[GR8-Ride]

After several years of back to back BMW M car ownership, I made the switch to a Jaguar F-Pace SVR two years ago. Fantastic vehicle, quick for an SUV, sounds fantastic, etc.

However I miss the feeling of rowing my own gears on a regular basis, and have been itching to get back into a manual sedan / hatch. I still want four doors (I'm also not a big fan of the Gxx M4, though the Gxx M2 looks awesome!). I'm not big on the Civic Type R / Hyundai Veloster / GR Corolla, all primarily on the styling side.

As a long-time BMW fan and owner of several, I'm partial to the M3. But as a daily driver, I find myself very tempted by the latest Mk8 Golf R. I've driven one recently, and actually found it pretty enjoyable to drive, albeit it was a 30 min test spin.

The M3 is clearly better looking, and obviously quicker, but I also wonder how often I could / would really utilize the additional 160 HP on the street (especially in Canada with 3 months of winter).

Any M3 owners who have come from any generation of Golf R, or any Golf R owners who made the switch to an M3/M4, and the reasons why (or thoughts in general)?


Patrick

[Mr Friese]

Owner of multiple gens of M3s (E92, F80, G80). Currently have a 2023 Golf R 20AE 6MT and it is shockingly good. It won't perform as well as the M3 obviously, but the smaller form factor make it much more tossable and fun IMO. It's basically an RS3 without the 5 cylinder, so take that for what you will.

[blinkme323]

The MK8 R blew me away. I was a little scared off by some of the reviews of the electronics, but they are overblown IMO. In the CTR, GRC, EN arena, it is head and shoulders at the top of its class and a future classic. Feel free to PM me with any questions though

[Bleaus64]

I have a 2023 BMW M3 G 80 and right now I am at a crossroad with the manual shifter. There is definitely a “disconnected feeling“ due to the linkage. I had a civic SI 2022 before this and it was much better! I recently test drove a Mustang and it was much better! I’m not sure about the golf R…. But I would say drive an M3 manual before you buy it.

[DFW_M]

Originally Posted by Bleaus64

I have a 2023 BMW M3 G 80 and right now I am at a crossroad with the manual shifter. There is definitely a “disconnected feeling“ due to the linkage. I had a civic SI 2022 before this and it was much better! I recently test drove a Mustang and it was much better! I’m not sure about the golf R…. But I would say drive an M3 manual before you buy it.

G80 manual is awesome. Especially after 5k miles of break in...it gets better with more miles...

[gohawks23]

I went from F80 M3 to 992 C2S to MK8 GTI...all manuals. I am very happy with how fun to drive the GTI is for less than 40K! It handles like a go cart and can turn on a dime...plus you can actually push it a bit on public roads without breaking every law in the land immediately! :-)

All manuals nice to drive but BMW is always difficult 1-2. The GTI is so easy and smooth. The 992 felt weird because 7 spd and the 'gating' felt narrower to me on shifts...it took the longest to get used to.

[BryanCO]

I have a thread around here somewhere re g80 or Mrk 8 Golf R. The M3 is certainly the much better car but it’s also 30-40k more money.

I bought both and kept the M3.

Oh, and I have a Mrk 6 GTI for snowy winter days. We’ve put 92k miles on that car and it’s still fun to drive. Manual of course.

[z335is]

Originally Posted by BryanCO

I have a thread around here somewhere re g80 or Mrk 8 Golf R. The M3 is certainly the much better car but it’s also 30-40k more money.

I bought both and kept the M3.

Oh, and I have a Mrk 6 GTI for snowy winter days. We’ve put 92k miles on that car and it’s still fun to drive. Manual of course.

Dang already got rid of the Golf R? How did you like it?

[BryanCO]

Originally Posted by z335is

Dang already got rid of the Golf R? How did you like it?

I waited 18 months for the R but made the decision to get an M3 and not keep the R about when the R finally arrived. So, really no experience with the R. But I would agree with the general consensus of the online reviews.

[BMWsully]

Just saw an MK8 Golf R out in the wild for the first time yesterday. Holy hell are they sweet, very unexpected. I'm assuming there are crazy ADMs attached to these?

[blinkme323]

Originally Posted by BMWsully

Just saw an MK8 Golf R out in the wild for the first time yesterday. Holy hell are they sweet, very unexpected. I'm assuming there are crazy ADMs attached to these?

Markups have started to subside a bit. MSRP is now possible, although not probable.

[rockstar b]

If it's any help, I drove a couple of new MK7.5 Golf Rs back to back, one manual and one DSG. I bought the DSG version because I felt like the car was designed around that transmission and that the manual was just kinda tacked on. You lose a bit of the blistering out of the hole acceleration with the stick.

[fvfvsix]

I can kinda help answer your question. I've never driven a base G80, and I can't comment on manual vs manual. I do, however, currently own both an M3 and a MK8 R. My M3C is a 2WD, and my R is a manual. I also wanted to have a manual (perhaps the one of the last few on offer) around to satisfy the third pedal itch. Usually, I'll switch between the two every week or so (my fun cars occupy a tandem garage bay, so it takes a bit of effort to retrieve the one in the back). Others may disagree, but I think the M3's power is much better suited for an automatic transmission. Conversely, the MK8 R's manual is what makes the experience fun and engaging for me. They are very different beasts, and I find that they complement each other well. Both will jeopardize your license if you're not careful. And I don't miss the extra 190HP when I drive the VW.

[BryanCO]

Originally Posted by blinkme323

Markups have started to subside a bit. MSRP is now possible, although not probable.

I paid MSRP seven months ago.

[M370z]

Just picked up a 2024 Golf R 6MT over the weekend. Paid MSRP + a little extra for PPF that they installed, so no biggie there. What a f'ing machine this thing is though. A car hasn't put a smile on my face like this in long long time.
I still love my M3 to death and it's a completely different tool, but man was this a pleasant surprise.

I see there's a few other owners in here though. Any suggestions on first mods and the like? Not trying to do anything too crazy, maybe just drop in filter etc.

[gohawks23]

Originally Posted by M370z

A car hasn't put a smile on my face like this in long long time.

I think a big part of it for me with loving my GTI is how much smaller and nimble it seems to how big and bloated most BMWs have gotten over the years!

[Vectors2final]

The Golf R is always a fun time, and the MQB platform is bonkers... these cars take really well to mods, and can make pretty damn good power.

I had a 2012 twice, as well as a 2017. I actually had my 17 R at the same time I had my F80 LCI. They were both a blast! If I didn't have so many cars already, I'd consider getting one to go with my G80 as well.

[BMWsully]

Bar-none, the best new car you can buy for under 50k right now IMO and a future classic. I've driven the Elantra N, FL5 and GRC (yuck) and the MK8 Golf R outshines them all.