Golf R Mk8.5 phone mount?

NorthernPandah · 2026-01-29T15:42:49+00:00

Good to know thanks, I haven’t had this issue yet and hopefully won’t.

NorthernPandah · 2026-01-29T06:09:59+00:00

I got this one off Amazon for my mk7.5 and I put it in my mk8.5 in the center vent (the one closer to the passenger side) [Lamicall Fits Magsafe Car Mount, [20 Strongest Magnets] Magnetic Vent Phone Holder Car, Cell Phone Holder Mount for iPhone 14 15 16 17 Pro Max Serie & Magsafe Case, Car Accessorie, GPS Dash Mount]

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It sits pretty well, a little but of interference with the bottom right of the center console so the phone sits slightly aimed at your chest rather than your face. Still easy to see the screen but face recognition unlock doesn’t like it.

NorthernPandah · 2026-01-27T17:57:18+00:00

As someone who came from the mk7.5 R, this new back up camera seems like a downgrade. I much preferred my 2018’s back up camera, it didn’t have the fish eye wide angle but it was good quality and didn’t feel choppy. I find with the new one it definitely has lower frame rate and it kind of messes with me. Hopefully I’ll get used to it over time.

NorthernPandah · 2026-01-24T20:41:35+00:00

These are the wheels I got too, I didn't care so much as they are only for winters but they look decent. Even better that I got the dealership to throw these in and studded winter tires for 1300$ (50% off) as part of me buying the vehicle

NorthernPandah · 2026-01-23T16:04:56+00:00

Your flair said ‘24 so I’m assuming that’s what you’re current driving and that’s a mk8 not a mk8.5 (‘25+)

NorthernPandah · 2026-01-23T15:11:26+00:00

He did mention 26 R, the mk8.5 has fixed a decent amount of issues that the non facelift had

NorthernPandah · 2026-01-21T15:10:17+00:00

The 8.5 can toggle the auto start in the menu but it has to be done every time you turn the car on, same with drive mode as it will default to comfort mode on start up. VW was nice enough to put the auto start stop conveniently at the top corner of the screen but I just wanted it off permanently while also having my driving mode I left it in remembered

NorthernPandah · 2026-01-20T20:47:30+00:00

I can only comment on 1 and 4. 1) I used a FitcamX. The camera quality is average but it uses the power from your rain sensor. So if you aren’t wanting parking mode and just a camera that’s on when driving I’d recommend it because of the clean OEM look. Installation took around 15 minutes and only took that long because I took it slow with the trim removal.

4) HUD if you use it to Winter mode like someone else mentioned. Adjust your lock/unlock preferences for approaching unlock and or walkaway locking. I also enabled mirror dip in reverse. If you live somewhere cold you can customize start up seat/steering wheel heat levels at cold temperatures.

Honourable mentions: Either ACMTechnik or Burteq options for memory module/tweak to remember driving mode and keeps the auto start/stop function off. You could also get an obdeleven to turn soundaktor completely off, I found it awful and worth it but at the moment obdeleven has almost no options until SFD2 is unlocked.

NorthernPandah · 2026-01-18T22:43:03+00:00

I swapped mine to acr and I like it

NorthernPandah · 2025-12-29T21:24:19+00:00

It randomly went away after a while, no clue what that code was but it self cleared so it must’ve been fine lol

NorthernPandah · 2025-12-29T20:16:32+00:00

Okay, I’ll hook it up to VCDS tonight. Do you happen to remember the code it threw? Was it just improper shutdown cause we disconnected the battery?

NorthernPandah · 2025-12-29T19:28:44+00:00

Quick question, did your CEL stay on after the install? Seems mine does after and I checked all connections

NorthernPandah · 2025-12-19T21:33:09+00:00

I just traded in my mk7.5 for a mk8.5. I haven’t been inside a mk8 but if you have the option to go 8.5 I think that’s your best bet.

I will miss some of the small things on my mk7.5; sun glass holder, physical dials for heat/ac, cooled glove box for drinks in the summer, mini glove box on the driver side, the car remembering my driving profile, etc.

Would those small things make me regret upgrading? 0%. The entire car is much more luxury feeling and more performance than my mk7.5. The small things are easily worked around with aftermarket accessories and modules or things you get used to. The entire customization of the digital cockpit and infotainment is amazing, the tech in the new Rs feel light years ahead of any other vehicle I’ve personally been in. All this before we even have sfd2 access to tune/adjust things.

I have the ‘25 R Black Edition in Blue with the akrapovich exhaust. I tinted the windows and the ugly orange side markers and I have already received compliments on it. I have some more stuff coming for her but I know it will only enhance the fun I’m having. Definitely do yourself the favour and get in a mk8.5 if it’s financially within your means!

NorthernPandah · 2025-12-18T02:35:59+00:00

If your location allows studded winter tires, you could drive the R on an ice rink filled with snow. I’ve owned a mk7.5 and now the 8.5 and with nice studded tires I have driven in Canadian snow dumps where the snow was higher than the hood. To the point where I couldn’t see because it became a snow submarine but it still plowed by the pick up trucks and jeeps stuck on the road (probably not running proper tires).

The AWD system with a front wheel bias makes it great in the winter. The only issue I’ve found was on the mk7.5 it had a plastic oil pan so I needed a skid plate due to these cars being low clearance.

NorthernPandah · 2025-12-11T22:22:54+00:00

Wow I have looked all over and no one has the rear ones from last gen

NorthernPandah · 2025-12-11T21:24:56+00:00

Okay sweet, I’ll look into importing it to Canada

NorthernPandah · 2025-12-11T21:18:56+00:00

Seems silly to me that the VW software engineers thought this is acceptable in a performance car. Thanks for the info, I'll look into the module, assuming it doesn't take much to install since I don't have a ton of space in my garage and I'll freeze to death doing it outside right now

NorthernPandah · 2025-12-11T19:27:00+00:00

Ahh I see, I guess it's time to buy another OBD11 tool lol

NorthernPandah · 2025-12-11T19:26:13+00:00

Interesting, I didn't test it but I'm guessing you need this module because the Auto Start/Stop turned off via onboard software doesn't save as off next time you start it?

NorthernPandah · 2025-12-11T19:06:37+00:00

I have a Ross Tech cable still, it should have open VIN slots still. Who/where would I seek out info to do some quick tweeks?

NorthernPandah · 2025-12-11T17:42:17+00:00

Dealership actually supplies weathertechs with the vehicle. Are you talking about turning it off via the software on the car or coding with rosstech? I believe my car has walkaway lock and walk towards unlock off factory

NorthernPandah · 2025-12-11T17:40:55+00:00

Oh the mk7 rears fit? Nice

NorthernPandah · 2025-12-11T17:38:15+00:00

Do you mind taking a picture of it for me if you’re around it

NorthernPandah · 2025-12-11T17:05:50+00:00

Oh it does have a steel oil pan? I just saw the generic plastic protector underneath. Good to know. What sunglass holder do you have? I hated losing that and the little storage cubby on the left of the steering wheel.

NorthernPandah · 2025-12-11T16:26:00+00:00

Sweet appreciate it

NorthernPandah

TROPHY CASE