4 speed or 5 speed

[MiKe1_golf]

chasing some opinions as i haven't driven a 4 speed mk1 before.

obviously the 5 speed is going to be better but the price difference is quite a bit.

I imagine the 4 speed will be revving quite high on highways, but aside from that are they still reasonably ok for zipping around with?

if im going to make the change from auto to manual am i crazy not to go straight to the 5 speed?? i guess if i were to ever do a track day in the distant future 5 speed is the only option huh?

this is going to be mated with my stock 1.6

[GRN_VAGN]

i like my 4 speed, i guess if i did alot of hwy driving id want a 5.
Around town its zippy, and i got the 1.8L so it pulls well.
100kays on 15's with 195/50 tyres i get is around 3300rpm (i think, been a while since i been hwy).

If its cost factor go a 4 speed and get it all running, then go a 5 speed later

[Jarred]

4speeds aren't all that bad. They've pretty good ratios for around town and regular driving I think.

If you did regular highway driving (or lots of it) I'd go for a 5speed. but for the cost a 4speed is hard to go past

[Stephy]

I love 4 speed. It feels more retro.

[MiKe1_golf]

Ok you've sold me on the 4 speed. The money saved could go towards some go faster bits

[GeorgeMK1]

I'll have to dissagree with everyone, I drive my golf about twice a week and gotta say i really hate the 4-speed. Due to me having a louder exhasut it jsut revs and sounds really funny when cruising on 4th.. feels like the car will fall apart on the freeway and i've never gone over 105kmh as i s*** myself due to the sounds.

My honest opinion is go the 5 as its just modern so to say. But generally your choice and however you drive/where you drive

[Stephy]

True that - if it was a daily driver i'd go 5, but mine wasn't... Still - 4sp = retro.

[MiKe1_golf]

i drive this thing about once a week on average... would probably get it out a lot more with a manual box in it.

[Jace]

When I first picked up my car from the SE suburbs, I cruised 130km/h on the way back (no plates haha). I guess I'm used to the revs though.

I've been thinking about changing the diff. in my Mercedes down from 3.69 to 3.49, for the sake of highway revs. The major opposing factor is whether the car would have the slightly lower-down torque to pull on the highway up hills or around cars, as the 3.49's are from the 3.5 V8 models (more torque than the 6 cylinder models)

I guess the gearing is probably a fair bit different between my old sled and any MK1, but might be another factor to weigh into this idea?


Edit: I don't suppose it is because this has been tried and proven to be good.

[type 17]

The four speed is a great box no doubt! I do love it, but i feel if i go for 5th might be better having one there, i drive long distance a lot and having 4k rpm at 110 in a vibrating tin can is kinda annoying after the first hour or so. Around the city either box will do great.