longer offer stage 2 maps. Not essential for stage 1 but something that will add some extra responsiveness is upgrading the turbo inlet elbow and hose. There's also the 'pikey R600' mod which is relatively inexpensive but gives proven gains (performance panel filter, remove snow grate and drill holes in the RH side of the air intake and optionally fit a blanking plate to the LH side of the air intake). I did this and it cost me ~£150 whereas the Racingline R600 intake cost £380. It made a difference to how responsive the car feels under acceleration. I've also fitted a 22mm rear Superpro anti-roll bar which makes a significant difference to how tight and flat the rear of the car feels during cornering, without compromising the ride in any way (even our dog doesn't complain - in the squidgy Superb he would puke on every car journey). If you don't already have one then a pedal tuning box is also probably the best bang for buck mod you can make. Reduces the initial delay when you press the accelerator; no difference in power output but it feels like a mini remap in itself. I appreciate insurance is very subject but it's worth checking with your insurer beforehand. I was with Swinton when I bought the car but they wouldn't cover any engine tuning so I just terminated the policy early and moved to Admiral who were happy with any power increase that was <25%. It upped the premium a bit but not by that much. I also declared all my other mods and barring the air intake changes, they didn't make a difference. The anti-roll bar is noted on the policy but didn't affect the premium and ditto the Clubsport disc and pads I also fitted. The stock R estate is a bloody great car but for a bit more cash you can make some significant performance upgrades without compromising it's daily driver practicality and usability. Sorry, I may have just killed your budget 😂 Kjrscouse, OJPaavola, brad7.5REST and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brad7.5REST Posted November 13, 2020 Report Share Posted November 13, 2020 I sold my 7.5 R estate last year and I miss it so much . I currently drive the Cupra Ateca and its just not as sexy. I was one of those that turned and looked every time I walked away from her.I had the R600, turbo elbow and inlet. Remap by AMD and had just under 380hp and a gearbox remap. 13 sec 1/4 mile dropped to 12 sec...and even managed a 11.99 once.I'm not a fan of the front G8 and if I had your choices... Definitely keep her and remap to stage 1 with supporting bits.It's like breathing new life into it. Sent from my SM-G988B using Tapatalk Batch and Kjrscouse 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kjrscouse Posted November 14, 2020 Author Report Share Posted November 14, 2020 Thanks both for the advice, seems fairly consistent! I’ve looked at getting an M340i touring, RS4 avant, X5M50d or an SQ7 and I’ll be honest I can’t justify the money based on what you have to pay to get a spec as high as mine most of which comes as standard add to that the fact that it’s only really the RS4 that is much quicker and for 1200 quid I can do the engine and gearbox leaving everything else standard and then it becomes as quick as an RS4 pretty much anyway. I spoke to my local apr guy this week and will be booking in to have a go in one of their 2 they keep on site see how good it is but sounds like I won’t be let down. I do really like the look of the Arteon shooting brake but again compared to what I’ve got and speccing it the same way easily breaking the 50k barrier for a car that has 10 more bhp and will likely be slower because it’s heavier but won’t have as good a chassis. Like you guys I don’t want to regret getting rid of it as it’s the pre WLTP detune which looking around leaves them holding their value quite well too. I was up in the highlands last weekend and taking photos of it (attached), I just love the look of it, also pretty unique indium grey metallic with grey Pretoria’s which I’ve not seen a single estate up in Scotland or on auto trader with that combination. I too look back at it, even unlock it and relock just to see the flash and the mirrors as well as start it for the headlight show! Yes I’m a child! But it’s the car that helped my wife and I move house, has ferried our babies (now toddlers) around, has dealt with beast from the east trying to get around to get baby milk and not once has it given any issues. I think you know where this is going, I’ve got an emotional attachment to it, I love it. I love looking at it, cleaning it, but most of all putting it into race and throwing it down the country roads where I live plus the kids love it when I floor it shouting faster faster daddy (they grassed me up the wife getting her to do it in hers) So in summary, new car seats for the kids (or leave them at home), remap, review of the other suggestions see what the damage is, get the paintwork redone given no longer going to an office car park so hopefully no more damage and redo all 4 wheels plus a full valet and detail I think for her birthday! Booth11, brad7.5REST, NRW and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brad7.5REST Posted November 14, 2020 Report Share Posted November 14, 2020 What's not to love... I used to look back at that all the time... Sent from my SM-G988B using Tapatalk Penguin, Kjrscouse, NRW and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kjrscouse Posted November 14, 2020 Author Report Share Posted November 14, 2020 I actually feel bad saying this knowing your regret, not normally a fan of blue in the golfs but wow (apologies) brad7.5REST 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penguin Posted November 15, 2020 Report Share Posted November 15, 2020 On 14/11/2020 at 11:15, brad7.5REST said: What's not to love... I used to look back at that all the time... Sent from my SM-G988B using Tapatalk That's the colour I really wanted. Like rocking horse poop at the time. brad7.5REST 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brad7.5REST Posted November 15, 2020 Report Share Posted November 15, 2020 That's the colour I really wanted. Like rocking horse poop at the time. It's a perfect combination Sent from my SM-G988B using Tapatalk Penguin 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theskivingscholar Posted November 16, 2020 Report Share Posted November 16, 2020 On 11/11/2020 at 17:53, Penguin said: I also declared all my other mods and barring the air intake changes, they didn't make a difference. The anti-roll bar is noted on the policy but didn't affect the premium and ditto the Clubsport disc and pads I also fitted. Alright, what did admiral class as "air intake"? I've just had mine noted down as "Filters - non standard" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penguin Posted November 16, 2020 Report Share Posted November 16, 2020 9 minutes ago, theskivingscholar said: Alright, what did admiral class as "air intake"? I've just had mine noted down as "Filters - non standard" IIRC that's what mine came under but I also told them about the upgraded hose and turbo inlet. I phoned them in the end as some of the mods I had didn't quite correlate to what they had in their drop down menus and I wanted to be sure everything was at least noted on the policy. The agent was very helpful and seemed to understand what some of the mods were and what they should come under on their system. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theskivingscholar Posted November 16, 2020 Report Share Posted November 16, 2020 Just now, Penguin said: IIRC that's what mine came under but I also told them about the upgraded hose and turbo inlet. I phoned them in the end as some of the mods I had didn't quite correlate to what they had in their drop down menus and I wanted to be sure everything was at least noted on the policy. The agent was very helpful and seemed to understand what some of the mods were and what they should come under on their system. Yea, i'm having a nightmare trying to get them to understand CAI, upgrades hose and turbo inlet. They said they'll have to contact underwriters and would get back to me in 5 days. Gave up and just said "it's a filter - non standard" and going to call them again and add "dump valve" to the modifications to cover it. Also stage 1 remap is down as "engine chip 10-25%". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batch Posted January 7, 2021 Report Share Posted January 7, 2021 I’m smitten with my 7.5R wagon, so much so I’m likely to buy it when my lease ends (plus I’ve sunk thousands into my modifications!). I’m definitely one who looks back as I walk away... The power tailgate is something I was looking into, I believe the Tiguan R-Line and high end Passats have this option so the OEM kit is there, and I even saw a blank somewhere on the tailgate trim to be punched out for a button, so I reckon it’s doable but like a reversing camera retrofit, won’t be cheap or easy! brad7.5REST and GMballistic 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captjack Posted January 22, 2021 Report Share Posted January 22, 2021 On 14/11/2020 at 09:32, Kjrscouse said: Thanks both for the advice, seems fairly consistent! I’ve looked at getting an M340i touring, RS4 avant, X5M50d or an SQ7 and I’ll be honest I can’t justify the money based on what you have to pay to get a spec as high as mine most of which comes as standard add to that the fact that it’s only really the RS4 that is much quicker and for 1200 quid I can do the engine and gearbox leaving everything else standard and then it becomes as quick as an RS4 pretty much anyway. I spoke to my local apr guy this week and will be booking in to have a go in one of their 2 they keep on site see how good it is but sounds like I won’t be let down. I do really like the look of the Arteon shooting brake but again compared to what I’ve got and speccing it the same way easily breaking the 50k barrier for a car that has 10 more bhp and will likely be slower because it’s heavier but won’t have as good a chassis. Like you guys I don’t want to regret getting rid of it as it’s the pre WLTP detune which looking around leaves them holding their value quite well too. I was up in the highlands last weekend and taking photos of it (attached), I just love the look of it, also pretty unique indium grey metallic with grey Pretoria’s which I’ve not seen a single estate up in Scotland or on auto trader with that combination. I too look back at it, even unlock it and relock just to see the flash and the mirrors as well as start it for the headlight show! Yes I’m a child! But it’s the car that helped my wife and I move house, has ferried our babies (now toddlers) around, has dealt with beast from the east trying to get around to get baby milk and not once has it given any issues. I think you know where this is going, I’ve got an emotional attachment to it, I love it. I love looking at it, cleaning it, but most of all putting it into race and throwing it down the country roads where I live plus the kids love it when I floor it shouting faster faster daddy (they grassed me up the wife getting her to do it in hers) So in summary, new car seats for the kids (or leave them at home), remap, review of the other suggestions see what the damage is, get the paintwork redone given no longer going to an office car park so hopefully no more damage and redo all 4 wheels plus a full valet and detail I think for her birthday! Forest Holidays 👍👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starmagsi Posted January 24, 2021 Report Share Posted January 24, 2021 Unless you were looking for something a bit more niche (2 seater, SUV etc), I can't see any reason to swap out the Golf? Does everything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carlw86 Posted February 15, 2023 Report Share Posted February 15, 2023 On 14/11/2020 at 11:15, brad7.5REST said: What's not to love... I used to look back at that all the time... Sent from my SM-G988B using Tapatalk Hi is this Atlantic Blue? brad7.5REST 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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