GTI Build Quality Concerns Holding Me Back

[pinzvidz]

I gather the GTI is made in SA, but what about the R32?

The R32 (regardless of 3 or 5 door) and the 3 door GTI are made in Germany. The 5 door GTI comes from Seth Efrika.

[Panman]

Interesting on the seat/R32 comment above - I'm 43 and my better half is 33- She hates the Recaros, I do a reasonable amount of 2-hour plus drives and find them great, so go figure - It's very much an individual thing - like DSG, I drove both an R32 and a GTI with DSG, and settled on a manual R32.

It's good that one manufacturer gives us enough choice in the one body style to accomodate all of those personal differences.

Mazda doesn't - no AWD option on the Mazda 3 MPS, and the Mazda 6 MPS is at best unconvincing (and when option to the level of an R32 is more expensive, and not as well made)

Subaru doesn't - If you want uncivilised and not well built (as a former STi and WRX owner, and president of the QLD WRX club I'm qualified to comment on this) buy a WRX or STi - If you want better build quality, but not much edge Liberty GT... Again the price is higher than an R32.

Mitsubishi - Nope

Nissan - Nada

Audi - Well if you wish to pay $30K more for your R32 or GTI (and call it a TT) go right ahead.

Yet with the GTI and R32 we get two well built, reasonable value for money, exciting performance cars. How good is that... There are no wrong choices, just preferences!

[flu!d]

We definately will be getting the TSI engine.

[brackie]

Rattles

Most of my TDI kms (now almost 10,000 of them) have been done on hilly, twisty, bumpy country roads here in Tassie and I can honestly say that she has no rattles. Not one. My farm driveway is a fair length and is cut up by the semis that take out milk and bring in feed and other stuff as well as my 5 and 8 tonne tractors but every time I take the car out I can drive it's length without hearing a rattle or a squeak.

[Dr Spine]

Yet with the GTI and R32 we get two well built, reasonable value for money, exciting performance cars. How good is that... There are no wrong choices, just preferences!

Beautifully said Panman. At the end of the day we all make individual choices for our own reasons. Comparing the GTI and the R32 is a distraction in some ways I think. They're both great cars in their own right and offer different strengths.

For mine, I'd like to see VW build the next gen GTI with AWD. I'd definitely put money down for something like that. I feel (as a previous WRX driver) that that is GTI's only "flaw". I say "flaw" because the handeling and ride are still super. Just get an R32 I hear some say......possibly a fair point but I'm addicted to the surge of power that the turbo gives.

[Subie25L]

For mine, I'd like to see VW build the next gen GTI with AWD. I'd definitely put money down for something like that. I feel (as a previous WRX driver) that that is GTI's only "flaw". I say "flaw" because the handeling and ride are still super. Just get an R32 I hear some say......possibly a fair point but I'm addicted to the surge of power that the turbo gives.

+1. If there was a AWD GTI i'd order one tomorrow. I too came from a Subie and it's the only thing i wish the GTI had.

It would be good if you could at least have the option. I'd tick the box. So what do you recon $5K option ?

[seadog]

Sounds like what you really want is an Audi S3.

[OSienna]

+1. If there was a AWD GTI i'd order one tomorrow. I too came from a Subie and it's the only thing i wish the GTI had.

It would be good if you could at least have the option. I'd tick the box. So what do you recon $5K option ?

AWD adds weight and changes the dynamics completely... besides, what's stopping you from buying an Audi A3 Sportback Quattro? It's essentially a repackaged GTI with AWD. It's a little bit more than a $5K option though!

[Dr Spine]

+1. I too came from a Subie and it's the only thing i wish the GTI had.

So what do you recon $5K option ?

I think that it's interesting (and I've heard it more than a few times) that it's often the ex-WRX drivers (me included) that think it's the only point that would make the GTI greater (it's already fantastic).

Once you've known the feeling (and envelope pushing security) of AWD, you definitely notice it when it's absent. What do the R32 owners have to say?

I think it would be hard to make it an option in some ways. There would need to be too many build differences from the stock GTI. I imagine that they'd need to build it with the R32 production line at wolfsburg and drop in the turbo engine there. I don't really know how all of that works so what I've just said may be a heap of crap?

Why not an Audi S3 quattro? I love the VW's and the look of the GTI. Even though the A3 might better meet my desired description, there is something about the GTI that just does it for me. The GTI is not a compromise for me. I could have bought lots of other possible cars (some more expensive) but chose the GTI for the overall package of how it makes me feel every time I drive it.

[seadog]

Why not an Audi S3 quattro?.

$65,000 + on road costs.
Manual only (no DSG)
3 doors

But quicker around the 'Ring than a GTI or R32 (seen the german video with Sabine Schmitz driving? You can find it on YouTube I think)

[Subie25L]

GTI looks better
Needed DSG
Needed 5doors


I love my GTI - Just miss the AWD when pulling out of side streets in the wet

[raja_187]

I'd like to start of with saying hi, I just signed up to this forum recently and I have an R32 DSG (4months ago).

Following on from Panman's comments, I have explored different options on which car to buy before I settled for the R32.

I went to the VW dealership to test drive the golf GTI, it just so happend that the first R32 had just arrived at the Mascot dealership so I gave it a go as well, what impressed be was the smooth acceleration and obvoiuse build quality. Compared to the GTI which was still a fairly zippy ride but wasn't as quick in & out of corners. The standard options such as the Bi-Zenons, upgraded audio system etc which are optional on the GTI made the desicion even easier, not to mention AWD and that exhaust note "music to the ears".

However before I put my money down I wanted to explore my options so I looked at the Mazda 3 MPS, quick as but no grip what so ever, I took it out on a fairly wet day and the front wheels were bouncing all over the road. Then I took a look at the Magane, an aquired taste for the looks and just not quick enough. The STI was a serious option but the idea of being pulled over by the cops every time I drive through Bankstown is not my cup of tea, plus the with the amount of them on the road now a lot of money will need to be spent to stand out in the croud. The Audis are just too expensive for me. And the Evos which are probably the quickest and most fun to drive was simply not practical, not to mention the every 5000km factory service which isn't too friendly on my hip pocket.

My brother in law just got the GTI dsg and he is quite happy with it. I'm not sure if it has been discussed but he tells me you can get a factory retune which can increases the engine out put by a fair few KWs.

[blur32]

Did the same thing as just about eveyone else....and it's funny how we all covered the same yet varied choices: RS 225 Cup, STi, R32, 130i, Audi Sportback, RX8 (for me i loved this thing) & IS250....

....but once I found a tunnel, opened the windows and had a listen to that howling metallic 3.2 narrow angle masterpiece....my choice was made! The hardest part was the waiting!

My only quality issues have been a horrible noise from the front end at low speeds on near full lock (see my post "My new toy...and it's noises!") and the very poor quality, low rent, brittle plastics on the steering column shroud and indicator and wiper stalks