Mk6 GTI or Mk5 GTI Pirelli

[tinto]

If I bought a Mk6 GTI as a second car, would you then consider my opinion more worthy?

Hahaha you know what I drive, I was taking the pi55 out of all of us

[Corey_R]

Engines S3 - Pirelli:

http://www.my-gti.com/546/differences-between-vw-golf-edition-30-vw-golf-pirelli-audi-s3-and-seat-leon-cupra-r-engines

Very similar - same turbo / fuel system etc.

BIG DIFFERENCE:

Compression ratio, the S3 has lower compression than the Pirelli (ED30), therefore a little more timing & boost & bingo - more HP.

Also the intercooler is ever so slightly different in thickness

Both are awesome engines

Thanks Guy, I thought there must be a valid mechnical reason for the difference in power, and turns out there is. Cheers

[lawsy82]

Wow that's a bloody good buy. Mine was loaded up with every option available on the pirelli (sat nav, xenons, rear parkers and is a 5 door) but it cost a clear $20k more than that.... That's a bargain.

No comments about the yellow guys. It's hot.

That car is practically brand new - what do u guys think of yellow??

I reckon if u could pick that up for $37,500 - $38,000 would be a good deal. $10K less than the new GTI Golf

[kryten2001]

Thanks Guy, I thought there must be a valid mechnical reason for the difference in power, and turns out there is. Cheers

How is this difference achieved? As simple as a different head gasket or something more radical?

I don't understand how both could have the exact same displacement and a different compression ratio if the mechanicals are essentially the same....

I know Guy has the answer as they run (I'm fairly sure) a reduced compression ratio on the Stage III big turbo golfs... Is that right Guy?

[Corey_R]

The yellow on the Pirelli's is rather unique. It's sorta halfway between a pastel and vibrant yellow. I don't think that it's a bad shade for a yellow, but not my thing. Still, I couldn't get past the interior

[elisiX]

The yellow isn't my problem, the tyre tread is.

Exterior color is great IMO.

[kryten2001]

The yellow on the Pirelli's is rather unique. It's sorta halfway between a pastel and vibrant yellow. I don't think that it's a bad shade for a yellow, but not my thing. Still, I couldn't get past the interior

Same yellow as the beetle aint it (not all that unique!)....

But very unique on a golf body, obviously......

[kryten2001]

The yellow isn't my problem, the tyre tread is.

It actually looks really nice in the flesh compared to pictures. A lot more subtle than you'd think... But yeah I'm obviously somewhat biased. I actually prefer it to the tartan, and far prefer it to leather.

[backdoc]

It actually looks really nice in the flesh compared to pictures. A lot more subtle than you'd think... But yeah I'm obviously somewhat biased. I actually prefer it to the tartan, and far prefer it to leather.

Biased!

[kryten2001]

Biased!

Like I said in another post, I think I'd have to buy a Mk6 to make my opinion worth anything to mk6 owners. We're all biased!

But honestly, if I had to do it all again and had the choice of both, I'd still pick the pirelli. Even if you give the styling away to the Mk6 (which I don't), it's still worth it on the mechanicals alone.

Now if you were talking Golf R vs Pirelli, there's a valid debate. Something tells me I'll be tempted too (as in get the R as well as keep the pirelli) - but I think the chances are I'll likely go down another path altogether to mix it up a little...

I've spent serious _serious_ money on the pirelli, so I suspect I'll have it for quite some time yet - likely alongside another hot somethingorother a few years from now.

[tinto]

Now if you were talking Golf R vs Pirelli, there's a valid debate. .

This man speaks the truth.
The 'same engine' makes the R model a bit of a tease... especially as a lot of the gear currently on my k04 car is likely to be transportable to a Golf R but not in any way that is different enough on a bog standard mk6 GTI. An electronic diff and some wacky suspension isn't enough (especially when I'm already on KW V3).
All that power through 4 wheels is a nice, devious plan.

[kryten2001]

This man speaks the truth.
The 'same engine' makes the R model a bit of a tease... especially as a lot of the gear currently on my k04 car is likely to be transportable to a Golf R but not in any way that is different enough on a bog standard mk6 GTI. An electronic diff and some wacky suspension isn't enough (especially when I'm already on KW V3).
All that power through 4 wheels is a nice, devious plan.

I'd like to see how the R goes when driven REAL hard before I made up my mind..

I've got my pirelli dialled in just right. No front end push at all and power is more than ample. The rear breaks away first under very heavy cornering, so it's a purler to drive and control when on the edge..

It'd still give an R a run for it's money even if it is a AWD..

That being said, a monster-tuned R would be a very very nice piece of kit. Then again, so would a monstrously tuned S3 - and for me I could probably get away with owning an Audi and a Golf rather than two golfs.. haha...

They're all good, have no doubt about it.. Just depends on what you like best...

No offence to Mk6 owners (we're all dubbers) but GTI's are extremely common... A Pirelli is a very special edition and always will be... Sure it won't be appreciated by the greater audience out there - but who cares. The greater audience doesn't appreciate/know how good dubs are in the first place... That's part of their appeal!

[kryten2001]

This man speaks the truth.
The 'same engine' makes the R model a bit of a tease... especially as a lot of the gear currently on my k04 car is likely to be transportable to a Golf R but not in any way that is different enough on a bog standard mk6 GTI. An electronic diff and some wacky suspension isn't enough (especially when I'm already on KW V3).
All that power through 4 wheels is a nice, devious plan.

You get those V3's dialled in just right Tinto and you won't beleive what you can get away with. Electronic diff/wacky suspension comes second to having a car that can go 100km/h around corners you'd expect to go 30km/h around... It's just crazy I tell you..... No squeel, no roll and no peel.... Just boogie.

I've picked a bend I know real well, and I've progressively gone faster and faster around it... The setup was just bang on. My physical limits, rather than the cars, prevented me from going faster.. I'm not kidding, I was having trouble staying put in the car - I would have needed race seats to go any faster.

And the best part is that the first thing to let go is the rear. I love that. I hate front end push.

The combination of KW V3s and that excellent rubber is a killer combination. Your eyeballs will pop out the side of your head before your car will let go. Unless your car literally lives on the track, the upgrade to R specs is pointless - it's all in the suspension setup.

For those about to mod their car - power is obviously brilliant and very important, but all the fun comes from upgrading the brakes and the suspension and getting them dialled in just the way you like them. A heap of power on sloppy/badly setup suspension or poor brakes just makes the whole deal a waste of time......

[triode12]

Lol, and nothing to do you you buying a pirelli of course....

Anyway who cares it personal taste, which is exactly that personal....

As for Lambos I agree they are exactly what a sports car should be and what they shouldnt be, up there with the Zonda in over the top in your face look at me'ism

Lambos are nice but the Zondas are just butt ugly to me.

[Guy_H]

How is this difference achieved? As simple as a different head gasket or something more radical?

I don't understand how both could have the exact same displacement and a different compression ratio if the mechanicals are essentially the same....

I know Guy has the answer as they run (I'm fairly sure) a reduced compression ratio on the Stage III big turbo golfs... Is that right Guy?

I have never bothered to look up the standard parts as when we rebuild, we name the CR & buy aftermarket parts to suit.

My guess would be different pistons!