GTI Aftermarket Leather - possible?

[G-rig]

Let's face it, the R32 is an abomination among Golfs.

It has 60% more engine capacity than a GTI, weighs more and consumes far more fuel around town and yet shaves barely 1 second from its 0-100km/h time.

Any more abomination than the cult VR6 MK3's?

Why would you bother?

Why bother spending a heap on a 2L that is a front wheel drive? Not really as fast as a MPS or WRX/Evo..

R32's have done 14.4s 1/3 mile and a stage 2 GTI could only get 14 recently.

Far more nimble =

In urban use the GTI is far more nimble and faces handling challenges well within its capabilities, negating the need for the additional weight of AWD.

By 'far more nimble' I assume you mean a lot of wheelspin, axle tram and no traction. Nice if you're into that.

No doubt the R32's resale value will drop like a stone compared to the GTI.

You mean like the GTI's already have from 50k to early 20k's mid last year???

[Dubya]

Why bother spending a heap on a 2L that is a front wheel drive? Not really as fast as a MPS or WRX/Evo..

R32's have done 14.4s 1/3 mile and a stage 2 GTI could only get 14 recently.



By 'far more nimble' I assume you mean a lot of wheelspin, axle tram and no traction. Nice if you're into that.



You mean like the GTI's already have from 50k to early 20k's mid last year???

You put words into my quote re the Mk 3 VR6 but my point is simply that 60% more power for little more acceleration is not a good value proposition or very efficient, especially in this day and age of pursuing more with less.

Nothing to do with your view of GTI resale values (which are not worse than R32s) which you provide without any reference to age of vehicles concerned. If a GTI is only worth 25k after 5 yrs that's not a bad thing. But you provide no indication of what age GTI you are referring to.

It is very hard to reconcile 60% more engine capacity in the R32 over the GTI to gain just 27% more power. Specific power is where it is at if you care about efficiency and the environment. There is nothing clever, efficient or admirable about gaining 27% more power with 60% more cubic inches.

The R32's 2l turbo replacement says it all: for the vast majority of users the R32 is an abomination in this day and age and a manifestation of inefficiency compared to which the GTI is refined, efficient and nimble.

[Golf Houso]

Let's face it, the R32 is an abomination among Golfs.

It has 60% greater engine capacity than the GTI, weighs more and consumes far more fuel around town and yet shaves barely 1 second from its 0-100km/h time.

Why would you bother?

In urban use the GTI is far more nimble than the R32 and faces handling challenges well within its capabilities, rendering the AWD redundant.

No doubt the R32's resale value will drop like a stone compared to the GTI which far better meets the needs of most motorists for efficient, enjoyable and sustainably responsible motoring.

Considering that you can have a MKIV R32 for well under 25k, and the V's are already under 35k you could be completely right.

R32's are slow, overpriced, very difficult to service, aren't real 4wd's, couldn't hold a candle to any japanese 4wd turbo sedan, and the V doesn't really look good either.

There I said it !!!

Now onto the leather option, with the exception of the heated/electric seats which should only be considered by the elderly anyway; VW's leather is really only 80% leather with a considerable number of vinyl inserts throughout. The leather itself is also of a very low quality and is painted, not dyed like anything 1/2 decent. I could get an entire interior retrimmed for around 2400 (front seats 1000, rear seats 600, door cards 200 each) in any stich colour or pattern you wanted with all the airbag safety you could ever want (the trimmer himself rebuilds airbags) as well a repairing and rebuilding worn bolsters included in the cost.

Its really hard to describe the difference between an OEM mass produced VW interior with a hand made double stitched italian leather job unless you've sat and seen both, its just unbelieveable... And considering the price is even slightly less than the OEM VW vinyl option its great value!

[G-rig]

Nothing to do with leather really anyway except that leather is standard on R32 so fairly easy decision.

Stock for stock they are faster. Look better and sound even better, a true icon.

They are only as cheap as someone is willing to sell and the mk4 people want too much.

Why do you have a VR6 houso if they are so hard to service?

No harder than anything else unless you don't know what you're doing.

$2500 isn't exactly cheap for aftermarket leather, and plenty of people live in colder climates that take advantage of heated seats in winter.

[Golf Houso]

Nothing to do with leather really anyway except that leather is standard on R32 so fairly easy decision.

Its still of quite a low quality compared to even an entry level C class or 3 series unfortunately.

[G-rig]

Its still of quite a low quality compared to even an entry level C class or 3 series unfortunately.

I'll take it over cloth and old interiors. Although you're right, as an option it's a bit expensive for the quality.

How much is leather as an option in those cars?

Not saying after market isn't better quality just not a better option than the oem option considering everything.

[G-rig]

Nothing to do with your view of GTI resale values (which are not worse than R32s) which you provide without any reference to age of vehicles concerned. If a GTI is only worth 25k after 5 yrs that's not a bad thing. But you provide no indication of what age GTI you are referring to.

Considering that you can have a MKIV R32 for well under 25k, and the V's are already under 35k you could be completely right.

Sorry, i was basing it on a 2006 model.

The difference between a MK4 and MK5 GTI is around $10k too, so don't see your point.