Golf R -v- Golf GTI

**WhiteJames** · 17-04-2013, 08:35 PM

EA888 motor in the Mark 7 Golf GTI for the North American market may be a little different from the European spec EA888 motor with port & direct injection only on the Euro-spec version re: emissions:

imgur: the simple image sharer

Audi S3 / Golf R MK7 will have beefed up in certain ways over that of the Mark 7 Golf GTI as illustrated in this link:

Tech Analysis: Next Generation 2.0 TFSI for New Audi S3 - Fourtitude.com

Don't you just wish you waited for the Mark 7 Golf R to arrive?

Cheers.
WJ

**WhiteJames** · 17-04-2013, 08:36 PM

EA888 motor in the Mark 7 Golf GTI for the North American market may be a little different from the European spec EA888 motor with port & direct injection only on the Euro-spec version re: emissions:

imgur: the simple image sharer

Audi S3 / Golf R MK7 will have beefed up in certain ways over that of the Mark 7 Golf GTI as illustrated in this link:

Tech Analysis: Next Generation 2.0 TFSI for New Audi S3 - Fourtitude.com

Cheers.
WJ

**Tobes_WIR35** · 17-04-2013, 09:14 PM

Originally Posted by parso_rex

Look at the plummeting sales figures of icons like the WRX and STI and EVO over the last few years, where have those sales gone ?, they've gone pretty much to the Golf R's and I do see this with some of our customers who I know personally from the Subaru scene. Its not completely a case of getting older and wanting a bit of 'class' either many are young guys that are seeing some real hard core options that just didn't exit a few years ago.

The price of the STI and EVO is insane. I priced an STI hatch before I got my GTI, it was over $70k. I nearly fell over. Yeah it's a fast car, but that's really all it's got going for it. It's rough, ugly and poorly finished. One could have a fully optioned R with change left over for some performance upgrades and end up with a faster and much nicer all round car.

**AdamD** · 17-04-2013, 09:42 PM

Originally Posted by Guy_H

wow - 1200kg's - I hope that's not a typo in the Autocar article

I've read a number of articles today from alternate sources, and they each state that the Mk7 R is expected to weigh in at 100kg more than the Mk7 GTI - so 1400kg give or take, depending on spec - which reduces the weight difference between GTI and R by 50kg.

**richmurphy** · 17-04-2013, 10:05 PM

Originally Posted by SilvrFoxX

Very true, the dollar argument has been done to death, where it gets messy is the aguement that the R is comparable to the Gti and price is not reflective of difference. If you park the money conversation then everyone would agree that the R is better on every level. As this is not the case then there is all this rubbish about why the R is not as good. Bang for buck the GTI is number 1 almost bought one but it would have been a decision made with the head but the R is for the heart. So the thread has been largely built on this premis.

WJ has been banging on about his justification for not upgrading for years now, if you follow the story it really shows his latent desire to have an R . As I have always said from personal experience GTI drivers have a great, no fantastic car, just that an R driver will never sit and watch a GTI driver and wish he had bought one. Nothing more viseral in that feeling, everything else is moot

If both cars were priced equally then I'd expect very few on this forum to own a GTI. Understeer... whatever. To be expected on a road car.

For what it's worth, if I had forked out the extra $17k for the R then I probably would look at the GTI and wish I'd bought that instead because it's more than sufficient for my needs. I'd probably look at a 911 and kick myself for not spending another $20k. Then I'd kick myself for not spending another $30k for the 911 S. But my wife would kill me...

**AdamD** · 17-04-2013, 10:29 PM

Originally Posted by richmurphy

If both cars were priced equally then I'd expect very few on this forum to own a GTI. Understeer... whatever. To be expected on a road car.

You'd certainly expect that to be the case - the R is more powerful, with better brakes and better traction. Although the R will understeer just as much as - if not more so than - a GTI, as it's predominantly set up with a strong FWD bias, is heavier, and will ultimately just push (unless it's had haldex and/or suspension mods). The GTI, on the other hand, is significantly lighter, more flexible and neutral on the limit. I reckon it's a lot of fun on the road, although even the GTI is super-tame on the track.

Of course the R is ultimately faster. That's more important for most keyboard warriors.

**richmurphy** · 17-04-2013, 10:57 PM

Originally Posted by AdamD

You'd certainly expect that to be the case - the R is more powerful, with better brakes and better traction. Although the R will understeer just as much as - if not more so than - a GTI, as it's predominantly set up with a strong FWD bias, is heavier, and will ultimately just push (unless it's had haldex and/or suspension mods). The GTI, on the other hand, is significantly lighter, more flexible and neutral on the limit. I reckon it's a lot of fun on the road, although even the GTI is super-tame on the track.

Of course the R is ultimately faster. That's more important for most keyboard warriors.

If you want mind bending performance on a track, don't bother with a road car. Save your cash for mods and buy a kart or better yet, one of these: West Race Cars Australia - Used West Race Cars

**AdamD** · 17-04-2013, 11:21 PM

Originally Posted by richmurphy

If you want mind bending performance on a track, don't bother with a road car.

Absolutely! I've driven a Formula Ford at Mallala, and the handling performance is in another league - it simply doesn't compare to your average road-registerable car. But as a daily driver the Golf is such a great compromise - comfortable and refined when you need it, and then entertaining and rapid when you're keen to have a go. Both the GTI and the R exhibit these traits in spades.