Golf R -v- Golf GTI

[sabloke]

In those conditions you need chains, even on AWD cars. I have driven on snow and ice in Europe too many times, in both FWD and AWD cars and let me tell you is bloody challenging regardless which one you're belting. RWD cars are simply hopeless then... But seriously, if you have to get to a ski resort in one foot thick snow, the R or the Liberty is not the way to go. Try a Landcruiser instead.

[S.A]

I agree. If it's a foot thick, I'll hopefully already be there

For Australia though, AWD is good enough for all but maybe once or twice a year.

[REXman]

I can't really see the point of AWD in anything short of WRC cars or fast off road driving. Good to see I'm not alone

You might not be alone, but there ain't many of you. For obvious reasons. Just accept it, in a golf, Awd is better than fwd for conditions less than perfect. It also makes for quicker acceleration times.

That fat lady is nearly out of breath on this one.

[hooba]

Ford Focus RS uses the Quaife LSD. Renault apparently have their own version of LSD. Not sure exactly what type LSD the Renault is running.

From WHEELS - "The Megane RS shares its planetary gear-type diff with the Ford [Focus RS], while the 3MPS uses a cone-type LSD".

BTW, they pronounced the Megane RS the hot hatch winner.

[Fab_R]

You might not be alone, but there ain't many of you. For obvious reasons. Just accept it, in a golf, Awd is better than fwd for conditions less than perfect. It also makes for quicker acceleration times.

That fat lady is nearly out of breath on this one.

Perfectly said!

The only Pro FWD people are the owners of FWD.

AWD over FWD any day...No contest. Especially R -v- GTI

[sabloke]

By the same token, it seems the only AWD supporters are AWD owners. Scores of reviewers failed to see the point of AWD R as well. But what would they know?

[REXman]

I can't really see the point of AWD in anything short of WRC cars or fast off road driving. Good to see I'm not alone

You might not be alone, but there ain't many of you. For obvious reasons. Just accept it, in a golf, Awd is better than fwd for conditions less than perfect. It also makes for quicker acceleration times.

That fat lady is nearly out of breath on this one.

[REXman]

By the same token, it seems the only AWD supporters are AWD owners. Scores of reviewers failed to see the point of AWD R as well. But what would they know?

Top Gears hot hatch of the year..? Golf R.

I guess they didn't mind it.

[REXman]

By the same token, it seems the only AWD supporters are AWD owners. Scores of reviewers failed to see the point of AWD R as well. But what would they know?

And you drive a.....?

[sabloke]

Have to get my hands on the Wheels hot hatch comparo. I have spent a small fortune on mags lately, there's so much written about hot hatches

[sabloke]

Top Gears hot hatch of the year..? Golf R.

I guess they didn't mind it.

Wrong, it was the French one. Why would we care what the poms like up there?

[Ideo]

I might get it. It's just a shame Australian car magazines are by and large a bit pathetic.

[WhiteJames]

Dsg

Canberra Renault Sales Manger Sean Patterson and I argued over whether or not Renault would release the Megane RS250 with DSG box. Patterson states that Renault has not officially made a commitment to releasing this model with a DSG box.

I’m sure I read somewhere that a DSG gearbox was in the pipeline and that it would arrive when the Megane was refreshed a couple of years down the track. If I’m right, you could wait until the refreshed model arrives with the DSG, possible direct injection upgrade and an improvement to the instrument cluster and dials.

In hindsight, I don’t think I would buy a Megane RS250 with DSG. With the reasonably tightly gated & notchy manual gearbox and perfectly placed pedals, a DSG box would detract from the drive experience in the Renault.

When considering my purchase for the current MK6 GTI, I was looking to change from DSG to manual for more driver involvement. I also drive more country miles than city miles as the GTI is not used some much during the week. The Golf manual turned me off due to:

Electronic throttle intervention.
Long and ill-defined throws between gates.
Imo less front end spring rate of the manual GTI –v- DSG GTI increasing comfort, but reduced chassis control.
Clutch replacements every 60-90K km.

The Renault also has the issues of electronic throttle intervention & replacement clutches, although the feel-good factor in the Renault makes up for this.

The seat-belt is a bit of a stretch on the 3 door Megane with Recaro seats, but not as cumbersome as the last 3 door R32 with Recaro seats that I drove. The Recaro seats in the Megane also come with front, lateral & curtain airbags, but not anti-submarining (knee?)airbags.

Can’t say I like or dislike the styling of the Megane RS250. The Sirocco and Golf are better lookers - esp. the Sirocco. The 19” Trophee wheels are far from the most attractive I’ve seen. If it was my turn again, I'd be stumping up for the Megane RS250 Trophee.

Cheers
WJ

[mfl]

Long and ill-defined throws between gates.

WJ like many other I have read your detailed reviews and respect what you have to say,
but as for the manual having a long and ill-defined throws, compared to what ? yes there are rwd sports cars like the MX 5, which have a shorter and better shift. But I have driven a number of Subarus Toyotas, Nissans, Commodores, Fiats, Alfas and Lancias which all had longer and more ill defined shifts. As the GTI is sports hatch, I think the last reason I would pick a DSG over manual would be the quality of the shift.

[Souljak]

I might get it. It's just a shame Australian car magazines are by and large a bit pathetic.

Are magazines even still relevant these days for reviews and the like?

In saying that the only car magazine (or any magazine for that matter) i'll buy these days is Top Gear but only for Clarkson and Co's shenadigans. Anything regarding car reviews and opinions though I prefer to watch youtube .... stupid Gen Y brain