What to buy? GTI or R20

[team_v]

If money was no option I would go the R20, purely for the AWD system.

There is only so much you can do to a GTI before you can't get traction, at least in the R20 you can get that power to the ground.

However it also depends on what you are going to use the car for.
If it's just a daily/enjoyable drive then the GTI should be fine as you can still get traction up to 200kw from memory.
If you are after a road eating maching/track weapon etc then the R20 would be the way to go.

[Corey_R]

VW NZ is apparently a private importer. Their volume is tiny compared to Australia, so we'll get our information closer to market launch.

So far everything VWA has said/hinted at indicates the Golf R will be R32 prices (just as every single other MK6 Golf has came in at the same price as the MKV model it replaced). So that means $55,490 for a 3dr manual through to $59,490 for a 5dr DSG (plus options and onroads of course).

As for the GTI being able to handle up to 200kW with traction... I had a Stage II APR GTI (205kW/430NM) and I would say sure, in the dry, in a straight line, with the ECU on, and a rolling start. Don't get me wrong, there was never any torque steer and it could easily do far more than 200kW if you wanted to - but you still needed to 'respect the throttle' much more so than if you had rear wheel or AWD. Not that I'm particularly a fan of AWD - it's just since we have the option of only FWD or AWD, but not RWD, then AWD it is

[astro]

If money was no option I would go the R20, purely for the AWD system.

There is only so much you can do to a GTI before you can't get traction, at least in the R20 you can get that power to the ground.

However it also depends on what you are going to use the car for.
If it's just a daily/enjoyable drive then the GTI should be fine as you can still get traction up to 200kw from memory.
If you are after a road eating maching/track weapon etc then the R20 would be the way to go.

thats what im after shall be awesome!

[EndlessMKI]

anyone know the weight of this compared to the old R?

[elisiX]

It's posted somewhere in this thread I think.

[backdoc]

anyone know the weight of this compared to the old R?

I think it was 125kg more than the GTI. Apparently the R32 was 200kg heavier. So, about 44kW more and only 125kg penalty. I've been thinking and slowly being convinced to wait for the R and test drive it. Then promptly order one!

[Sharkie]

Order a R .... not only will it be more exclusive, it will be much much faster than even a modded GTI.

200+kw in FWD is useless, and not enough in AWD ....

Test drove a MK6 GTI today and it has nothing on a 200kw AWD Tiguan..... so imagine that same 200kw AWD less 150kg .... awesome.

[scurup]

I never knew tiguan had 200kw, I thought it was a 147TSI?

[elisiX]

He's referring to an APR enhanced 147TSI

[davka]

fresh picks

Please see this link http://s961.photobucket.com/albums/ae94/davka_photos/

enjoy!!

[davka]

fresh picks

I am trying to decide between the GTI & the R20. I sold my R32 last year, which I enjoyed alot and was sad to see it go. I have just purchased a Skoda Octavia vRS wagon as the family car and now need something for fun on the weekend.

Money is not the issue bewteen these 2, but by all accounts of the reviews I've read from overseas, the R20 seems to be lacking something. I need a car soonish (next 6 months), so I was looking for input as to what would be the way to go.

Does more expensive mean better? Will the fact it is a bit more exclusive mean anything? Will it offer much more thrills for the extra $15-20K?

I just don't know what to do. The other option was a 3-4 year old Porsche Boxster S.

Opinions. I need some.

Please see this link http://s961.photobucket.com/albums/ae94/davka_photos/

enjoy!!

[G-rig]

That was probably me

Drove a S3 Sportback DSG with the intention of just buying it - I hate my current car hehe. But there just wasn't a connection if you want to put it like that. Some parts of the car were nice, including the performance but day to day the interior didn't do it for me. I couldn't get comfortable in the drivers seat and don't like that I can't have a 3dr DSG.

30mins later, I found myself in the seat of a 5dr DSG GTI. After sitting in the drivers seat for 20secs I knew I was in the right place, after a test drive, I was positive.

While chatting with the dealer, I looked at an R32 they had sitting there and said can I have a go to see what they're like. Loved the sound which I know is not being carried over, but I really liked the feel of the AWD compared to FWD. I had a lot more confidence chucking it onto the freeway onramp. GTI is definitely a very well sorted car but the AWD just made the car feel better.

So I thought, if I take the GTI which is already sensational, then add AWD, more power and subtle changes, what do I get?

An order for a 3dr DSG R with sunroof. I'll happily take one with the recaros and 19" wheels if the prices are right. I have a car until end of June so didn't want to wait too long and miss out on the first shipment.

These threads come up often from what I can see, and its all personal preference. The GTI is easily the best car under $50k available new so you can't do any wrong going with one. For me, the R is just one of those things that I have to have after seeing the first motor show press shots. I couldn't give you a why, it just is

Nice one Dave, couldn't remember who it was but was good to share your feedback. It is all personal preference like you say, but to me the 5dr/Sportback S3 never did it for me, looks more like a small wagon than a hatch. Nice cars though I would go for a 3dr if i had to but agree the VW should be a good balance of everything.

Was going to ask what options. Did you go for the blue? Wonder how white would be? Good thing about getting a signature colour is everyone will know what it is straight away, like the DBP being the only unique colour to the R32.

I think 3dr looks slightly sportier, however 5dr is almost as good and could live with recaros in a 5dr a bit easier. Sunroof would be nice too . Are the recaros fabric this time, that would be alright?

Order a R .... not only will it be more exclusive, it will be much much faster than even a modded GTI.

It would be faster off the mark with traction etc, but AWD would have the extra weight and 10-12% extra drive train loss so may be fairly close. Still better than lots of wheel slip though.

Ps Not a bad package the modded Tig!

I think it was 125kg more than the GTI. Apparently the R32 was 200kg heavier. So, about 44kW more and only 125kg penalty. I've been thinking and slowly being convinced to wait for the R and test drive it. Then promptly order one!

It would be hard to order a GTI right now knowing what is around the corner. Can always change your mind later when prices/test drives are available, but at least be in the queue now with a GTI.

[Corey_R]

It would be faster off the mark with traction etc, but AWD would have the extra weight and 10-12% extra drive train loss so may be fairly close. Still better than lots of wheel slip though.

No no, seriously, it would not be close! Trust me, I had a Stage II GTI, there is no way it will match a stock Golf R! Sure, a talented driver in a Stage II GTI could upset an unsuspecting R32 driver, but with the Golf R, between it's better power to weight and improved haldex system, is another beast

Please see this link http://s961.photobucket.com/albums/ae94/davka_photos/

enjoy!!

Great photos! I wonder how many people will option for those black Talladega wheels! They look pretty mean on the white and black cars!

[G-rig]

No no, seriously, it would not be close! Trust me, I had a Stage II GTI, there is no way it will match a stock Golf R! Sure, a talented driver in a Stage II GTI could upset an unsuspecting R32 driver, but with the Golf R, between it's better power to weight and improved haldex system, is another beast

I know the R will be quick but meant from a rolling start ie 60kmph it would be similar and thought your stage II would have been great planting your foot on the highway etc. Just depends if it's worth the extra price, but should be.

Great photos! I wonder how many people will option for those black Talladega wheels! They look pretty mean on the white and black cars!

Pretty cool pics.. It does look a lot more generic than the MK5's for some reason, and what's with that wheel gap it's huge!!

Wonder if mk5 sways and coilovers would fit from an R32? Guess not?

[backdoc]

I know the R will be quick but meant from a rolling start ie 60kmph it would be similar and thought your stage II would have been great planting your foot on the highway etc. Just depends if it's worth the extra price, but should be.



Pretty cool pics.. It does look a lot more generic than the MK5's for some reason, and what's with that wheel gap it's huge!!

Wonder if mk5 sways and coilovers would fit from an R32? Guess not?

Didn't think the wheel gap looked to big at all. I would say at least the same as the R32.

Seems to me like someone is a bit obsessed with the R! That is quite a collection of photos.