Golf R -v- Golf GTI

[G-rig]

Hehehe blame Volksy For that. We're in HERE b!tchin' because most of us are waiting for our golfs that are still out THERE

LOL I feel your pain.

[triode12]

Driving a current MKIV Polo GTI (ok, so it has stage I), I can say that it's a bit more "fun" than the MKV GTI was (before getting Stage II), but mainly because it's more raw and feels a bit faster - not because it actually has better abilities or anything.
I've also driven the new MKV Polo 77TSI and I agree with dave-'s comments - it's very chuckable and quite zippy, and plenty of room if you don't need to put an entire family in there. I can only imagine one with twice the power (i.e. the GTI) would be quite amusing

Changing your opinion Corey?! It wasn't too long ago you had a different view of things.


The GTI mk1 had only 81 kw from memory not that much different from a 77TSI Polo (and it weighed less too). One thing we forget about the GTI is that it wasn't first about performance, it was more about fun.

[triode12]

Great idea, and while you're at it, you should buy a itzy bitzy dog to match the Polo lifestyle.

You seem to come out with these gems I assume is in defense of the Golf GTI, everytime I post something critical of it. Do you own a mkVI Golf GTI hooba?

[Corey_R]

Changing your opinion Corey?! It wasn't too long ago you had a different view of things.

About what?

[triode12]

About what?

The Polo GTI (previous version) being more fun to drive than the Golf GTI (mkV). I think we had a differing opinions about this a while back IIRC.

[Corey_R]

Well, I did say that it has to be a modified polo gti vs a standard golf gti
Also note the use of "fun" vs fun

[triode12]

Also note the use of "fun" vs fun

[WhiteJames]

Ray 'The Lurker' Thoughts on the Golf R

After having my weekly coffee with neighbour Ray – Ray tells a bit more about his thoughts on the new Golf R:

Ray says that if he had not been an owner of a Mark 5 Golf R32 – he would jump right into a Golf R without reservation. Being an owner of an R32 makes his purchase decision complex. The Golf R motor feels more powerful, faster & smoother in the way it delivers its herbs, and offers crisper throttle inputs in contrast to the older R32 that seems rougher & coarser in power delivery.

Handling: The Golf R in DCC - SPORT mode felt to have improved damping over his R32, but exhibited more roll around corners and felt softer overall with the chassis leaning to a greater degree in corners. Ray’s older R32 showed to be bouncy over bumps with less compression & rebound damping, but sat flatter in corners with a tighter chassis offering a more direct connection from driver to vehicle when changing direction.

Ray says that understeer between the Golf R and R32 was neither here or there around the tight twisties. The Golf R dampers in SPORT mode did reduce body roll; but aftermarket sway bars are generally the best item for reducing body roll at the expense of reducing the independence of each wheel – so it was understandable that Ray come to this conclusion that his R32 felt stiffer than the Golf R when leaning into corners.

Ray preferred the turbo power delivery of the Golf R, but the handling of his R32, which also has an aftermarket Haldex Controller in addition to aftermarket H&R sway bars with front set on soft and rear set on hard to dial out as much understeer as possible. Ray didn’t notice to any great degree the improved weight distribution & absence of 35kgs up front in the Golf R on the slower speed tight 2nd and 3rd gear corners in comparison to his Golf R32. Much of a muchness he says, although the route comprised mainly of slow speed corners.

Ray has looked at the Audi’s and discarded them on the value proposition. The new GTI is a distant proposition, mainly because it’s a different drive to both the R32 and Golf R.

Next test drive on the cards for neighbour Ray is the new HSV Clubsport Commodore. Perhaps a Black HSV Clubsport with only about a 1-2 month delay from order to delivery if not already in stock, as opposed to the 6-8 month delay on the Golf’s.

Cheers
WJ

[G-rig]

Well, I did say that it has to be a modified polo gti vs a standard golf gti
Also note the use of "fun" vs fun

How much fun do you want anyway, I can think of other things to do. The truth is you get used to whatever car anyway, but a few mods make the car more fun.

[triode12]

How much fun do you want anyway, I can think of other things to do. The truth is you get used to whatever car anyway, but a few mods make the car more fun.

If you can get used to any car that is inherently fun, modding it will not help because you will get used to it after a while of owning it post mods. Then you will have to mod it some more and the cycle repeats itself.

You better hope you don't feel the same way with your gf/spouse, she probably won't take it lightly.

[Corey_R]

After having my weekly coffee with neighbour Ray – Ray tells a bit more about his thoughts on the new Golf R:

Ray says that if he had not been an owner of a Mark 5 Golf R32 – he would jump right into a Golf R without reservation. Being an owner of an R32 makes his purchase decision complex. The Golf R motor feels more powerful, faster & smoother in the way it delivers its herbs, and offers crisper throttle inputs in contrast to the older R32 that seems rougher & coarser in power delivery.

Handling: The Golf R in DCC - SPORT mode felt to have improved damping over his R32, but exhibited more roll around corners and felt softer overall with the chassis leaning to a greater degree in corners. Ray’s older R32 showed to be bouncy over bumps with less compression & rebound damping, but sat flatter in corners with a tighter chassis offering a more direct connection from driver to vehicle when changing direction.

Ray says that understeer between the Golf R and R32 was neither here or there around the tight twisties. The Golf R dampers in SPORT mode did reduce body roll; but aftermarket sway bars are generally the best item for reducing body roll at the expense of reducing the independence of each wheel – so it was understandable that Ray come to this conclusion that his R32 felt stiffer than the Golf R when leaning into corners.

Ray preferred the turbo power delivery of the Golf R, but the handling of his R32, which also has an aftermarket Haldex Controller in addition to aftermarket H&R sway bars with front set on soft and rear set on hard to dial out as much understeer as possible. Ray didn’t notice to any great degree the improved weight distribution & absence of 35kgs up front in the Golf R on the slower speed tight 2nd and 3rd gear corners in comparison to his Golf R32. Much of a muchness he says, although the route comprised mainly of slow speed corners.

Ray has looked at the Audi’s and discarded them on the value proposition. The new GTI is a distant proposition, mainly because it’s a different drive to both the R32 and Golf R.

Next test drive on the cards for neighbour Ray is the new HSV Clubsport Commodore. Perhaps a Black HSV Clubsport with only about a 1-2 month delay from order to delivery if not already in stock, as opposed to the 6-8 month delay on the Golf’s.

Cheers
WJ

I've a suggestion WJ. Does Ray still have the OEM parts for the R32?
Why doesn't he put back the OEM suspension, remove the Haldex controller, and then install them on the R?

I know that the haldex is newer in the R, but maybe the aftermarket controller can be upgraded or traded in for the latest version?

We've already established that the MK6 chassis is tighter than the MKV's. The haldex controller will also make a good difference. I'm sure that modified, the R will simply kill the R32 due to the reduction in weight, better haldex, and better chassis.

[G-rig]

Thanks for the advice Triode.

I enjoy driving my cars every time I jump in them, not sitting on here trying to.be a prick.

[dave_r]

After having my weekly coffee with neighbour Ray – Ray tells a bit more about his thoughts on the new Golf R:

I gotta ask, does Ray exist or is this whole thread about your imaginary friend? If it is the latter, then that's an awesome effort to reach 37 pages

How much fun do you want anyway, I can think of other things to do. The truth is you get used to whatever car anyway, but a few mods make the car more fun.

Not true IMO. If you buy a dud and you're stuck with it, you'll hate it. I loathed the 18mths I was stuck with my last XR6T due to it being a 2yr lease!

You better hope you don't feel the same way with your gf/spouse, she probably won't take it lightly.

ROFL

[WhiteJames]

Spot the H&R and Haldex stickers

Ray does exist ... lol. Here is a pic of his ride. Find the H&R and Haldex stickers and there's $5 in it for you.

Suspension Review: KW V3 -v- Neuspeed Sports/Koni FSD - VW GTI Forum / VW Rabbit Forum / VW R32 Forum / VW Golf Forum - Golfmkv.com

Ray will sell his R32 with H&R bars and Haldex installed. I know he has discarded the sway bars - they are with East Coast Suspensions, Taren Point. Not sure about the Haldex controller. Ray's R32 may be up for sale in the near future at the Prestige Auctions in Sydney - Nov 07 build with only 30,000km on the odo. Tried to talk him into putting a Supercharger in the R32, but it's time for a change he says.

The Haldex in the Golf R is much better than the aftermarket Haldex for the R32. No need for the older Haldex unit.

H&R have released new versions of sway bars for the Golf R - they now come in large size and small size for the Golf R. Not sure if the older R32 H&R bars from the R32 will fit the Golf R.

After the Golf R drive, I think Ray is looking for something that drives a bit different. Golf R is fast and knowing Ray, he would probably go the whole Stage III hog on it, but it fails to excite him. His previous ride to the R32 was a Black Monaro that was HDT enhanced with 330kW motor, body kit & wheels, Harrop 7K BBK, short ratio LSD diff, racing clutch, and aftermarket suspension upgrade ... geniune 12 sec machine. He may revert back to Holden's HSV for a enhaned drive experience at the detriment of the el-cheapo interior. The HSV with LPG is pushing almost 2 tonne in weight.

Cheers
WJ

[simonm]

Ray does exist ... lol. Here is a pic of his ride. Find the H&R and Haldex stickers and there's $5 in it for you.

You mean the ones under the R32 badge on the hatch?