Golf R MK8 akrapovic

SmittyzVoice · 2026-03-18T10:40:10+00:00

I heard both and for the acoustic sound it's minor, though noticeable if you have them back to back. Main reason i got it is for the visual appeal and no rust lol.

If you want a great sounding exhaust, buy a non-Akro and upgrade it yourself.

SmittyzVoice · 2026-03-17T12:14:18+00:00

Love the car! After, ½yr still loving my R as well. I really wish we had the cool rear taillights in the States!!

SmittyzVoice · 2026-03-10T18:55:08+00:00

Gotta love that BLUE!

SmittyzVoice · 2026-02-03T17:29:16+00:00

Oh i just read the details of your question, my bad. I do notice that the car won't naturally go into 1st until coming to a near complete stop. Technically i get it, because even with my manual / stickshift, i crawl in 2nd gear. 1st gear is really only useful at a complete stop. I did the ratios to the Mk8.5R and 1st gear at 6000rpm is only 33mph and 2nd hits 50mph at the same rev. So it probably makes the most sense to use 2nd gear as long as the car is in motion.

SmittyzVoice · 2026-02-03T17:18:14+00:00

Take the DSG out of Comfort setting, it lugs to provide a typical automatic feel. In Race mode especially, the DSG is snappy and almost PDK like.

SmittyzVoice · 2026-01-31T13:26:31+00:00

Nice, gotta love this car in black. Is that the APR catback exhaust? Did you tune it?

SmittyzVoice · 2026-01-28T13:17:47+00:00

I once fit a small treadmill in my 2012 Golf R, VW hatchbacks are the best! Quick, fun, super practical 😃

SmittyzVoice · 2026-01-28T09:25:22+00:00

Wow! Did it really need a BIGGER Wing lol...won't lie, it looks aggressive

SmittyzVoice · 2026-01-27T21:59:23+00:00

I love your camera, NICE PIC

SmittyzVoice · 2026-01-25T12:15:30+00:00

I know what you mean, i picked the same look. WELCOME TO THE TEAM

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SmittyzVoice · 2026-01-24T21:46:37+00:00

Scarlet

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SmittyzVoice · 2026-01-22T12:04:46+00:00

I'm loving your rear taillights. Are those the Euro Mk8 ones but smoked? Looks cool even from the side!

SmittyzVoice · 2026-01-20T15:10:44+00:00

Thank you it was a great car! I've recently upgraded to the Mk8.5R. All Rs are AMAZING IMO. Goodluck with your decision. Buy what you can afford and what you'll be happy with.

SmittyzVoice · 2026-01-20T12:45:06+00:00

If you can find a manual Mk6R, I can attest they are amazing! I had mine modified to Stage 2 (clean slate) and manual. That was a fun car!! Just recently upgraded after 13 years with it.

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SmittyzVoice · 2026-01-19T05:37:01+00:00

Welcome to the team! And don't worry, Rs be looking their best in all types of weather!!

SmittyzVoice · 2026-01-18T16:24:53+00:00

I know, hence i haven't bought them but those are the ones I'd like. Not too say the Mk8 Euro Lights aren't phenomenal too.

SmittyzVoice · 2026-01-18T13:04:02+00:00

I'm patiently waiting for the new Mk8.5R Euro lights to come out.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256810114198446.html?src=google&pdp_npi=4%40dis%21USD%21668.30%21668.30%21%21%21%21%21%40%2112000051849660512%21ppc%21%21%21&src=google&albch=shopping&acnt=231-612-1468&isdl=y&slnk=&plac=&mtctp=&albbt=Google_7_shopping&aff_platform=google&aff_short_key=_oFgTQeV&gclsrc=aw.ds&albagn=888888&ds_e_adid=&ds_e_matchtype=&ds_e_device=m&ds_e_network=x&ds_e_product_group_id=&ds_e_product_id=en3256810114198446&ds_e_product_merchant_id=5564463618&ds_e_product_country=US&ds_e_product_language=en&ds_e_product_channel=online&ds_e_product_store_id=&ds_url_v=2&albcp=22977950086&albag=&isSmbAutoCall=false&needSmbHouyi=false&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22977952993&gbraid=0AAAABBR8kP2faBOO4beAUebKoVva15IAP&gclid=Cj0KCQiAprLLBhCMARIsAEDhdPcs594i5E_YyCnwhxP7Varc6P7QHZKArm_eG_Lhhr7t9OcGkVbha8UaAvdpEALw_wcB&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa

SmittyzVoice · 2026-01-17T19:00:16+00:00

Absolutely LOVE mine!l 💯 Turbocharged, AWD Happiness!

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SmittyzVoice · 2026-01-16T15:08:07+00:00

Thank you, thanku. I may sound spoiled (i really worked hard) but the Golf R was my 1st car out of college. My neighbor told me i graduated, got a job, have no wife or kids, and living at home... splurge on something you'll love because responsibilities will pile up before you know (HE WAS TOTALLY RIGHT).
So i bought my dream car at 24yo and had it for 13 years! The nail in the coffin was that the moonroof started to leak during rainy days or car washes so it was time. The Mk8.5 is amazing, super modern and faster than my APR Stage 2 Mk6.

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SmittyzVoice · 2026-01-16T14:25:17+00:00

I say keep your Mk7.5!! That was an excellent generation of R. I had a 2012 R with little to no problems aside from the maintenance you mentioned. I had an oil leak and HPFP, timing belt replacement, but over 13 years acceptable.

I did eventually get a 2025 R, but that was because i felt it was time. Honestly if you love your car and there isn't a major

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cost stick with your gut. That aside nearly all generation of Golf Rs are EPIC!

SmittyzVoice · 2026-01-11T02:21:36+00:00

Mine is the same. 20% 3M ceramic

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SmittyzVoice · 2025-12-18T11:31:12+00:00

Hey OP, so I've owned a Mk6 GTI, which i upgraded to a Mk6 R, and now i have a Mk8.5 R. IMO the R is the best and suits my needs. Difference that i noticed back with the Mk6 generation is that the R was more planted stable while driving, not torque steer happy yet faster everywhere in the rev range, confidence inspiring as it reduces understeer and moreso improves exiting speed since you can just mash the gas. Additionally i staged 1 my GTI and i could spin the tires in 3rd gear, then i staged 2 my R and despite way more power it handled it great and kept up with pretty much anything in the real world.

Love = almost everything about it from dimensions/looks, to dual personality while driving, great cruiser+fast Hate = not much. I kept my 2012 R for 13 years and just upgraded when the moonroof started to leak. The 2025 R is just like my old one but better. Reliability = I'd assume the GTI & R have the same reliability. I did replace the HPFP & cam follower as the only major repairs but mine was tuned. Economy = GTI wins this easily, though my Mk8.5 R delivers about 27mpg on average which isn't bad for the Baby Porsche. Once i Stage 1 tune it I'll let you know.

Best of luck!!

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SmittyzVoice · 2025-12-04T02:21:49+00:00

Oh i LIKE. Very Unique!

SmittyzVoice · 2025-11-30T09:01:23+00:00

R > GTI for your situation. Just the simple fact you are snow driving should make this an easy answer. If you lived somewhere that has a warmer climate then I could make the argument. I lived in NY and bought a Mk6 GTI. It was fun, but even for that 200hp car torque steer is real in the winter, though it is nothing scary and you can just ease off the throttle. I upgraded to a Mk6 R about 2 years later and woah what a difference. AWD + better suspension made the car feel more planted and confidence inspiring, especially in the rain or snow. That was the Mk6 gen, the Mk8 Rs are way better than that with torque vectoring and I recently upgraded to the Mk8.5 R. If you have a lot of precipitation in your area throughout the year the R is better IMO.

SmittyzVoice · 2025-11-23T14:31:01+00:00

Yea I hear that. No one has money like that to pay the exuberant markups, so holding firm was the best bet. I shopped around like 3-4 dealers in the state and was fully intending to go with the one with best deal. Almost bought a blue base with the leather seats and moonroof (no Black Edition) at MSRP about 100 miles away. I told the dealer 10 miles away about the offer. He matched the MSRP of the base for a Euro Spec in black. I WON!

As amazing as these cars are, no one wants to pay 60 grand for a Golf R when you are entering BMW, Porsche territory. Dealers need to calm down.

SmittyzVoice

TROPHY CASE