Golf R -v- Golf GTI

[HPSOV]

I don't know how you can wait till October!!! I decided I wanted an R six days ago and picked it up this morning! Can't get the grin off my face!

[BrianD]

I ordered my GTI on 24th April and was later told it would be a week 24 build - now I'm told it doesn't show any 'handover to production' date on their computer. It seems I am just one of many who has to wait impatiently!

[triode12]

I ordered my GTI on 24th April and was later told it would be a week 24 build - now I'm told it doesn't show any 'handover to production' date on their computer. It seems I am just one of many who has to wait impatiently!

Could be a blessing in disguise...I know if I was in your position, I'd take the opportunity to change my order to an R - even though I'd have to sacrifice a couple of options.

[BrianD]

Could be a blessing in disguise...I know if I was in your position, I'd take the opportunity to change my order to an R - even though I'd have to sacrifice a couple of options.

Excellent point...will consider that.

[triode12]

Excellent point...will consider that.

Have you test driven the R yet? It may make the decision a lot easier.

[BrianD]

Have you test driven the R yet? It may make the decision a lot easier.

I haven't, but I should. I may ring up for an appointment to test drive the R. Could be an expensive test drive!

[triode12]

I haven't, but I should. I may ring up for an appointment to test drive the R. Could be an expensive test drive!

I can almost guarantee that you will love it.

[obiwan]

Well I only got to be a passenger in the hot lap at the VW driver training day day last Friday in Brisbane. It was a wild ride, a lot of fun. I don't know how close my Mk6 GTI would be with a professional driver doing the same thing. I was in the back seat and with the helmet on and the G-forces happening, I couldn't move my head to try and see what speed we were doing. Well I could eventually, but it cracked me up with the effort it took to get there.

[thezoneR32]

I haven’t driven either the gti or R, I own a MkV R32 DSG with gen 2 haldex, apr tune and KW SHS coilvers. This talk of understeery behaviour on the R32 I find intriguing. The only time understeer occurs is when ESP is ON and you throw it violently into a corner with no throttle. Turn off ESP and gas it thru the apex the gen 2 pushes the rear around sweetly and if anything I get more oversteer and 4 wheel slides than understeer. I have owned many tbo's and na's and I would not want to lose the instant torque that my R32 delivers. Who cares about top end, ultimately it’s the low end torque that makes it a sweet ride day to day. Everyone who drives my car comments on the lighting quick kickdown and instant power rush.

Long live the NA’s. (Yes I know they stopped making it and yes I will test drive both the mk6 gti and R).

PS Thanks to WJ for his great right ups – I’m loving these KW SHS’s! - Cheers mate!

[WhiteJames]

Do I trade in the R32 for a Mark 6 Golf R or Mark 6 Golf GTI?

Apart from the obvious upgrades between Mark 5 and Mark 6 models, the upgrades that make the Golf R stand over & above the R32 are:

1. EDL – EDL is the low speed part of the XDS electronic diff. It imperceptibly brakes the inside front wheel, forcing the torque out to the out-bound front wheel. It’s an electronic intervention that is proactive on the Golf R and Golf GTI (MK6), rather than reactive as in the case of ESC on the R32. It’s also what gives the Golf R an advantage over the Audi S3 (S3 doesn’t have EDL diff I’m told- Audi RS5 does).

2. Generation IV Haldex AWD is has lifted the bar over Generation III Haldex system. It relates to a hardware upgrade involving a high pressure hydraulic pump shifting drive rearwards, rather than a simple software upgrade.

3. Standard suspension tune on the Golf R is way ahead of the standard R32 for ride & handling, including body roll (whole Golf range for that matter).

4. 35kg less mass up front – No amount of suspension tuning can compensate for a balanced chassis. The R32 is less front heavy than the GTI, but the Golf R if further improved on the front to rear weight distribution, in addition to less overall mass – makes a difference when stringing a serious of corners together.

5. Stronger performance higher up in the rev range – Golf R motor hits its stride just before the R32 starts to lose some stem.


An R32 with coilovers & aftermarket haldex system will show a slight to moderate improvement on reducing under-steer – depending how the coilovers are set up. Adding a set of H&R solid adjustable sway bars makes a very pronounced improvement in reducing under-steer, albeit at the expense of a reduction in ride comfort. H&R bars on hard/hard will make for a drifter and will understeer less than standard, but still understeer at the limit with reduced margins for error – H&R bars on front soft/rear hard will have the R32 much closer to neutral in chassis tune – noticeably so from 8/10ths onwards. H&R solid adjustable sway bars on soft/hard F & R will have the R32 turning from its centre axis like a downhill skier, rather than turning from the front with under steer as is the case with stock sway bars. H&R sway bars don’t change that fact that the R32 has an extra 35kg up front and higher overall mass reducing the threshold of grip –v- Golf R.


Would I sell my R32 for a Golf R?


Depends ... If you mainly drive around town, then no. The R32 would be easier to live with given its low down responsive V6 motor - the chassis improvements of the Golf R are not as likely to be fully explored for city driving & the Golf R motor has turbo lag to contend with.


If you spend a good amount of time driving extra-urban/tourist routes, then yes. The Golf R’s lighter weight, improved chassis balance making for a more fluid drive, new generation haldex system coupled with EDL diff has put the Golf R into another league as a driver’s vehicle.


Cheers
WJ