Golf R 3 door manual

[Germanic]

Evening Piston heads!
I bought a BMW M140i auto about 6 months ago.
Absolutely nothing wrong with it, other than I’m really wishing I’d gone for the Golf and most importantly, a manual.
At the time similar specced cars were similar money, maybe the Golf was a smidge more, but the snob in me went for the badge and I regret it!
The beemer does most things effortlessly, but I want more driver involvement than losing the back end in less than perfect weather.
I know many will say go DSG but I really am very old school, having come from a stable of “hot hatches” over the years I still like the look of 3 doors too.
I realise here in the UK a manual Mk8 won’t happen, as won’t 3 doors so I’m looking for a nice Mk7.5.

Not too fussed on colour (other than red) and I realise the clutch will need replacing (thinking Sachs Organic but I welcome other opinions?)
I’m not going to be modding like stage1,2 or 3 as if I wanted something faster I’d keep the beemer, or probably look at something else- the Golf to me “looks” perfect, not something I’ve ever thought about the 1 series.
I may upgrade brakes and pads, look at short shift gear depending on what the stock shift feels like, but genuinely feel excited to be getting one sometime soon with a bit of luck!

Any advice?

I may even go Mk7 if I see something mint, is there any difference in the gearboxes, manual mk7 vs 7.5?

Thanks for taking the time to read- great site.

[mcg_]

I'd definitely advise getting a 7.5 over a 7 if you can. They seem to be fetching strong money at the minute, but what isn't I guess.

I've got a 7.5 dsg. Good car, fast and grips well (in comparison to the mk7 gti pp I had before). As great as it is, it's pretty boring in honesty, sure the manual would improve on the fun factor.

[Nickarcher82]

I had a 17 plate (nicked and replaced with a 67 plate) R.

One watch-out is that the bhp dropped back down to 300 from 315bhp I think on the 2019 MY (I’m not 100%) but someone will know. Certainly the last year or so before the 8 came out it did.

I had a grey one, VE67 AOL. Whoever has it now has a great car. Had the Nappa interior which was lovely. Pretty sure it will be worth more now than the deal Porsche gave me for it… and that was decent in summer 19!

Manual box was very good I thought. It’s possibly going to be less exciting than you have now….though not much would beat it, it didn’t stretch you.

[PHZero]

Nickarcher82 said:

I had a 17 plate (nicked and replaced with a 67 plate) R.

One watch-out is that the bhp dropped back down to 300 from 315bhp I think on the 2019 MY (I’m not 100%) but someone will know. Certainly the last year or so before the 8 came out it did.

I had a grey one, VE67 AOL. Whoever has it now has a great car. Had the Nappa interior which was lovely. Pretty sure it will be worth more now than the deal Porsche gave me for it… and that was decent in summer 19!

Manual box was very good I thought. It’s possibly going to be less exciting than you have now….though not much would beat it, it didn’t stretch you.

The power was dropped from 310hp to 300hp in 2019 for WLTP compliance reasons. It was increased from 300 to 310 with the facelift version in spring 2017. They stopped producing manual R's with the WLTP changes (OPF / PPF, no resonator, single rail injection). So no manuals from approx late 2018.

[missing the VR6]

Slight leftfield one, how about a Edition 40 Clubsport, especially on 19's with the if memory serves Michelin Cup tyre. I'd say during it's over boost phase it's quicker than an R. Will caveat it and say I left VW in 2017 so memory may be a little fuzzy.

[Luke.]

The Golf R's dull as ditch water. Far preferred the i3 that replaced it.