Golf R -v- Golf GTI

[Browny]

I beg to disagree and so do many other people wrt to your opinion on looks. But it is subjective thing. I personally find the Mk6 GTI looks like a Corolla from the back. The front is ok but I much prefer the agressive looks of the R over the GTI.

As to Jetta vs Golf, they are not the same, one is a sedan (with suspension tuned for comfort) and the other is a hatch (with stiffer suspension). Also the Mk6's GTI Engine is prone to rattle and drinks copious amounts of oil when driven hard. Problems that don't exist with the MkV GTI's and R's EA113 engine.

Also with the Mk6 GTI (and R), when you turn off ESP, it isn't really turned off (nanny mode - kicks in when you go beyond a certain limit). With the MkV GTI, when ESP is turned off, it's really turned off.

Well I suppose it is all personal opinion because I think the MK5 looks like a Corolla from the back and the new one looks nothing like it.... As I said, personal opinion. See to me, the MK6 looks a lot more modern and the thing I could never understand about the MK5 was the lack of colour coding on the rear bumper???

As I said, I never drove a MK5 GTI, so my comparisons are only with a Jetta with the same engine.... The issue of traction control being turned off is not an issue for me, but one thing I know is that my MK6 GTI as able to put down its power a hell of a lot better than the MK5 Jetta Turbo... Is the MK5 GTI the same as the Jetta in that sense?

Cheers

[REXman]

1. True, just like the 135i is better than the R for the extra spend.
2. Size vs Price Plasmas are very good.
3. No it isn't lol.

But see #1 is not relevant and is not inline with what we are talking (??) about. This is a straying hater comment.

We are not saying that a different car from a different gene pool, a 135, or Ferrari, or Holden, is better or worse overall than a GOLF R.

More clearly, we have spent 1oo pages making those with a cheaper car feel better, and those who have fronted up the dosh for the better car worse.
A Golf R is better than a GTI, no questions at all. And yeah cause it costs more. Its the better car. Just like a BMW 135 is better than a 118!! THAT is the argument here. Oh.

And since you mentioned it, the GOLF R is 100x nicer than the 1-series, always have been, just how the GOLF looks so much better that the BMW 1 series car will never interest me. Maybe a nice 3series or something but not the 1 series, ever its an ugly looking thing. Compared to a GOLF with 19's.. NUDDA!!

[G-rig]

I used to own a MKV GTI with 6K worth of suspension & wheels upgrades. Now I own a MK6 GTI with DCC & 18" wheels.
Cheers
WJ

Same here, and find the ride and handling/stiffer chassis very good for daily driving. The OEM setup in the R32 i had felt a lot softer/spongier in general. The MK5 really needed upgraded sway bars/coilovers IMO whereas I wouldn't bother personally with the MK6.

[G-rig]

But see #1 is not relevant and is not inline with what we are talking (??) about. This is a straying hater comment.

We are not saying that a different car from a different gene pool, a 135, or Ferrari, or Holden, is better or worse overall than a GOLF R.

The point was you can always keep spending another 10k on something, that was just an example.

[Corey_R]

And since you mentioned it, the GOLF R is 100x nicer than the 1-series, always have been, just how the GOLF looks so much better that the BMW 1 series car will never interest me. Maybe a nice 3series or something but not the 1 series, ever its an ugly looking thing. Compared to a GOLF with 19's.. NUDDA!!

I'm with ya there man. The 135i is great to drive, but just doesn't have the looks OR the quality of finish to the R (which is kinda scary). I'd still go for a 335i or M3 any day though hehe

[triode12]

Well I suppose it is all personal opinion because I think the MK5 looks like a Corolla from the back and the new one looks nothing like it.... As I said, personal opinion. See to me, the MK6 looks a lot more modern and the thing I could never understand about the MK5 was the lack of colour coding on the rear bumper???

As I said, I never drove a MK5 GTI, so my comparisons are only with a Jetta with the same engine.... The issue of traction control being turned off is not an issue for me, but one thing I know is that my MK6 GTI as able to put down its power a hell of a lot better than the MK5 Jetta Turbo... Is the MK5 GTI the same as the Jetta in that sense?

Cheers

Modern it might be but not as aggressive or as distinctive as the MKV GTI was over the cheaper models in the range. As with the rear valance being unpainted, I actually prefer it that way.

The MkI and MKII GTIs had unpainted bumpers and wheel arches and I guess VW chose to pay homage to those design cues with it's 'come back kid'. The unpainted wheel arches have also made a return in a special edition Golf MkVI GTI. It is a european thing i suppose.

It is possible that the stiffer suspension combined with a stiffer underbody of the MkVI GTI over the MkV Jetta would allow it to put power down more easily.

I did a drive with a mate with a diesel Jetta (with Koni shocks + 18 inch Enkei racing rims) yesterday and he admits that at speeds in excess of 140km/hr, his car and steering feels/becomes very light. While even at 160km/hr, my Pirelli still feels planted and stable (and would have no trouble exceeding that speed while remaining stable). So there are differences between the Jetta and GTI setups that go beyond powerplants that can affect performance.

[triode12]

I wouldn't bother personally with the MK6.

Just buy the R and be done with it.

[aaaaah]

Also with the Mk6 GTI (and R), when you turn off ESP, it isn't really turned off (nanny mode - kicks in when you go beyond a certain limit). With the MkV GTI, when ESP is turned off, it's really turned off.

Incorrect. ESP in MKVs never disappears. Traction control stays off but stability control remains.

[Corey_R]

Incorrect. ESP in MKVs never disappears. Traction control stays off but stability control remains.

triode12 is correct. You just have to hold down the ESP button. As far as I was aware, it was able to be disabled on all MKV GTI and R32's. Was there MY09 MKV's? Cause even the MY08 was still able to disable it. So if it changed, it'd only be on the MY09's if they existed.

This point has been discussed in detail in other threads as one of the biggest contentions on the changes between the MKV and MK6.

[G-rig]

Just buy the R and be done with it.

Perhaps next time I will . Didn't even want to spend this much as it is.

ps. when would you really turn off the traction control on the streets?