GTI vs R32

[G-rig]

I guess Some people like spinning the front wheels..

There is no doubt that the R range of vechicles are better than the lower models, and good having the only golf with 4-motion.

[Big Yellow]

i wish we had the proper quattro version of awd with the mechanical rear end.

[G-rig]

What's the difference mate? Just get Gen II, that would keep most people happy.

[DGen]

Torque steer + understeer doesn't equal fun. But if that's what floats your boat..

Agree 100%, its all about overall traction in all driving conditions. A tuned GTI may be quicker in a straight line, but on launch the drivers tend to make a mess of it due to the excessive power and introduce a few corners and they are left behind.

R32 does lack some top end rev range torque though which is quite annoying at times.

My personal view is with the levels of grip the R32 has it could do with about 25% more power, especially top end.

But stock for stock, there is no comparison in my view, R32 is an overall better package. But bringing $ into the equation makes the decision a little harder.

[Big Yellow]

What's the difference mate? Just get Gen II, that would keep most people happy.

its all slip based with electronically controlled clutches.

with the proper quattro awd (as found in the a4s etc) its a proper mechanical rear diff arrangement so its permanent awd.

[G-rig]

Ah true? I didn't know there were any with full time AWD. Full time AWD would be ok but always thought it would wear out your drive train/tyres more and would be worse economy (you don't need awd cruising on the highway eg.).

[Big Yellow]

Ah true? I didn't know there were any with full time AWD. Full time AWD would be ok but always thought it would wear out your drive train/tyres more and would be worse economy (you don't need awd cruising on the highway eg.).

i reckon our clutch based haldex system would have more strain in the drivetrain as its always sending power back and forth to either axle.

whereas the torsen based quattro is permanent and stays the same.

btw transverse engines = haldex awd
longitudinal = torsen awd

[G-rig]

Cheers for that.

I think the haldex system is pretty good and we've got warranties and extended warranties so not too worried.

The car still handles a lot better than the A4 B5 quattro I had, the engine overhangs the front axle by a fair way too.

[SaBiH]

I have a GTI but i like the R32 aswell, having AWD definately is an advantage

[Maverick]

i wish we had the proper quattro version of awd with the mechanical rear end.

I don't mind Haldex, it saves fuel, it disconnects the rear wheels under braking to avoid oversteer, it re-acts quickly, the front and rear transfer cases can lock 100% IIRC as can the Haldex coupling, you can replace the haldex controller on older models to give more bias to RWD and the newer models have this as well plus you can switch between the modes.

Even the stock haldex reacts in no time requiring only 15 degrees of wheel slippage before the system re-acts.

The new Porsche Carrera 4 is rumored to be coming out with Haldex.

The torsen system has some benefits as well but I think the benefits of Haldex outweigh these.

[Maverick]

Torque steer + understeer doesn't equal fun. But if that's what floats your boat..

Who has torque steer? The GTI doesn't as it uses the Electro-mechanical power steering to counteract it.

[Golf Houso]

Who has torque steer? The GTI doesn't as it uses the Electro-mechanical power steering to counteract it.

Golfs really need LSD's, I very much doubt this electronic system will be able to deal with anything more than the stokc 155kw effectively, even my crappy VR6 would benefit from an LSD immensely...

The new Porsche Carrera 4 is rumored to be coming out with Haldex.

The torsen system has some benefits as well but I think the benefits of Haldex outweigh these.

I hope to god it doesn't!!! The system is really just a financially more feasible way of introducing AWD, it doesn't come close to a proper mechanical system. There is a reason why Evo's and STI's cost so much but have lower quality interiors, you're paying for the engine and drive train after all

[chrisgti]

Golfs really need LSD's, I very much doubt this electronic system will be able to deal with anything more than the stokc 155kw effectively, even my crappy VR6 would benefit from an LSD immensely...



I hope to god it doesn't!!! The system is really just a financially more feasible way of introducing AWD, it doesn't come close to a proper mechanical system. There is a reason why Evo's and STI's cost so much but have lower quality interiors, you're paying for the engine and drive train after all

Mines got a bit of torque steer.. definitely wouldnt complain it tho, just makes the drive a bit more interesting..

Guess its pretty normal if you dont drive other cars you dont know what you're missing out on, just a quick spin in an 06 STI had me wondering why I bothered with the GTI. Just the nice short solid shift in the g/box the way the clutch is short and grabs close to the floor, so much more responsive and yeah it definitely had me craving awd.. actually being able to stomp it and not spin like crazy and feel like somebody is jackhammering my firewall.

[G-rig]

Guess its pretty normal if you dont drive other cars you dont know what you're missing out on, just a quick spin in an 06 STI had me wondering why I bothered with the GTI. Just the nice short solid shift in the g/box the way the clutch is short and grabs close to the floor, so much more responsive and yeah it definitely had me craving awd.. actually being able to stomp it and not spin like crazy and feel like somebody is jackhammering my firewall.

Maybe you should trade in on a WRX, a lot of people like them but the styling has gone pretty bad but if fast is what you want there are a few quicker things out there (including bikes) but AWD would help. A few people have said coilovers basically fix a lot of the tramp, that would be worthwhile.

[matto247]

Maybe you should trade in on a WRX, a lot of people like them but the styling has gone pretty bad but if fast is what you want there are a few quicker things out there (including bikes) but AWD would help. A few people have said coilovers basically fix a lot of the tramp, that would be worthwhile.

sorry to be rude but yes the new WRX is quicker to 100 due to its new boost of power from 168 or 169kW sry forgot the exact figures but it got boostd to to 195kw

BUT at 168/9kw the G3 WRX which was 2007 b4 they updated in 08 if im not mistaken, got beaten by a 3dr manual Golf GTI around a track both are 'stock' andd my proof is that it was on fifth gear try having a look on youtube if you havnt seen it yet,

andd i dnt have either of these cars let alone have one yet, but wouldnt it depend on the driver it self, what there ooking for etc? meaning if they wanted to tune it for less to get max power gains they'd pick the GTI over the R32? orr im sure theres been a car reviewer thats done a comparison of both try looking on google=)