Considering a GTI

[knoxbw32]

Hi all,

Im new to the forums and am considering buying a 2004 gti mk4.
I test drove one last week but the dealer was in the car so i didnt really wanna drive it hard, therefore i didnt get to feel how it handles around corners when u really give it some. Are they any good being front wheel drive compared to say a commodore?
Also i was hoping someone could tell me what they do down the 1/4 with no mods?
Finally i just wanted to ask how are the 1.8T engines strengthened over the N/A motors? do they have a hardend crank, strengthened conrods, ceramic coated pistons or ne thing?
Thanks in advance

P.S. Does lowering them mess up the abs etc? i know some commodores start repoting error codes when you fit super lows.

[sierra055]

Hi Knox, like you I am a recent visitor around here and let me just say how incredibly helpful everyone is.
While I'm not sure about the technical information regarding the strengthening of the 1.8T, I can tell you as someone whose daily driver is a VZ Commodore and has just bought a GTi, that these cars are worlds apart.

The GTi makes the Commodore feel positively cheap and nasty. Not only is the fit and finish superior (suprising for a Euro car, but then probably not when compared to an Aussie car) they are so incredibly smooth. The car has so much personality and you know it wants to be driven. My biggest gripes with the Commodore has to be the clutch and gearbox. They're just to clunky imho. The engines are not smooth revving, nor on power delivery and honestly handle like a bucket of puss. Not to mention the stigma that tends to get applied (no offense of course! ) I'm not sure if you're looking from an LS1/2 perspective, but despite not having the sensational torque that those cars enjoy, these really are a much more fun car to drive. I've just bought a stock as a rock 02 model, and was suprised how much power it had at low revs. I did find it runs out of breath way too quickly, but I figure that some slight modification to the airbox and some programming genius should help that.

The other thing that amazed me is how little torque steer there was in the car. Given, I have only enjoyed the car for around 20 minutes, but I gave it a reasonable run. The car had no hesitation in lighting the tyres up, with (again, suprisingly) no axle tramp. As a confirmed rear wheel drive fan, these have always been my biggest gripes with FWD cars.

I'm sure there are many far more knowledgable people here that will be able to answer your question better, but as i said, as a recent buyer to another, I can honestly say that 1 drive was enough to convince me.

[SoVeReIgN]

Lower them too far and you'll need to fit new swaybars (Which you'd be doing anyway ofcourse )

Other than that, no problems with lowering them as far as you'd like.

AFAIK Aussie GTI engines have forged crank and pistons.

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newforum/upload/showthread.php?t=7982

I think they do mid 15s with no mods, few small mods (chip, downpipe, cat, air intake etc) will get them into the low 14s. They struggle off the line but in-gear pull is exceptional!

[balkanac]

Just like sierra said, you can't compare these 2 cars. GTis have caracter, the looks and the solid feel that will beat a dull commodore feel anytime (FWD is a minus in my books as well, but then an R32 came along ).

Don't compare them mate, just take it for a drive and let yourself enjoy

[knoxbw32]

Thanks guys much appreciated.
And yes i agree the quality of the vw is excellent.
Ill see how i go on wednesday when i take it for another test drive.
thanks again

[craig_the_german]

VW vs Commodore

My 2 bits worth

Having owned a MKIV Golf for a few months (and not even a GTI) I have come to realise that owning a VW, whether it be a 1960s Bettle or the very latest R32, is an attitude rather than simply a means of transport.

Both the Commodores and the GTIs are great cars in their own right but you simply an not compare them.

If you choose the Golf, you will never look back. (Except to see what you just passed)

As the advertising campain says..."For the love of the car"