Golf MKVI GTI or R? Post your thoughts.

[Pauly]

Hey guys,

This is my 1st post on these forums.

I currently own a Toyota Corolla Levin SX, with a few extras (GPS, Bluetooth and 17" Rims).

This was my first car back in 2008.

I am looking at upgrading to the MkVI GTI or R later this year. and I was wanting peoples thoughts.

I was originally looking at getting the GTI:

3 Door GTI with DSG
Red or White
$41,490

Options:
-Sunroof $1,900
-Dynaudio and RNS510 - $3,800
-Media Device Interface - $270
-Park Assist and Reversing Camera - $1,900
-Adaptive Chassis Control - $1,500
-Bi-Xenon Lights - $2,000
-18" Detroit Rims - $1,200

Total = $54060 excluding dealer charges
Although im hoping I can get it for about $54000 Drive Away? maybe less?

or then I could get the Golf R, which is rumored to be coming to Australia starting at around the same price as the GTI with all those options.

Is it worth getting the R over the GTI?

I have been told that the R will not come standard with a fair bit of kit that im after:

19" Alloys (seen in all the press photos)
Sunroof
GPS
Dynaudio
Park Assist

And im hoping that Xenons are atleast standard like in the R32.

Then the only mechanical differences I can tell from the car to the GTI is:

AWD
33KW more power
70nm of more torque
LED Daytime Running Lights
19" Rims (option)

now is it worth the extra?

[team_v]

Hey guys,

This is my 1st post on these forums.

I currently own a Toyota Corolla Levin SX, with a few extras (GPS, Bluetooth and 17" Rims).

This was my first car back in 2008.

I am looking at upgrading to the MkVI GTI or R later this year. and I was wanting peoples thoughts.

I was originally looking at getting the GTI:

3 Door GTI with DSG
Red or White
$41,490

Options:
-Sunroof $1,900
-Dynaudio and RNS510 - $3,800
-Media Device Interface - $270
-Park Assist and Reversing Camera - $1,900
-Adaptive Chassis Control - $1,500
-Bi-Xenon Lights - $2,000
-18" Detroit Rims - $1,200

Total = $54060 excluding dealer charges
Although im hoping I can get it for about $54000 Drive Away? maybe less?

or then I could get the Golf R, which is rumored to be coming to Australia starting at around the same price as the GTI with all those options.

Is it worth getting the R over the GTI?

I have been told that the R will not come standard with a fair bit of kit that im after:

19" Alloys (seen in all the press photos)
Sunroof
GPS
Dynaudio
Park Assist

And im hoping that Xenons are atleast standard like in the R32.

Then the only mechanical differences I can tell from the car to the GTI is:

AWD
33KW more power
70nm of more torque
LED Daytime Running Lights
19" Rims (option)

now is it worth the extra?

.:R > anything.
There is a thread on this already and it's up to 26 pages.

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newforum/upload/showthread.php?t=39905

[elisiX]

I must agree - just about everything you are asking is in that thread. Plenty of info to base your decision on.

You can also look at pricing information for GTI's - expect 8-12% off depending on options.

[Lima]

...now is it worth the extra?

I guess I can offer some sort of insight given we have a Mk5 GTI and Audi S3 in the drive. Not like for like, of course, but pretty damn close. Plus I've had some reasonable time in a Mk6 GTI.

The easy response is only you can answer your own question. I suggest trying to arrange as much time behind the wheel of GTIs and S3s as you can now to help your decision making process before the R arrives.

Now, to my thoughts on a GTI vs an "Audi Golf R".

For daily commuting the GTI is more than adequate. This is especially the case with the improved power and torque of the Mk6. The GTI will use less fuel, should be less to insure and will be a great all-rounder.

But, when pushing the car towards its limits it will run out of puff and it will probably leave you wishing for more poke. As good as the engine is, it's almost as if someone steps on your shoulders as you go past 4500rpm. You know the chassis is capable of more, but the engine has nothing left to give.

The S3, on the other hand, has someone releasing the beast within from about 3500rpm that sends you on a whirlwind the GTI just cannot compete with. However, in regular traffic the S3 has comparatively noticeable lag and even though it can be driven quite frugally, it will still use more fuel than a GTI.

The turbo whistle from the S3 is more noticeable and even the exhaust note has a deeper drawl. Although, neither compete with the R32, of course.

Also, when attacking corners in the GTI you need to temper things to prevent understeer. The S3 is not completely immune to understeer, but to reach that point you would have to enter a corner at a speed that would probably result in testing your airbags if you tried the same approach in a GTI.

Hard to offer much advice on the overall handling of the Golf R as the suspension setup may be different to the S3. That said, the S3 rides better around town and this does not come at the cost of body roll on tight mountain roads. In fact, the suspension in the S3 is superior in all apsects compared to our GTI.

This comes back to the money question, the S3, and by default the Golf R, should be better given the extra asking price.

To be honest, around town the extra money can't really be justified for the S3 v GTI. Worth noting its generally over $20K when making the GTI/S3 comparison too. At least the Golf R looks like closing that gap in a small way.

If you like to tackle twisty roads at least once a fortnight then I would say get the R, if you are happy to cruise around town in a bloody nice car, with the odd mountain blast, then get the GTI.

I don't mean to be rude, but either will be so immeasurably superior to your Corolla that you will not regret either choice.

Good luck and have fun deciding.