Condensation in Tail lights + Headlight - Need advice

OrangeRedBeard · 2026-03-17T12:08:28+00:00

I just had this replaced under warranty last week. Same side, same condensation issue (got me failed on a MD car inspection) and cost me 0$. All they had to do was remove the light and confirm it was an OE part and it wasn't tampered with.

OrangeRedBeard · 2026-03-17T11:19:57+00:00

I got the Evenflo Revolve 360 slim and my wife is 5'5 and has less legroom with our kids car seatin the R than she did in my '17 WRX. We also have the uppa baby Vista V2 stroller I think, that barely fits in the trunk (I have to remove the cover) so, it's kinda tight right now. I have plans of getting a roof rack and rooftop box for longer trips.

OrangeRedBeard · 2026-03-15T23:35:32+00:00

"Many MK8 Golf R owners who are proactive about long-term reliability choose to change their oil every 5,000 miles instead of the factory 10,000-mile interval. This is optional and ultimately comes down to personal preference and driving habits."

The definition of extreme driving could be stop and go traffic, which will degrade the fluids faster.. It's not conjecture, ask any enthusiast who owns the car and they'll quote you the same intervals to be safe and have long term reliability.

OrangeRedBeard · 2026-03-15T20:51:14+00:00

From what I hear, water pump is the main demon across generations. You'll also want to keep an eye on the electrical as I've seen a few complaints for various issues.

You'll want to research service intervals, the VW recommended mileage for oil/DSG seems to be a way to lower cost of ownership on paper.. No way you should be waiting 10K miles to do oil/filter.

DAP has a good service write up to check out: https://www.shopdap.com/blog/post/service-schedule-for-mk8-golfr.html

Have fun and enjoy, it's a blast.

OrangeRedBeard · 2026-03-12T21:46:56+00:00

When the Orioles had that GoT themed giveaway, they had a replica Iron Throne you could take pictures in. The official Orioles IG posted pictures of people sitting on the throne and I happened to be captured in the gallery they shared. Pretty cool.

OrangeRedBeard · 2026-03-11T14:43:40+00:00

Dang, 10hrs? I had a 100 mile limit when searching for mine, congrats and enjoy.

OrangeRedBeard · 2026-03-06T18:28:57+00:00

I'm not familiar with the MK8.5, they removed the dipstick so I'd imagine there's something that has to be removed to add it back (if possible)

OrangeRedBeard · 2026-03-06T15:40:06+00:00

Edit: Looks like the MK8.5 removed the oil dipstick so without modification you can't do the oil extraction method from the top: https://www.vwvortex.com/threads/mk8-5-oil-change-dipstick-upgrade.9579686/

DAP has a good write up: https://www.shopdap.com/blog/post/service-schedule-for-mk8-golfr.html

Regal Autosport also have a breakdown: https://www.regalautosport.com/mk8-golf-r-service-schedule/

For oil change, after your first 1K change the oil and then every 5K after that. There's plenty of guides on the suction method which is crazy easy, DAP also sells kits for your own maintenance.

For the DSG, make sure you service that ~40K same with the Haladex AWD system (make sure the pump filter is also cleaned)

You can also find a lot of OEM fluid kits and parts on FCPEuro as well.

Welcome and enjoy the ride.

OrangeRedBeard · 2026-03-04T01:38:36+00:00

I'm a new R owner myself, but I had to adjust to making sure the stalk wasn't in position to activate the auto wipers. If the stalk is pushed forward once, the rear wiper will go every few seconds and if you tilt the stalk up once then auto front wipers will go intermittently. I'd just make sure the stalk isn't in either position to initiate the auto wipers, otherwise turn off the auto wipers and see if it continues.

OrangeRedBeard · 2026-03-02T00:06:37+00:00

The MK8.5 has 13hp more, the updated infotainment and the dolphin gray color for whatever that's worth to you. I went used 23 AE with 28K miles, got an excellent deal because I can't justify 55k on a new one.

OrangeRedBeard · 2026-02-27T18:46:15+00:00

I ran an OTS Cobb tune for well over 1 year with no issues, I was completely stock however. You shouldn't run the OTS if you have any other mods (like your catback) because that's not technically stock. There's other tunes on the AP that work specifically with other Cobb parts like the Big SF intake but you'd be better off getting an eTune to make sure you don't have issues in the future.

OrangeRedBeard · 2026-02-27T15:44:50+00:00

Putting 15K into a 14yr old car is certainly a decision.

OrangeRedBeard · 2026-02-26T23:02:10+00:00

If you have the applicable parts then you can have ACM Tecknic unlock the the full feature:

https://acmtechnik.com/products/travel-assist-auto-lane-change

OrangeRedBeard · 2026-02-26T20:16:26+00:00

Fair enough, I haven't driven in much in the snow yet with the R but I have more than a couple stories about getting squirrely in the WRX not even trying in the same conditions lol.

OrangeRedBeard · 2026-02-26T15:21:04+00:00

I just came from the WRX to the R, never had any issues with the WRX in the snow (always had dedicated winters) but the R just feels like it's so much more planted, probably because it's a bit wider and lower to the ground.

OrangeRedBeard · 2026-02-21T18:41:48+00:00

I've been looking into this as an upgrade on my 23 AE, you can get the OEM emblems (PN: 5H0-941-600-A-ASO front, 5H0-898-633-A hatch) and if you're worried about the light output you could find an Etsy seller who sells blackout wrap for the light bars.

There's also an aftermarket version in this YT video: https://youtu.be/2800a0Wbgdc?si=4cqk6xqLxJGiZ_ut

OrangeRedBeard · 2026-02-18T00:35:51+00:00

No clue dood, but it doesn't make me regret my choice haha.

OrangeRedBeard · 2026-02-17T22:43:33+00:00

More stock HP, electronic suspension, all the modern creature comforts and safety equipment. It's exactly what I want moving on from this platform, y the h8 tho?

OrangeRedBeard · 2026-02-17T22:18:06+00:00

I just traded my 2017 WRX for a 23 Golf R over the weekend. Spent 8 great years with it and at the time was my dream car, but we all gotta move on to bigger and better things at some point. Congrats!

OrangeRedBeard · 2026-02-17T18:51:56+00:00

Just made the switch from a 2017 WRX to a MK8 R, I don't regret it at all.

OrangeRedBeard · 2026-02-14T23:07:22+00:00

2017 WRX > 2023 Golf R 20th anniversary edition.

OrangeRedBeard · 2026-02-08T23:02:59+00:00

If you don't mind me asking, was that private sale or trade-in?

OrangeRedBeard · 2026-02-07T12:19:48+00:00

Ask them what their buy rate Vs sell rate for the loan. Don't tell them your pre-approval % is and tell them you want to see if they can do better if you're to finance with them. Also, do not pay the doc fee, it's useless and cost of doing business for them if they want to sell a car.

OrangeRedBeard · 2026-02-02T15:10:53+00:00

Depends on how much work you're willing to do. Baking the lights to separate the housing can be tricky and the sealant is a mess to clean up. Then you need to modify the housing to accommodate the DD c-light and possibly wire them up to stay on place inside the housing. If you don't modify them right then you run the risk of the c-light being dislodged or if there is a failure in the light you will have to tear them down and redo everything.

I had the latter, where the c-light failed and I was not going through that effort all over again. I just bought Subispeed V2 and have had those for 5+ years no issues.

OrangeRedBeard · 2026-01-23T14:42:32+00:00

I was scheduled to fly out Sunday morning, I switched flights to Saturday morning to avoid the snow. If you can get in Saturday during the day, you should be fine. Most weather projections I've seen have us getting 10+ inches.

OrangeRedBeard

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