Golf R -v- Golf GTI

[REXman]

Can we please keep the "tiguan" out of this discussion. Thank you. Its neither a GTI or an R, or close in any aspects that I am interested in. Particularly when I like sporty cars. Next the we'll be talking about the RAV4 being great with some suspension on it.

[ConR]

Let's not exclude this also...hell of a car:

[Corey_R]

I had to call it quits at the 55K mark cause at the end of the day, it is one hell of an expensive hatchback for the 65-70K mark on road.

You could have had an R at your $55k limit mark. It starts at $53,420 in VIC.
Sure, in your configuration it would be just under $72k before negotiating a discount, but still, it's cheaper than you let on.

[G-rig]

$72k is a fair bit more than <$55k, but the idea would be to get a base model to come under budget. Depends if the other luxuries/options are more important.

[Corey_R]

Yeah exactly. If I was in booya's position of a hard $55k budget limit, then I'd have gone with the GTI too, as I'm also not willing to compromise on the options, but just wanting to point out that the R is not a "$65k to 70k" car as standard - you need to throw plenty of options at it before it gets to $70k

[WhiteJames]

Golf R -v- Golf GTI


Exhaust Noise:

The GTI sounds better than the Golf R imo. The GTI sound is a higher pitched race car type of sound. The Golf R has a deeper throaty sound with a very slight drone. In contrast, the GTI has the 2400-2500rpm exhaust scavenging resonation that is the subject of complaints by owners.


All Wheel Drive (AWD):

In retrospect, I perhaps should have included at the end of the review that the AWD feel is favoured over the FWD feel coupled with EDL/XDS electronic differential – this was mentioned in the short test drive write-up. The AWD has a natural feeling to when powering out of corners.

In addition: the new Mark 6 Golf R has EDL, but not XDS.

EDL brakes the front inner wheel, forcing the torque outwards to the outside front wheel – this prevents the interior front wheel from spinning up, esp. in tighter corners – this is one advantage that the Golf R has over the Audi S3. XDS involves braking the inside wheel at higher speeds to pull the car into the corner, limiting understeer – this is not a feature on the Golf R (it is a feature on the GTI and Sirocco R).


Interior:

In retrospect, the Golf R cloth interior does not look or feel as classy as the cloth in the Golf GTI. The perforated seat bench and seat back resemble cheaper versions of any Volkswagen product without Sport Seats.


Exterior:

The Golf R is does sit lower than the Golf GTI – around 7-10mm lower, esp. at the front. This gives it a nice presence. The lower stance of the Golf R sitting on 18” wheels is similar to when owners of the MK5 GTI lowered their vehicles on 17” Denver wheels -the wheels all of a sudden look smaller. This is not an issue with the GTI on 18” wheels due to slightly higher GTI ride height. A genuine Volkswagen OE body kit plus 18” or 19” wheels on the 118TSI would be very similar in the looks department to the Golf R.


19” Wheels:

After conducting a number of reviews on the Mark 5 Golf R32, it became apparent to me and others, including motoring magazine journalist’s, that that the R32 with OE stock suspension & ride height rubbed on the front inner top fender screw when striking depressions with the suspension already loaded around corners. Any lowering of the Mark 5 Golf R32 caused problems with excessive rubbing on this top inner plastic liner screw. The R32 had 225/40/18”/ET50 wheel/tyre package.



Most owners were removing the top screw and tucking the plastic tab behind the metal screw tab flange of the inner front mudguards. Some owners have had the guards rolled and the metal screw flange bent upwards against the mudguard creating more room between the screw flange & tyre sidewall (A guy in Chatswood-Atarman, North Sydney does a superb job of this). The R32 does have an extra 35 kilos up front due to the lumpy V6 motor.


I have always maintained that a 235mm width tyre, regardless of rim diameter (17”, 18” or 19”) causes the same sort of tyre to screw rubbing drama when negotiating tight corners and is not suitable for the Mark V GTI or R32.


I experienced the problem with a 20mm lowered MKV GTI on 225mm/40 series x 18” diameter x 8.0” wide Audi RS6 wheels with a slightly wider ET45 offset over the standard ET51 offset of the 18” x 7.5” Huff/Detroit wheels. The RS6 wheels were returned to the tyre shop after a week in exchange for the Huff wheels with original offset & width. This was on a 225mm wide mind you.


Being curious on how Volkswagen managed to fit a 235 series tyre under the front mudguards of the Mark 6 Golf, I decided to check the inner guard of the Golf R with 19” wheels & 235 series tyres by rubbing my finger along the inner lip of the mudguard.


Please note:


The pictures I’ve supplied have Golf R’s from a number of dealerships, not only Gerald Slaven Motors, Belconnen, ACT.


An example of a another dealership’s Golf R demo optioned with 19” wheels shod with 235 series tyres already had the front top inner fender screw removed & the plastic tab tucked in behind the metal flange. It is not known if the dealership had this screw removed to prevent any rubbing issues on this demo model, or whether the screw is discarded from the Volkswagen factory for the same reason.


None of the Golf R’s with 18” wheels or GTI with 18” Detroit wheels in the yard had the top inner fender screw removed.


Remember this vehicle did not belong to Gerald Slaven Motors, but was another dealer’s demo Golf R (I was not allowed to drive this vehicle as it was on a Friday prior to official release).


It is important, in my opinion, to check for this screw if test driving a Golf R with 19” wheels. The demo may not have tyres rubbing; but if your ride optioned with 19”/235mm tyres is delivered with the screw inserted, you may experience some tyre rubbing during tight cornering, esp. when striking bumps mid corner with loaded suspension.


On the other hand, if you only drive on the motorways, you’re unlikely to experience any problem re: tyre rubbing on top inner fender screw with turned from wheels. Alternatively; there are @ 10 screws holding the inner plastic liner in place, so one screw missing is not going to make much difference.


Cheers
WJ

[Corey_R]

The Golf R is does sit lower than the Golf GTI – around 7-10mm lower, esp. at the front.

According to VW specs, the R is only 3mm lower at the front, but 10mm lower at the back. The R is 25mm lowered front and back, whereas the GTI is only 22mm lowered at the front and 15mm lowered at the rear.

[elisiX]

Nice write up - quite detailed as usual WJ. Sounds to me that for a daily driver, the GTI has it.

However if you plan on running the odd track day, you cant go past the R. I'd be happy with either really - but my optioned up GTI is doing well.

I would like to see improved levels of grip however and IMO is the only issue I have with the GTI.

[Tim]

Whitejames: Can you clarify what you mean when you mention the fuel delivery felt more precise in the GTI compared to the R? Not sure I follow that point

[REXman]

The GOLF R exhaust sounds better, hands down WJ. Havent heard or met anyone other than yourself who thought otherwise. But I am sure there might be many on this website. Otherwise a good effort and interesting write up. I must say I enoy reading your reviews.

Now I reckon you need to buy a GOLF R and I'll take your unbiased choice seriously.

"Fuel delivery felt more precise".

Do you mean it had a more linear map? more responsive? It probably was, as it has a smaller turbo and 2 wheels to turn. Like I have previously mentioned, half the excitement is due to the experience as opposed to the actual performance.

You might not have tried though in your test, to run around in the wet. It is there I believe will you see the power of AWD. As I am not much of a trackster myself (in my own cars), I believe the benefits of having these things is just fun to have.

Sort of like why most people went a GTI, and not a TSI118, or TS118 and not a TRENDLINE..

I thought the GTI is also a car that is not really needed, as it has bags of power and overly, if not too capable for anywhere I would drive.

I think you need to really ask yourself what results you were intending to find with your comparison, and maybe how clear and reasonable they actually were.