Mk8 VW Golf R vs GTI Clubsport - WHICH SHOULD YOU BUY?

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In this video, I take a close look at the two top Golfs with a view to helping you decide which one suits your needs best. Both have around 300 PS, 400nm torque and cost just under £40,000 but beyond these headline figures there are some significant differences that take a bit of time to unearth so grab a drink, sit back and enjoy this thorough review of these amazing cars.

Big thanks to Volkswagen UK for the loan of the Mk8 Golf R - this was my first VW UK press car and I couldn't have got this without your support. These loans have to 'paid for' by me through the creation of content like this so far from being a perk they actually absorb a lot of time and effort. The majority of this video was filmed on Easter Sunday because having had the car for a few days by then, I felt I'd got to know it sufficiently well to be able to confidently share my findings with you in this video. If you enjoyed, please don't forget to SUBSCRIBE if you haven't already and if you have, thank you so much.

Look out for Joe Achilles' Mk8 Golf R road and track review video that went live on 21/4/21.

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Part number for the wheel arch extensions are as follows;

Left front 5H0 807 823 9B9
Right front 5H0 807 824 9B9
Left rear 5H0 807 833 9B9
Right rear 5H0 807 834 9B9

[JoeAchilles]

Great video mate, has taught me lots and will be sure to give you a shout out in my R review!

[DM-fnje]

No doubt the R is the best overall for British roads and weather conditions

[Supercarsofcheshire]

I will order the Mk 8 R just for it’s Uk all round weather capabilities, just over 4 seconds to 60, practically, relatively good economy blah blah 😀. I’ve had an 7R, S3 and a 7.5R so call me boring but it’s a good boring. 😀

[mav]

I enjoyed the video.They are both great cars, i purchased the mk 8 golf r only because i had the mk 7 for four years and nothing went wrong with it, either mechanically or electrics wise(never had a car that reliable before). If i could afford them both i would get them both.

[Musti.]

Absolutely fantastic review on both cars Andrew. But still for me it's the GTI. 👍🏻

[andrewmcivor]

Another great review - I expected you to say the Clubsport was the better car, to be honest! I think you completely nailed the difference between them at the end - I'd have the R, every time, but could easily see why someone like yourself would pick the Clubsport.

Re the compliant nature of the R: you touched on this in the review, but I'd think the fact the R was on 18" wheels & those Bridgestone tyres would make a significant difference? It would be interesting to see if an R on 19" wheels/35 profile tyres felt substantially different? I wonder if you were tempted to swap your Vossen wheels onto the R for a test🤣.

Thanks again for another informative & honest review - I can see why VW UK are giving you more cars to test 👍.

Just make sure they give you an Arteon R Shooting Brake to try out!!

[lewisratford]

Having owned both previous models I would go for the R as it makes so much sense for the U.K. climate. I enjoyed my GTI immensely but just can’t take the leap to an auto GTI.
The auto suits the R down to the ground and is just an absolute weapon in all weathers.

[jonnyjones]

Has the wash bottle been moved because the R has an intercooler/radiator on both sides?

[GTI_CHHA]

There's an extra water cooler in the R, that's why VW moved out the windscreen reservoir. This is exactly the same as with the Mk7 GTI and R.

[lsimicek]

Great video, thank you! I ordered GTI Clubsport MK8 a few months back and have a few questions:
1) Is it possible to order a Space saving spare wheel for this car, as it wosn't possible to check this option in VW configurator (Czech Rep.)?
2) Is there any option to cover the engine/DSG from beneth completely as the original Clubsport underneath engine cover is covering only small part of engine/DSG?
3) I ordered this car with 18'' wheels (Richmond) and DCC chasis. Do you think this configuration will comfortable for daily driving on B roads?
4) In Eco or Comfort mode, is the car noiser than standard GTI or Golf?
Thanks a lot for your answer
Ladislav

[hermannschmidt]

Steering precision has a lot to do with the tires. My R Mk7 had a nice precision with the stock Conti Sport 3. The grip was pretty bad though. Sitting on Michelin Pilot Sport 4 now the grip is ridiculous but the steering never had that fine feedback around the middle position, it became kind of numb. The car lost some of its character.

[steveo]

Love the review great as always, not a fan of the aftermarket wheels on the clubsport. I wouldn’t complain if either were on my drive.
Mat from Carwow got 5.02 0-60 and 13.22 1/4 mile on the track in the clubsport.

[malcolmscott]

Great comparison Andrew - I think R and GTI CS buyers want different things from their cars but it’s definitely the CS for me - or even a base manual GTI for lowering the price of entry level motoring for hot hatch aficionados:) 👍🎯🏁🥇

[jrushen]

Someone is going to get a 3.9 sec 0-60 time from that Golf R. Staggering.

[murrynathan]

Just learned the differences between two performance golf models and what a Cornish Pastie is. Great video as always. You’re an awesome presenter!

[karlblower]

Still the CS for me. The front wheel drive VAG hot hatches are more fun to drive than the haldex equipped ones IMO. The only exception to that (again IMO) is the RS3 as the 5 cylinder has lots of character.

[TheGaryhanson]

Hi Andrew. Thinking of a GTD MK8 or BMW 120d xdrive.Any thoughts ? Thank you.

[Josh_]

The R is just too expensive (at least here in Germany were it's a 9.000€ difference)

[stephenwhale]

We’ve been waiting for this review for a while and it didn’t disappoint. Well done.

[vette]

Seems like the sub-optimal spec on the wheels/tires would have a noticeable effect on it’s steering. Also, ESC OFF will be the way to go if looking to get the back out, instead of being defeated by the TC system’s intervention.

Curious about the ride quality comment, were you in Sport and not Comfort setting? Every other review has praised the range of suspension softness vs. firmness.