Renault Megane RS250 vs Golf GTI review

[sabloke]

Fair enough. There should be a separate thread then to compare VW vs Renault turbocharged fours. Why not?

I see that endless bickering about Mk V vs Mk VI is on topic but comparing the engines of the cars featured in the review isn't. Oh well, such is life...

[break]

Back on topic: I'd like to know more about how the engines compare, does anyone know where to find power & torque graphs for the two? It would be interesting to get into some technical details. If indeed F1 will start using 4 cylinder engines, where should Ferrari go to buy engines, VW or Renault?

You do realize that a V8 motor compromises of two 4clyinder banks in a V configuration powering the same crank right? Chop the motor in half and you have a Ferrari 4cylinder motor (and based on the 458 Italia motor, that would theoretically give a 2.25L 4clyinder motor producing 280.5hp)

[sabloke]

Hey, I was joking! Of course Ferrari is more than capable enough to get any type of engine together.

[AdamD]

Before I reply to your individual points, I'll state that I drive both MkV and MkVI Golfs regularly, and am in a good position to compare them.

They [steering wheel buttons] are not as intuitive as in the MkV being clustered together and not separated.

And yet each button is angled differently and set at varying heights, meaning there's no need to glance down at the wheel to differentiate between them. A day or less of acclimatisation is all that's required to get used to them. The MkV buttons are physically identical, and so are harder to differentiate without a visual cue.

[ref temp display near Climatronic buttons] Again - another cost cutting measure instead of the dedicated illuminated LCD screens for each side.

The separate LCD screens are, IMHO, an ergonomic disaster. No-one should look that far down, away from the road, whilst driving. For the times when you're not driving, both MkV and MkVI provide an illuminated display of the temperature, right by the knob. I happen to think the MkVI system looks better and is a change for the better. So what if it may be cheaper to build... it doesn't make me any less satisfied with that change.

[ref those who don't like VW's old red/blue instruments] Seriously colourblind people perhaps or people with a hole in their head.

Insulting someone with a differing opinion is always a good way of swaying others' views to your way of thinking! I like it!

Personally, I find the white is much easier to read at night. It's not as distinctive as the VWs of old, but from an ergonomic perspective I prefer it. Actually, I prefer it aesthetically too. Guess I must have a hole in my head. *Checks*

well, that was easy too. I don't understand why MkVI GTI owners always get so defensive over their choice. Facts are facts - embrace them

So many possible responses...

I will say, though, that I don't believe there's another poster on VWW who's so consistently negative about so many aspects of the MkVI - and the GTI in particular - as yourself. Thanks for your opinions - duly noted. Enjoy your MkV, but please stop purporting your opinions as fact (and in the process deriding the legitimate views of others).

[Corey_R]

Funnily enough, I actually agree with everything AdamD has written there. It's rare to find a post that long where every point I concur with.
I would add one more comment, in relation to the red/blue theme of the MKV (and Polo GTI, and most previous VWs). Driving during the day, there are certain situations where the sunlight meant that the MFD or the speedo etc just were not able to be read without difficulty. The new white them is clear even in the most extreme of sunlight situations.

I must admit, at first I was a bit disappointed to see the loss of the red/blue theme... but now I couldn't go back

[triode12]

Before I reply to your individual points, I'll state that I drive both MkV and MkVI Golfs regularly, and am in a good position to compare them.



And yet each button is angled differently and set at varying heights, meaning there's no need to glance down at the wheel to differentiate between them. A day or less of acclimatisation is all that's required to get used to them. The MkV buttons are physically identical, and so are harder to differentiate without a visual cue.

I didn't need to "acclimatise" myself with the MkV buttons (when I first drove the car - coming from a Honda Civic FD) while with the MKVI, I had to take my eye off the road to make sure I was pressing the correct button. A observation that other people i have spoken to have expressed too.

The separate LCD screens are, IMHO, an ergonomic disaster. No-one should look that far down, away from the road, whilst driving. For the times when you're not driving, both MkV and MkVI provide an illuminated display of the temperature, right by the knob. I happen to think the MkVI system looks better and is a change for the better. So what if it may be cheaper to build... it doesn't make me any less satisfied with that change.

I have no issues with the LCD displays -the temp display on the RCD/RNS510s in the MKVI are also almost at the same eyelevel - Worst still, the illuminated numbers on the circumference of the knob are even smaller AND lower than the LCD screens of the MKV - so your argument is a null and void.

Insulting someone with a differing opinion is always a good way of swaying others' views to your way of thinking! I like it!

Yup - BrisGTI was the first to start - I just responded in kind.

Personally, I find the white is much easier to read at night. It's not as distinctive as the VWs of old, but from an ergonomic perspective I prefer it. Actually, I prefer it aesthetically too. Guess I must have a hole in my head. *Checks*

I guess you do - you bought a MkVI GTI. Perhaps you should get it checked out.


So many possible responses...

I will say, though, that I don't believe there's another poster on VWW who's so consistently negative about so many aspects of the MkVI - and the GTI in particular - as yourself. Thanks for your opinions - duly noted. Enjoy your MkV, but please stop purporting your opinions as fact (and in the process deriding the legitimate views of others).

Oh Adam,

I am not the only one who has these opinions... the others just don't say it to "your face".
Actually, I posted those points in a matter of fact way the first time - it was BrisGTI that was the first to deride my "legitimate views" - then I responded in kind. I didn't know that only MkVI GTI owners views were legitimate.

BTW, your response just confirms how defensive MKVI GTI owners are about criticisms leveled against the car. It is bordering on Fanboism.

[Ideo]

Oh Adam,

I am not the only one who has these opinions... the others just don't say it to "your face".
Actually, I posted those points in a matter of fact way first time - it was BrisGTI that was the first to deride my "legitimate views". I didn't know that only MkVI GTI owners views were legitimate.

BTW, your response just confirms how defensive MKVI GTI owners are about criticisms leveled against the car. It is bordering on Fanboism.

For those of use who are coming to the MKVI from other cars you just look a bit bitter, petty and desperate.

Oh noes! A button is in a different place !!!111!!!

[markwid]

I am not the only one who has these opinions... the others just don't say it to "your face".

I have a mk5 now, going to mk6. Short answer is no. Mk6 interior is an improvement over mk5, which looks dated in comparison.

Also, for me, white theme > blue theme.

[triode12]

For those of use who are coming to the MKVI from other cars you just look a bit bitter, petty and desperate.

Oh noes! A button is in a different place !!!111!!!

No not bitter, just stating the facts. Not like MKVI owners who are adopting the "It is new so it has to be better" stance.
The MKVI is actually a MK5.5. VW had had to cut costs and they did so in many areas. They did it well to conceal it and the MKVI GTI is a good car - no question about it. Is it better than the MKV, yes, in several ways it is - esp in lower NVH levels. Is it a better GTI, IMO No. Because in improving NVH levels, the car has lost some of it's magic.

You guys have to stop acting like there is nothing to criticise the MKVI about. The MKV has a lot of things to criticise about too. Many things I would agree with.

The forum would be useless if the cars were all perfect. The information would be useless to a prospective buyer. I for one would like to know all I can about the car - warts and all.

[Ideo]

I agree, there are issues - but having looked at a Mk V R32 prior to the Golf R (as in 25 minutes between test drives) I did not notice any difference in favour of the R32. I preferred the interior of the Mk VI. That is coming with no preconceived bias one way or the other. Considering they are the same basic structure as the GTI to GTI, it's the same basic comparison.

Criticise the massive waiting list - we can all agree on that