Golf R -v- Golf GTI

[elisiX]

The debate will never end and it will continue to be fought out using bias reviews and people defending their choices. At the end of the day, both have thier advantages and on paper the R looks to be a clear winner. In reality, they are much closer than the paper suggests - particularly for day to day use on the street. Take the R to the track, dump it in the wet and burn off a P plater at the lights and you will make use of the differences. However if your driving to work, dont care about bragging rights and dont care about traffic light GP, then the GTI is more than sufficient and holds its own.

[Maverick]

AWD is mainly an advantage if you are launching it at the lights, on the track and in wet conditions.. nothing wrong with the acceleration of a modded GTI when rolling - will still be lighter and less drive train loss.

I do recall your R32 sucking on my exhaust fumes a few times at the traffic light gp so AWD isn't always needed at the lights

[G-rig]

I do recall your R32 sucking on my exhaust fumes a few times at the traffic light gp so AWD isn't always needed at the lights

LOL... that wasn't even a race.. The R32 gets away quick but runs out of puff plus it was manual which made it a bit slow as well. The GTI is a bit more exciting anyway but the grip was quite good.

[WhiteJames]

Recaro Seats + Dynamic Chassis Control:

The Recaro seat option on the Golf R is a love/hate relationship. Hate that they don’t come with side airbags. Love the support that they give. I’ve driven a few R32’s with the Recaro race seats – one in particular on a suspension comparison which involved about an hour in the saddle – no complaints of discomfort, even on rougher tarmac.

In respect to the missing side airbag – I guess it relates to what type of driving is involved: City driving may provide a greater chance of side impact rather long distance touring, where head on collisions can often result. City driving does not necessitate the extra support provided by the race seats, tourist/country commuting or track time would create the need for extra side support.

Last drive from Sydney to Queanbeyan/Canberra with a day trip thrown in from Canberra to Batemans Bay involved running the Golf GTI - DCC suspension setting in Sport mode for about 90% of the trip. DCC Sport makes for firmer steering & improved cornering ability, which can test the limits of the side bolsters of the std GTI seats with the driver leaning harder into them in addition to gripping the steering wheel harder (greater resistance of Sport steering mode compensates for this). I found that the cloth seats do provide marginally more support & comfort than the leather seats in the old MKV GTI. At times, I felt that I could do with some added support of the Recaro seats. This usually occurred during the mountain climbs and descents, esp. in dry conditions where grip levels are higher. The only other issues with the Recaro seats is that the seat belt can be difficult to grasp due to the wrap around shoulder section of the Recaro seat & limited market come resale time.

Cheers
WJ

[pologti18t]

Why can't VW supply Recaros WITH side airbags? Renault do....

[G-rig]

I would have thought the recaros would be a good selling point when time to sell. Agree they aren't for everyone but I know most enthousiasts would love them??

Having said that, the normal seats are fine for everyday use but don't hold you in on the track or spirited/mountain drives. Agree with WJ you dont slide around as much in the cloth seats compared to leather, ane the bolsters in the MK6 seem quite firm.

[AdamD]

I would have thought the recaros would be a good selling point when time to sell. Agree they aren't for everyone but I know most enthousiasts would love them??

I consider myself an enthusiast, and I certainly don't love them, although I'm happy to accept I'm likely in the minority on this forum. The standard seats rate very highly when compared with those of other cars in the same market segment. I would expect that the vast majority of R owners will still use the car for metro area commutes where practicality, accessibility and safety are just as important as performance appeal (if not more so). And that's before you factor in the extra cost.

[G-rig]

I consider myself an enthusiast, and I certainly don't love them, although I'm happy to accept I'm likely in the minority on this forum. The standard seats rate very highly when compared with those of other cars in the same market segment. I would expect that the vast majority of R owners will still use the car for metro area commutes where practicality, accessibility and safety are just as important as performance appeal (if not more so). And that's before you factor in the extra cost.

I just meant that most people would be happy to have them for free in a second hand car vs paying $5300 for them new. Agree the normal seats may be more comfortable and fine for every day driving.

[Silverarrow]

I have the Recaros in my current R32 (5 Door) which 3.5 years old, and while I agree they are great on the track - which I do on a reasonably frequent basis, I'd probably disagree with the highway/spirited drive on the road comment.

The upsides in my mind are:
The extra support/placement on the track
The sense of occasion when you get in the car (silly I know, but for the money, you'd want it to wow you more than just when you are on the track)
Better seating position overall (The recaros place you lower in the car or can be adjusted lower - my preference - than the standard seats)
If you do track the car they allow you to wear a helmet more easily.

The Downsides:
If you own a 3 door don't do it - no memory position and it's a pain to get people in and out of the back.
My wife hates them (getting in and out)
I drive Brisbane-Sydney regularly in a day and 10+ hours in the Recaros is not super comfortable
Questionable resale value...
And wear on the drivers side bolster

If I do get an R to follow on from the R32 I'll be getting the standard seats with leather. The money I would have spent on recaros will be partially funding my dedicated track car.

[G-rig]

Thanks Silverarrow, sounds like they aren't really worth it overall unless you track the car a lot.

I think a wallpaper on the PC will be good enough .