Golf R -v- Golf GTI

[Mountainman]

But BMW Mercedes and Porsche don't even make fwd?

Don't BMW make the Mini and Mercedes make the fwd A and B class?

[Happs]

Your best bet would be to drive both cars and make up your mind because there will not be consensus about which one is more fun to drive on this forum.

I agree.. the real test is how it makes you feel when you drive it.. the rest is just stats on a page

I agree. Back to back drives to make up your mind about the GTI and R.

Thanks guys and this is certainly my intent! But unfortunately the dealers near me have sold every R they've got in for demo use within a day or so. People are offering sticker price to avoid the wait.

It means I can either wait it to do some good back to back test and perhaps delay getting my own by 6-7 months. Or I take a leap of faith and buy without test drive (though I've driven the brilliant GTi) and base my decision on professional reviews and personal feedback from forums just like this one.

I have a budget of $50k-$60k. I'm looking at either a well optioned GTi, or a reasonably optioned R. In some respects it would be easier if I had a different (lower or higher) budget!! A consideration for me is that options tend to depreciate greater than stock build and car ability.

In lieu of doing a test drive I'm leaning towards the R because my budget can extend to it and there must be value in paying $10k more than a GTi (for those than can afford to) or there wouldn't be a market for it I suppose.

[Happs]

Whether I go GTi or R, I'm keen to do a Stage I performance upgrade (the likes of the APR or Superchip Bluefin Stage I ECU upgrade).

Is one engine likely to be more robust than the other for this sort of tuning?

I'm unlikely to go to StageII/III, just a little more performance.

Given the R is detuned for Aus I'm thinking it'll handle upgrades better?

(there's pro's and cons in terms of ability to get extra power down 2WD vs AWD etc, but that's not really what I'm interested in, more interested in the mechanical longevity on the engines by modding).

[Happs]

Even with a 200kw+ Stage II MKV Golf GTI (i.e. no XDS and previous versions of their TLA safety systems), it is very difficult to get an intentional skid under acceleration, even in a corner. In the wet it's still difficult to accelerate into an intentional skid. The only way to really get this to happen is to enter a corner already going too fast (which will be assisted by XDS in the MK6 cars), or to turn off the ESP (which still won't turn off the XDS in a MK6). Entering the corner too fast won't be helped with any of the drive types, and WhiteJames is stating that the XDS may actually be better than the AWD (due to R's additional weight and inability to brake individual front wheels) in several of the second scenarios.

Yeah I do agree.

And this really caught my attention reading his review too! Bigger (or more expensive) doesn't guarantee anything is better in life. I just really want to avoid the buyers remorse!

[Corey_R]

The Golf R's engine has uprated internals as it was always meant to be a high performance (~200kw factory) engine. It's basically the MKV's GTI engine (147kw) but with larger turbo, different rods and cylinder head and this that and the other (I'm sure someone can dig up the link of specific changes... I just don't have time atm).

The Golf R Stage III goes to 315kw without needing any internals changed, whereas the MK6 GTI Stage III goes to 275kw and is right on the edge of needing upgraded engine internals (in fact, even running a higher octane fuel than 98 has a "recommendation" from APR to upgrade the engine internals).

But yeah, Stage I GTI is 189kw, Golf R stock is 188kw, and Golf R Stage I is 240kw... so if this type of thing interests you, the R is definitely the way to go...

[Mr_Bob]

I wouldn't be too concerned about options.
Whilst i'd rather factory options, you can always add these later as dealer fitted, or aftermarket.

It's very hard to swap the drivetrain if you get a GTi and wish you had an R.

Have you left your details with a dealership, and asked them to call you when the next R is in stock?
That way you can rush off for a quick test drive before it is sold...

alternatively, it might be worth investing in an interstate trip?
even if it's $500-750 for flights, that's alot cheaper than making a $10K mistake on a purchase...

or you could sweet-talk a forum member who has taken delivery already

[Mr_Bob]

But yeah, Stage I GTI is 189kw, Golf R stock is 188kw, and Golf R Stage I is 240kw... so if this type of thing interests you, the R is definitely the way to go...

Depends if you are only looking at flywheel power.

I would think that once you've factored in the GTi's weight advantage, and lower drivetrain losses, the power to weight at the wheels should be reasonably close,
Assuming they're both at same modification level...

[Happs]

Have you left your details with a dealership, and asked them to call you when the next R is in stock?
That way you can rush off for a quick test drive before it is sold...

Sure have!

Osborne Park dealer (for those in Perth) is actually expecting one in mid-next week (but has already had offers for it). I asked them if they'd be willing to call me as soon as it drops and I'd leave work for an hour to have a drive.

They said they would, but if the car pre-sells it won't be drivable.

[Prodigy]

Sure have!

Osborne Park dealer (for those in Perth) is actually expecting one in mid-next week (but has already had offers for it). I asked them if they'd be willing to call me as soon as it drops and I'd leave work for an hour to have a drive.

They said they would, but if the car pre-sells it won't be drivable.

Have you tried VW in Vic Park? They have a DSG and Manual R in the showroom. ( I test drove the DSG way back in late June)

[blanch0b]

try wangarra VW as well....

'offers' for a car - haha u have to put a bid in to get an R.... who'd hav thought?

im thinking of upgrading my GTI in 3 years time (as I will try and do from now on) maybe i should put an order in for an R now??