Golf R -v- Golf GTI

[triode12]

Wow, like turning up to the party and seeing everyone is already on the pills....
[Snip]
Just ask my wife.

+100

[SilvrFoxX]

Thread killer.. I think the point has been missed.. half the fun of this thread has been watch everyone "measure up" it is the bloke thing to do. Everyone knows the what one car has over the other it is the usual battle of justification of a personal decision. You can see it has run its course now because new cars are being introduced just to keep it both going and interesting.

Anyway back to the jousting and fencing

[WhiteJames]

This thread has evolved with the times.

The issue of torque steer in the Renault Megane RS250 is the same deal as that of the MK6 Golf GTI. On very low quality roads with longitudinal ruts and humps & low lying sunken patchwork, a slight amount of torque steer rears its head. In the GTI it's occurs in the later half of 2nd gear and onwards into 3rd gear.

The matter is clarified in this 5th gear video:

YouTube - Fifth Gear Web TV - Megane Renaultsport 250 Cup

If you’re considering a hot-hatch, it’s well worth driving the Renault Megane RS250 as a benchmark for fun and driveability, regardless of what you're purchasing. Many on this forum upgrade certain aspects of their ride in an attempt to improve them. Not all improvements result in a forward step. In some cases the upgrade results in an improvement in one area to the detriment of another area. That ideal balance between livability and driveability can can often be elusive.

Cheers
WJ

[Corey_R]

WhiteJames, this is the Golf R vs Golf GTI thread.

This is the MK6 Golf forum. Even though this is your thread, you need to stay on topic.
If you want to keep discussing Renaults in detail, then please create a thread in general discussion or something...

[SilvrFoxX]

Default Evolution

This thread has evolved with the times.

The issue of torque steer in the Renault Megane RS250 is the same deal as that of the MK6 Golf GTI. On very low quality roads with longitudinal ruts and humps & low lying sunken patchwork, a slight amount of torque steer rears its head. In the GTI it's occurs in the later half of 2nd gear and onwards into 3rd gear.

The matter is clarified in this 5th gear video:

YouTube - Fifth Gear Web TV - Megane Renaultsport 250 Cup

If you’re considering a hot-hatch, it’s well worth driving the Renault Megane RS250 as a benchmark for fun and driveability, regardless of what you're purchasing. Many on this forum upgrade certain aspects of their ride in an attempt to improve them. Not all improvements result in a forward step. In some cases the upgrade results in an improvement in one area to the detriment of another area. That ideal balance between livability and driveability can can often be elusive.

Cheers
WJ

I do agree with that.. I am not so much of a track demon but like the combination of practicality, safety and jeckle and hyde personality. The R covers all these aspects in a single package in spades.. I don't have a strong opinion about if one is better than another, horses for courses really.

But I have enjoyed the to and fro of those who care

[sabloke]

WhiteJames, this is the Golf R vs Golf GTI thread.

This is the MK6 Golf forum. Even though this is your thread, you need to stay on topic.
If you want to keep discussing Renaults in detail, then please create a thread in general discussion or something...

Why don't we have a Hot Hatch Chat thread yet? I know this is a VW forum, but many of us love hot hatches first and the VW brand second. I'm in fact yet to see someone buying an R or a GTI just because is a VW and not because it is fast, well built and exciting to look at
So, why not a hot hatch thread then?

PS: posts about your own hot hatch should be forbidden! We all know by now yours is the bestest, right?

[hooba]

Why don't we have a Hot Hatch Chat thread yet?

We do have such a thread. http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/f40/...est-55342.html

[Corey_R]

Thanks hooba

[WhiteJames]

EDL: Electronic Diff Lock

Both GTI and Golf R have an electronic diff lock whereby it applies brake on the unloaded inside spinning wheel sending drive outwards to enhance grip. EDL is used for the slow speed driving including ice and snow, as the previously posted youtube.com videos indicate. Additionally, the GTI also has XDS to reduce understeer for high speed application. As noted in the last review, the EDL does a reasonable job of reducing understeer on the FWD GTI and AWD Golf R. EDL is also good for reducing tyre wear as it prevents the inside wheel from losing traction to compensate for the extra distance the outside wheel has to travel.

A proper LSD, despite added weight and extra load on axles, is still a more effective instrument in terms of grip provided one wheel has traction (not the case with Wavetrac LSD).

Here’s a video of how a regular non-LSD differential works showing a clear illustration of how the outside wheel has to spin faster than the inside wheel around corners. Start the video at the 2 min mark to save time:

YouTube - How Differential Gear works (BEST Tutorial)

Coming to raw numbers, which seems to be what many of the harder core guys are interested in, even though it mainly involves going in straight line, which is boring for some - I managed to glean a rough estimate of average 400m DSG times of forum members at WSID for a stage 1 ECU Mark 6 GTI and stage 1 ECU Golf R:

GTI: 13.9 secs
R: 13.6 secs

In other words ... Sweet F.A. difference.

After having conducted the third drive review involving the GTI – v- RS250 and in light of earlier posts from others, I think any claims of GTI ownership bias are unfounded. Why? Well my current ratings, which are subject to change in the future:

1. Renault Megane RS250.
2. Golf GTI.
3. Polo GTI. *

The Golf R is out of the picture for WJ. The Polo GTI has not been driven, but at 35K - almost half the price of Ray’s Golf R and much lighter weight, it has to be a goer. Although I still reserve my judgement until I actually drive the Polo GTI.

It’s also worth noting that the new 2012 RWD BMW 1 series could be a goer if it receives a 4cyl turbo. In addition to the Mark 7 GTI due in 2013, which should have a wider track lowering the centre of gravity and improving handling, making it feel more like the Renault RS250 with its wider track. The motor in the Golf R has to sit higher in the engine bay to accommodate the AWD system, raising the centre of gravity at the front.

For now the GTI is plenty good, but in @ 3 years time when the GTI has a few more miles under its belt, I may look at picking up a Megane RS250, perhaps a Mark Webber or Seb Vettel F1 Special Edition if one becomes available.

Cheers
WJ

[hooba]

I generally find your reviews a good read, but the little credibility that your "ratings" have get blown away when you rate a car you have yet to drive, regardless of the disclaimer. Also, Hooba thinks that referring to yourself in the third person is for twats.