Just sat in VW Swindon Inchcape dealership,having spent the last 1/2 hr crawling over Edition 40 No 204 in White. 5dr with bucket etc. Looks very nice in the flesh. Seats very good!!

 

Yes, much better than the pics show, isn't it?

 

Most interesting news of the week: Last night I stopped at a petrol stations to fiddle a bit with the Nav, set some destinations while not driving etc. Soon after, I see a white Golf R stopping close and the driver (rolled down window) staring at me/the car, I roll down the window and he shouts: "Clubsport??" , I say yes, and replies "oh wait wait I want to see it" lol.  After some chit chatting about the exterior he asked if he could sit in the driver's seat, his buddy was also with him and they started saying how great the seats and the steering wheel was and making some awe sounds in their own language 

 

In the end, he gave me the coordinates about a place that "car people" with somewhat special cars gather every now and then, no racing just hanging around talking about cars I guess and invited me to join, hmm...

Edited 17 September, 20169 yr by newbie69

Autocar review 5dr DSG GTI Clubsport Edition 40. For those that don't mind a link.

 

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/volkswagen/golf-gti/first-drives/2016-volkswagen-golf-gti-clubsport-edition-40-dsg-5dr

That's an old review Keith, I don't know what's with this trend in UK car magazines/websites re-posting the same stuff with new dates. Probably something to do with their articles needing to top the Google search results but it's definitely 4-5 months old (I know as I had read every Clubsport review back in April).

 

And although they give it 4.5/5 stars to me, especially after almost a month with it, seems they have got it mostly wrong or they did a quick 15 min drive and then wrote a review based on that and the official specs.

 

"getting 34bhp more than the standard model from the same EA888 engine (as in the GTI)"  

>   Wrong. This is the R engine with several upgraded components (pistons, cylinder head, valve seats and others) and a bigger turbo.

 

"It’s most obvious attribute (surprise, surprise) is the additional power: where the standard GTI feels no more than prudently brisk, the Edition 40 is next-level fast."

> Wrong. Yes it can go fast but 290bhp/380Nm torque is something you can find in many other cars (and even more). Power is not why you'd opt for the Clubsport. Steering feel, road feed-back, handling and chassis setup is.

 

"Aided in no small measure by the addition of Bridgestone Potenza RE050 tyres"

> The Bridgestones, really?? Makes you wonder whether they've ever driven a car on proper high performance sports tyres.

Edited 20 September, 20169 yr by newbie69

Selling on eBay :http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2016-Volkswagen-Golf-2-0-TSI-GTI-Clubsport-40-5dr-DSG-Automatic-Hatchback-/182289524397?hash=item2a714d66ad:g:5n0AAOSw8w1X45qA

 

 

Nobody yet selling a hyped priced, Ltd Edition GTI Clubsport S in the UK yet. Collectors piece.

Edited 19 October, 20169 yr by vrskeith

Selling on eBay :http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2016-Volkswagen-Golf-2-0-TSI-GTI-Clubsport-40-5dr-DSG-Automatic-Hatchback-/182289524397?hash=item2a714d66ad:g:5n0AAOSw8w1X45qA

 

 

Nobody yet selling a hyped priced, Ltd Edition GTI Clubsport S in the UK yet. Collectors piece.

 

Is it? I see two for sale already: 

 

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds?Category=used-cars&M=2508&SortOptions=PriceHighToLow

 

And I still have my doubts over the alleged "collectability" of the S. The 2-seater sports car competition is fierce and admittedly there are better options out there for the purist. Once you remove the practicality of any hot/super/hyper-hatch it starts to make much less sense as a car. Even more in the case of the CS-S as you have a 95% mechanically identical and 100% visually identical full size 5 seater alternative that only falls short right at the limit. In GTI forums questions from people asking whether/how they can get their hands on a standard CS have increased since it was announced that production officially stops as build slots are full, a couple of weeks ago.

What a joke of a test /review this is :http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/features/car-videos/video-2016s-six-hottest-golfs-which-is-quickest-40-years-of-hot-golfs-special/

What a joke of a test /review this is :http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/features/car-videos/video-2016s-six-hottest-golfs-which-is-quickest-40-years-of-hot-golfs-special/

 

Wow, a track test with standing starts instead of flying ones, I wonder which car needed this to look quicker than it actually is on track...

 

I mean really VW has some great engineers and technology but their managing/marketing/PR departments have taken deception to a different level.

Autocar review 5dr DSG GTI Clubsport Edition 40. For those that don't mind a link.

 

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/volkswagen/golf-gti/first-drives/2016-volkswagen-golf-gti-clubsport-edition-40-dsg-5dr

Always liked this colour :http://usedcars.volkswagen.co.uk/Golf-GTI/GTD/R/GTE/2.0-TSI-GTI-Clubsport-Edition-40/Macclesfield/18083886-605954942-748802.aspx?srcmdc=se_na_re_

Always liked this colour :http://usedcars.volkswagen.co.uk/Golf-GTI/GTD/R/GTE/2.0-TSI-GTI-Clubsport-Edition-40/Macclesfield/18083886-605954942-748802.aspx?srcmdc=se_na_re_

 

Now that you say so, so do I... 

WOW £38k for these  spec ' :

 

http://usedcars.volkswagen.co.uk/Golf-GTI/GTD/R/GTE/2.0-TSI-GTI-Clubsport-Edition-40-DSG/Stratford-upon-Avon/18083755-606000898-70076.aspx?srcmdc=se_na_re_

 

http://usedcars.volkswagen.co.uk/Golf-GTI/GTD/R/GTE/2.0-TSI-GTI-Clubsport-Edition-40-DSG/Coventry/18083755-605985052-37607.aspx?srcmdc=se_na_re_

Edited 22 October, 20169 yr by vrskeith

Asking prices and someone might pay it, and if nobody buys them they will have to be used as Demonstrators and then sold used.

If VW are going to say there is a greater demand than supply they can not have them sitting un-registered.

 

Just like Ford with the Focus RS, or BMW with some of the many selling like hotcake models not selling like hotcakes, 

not even second day cakes.

On ‎01‎/‎09‎/‎2016 at 13:17, newbie69 said:

Since a couple of days, the 3.5 month wait, continuous updating on Clubsport videos, pics, reviews, and imagining of what it would actually be/feel like

compared to the photos and vids are finally over. A Carbon steel metallic grey DSG Clubsport, loaded with almost every possible option has been acquired

and "chuffed to bits" is an understatement. Having only driven 200 miles I'll stick to the first impressions on overall feel/quality of the car and

reserve full judgement on the driving for a bit later on.

 

 

 

Part 1: Exterior look

 

 

So how does the car and CSG paint feel like in the flesh? Well, something around 100 times better than any photo I had seen. Which obviously means that what you see

in the photos below has to be multiplied by 100x to get close to the real impression the car makes on you  . From a distance, it blends in perfectly with all the glossy black Clubsport bits

like the integrated brake ducts and air channels, the side skirts, the rear spoiler and the glossy black inside the Belvedere wheels without being loud at all. The details that

stand out compared to a standard GTI are subtle and only a true VW-head would notice this is a special GTI. I like that.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

However once closer, all those bespoke parts just can't go un-noticed anymore. It is clear this is something more muscular, sportier, angrier than any other stock Golf

and to me at least it feels perfectly done. Just enough "tone up" on the GTI's lines with details that directly relate to motorsport, but still refraining from looking

"uncomfortable" for public road use. I think it's a balance that's very hard to get right but VW have totally succeeded in that. Belvedere wheels help a lot in that also imo.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Newbie69,

 

So several months on now of ownership  ,how are you finding your motor and is it living up to your expectations ?

 

 

9 minutes ago, vrskeith said:

Newbie69,

 

So several months on now of ownership  ,how are you finding your motor and is it living up to your expectations ?

 

 

 

In one word: Absolutely.

 

In fact the car has been responding so well to anything I've thrown at it so far (family duties and practicality, drive dynamics, distinctive looks, personal satisfaction that I drive something I want to stare at for hours...) that I can't think of anything else that would have performed equally well in all of those areas. Drop it in Comfort and you have all the spaces and luxuries of a Golf to go to the supermarket and do the week's shopping while also packing a stroller in the boot. Super quiet on highway journeys as well. But attack a non-perfect b-road and you'll be left wondering about how that very same car you drove to the supermarket earlier manages to find such potential around bends and flow so smoothly.

 

Also, the extra sporty feeling that I get from it is something which I have enjoyed a lot since I don't get to drive the car as it's meant to be that often, so it is important to get some satisfaction even when I'm commuting at 30mph, or even sitting still in traffic. And with VW's stupid marketing limitations on the engine (remember temporary overboost? now you got 290, now 265, now 290) sorted out for good   I don't think there is anything else I'd like to change to this car as it's so sweetly balanced, and that feels a bit strange.

 

Surely you can't easily put all 290 (or even worse 350...) bhp down for drag-races or on super slippery conditions without the best tyres and some practice on the way you operate the throttle but when do I actually need that? Not very often (if ever). And anyway 3rd gear and above traction is much less of an issue. Would I change the significantly quicker steering and more agile chassis for any of the VAG 4WD equivalents I tried? No, not at all although that's probably a matter of priorities.

 

Oh and wife complains about getting out of bucket seats but I wouldn't even think of having the car without them. They add so much character to the interior and they have proven to be very comfortable (unlike your typical bucket expectations) that you practically don't realize you're sitting on buckets at all (except when the wife gets out).

 

I'm already worried as to what I could possibly be replacing it with in say 5 years time but it might be a bit early for that.

Cannot believe I missed this OldNewbie!! 

 

A proper hot hatch and the ultimate GTI (OK apart from the S but they are even more like hens teeth).  I am soo jealous!  What is nice about these is the exclusivity.....you hold onto it for a few years, keep it A1 and keep the miles low Id wager you'll see a creep in value before too long.  I love the R's and sure could be argued that subjectively in some respects its a better car.....but my god its not as special as this.

 

CSG is my favourite colour too...one thing withheld from the R.

 

Can I ask......did you import it given its LHD.  If so how did you go about purchasing it?

 

Going away to think how I can go about getting an IS38 and Stage 2 map put on my lowly Polo GTI haha

Edited 1 March, 20179 yr by pipsypreturnsagain

16 hours ago, newbie69 said:

 

In one word: Absolutely.

 

In fact the car has been responding so well to anything I've thrown at it so far (family duties and practicality, drive dynamics, distinctive looks, personal satisfaction that I drive something I want to stare at for hours...) that I can't think of anything else that would have performed equally well in all of those areas. Drop it in Comfort and you have all the spaces and luxuries of a Golf to go to the supermarket and do the week's shopping while also packing a stroller in the boot. Super quiet on highway journeys as well. But attack a non-perfect b-road and you'll be left wondering about how that very same car you drove to the supermarket earlier manages to find such potential around bends and flow so smoothly.

 

Also, the extra sporty feeling that I get from it is something which I have enjoyed a lot since I don't get to drive the car as it's meant to be that often, so it is important to get some satisfaction even when I'm commuting at 30mph, or even sitting still in traffic. And with VW's stupid marketing limitations on the engine (remember temporary overboost? now you got 290, now 265, now 290) sorted out for good   I don't think there is anything else I'd like to change to this car as it's so sweetly balanced, and that feels a bit strange.

 

Surely you can't easily put all 290 (or even worse 350...) bhp down for drag-races or on super slippery conditions without the best tyres and some practice on the way you operate the throttle but when do I actually need that? Not very often (if ever). And anyway 3rd gear and above traction is much less of an issue. Would I change the significantly quicker steering and more agile chassis for any of the VAG 4WD equivalents I tried? No, not at all although that's probably a matter of priorities.

 

Oh and wife complains about getting out of bucket seats but I wouldn't even think of having the car without them. They add so much character to the interior and they have proven to be very comfortable (unlike your typical bucket expectations) that you practically don't realize you're sitting on buckets at all (except when the wife gets out).

 

I'm already worried as to what I could possibly be replacing it with in say 5 years time but it might be a bit early for that.

newbie69,

A pleasure to read you positive and upbeat review, relating to your initial ownership experience ,personal and family. That is what I think is a benchmark  for the Hot hatch.

Pretty much outlines my experience over many years of Golf GTIs ownership, from my mk1 to my current series on R's mk7.

I can also say this was also replicated by my Skoda Fabia vRS mk1 and Fabia vRS mk 2 ( warts and all)

 

Continue to have many more enjoyable times with your cracking looking Clubsport.

what a great looking interior.

those seats are amazing, are these available in 3 door too?

12 hours ago, pipsypreturnsagain said:

Cannot believe I missed this OldNewbie!! 

 

A proper hot hatch and the ultimate GTI (OK apart from the S but they are even more like hens teeth).  I am soo jealous!  What is nice about these is the exclusivity.....you hold onto it for a few years, keep it A1 and keep the miles low Id wager you'll see a creep in value before too long.  I love the R's and sure could be argued that subjectively in some respects its a better car.....but my god its not as special as this.

 

CSG is my favourite colour too...one thing withheld from the R.

 

Can I ask......did you import it given its LHD.  If so how did you go about purchasing it?

 

Going away to think how I can go about getting an IS38 and Stage 2 map put on my lowly Polo GTI haha

 

 

Hey pipsyp,

 

Yes it's as you say regarding exclusivity - by the way I'm based in Sweden so it's an EU car - The feeling I'm still getting when sitting in it is more reminiscent of a GT3 car and at a different class compared to the Cupra or the R that I had initially gone for. It's fair to say I've never caressed a car so much in my life  

 

 

 

 

Also, checking asking prices of used Clubsports they are clearly better than the GTI/R equivalents of the same time so it's fair to say there is demand for them - I remember there was

a sudden interest for them in VW forums as soon as end of CS production was announced. I'm not saying it's going to be a proper classic but I think it will do rather well for a modern car in terms of short-term depreciation.

 

IS38 turbo and the CJX iteration of the 2.0 lt EA888 mk3 (same as in R/S3/Cupra, forged internals plus other improvements) is an amazing combo. The car never feels like sweating at any speed, any gear or any sort of accelerating scenario, you practically have to downshift only if you're "racing" someone. And the potential is just great. I'm just at the minimum power increase possible with a piggy (JB1 - around 350bhp/500Nm), no mods at all, and the pull from 60mph 4th gear is mad, more like a V6 Turbo diesel, think 60-120mph in 10" dead.

 

This one was a couple of weeks back. With Michelin Pilot Alpine PA4 winters the car didn't have a problem no matter where I took it:

 

 

 

50 minutes ago, vrskeith said:

newbie69,

A pleasure to read you positive and upbeat review, relating to your initial ownership experience ,personal and family. That is what I think is a benchmark  for the Hot hatch.

Pretty much outlines my experience over many years of Golf GTIs ownership, from my mk1 to my current series on R's mk7.

I can also say this was also replicated by my Skoda Fabia vRS mk1 and Fabia vRS mk 2 ( warts and all)

 

Continue to have many more enjoyable times with your cracking looking Clubsport.

 

Exactly, the all-round ability (betters every other hot-hatch in terms of interior space and boot size) but with so much sports character at the same time is what makes it an excellent value I think.

 

 

4 minutes ago, tubbytommy said:

what a great looking interior.

those seats are amazing, are these available in 3 door too?

 

Yes they were an option on both 3d and 5d. In my opinion a Clubsport is not what it's supposed to be without them. Oh and the glossy back is pure car porn in my eyes...

 

9 hours ago, newbie69 said:

 

 

Hey pipsyp,

 

Yes it's as you say regarding exclusivity - by the way I'm based in Sweden so it's an EU car - The feeling I'm still getting when sitting in it is more reminiscent of a GT3 car and at a different class compared to the Cupra or the R that I had initially gone for. It's fair to say I've never caressed a car so much in my life  

 

 

 

 

Also, checking asking prices of used Clubsports they are clearly better than the GTI/R equivalents of the same time so it's fair to say there is demand for them - I remember there was

a sudden interest for them in VW forums as soon as end of CS production was announced. I'm not saying it's going to be a proper classic but I think it will do rather well for a modern car in terms of short-term depreciation.

 

IS38 turbo and the CJX iteration of the 2.0 lt EA888 mk3 (same as in R/S3/Cupra, forged internals plus other improvements) is an amazing combo. The car never feels like sweating at any speed, any gear or any sort of accelerating scenario, you practically have to downshift only if you're "racing" someone. And the potential is just great. I'm just at the minimum power increase possible with a piggy (JB1 - around 350bhp/500Nm), no mods at all, and the pull from 60mph 4th gear is mad, more like a V6 Turbo diesel, think 60-120mph in 10" dead.

 

This one was a couple of weeks back. With Michelin Pilot Alpine PA4 winters the car didn't have a problem no matter where I took it:

 

 

 

Ah sorry Old Newbie, all makes sense thought you were UK based for some reason.

 

Car is gorgeous...absolutely its the Golf equivalent of the 911 GT3.  Far more special than any other mainstream performance Golf, Clubsport S (GT3 RS) excluded.....but for me the S is almost too hardcore.  I love that the regular Clubsport is mad as a bag of frogs in all important respects but still packs all the spec and creature comforts to make it a good all round daily.  Those seats and the Alcantara wheel are to die for!

 

I hear terrific things about the JB1 and upcoming JB4 Beta.....almost a cake and eat it tuning situation....no permanent software changes but the ability to tap into many sensors and adapt the tuning yourself to suit.  Dont seem bad value for money either.  Seriously considering a JB1 for my Polo GTI when the time is right.....I dont want to map it and think the JB4 is probably a bit complex/involved for my basic brain :-)  Dare I say it (and sorry Andrew if you are reading) I think the guys at Burger Motorsports have one over on DTUK with these products.

 

It must be just bonkers with 350hp/500nm torque through the front wheels even with VAQ!!  The EA888's have so much tuning potential....gather if I stuck an IS20 Mk7 GTI turbo on mine with a JB1 alone it'd be good for about 300hp....even without 240/250hp is realistic with a massive hit of torque....not like 320nm in something its size is not enough to be honest :-S

 

If my turbo goes bang at any point its a serious consideration....maybe go whole hog and put an IS38 on it haha.

 

Value wise....keep the mileage down on it and I bet holding onto it for the next 12/18 months you'd be able to sell it for what you paid for it.....maybr more.   Its more special than the ED30, considerably more so than the rather weak ED35 (after the 30, the 35 was rather a disappointment in my eyes).

Surprisingly maybe but it's not as bonkers as you'd imagine. As I found out the extra power and torque are still not enough to upset the diff or the chassis balance during hard cornering. There is an initial good chunk of grip, push more and just as your mind would tell you you're approaching the limit and should be expecting the front to wash wide, magic happens and instead with the extra power the car tightens its track even further the same way it did as stock. You very rarely notice any understeer, probably long after the handling limit. On the other hand, it's now easier to induce oversteer by applying silly steering wheel angles and lots of throttle but that's not a realistic drive scenario anyway. Oh and you can now wheel-spin in 4th gear if you absolutely have to but again, you have to try for it, it's not a real concern above 3rd. For sure it makes you realise you want the best tyres you can put on.

 

JB1 is really a cake and eat it thing as you say which is why I opted for it. I didn't want to do any of the proper mods I had done to my previous car but the funny thing with this engine is that it releases so much even with a humble (or not so) piggy that I'd say nothing more is required. JB4 is out by the way but I am not convinced I should bother.

 

Is it the 1.8T or the 1.4 twincharged you have? If it's the 1.8T I think IS38 would match it really well.. 

Edited 3 March, 20179 yr by newbie69

 

Maserati GrandTurismo S, 4.7 V8, 441hp and an engine sound to die for. How fast?

 

Rewind a few days back, late night joyride approaching its end, empty street, heading home and I suddenly spot a GT-S exactly like the one in the photo rolling to a stop for a traffic light ahead (we were at a private airfield with traffic lights). Maserati's passenger takes a look at the Clubsport then continues talking with his driver. Green light and I set off very calmly, the GT-S barks loud but does not exactly drag-race (neither did I) and settles to a speed of ~30mph. I do the same and then curiosity hits me, how much faster is the GT-S really? So, thinking he might be feeling lonesome with all that road and nothing around us in a visible radius of several hundred meters I stand by him for a few sec, and then give it the beans (window slightly open for sound check). Almost instantly (probably there was a second of shock and pause like: what is that Golf even thinking?) I hear all hell breaking loose and although the Clubsport's exhaust has some character, this was definitely coming from a way meaner creature. But then something weird happened. The gap visible from my driver's mirror was refusing to close even by the time we hit 3 digit speeds and it's not as if the Maserati was taking it easy - quite the opposite. By the time I decided to apply the brakes the situation was unchanged. Rolling to a stop and the Maserati passenger is almost laughing with a totally surprised-looking face (no hard feelings I guess) and we thumb up each other, then soon after each one took his own way...

 

Now this is not a brag story or foolish - look what my car did to that more expensive supercar - post, the GrandTurismo S in particular is probably one of the most beautiful looking cars out there and you just can't appreciate how viciously it sounded with the gas pedal floored if you haven't heard it yourselves. It's just that I was genuinely surprised to see what a very lightly tuned Clubsport without a single bolt replaced, is able to do in real-life, against such a car. There was no wheel-spin, no drama, just staggering acceleration taking me forward. In the aftermath though, looking up some facts I realized the GT-S is not a light car at 1955 kg. My power/weight ratio had him covered by more than 30bhp per tone, still though, especially against something coming from Modena, it was a strange feeling to be faster than it...

Edited 23 March, 20179 yr by newbie69

54 minutes ago, newbie69 said:

(we were at a private airfield with traffic lights).

 

Just so long as it wasn't a public road as that sort of post would be against the Site Rules!

Newbie 69

 

Your next motor!?lol

 

Interesting combo with uumph, well done VW apprentices.

 

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/motor-shows-wörthersee/volkswagen-reveals-396bhp-hybrid-golf-concept

Edited 24 May, 20179 yr by vrskeith

On 3/2/2017 at 10:28, newbie69 said:

 

 

Those seats make my special place tingle......

13 hours ago, penguin17 said:

Those seats make my special place tingle......

 

Lol, yeah they look amazing and I think they are a trademark of the car but unfortunately, they get bashed from some other family members (ie. SWMBO...)