The title says it all. I'm currently running an APR tune that I'm happy with, but in the future I may consider switching to a Unitronic Stage 2 tune with the corresponding Unitronic downpipe required to make their advertised power figures.

How loud is the car with this downpipe versus stock? Also, I understand that this is subjective, but how "good" does it sound? I don't want something that will just annoy all of my neighbors (and me) with a droning / buzzing sound. What really attracts me to the Unitronic Stage 2 tune is the 470 horsepower without needing to swap to a bigger turbo to get there, but if the downpipe makes the car super annoying to live with I'd probably rather just stick with the measly 410 horsepower my APR tune currently makes. I appreciate your input!

Hi everyone, I am looking to create front side marker overlays for 22-26 Golf GTI and R. Could someone please help me identify the sizing (length and height)?

Thank you so much in advance for your help!

Just wondering what people use. I’m apparently late to the game with Carpro Perl, but I am super impressed with it.

It really improves the appearance of the plastics and the interior (and lasts) in general and is super cost effective. It might be the best I’ve used … especially on these cars/plastics. One bottle will last me a few years I think.

Hello everyone,

Recently picked up a 2017 R with 32,000 miles.

Been searching for almost 2 years for a clean low mileage car in certain colour combo.

Am I crazy not to daily this thing? Or because it's low mileage should I just keep it clean and garage kept? Enjoy on nice days and events etc.

The daily wagon is starting to need lengthy repairs.

Thanks for any insight

what’s up everyone I owned my MK8 R for 2 years but ended up trading it for an 8.5 R and the facelift fixed every issue I had with the car

My MK8 infotainment was glitchy as hell from day 1 even after the updates. Slow and unresponsive and always was crashing on me. half the time it felt like you were fighting the car just to change a setting

I had the steering wheel was replaced twice under warranty due to errors & the touch controls were genuinely terrible. The new larger infotainment is a million times better. Way more responsive and intuitive with the hvac controls. It’s crazy to me the mk8 didn’t have physical backlit climate controls either. The new buttons on the wheel are still touch control but they seemingly adjusted sensitivity of them or something, I do recall reading something about that in here I think?

Love the updated front end way more too, couple that with the new forged wheels from factory & a little more power im lowkey surprised how much more I like this car. I did like my mk8 a lot aside from all of its constant annoyances, the 8.5 just feels like it fixed all the issues I had and I can’t wait to go drive it more ♥️♥️♥️ any 8 owners make the switch?

Just deposited the insurance check & drinking at the bar. 😢

I can't explain how orgasmically fun a stage 3 mk6 r was to drive for a year & a half. That thing was ridiculous!

After totaling my base Mk 6 and realizing im not a truck guy through leasing, I finally locked down this Mk 8.5 Eurostyle that took a lot of leveraging with multiple dealerships. Super happy I got the exact package and exact color I wanted for this car.

With that being said, what are some small things that Mk 8.5 owners did as soon as they got the car? Thanks in advance.

Evolution of my different cars for reference.

Did my first ever trackday with the 8R , any recommendation for cheaper handling mods?
I’ve been thinking between EBC yellowstuff and Ferodo 2500s.. The car is mostly daily driven, rarely I do some trackdays . I was also thinking about 034 swaybars, and do some remapping ( around 380hp ) while having the factory downpipe.
I’m also hesitating to get H&R lowering springs or not.. Would that stiffen the suspension and make the bodyroll less?
I’m using forged rims with 245/35R19 PilotSport 4s all around.

Everyday for 3 years checking fb and eBay I finally found some genuine BBS LM in 19x8.5 et 43. So many 5x114.3 sets here but never 5x112.

I couldn’t decided if I should refinish them to blacked out or keep them silver. I ended up getting the small curb rash fixed and just kept them original.
I’ve since removed my blacked out front and rear badges. Didn’t think I’d like the silver over blacked out but it’s growing on me.

Hi all! A few weeks ago, I picked up a new to me mk7. The previous owner mentioned he liked to drive on gravel roads a lot with it and I can tell by how many rock chips are in the bumper 😭

I got a good price, so I'm not too mad about it, but I want to clean it up and fix it while it's in my care. Been debating between something like a 2 stage paint correction or maybe just touch ups on the bigger gouges. Has anyone done work with something like this and have any lessons to share?

I got a quote from a guy today that suggested a 3 stage paint correction with a full hood and bumper wrap for just over 3k. If that's my only option, I'm afraid she's gonna stay chipped for a while.

So basically I’m looking to buy a golf r but I’m not sure if I should get a lower spec mk8.5 or get a higher spec mk8. I would like some advise on what move to make and what are the key differences from people that have owned both or either thanks.

Ever since I bought the car after winter season my idle has been higher then what is in specifications in obd11 by around 60 rpm. I took it into my mechanic and he specified this is normal behavior from a car with 288k miles.

Even after flash/before, the rpm never change. I tried a different ecu and the other ecu doesn't have this issue and the rpm sits pretty low.

If anyone has any concencious about such an issue or had one please share some details.

Literally a childhood dream come true.

Just got Apex 18x8.5 wheels in for my 2026 and will be adding snow tires to them.

Any thoughts on going 235 vs 245 for width or choosing 40 vs 45 ratio (if going with 235s)?

These will be used on my daily driver in New England, including ski runs up to NH/VT.

I noticed 245s are cheaper but not by all that much.

My buddy just sent me this picture because he thought the wheels looked kewl and I agree but don’t know what they are…? Thoughts?

Been running a simple spreadsheet since buying my mk7 in 2019. Every oil change, brake job, tire set, I log the exact cost and date. Last year the total came to just over two grand and that was without anything major breaking. This year the numbers feel like they are creeping up again, mainly on tires and the occasional software flash. I keep wondering if spacing services differently or shopping around more would move the needle at all. Ice fishing season is coming so cash flow is tighter and I do not want a surprise bill hitting right before the lakes freeze. Anyone else track this stuff religiously or do you just wait for the bill and deal with it?

Was happy to see my wife in 255 got a wheel up!

Wondering if anyone knows of puddle lamps that would actually light up the area around the door? The R looks cool but I'd actually like to be able to see.

2018 “canadian” Golf R
I was driving the other day and noticed that The word AUTO is illuminated in yellow I have never paid attention to this, Is yellow normal? There are no codes or issues with my car. All lights seem to be operating normally.

Could someone with a similar car check the colour of the word auto when their headlights are supposed to be on? (Not in the middle of the day)

Thanks

Started noticing this sound while idle on my golf6r. The random pulsing sound. Vacuum leak? changed out the oil fill cap recently. still makes this sound, or is this how its supposed to sound>