Golf R Observations and Questions

[Lucas82]

Performance,

I do quite a few track days and I dont want to destroy my road wheels.

Thus getting a setting of wheels for the track, Extra camber on the front will help with the cars turn in which is very neutral at the moment.

The guys at the Track definately feel the camber kit was the go but I will look into the caster Anti Lift Kit.

Thanks for your help.

[Corey_R]

See the opinion of last years MOTOR Hot Tuner Challenge track winner. He feels caster is not as important the R as the GTI (due to AWD). Ideally you want both, but I'm not sure that I'd be getting caster instead of camber - especially due to the obvious impact the lack of camber had on the Audi S3 at the same test.

[REXman]

Question: if you have audio and Bluetooth can you get those under seat drawers fitted?

Also can you get them for the Polo?

[Mr_Bob]

See the opinion of last years MOTOR Hot Tuner Challenge track winner. He feels caster is not as important the R as the GTI (due to AWD). Ideally you want both, but I'm not sure that I'd be getting caster instead of camber - especially due to the obvious impact the lack of camber had on the Audi S3 at the same test.

The issue with high camber is that it affect straightline braking and acceleration.
Although traction for acceleration is plentiful for the R, so that's less of a concern than the GTI.

Depending on your needs (track Vs street use), caster adjustment plus a mild-moderate camber adjustment would be the best outcome
I'll be doing caster first, then consider camber if it's not sufficient.

[Corey_R]

Yeah - I understand. It also kills the inside tread on the tyre if you drive it around the streets with too much camber etc. But since Lucas82 is planning "quite a few track days", it may still be important. The difference between the APR GTI/R track times and the S3 track times were quite considerable, and from memory of forum conversations about the topic, this was one of the differences.

I'm pretty sure I remember Guy H talking about the suspension they were using being "one click adjustable", and not even requiring to be put on jacks to perform this. I'm not sure if that includes camber changes though. (Guy H is obviously the best person to ask about their chassis setups!)

[Lucas82]

In previous cars I have had Adjustable KONI suspension which has a simple tool that you place onto a Valve screw on top of the shock absorber to adjust the ride. The camber could only be adjusted when in the correct Gig since it was just an adjustable bolt and needs to be exact.

Like stated above the R being AWD should not be too much of an issue with the camber considering the benifits you get on corner entry.

My last car had -2.5 degrees of camber on the front and found the wear was not a big issue since most of the major wear you get is while cornering. Also the price you pay in your day to day car if you use it for track days.

I will contact Guy and see if there is a good option available.

[Pepe]

Question: if you have audio and Bluetooth can you get those under seat drawers fitted?

Dunno about under the drivers, but I have one under my passenger seat with both of those options fitted (where they are designed to be) and no issues whatsoever.

[Guy_H]

We found with more castor (On the R), its straight line stability became "vague" at around 200kmph, not what you need when trying to line up braking points!

I'm sure it has a lot to do with the toe in on the rear as well (or lack of it) - The GTI liked a bit of Castor (liked camber too!) - One thing that improved both cars out of sight was a heavier front sway bar to keep the driving wheels planted through corners.

[Lucas82]

Thanks Guy,

I have been told that your Golf R was running an upgraded Haldex controller which helped send more power to the back wheels through the initial turn in creating less understeer.

Do you feel that this is a worthy upgrade over Sway bars and a camber kit to solve understeer on the R?

Personally I still feel the camber kit is the first step and just dial in the amount which best suits the application and good value for money.

[Corey_R]

There's a video on Youtube that someone posted somewhere. It's of the "Sportec R" (is this right?) and it has an upgraded Haldex controller too. It doesn't give much details (and the video is in another language, though with english subtitles). Anyway, in this video, they do a flick u-turn and boot the accelerator to induce oversteer in the way only a RWD car do... it was quite cool.