Golf R -v- Golf GTI

[triode12]

I'm with ya there man. The 135i is great to drive, but just doesn't have the looks OR the quality of finish to the R (which is kinda scary). I'd still go for a 335i or M3 any day though hehe

The 135i I test drove felt heavy and ponderous compared to the R I tested about 20 mins before hand. Admittedly, it was the convertible version and had BMW's version of the DSG gearbox. And I do agree that the 135i's interior is crap in comparison to the R's. And to think you are paying >$20K more for it too. Seriously not impressed by the 1 series beemers.

[mfl]

Perhaps next time I will . Didn't even want to spend this much as it is.

+1 on both comments, will just have to save for when the time comes to replace the GTI

ps. when would you really turn off the traction control on the streets?

not for the street, but certainly for the track.

[G-rig]

The 135i I test drove felt heavy and ponderous compared to the R I tested about 20 mins before hand

Having run flat tyres wouldn't help the feel of the car either IMO.

Agree the styling is a bit off for the money and could be improved.

[sameatworld]

Megane RS 250

Getting tired of the GTI and R comparison a bit...

How about with RS250?

I personally think they look HOT, and considering trading in the MKV GTI for one of them. They are pretty damn good value compared to the MKVI GTI. But their resale will probably take a big hit.

[Corey_R]

been done already... somewhere in here

[sh|tbmxrider]

been done already... somewhere in here

And no doubt, if it was favorable to the RS250, rather than the R, it was deleted

[SilvrFoxX]

heh.. the conversation is closer to comparison with the IS350 rather than the sluggish IS250

[G-rig]

And no doubt, if it was favorable to the RS250, rather than the R, it was deleted

Any posts non favorable to the R will be deleted .

[Corey_R]

If posts are deleted, there is a message why. It's usually because you become nasty biatches and are an embarrasement to yourselves and then I have to clean it up. I haven't ever deleted messages about VW vs anything else...

Please don't imply otherwise, as it sets a bad tone.

[guest12345]

I think the RS250 sits somewhere inbetween the gti and R. The most unfortunately thing about the Rs250 is the interior, the drive is much better than the mk6 gti, after test driving it a few weeks back, that car has got to be the best fwd hatch. The power you get from that thing, and you don't lose much traction either.

BUT the R is slightly better than the rs250 overall. Rs250 is funner to drive, because it is fwd, but i guess 2 different cars one is awd and one is fwd.

[REXman]

I think the RS250 sits somewhere inbetween the gti and R. The most unfortunately thing about the Rs250 is the interior, the drive is much better than the mk6 gti, after test driving it a few weeks back, that car has got to be the best fwd hatch. The power you get from that thing, and you don't lose much traction either.

BUT the R is slightly better than the rs250 overall. Rs250 is funner to drive, because it is fwd, but i guess 2 different cars one is awd and one is fwd.

I loved the RS250 also. Havent driven it but I did get a sit in it at the motor show.

Seats are awesome. It's looks are Polarising, but in a good way I think, I really liked it.

It had LED's, and the 184kw's are pretty tasty although I dont know much about its motor.
I just didnt like the yellow seat belts and the interior (i.e. dash, tacho etc looked CRAP). Build was better than the Focus RS.

More positives though than neg's.. If my R was going to be delayed by another 3 months who knows..

[guest12345]

yeah you can definitely tell the difference between rs250/focus rs vs say golf gti/r in terms of their vision. both rs250 and focus Rs are definitely more focused on the drive of the car, even to a point of performance on a track. Where both top of the range golfs are more focused as a day to day drive with performance. I think the Golf is more GT style of car. You can take a sydney to melbourne trip quite comfortably for a few people, but i think there would be a few sort backs in the Rs250.

The interior is definitely the most disappointing part. I would definitely consider getting the Rs250 if they had better interior, because i love the look of the exterior and the performance.

[DrCox]

RS250 vs the old Meganes and vs the R

Apologies for the wall of text...

For those who have driven/owned any of the previous gen Renaultsports (especially with the Cup chassis), the RS250 is a revelation. Quieter, smoother, feels like a better built car, a lot easier to get the power down, a big step up in interior quality, the steering wheel isn't the same as the one from the base models this time around, shorter throw and less travel in the clutch. The shift is a lot notchier than old 350Z/225 one. Blind spots? Huge, as you can probably guess from the exterior shots. Still definitely more at home on a track than on Australia's less than perfect roads, although if you're on your fave twisties you'll be concentrating too hard and cackling maniacally to notice - just like the old ones, the faster this thing goes, the better she feels. The 250 on 19s feels a hell of a lot closer to the R on 19s (with no DCC) than the old 225/226 on 18s - the old ones crashed through bumps/corrugations and knocked teeth loose on cats-eyes. Firm but bearable this time around. While quieter, it's lost the permeating addictive sound of the twin-scroll, and the exhaust note is certainly nothing to write home about. The acceleration seems to be a lot more linear, so I guess it'd be less of a handful in the wet than the old ones.

Compared to the R, the cabin (as usual) feels pretty spartan. There's no spare wheel (as usual). A lot less spacious than the Golf - cocooned would be the polite way of putting it. Interior and exterior quality, while seemingly better than previous gens, doesn't feel as good as the Golf.

My opinion? The 250 is a great drive, but not in traffic day-to-day (due to the ride, the blind spots, the cheaper interior) and certainly not for any passengers (much crashier ride, less space). I desperately wanted to love it, and although I came away very impressed, I didn't come away with the same uncontrollable laugh as I did with the R. And for those of you who may still be tempted by the looks of the 250, the exquisite balance and ridiculous ability to carry speed through a corner, take a few breaths, think about the proposition of ownership and what the car will be worth when it comes time to sell...

[G-rig]

yeah you can definitely tell the difference between rs250/focus rs vs say golf gti/r in terms of their vision. both rs250 and focus Rs are definitely more focused on the drive of the car, even to a point of performance on a track. Where both top of the range golfs are more focused as a day to day drive with performance. I think the Golf is more GT style of car. You can take a sydney to melbourne trip quite comfortably for a few people, but i think there would be a few sort backs in the Rs250.

They would all be good cars but depends what you want. A comfortable refined car that is a good all rounder with good performance that would hold it's value reasonably well (Golf R), or a more track orientated, quirky car that is not a great daily driver that will potentially lose a lot of value (RS250).

I wouldn't mind test driving an RS250/Focus RS at some point, would be a good drive.

[Corey_R]

Apologies for the wall of text...

Great first (non-intro) post DrCox. Welcome to the forums.