Mk6 GTI or Mk5 GTI Pirelli

[Lukey13]

I'm trying to decide between a Mk6 GTI or a Mk5 GTI Pirelli.

This would be for my daily driver/fun/sporty ride as opposed to our big, comfy luxury cruising family car for trips and weekend adventures.

For this reason, I would prefer the 2 door versions in either.

If I got the new Mk6, I'd probably option leather and the 18" wheels. I'd probably end up chipping either to increase power and torque.

Some of the pros/cons I see thus far include:
Mk6 Pros
* Comfier and quieter than Pirelli, even when optioned with 18" wheels
* Leather seats a bit more classical than Pirelli ones
* Less turbo lag in the standard GTI, with it's smaller turbo (even when both are chipped) and therefore more linear power delivery and low-down urgency - even more so than the standard Mk5 GTI too apparently
* The biggest pro for me would be choice of manual transmission as opposed to Pirelli's DSG - I love the involvement of driving a manual car
* More modern interior and newer controls/dials/steering wheel, etc.
* Slightly rortier exhaust/intake sound due to tuned piping into cabin (although the Pirelli is supposed to sound a bit louder than a standard Mk5 GTI anyway)

Mk5 Pirelli Pros
* Noticeably more power out of the box (despite increased turbo lag) and becomes an absolute monster when chipped as opposed to a chipped standard GTI
* Sportier looks both inside and out

I have also considered a new MY09 R32 which has the downside of 4 doors and DSG but I do like the AWD and the exhaust sound is absolutely to die for and amazingly addictive. Plus, whatever anybody says, it still seems to be quicker than both GTIs unmodified, but has the downside of not easily being modified for performance. However, in saying that the standard performance is more than adequate.

Any further thoughts/comments on the three choices...?

[gregozedobe]

My usual advice applies : Test drive all the contenders on the roads and traffic conditions you usually drive in, then choose the one you enjoy driving the most.

Only you know what your priorities and preferences are, and what compromises you are prepared to make when choosing.

If your daily drive involves lots of stop start heavy traffic then a DSG may be more suitable ( I don't drive in heavy traffic much, and I also prefer manuals).

I'll add a couple more personal opinions for your comparison :

The Pirelli will feel more sporty and alive, but will have more difficulty getting traction for quick takeoffs on wet roads than an R32 (AWD). The only real lag I noticed with the Pirelli was the delay when starting off from a stop (in D, not Launch control) the rest of the time the DSG just changes down gears for you and away you go. I loved the seats, but they aren't every body's cup of tea.

The R32 will feel more "mature" and relaxed when you can't be bothered pushing it a bit.

[windyzz]

Let me add you one more thing. In MK5 you can get quite a few bargain, where the MK 6 GTi price may reach to a point where luxury car tax applied.

[Lukey13]

Thanks for the tips so far.

At this stage I've only driven a Mk5 R32 and a Mk6 103TDI with full sports kit, in the absence of any local GTIs.

Loved the R32 and disliked the turbo lag in the TDI. I hope the Pirelli doesn't have as much lag as that did!

One thing that's swaying me towards the Pirelli is getting to 230kw with an ECU chip, as opposed to 188kw with the standard GTI with an ECU chip. Although I need to research more on how these cars manage such power figures with FWD.

I'm not so keen on stretching the budget for an Audi S3, however I'd feel far more confident in 230kw going through AWD.

The pricing is a fair point. Some that I've found so far include:
R32 for $55k drive-away
Pirelli for mid $40ks drive-away
Audi S3 for $63k drive-away

And I'm guessing that a 2 door Mk6 GTI manual with leather, 18" wheels and sunroof would be around mid $40s drive away.

[gregozedobe]

You probably won't get too many dealers willing to discount Mk 6 GTIs until supply catches up to demand (unless you are eligible for the fleet/corporate discount). That took a long time when the Mk V GTI first came to Oz.

VW TDIs typically need around 1,800 rpm before they get going properly (some a bit sooner, some later), but once you learn how to drive within the power band they can be quite enjoyable to drive (some people really like the "surge of steam" when they come on boost).

[DaveToyostar]

Go the Pirelli, I just picked up mine 18 days ago. I picked this over the R32.

Much more fun then the R32.

MK6 GTI seems too over priced for nothing more then a minor update.

Down side of the Pirelli is no Manual option, which I would have taken over the DSG if it was availible and if you are going new there is not too many if any 4 doors availible.

Where are you located? Where are you looking to buy from?

[triode12]

I'd recommend a Pirelli - but then I am biased (I've got one).

IMBO, the Golf V looks better than the VI. The front of the V looks more aggressive. The V's back too is a lot nicer than the VI - which looks pedestrian.

There are only 400 examples of the Pirelli in Australia. All of the Pirellis have come out of the Wolfsburg plant. The VI GTI will be "a dime a dozen" in a couple of years (every man and his dog will own one) and may not be 'Made in Germany'.

The exhaust note of the V is real while the one on the VI is fake. VW lowered the cabin NVH levels of the VI so much that they had to put in an electronic resonator to replicate the sound of the engine (how cracked up is that?)

There are currently great deals on the Pirelli, why let yourself be raped by the stealers for being first in the neighbourhood to own a MkVI (unless you are into that sort of thing)?

Cons of getting a Pirelli:
Turbo lag - this can be overcome with a tune.
Losing your licence because you'll want to plant it everytime.
Having to live in the dog house bec your misses gets jealous every time some SYT crossing the road smiles at you while you are behind the wheel of your rellie - this while your misses is in the car with you(trust me it has happened to me a couple of times already).
P-platers in their rice racers wanting to shut you down at the lights which leads to point 2 and why point 1 is a good idea (but not really necessary).

[Lukey13]

Good points so far, thanks.

It sounds as though the performance of the Pirelli is strong compared to the regular GTI - which is a major plus for me.

However, the fact that the new Mk6 GTI is indeed so quiet that a resonator goes into the cabin to increase engine noise actually appeals to me somewhat as I love a quiet car in which the only thing you can hear is a sweet engine note (even if it is a subdued one).

Another thing I've thought of is that the Mk6 has the new "electronic diff" at the front which would probably do a better job of putting power down in corners - especially with a modified ECU. Although I suppose I'll be limited to something around 180kw with the Mk6 as opposed to 230kw with the Pirelli and it's stronger internals and larger S3 turbo.

Can anyone comment on how the silver Pirelli looks in the metal? I had my eyes set on that special dark blue colour, but the silver may be more practical after coming from a black car which attracts scratches and weekly cleaning.

[triode12]

Good points so far, thanks.

It sounds as though the performance of the Pirelli is strong compared to the regular GTI - which is a major plus for me.

However, the fact that the new Mk6 GTI is indeed so quiet that a resonator goes into the cabin to increase engine noise actually appeals to me somewhat as I love a quiet car in which the only thing you can hear is a sweet engine note (even if it is a subdued one).

Another thing I've thought of is that the Mk6 has the new "electronic diff" at the front which would probably do a better job of putting power down in corners - especially with a modified ECU. Although I suppose I'll be limited to something around 180kw with the Mk6 as opposed to 230kw with the Pirelli and it's stronger internals and larger S3 turbo.

Can anyone comment on how the silver Pirelli looks in the metal? I had my eyes set on that special dark blue colour, but the silver may be more practical after coming from a black car which attracts scratches and weekly cleaning.

The V isn't that noisy esp when compared to other brands, as a matter of fact it is on par or quieter than them. I had a Civic sport before the rellie and it was just as quiet/noisy in the cabin. It is just that the VI is almost tomb like inside (not a good thing as you really want to hear what is happening around you too e.g. screeching tires of a car about to hit you)

The silver is not bad (my second choice of colour) but all Vs except the black have a goatee.

[pologti18t]

There are only 400 examples of the Pirelli in Australia. All of the Pirellis have come out of the Wolfsburg plant. The VI GTI will be "a dime a dozen" in a couple of years (every man and his dog will own one) and may not be 'Made in Germany'.

They are so popular that you can still pick up 2008 build Pirellis

Wait for the MkVI Gti. I have seen one driving round Newtown and I can say they look sharper and more modern than the Mk V. The styling changes give them a broader lower look.

[Lukey13]

Yeah, I'm sure the Mk5 is plenty quiet. Obviously quietness and low NVH is a positive trait and "tomb-like" quietness is even better (as long as the engine note is there). Although having driven a Mk6 TDI with 18" wheels I didn't think it was much quieter than some of the other luxury cars I've owned or driven. No big deal though.

What do you mean by "goatee" on the GTI?

[Edra]

The Pirelli has stiffer, lower suspension than a standard mk 5 gti to begin with. the mk6 gti uses a revised version of the 2.0 litre turbo(ED88 or whatever that has been deemed unsuitable by VAG for high RPM or high HP applications, it is more efficient and economical in power production but nothing compared to its older brother for making peak power, hence the reason it is not used in the mk 6 golf R. with just a flash the Pirelli is making 230kw approx 300hp and 400nm Tq, at the motor. further an Carbonio intake, Apr fuel pump and Turbo back exhaust will give you 350hp (250+kw) at the motor.
I agree the mk 6 looks great, but if you want roll on power that eats modded evo 9s Go for the Pirelli. nothing comes close for the money.
you can hit the dealer for no costs or duty's out the door i would suggest around 48.000 drive away.

[Sharkie]

All the GTI's, including the Pirelli have issues putting the power to the road when modified. All would be quicker if they had AWD .... for a classic example have a look at the latest Motor magazine to see how ineffective FWD and massive power is.

If you are to leave the cars stock I would pick in this order .... on immediate stock available

1. R32
2. Pirelli
3. GTI MK5

I'd rather wait a bit and get a MK6 GTI though, it will be current for 3-5years and you won't feel like you are driving an old car almost immediatly.

But for the ultimate wait about 12 months and get the MK6 R .... AWD and the 2.0T goodness ..... it is essentially a Pirelli upspecced crossed with a R32 to get the best of both worlds. Around $58K + ORC

[pologti18t]

The Pirelli has stiffer, lower suspension than a standard mk 5 gti to begin with.

You sure? I think the only change is the 18inch wheel/tyre combo (Pirelli).

The MK6 Gti has been lowered compared to the Mk5 Gti.

[tinto]

Man there's gonna be a logjam on the new R when it is released.
Sharkie, good on you for getting your name in early

I'd personally be hesitant to pick up a new model in it's first year.
That's not an endorsement to get a MK5, but I'm wary of being a guinea pig (although the new 2.0 TSI engine has been around for a little while now).

(written by a pirelli driver)