New Addition
Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2021 9:16 pm
After nearly 4 years of ownership, the Golf R is due to head back to VW at the beginning of November. In spite of several attempts to extend the contract further, VW wouldn’t entertain it and they were asking silly money to purchase it from them.
With that in mind, the clock started ticking to find its replacement as a daily. Noting we’re in the middle of a used car bubble, coupled with the remnants of a fuel shortage crisis still being felt, my shrewd, logical decision making process concluded that now would be the absolutely perfect time to replace the Golf with this
It’s a post facelift 2019 C63 (non-S) in Selenite Grey with black nappa interior. The mid-life refresh brought a host of changes, but most significantly the 9 speed gearbox from the E63 was carried over. Add to that a much more modern infotainment system and the electronic diff being standard fitment for both C63 and C63S after the refresh meant that a post facelift was the aim.
I’ve been eyeing these for the best part of a year now on and off in reality. With V8s days appearing to be very much numbered, and coupled with a change to my commute earlier in the year to <5 miles a day, I finally succumbed to the increasing pangs of big, stupid V8 estate YOLO.
Truth be told I was initially considering C63Ss, however the only additional material items they have over a non-S is (i) an extra 30 odd horses and lbs ft (you can’t really feel the difference), (ii) the 9 stage traction control from the GTR (who cares?), and (iii) active engine mounts (doubt I’ll miss them). For the money they’re currently commanding, they didn’t feel particularly good value in comparison. The right spec of car became more important as a result. Fortunately, this one popped up just a the right time and is as exactly how I would’ve specced it new, had I had the opportunity.
It’s got the benefit of the Premium Plus package, which adds back in the Burmester Surround System, panoramic roof and various other accoutrements. The original owner also specced the S wheels and the carbon interior, both of which are great additions, with the carbon in particularly really lifting the cabin in comparison to some others I’ve driven with simple piano black finishes. It’s also been lowered by 10mm, which I think looks superb, however do acknowledge some may think it looks more at home in a Maccys car park as a result. Another bonus relates to seats - S models come with more racy chairs which whilst looking great, in all honesty feel a bit too much for a daily in my opinion. I failed to really get comfortable in them, so pretty happy this has the more sedate sofas installed, given its use case.
Only picked it up today in frankly hideous weather and therefore haven’t had a chance to assess performance too much, but initial impressions are that it’s fabulous.
It’s brimming with character, and feels several rungs up the ladder in quality when compared with the Golf, as you’d expect. The engine is a complete jewel. Huge performance and surprisingly rev hungry, with the gearbox complimenting it perfectly. It had the traction light flickering in 4th at one point, which made me smile whilst at the same time puckering my posterior for a good while afterwards.
Steering is nicely weighted and accurate, if not the most feelsome (acknowledging that I’m completely spoiled in that department with the Lotus). Reviews seems to criticise them as riding fairly harshly, but with the adaptive dampers set to Comfort it was perfectly pliant to my mind. The car also has the switchable performance exhaust, so needless to say it delivers on the rolling thunder stakes.
Here’s a photo of it in it’s natural habitat.
All in all, I’m secretly happy any hoped for sense of logic regarding a Golf replacement fell apart completely. It’s a total cracker.
With that in mind, the clock started ticking to find its replacement as a daily. Noting we’re in the middle of a used car bubble, coupled with the remnants of a fuel shortage crisis still being felt, my shrewd, logical decision making process concluded that now would be the absolutely perfect time to replace the Golf with this
It’s a post facelift 2019 C63 (non-S) in Selenite Grey with black nappa interior. The mid-life refresh brought a host of changes, but most significantly the 9 speed gearbox from the E63 was carried over. Add to that a much more modern infotainment system and the electronic diff being standard fitment for both C63 and C63S after the refresh meant that a post facelift was the aim.
I’ve been eyeing these for the best part of a year now on and off in reality. With V8s days appearing to be very much numbered, and coupled with a change to my commute earlier in the year to <5 miles a day, I finally succumbed to the increasing pangs of big, stupid V8 estate YOLO.
Truth be told I was initially considering C63Ss, however the only additional material items they have over a non-S is (i) an extra 30 odd horses and lbs ft (you can’t really feel the difference), (ii) the 9 stage traction control from the GTR (who cares?), and (iii) active engine mounts (doubt I’ll miss them). For the money they’re currently commanding, they didn’t feel particularly good value in comparison. The right spec of car became more important as a result. Fortunately, this one popped up just a the right time and is as exactly how I would’ve specced it new, had I had the opportunity.
It’s got the benefit of the Premium Plus package, which adds back in the Burmester Surround System, panoramic roof and various other accoutrements. The original owner also specced the S wheels and the carbon interior, both of which are great additions, with the carbon in particularly really lifting the cabin in comparison to some others I’ve driven with simple piano black finishes. It’s also been lowered by 10mm, which I think looks superb, however do acknowledge some may think it looks more at home in a Maccys car park as a result. Another bonus relates to seats - S models come with more racy chairs which whilst looking great, in all honesty feel a bit too much for a daily in my opinion. I failed to really get comfortable in them, so pretty happy this has the more sedate sofas installed, given its use case.
Only picked it up today in frankly hideous weather and therefore haven’t had a chance to assess performance too much, but initial impressions are that it’s fabulous.
It’s brimming with character, and feels several rungs up the ladder in quality when compared with the Golf, as you’d expect. The engine is a complete jewel. Huge performance and surprisingly rev hungry, with the gearbox complimenting it perfectly. It had the traction light flickering in 4th at one point, which made me smile whilst at the same time puckering my posterior for a good while afterwards.
Steering is nicely weighted and accurate, if not the most feelsome (acknowledging that I’m completely spoiled in that department with the Lotus). Reviews seems to criticise them as riding fairly harshly, but with the adaptive dampers set to Comfort it was perfectly pliant to my mind. The car also has the switchable performance exhaust, so needless to say it delivers on the rolling thunder stakes.
Here’s a photo of it in it’s natural habitat.
All in all, I’m secretly happy any hoped for sense of logic regarding a Golf replacement fell apart completely. It’s a total cracker.
