Is the mk7 Golf R Really Magic?
The mk7 Golf R has been with us for almost three years now and is arguably one of the best all-around cars on sale today.
Personally I adore the mk7 chassis. The golf, gti, golf wagon, alltrack, golf r, they are all great vehicles and each of them fill a different role for their niche markets.
I thought for sure a secondhand Golf R would be my next purchase because it really is the perfect all-rounder. AWD, four doors, an automatic and all features as standard, who can argue with that?
The 2017 Golf R comes standard with all the goodies now. It features DCC Adaptive Chassis Control, basically adjustable suspension, steering and throttle response. The Golf also comes with adaptive cruise control, navigation, park-assist, premium audio and lane assist all for a base MSRP of $39,375.
That’s a serious kit for under 40 grand and that made me wonder, is there anything better than the Golf R within it’s price range?
Now you can argue MSRP’s all day long, but in the real world it’s not a fair comparison.
So to be fair my Golf R, in Deep Black Pearl with the optioned DSG, rang in at $41,295 including destination charge.

After searching around and playing around with building my own cars on several sites, I found serious competition. But let’s look at the competitors first.

The first vehicle I stumbled upon is the Alfa Romeo Gulia Ti RWD. Now due to the blindingly difficult to operate building page, I couldn’t get a screenshot of the car with the options I had selected.
With that being said I did opt for the Ti 19-inch Sport Package which includes Alfa’s signature five-hole wheels, all-season tires, aluminum paddle shifters, aluminum pedals, painted brake calipers (had mine in black), black window moldings, sport front and rear fascias, sport seats and a sport steering wheel.
Now I also opted for the Ti Performance Package which includes active suspension and a mechanical limited-slip differential, a must have for any sporty RWD car in my opinion.
My Guilia Ti RWD in Alfa White with the Ti 19-inch package and Ti Performance Pack rang in at a total MSRP of $44,440 and $41,690 after offers and incentives.
Mind you even though this is still a fairly bare bones Alfa Guilia, I believe this would be a great alternative to the Golf R if you’re looking for pure driving pleasure and the thought of never knowing when your car will inevitably break down.
Thus I had to look elsewhere.
Enter the realm of BMW.
I thought for sure this would be the last place I would end up. BMW’s styling hasn’t peaked my interest in years. Their model-lineup is aging along with the faulty driving dynamics of some of the M cars.
I gave it a try and I found perfection within.
This current three-series generation (F30/31/34) has been with us for nearly seven years now, I really can’t believe it.
To stack on the options I needed to make this car a proper contender I started with the 170hp 320i, and I know what you’re thinking. How is this comparable to the near 300hp Golf R and 330hp Alfa Guilia?
Just hear me out on this, please.
Two words: track package.

The 320i with it’s pathetic 170hp turbo-four can be equipped with a proper M-division inspired track package. This includes a variable electric steering rack, M-sport brake package and M-sport adaptive suspension. The Track Handling Package can be had as a $1,700 option.


Along with the track pack I went with the Sport Package which includes anthracite headliner, M steering wheel and sport seats for $1,300. I also opted for the lighting package ($700), Dakota Black Leather ($1,450), Fineline Anthracite Wood Trim with PearlGloss Chrome highlight ($500), Jatoba Brown Metallic paint ($700) and a manual transmission free of charge, what a time.
Total MSRP as built including destination came out to $40,795.
Better than the Golf R, I say yes, but that’s for you to decide.
