How Does Mark VI GTI Compare with Mark V

[G-rig]

As a MKV GTI owner who has test driven a MK6 I would strongly disagree. The MK6 GTI is better no questions about it.

HOWEVER... Is the MK6 better enough for a MKV owner to upgrade to? That answer is less clear. If your MKV is 4 or 5 years old and you're looking to replace it anyway, then yes definitely. If your MKV is 1 or 2 years old, then probably not unless you MUST have the latest and greatest.

I agree but the point is it's subjective and most people will back whatever they have. I've driven the mk6 gti and like it too, but as you say not worth upgrading before you're due for a new car as a few people doing reviews state it's only about 10% better.

[OEM G60]

From a styling point of view (and not owning either Mk5 or 6) its a close call i reckon. Unlike most people have said, i prefer the front of the Mk6, but prefer the rear of the Mk5. On the Mk4 i never liked the rear lights all that much, or any of the back that much really, i don't hate it but the Mk5 was a massive improvement, especially on the R32. The Mk6 rear looks too much like a squashed Tiguan to me, i don't like the look of the exhausts either tbh. I love the front though, i think its much more agressive than the Mk5 (GTI), very similar to the Scirocco. I can understand the number plate reccess being annoying though, my Corrado has a similar design and anything other than a full size euro plate just looks wrong.

As there are so many pro's and con's beetween them I think its down to the model that swings it for me.

If i had to choose beetween Mk5 R32 styling and Mk6 GTI i'd take the Mk5 R32, if i had to choose beetween the Mk5 GTI styling and Mk6 GTI i'd take the Mk6 GTI.

[Corey_R]

If i had to choose beetween Mk5 R32 styling and Mk6 GTI i'd take the Mk5 R32, if i had to choose beetween the Mk5 GTI styling and Mk6 GTI i'd take the Mk6 GTI.

What about MK5 R32 styling and MK6 R styling ?

I'd take the R... and hope to! lol

[G-rig]

Good summary OEM_G60, agree 100%!

What about MK5 R32 styling and MK6 R styling ?

I'd take the R... and hope to! lol

It's the same case that if you have an R32 it's not worth upgrading to the Golf R until you need a new car. If they are just 2L turbos the Golf R loses the cult/icon status of the VR6 etc. Either would be good i guess, with different characteristics.

People will always want more power no matter what you have so it's a bit pointless after a while.

[OEM G60]

I'm still undecided on that tbh, its a tough call, i still love the centre exhausts and rear lights of the Mk5, the rear of the R20 doesn't look all that special to me atm, i expect it will grow on me.

But i will say if it came down to buying the R20 over the R32, i would prefer the R32 because i think it is more unique with its awesome sound etc.

I've always been a fan of smaller engines with FI which is why i had a G60 over a VR6 Corrado, there are big advantages, but recently i've got a real urge for an R32, maybe its my age!

[Corey_R]

It's the same case that if you have an R32 it's not worth upgrading to the Golf R until you need a new car.

Sorry... I get that the R isn't worth the upgrade if you have the R32 already, I was more asking OEM G60 directly since he, like I, has neither

[G-rig]

Sorry... I get that the R isn't worth the upgrade if you have the R32 already, I was more asking OEM G60 directly since he, like I, has neither

Ah ok, that's fair.

If i was buying a new one i'd go the Golf R (if i had to have a brand new car), otherwise a near new/second hand R32 would be tempting for 10-30k less.

Also a bit hard to say till the official prices are out but the Golf R isn't really going to be cheap.

[Glennb]

Ah ok, that's fair.

If i was buying a new one i'd go the Golf R (if i had to have a brand new car), otherwise a near new/second hand R32 would be tempting for 10-30k less.

Also a bit hard to say till the official prices are out but the Golf R isn't really going to be cheap.

Depends on who you listen to...
Was going to order a GTI in the next week or so, but was told that the first R's will be here in April/May (typically only 4 per dealer initially), which is when i would have got the GTI, sooo...
I'll wait for the R and have been told i should get it for about the same price as the spec'd up 5 door DSG GTI (~$55k). If i find one of the early release vehicles that fits my specs, then i should be in the R by May.

If not, the specs and pricing "should" be available at my dealer by March for me to walk in and order a factory spec R with the usual 14-16 week delivery time, which means I will have one by July. Ticking a few options will probably push the price towards $60k for me, but i'm ok with that.

[elisiX]

I seriously doubt the R is going to be about the $60k mark with options. Particularly for the first few months.

Expecting a RRP of $57-59k + ORC and options.

[Glennb]

I seriously doubt the R is going to be about the $60k mark with options. Particularly for the first few months.

Expecting a RRP of $57-59k + ORC and options.

maybe... maybe not.
Although you'll be kicking yourself if it is
I had a good chat to my dealer yesterday arvo and he talked me out of the GTI and reckons he can get me into the R for that price and within a month or 2 of when i would have recieved the GTI. But even if i have to pay $5k more, i consider it worth it for 200kW and AWD over the GTI. Either way, i'm prepared to wait till Feb/March before committing one way or the other as he should have more details by then, including the specs of the R's that will be on the boat at that stage.

They did confirm that there will be no Corp Discount on the pre-release models, but will be on any factory orders.

maybe we need a Golf R thread for this, as they are not as far away as i thought they were.

[G-rig]

I would budget based on the r32 price otherwise wait and see. Won't be any cheaper IMO as we get reemed in AUS.

[elisiX]

There is a Golf R thread already where we've discussed the pro's and con's of waiting and also differences between the models.

Obviously its full of speculation

One member stated that he's got good inside knowledge of the RRP being about $67k!.. now that sounds high to me but we will have to see.

[Tim]

one other thing we dont know just yet is what the basic R spec will be? It used to include leather and xenons. It would throw the cat amongst the pigeons if VWA were to remove them from the standard car and add those to the options list.

[elisiX]

I would expect them to be standard and the vehicle to be just shy of $60k RRP + ORC.

[Dubya]

Apparently MK5 is better overall.
thoughts..

In what ways?

Can you provide reasons why the Mark V objectively is better overall than the model that replaced it?