What to buy? GTI or R20

[Timbo]

The lag in the S3 can be an issue, but planting your foot in 2nd gives a much better rush that the GTI does.

Not a problem once you flash the S3...and lots of torque..from 1500rpm

[dave_r]

Someone on GolfMKV took an S3 for a spin and didn't really like it over the GTI, however ordered a Golf R anyway (not that there is a price or any information on them here, the dealers are just holding the deposit I imagine).

That was probably me

Drove a S3 Sportback DSG with the intention of just buying it - I hate my current car hehe. But there just wasn't a connection if you want to put it like that. Some parts of the car were nice, including the performance but day to day the interior didn't do it for me. I couldn't get comfortable in the drivers seat and don't like that I can't have a 3dr DSG.

30mins later, I found myself in the seat of a 5dr DSG GTI. After sitting in the drivers seat for 20secs I knew I was in the right place, after a test drive, I was positive.

While chatting with the dealer, I looked at an R32 they had sitting there and said can I have a go to see what they're like. Loved the sound which I know is not being carried over, but I really liked the feel of the AWD compared to FWD. I had a lot more confidence chucking it onto the freeway onramp. GTI is definitely a very well sorted car but the AWD just made the car feel better.

So I thought, if I take the GTI which is already sensational, then add AWD, more power and subtle changes, what do I get?

An order for a 3dr DSG R with sunroof. I'll happily take one with the recaros and 19" wheels if the prices are right. I have a car until end of June so didn't want to wait too long and miss out on the first shipment.

These threads come up often from what I can see, and its all personal preference. The GTI is easily the best car under $50k available new so you can't do any wrong going with one. For me, the R is just one of those things that I have to have after seeing the first motor show press shots. I couldn't give you a why, it just is

[Corey_R]

Yeah dave-, when I was looking at a car 18 months ago, I took out a S3 and a GTI. The S3 was basically standard and they wouldn't budge below $60k (it was a demo too), the GTI was full optioned (except for metallic paint cause it was red) and had 8k on the clock and 8 months old for $46k.
But when it came down to it, to me, the GTI is a much nicer place to be, for comfort and interior design. The S3 was a nice car to drive as far as performance and handling, but I'd rather be sitting in a Golf.

I also tried the R32, but although the sound was sensational, I really wished it had the S3's engine.

So yeah... I can't wait for the Golf R

[astro]

well te golf R is going to be 72000 so that means it should be about 57,541.77 AUD??!?!?1/1 sounds good to me... my votes for the golf R

http://volkswagen.co.nz/publish/vwas...lf/golf_r.html

why hasn't Aust relseased the same info like nz has its aprat of the asia department...??/

[KWICKS]

Taxes here are NOT the same. Expect to be hit a little harder than that I suspect. Plus our currency is awesome at the moment, even relative to the NZD, don't expect that to last, history says otherwise.

[team_v]

If money was no option I would go the R20, purely for the AWD system.

There is only so much you can do to a GTI before you can't get traction, at least in the R20 you can get that power to the ground.

However it also depends on what you are going to use the car for.
If it's just a daily/enjoyable drive then the GTI should be fine as you can still get traction up to 200kw from memory.
If you are after a road eating maching/track weapon etc then the R20 would be the way to go.

[Corey_R]

VW NZ is apparently a private importer. Their volume is tiny compared to Australia, so we'll get our information closer to market launch.

So far everything VWA has said/hinted at indicates the Golf R will be R32 prices (just as every single other MK6 Golf has came in at the same price as the MKV model it replaced). So that means $55,490 for a 3dr manual through to $59,490 for a 5dr DSG (plus options and onroads of course).

As for the GTI being able to handle up to 200kW with traction... I had a Stage II APR GTI (205kW/430NM) and I would say sure, in the dry, in a straight line, with the ECU on, and a rolling start. Don't get me wrong, there was never any torque steer and it could easily do far more than 200kW if you wanted to - but you still needed to 'respect the throttle' much more so than if you had rear wheel or AWD. Not that I'm particularly a fan of AWD - it's just since we have the option of only FWD or AWD, but not RWD, then AWD it is

[astro]

If money was no option I would go the R20, purely for the AWD system.

There is only so much you can do to a GTI before you can't get traction, at least in the R20 you can get that power to the ground.

However it also depends on what you are going to use the car for.
If it's just a daily/enjoyable drive then the GTI should be fine as you can still get traction up to 200kw from memory.
If you are after a road eating maching/track weapon etc then the R20 would be the way to go.

thats what im after shall be awesome!

[EndlessMKI]

anyone know the weight of this compared to the old R?

[elisiX]

It's posted somewhere in this thread I think.