Golf R -v- Golf GTI

[Fab_R]

The only thing the GTI is better at is not being as good.

Yep, very simply put!

[ethosguy]

In terms of understeer bias ... the MKV GTI and the new Golf R offer a similar chassis tune. They are tuned to cause the motor vehicle to push wide off the mark when on the throttle during cornering.

...I had the pleasure of driving from Sydney to Goulburn recently in the torrential rain via the Macquarie’s Pass, up 20km of steep winding roadways, with streams and waterfalls running across the roadway in many parts. Never once did I lament not having AWD. That wasn’t the case with my previous MKV GTI, even with upgraded heavy duty premium suspension.

Cheers
WJ

Maybe, in part, the MkVI worked better in the wet because you didn't have stiffer upgraded suspension?
Stiff suspension doesn't intrinsically improve grip. Handling and grip aren’t synonymous terms: Nor are predictability and speed. Chassis tuning trades off against a variety of parameters. What comes out of VAG (and most other manufactures) is a pretty safe & predictable setup, as you rightly say, for punters like you and me. Too bad OEM tune is also tedious.

[dave_r]

The only thing the GTI is better at is not being as good.

HAHA you bastard! I just had to clear a mouthful of breakfast from my monitor! Quoted for truth!

I went for a random hoon last night with the missus after dinner. Fwy, suburbs, twisties, basically until the yellow light came on and the car can do everything! The GTI could have probably done all the same stuff, but the R will do it better!

Even found a new Focus RS in my travels. I think he was afraid of the R's awesomeness cos he wasn't interested in doing anything unless I was behind him. PS that green is farken HIDEOUS!

[Fab_R]

HAHA you bastard! I just had to clear a mouthful of breakfast from my monitor! Quoted for truth!

I went for a random hoon last night with the missus after dinner. Fwy, suburbs, twisties, basically until the yellow light came on and the car can do everything! The GTI could have probably done all the same stuff, but the R will do it better!

Even found a new Focus RS in my travels. I think he was afraid of the R's awesomeness cos he wasn't interested in doing anything unless I was behind him. PS that green is farken HIDEOUS!

You bloody hoon Dave!
Good to hear you had some fun though.
Yeah the green is horrid, seen one the other day!
Are you around the Eltham this weekend mate?

[Corey_R]

Maybe, in part, the MkVI worked better in the wet because you didn't have stiffer upgraded suspension?
Stiff suspension doesn't intrinsically improve grip. Handling and grip aren’t synonymous terms: Nor are predictability and speed. Chassis tuning trades off against a variety of parameters. What comes out of VAG (and most other manufactures) is a pretty safe & predictable setup, as you rightly say, for punters like you and me. Too bad OEM tune is also tedious.

Yeah - this is a good point. When I'm watching motorsport, the first thing that the team do where possible, is start unhooking antiroll bars etc to loosen the car up. Stiff car in the rain is detrimental to its handling.

[SilvrFoxX]

H

I went for a random hoon last night with the missus after dinner.

**Bites tongue as response 4 would be a prison offence in 3 states**

[bcm]

Chassis tuning trades off against a variety of parameters.

Exactly the point I was making to Fab about lowering his car. Sure it will change the handling but not necessarily for the better for its intended use.

And if people are worried about R's understeering there's plenty you can do to improve the situation even without spending any money. Try upping the rear tyre pressures or dropping the front tyre pressures relative to each other. Or if you want to spend the smallest amount of money get a stiffer rear swaybar.

Be interesting to see what happens to an ACC car if you start playing with suspension tuning whilst not changing the shocks. I wonder what parameters it monitors to control its responses.

[Converted]

I've read quite a few posts that suggest the ideal point for a good launch is 2400rpm with a GTI - at least a stocker. Not sure how that'd change with a stage 1 - maybe 200-400 rpm less.

Played with my launch control this morning, funny thing, once it went past 2000rpm the needle started dancing and wouldn't (struggling) reach 3000rpm. This wasn't the case when I used LC at VW's driver training day with their GTI.

[Nath]

Played with my launch control this morning, funny thing, once it went past 2000rpm the needle started dancing and wouldn't (struggling) reach 3000rpm. This wasn't the case when I used LC at VW's driver training day with their GTI.

sometimes it will do that if it didnt engage properly, with 'LC' engaged the car should sit nicely still with the brake on and hold its revs, if it doesnt hold revs, or trys to move off then its not engaged properly and you need to go through the process again. Remeber that this isn't a 'true' LC so its not by any means perfect

[sameatworld]

...Both MKV GTI and Golf R understeer more than Falcodores...

WJ

True non biased journalism this. WOW...

[Capercat]

Exactly the point I was making to Fab about lowering his car. Sure it will change the handling but not necessarily for the better for its intended use.

And if people are worried about R's understeering there's plenty you can do to improve the situation even without spending any money. Try upping the rear tyre pressures or dropping the front tyre pressures relative to each other. Or if you want to spend the smallest amount of money get a stiffer rear swaybar.

Be interesting to see what happens to an ACC car if you start playing with suspension tuning whilst not changing the shocks. I wonder what parameters it monitors to control its responses.

I agree, however there was some info suggesting what methods could be adopted in reducing understeer with the R along with ACC opinions, however they seem to have been deleted edit: I now know why haha
At least one newly acquired R member took benefit and decided to address this car accordingly.

[dave_r]

I agree, however there was some info suggesting what methods could be adopted in reducing understeer with the R along with ACC opinions, however they seem to have been deleted edit: I now know why haha
At least one newly acquired R member took benefit and decided to address this car accordingly.

I missed that info and would like to see more. I've got the car into a bit more understeer than expected a couple times. Haven't played with tyre pressures yet but I suspect the biggest issue is the Dunlop Sport Maxx tyres fitted to the car. I had them fitted to some previous RWD cars and found them to have rubbish grip. Will probably get upto Volkspower in the new year and have a chat about some options like sway bars etc.

And thinking about this thread, there isn't much an R can do that a GTI can't but they don't come in Rising Blue

[elisiX]

Well the R doesnt come in CSG so nerrr.. lol

[Capercat]

Apparently a computer glitch wiped out a weeks worth of posts I'm told...

[G-rig]

Apparently a computer glitch wiped out a weeks worth of posts I'm told...

I think everthing was probably covered about ten times in the previous pages..