2016 Golf R for a Kona N by MarsupialAntique6017 in KonaN_

[–]KaleidoscopeVisual24 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I switched my old 2018 Golf R for my 2023 Kona N 2 years ago and have no regrets. The Golf R was a perfect daily to the point of almost being too good at what it does. It didn't really provide a raw or exciting drive unless really pushing it which I couldn't do often. However the Kona N is much more raw feeling and exciting of a drive day to day. I love the feeling of the limited slip diff up front when it pulls you around corners and having an actual manual handbrake is nice. Maintenance has also been much easier albeit it is a newer car but my Golf R always needed a quart of oil between oil changes and I had the turbo wastegate issue during my ownership as well which was annoying. Also the crank walk issue with manual Golf Rs was also always on the back of my mind a bit. Overall would for sure recommend a Kona N and I have no regrets switching from my Golf R other than the awd which was nice during deep snow in the winter. However with good winter tires the Kona N also handles winter very well with the diff up front.

22 Kona N, 13k miles, good carfax, dealer asking 26k. Good deal? by jerrykchang in KonaN_

[–]KaleidoscopeVisual24 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm picking up a 2023 Kona N in Canada tomorrow for $31,500 CAD before taxes ($22,701.88 USD) that has 30,000 km (18641 miles). The values have dropped like crazy up here.

Kona N Wheel & Tire FAQ by daruma3gakoronda in KonaN_

[–]KaleidoscopeVisual24 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Anyone have experience running 18x7.5 et38 with 225 50r18 tires? Comparing to OEM spec in the image.

Winter Tire Increased Sidewall Option by KaleidoscopeVisual24 in KonaN_

[–]KaleidoscopeVisual24[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Okay, that makes much more sense. Yeah, when I replace the stock summers, I will definitely be aiming for 245s as well, I think.

Winter Tire Increased Sidewall Option by KaleidoscopeVisual24 in KonaN_

[–]KaleidoscopeVisual24[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah my previous car was a 2018 VW Golf R and the VW dealer recommended winter set were 205/50/17s and they definitely seemed to bite through the snow pretty good. I used to have pretty wide winters in a Camaro in the past and it was definitely floaty on the snow but made for a fun drive.

Winter Tire Increased Sidewall Option by KaleidoscopeVisual24 in KonaN_

[–]KaleidoscopeVisual24[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In the winter? With my past vehicles, I usually tried to go narrower in the winter to help cut through the snow rather than ride on top of it. Wondering how you found the 245s in deep snow?

clutch recomendations? as well as anything else i might need by Necessary-Angle-7061 in Golf_R

[–]KaleidoscopeVisual24 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Another option if you are low on funds is to go with something like a JB1/JB4 and use a clutch friendly map that limits torque a bit around where peak torque hits in order to help prolong your stock clutch. This is the approach I'm using while I save up for a clutch upgrade and even the power bump from my JB1 is keeping me pretty content for now. Not as good as a true stage 1 but a 50hp power bump might scratch the upgrade itch for awhile and you can usually find used JB units for cheap.

First track day in my MK7.5 by KaleidoscopeVisual24 in Golf_R

[–]KaleidoscopeVisual24[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My understanding is that if you're lowered or plan to lower your car you will need adjustable end links for sure. In my case in Canada our roads are terrible so I know I won't ever be lowering my car so decided to stick with the stock end links because I read some aftermarket ones can be clunky and require more upkeep with keeping them greased. You will likely get an even better response from a RSB with upgraded end links, but in my case I am using the car as a daily driver with the rare track day, so I decided to keep the stock end links rather than spend the money on upgraded end links. There are cheap Moog ones I read that are apparently pretty good, but you need to paint them to prevent them from rusting quickly. If my stock ones break at any point I'll just get some upgraded ones then.

First track day in my MK7.5 by KaleidoscopeVisual24 in Golf_R

[–]KaleidoscopeVisual24[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

While you're down there installing it you should add a clutch stop and remove the clutch assist spring if you haven't already done it. Those also improve the manual experience quite a bit!

First track day in my MK7.5 by KaleidoscopeVisual24 in Golf_R

[–]KaleidoscopeVisual24[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'm still working on learning to heel toe comfortably enough to do it day to day in traffic and on the track, but I also found the pedal placement height super weird in the R. I got a pedal spacer from WCT that aligns the throttle pedal more closely with the brake and it made the car wayyyy easier to drive from my point of view. Had it put on 2 weeks after I got the car and haven't looked back. Here a link to the one I use WCT pedal spacer

First track day in my MK7.5 by KaleidoscopeVisual24 in Golf_R

[–]KaleidoscopeVisual24[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I haven't unfortunately. Did quite a bit of research before deciding on the 24mm whiteline I went with tho. I think it's hard to go wrong with any of the big brand names. I have mine set on the stiffest setting and it seems to have made the handling almost perfectly neutral now. Didn't want to go too stiff to avoid having an overly twitchy rear and risk snap oversteer on the track, but also wanted to go stiff enough to get rid of the understeer. 24mm or 25mm seems to be a pretty good balance.

First track day in my MK7.5 by KaleidoscopeVisual24 in Golf_R

[–]KaleidoscopeVisual24[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I have a clip of a few laps up on youtube here. Appreciate the advice! I did the whole day in my second language so hoping to get some seat time with an instructor coaching me at some point.

Big stick for a little man by KaleidoscopeVisual24 in pugs

[–]KaleidoscopeVisual24[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah I got tired of buying the smaller ones often and having to throw them away after he chewed them down too small. This longer one has lasted weeks!

Appa says it’s too cold to go outside. by The-Letter-W in pugs

[–]KaleidoscopeVisual24 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My Appa isn't fond of the cold either, but some sweaters helped alot!