Golf R -v- Golf GTI

[triode12]

Just curious, what did you find 'fun' about driving the R? As far as I know, from reading articles, the R is not very involving or exciting to drive, hell its quick and class leading in fit and finish and quaility yet a un-rewarding/un-envolving drive which personally upsets me when I read these things as the R is one of my first choices for when I upgrade because the most improtant thing is its a GREAT place to be each day for the daily commute but again, what did you personally find rewarding or fun?

It's nimble and not nose heavy. Steering is nicely weighted - not too heavy not too light . Power is rather linear (lag is minimal and non-existent after a Stg1 tune). Stops on a dime due to it's large brakes. Not refined to the nth degree because of the EA113 engine - nice balance of edgyness/refinement.i.e. refined when it needs to be but a screams and vibrates like a Banshee when pushed. It is still edgy like the MkV was/my Pirelli is. It actually has many of the qualities of my Pirelli which is why I was impressed with it. But because of that it is also why I don't see the need to upgrade to it. The improvements over the Pirelli are not worth the changeover $$ and would be wasted on what I would mainly use it for. i.e. spirited weekend drives. The $$ could be put into mods for the Pirelli. e.g. BBK, Stg2 tune and associated anxillaries.

[Lazarus7]

My mate just signed the papers for a new (well its done 600kms so almost) gti today. Nice 5 door DSG in white with the 18" detriots for $40k which I thought was pretty good. Should also give some good opportunity for some comparisons when I eventually get my R.

For both of us though its going to be sooo nice getting the new ride, me going from my Getz daily and him from his EF Falcon (a POS one with a cracked head at that) which is his only car

[adzy]

It's nimble and not nose heavy. Steering is nicely weighted - not too heavy not too light . Power is rather linear (lag is minimal and non-existent after a Stg1 tune). Stops on a dime due to it's large brakes. Not refined to the nth degree because of the EA113 engine - nice balance of edgyness/refinement.i.e. refined when it needs to be but a screams and vibrates like a Banshee when pushed. It is still edgy like the MkV was/my Pirelli is. It actually has many of the qualities of my Pirelli which is why I was impressed with it. But because of that it is also why I don't see the need to upgrade to it. The improvements over the Pirelli are not worth the changeover $$ and would be wasted on what I would mainly use it for. i.e. spirited weekend drives. The $$ could be put into mods for the Pirelli. e.g. BBK, Stg2 tune and associated anxillaries.

Ok, nice to hear
Do you find the turn in a little less eager or is it barely noticed? And is the steering a little more weighted than the Pirelli you had? Man I so badly have to organise a test drive for a day in an R, might give Epping VW a call tomorrow... been to slack Adzy!!

[triode12]

Ok, nice to hear
Do you find the turn in a little less eager or is it barely noticed? And is the steering a little more weighted than the Pirelli you had? Man I so badly have to organise a test drive for a day in an R, might give Epping VW a call tomorrow... been to slack Adzy!!

Sorry, but I don't understand your first question I highlighted in Bold.

The weighting is the same between the Pirelli and R IMO. That is why I felt like I was driving my Pirelli.
You should give the R a test drive.

My first test drive of an R was in Sg in Mar 2010 and I suspect it was tuned bec it didn't have any lag - acceleration was linear like an NA but with alot of shove (5 ppl in the car) and the exhaust was palpable inside and outside of the cabin(I suspect the exhaust was modded too).

The subsequent test drives in Rs were done here in Oz and the cars had slight turbo lag - not as bad as a stock Pirelli but it was there and they didn't sound anything like the test car in Sg (the stock R actually sounds more like my Pirelli). Having said that, all other impressions were the same.

[SilvrFoxX]

.Now I think you are going hard on Corey!!

I feel dirty..

[adzy]

Sorry, but I don't understand your first question I highlighted in Bold.

The weighting is the same between the Pirelli and R IMO. That is why I felt like I was driving my Pirelli.
You should give the R a test drive.

My first test drive of an R was in Sg in Mar 2010 and I suspect it was tuned bec it didn't have any lag - acceleration was linear like an NA but with alot of shove (5 ppl in the car) and the exhaust was palpable inside and outside of the cabin(I suspect the exhaust was modded too).

The subsequent test drives in Rs were done here in Oz and the cars had slight turbo lag - not as bad as a stock Pirelli but it was there and they didn't sound anything like the test car in Sg (the stock R actually sounds more like my Pirelli). Having said that, all other impressions were the same.

Sorry, I meant can u feel the extra weight of the r dulling the turn in much as in does it want to push understeer more when going for it. I would assume the are would be less eager on turn in and less adjustable mid corner with steering, throttle and braking inputs

[WhiteJames]

In retrospect: Given that Ray has paid the first 1K deposit on that Blue 5 door DSG Golf R almost fully optioned, an offer of 67K would be more appropriate and reasonably good value for a vehicle of this type. In the spirit of the thread and returning to the front end treatments of the Golf R and Golf GTI - it was noted that the Golf R day-time driving lights look like cheap aftermarket add-ons and the black plastic front parking sensors inside the lower grill on the R look like something that you'd pick up from **** Smith Electronics as a post-aftermarket fitment, not something to be found on a rrp $74500 sports/luxury hatchback - well not according to Ray who complains that the Golf R lacks the front end design cohesiveness of the lesser models. Just another factor in culling the deal. On the other hand, the Golf GTI has tidy driving lights housed inside the headlight cradles and front park sensors tastefully housed around the bumper and individually colour coded on every GTI. As for the Polo GTI, it wouldn't take my not too large suitcase in its boot, which makes less practical on longer tours.
Cheers.
WJ

[dave_r]

Edited for your pleasure.

ROFL, lunch has been saved!

You need a luxo barge not an R

The R is luxo barge enough!

[adzy]

The R is luxo barge enough!

Amen

WJ- kudos to you mate for being mature and respectful amongst all the bashing towards your prior posts. Keep doing what u do mate as your suspension reviews etc have been great to read

[SilvrFoxX]

In retrospect: Given that Ray has paid the first 1K deposit on that Blue 5 door DSG Golf R almost fully optioned, an offer of 67K would be more appropriate and reasonably good value for a vehicle of this type. In the spirit of the thread and returning to the front end treatments of the Golf R and Golf GTI - it was noted that the Golf R day-time driving lights look like cheap aftermarket add-ons and the black plastic front parking sensors inside the lower grill on the R look like something that you'd pick up from **** Smith Electronics as a post-aftermarket fitment, not something to be found on a rrp $74500 sports/luxury hatchback - well not according to Ray who complains that the Golf R lacks the front end design cohesiveness of the lesser models. Just another factor in culling the deal. On the other hand, the Golf GTI has tidy driving lights housed inside the headlight cradles and front park sensors tastefully housed around the bumper and individually colour coded on every GTI. As for the Polo GTI, it wouldn't take my not too large suitcase in its boot, which makes less practical on longer tours.
Cheers.
WJ

Now.. I completely disagree.. there is a reason why the R32 was $62K entry point and the R $48K entry point.. to option up to $74k has nothing to do with what you get for the base package.

VW knew this and opened up a broader market base .. grieve as you must for the demise of the R32 but not at the expense of the well priced replacement

Attached is a blog from an R32 fanatic who has had the first opportunity to test drive the R.. it is pretty unbias account of what he thinks of the R in a brief test. Lets call him American WJ

http://nordschleifeautoblahg.blogspo...rspective.html