Ive got a 69 plate R estate and a 2016 GTD hatch. Love them both.

Totally agree about the 7.5 I had a SE NAV in Atlantic blue so well built and never let me down ever

I've had my R estate 6 months now and it can do just about everything. Loads of room in the boot and with a set of roof bars even more to be had above. I've even had a 3 part extension ladder on it no probs. Comfortable to cruise in too but it's still bonkers enough to scare the kids in the back when required 😁

I had a white 7.5 R estate, one of the best cars I have owned. Super practical, superb 4motion, brilliant on fuel..........and rapid.

I have one of these , 7.5 R Estate(wagon), Indium grey. Must say quite like it , mainly because it is so understated. Previous car was a WRX premium stick shift an excellent car to drive but only for the driver, my wife hated it. Golf R is practicable, quick and very easy to drive and comfortable.

My wife is about to get a company car and I'm trying to convince her to get this or the mk8 😅. And we live in Germany, can't wait to open it up on the autobahn.

The reason I got my R estate mainly is becuase of the trunk. With two kids I need the space in the back for all the gear we need on a trip. When I'm not driving these kids around I can still enjoy the car to the max, having enough power to mess with other wanna-race drivers under estimating the car's potential. I love it, and I won't say goodbye to it soon.

Very Torn between one of these second hand low milage for 25k and the new Cupra estate for just short of 40k. The Cupra is loaded with options including DCC but performance wise the 2 are the same car. Leaning towards Cupra at the moment.

Just wondered if you can tell me if it’s a straight swap between golf mk7 r seats and mk7.5 seats please? I’m guessing the physical fitment is the same it’s more the wiring plugs I’m concerned about. Any help would be great thanks!

Great video Andrew such a nice car and a great buy for its stealthy competence- can’t wait to see the new car also :)

I like the look of it. I don't find it dull at all. The rear looks better then the mk8 r. And I like the 4 exhausts look on the estate. If I find a good one it will be mine

Great video again. What you say re the R wagon makes a lot of sense and fits so much with the VW ‘sensible/practical’ ethos. But sometimes owning and driving a car is more than just making sense. Looking forward to the big reveal.

7.5 peak gti

Great content as always, please keep it coming!

Nice review good to have some good content to watch on TV these days. Thank God someone agrees with me about the mark 8 Center console. There is just something missing in that area and it lets down the car I think. Good to hear you’re keeping the TCR as I really enjoy the content hope to see it in future as we foe out of lock down 👍🤞

I’ve noticed with the estate r they ain’t many around with a high end spec. Valid point with how often would you actually require the extra space. Did have my heart set on a late 18/19 golf r but looking at pcp prices on the mk8 r I’d be tempted to spend that but extra.

Great review Andrew. You hit the nail on the head and cover every aspect as to why the 7.5 R Estate is such a great car which is why I got one (2019 model) back in November last year. It does everything I need in a car. It's spirited and punchy. It puts a smile on my face every time I drive it and it also offers me the practicality as a family man to take the family on holiday or do the tip run when I need to. Yes, some elements may begin to look dated compared to the mk8 R but it still looks reasonably fresh in 7.5 form today and think it will become a bit of a cult icon as the mk8 R is dividing opinion at the moment. I like the subtlety of the R Estate too. Doesn't draw too much attention for anyone wanting a traffic light Grand Prix and as my boy racer days have passed me by that suits me fine (and the wife, lol). I love it!

Do the hatchback taillights fit the wagon?

I have a Mk7 R estate with DCC, it's the car for all reasons! Best car I have ever had including Golf GTI's Mk's 1 to 6. Averaged 35 MPG since I got it. A true iron fist in a velvet glove.

The buttons around the gearstick is a null point, the more options you tick when you order your car the more of those buttons are used. For example park assist option which is a button that will be fitted on the right of the gearstick. That option isn’t available on the R but it was on the gti and TCR.

Such a lovely car Andrew and I hope it finds a good home i love the look of the R estate and was impressed when I drove one when I was buying my 8 admittedly it was a GT and the luggage space but I wanted a manual and the estate was a run out one with DSG they couldn’t get a manual Had the R been a manual would love one just prefer them to DSG but I guess in future with electric cars will have to have auto! Great video again Andrew keep safe

I forgot how dated the 7/7.5 interiors are now that the 8 is out, couldn’t go back to be honest !

I took my MK7.5 Estate on castle combe in October. Running PS4s, feels like the tires are under a lot of load when cornering not so much under steer but sheer weight. It's quick enough for the track even without the ECU/Mapping being tinkered with but I'd say stick with a TCR for track. great video.

The Estate is underrated for sure, I bet a stage 1 is like a mini RS4

Can't wait to see the new car!

Good review thanks Andrew. Have I missed something, what happened to your Seat Leon ?

6 weeks into owning a 2018 310bhp R estate and liking it more and more. It's more compact than my previous Skoda Superb estate 4x4 which is isn't a bad thing in some ways. Skoda had to go because of ULEZ. Took the boot shelf supports out of mine which gives quite a lot more space but means only a space-saver tyre can be used. EDIT, a couple more months down the line. Had 40+ MPG with mortorway driving but it's has horrendous fuel consumption in traffic (London is choked solid a lot of the time) Enjoying flexibility of a load-lugging fairly covert performance car.

Had my 7.5 estate for two years - revo stage 1 has transformed it - an absolute no brainer . Only complaint is the squeaky door seals so I use the gummistick and problem gone . Road noise is a bit much but hey it’s a performance car . Use 99 Ron fuel and with spirited driving it’s easily mid 30,s mpg . Love it

Seems like the perfect car. We don't get them in the States...

Wish they had that in the states.

Great video. I just put that exhaust on my cupra 300 st opf. It’s a direct fit and sounds good. £500 from vw too not bad. I think with the opf cars the center box not being there makes it sound better.

Can you comment please on the suspension. I would love one of these cars and your review was great, thanks, but will it be comfortable enough for her for shopping trips etc?

I'd agree and say a high spec 7.5 estate in Lapis Blue and Silver Pretorias is probably the best an everyday golf can be....ticks every box.... Apart from the all-important one. The one your TCR ticks. That thing is just special!

I see your point about 4x4, my A3 Quattro is pretty pointless most of the year. Great review as always, would love a Golf R Estate or Cupra Estate which is significantly cheaper. GTD Estate no good as I’m moving away from diesel. Good luck with the sale, someone’s getting a great car!

Great video, look forward to your new car soon, so just wandering what you are doing with those pretoria wheels as i have a 70 plate golf r estate in indium grey?

damn, I wish we had the R estate in the US.

Great video. You should investigate getting a lens hood to cut down on some of the lens flare!

It’s not full time awd, most of the time it’s front wheel drive.

The best GTI is the GTI TCR!!! 💪😍

Another excellent video - I've commented this before, but I think the R makes more sense as an estate than a hatch. I'm biased, of course, as I have one myself 🤣. I wouldn't have bought an R hatch - I'd have probably gone for a GTi PP hatch, but I particularly wanted the estate - missed the space when I traded in my old Passat B6 estate for the GTD. I bought an R Estate a few months before you (20 plate) to replace my Mk 7 GTD hatch. With the spec I was after too (Dynaudio, Pan roof, DCC & 19" Spielberg). It's every car I could ever want or need - indeed, I'm seriously considering paying the balloon payment & keeping it at the end of the PCP! Re your comments on the suspension/wheels - I find the 19" wheels to be noticeably quieter than the same size on my GTD (19" Santiago). Probably down to the tyres (Continental on the R, Pirelli on the GTD) - incidentally, my Wife has a new A3 Edition 1 with 19" wheels & Pirelli Pzero tyres - I find then pretty noisy ( much more so than the Golf R). Re the interior - I don't use my phone in the car (apart from creating a WiFi hotspot for CarNet) & I have no interest in music streaming (old skool🤣), so I hate that part of the Mk8 ( and new A3) - I'm probably one of the few Mk 7.5 owners that uses the CD player in the glovebox (although not that much). I don't like my Wife's A3 (apart from the seats & ambient lighting) & think she actually prefers my Golf too - guess we're just too long in the tooth for the tech🤣🤣.

I’ve got a 7.5 Golf GTD estate and it’s such a good car. I’ll be gutted when I see her go.

On my 3rd Golf R, 2 hatches & currently a 7.5 estate. Have enjoyed them all. Wasn’t 100% about going for the estate at the time (now coming up to 3 yrs with it) but have absolutely loved it. Slight handling comprises vs the hatch, but in every other aspect has suited my needs & been a pleasure to drive everyday. The most complete Q car I’ve had. Having said all that currently pricing a mk8 clubsport v a m135i as a replacement, or do I wait for the mk8 estate? Decision, decisions.

I prefer a classy sleeper also. '15 SE Sportwagon, white with full tint. Yakima roof rack on rails, which I've carried couches on..lol. Go camping with 21ft cargo box. Amber driving as on KZfaq, hi beams, amber rear turns by pulling out red plastic seen on KZfaq. Would like all LED lights but money going to fixer house. :) Love it still at 67k miles. Mine is 6sp auto non dsg which has been great. Best mpg is 39 on road trip. I didn't want the diesel which had dsg. Cheers and i dislike alot about the Mk8. Mk7 rules!

Nice video, why is it that the estate Mk7/Mk7.5's don't get the upgraded rear headlights?

Picking my mk7.5 2019 golf r estate up next week can’t wait after watching this

Also meant to add that I totally agree that the LED headlights are far superior to the Bi Xenon lights in the Mk7. Quite an obvious & dramatic upgrade! Wasn't aware about the auto dimming/non dazzle function though - I did notice the small "a" in the full beam icon on the dash when I first drove at night, but was still manually dipping the headlights (d'oh 🤣) - must try it again!

Great video, I’m surprised at your comments about the estate being the best golf 7.5. It’s too heavy, the rear doesn’t look good and it’s not a hot hatch which to me is what the R and Gti stand for. If you want an estate buy a GTD.

One thing is for sure, the mk7.5 is the last of them to still be somewhat analogue. From the mk8 forward it's all about interfacing with software to interpret and perform an action or have a sensation.

A cracking car for some lucky owner. I totally get the wolf in sheep’s clothing, under the radar, appeal. Look forward to content with the new addition to the fleet to come Andrew. Hope you’re keeping safe and well.

I would probably choose the TCR over the R also. Looking forward to seeing what the new car is

One day. Stick with my mk5 2.0 TFSI estate for a while longer.

If only they sorted that rear boot and light area out...it would then be perfect. Great review as always 👍

One question. Which corners better/faster R or GTi/TCR

Good car but the Cupra ST looks much smarter imo. Also the interior rattles I had on my Golf R were ridiculous. Would be interested in your opinion on VW interior rattles.

I still think the interior on mk 7.5 is better than 8, they really have cut down on quality control.

thought u didnt like the golf r ?

You think it looks boring !

Absolutely the right decision Andrew. The R wagon is a fine car but for me at least not one that you'd turn around and look at as you're walking away whereas I'd park my TCR in the lounge if I could :-) That coupled with the fact that you are very unlikely to see another TCR on the road, even less so with the *correct* number of doors, in which I take childish pleasure even though to 99.9% of people it's just another white VW Golf.

Apologies if anyone asked already, but how many days a year do you do track days? How many days of bad road conditions per year Andrew? I think the GTI is just closer to your heart!

Car is ALL in one, if you don't have money for 2 car this car is family car, race, road trip 😀

Better than the levorg in everything but looks

In 3 door yes not as an estate

Would you rather this or a b9 s4?

The Italian accent was a bonus!

I'd take the gtd estate as the mpg is better and when mapped it could easily keep up with the R. Plus it's a bit rarer than the R

Review some Octavia vrs’s you will be surprised

best car I've owned 👌

Why can’t we get this in the US?! 😢

Very nice Andrew. Personally I think you should keep the Golf R Estate as a 'Company car'.. Stay safe. Respect.

Excellent video as always! I still long for the day where I can finally own a Mk7.5 Golf R! Unfortunately I have to 'KZfaq' on a tight budget. #mychannelismediocre

Probbaly not wise to show that you're selling this used car for more than you bought it for brand new

That's the life isn't it, buying a new Golf R just incase we get a few flakes of snow. The mans made it.

I think you've made 1 mistake. It isn't 10% heavier than the hatch. I think it's only 80kg more. As for fuel economy, my 7.5R Estate got more fuel efficient with a few more miles, and in Eco (with PedalBox+) then I can easily top 40mpg. And the pre-OPF farts a lot between gear changes.

Fast but completely lacks soul IMO ! Good cars none the less

If I was to buy an r it would be the estate it's all the car you would need and mpg is not exactly horrendous. Would be fun to own until it got nicked

The Mk8 looks a bit more sporty compared to the Mk7. If find the Mk7 rather plain styling but that’s just my opinion. However, again in my opinion. I feel the Mk8, interior is rather poor for VW standards the lack of physical knobs and dials is rather disappointing

Yep, certainly a great all-rounder. First review of Mk8 R on Pistonheads looks very promising.....

Awd not 4wd

Yeah don’t sell the tcr! Unless you want to sell it to me 🤣

GTI's should get the 4, R's the 5.

Groan.

The R is ruined by County Lines Trash using them as a status symbol.

@9:14 haha

The hatch will always be superior to the wagon

I hated the estate.. hatch is much better

To ne fair any golf estate is butt ugly

So since you drive your cars like you stole them , the few miles this BRAND NEW ENGINE car has ever had were very hard for it . I know most new cars come with engines pre broken in but still . Id not buy one like this .